S5 E8 · Mon, April 28, 2025

Darryl Williams – Could AI Find What Your Opposition Is Desperately Hiding?

"AI knows what absolute truth is," says Darryl Williams , whose military career solving "strategic surprise" led him to create algorithms that dive deeper than conventional AI. Speaking with host Ben Gideon , Darryl explains how his cognitive AI system, grounded in foundational sciences, achieves near-perfect accuracy where generative AI can falter. From identifying juror biases to uncovering hidden fraud, Darryl details how his platform reconstructs reality from sparse data points, helping lawyers win high-stakes cases through superior intelligence gathering. The message: In litigation, you don't know what you don't know until deeper AI reveals it. Learn More and Connect ☑️ Darryl Williams   ☑️ Partsol (Partnership Solutions International | LinkedIn ☑️ Ben Gideon | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram ☑️ Rahul Ravipudi | LinkedIn | Instagram ☑️ Panish Shea Ravipudi LLP on LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram ☑️ Gideon Asen on LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram ☑️ Subscribe

S5 E7 · Mon, April 14, 2025

Kimball Jones - "Find Your Isiah Thomas People" to Accomplish Greatness

"Attach yourself to the right people. Anything great that you ever accomplish is almost certainly accomplished by a team," says Kimball Jones , who's on an incredible winning streak with verdicts of $550 million, $105 million, and others in quick succession. Fresh off these victories, Kimball joins host Rahul Ravipudi to break down his teambuilding philosophy, inspired by the 1980s Detroit Pistons. He shares how his losses taught him to "don't agree to anything the defense wants" and why calming jurors — rather than inflaming them — has led to massive punitive damages. Learn More and Connect ☑️ Kimball Jones | LinkedIn ☑️ Bighorn Law on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube ☑️ Ben Gideon | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram ☑️ Rahul Ravipudi | LinkedIn | Instagram ☑️ Panish Shea Ravipudi LLP on LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram ☑️ Gideon Asen on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company

S5 E6 · Mon, March 31, 2025

Elizabeth Larrick – Never Get Blindsided Again: Affordable Focus Group Tactics

Trial lawyer and consultant Elizabeth Larrick brings her expertise on focus groups to hosts Ben Gideon and Rahul Ravipudi . With experience conducting over 1,000 focus groups, the founder of the Trial Lawyer Prep Podcast explains how she helps attorneys make critical decisions at various stages in a case. Sharing success stories, Elizabeth details how her streamlined Zoom focus groups identify blind spots, test liability theories, and gauge damages. The dominant theme: preparing your case for outside scrutiny inevitably strengthens your trial strategy, regardless of the outcome. Learn More and Connect ☑️ Elizabeth Larrick | LinkedIn ☑️ Trial Lawyer Prep Podcast ☑️ Ben Gideon | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram ☑️ Rahul Ravipudi | LinkedIn | Instagram ☑️ Panish Shea Ravipudi LLP on LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram ☑️ Gideon Asen on LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | <a h

S5 E5 · Mon, March 17, 2025

Brad Cosgrove – Spot Bad Jurors Before They Kill Your Case

When Brad Cosgrove got the case of a woman who died during elective cosmetic surgery, his first thought was, “Is this rare?” During his investigation, he discovered that the plastic surgeon had been linked to other deaths but never disciplined. Tune in as Brad recaps his $54 million verdict against the doctor with hosts Ben Gideon and Rahul Ravipudi . Brad also discusses how to eliminate the “worst” jurors for a med-mal plaintiffs’ attorney: those who won't award damages because they feel that “shit happens.” Interested in brainstorming a case with Ben and Rahul? Join a confidential case workshop. Email Ben or go online and submit a case workshop request.  Learn More and Connect ☑️ Brad Cosgrove | LinkedIn ☑️ Clifford Law Offices on LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram ☑️ Ben Gideon | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram ☑️ Rahul Ravipudi | LinkedIn | Instagram ☑️ Panish Shea Ravipudi LLP on LinkedIn | <a href="https://www.f

S5 E4 · Mon, March 03, 2025

Josh Koskoff and John Campbell – Debating the Pros and Cons of Big Data

Big data doesn’t stymie a lawyer’s creativity in the courtroom; it actually informs smart decisions. So argues John Campbell , who co-authored “Jury Ball: The Big Data Revolution Is Here” with his wife, Alicia, and Sean Claggett. Big data is no substitute for creativity; it can't capture the lawyer’s biggest weapon: authenticity and heart. So argues Josh Koskoff , a leading personal injury trial attorney.  Tune in to this friendly debate moderated by hosts Ben Gideon and Rahul Ravipudi to hear where John and Josh diverge on the issue, and where they align. Interested in brainstorming a case with Ben and Rahul? Join a confidential case workshop. Email Ben or go online and submit a case workshop request.  Learn More and Connect ☑️ Josh Koskoff | LinkedIn ☑️ Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder on X | LinkedIn | Facebook ☑️ John Campbell ☑️ Ben Gideon | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram ☑️ Rahul Ravipudi | LinkedIn | Instagram ☑️ Panish Shea Ravipudi LLP on <a href="https

S5 E3 · Mon, February 17, 2025

Jesse Wilson – Training Lawyers for the Most Challenging Stage: The Courtroom

“I say the theater is a safe place to be dangerous. I firmly believe that the courtroom is a dangerous place to be safe.” That’s why Jesse Wilson teaches lawyers and witnesses how to be dangerous in the courtroom. A Juilliard-trained actor, he prepares witnesses and helps lawyers with trial strategy through his Tell the Winning Story consultant business. Following a workshop for host Ben Gideon ’s team, Jesse joins “Elawvate” to share tips with listeners. Tune in for his lessons about masks, imagination, and authentic communication.  Learn More and Connect ☑️ Jesse Wilson | LinkedIn ☑️ Tell the Winning Story on X | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok ☑️ Order Jesse’s book, “ Witness Preparation: How To Tell The Winning Story ” ☑️ Ben Gideon | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram ☑️ Rahul Ravipudi | LinkedIn | Instagram ☑️ Panish Shea Ravipudi LLP on LinkedIn | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PanishSheaRavipudiLLP/" rel="noopener noreferrer

S5 E2 · Mon, February 03, 2025

Getting Bad Jurors to Strike Themselves, with the Farah & Farah Problem-Solvers

Frank Fratello used to consider money an “evil secret” in jury selection. Then he got a $2.5 million verdict. Fresh off the red-eye to Florida, Frank told his trial partner David Thompson about a strategy he’d learned days before from consultant Sari de la Motte at Trial Lawyers University in Las Vegas. “He was extremely excited. He’s like, ‘I'm doing it.’ … And he went and did it, and it was actually quite effective,” David recalls. Tune in as Frank and David – “problem-solvers” for Farah & Farah – break down the case, where they represented a young woman who required a life care plan to manage injuries sustained in a truck accident. Visiting hosts Ben Gideon and Rahul Ravipudi , they explain the selection method, which involves approaching damages gradually through questions asked at intervals. As Frank saw, jurors who would have balked at awarding the plaintiff’s figure “struck themselves.”  Learn More and Connect ☑️ Frank Fratello   ☑️ David Thompson | LinkedIn ☑️ Farah & Farah on LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | X   ☑️ Ben Gideon | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram ☑️ <a href="https://www.panish.law/ravipudi.html" rel="

S5 E1 · Mon, January 20, 2025

Mastering the Art of Unpredictable Moves: Charla Aldous' Unconventional Courtroom Tactics

Hosts Ben Gideon and Rahul Ravipudi invite trial lawyer Charla Aldous for a conversation about her distinguished career. Sharing stories that range from amusing to poignant, she recalls making corporate defendants wither and juries giggle. She discusses reinventing herself from a defense lawyer to a plaintiff’s lawyer specializing in medical malpractice. She criticizes med-mal caps in Texas and cherishes taking unpopular cases. The dominant theme is her fearless devotion to clients. If she were to give advice to young lawyers, she’d say this: “You are the voice for those that, but for you, would not have a voice. And if you ever lose sight of that fact, you need to go do something else for a living.” Learn More and Connect ☑️ Charla Aldous | LinkedIn   ☑️ Aldous \ Walker | LinkedIn | X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  ☑️ Ben Gideon | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram ☑️ Rahul Ravipudi | LinkedIn | Instagram ☑️ Panish Shea Ravipudi LLP on LinkedIn |

