TRP 231: Building a Book from the Ground Up with Mark C. Fava

The Rainmaking Podcast

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Mark C. Fava, a seasoned aviation lawyer, retired Navy captain, and author of Lessons from the Admiral, about how to build a thriving legal practice from the ground up. Mark shares the story of how he pivoted from being Delta Airlines' chief operations attorney during 9/11 to returning to private practice in South Carolina—where he had to start over and build his book of business from scratch.

Mark outlines the deliberate strategies he used to position himself as the go-to aviation lawyer in his region, including writing targeted articles, speaking at niche conferences, and becoming a visible and reliable contributor in key legal associations. He explains how volunteering for the least desirable job (like fundraising for an ABA section) helped fast-track his leadership credibility and ultimately led to speaking engagements and board positions. He also discusses how publishing thought leadership—no matter how small the outlet—boosted his visibility and credibility over time, attracting both clients and media.

Mark emphasizes the importance of aligning your brand with your passions, targeting specific niches where you can own mindshare, and focusing on long-term relationship-building over short-term gains. He shares tactical advice for new rainmakers, including how to leverage Google search visibility, create a content calendar, and cultivate media relationships through punchy, quotable commentary.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Mark C. Fava is a career aviation lawyer and retired naval flight officer. He is a prolific writer and entertaining speaker. Mark retired from the US Navy as a captain, having commanded three units, including an aviation squadron. He has been a law firm partner and a corporate executive lawyer. As a law school adjunct professor, he has also taught aviation law and legal writing.

Mark was the chief operations attorney at Delta Air Lines on 9/11 and spent years in the Navy’s P-3 Orion chasing Soviet submarines. He has practiced law for over thirty years and is currently a vice president at the world’s largest aerospace company.

He lives in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, with his wife and three daughters. When not working, reading, or writing, Mark enjoys life in the low country and appreciates a cold glass of sweet tea in the summer and a good oyster roast in the fall.

His first book, “Lessons from the Admiral, Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders” was an Amazon New Release Bestseller in January of 2025.

Links:

https://markcfava.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcfava/

Order Mark’s book, Lessons from the Admiral, here: https://a.co/d/bg9tc6Q

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