Why I Chose Advertising Law: Ryan Poteet’s Journey From Asset Freezes to Law Firm Culture

What drives a lawyer to choose advertising law over the more traditional—and lucrative—paths? In this episode, Ryan Poteet reveals why the unpredictable, high-stakes world of FTC litigation is where he thrives.

Emma sits down with Ryan to explore the journey that took him from First Amendment litigation to becoming a partner in advertising law. They unpack the unique challenges of ad law, from sudden FTC asset freezes to the nuances of legal compliance in marketing campaigns. Ryan shares candid reflections on career decisions, law firm culture, and what it’s like to face the government in court. Along the way, you’ll hear the inside story of how he and Emma first crossed paths, the importance of building trust with your legal team, and how copywriters and marketers can avoid dangerous missteps with advertising claims.

This is a behind-the-scenes episode designed to help you understand not just the law, but the people behind it.

We cover:

• Why Ryan chose advertising law over safer, more predictable fields
• His transition from First Amendment litigation to ad law
• What an FTC litigation case looks like in practice
• The realities of law firm team culture and partnership promotion
• How lawyers help copywriters reframe claims for compliance

Timestamps:

• (0:00 ) Why Ryan chose advertising law
• (4:15 ) First Amendment litigation to ad law career shift
• (7:20 ) Facing FTC litigation and asset freeze cases
• (10:45 ) Law firm culture, promotions, and partnerships
• (13:30 ) Helping copywriters find compliant advertising claims
• (15:50 ) Building trust with your legal team

Sign up for the Visionary Vault at www.specialopspodcast.com to access free legal and compliance resources. Don’t wait until the FTC is knocking—arm yourself with the frameworks that protect your business.

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https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault

Get in Touch with Ryan Poteet:

Website: https://www.grsm.com/   

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-poteet-43098ba  

Get in Touch with Emma Rainville: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/    

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast   

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru