I’ve learned something important over the last few years:
Big outcomes don’t come from big moments.
They come from years of intentional building that most people never see.
2026 isn’t about reflection.
It’s about execution.
And everything ahead—personally and professionally—was earned by doing the unglamorous work required to scale.
From Keller Swan to TopDog: Building Something Worth Acquiring
Keller Swan wasn’t built to be “successful.”
It was built to be scalable.
From the very beginning, the goal was never just growth—it was durability:
- Systems that could handle volume
- Leadership that could operate without constant oversight
- Culture that didn’t break under pressure
- A client experience that didn’t dilute as the firm expanded
That focus allowed Keller Swan to grow from a small firm into a multi-state operation with real infrastructure, real accountability, and real results.
Scale creates optionality.
Demonstrated execution creates opportunity.
The acquisition by TopDog Law didn’t happen by accident—it happened because the foundation was already there. What we built could integrate, elevate, and accelerate inside a much larger platform.
That’s what real growth looks like.
The Mission Now: Build an Elite Litigation Engine
As a Managing Partner and Head of Litigation at TopDog Law, the work ahead is clear—and ambitious.
This isn’t about maintaining.
It’s about building.
Expanding the Litigation Team
2026 is about adding elite litigators—attorneys who want real responsibility, real trial exposure, and the opportunity to be part of something that’s growing fast and built to last.
That means:
- Thoughtful recruiting
- Intentional development
- Clear standards and expectations
People don’t rise to goals.
They rise to systems.
Trying Cases and Strengthening the Brand
Real brands are forged in the courtroom.
Trying cases isn’t just about verdicts—it’s about credibility, leverage, and identity. The litigation department will continue to lean into trial readiness, preparation, and execution as a core differentiator.
Marketing creates awareness.
Litigation performance creates trust.
In 2026, we build both—by doing the work where it matters most.
Personal Growth That Fuels Professional Leadership
Leadership isn’t theoretical for me.
It’s physical.
It’s mental.
It’s lived.
That’s why endurance challenges remain part of the journey—not as achievements, but as training grounds for patience, resilience, and long-term thinking.
The 29029 Challenge at Snowbasin
In June 2026, I’ll take on the 29029 Everesting Challenge at Snowbasin, alongside TopDog CEO James Helm.
Climbing the vertical equivalent of Mount Everest—one section at a time—is a reminder that meaningful progress rarely comes in straight lines.
Step. Reset. Repeat.
That mindset carries directly into leadership and life.
Continuing to Build the Call Chris Keller Platform
Alongside my role at TopDog, I remain deeply committed to building a platform focused on leadership, growth, and transformation.
Speaking and Teaching
2026 will bring more stages, more conversations, and more opportunities to share real lessons from building, scaling, failing, and leading through pressure.
Not motivation—application.
Book #2
The next book moves beyond personal transformation and into sustainable execution—how to build systems, habits, and leadership capacity that scale with your ambition.
Growth without structure is chaos.
Structure without vision is stagnation.
Podcast Growth
First Light will continue to grow as a space for real conversations with leaders who are actually in the arena—building, failing, adjusting, and leading at a high level.
This isn’t about highlight reels.
It’s about the work behind them.
2026 Is a Year of Expansion
More responsibility.
More opportunity.
Higher standards.
But that’s what happens when you build something strong enough to carry weight.
A Question for You
If you’re reading this, here’s what I’ll challenge you to consider:
Are you building something that can scale—or just something that depends on you?
- Could your business survive your absence?
- Do your systems support growth—or fight it?
- Are you preparing for the opportunity you say you want?
Because opportunity doesn’t announce itself in advance.
It shows up when you’re ready—or exposes you when you’re not.
2026 is a year for those willing to build bigger than themselves.
What are you building?
And more importantly—who are you becoming to lead it?
