Episode 97: Jason Black — Law Enforcement, Lawyer. Leader.

🎙 Episode 97: Jason Black — From Law Enforcement, to Lawyer,  to Leadership

In this new episode of Community Connections with Dr. Ryan Sauers, we sit down with Jason Black, a respected attorney, community leader, and co-founder of Weinstein & Black, LLC. https://wblegal.net/ 

Jason shares his remarkable journey from a career in law enforcement to becoming a trusted business and family-law attorney, entrepreneur, and civic influencer. He opens up about leadership, purpose, and the value of serving others—both in the courtroom and in the community.

You’ll hear how his experiences shaped a grounded approach to integrity, decision-making, and human connection—and how faith and family keep him centered while running a successful law practice and mentoring others.

⏱ Length: 29 minutes
📅 Release Date: October 30, 2025 @ 7 PM ET
🎧 Listen on: Buzzsprout, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & wherever you get your podcasts

👉 Community Connections with Dr. Ryan Sauers spotlights business owners, community leaders, and difference-makers across the Southeast and the country... who inspire us all to Keep Pushing Forward  (KPF). 

WATCH VIDEO/TV show now-> https://youtu.be/LXi-FwE28O8?si=uzM7g_22aUmA4VOq

#Leadership #Law #CommunityConnections #RyanSauers #JasonBlack #Purpose #Service #KeepPushingForward #podcast #podcasting #newepisode #podcasthost #podcastshow #podcastlife #podcastcommunity #leadershippodcast #entrepreneurpodcast #lawpodcast #legalleadership 

For more information about becoming a guest, please email: Ryan@EndResultz.com or connect on social media below.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:04

Hello again, everyone. It is time for another episode of the Community Connection Show. The show that brings you positive stories and encouraging news as we interview top leaders in every sector of the community. And now here is your host, national speaker and best-selling author, Ryan Stars.

SPEAKER_01 0:28

Welcome to another community connections show with Ryan Stars. I am super excited to have my friend and colleague Jason Black with us today. Jason, my friend, how are you? Wonderful, Ryan. How are you, buddy? Doing good. Doing real good. We got us recorded, so that's real positive. But for a lot of people, you do a ton of things, Jason. And I hold you in high highest regard. But for people who don't even have a background, a little bit about you, just do you want to give them a the 30-second overview?

SPEAKER_00 0:57

Sure. I'm currently a practicing attorney, litigator. I own my own law firm, Weinstein of Black. I'm one of the partners for our firm. And uh prior to that, I was in law enforcement for 14 years out in Jackson County. Um, worked for the City of Commerce for 11 and a half of those years, decided to uh further my education and and look for something to kind of grow my career. So I went back to law school uh where I worked during the day I was a detective and then went to law school at night for four years and uh ultimately passed the bar the first time, mind you, and uh have been practicing law for the last eight years.

SPEAKER_01 1:44

A little bit of that story, but that's not easy to do with with the kids and family and all that. That's awesome.

SPEAKER_00 1:48

Yeah, definitely it was difficult. I did it with uh two two young children at home. My wife, uh my wife held down the fort while I was running up and down the road going to law school.

SPEAKER_01 2:00

So every uh there's always some smart lady behind us that makes us makes us look better.

SPEAKER_00 2:06

And your wife is. She's definitely a rock star, no doubt.

SPEAKER_01 2:09

Absolutely. Now remind us, where did you grow up? Did you grow up near this community or were you in another part?

SPEAKER_00 2:14

I grew up in Gwinnett County. I graduated from Dekula High School. I actually wound up moving to commerce in Jackson County in 2003, uh, when I bought a house at 19 and uh was really trying to kind of launch myself. And I didn't even know where Jackson County or Commerce was at the time because I grew up right around the Hamilton Mill area. And you know, you had the mall of Georgia and everything else 30 30 seconds from your house, right? And so um moving out here, it was a little bit of a culture shock, but uh undoubtedly this place has become my home and and where I have my own business and raise my kids, and and it's it's nice to live out in the country for sure.

SPEAKER_01 2:59

So, you know, this is interesting. I mean, uh, just so people have a little background. So tell me a little about that journey and goes through your head every day, being from the police officer side to the attorney side, because I mean you I guess attorney, you interact and see these police officers all day. I mean, that's a unique uh vantage point, I would think.

SPEAKER_00 3:17

It is, you know, it law enforcement. I I I tell people, right, when you're an attorney, you're dealing with people's problems, no matter what kind of uh law you're practicing. And so I feel like I I'm well equipped to be a good attorney because the 14 years that I was in law enforcement, I woke up every day and had problems to solve for for the general public. And so sometimes you had 30 seconds to make that decision and and problem solve. And sometimes you would you would have cases to work and and issues to to handle throughout through throughout weeks or months at a time. So, you know, what I tell people is between the 14 years I was a police officer and eight years I've been practicing law, I've been solving problems for 22 years. So um it's it's a it's a good thing to have. I I look at problems a lot differently and think outside of the box a lot of times when you have complicated issues. So it's definitely a a good trait to have.

SPEAKER_01 4:19

Yeah, I can see that anyway. Uh so let's talk about because because I know Mike and great guy, but you know, how about uh when you guys came together and started Wine Stand Black? Just kind of so people have that background. Y'all have been rock stars, but I'm you know, I know you had to come up with an idea somewhere to do this.

SPEAKER_00 4:34

Well, Mike actually reached out to me in 2020. Um, he was he was looking to hire another lawyer. Um, and he reached out to me and actually said, Hey Jason, you want to go to lunch? And I had met Mike because we were um we were against each other in a couple of cases. Um, one in which we had a a really what I say is the longest landlord tenant trial in Georgia history, um, because they're normally like an hour, right? Or 30 minutes. So um we we got to know each other in that case, and then we had a a second case with one another. And so um he was looking to expand his firm, and I was actually at the time looking to start my own firm. So we had lunch and he asked me, would I come work for him? And I said, Well, only if we're gonna be partners because I'm gonna open my own shop. And uh he I told him that it was gonna be in Jefferson, Georgia, and he said, Where in the crap is Jefferson, Georgia? Um, and so I drove him up here, and uh ever since then we've been rocking and rolling and really, really have a really good thing going.

SPEAKER_01 5:48

All the contact information, but I've gotten to to see the growth and it's darn impressive, man. You guys are both awesome guys. So all right, so let's let's segue now. I know you you were running and and we had an election, and we're doing a little pre getting it out there, and we may come back, circle back near to May next year. But what office, I'm gonna ask you why you got into it, but what office have you put your hat in the ring for?

SPEAKER_00 6:11

Yeah, I'm excited to say that I'm running for District 47 State Senate. Uh, those counties that consist of the district are uh Madison County, Jackson, the majority of Jackson County, basically all of Jackson except commerce, um, half of Barrow County, and um a sliver of Clark County. So uh a big, big spread out district, but uh super excited to have announced. We've been on the campaign trail now going on, I think it's seven weeks. Um, and uh we've picked up a lot of momentum, and I'm really excited about what we're doing.

SPEAKER_01 6:52

So you um we were talking before you went on air. You now you mentioned your grand, was it your grandmother was in public service?

SPEAKER_00 6:59

Yeah, my grandmother was in the Coast Guard, auxiliary Coast Guard for 30 years. She actually met my grandfather in the Coast Guard because he was a commander, and um, she recently passed away this summer, but um she uh she served the Coast Guard for 30 years. They actually named the uh the radio center after her um when she retired. So pretty pretty cool stuff down in Fort Myers, Florida.

SPEAKER_01 7:27

Tell me about the thought process. Is now is public office something you kind of always had in the back of your mind, or did you just kind of come to this as she evolved? Because I mean, I I don't know you might be running for president in 10 years, where you're going.

SPEAKER_00 7:37

You never know. You never know, right? The way I am. But um, you know, it's funny. So the my campaign manager is also one of the law partners here at the firm, Dave McDonald. He and I went to law school together. We actually met the the first day of law school, and um he was working in Congress at the time while we were in law school and worked for Doug Collins for a period of time. And I actually told him at some point, I said, you know what? If I'm gonna if I'm gonna go through law school, I'm gonna run for office one day. And and we kind of laughed about it, but I I was being more serious than he was. And I said, but the only way I'm doing it is if you run my campaign. And so he, so here we are. Um we're we're running a race and he's the campaign manager, and uh, we're having a lot of fun doing it.

SPEAKER_01 8:26

Uh now do you have to run uh this is a probably a silly question. Is there like a Democratic-Republican kind of thing there? Or how does that work in your type of race?

SPEAKER_00 8:35

Yeah, so there's of course Democrats and Republicans, independents can all get in the race, right? Um, we are actually running against a 16-year incumbent. Um, and uh we've that's kind of why we've started running our race early uh to get our name out, get name recognition, and and get in front of as many people as we can. Um this this decision wasn't just a fly by night decision. We've been probably planning it for the better part of six or eight months.

SPEAKER_01 9:10

That's a lot of strategy, and um that makes sense. I'm out. I'm kind of thinking of it. I mean, half the uh, you know, uh I would say some people in politics had a law school background. So and you've got the personality for it. I mean, I I you know I started seeing you you have been really out a lot. I mean, you've been burning in all ends the last six weeks. Uh but I've seen some endorsements and some some really nice endorsements. I saw the other day on uh social media. So uh we talked about so your law enforcement, and now you got a you know, law background. I know you do different things in law now. How how does this influence what you know my doctors and leaderships? I love talking about leadership. How does this influence like I see a lot of change I would love to make in the in the state of Georgia around? I mean, we can talk about it. How does that kind of fuel you a little bit?

SPEAKER_00 9:54

Well, I'm really excited about it, right? I mean, I I got out of law enforcement not because I hated serving and and being in law enforcement. I got out of law enforcement to to really kind of better my family situation, provide better for my wife and my kids. And so the the idea of getting back into public service, but yet still being being able to work as an attorney and and run my business and and help the community all at the same time is is really exciting to me and and something you know I I've always felt, you know, public service is really important to me. And we were involved in the community in in a number of different ways. So being able to get into another leadership role. I mean, whether I was playing baseball or when I was in law enforcement and and even now running my own business, I've always taken leadership roles and being able to do this now at a state level and and help the constituents of District 47. I'm really excited about it.

SPEAKER_01 10:58

NBA leadership class nights, we can zoom you back in. No, that's fantastic. Um, so let's talk a little bit though, Jason. You know, we see we all tend to moan and groan on the sidelines, or many people do talking about you know what they want to see in public, you know, a leadership, government, blah, blah, blah. But no one really actually does anything. You know, I mean, they they talk about it, they complain about it, but very few people throw their hat in the ring. I mean, so, you know, in your perfect world, we're gonna fast forward and say you're the winner there in May 2026. I lay my wager way to um what do you hope to do? I mean, you know, you know, you know, you know, you're a relationship. Yeah, I know that. But what is it you're saying, hey, this is what I'm gonna bring to the equation.

SPEAKER_00 11:40

Well, you know what really kicked this off um in full circle, right? Is a lot of the local leaders, and I I would say more than a handful of local leaders. And what I when I when I say local leaders, commissioners, council, men and women, uh, mayors, uh all have approached me with an issue that basically said, we we've got a state senator that that we don't really have a good relationship with. Um, and they're my friends, but and and and being involved in the community that concerns me, right? I mean, we're Jackson County, which is is part of the district, but Jackson County as a whole is now the fastest growing county in the state, one of the fastest in the country. And I own a business here, I live here, my family lives here, my friends live here. And so um I guess I had a calling, right? I I think God put it on my heart to say, you need to step up and and this is this is the route you need to go. And and really, it was all perfect timing. And so um we met with a lot of people. I, you know, you talked about the endorsements. I actually have, I think a new endorsement rolling out, one every two or three days for the next, I think, 30 or 40 days. Um, so we've got a number of endorsements throughout the district that we're excited to announce and and show that you know, I'm I'm reliable and I'm a good leader and and I can I can serve the the constituents. But I ultimately I want to facilitate those relationships and then be present, right? And and listen to the community. I think politicians, right? People are already saying, oh, what got you into politics? And you know, I I don't want to inevitably I would be a politician when I win, right? But um what I want to make sure that we do is listen more than we talk. I think politicians talk more than they listen, and then they don't do what needs to be done for their people. And and I I I take that seriously. And really, I've been around going to all these events listening more than I'm talking um in a lot of respects. So I know what what the heartbeat is around the district.

SPEAKER_01 13:53

Love it too. Um so if you've been listening, just and again, in this show, we're not gonna get into you know anything about opponents, whatever. It's about you and your lane. And you know, well, you know, I feel strongly knowing the person you are. I'm just saying that's why I wanted to have you on here. You're gonna end up where you want to be. And and but are you hearing any common themes? Are you hearing any different themes? And what are you hearing out there as you're listening?

SPEAKER_00 14:16

Well, look, I mean, I think P different different groups of of the community all have different issues and concerns, right? Um, I think one of the biggest things that that people have right now is school safety. Um, you know, we live in and part of my district being in Barrow County. We had the the tragic event at Appalachie a little over a year ago now. And I think that's in everybody's forefront to make sure that never happens again. Um supporting our local law enforcement and public safety and and looking at ways that we can provide them more resources. You know, we have a a huge issue, not only probably locally, but state and federally, trying to recruit and bring in people to serve in law enforcement anymore. And it's because, you know, they've been bastardized in in the the news and people aren't really willing to serve in those positions anymore. So we've got to do some things to make it more appealing and try to work on retirement and benefits and things of that nature at a state level that may take off of the local area and maybe even and provide them more money to be able to pay these men and women to serve the streets. Um, and then of course, supporting our local businesses. I think the small business owner is what runs this country. Um, I know big corporations pay the most, but um small businesses and being small communities, we take care of each other, trying to make sure that we protect them, keep the regulation down on them and the red tape and things of that nature, and looking for any way we can save people taxes.

SPEAKER_01 15:59

I'm sitting there thinking um one little fact. I don't even know, you know, 99. I learned this PhD route, 99.99% of all businesses in the US being 500 or less people small business are small businesses. So you know what you're talking about. I mean, just the statistic when you say that, I had to have it drilled in my head, probably like your bar exam. You know, but it was drilled in my head, and you go, you think of like Home Depot and Co. Well, that's great, but most are are smaller businesses and most 50% don't don't make it to the five-year mark. So you wear that hat and then you wear the law enforcement hat, and you're correct. I mean, we've I'm not gonna comment on it, but you know, I can imagine what people might face going into that, just going, I, you know, what am I signing up for here? Because I can't win. And then, you know, now you got your attorney hat, you've got your community, you know, supporter hat. The more I listen to you, you are the right guy. I mean, seriously. Well, thank you. Um no, I mean, you know, you it's a very unique perspective. I mean, and everybody walks, you know, I say, yo, everybody has a story, I don't know your story, you don't know, but the story you've walked really puts you in a unique vantage point to talk to a business person, to talk to a law enforcement person, to talk to attorneys and other people, and then all the people around it say, what's going on? What are the pain points? So uh that just came to me as you were talking. So you've been out, let's see what else. Um all right. So in the in the local in the local landscape, what is what most people don't understand in terms of the office you're running for? In other words, you know, they get US senator and state senator, and we I know you meet for a certain number of days and this and that, but how I don't know how long the term is how how does it work just for the lay person?

SPEAKER_00 17:34

So, you know, it's funny you should ask that. I don't know how many times in the last seven weeks people have asked me if I'm running against John Osoff. And recording it right here. Yeah, and I said, no, that's that's Mr. Collins and Mr. Dooley that that are hashing it out for that right now. And uh, you know, I think that's the biggest thing. A lot of people don't realize that we have 56 state senators, 56 districts, um, just like we have a and and our state government is very similar to that of the federal government. We have a governor that really is the president of the state, and then we have a state house and a uh senator, senate side of the state legislature. Um, and and both sides have their purposes and and their tasks and and work on bills and presenting presenting different laws that need to be addressed throughout the state um for issues that that have to be dealt with throughout the state. But I think the biggest thing is is educating people on um that we have state senators. It's amazing to me how many people don't even know that. Um, but also um trying to get people excited about this, right? I mean, when you have when you have people that just stay in office for so long, um, it just becomes a click of a box when you go to the ballot, right? And and sometimes I think we become numb to that. And and honestly, as a conservative, I think um, you know, we have to get more excited about what we're doing and how we're how we're putting ourselves out in the public. But even more so, you know, even though, you know, that it's very sad what happened to Charlie Kirk, we have a lot of really young people and a lot of uh this stir in the country and even in the state that says it's time to get some young people in office um and use their their bright brains and and their problem-solving skills to maybe make a difference. And and I'm hoping that I can take that to the state and and do that for our district.

SPEAKER_01 19:37

I'm glad I could ask a question you've been asked. Because if I asked, I figured somebody else would probably have to. Um so you know, when you when you think about all this stuff, regardless of how this, you know, what about your kids? You know, your kids are old enough to know what you're doing, but your kids your wife or whatever, when you when you sat down and they say, Why are you decided to do this? You know, you you you you you transitioned and you went to law school, then you open your own thing, or but but not that they didn't support you. I know they're their biggest fans, but how do you tell them, like, this is my why, my WHY, what I want to do to you know, make a difference.

SPEAKER_00 20:07

Well, you know, I think my why is I want to make my community the best it can be. And and that's when I served in law enforcement, I worked very hard in all the tasks and the jobs that I did in law enforcement to make that community that I served, the city of commerce, the best it could be. And and this is another opportunity for me to step in a role and not only touch a city, but tech touch four counties and an and a and a wide ray of people to to really lay my mark um in history, right? And and inevitably um it would it would lead to a legacy kind of situation, right? I mean, that's just something that in the back of your mind, it's kind of a cool cool something to think about. Um, but you know, it's ultimately leading my family and leading my kids and showing them I'm the first one in my family to graduate college, let alone go to graduate school or own a business. So to show my kids that I went from, you know, just graduating high school and not really knowing what I wanted to be when I grew up to potentially a state senator. Um, you know, I want them to see that whatever they put their mind to and however hard they work, uh, they can accomplish whatever they want. And I hope people in the community see that and I can inspire some other people to do the same thing.

SPEAKER_01 21:34

That why is what I love to ask people because that's you know, that's what drives you. And um you know, it it's so important. So a couple other questions I had. Um you know, is is the you know, are you is there a here's the word I'm looking for? Do you find uh have you had a couple of questions where people ask you anything of uh not getting into who's in office? Right now, or some things that have surprised surprised you possibly that you didn't expect as you've gone out listening, or have you been pretty much asked questions you already expected kind of coming in?

SPEAKER_00 22:10

Well, look, I mean, I think running against a 16-year incumbent, right? And and you we listened a lot to a lot of people before we said we were gonna do this, right? And we announced when we did, but being out on the trail and having announced for seven weeks now, the um support and the following and the momentum that we've built, um, I don't I have not gone anywhere where somebody kind of poo-pooed on my parade and said you don't have a chance. Um everybody's supported us. Um, we've our Facebook growing or our Facebook following has has grown substantially, our Instagram following has grown substantially. And really everybody that we've had events and being out in the community, everybody says they're rooting for us and and and plan to vote for us, right? So it's um, you know, I think that's the biggest thing is knowing um that I've tried to be a good member of the community and work hard for so many years. And now that I took this step out of the shadow and said I'll I'll run for office to see the support. That's honestly been the most humbling but surprising part of all this.

SPEAKER_01 23:22

To brag on you a little bit, I know you get amazing wife Sarah and and then um uh two great kids, but um you also volunteer a lot. And yeah, I know you're wine black you guys to get back to the community a lot. I mean, so all that uh seems to be very important to you. And I mean, you kind of touched on earlier, but that's something you've been doing, right?

SPEAKER_00 23:42

Yeah, I mean, it public service is what what my family have has done for years. I mean, my wife and I, you mentioned it earlier. We coached a travel softball team for 13 years. Um, and we didn't even have a kid on the team. And we helped that's awesome. We helped 20 young ladies have the opportunity to go play college softball. In fact, we finished that season um this summer, and my wife was like, Oh, what are we gonna do? And about a month later, I said, I think I'm gonna run for office. And she's like, I'm gonna kill you. So uh, you know, it I always seem to find she told me not long ago I was the problem. I always find something for us to do. And I I I think she might be right, but um, it's it's awesome to to support people in the community. And I think, you know, something that's important to me is, you know, when I was in law enforcement, I didn't make a lot of money and I didn't have a lot of resources. We were young and trying to raise babies and diapers and formula and all of that. And I think, you know, we've been so blessed to have success at Weinstein and Black to be able to give back to the community and do those things now is really important to my heart because I remember the times and the days when I couldn't give anything, right? I could just give my time. Um, and so, you know, as time is is a commodity, but also a lot of these organizations and and these community groups need other resources and funds. And we're we're super blessed to be able to do that.

SPEAKER_01 25:13

Um and and just uh before we forget, we'll do it again before we sign off with other questions. So, but what are I know you mentioned I actually am personally following your, I don't really follow much on anything. So I I I'm on the Facebook uh Jason Black page. It has grown a lot. Uh uh, you know, I'm careful when I do that. But what what are the you know, we want to mention Weinstein and Black too. So what are some websites we want to make sure people go back and listen or listen to the show? We get people to connect with you, connect with the firm, whatever.

SPEAKER_00 25:40

Yeah, so our website is wb or www.wb legal.net. Um, and then we have a Weinstein and Black Facebook page that people can follow along. And then my campaign websites and social media. My social media is at votejason black, and that's for Instagram and Facebook. And my uh campaign website is votejasonblack.org.

SPEAKER_01 26:13

Great question there. But Dave back there, he he shows you the genius of his mark of his marketing branding, and keeping it all up because all right, so vote Jason Black on Facebook and Instagram for the election. Well, and yeah, I've seen it over the year, yeah. I always forget W was it, WB, what do you say legal.net legal.net. Yep. Absolutely long-term memory. All right, so kind of as we're coming to end here, you know, I want, you know, we're we got what election is what'd you say, May?

SPEAKER_00 26:40

Uh primary will be in May, yeah. Then election, the election will be November of 2026, but the primary is in May.

SPEAKER_01 26:48

Getting this out early, and you may see us come back with a a later one, but we want to get this out early. So kind of as we close right now, you know, at this stage, you know, we're people that are gonna listen to this in podcast form, people that are gonna listen to this to the video show. What do you kind of want to leave them with as of, you know, whatever, November 2025, as we're going into the holidays and and what you're striving to do more and more of, with the ultimate goal, obviously, you know, winning an election?

SPEAKER_00 27:15

I think uh I want the biggest thing I would ask people to do is follow along with us and watch us. And and I told somebody not long ago that the difference between me and the guy I'm running against is I can't be outworked. And I, you know, I think I've shown the last seven weeks that we're out in the community and we're doing the things that we need to be doing and spending time with the constituents of the district. And I want people to watch and see who's really out with the citizens. And, you know, what I will tell you is if you follow along with me, I don't take any job lightly that I do. I advocate for people every day in my professional life, um, but also running for office. I'm ad I'm wanting to advocate for them down at the state capitol, and I take that seriously. So following along and watching what we're willing to do, I'm I'm gonna show everybody that's gonna vote for me that I'm willing to do the job and put the time in and do what needs to be done to be a successful senator for them.

SPEAKER_01 28:20

We need more Jason Blacks of the world. That's about as well said as that could be, and we'll appreciate that. But man, you got you know, I'm in your corner, and I wanted to share you with our different audiences because it's a community connection show across many different communities. So uh I want to thank you. I know you're a busy guy, but uh, you know, uh just wanted you to appreciate you carving out some time for us, and then we'll get this out through all the channels.

SPEAKER_00 28:41

Thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate it, Ryan.

SPEAKER_01 28:44

You're welcome. All right, Jason, we'll talk to you soon. Post, you've been listening to another community connection show with Ryan Sowers, special guest Jason Black with us today. Uh, we are gonna close out now and we will see you again next time.

SPEAKER_02 29:04

This has been the Community Connection Show with Ryan Sowers. Stay on the lookout for new or past shows with community leaders wherever you listen to your podcast. And if you want to see the video interview of any show, visit Community Connections TV.com. Thanks for tuning in, everyone, and we will see you next time.