Winters & Chidester

When James Winters and Veronica Chidester​ opened their criminal defense practice, Winters & Chidester, in November 2023, they had no website, no search visibility, and no existing caseload. Within three months, the firm was generating more than $20,000 in monthly revenue. By month six, that number had doubled to more than $40,000 per month.

Launching in central Texas meant stepping into one of Texas's most competitive legal markets. As a brand-new firm, they could not afford a slow start. They needed the phone ringing and cases signed.

Rather than trying to piece together marketing after opening their doors, they partnered with ​Scorpion before signing their first client so they could launch with a plan in place.​

The Challenges

Winters & Chidester were experienced attorneys, having come from prosecution with defense experience, but as a new practice entering one of the most competitive criminal defense markets, they had to build momentum quickly.

They faced immediate pressure:

• Competing against firms with years of brand recognition and search authority.

• Generating consistent, qualified cases.

• Building visibility in both English and Spanish to reflect the central Texas market.

• Managing intake efficiently as a two-attorney team, balancing court and client work.

This was not a slow-build situation. They needed signed cases and a marketing engine that could scale with them. Every missed call meant missed revenue.

Scorpion’s Approach

Scorpion built the firm’s digital presence from the ground up.

A custom website was launched, including a full Spanish-language buildout to reach more potential clients in the central Texas market. Paid search campaigns went live immediately to generate case inquiries while organic visibility developed.

To ensure no opportunity was lost, the firm used Scorpion Connect and AI Chat to receive instant lead notifications and respond quickly. Real-time alerts allowed them to manage intake efficiently, even as a two-attorney team handling court appearances and case preparation.

As performance data became clear, they increased investment in the campaigns driving signed cases and reduced spend where returns were weaker. That visibility allowed them to scale without guessing.

Within three months, Winters & Chidester were generating more than $20,000 in monthly revenue. By month six, monthly revenue exceeded $40,000.

As performance improved, they increased their advertising budget nearly fourfold. During that period:

• Cost per lead dropped by nearly $200.

• The percentage of paid search leads that became consultations rose from 8.5% to 50%, turning more inquiries into signed-case opportunities.

• 13 keywords reached page one rankings within six months, with 12 more on page two.

Growth extended beyond marketing performance. Just six months after opening, the firm hired its first associate attorney, supported by steady revenue.

“What I love about Scorpion Connect is the instant notifications,” said Veronica. “Whether it's AI chat, email, or any other updates, we're immediately informed and can act quickly. The service is amazing.”

James echoed that sentiment. “What stands out to me is how Scorpion is thinking about AI's impact on the next 20 to 30 years of law practice and integrating it from the start. It’s massive, and we feel lucky to be part of it.”

What’s Next

Winters & Chidester continue to expand their team and have built consistent monthly revenue in a highly competitive market.

They’re continuing to invest in the channels driving signed cases and strengthening their visibility in central Texas. With a solid foundation in place, the firm is positioned to expand its caseload and presence.

Ready to grow your law firm? Let’s chat about what Scorpion can do for you.