On this episode of Great Practice, Great Life®, Steve Riley sits down with family law attorney Gerard Virga to share a remarkable story of resilience, leadership, and reinvention. When Hurricane Michael destroyed Gerard’s law office in 2018, he didn’t pause or panic. Instead, the very next day, he started looking for a new space to work.

Remarkably, that same day, he found a building still standing—and a landlord outside, willing to help. Gerard was offered a spot on the fifth floor, fully furnished and ready to go. As a result, just a few weeks later, in the middle of widespread devastation, his firm experienced one of its busiest Novembers ever. Families were struggling through custody issues, living in trailers, surrounded by debris, and trying to survive. Gerard knew he had to show up—for his clients, his team, and his family.

That moment shifted everything. The crisis changed how Gerard viewed leadership and client service. He became more empathetic, more present, and more open. Because of this, he saw how important it was to lead with compassion and to run a firm that could adapt quickly. So, he started modernizing his systems. Eventually, he moved operations onto servers and into the cloud, stepping away from paper files entirely.

Meanwhile, his sense of purpose extended beyond the office. After seeing firsthand how hard the storm had hit local families, Gerard’s wife, Mary, suggested they give back. Together, they created Operation Santa—a holiday initiative to bring joy to families who had lost everything. That experience became a turning point. More than anything, it reminded Gerard why this work matters.

Now, as the legal landscape continues to evolve, Gerard is once again rebuilding. This time, he’s leaning into AI, not to replace attorneys, but to support them. His goal is to free up his lawyers so they can focus on what only humans can do: connect, advise, and advocate. AI can handle repetitive tasks. In turn, attorneys can spend more time building relationships and preparing for trial. Gerard sees that as the future of law, a people-centered profession powered by smart systems.

Ultimately, he credits his resilience to the people who count on him: his wife, his kids, and his team. He believes true leadership means being willing to change for the better, especially when others are depending on you.

This episode is for anyone who’s been knocked down and is ready to rebuild—smarter, stronger, and with purpose.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Rebuilding a law firm after Hurricane Michael with resilience and strategic innovation
• Importance of understanding your “why” in building a meaningful legal practice
• Embracing AI technology to modernize client communication and enhance firm operations
• “Operation Santa” initiative led by Gerard Virga’s wife to support hurricane-affected families
• Challenges of managing a law firm with a hybrid model and remote workforce
• The evolving role of AI in legal practice, focusing on enhancing human interactions rather than replacing them
• Personal connections and integrity in navigating family law and building client trust

Stay Connected & Show Your Support:

Never miss an episode—subscribe to Great Practice, Great Life! ⭐Like what you hear? A quick review helps more people find the show.⭐

Supporting Resources:

• Gerard Virga: www.thevirgalawfirm.com/our-team/gerard-virga
• The Virga Law Firm: www.thevirgalawfirm.com
• Podcast: Florida Family Law Attorney: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-florida-family-law-attorney-podcast/id1799493137
• Episode 137: Grow or Die: John Morgan’s Relentless Strategy for Law Firm Expansion – Part 1: atticusadvantage.com/podcast/grow-or-die-john-morgan
• Episode 138: Leading Lions and Prima Donnas: John Morgan’s Leadership Lessons – Part 2: atticusadvantage.com/podcast/leadership-lessons-john-morgan
• The Summit: atticussummit.com
• Subscribe to the Atticus Newsletter: atticusadvantage.com/newsletter
• Grow Your Practice With AI Workshop: https://atticusadvantage.com/workshops/grow-your-law-practice-with-ai/

If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at [email protected].

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.