S4 E24 · Mon, December 02, 2024

A Legacy of Taking on Big Tobacco and Other Villains and Making a Difference with Scott Schlesinger

Scott Schlesinger has known what it means to be a trial lawyer from his earliest days, growing up in the shadow of his father, legendary Florida trial lawyer Shelly Schlesinger.  Scott talks about how the lessons and values he learned for his father shaped his approach.  Scott has continued to legacy by becoming a one of the country’s best plaintiff’s trial lawyers in his own right, continuing to fight for clients impacted by the scourge of Big Tobacco, childhood exposure to Juul and many other cases of major significance from a public health standpoint.  Join Ben and Rahul for their wide-ranging interview of Scott that takes us from the origins of the original cases against Big Tobacco to the cutting-edge cases going on today.   About Scott Schlesinger https://schlesingerlawoffices.com/scott-p-schlesinger/   Since 1984, Attorney Scott P. Schlesinger has represented the rights of clients who have been injured by negligence. Over the years, he has established himself as a passionate advocate, securing multi-million dollar verdicts on numerous cases . Scott is proud to have the opportunity to help those who have been injured move forward from their incident and pursue a secure future. The firm, Schlesinger Law Offices, P.A., focuses on the representation of claims involving defective medical devices , tobacco litigation, defective drugs, birth injuries , car accidents , and more. As the founder, Scott leads the way in providing legal services that are committed to excellence and to the individual needs of each client.   Professional Associations & Memberships Inner Circle of Advocates Florida Bar American Association for Justice Florida Justice Association Broward County Justice Association Awards & Recognition Florida Trend Legal Elite, 2008-2012 Super Lawyers®, 2014-2015, 2017-2019 Martindale Hubbel AV Preeminent – Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence Martindale Hubbel Distinguished – Peer Rated for High Professional Achievement Education University of Florida, 1984 J.D. Brown University B.S. Major: Biopsychology Publications Featured in Daily Business Review, “Scott Schlesinger’s Key to Avoiding Burnout: Fight for Something Worthy”, October 2017

S4 E23 · Mon, November 18, 2024

Record-Breaking Results for Victims of Sexual Assault, with Spencer Lucas

Join Ben and Rahul for a conversation with Spencer Lucas, Partner at Panish Shea Ravipudi, in which Spencer talks about his recent $135 million verdict on behalf of two victims of sexual assault by a teacher at a public school, and his work on the leadership trial teams representing sexual assault victims in claims against the Los Angeles Catholic Diocese and Boy Scouts of America.  Spencer talks about how he found a passion for championing the rights of victims of sexual assault and how he has navigated the complexities of proving that the school district and Catholic Diocese had prior notice that the teacher and priest were harming children and failed to act upon that information to protect his clients.     About Spencer Lucas  https://www.panish.law/ Spencer Lucas is a trial lawyer and partner at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP specializing in litigating complex catastrophic personal injury, products liability, wrongful death, and sexual abuse cases. A member of the firm since 2007, he has extensive experience in cases involving traumatic brain injuries , spinal cord injuries , amputations and has successfully recovered over $600 million for his clients. Mr. Lucas prides himself on not only helping survivors of trauma and their families recover from tragic situations but by implementing institutional safeguards for the community. Ranked among the Top 100 Southern California Super Lawyers in 2022, Mr. Lucas is recognized as a leading trial lawyer in California trying cases in venues across the state resulting in eight-figure verdicts. He has been the recipient of numerous awards for his work in the courtroom including nominations as Consumer Attorney of the Year by Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) and Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA).  Mr. Lucas is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) with an elevated rank of Associate due to the number of lengthy trials to verdict he has completed and is annually recognized as a Best Lawyer in America® . Mr. Lucas has obtained numerous eight-figure verdicts and settlements in cases throughout California, including the following: <a href="https://www.panish.law/2023/10/psbr-obtains-135-million-jury-verdict-

S4 E22 · Mon, November 04, 2024

The Critical Role of Experts in Plaintiff’s Cases and Beyond with Expert Institute Founder and CEO Michael Talve

Join Ben and Rahul for their conversation with Michael Talve, Founder and CEO of Expert Institute, a nation-wide expert search and research firm.  Michael talks about how he stared the business in his apartment with a few friends and grew it to hundreds of employees that service more than 5000 plaintiff law firms across the United States.  Michael discusses trends he has witnessed in the practice of plaintiff law and what he sees for the future of expert search and the role of AI in the plaintiff practice.  He talks about the role of entrepreneurship in growing and scaling a business.  Michael’s background as a successful entrepreneur serving the trial bar is fascinating and provides valuable insight. You don’t want to miss this episode. About Michael Talve https://www.expertinstitute.com/resources/insights/author/michael/  Michael Talve stands at the forefront of legal innovation as the CEO and Managing Director of Expert Institute. Under his leadership, the Expert Institute has established itself as a vital player in the legal technology arena, revolutionizing how lawyers connect with world-class experts and access advanced legal technology. Michael's role involves not only steering the company's strategic direction but also ensuring the delivery of unparalleled intelligence and cutting-edge solutions to legal professionals. His work at Expert Institute has been instrumental in enhancing the capabilities of attorneys in case preparation and execution, making a significant impact on the legal industry's approach to expert consultation and technological integration. Michael's vision and execution have positioned the Expert Institute as a key facilitator in the intersection of law and technology. Under his stewardship, Expert Institute has played a pivotal role in some of the most important cases of the past decade - totaling more than $300B in verdicts and settlements.  Expert Institute has grown to become one of the foremost businesses dedicated to partnering with leading plaintiff firms. The company has been involved in high profile matters ranging from Camp Lejeune, to opioid litigation, to numerous mass shooting incidents, and more recently, Boeing airplane investigations, and thousands of single claimant cases each month.

S4 E21 · Mon, October 21, 2024

From Public Speaking to Winning Trial Lawyer with Robert Glassman

From a young age, Robert Glassman worked hard to perfect his abilities as a public speaker.  When he was in high school, his parents enrolled him in a Dale Carnegie program to develop confidence speaking in front of strangers.  From high school to law school, Robert was a perennial class president and accustomed to giving planned speeches before large audiences.  Join Rahul and Ben as they discuss with Robert the advantages and challenges of transitioning his public speaking skills to success in the courtroom.  Robert talks about how he developed expertise in handling high-profile cases involving injuries to children while in the care of the public schools, and lessons learned from his first experience examining witnesses at trial to recently obtaining an eight-figure jury verdict the day after his forty-first birthday.   About Robert Glassman https://www.panish.law/glassman.html Robert Glassman is a partner at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP where he represents plaintiffs in large and complex personal injury cases and is a recognized leader in the Los Angeles legal community. Recognized by the Daily Journal as among the 2023 Top 40 Lawyers Under 40 in California , Mr. Glassman has also been named a “Rising Star” in Personal Injury litigation by Law360 and recognized as a “Rising Star” by the Super Lawyers publication since 2013 where he has been consistently selected as one of the “Up-and-Coming 100 Southern California Rising Stars”, the list of lawyers who rank at the top of the Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars list. His work on three high-profile school injury cases –  Lee v. Pupil Transportation Cooperative, Pierce v. Murrieta Valley Unified School District, and Sepulveda v. Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District – led to significant reforms at the school districts where the tragedies occurred and helped to establish new child safety laws in California. Mr. Glassman also represents victims and survivors of sexual abuse, including ‘Jane’ who filed suit against her abusers in the high-profile case against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. A three-time Consumer Attorneys of California Consumer Attorney of the Year finalist for his work on Lee v. Pupil Transportation Cooperative, Pierce v. Murrieta Valley Unified School District, and Sepulveda v. Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District, Mr. Glassman has also been recognized as a 2023 California Lawyer Attorney of the Year for his

S4 E20 · Mon, October 07, 2024

Processing and Learning from Trial Loss with Ben Gideon

Join Ben and Rahul for their in-depth discussion of Ben’s recent three-week jury trial in which Ben represented a little girl who developed cerebral palsy following the development of necrotizing enterocolitis in the NICU.  Ben discusses how decision-making guided by big data led to him and his client to turning down an $11 million offer after closing arguments to take a verdict.  He discusses what he learned following extensive discussions with jurors following the trial. Ben describes how this verdict influences his thinking about data, risk and approach to trial moving forward. About Ben Gideon https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/ Ben grew up in Portland, Maine, attended public schools and graduated from Deering High School in 1989. Ben’s father, Martin Rogoff, was a prominent member of the Maine Law School faculty, so Ben grew up immersed in discussions of the law. Ben began to develop his legal skills early in life through nightly arguments with his father at the dinner table. In high school, Ben played varsity soccer and was the captain of the hockey team. Following high school, Ben attended Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Ben attempted to walk on to the Cornell hockey team, but was eventually cut from the team, ending his hockey career. Depressed and disappointed at this failure, Ben became a poor student, failed several classes, and was told he was being suspended from college on academic probation. After rehabilitating himself through some community college courses, Ben was able to gain re-admission to Cornell and to complete his degree. Ben applied to law school and was admitted to Boston University School of Law. There, Ben was a standout student. His grades were so exceptional after his first year that he was accepted as a transfer student to Yale Law School where he earned his law degree. Ben began his career in private practice at a large, multi-national law firm, Latham & Watkins, in New York City. He practiced there for several years before deciding to return to Maine to join Berman & Simmons, PA, Maine’s largest plaintiff’s law firm. EDUCATION Cornell University, 1993 Yale Law School, 1999 RECOGNITIONS The Inner Circle of Advocates, 100 of the Best Plaintiff Lawyers in the U.S., 2019-present American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, 2020-present, Top 1% of all lawyers America’s Top 100 Attorneys ― Listed in Maine for Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, and Products Liability, 2017 The Best Lawyers in America ― 2013–present; “Lawyer of the Year,” 2016–present Super Lawyers ― “Super Lawyer,” 2013–present Martindale-Hubbell ― Top Rated “AV Preeminent” Chambers & Partners USA ― Listed for Litigation: Medical Malpractice & Insurance and Mainly Plaintiff Benchmark Litigation ― “Litigation St

S4 E19 · Mon, September 23, 2024

What It Means to Have “It” with Steve Yerrid

Tampa Florida trial lawyer Steve Yerrid has done it all.  He was a boxer in his youth and a fighter for justice in his career as a trial lawyer.  Steve was the youngest member of the Tobacco “Dream Team,” which secured a $17 billion settlement from Big Tobacco and numerous changes in their business practices which have saved thousands of lives.  Steve has many record setting jury verdicts.  He has served as personal counsel to NY Yankees’ owner George Steinbrenner.  And he has given back to his community through his Yerrid Foundation.  Steve has authored several books and has frequently spoken on the topic of what separates those would achieve greatness (i.e., those who have “it”) from everyone else.  Join Rahul and Ben for their fascinating conversation with Steve as he shares aspects of his incredible career and things that have shaped his approach to trying cases and success in life.   About Steve Yerrid https://www.yerridlaw.com/attorneys/c-steven-yerrid/ In a city like Tampa, Florida, a coastal metropolis steeped in history, the list of well-known names and larger-than-life personalities is rich and lengthy, but few names resonate with the same renown as Steve Yerrid. Yerrid, a trail-blazing trial lawyer for more than 45 years, has built a legacy that continues to evolve, fueled by a relentless desire to help as many people as possible, whether seeking and securing justice on their behalf in the courtroom or selflessly devoting his time and donating a substantial portion of his accumulated wealth to bettering the world around him.   In an age where importance and social impact are measured by likes and subscribers, instead of hard work and good deeds, Steve remains a practitioner of the old ways, always leading by example and putting the needs of others first.   Whether meeting each client of his firm personally or taking time to deliver much needed food to the area’s most vulnerable and less fortunate, he is and has always been one-of-a-kind, a determined legal and social warrior the likes of which are a rarity in today’s world. Yerrid has experienced a career of noteworthy achievements, including over 300 verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more for individuals and the families of those injured or killed by the wrongdoing of others.   Among those was a jury verdict of $217 million, the largest medical malpractice award in Florida’s history, and the nation’s largest verdict in 2006. In 2009, he again obtained the country’s largest verdict rendered in a wrongful death case that year, with a jury award of $330 million.   When he was just 30 years old, Yerrid received international recognition in one of the world’s largest maritime tragedies. In utilizing a rare “Act of God” defense, he was able to secure the complete exoneration of Captain John Lerro,

S4 E18 · Mon, September 09, 2024

$495 million verdict against Abbott laboratories with Jake Plattenberger and Tor Hoerman

Join Ben and Rahul for their discussion with Jake and Tor, breaking down the recent 495 million Dollar verdict in a product liability case against Abbott Laboratories for pre-term infant formula that increases the risks for developing necrotizing enterocolitis. Hear how Jake and Tor navigated this difficult case and won this epic battle.   About Jacob Plattenberger https://www.torhoermanlaw.com/team/jake-plattenberger/ Jacob Plattenberger has taken hundreds of depositions, argued in countless hearings, and tried over 35 cases to a jury. His experience in and out of the courtroom has made him a passionate advocate for those injured due to the negligence of others. Jake started his career trying cases at one of the busiest civil courthouses in the country – the Richard J. Daley Center in downtown Chicago. He started out doing insurance defense because he knew that afforded him the best opportunity to get courtroom experience. “When I was working on the defense side, I always knew that I was going to be a plaintiff’s lawyer. I knew that being able and willing to try a case to a jury was a skill that I needed to have if I was going to be able to offer my clients the best legal representation. Insurance companies and corporate defendants need to believe you when you say you will take them to trial – they need to fear that.” This type of real trial experience is exceedingly rare in complex civil litigation and having seen it from the defense side gives Jake an added advantage. At TorHoerman Law, Jake manages our Chicago office where he leads trial teams in nationwide, complex litigations such as: Representing dozens of workers across the United States who were exposed to Diacetyl at work and now suffer lung disease eg. The Juul/E-cigarette Litigation The Incretin Mimetics Products Liability Litigation, currently pending in the Southern District of California, where he was named to the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee Various Transvaginal Mesh multidistrict litigations that are currently pending Jake also maintains a personal injury practice in Chicago, representing people and their families who have been victims of catastrophic auto and truck accidents, products liability, maritime accidents, premises liability, and medical negligence. Jake believes that to successfully represent his clients, it is absolutely necessary to get personally involved. Jake’s quote below perfectly reflects that belief!   Notable Cases & Results Incretin Mimetics – Products Liability Litigation, MDL Case No. 13MD2452 AJB (MDD). Appointed to the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee by Judge Battaglia in the MDL.

S4 E17 · Mon, August 26, 2024

Leveraging Superior Court Reporting and AI with Steno President Dylan Ruga

Join Ben for his conversation with Dylan Ruga, trial lawyer and co-founder and President of Steno, a long-time sponsor of the pod.  Dylan updates us on the new functionality and services offered by his innovative court reporting service, Steno.  Steno allows plaintiff attorneys to defer costs of court reporting and videographer services until the end of the case.  In states that allow it, these deferred costs can be non-recourse.  Steno now operates through the Zoom platform but offers an app that integrates with Zoom and makes collating, marking, annotating, and saving exhibits at depositions seamless.  Steno also offers videographer services that enable recording of the witness and exhibits and post-production editing so that witnesses and exhibits can be presented in optimal fashion without requiring substantial attorney time or other vendor for editing.  Dylan also discusses the roll out of a new product, Transcript Genius, which uses AI that has been specifically training to understand and interpret deposition transcripts to enable lawyers to query one or multiple transcripts to quickly identify key admissions, information, or contradictions in witness testimony.  If you are a trial lawyer who handles a volume of depositions, you will gain a lot of insight and value from this episode.  Dylan is the Co-Founder, President and Chief Legal Officer at Steno, where he stewards business development initiatives and forges new partnerships. Dylan is also a founding member of Stalwart Law Group, recognized as one of California's top 20 litigation boutiques. He is a practicing trial lawyer with more than 15 years of experience in intellectual property, professional liability, and commercial litigation.

S4 E16 · Mon, August 12, 2024

Born to be a Trial Lawyer with Arash Homampour

Join Ben and Rahul for their interview of famed Los Angeles trial lawyer, Arash Homampour. Arash has perfected the ability to trial difficult liability and damages cases to outlier high verdicts. Arash explains how he channels his innate connection with his clients and abilities as a trial lawyer to achieve these results. Arash discusses his upbringing as the child of first-generation Iranian immigrants and how he went from failing the bar examination to being one of the most accomplished and successful trial lawyers in California and the United States. You don’t want to miss this episode!    About Arash Homampour https://www.homampour.com/   Arash Homampour Has Obtained Over $1 Billion Dollars in Settlements, Verdicts and Judgments for His Clients. He is a trial attorney who in the last five years alone has obtained many successful trial results (ranging from $2.5 million to $60 million) against Sunbeam Products , the State of California, Costco Stores, Farmers Insurance Exchange, Allstate Insurance, and Louisville Ladder in a wide array of cases involving dangerous roads, dangerous ladders, dangerous premises, and unlawful employment practices. In 2023, he has been named one of Daily Journal’s Top Plaintiff Lawyers In California . In 2023, he has been named one of Daily Journal’s Top 100 Lawyers In California . In 2023, he has been named one of the Top 10 Southern California Super Lawyers, 3 consecutive years. In 2023, he has been named the Best Lawyers® 2023 Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” in Los Angeles. In 2023, he has been recognized by the Los Angeles Times as a legal visionary . In 2022, Homampour Law Firm was honored to be one of Top Verdict’s Top 10 Verdicts in California. In 2002, Homampour Law Firm was honored to be one of Top Verdict’s Top 20 Verdicts in California. In 2022, Homampour Law Firm was honored to be one of CVN’s Top 10 Most Impressive Plaintiff Verdicts of the year. In 2022, he recovered a verdict of $60 million. In 2022, he recovered a v

S4 E15 · Mon, July 29, 2024

Over $1 Billion in Verdicts from Nitrous Oxide and Psychiatric Hospital Neglect with John and Johnny Simon and Tim Cronin

Join Ben for this conversation with John and Johnny Simon and Tim Cronin of the Simon Law Firm.  This episode covers discussion of two fascinating recent cases in which the Simon firm obtained more than $ 1 billion in combined verdicts on behalf of a client killed by a driver high on nitrous oxide and a rape victim in a psychiatric hospital.  Learn about John, Johnny and Tim expertly built these cases around themes of corporate malfeasance, greed, neglect, and punitive damages.  Both verdicts are huge landmark accomplishments that will create positive change for society.   The Simon Law Firm, P.C. | Over $1 Billion Won (simonlawpc.com)   About John Simon John G. Simon’s work as Managing Partner at the firm has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars for past clients. Well-respected in his field, John’s career includes several published works, frequent community involvement, and the role of adjunct professor at Saint Louis University School of Law For 30 years, John Simon has devoted himself to fighting for the victims of negligence in St. Louis and across the nation. Because of his unparalleled skill and belief in the power of the law, John has secured over 150 verdicts and settlements in excess of $1 million or more for his clients. John’s practice is among the most accomplished in the nation: He has secured over 150 verdicts and settlements in excess of $1 million each. He has obtained more than 15 verdicts/settlements over $10 million. He has secured more than 25 verdicts/settlements over $5 million. Fighting for Plaintiffs Across the United States John’s conviction and passion for the law form the cornerstone of our practice. His belief in the power of hard work, persistence, and dedication allows him and his fellow attorneys to achieve incredible results. Above all, he knows that a group of committed individuals working together can accomplish great things—that’s the heart of his firm.   About Johnny Simon By joining The Simon Law Firm, P.C. in 2015, Johnny continues a proud tradition of excellence in the art of advocacy on behalf of people and businesses in need. A tradition that was established by his father—a tradition he intends to uphold. Ask Johnny Simon, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, what he does for a living, and he will tell you very simply: a trial lawyer. Trying cases to juries, to verdict, is what he does. Practicing law, he will tell you, is not job, but a vocation—a privilege that he takes very seriously. Johnny focuses his practice on a diverse array of personal injury cases, including litigating cases involving defective products and product liability issues, medical malpractice claims, 1983 excessive force cases, and trucking/auto accidents, business litigation, and consumer fraud. Johnny graduated from Marquette Univers

S4 E14 · Mon, July 15, 2024

Betting on Yourself to Win with Conal Doyle

When Conal Doyle started his plaintiff’s practice, he faced long odds and daunting obstacles.  But as one born without one of his legs who went on to become a ski racer, long odds and obstacles were nothing new to Conal.  Join Ben and Rahul for their discussion with Conal about how he bet on himself and his clients time and again, achieved monumental verdicts and changes to the legal system on his way to becoming one of California’s most successful trial lawyers.       About Conal Doyle https://conaldoylelaw.com/   Conal Doyle is an award-winning trial lawyer who has received national recognition for his courtroom victories that have had broad reaching impact on society. He is one of the few attorneys in history to argue before the United States Supreme Court and obtain multiple seven and eight figure jury verdicts. His international human rights victory in Castaneda v. United States was a catalyst for the reform of the United States immigration healthcare system, and garnered widespread acclaim from his peers, legal publications and the international media. For example, he received the 2012 California Lawyer of the Year (CLAY) Award in Human Rights, and the 2011 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award from the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA). He has been listed in both Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers for the past ten consecutive years, and his courtroom victories have been chronicled in newspapers around the world, including a piece on the CBS news magazine “60 Minutes.” Conal’s reputation as one of the finest trial attorneys in America was further cemented with two stunning back-to-back verdicts in Kern County, California, one of California’s most “conservative” jurisdictions. In December 2013, Conal obtained as lead trial counsel a $26.8 million medical malpractice jury verdict in McKnight v. Spain. This result was the largest medical malpractice verdict in County history and was recognized by The Daily Journal as a Top 10 Verdict in California for 2013. The National Law Journal recognized the verdict as a Top 100 Verdict nationally and the Consumer Attorneys Association of California (CAOC) named him a Finalist for the 2014 Consumer Attorney of the Year Award. The highest pre-trial offer by the defense was $300,000. In March 2014, Conal obtained as lead trial counsel a $3.8 million jury verdict in Doe v. Jack In The Box. In this premises liability case, the highest pre-trial offer was $200,000. The foundation of this success is a passion for justice and a commitment to client service. Conal was born without his right leg, and like many of his clients, has overcome great obstacles and endured daily struggles. These experiences provide him a unique insight into his clients’ challenges and help him guide his clients through difficult times. Conal’s personal experience has led

S4 E13 · Mon, July 01, 2024

The Courtroom as a Stage with Kurt Zaner

Before he became a trial lawyer, Colorado lawyer Kurt Zaner wanted to be an actor. But rather than just play a role, Kurt decided that he wanted to be a real-world champion and decided to become a trial lawyer. Now, Kurt applies lessons about presence, storytelling and drama from the stage to help achieve landmark verdicts for his clients. Join Ben for his wide-ranging discussion with Kurt that covers how a trial lawyer can use acting skills to enhance courtroom impact; strategies that have enabled Kurt to achieve several eight-figure verdicts against considerable odds; and even what modern day lawyers can learn from reading Cicero.  About Kurt Zaner https://zanerhardenlaw.com/   Kurt Zaner has dedicated his legal career to representing folks against the modern-day Goliaths. In battling corporations that refuse to take responsibility, Kurt enjoys the challenge of standing up for people that seemingly have the odds overwhelmingly stacked against them. A sought-after national speaker, Kurt frequently lectures on his winning trial techniques, effective legal writing strategies, and iconic discovery tactics that force top-value settlements.  Kurt has secured the largest premises liability verdict in the history of Colorado ($16,000,000.00). He has appeared on Good Morning America, World News Tonight, and every local media outlet including the Denver Post and local CBS, ABC, and Fox affiliates.  He is a published author of Federal and State case law, including Colorado law establishing the right to punitive damages for victims of drunk drivers; he also authored legal articles on distracted driving as well as articles on ancient Roman trial methods. As a trained stage actor, Kurt credits much of his trial success to his theatrical training in college and in Los Angeles prior to law school. After graduating law school near the top of his class and receiving the American Bar Association’s and American Law Institute’s Best Graduate Award – awarded to the one student of the graduating class who best represents a combination of scholarship and leadership – Kurt went on to clerk for United States District Judge Ken Marra. Working side by side with a Federal Judge on one of the largest caseloads in the country, Kurt learned the art of persuasive advocacy both through legal writing and courtroom theatrics. Most importantly, he learned how cases are won from behind the bench. Prior to co-founding Zaner Harden Law, LLP, Kurt practiced with some of the best-known trial lawyers in the country.  Kurt has successfully represented hundreds of clients across the State of Colorado, trying and winning cases at every level of Colorado State Court, including several million and multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. In 2017 he and his partner were recognized as having two of the largest verdicts of the year across all practice areas

S4 E12 · Mon, June 17, 2024

Turning Bad Facts into Good Facts with Meg Simonian

Join Ben and Rahul for their discussion with top Alaska trial lawyer, Meg Simonian.  Meg shares her journey from growing up as one of seven children with parents who did not graduate from high school to attending law school and becoming one of the nation’s best trial lawyers.  After graduating from law school, Meg worked as a Federal public defender and then joined the practice of legendary trial lawyer, Rick Friedman.  Meg shares lessons learned during her time working with Rick before leaving to join an Alaska-based medical malpractice firm.  Meg talks about how she has worked to turn bad case facts into good facts that have helped her win and achieve significant verdicts for her deserving clients.     About Meg Simonian Dillon Findley & Simonian, P.C. | Anchorage Attorneys Serving Alaska   Meg Simonian is one of Alaska's top trial lawyers devoting her practice to representing people who have been injured or wronged. She has obtained several of the largest jury verdicts and settlements in Alaska history in both state and federal court.   Meg was born and raised in Anchorage and went to law school because she believed law could be a force of good. After clerking for the Alaska Superior Court, she has been practicing law for over 20 years sharpening her courtroom skills and winning trials as a felony trial lawyer at the Alaska Public Defender Agency and Office of Public Advocacy. Meg started her civil career at Friedman Rubin, representing people harmed by insurance bad faith.   Meg's work is focused on medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, complex litigation and representing people who have been injured or need help in their most vulnerable times. She is a relentless advocate who uses her skills in the courtroom, dedication, and creativity to ensure her client's story is told with truth and power. She is one of the few woman lawyers inducted into the prestigious Inner Circle of Advocates (an invitation only group of the 100 best trial lawyers in the U.S.). Meg is also recognized by both Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers. She was appointed by the Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court to serve on the Alaska Civil Pattern Jury Instruction Committee.   Meg has successfully handled many appeals before the Alaska Supreme Court, including setting important precedent in Knolmayer v. McCollum, and Harrold-Jones v. Drury.   When she is not battling in the courtroom, Meg loves to be with her family cooking, traveling, or dragging one of her five kids to hike, ski, or play outside.   Education Northeastern University School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts J.D. - 1997 University of Alaska Anchorage B.A. - 1992 Honors: magna cum laude Major: English Literature Mercer Law School, Trial Practice Institute of the Nat

S4 E11 · Mon, June 03, 2024

The Courage to Break the Mold with Judith Livingston

With 37 verdicts of more than a million dollars, few lawyers in America can match the track record of success of New York trial lawyer Judy Livingston.  What’s more, many of Judy’s verdicts came at a time when few women were trial lawyers.  Join Ben and Rahul for their in-depth interview with Judy in which they explore the sources of the courage and fortitude that fueled her success.  Judy shares accounts of her early trial practice, where she literally had to create a new mold as a woman in the courtroom.  Judy discusses her approach to trying complex medical malpractice cases and connecting with a jury.  She talks about juggling life and the demands of raising a family with a husband who, like her, is a renowned trial lawyer.  If you are a trial lawyer or aspire to be, there is no way you can listen to this episode without feeling inspired.    About Judy Livingston Top Personal Injury Attorneys | Kramer Dillof Livingston & Moore (kdlm.com)   Judith A. Livingston has long been one of the most successful plaintiff’s attorneys in the United States. Reserved, methodical and precise, Ms. Livingston has been called “A Legal Legend” by Law Dragon and named one of “The 50 most influential women lawyers in America” by New York magazine. She has been a partner at the law firm of Kramer, Dillof, Livingston & Moore since 1989.   Ms. Livingston has won 37 trials with verdicts in excess of $1 million and has negotiated hundreds of settlements that have resulted in payments to her clients of almost a half-billion dollars. She specializes in medical malpractice and personal injury cases. Ms. Livingston is the current President of the Inner Circle of Advocates, an invitation-only group limited to 100 of the best plaintiff lawyers in the United States who possess exceptional qualifications, are experienced and skillful in the handling of courtroom litigation, and who are respected among their peers. She was the first female, and youngest member invited to be a part of this prestigious organization.   Judith A. Livingston has the distinction of being named in Best Lawyers magazine for 2011 and 2013 as the New York Medical Malpractice “Lawyer of the Year.” She was cited by the National Law Journal as one of “40 lawyers who have made their mark in the area of health care law,” and she has been listed yearly by New York magazine and Super Lawyers magazine as one of the best lawyers in New York. New York magazine also cited her as one of “the 50 most influential women lawyers in America.” And in every listing, since Lawdragon began recognizing the top 500 lawyers in the United States, Ms. Livingston has been selected as one of the country’s top lawyers.   In 2022, Judith was inducted into the Maurice A. Deane School

S4 E10 · Mon, May 20, 2024

Having an Impact Beyond the Individual Case with Peter Perlman

Join Ben for his conversation with legendary Kentucky trial lawyer, Peter Perlman.  Peter talks about how his upbringing, as the son of a 5 and 10 cent store owner, shaped his values and taught him the importance of finding ways to help others.  During his long and successful career as a trial lawyer, Peter applied these lessons in cases that helped his individual clients and led to larger industry-wide changes that have helped countless others.  These cases span a wide range of practice areas, from auto defect litigation, aviation, personal injury, and even a Title IX case brought to keep the door open for female college athletes. Through his own practice, and terms as President of AAJ and the Civil Justice Foundation, few trial lawyers have done more to promote and enhance the cause of individual victims and social justice than Peter Perlman.   About Peter Perlman https://peteperlman.com/   Experience In his lengthy career as a trial lawyer, Peter has earned more than 60 multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in personal injury, product defect and wrongful death cases.  He was inducted into the Inner Circle of Advocates in 1985.  This is an elite organization limited to the top 100 trial lawyers in this country.  The Kentucky Justice Association’s highest honor, “The Peter Perlman Outstanding Trial Lawyer,” has been presented each year since 1994.   Throughout his career, Peter has maintained a close relationship with his alma mater, the University of Kentucky.  He was an Adjunct Professor in the law school for 25 years, and has been inducted into the Hall of Fame and U.K’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni.  In 1999, Peter created an Endowment Fund.  This has provided annual scholarships to students who have shown, “a concern for providing equal justice under the law.”   Complications from an eye injury, have led to some changes in Peter’s practice.  He now serves as a consultant on a limited case-by-case basis.   Over the years, Peter has given numerous talks to civic and legal groups and continues to do so.  In his trials, Peter stressed the power of America’s juries, and the difference jurors make through their collective verdicts.  His current presentations emphasize these themes.   Awards & Honors Trial Lawyers “Hall of Fame” (Inducted 2017) University of Kentucky “Hall of Distinguished Alumni” (2015) American Association for Justice – “Leonard M. Ring Champion of Justice” (2012) Kentucky Justice Association – “Charles M. Leibson Lifetime Achievement Award” (2013) Civil Justice Foundation – “Champion of Justice” (2011) Fayette County (KY) Bar Association – “Henry T. Duncan Lifetime Achievement Award” (2010) American Association for Justice – Former President Trial Lawyers for Publi

S4 E9 · Mon, May 06, 2024

Verdict Alert: Gideon Asen $2.4 Million Verdict in Med Mal CRPS Case with Taylor Asen and Trevor Savage

Join Ben for his discussion with attorneys Taylor Asen and Trevor Savage about their recent $2.4 million verdict in Bangor, Maine in a case involving a surgical mal positioning that caused an arm injury and CRPS.  Taylor and Trevor explain how they worked closely with the client to get her to the right specialist who could diagnose her medical condition.  They talk about the challenges of presenting a CRPS injury at trial.  They discuss how they resisted the defense effort to stipulate to liability and were able to present compelling evidence of corporate indifference and system failure in the lack of safeguards or systems to make sure that the surgery was done safely, and the lack of follow through, investigation, or changes that came out of this incident.  They discuss how they responded to the defense’s 11th hour surprise surveillance video, which the judge allowed into evidence over objection.  They used the surveillance to further polarize the case and show the lie in the hospital’s claim to be taking responsibility for its actions.  They discuss the use of data analysis to recognize the true value of the case and to formulate the amount asked for in closing.   About Taylor Asen www.gideonasen.com   Taylor specializes in medical malpractice cases, trucking accident cases, and other complex personal injury cases. He has recovered tens of millions of dollars for his clients.   Taylor possesses a unique combination of intellect, competitive drive, and human empathy that makes him a powerful advocate for his clients. Taylor has dedicated his career to championing the interests of individuals who have suffered harm or injury from corporate misconduct, individual negligence, and bad medical care. Taylor’s efforts on behalf of injured Mainers have resulted in several of the largest case settlements in Maine history. Recently, Taylor and his colleague Meryl obtained one of the largest jury verdicts in a child sex abuse case in Maine’s history.   Taylor has been recognized as one of Maine’s leading plaintiff’s attorneys. He is only one of two lawyer from Northern New England listed in Lawdragon’s list of the top 500 plaintiff’s attorneys in the nation—the other lawyer from Northern New England is his partner, Ben Gideon. Taylor is also included in Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch and Super Lawyers Rising Stars; these designations are given to attorneys that distinguish themselves during their first decade of practice.   “Nobody is more committed to his clients than Taylor,” said Ben Gideon. “His mind is always working. It’s not unusual for me to receive a call after midnight from Taylor, wanting to brainstorm about a thorny problem or about case strategy. Taylor is also a gifted legal writer, enabling our clients to gain the upper hand in motions and briefs submitted to the courts. When it comes to the full range of perso

S4 E8 · Mon, April 22, 2024

Justice for Victims of Havana Syndrome with Paul Miller

Join Rahul and Ben for their conversation with Canadian trial lawyer, Paul Miller, who shares the fascinating account of his effort to find justice for Canadian diplomats impacted by Havana Syndrome.  Paul explains the mounting evidence showing that Canadian and American diplomats posted in Cuba, England, Russia, Vietnam, and China have been targeted by weapons that use microwave or similar technology that is invisible but can cause brain damage, leading to a variety of life-long injuries and symptoms.  The story is somewhere between science fiction and spy novel, but much more troubling because the human victims are real people, including diplomats and their families.     About Paul Miller   https://hshlawyers.com/   “I became a personal injury lawyer because I wanted to ensure that people, when devastated by injuries had access to not only benefits and compensation, but access to the courts in order to seek out justice for injuries they have suffered.”   A dedicated advocate for people who have suffered personal injuries, Paul has 20 years of experience involving cases of defective products and medical devices and fighting for those denied justice.   Paul has proven experience with high profile cases including serving as co-counsel for Canadian Diplomats in Cuba affected by Havana Syndrome, co-counsel representing Canadian Veterans affected by Mefloquine, co-counsel representing B.C. in its class action lawsuit against opioid drug companies, co-lead counsel for the victims of the 2005 Air France crash at Toronto’s Pearson airport, and as representative for 23 Canadians involved in litigation surrounding the events of September 11, 2001.   His passion for helping those wronged by negligence led to his dedicated work on the MK Airlines Halifax Plane Crash, TVM Litigation, and presently, the Ethiopian Airline Crash, Hernia Mesh Litigation and Essure.   A Certified Specialist in Civil Litigation, Paul has been nominated twice for Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers and recognized in Best Lawyers for his work in Product Liability Litigation. He’s a past board member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (2004–2006) and a current board director with the US-based organization Public Justice.   Paul is an avid golfer. When not tirelessly working on cases or spending quality time with his wife and four children, you’ll likely see him out on the green.   Professional Success   Settlements and Verdicts Past results are not predictive of future results and each situation is unique and requires individual and independent legal advice. $5.55 Million* Fly Jamaica Flight OJ 256 Class Action settlement for passengers who suffered injuries from emergency landing Successful settlements in over 70 transvaginal cases (con

S4 E7 · Mon, April 08, 2024

Take That Elon! $60M Verdict Against Tesla with Lee Christie and Karen Zahka

Join Rahul and Ben for their discussion with Indiana trial lawyer Lee Christie and Trial Lawyers for Justice Attorney, Karen Zahka, as they break down their recent trial against Tesla.  Although the case started out as a simple pickup truck vs. motorcycle accident involving a left turn, the personal involvement of Elon Musk led to an unusual investment of resources on the defense side and high drama in the courtroom.  To get to verdict, the plaintiff had to navigate a series of landmines and obstacles, including numerous law firms entering and exiting the case, a sea of motions, dozens of requests for mistrial and a hold-out juror that almost led to a mistrial during jury deliberations.     Link to animation video mentioned in episode: https://hypelegal.wistia.com/medias/z8rn4p0v6u   About Lee Christie   Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers | Christie Farrell Lee & Bell (cflblaw.com)   Lee Christie is a part­ner with Christie Farrell Lee & Bell and is a life­long Indi­ana res­i­dent. He is pas­sion­ate in rep­re­sen­ta­tion, and takes pride in the relationships he devel­ops with his clients. He has exten­sive trial expe­ri­ence in both fed­eral and state court and is a fre­quent lec­turer on trial, medi­a­tion, per­sonal injury, med­ical mal­prac­tice, truck­ing acci­dents, and set­tle­ment issues. Lee has represented thousands of clients who have been personally injured and has obtained settlements and verdicts as high as $30.5M.  Lee is highly civically engaged with several Indiana organizations, including the Walker Foundation (founding board member and officer) and Indianapolis Bar Foundation (board member and officer), and is a patron of the YMCA.  He is past president of the Lawrence Township Girls Basketball League and continues to work with youth in the inner city of Indianapolis.   Achievements Lee has been selected by Super Lawyers as a Top 10 Super Lawyer in Indi­ana and was named the Best Lawyer, Indi­anapo­lis Lawyer of the Year for Medi­a­tion (2014) and Arbitration (2012). He is a mem­ber of the Indi­ana Trial Lawyers Asso­ci­a­tion, the Amer­i­can Asso­ci­a­tion for Jus­tice, the Inter­state Truck­ing Lit­i­ga­tion Group, and Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. Lee has verdicts and settlements ranging from tens of thousands of dollars to over $30 million.   Hon­ors 2025 President of the Indianapolis Bar Association Indiana Judicial Nominating and Qualifications Commission (to serve a three-year term beginning 1/1/23) Indiana State Bar Association GP Hall of Fame Award 2021 National Trial Lawyers: Trucking Trial Lawyers Association Top 10 in Indiana Indiana Lawyer Distinguished Barrister Award, 2017 Indi­ana

S4 E6 · Mon, March 25, 2024

Big Picture Take Aways with Rahul and Ben

In this episode, Rahul and Ben discuss major trends in trial practice and big picture take aways from the last 3 ½ years of the podcast.  The conversation begins with a discussion of nuclear verdicts in the golden age of trial, moves on to case analysis and key issues, then to strategies or courtroom success, and ends with discussion of the impact of the MAGA juror.     About Rahul   https://www.panish.law/ravipudi.html   Rahul Ravipudi is a partner at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP and has spent his legal career handling catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases involving commercial vehicles, pedestrians , industrial or construction accidents , utility negligence, dangerous conditions of public and private property as well as cases of sexual abuse and sexual assault . Mr. Ravipudi also represents consumers in class actions against businesses who engage in unfair/illegal business practices and public entities in cases where corporations have endangered the safety, health, property or comfort of the public. Mr. Ravipudi currently serves as Plaintiffs’ Co-Lead Counsel in the Social Media Cases litigation which involves cases of children and young adults harmed or driven to suicide by social media algorithms as well as Public Entity Plaintiffs’ Co-Lead Counsel in the JUUL Labs Product Cases, representing school districts and other public entities in California involved in litigation against the electronic cigarette manufacturer. He also serves as Plaintiffs Co-Lead Counsel in the Southern California Fire Cases litigation arising out of the 2017 Thomas Fire and subsequent debris flows in Montecito, California as well as on the Plaintiffs Executive Committee in the California North Bay Fires litigation. Mr. Ravipudi previously served on the Steering Committee in the Blythe bus crash litigation. Named 2017 Trial Lawyer of the Year by Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, Mr. Ravipudi has obtained numerous landmark verdicts and settlements including a $160.5 million jury verdict for a man who suffered a traumatic brain injury as

S4 E5 · Mon, March 11, 2024

Discovering Dr. Death with Catherine “Katie” Bertram

We’ve all heard the stories of doctors who cause harm to patients by systematically performing medically unnecessary procedures, just to line their own pockets.  These circumstances rise to a level beyond ordinary medical negligence to fraud or criminal acts.  However, when we litigate individual medical malpractice cases, the rules of discovery and evidence can pose barriers that make it difficult to determine whether a client’s experience reflects a larger pattern and practice by the doctor and the medical business.  Join us for our discussion with Washington, DC trial lawyer, Katie Bertram, as she tells the story of a case in which she was able to show this larger pattern of a doctor performing medically unnecessary medical procedures in an out-patient surgery center setting that provides very few checks and balances on this type of rogue behavior.   About Catherine "Katie" Bertram   Website: https://www.blg-dc.com/   Catherine D. “Katie” Bertram started the Bertram & Murphy, building on decades of experience as both a medical malpractice attorney and director of risk management at Georgetown University Hospital.   In those environments, she learned how doctors and hospitals work, as well as how their attorneys assess claims against them. She draws on this knowledge to advocate for patients and their families.   “People want someone who’s competent, caring, and careful. They’ve just gone through the worst thing in their lives and been betrayed by doctors or a hospital — people that we’re supposed to trust,” she said. “I can set forth what happened and why it was negligent.”   Bertram graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Bachelor of Social Work. While accompanying a social worker to court one day, she found her true passion—the law. “The minute I walked into court, I knew that’s what I should be doing,” she said.   She obtained her law degree from the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C., in 1989, becoming the first lawyer in her family. The faculty nominated her as Woman Law Student of the Year.   Bertram focuses on personal injury and medical malpractice in part because her mother is a nurse. “It allows me to combine the law and medicine,” she said. “I enjoy talking to juries and teaching them about complicated medical cases in an easier way.”   Bertram has achieved several distinctions throughout her career. She is one of 20 people serving on the D.C. Bar’s Board of Governors and also is a board member of the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, which finds lawyers to meet the legal needs of D.C.’s low-income residents, nonprofits, and small businesses.   She’s been an adjunct law professor at American University’s Washington College of Law since 2013, teaching a co

S4 E4 · Mon, February 26, 2024

From College Basketball to $36 Million Judgment in School Shooting Case with Sheila Hiestand

Louisville, Kentucky trial lawyer Sheila Hiestand has harnessed the same competitive zeal she had as a starting center on a division one college basketball team to become one of Kentucky’s leading trial lawyers.  Sheila has successfully litigated and tried many high-profile cases, including a recent case in which she obtained a $36 Million judgment on behalf of the family of victims of a January 2018 shooting at Marshall County High School in which two students were killed and several others injured.  Sheila discusses this case, including some of the many legal obstacles she confronted and the impact on the families she represented after this tragedy.   About Sheila Hiestand   Website: https://mhkylaw.com/   “The Lady Litigator” As a college basketball player who started in two final four appearances, Sheila knows the importance of hard work, drive and heart. Sheila—aka “The Lady Litigator” for her tenacity in court—is dedicated to helping women and their families through the very difficult process of personal injury claims. She has served as the president of the Kentucky trial lawyers with the Kentucky Justice Association and has worked tirelessly to fight for injured people for more than 30 years. This includes several trials with extraordinary results for her clients, such as an auto accident case where she earned a $743,000 verdict and a medical practice failure to diagnose cancer case where she earned a $1.3 million verdict.  She also has achieved many 7-figure settlements for her clients in trucking, medical malpractice, auto and motorcycle cases.   After graduating from Centre College, Sheila received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky School of Law. Soon after she was recognized as the Fayette County Bar Association Outstanding Young Lawyer and was rated an “AV Lawyer” by Martindale-Hubbell®. She has also been recognized among the American Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Kentucky; Super Lawyers Top 50 Lawyers in Kentucky;  Super Lawyers Top 25 Women Lawyers in Kentucky; as Top Lawyer by Louisville Magazine , and has received a long list of awards.   When not practicing law, Sheila enjoys spending time with her three children and husband and loves to compete in triathlons. She plays viola, violin, cello and piano and is a past member of the Lexington Singers. Sheila is also fluent in Spanish and has volunteered at the Federal Correctional Institute to assist Spanish-speaking inmates with legal matters pro bono. Education Graduated from Centre College with a double major in English and Spanish Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky, College of Law   Memberships Kentucky Justice Association, Past President Kentucky Bar Association, Past Bo

S4 E3 · Mon, February 12, 2024

Poker, Landmines and Trials with Reza Davani

Before Maryland-based trial lawyer Reza Davani began rolling the dice with juries, he was a competitive poker player. Join Ben and Rahul for their discussion with Reza, in which he recounts how principles and lessons learned from playing poker translate to trial practice. Reza provides many valuable strategies for trial success, including identifying and planting “landmines” for the defense as part of his case. In addition to his phenomenal success as a trial lawyer, Reza is a sought-after speaker and teacher of trial tactics, and there is much for any practitioner to learn from listening to this episode. You may want to listen more than once.   About Reza Davani Website: Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer | Compensation After an Accident (kbaattorneys.com)   KBA is fortunate to work with Mr. Reza Davani because he is a true trial lawyer. He has tried many cases and is a student of the art, studying trial strategies, attending seminars, and always polishing his skills. His passion for client advocacy and willingness to fight made his partnership at KBA a great fit.   Mr. Davani has worked on both sides of the aisle, representing local, national, and international companies, governmental entities, and injured victims as both a plaintiff and defense lawyer. He has represented clients and worked on matters in state, federal and bankruptcy courts around the country, including in Maryland, Mississippi, Washington D.C., New Jersey, California, New Mexico, Massachusetts, Georgia, Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina, and New York. (He is licensed in Maryland and has worked in other states on a pro hac vice basis.) Within Maryland, he has represented clients in matters in Prince George’s County, Frederick County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Allegany County, Cecil County, Washington County, Montgomery County, Charles County, Howard County, Talbot County, Carroll County, Wicomico County, and Harford County.   He has the experience and helped clients with cases concerning complex litigation, product liability, commercial litigation, franchise disputes, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death and survival actions, direct lawsuits against insurance companies, qui-tam whistleblower cases, amputation injuries, and a variety of personal injury matters, including medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, vehicle collisions, commercial truck and tractor-trailer crashes, boating-collisions and allisions, and premises liability, including tripping hazards and dangerous trees.   Mr. Davani is committed to advocating aggressively for his injured clients, which he has done for the past ten years. In recent years, he personally helped injured victims and their families recover close to $15,000,000 in settlements and verdicts. Each case is different and prior results does not mean future success, we are confident he is goi

