Industry
Criminal Defense, General Practice
Positioning a Firm for Impact
With more than 400 criminal defense attorneys in Charlotte, NC, Bill Powers needed a way to stand out and earn the trust of potential clients online. Leading a small firm, he sought a solution that could strengthen his visibility and credibility without requiring significant time or budget.
Leveraging Authority to Reach More Clients
Bill activated the Best Lawyers Business Development Tier, a premium marketing solution designed to enhance his digital presence through high-authority backlinks, expanded profile content and targeted placement across Best Lawyers platforms.
Business Development Tier
Digital Marketing Platform
About Bill Powers
Bill Powers is the managing partner of a small criminal defense firm in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bill Powers was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for his work in DUI / DWI Defense since 2010, Criminal Defense: General Practice since 2011 and Family Law since 2025.
The Challenge
Standing Out in a Crowded Criminal Defense Practice with Limited Resources
Criminal defense law is highly competitive, especially in urban centers like Charlotte, North Carolina. Bill Powers faced the priority of increasing his firm’s exposure and building trust with potential clients amid a dense market of qualified lawyers.
Despite his firm’s strong reputation and extensive experience, many potential clients were unaware of Powers’ credentials and recognition. Like many consumers today, they relied on Google and third-party review sites to research attorneys before making contact. However, Powers had limited time and internal resources to manage a complex digital marketing effort independently.
He needed a solution that would boost his digital footprint and establish immediate trust with prospective clients without requiring ongoing effort or a large marketing budget.
The Solution
A Trust-Building Strategy Powered by Best Lawyers’ Business Development Tier
Bill Powers had been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2010, but like many attorneys, he was not fully leveraging that distinction in his online marketing.
To build trust with prospective clients and enhance his online reach, Powers upgraded to the Best Lawyers Business Development Tier, a premium offering designed to help attorneys:
- Enhance profile content across Best Lawyers platforms
- Improve discoverability in Google search results
- Gain additional placements in high-authority legal directories
- Build backlinks to their firm website to support SEO
- Showcase awards and recognition through visual badges
This tier helped Powers present his professional strengths more clearly to prospective clients. The solution required minimal time from his internal team, as Best Lawyers managed the technical setup and optimization, allowing Powers to remain focused on his practice.
The Results
Measurable Gains in Visibility, Engagement and Client Trust
The impact of the Business Development Tier was immediate and noticeable. Compared to other criminal defense attorneys in his region, Powers’ Best Lawyers profile achieved:
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These outcomes led to an increase in qualified inquiries and client consultations without the need for a full-time marketer or costly digital advertising.
Powers reinforced his credibility through a platform trusted by both legal peers and clients. This helped him differentiate his practice, convert more online researchers into clients and maintain top-of-mind presence in a competitive market.