April Collins, founder of Collins Law, LLC, appeared on PILMMA's Grow Your Law Firm podcast with host Ken Hardison to discuss her path from launching a practice in her basement to purchasing her own office building. The episode, titled "From Basement Startup to Firm Growth With April Collins," was released on August 7, 2026. PILMMA, the Personal Injury Lawyer Marketing & Management Association, releases new episodes weekly.
During the conversation, Collins and Hardison covered a range of topics, including overcoming trust barriers to hiring more staff and an associate attorney, choosing where to invest income, standing out in a competitive market by embracing what makes you unique, making client service a top priority, and embracing AI tools company-wide. Collins credited PILMMA as a significant factor in developing her business skills and growing her firm over the past several years.
Collins said the first change she had to make was mental. "The mindset is the first thing that I had to change, and to learn to develop into a businesswoman," she said. "I didn't have a business background, I didn't have family members who ever owned big businesses or went to law school, so I had to learn." She noted that this was particularly challenging in Birmingham, a highly competitive market for injury attorneys.
To differentiate herself, Collins leaned into her authenticity. "I had to learn to lean into what makes me different instead of shying away from it," she said. "I learned that I can find my own strength, my own superpower in who I am, and to use the authenticity that I have to find the people who want to hire me. Because there are people who want to hire me, there are people who are looking specifically for someone like me."
Collins encouraged lawyers and business owners to adopt a growth mindset as an early step in expanding their business. "If you have a growth mindset, then you're going to grow," she said. "And if you don't know [how to do something], find somebody that can help you, because what I've learned for the most part in this space, there are people who will help you. There are people who are here to assist."
For those interested in hearing the full episode, it is available to visit PILMMA's website or search for "Grow Your Law Firm" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream podcasts. More information about Collins and her firm can be found by visiting April Collins.
Collins Law, LLC is a Black-owned injury law firm with offices in Birmingham and Madison, Alabama. The firm is committed to standing up on behalf of those who've been marginalized and feel like they don't have a voice, helping victims of car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and other forms of personal injury. The firm has served accident victims across Alabama for over 10 years, earning five-star client satisfaction and outstanding results by combining legal expertise, a compassionate and caring bedside manner, and an unwavering commitment to quality representation.
The podcast appearance highlights the growing importance of business acumen and marketing savvy in the legal industry, particularly for solo practitioners and small firms looking to scale. Collins's story may resonate with attorneys seeking to overcome similar challenges, from hiring fears to competitive pressures, and could encourage more lawyers to seek out resources like PILMMA to build sustainable practices. As AI tools and client service become differentiators, Collins's emphasis on authenticity and growth mindset offers a potential roadmap for others in the field.