S4 E2 · Mon, January 29, 2024

Trial Lawyers to the Stars with Neville Johnson and Douglas Johnson

From representing Yoko Ono to winning class action lawsuits on behalf of actors and musicians, Neville Johnson and his partner Douglas Johnson (no relationship) have built one of the most interesting and successful entertainment law practices in the nation, specializing in representing “talent” as opposed to the business side of the industry.  Join Rahul and Ben for a fascinating discussion with Neville and Doug, as they describe how they got their start in this practice, recount some of their most interesting cases, and talk about trends in entertainment law resulting from new technologies.   About Neville Johnson - Senior Partner Website: Johnson and Johnson, LLP Law Firm | Johnson and Johnson, LLP (jjllplaw.com)   Professional Experience: Neville L. Johnson graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, Berkeley (1971).  He received his law degree from Southwestern Law School (1975), graduating near the top of his class.  He has tried over 28 civil jury trials and over 70 civil trials and arbitrations without a jury. He is a member of the invitation-only American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), and is on the Board of Governors of the Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles (CAALA since 2005), the Board of Directors of the national organization Public Justice, and on the Board of Governors of the Beverly Hills Bar Association 2013-2015 and 2020-2022 (BHBA). Johnson is a long-time member of the invitation-only Los Angeles Copyright Society, and on the Board of The California Society of Entertainment Lawyers.   He was nominated for Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2005 by CAALA.  He was Co-Chair of the Entertainment Law Section of the Beverly Hills Bar Association from 2009 to 2011. He has been on the Planning Committee of the USC Entertainment Law Institute since 2011. He has appeared in courts in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.   In 2020, Mr. Johnson and his team secured a verdict in a Right of Publicity case of over 9 Million Dollars in damages, and over 7 Million Dollars in attorneys fees.   Mr. Johnson has litigated and settled countless cases against a wide array of defendants concerning royalty accounting, profit participation, publicity rights, idea theft, copyright infringement, and many other entertainment law matters. He has also served as an adjunct professor at Southwestern Law School since 2012, where he teaches Entertainment and Media Litigation. However, his greatest pride has been in defending the privacy rights of all citizens against the worst malefactors in the media. His work in this field was perhaps best summarized by Professor David A. Elder, a leading expert on the law of privacy, who published the following special dedication in his treatise, Priv

S4 E1 · Mon, January 15, 2024

Embracing Risk and Winning at Trial with Jeffrey Kroll

Chicago-based trial lawyer Jeffrey Kroll is no stranger to risk.  On the road to some of his biggest verdicts, including a 2017 verdict for $148 million, Jeff has turned down big money to cast his lot with the jury.  Join Ben and Rahul for their conversation with Jeff, in which he discusses some of the core beliefs and strategies that inform his highly successful approach to trying cases to juries.  Listeners will come away with many insightful tips that will benefit their own trial practices.   About Jeffrey Kroll Website: Chicago Personal Injury Attorneys | Kaveny + Kroll   Jeffrey J. Kroll is a founding partner at Kaveny + Kroll, a Chicago firm focused primarily on plaintiffs’ tort litigation.  Jeff has been representing victims of negligence for over three decades and has taken cases to verdict throughout the country in the areas of trucking accidents, products liability, premises liability, medical malpractice and transportation negligence.     In 2017, Jeff was a major part of the trial team that won a record-breaking $148 million verdict on behalf of a dancer paralyzed by a collapsed shelter at O’Hare International Airport.  This is the highest compensatory damage award to an individual plaintiff in Illinois history.    Jeff regularly handles complex damage cases and has received multimillion dollar verdicts and settlements. Jeff obtained a $15.2 million verdict on behalf of a man who was seriously injured when he was struck and run over by a forklift at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago.  He obtained a $5.25 million dollar verdict in the first U.S. bike share death.   During his career, he has obtained verdicts or negotiated settlements on over 80 occasions where the results have exceeded $1 million, including six cases which have exceeded $10 million.  Jeff has obtained more than $430 million in verdicts and settlements throughout his career.    Jeff is also active in national bar associations where he routinely speaks and writes on several trial topics as part of his commitment to maintaining quality and professionalism in the legal community. He has been asked to lecture on over 160 occasions and has published over 139 articles for lawyers. Based on his substantial contributions to continuing legal education, the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education recognized Jeff with IICLE’s 2015 Addis E. Hull award.  In 2008, that same group awarded Jeff the Top Instructor in CLE courses.     Jeff is also a highly sought-after legal commentator, making frequent local and national media appearances to provide in-depth legal insight and analysis of current events.  He has been interviewed in countless television segments, podcasts, and publications.      

S3 E23 · Mon, December 04, 2023

$6.19 Million in Rural Ohio, with Allen Tittle

Join Ben and Rahul for their discussion with Ohio Trial Lawyer, Allen Tittle who recently obtained a $6.19 million verdict in a difficult medical malpractice case in rural Ohio.  This was a case that Allen round tabled with Ben’s breakout medical malpractice group at the PSBR trial college in California last year.  We discuss how Allen successfully used the hospital policies to establish the standard of care and system failures that resulted in the harm to his client.  We also talk about how Allen’s unusual and challenging childhood created the foundation for his future success as a trial lawyer and informed his abilities to connect with clients and juries.    About Allen Tittle Allen is a born and raised Ohioan. He grew up here, went to undergrad and law school in Ohio, and now serves this community with his law firm. Hardworking blue-collar people are his roots, who he relates with best, and is the reason he couldn’t see himself living anywhere else. Allen was dropped on his great-great-aunt and uncle’s doorstep when he was two weeks old. They took him in when they didn’t have to and raised him as their own. While growing up, the phrase “it takes a village” couldn’t be more true for him. He loves being able to help the people he grew up around and give back to the village that helped raise him. Both as a business and personally, Allen strongly believes in giving back to the community. He has a scholarship for students and is involved with many community initiatives.  Allen is best known as a family man, Cleveland sports fan, and supportive member of his community.   Experience & Expertise Allen is the founder and co-owner of Tittle & Perlmuter. He started the firm in 2015 at his kitchen table with six figures of student loan debt, his first baby on the way, and a brand new mortgage because he wanted a law firm where clients actually came first. Allen practices exclusively in the area of personal injury, with an emphasis on medical malpractice and nursing home neglect state-wide. Medical malpractice cases are some of the most difficult cases to take on, but he is always up for a challenge and relishes the role of the underdog. Being a lawyer gives him the power to fight the Goliaths of the world, whether it be a billion-dollar insurance company or a multi-million-dollar medical company. He has the honor and privilege of representing people and families who have had their lives turned upside down by catastrophic injuries with life-altering effects. Recovering money, getting justice and answers, and helping families move on is the biggest responsibility that he does not take lightly. Allen has committed his life’s work and legacy to serving his clients and community as one of Ohio’s leading personal injury lawyers.   Background & Education Allen was born and raised in Huron, Ohio. After graduating from Huron High School, he attended Bowling

S3 E22 · Mon, November 20, 2023

Justice and Accountability for Victims of Mass Shootings with Jamal Alsaffar

When trial lawyer Jamal Alsaffar of Austin Texas heard about the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, he had the eerie feeling of history repeating itself.  Many of the facts were strikingly similar to what had occurred in the Sutherland Springs church mass shooting case in Texas that Jamal tried to a Federal judge, resulting in a $230 million judgment for the families.  In the process, Jamal also forced the U.S. Government to disclose documents and information that demonstrated a long-standing pattern of failing to report dangerous, violent, and mentally unstable members of the armed forces to the FBI databank, thereby permitting tens of thousands of deranged or dangerous individuals to purchase and continue to possess firearms.  As a result of Jamal’s case, he not only secured compensation for his clients, but he forced the Air Force to enact policy changes that resulted in tens of thousands of dangerous individuals being reported.  Join Ben and Rahul for their in-depth discussion with Jamal, including his journey to becoming a trial lawyer that started with him becoming a standout in high school and college mock trial competitions to becoming one of the leading lawyers in the United States in bringing claims against the Federal Government and representing victims of mass shootings.   About Jamal Alsaffar Mr. Alsaffar was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and is a nationally experienced trial attorney. Mr. Alsaffar has spent his entire career as a trial lawyer representing individuals and families. He has successfully represented clients in state, federal, and appellate courts across the country in complex personal injury and medical malpractice cases. In addition to a Texas statewide practice, Mr. Alsaffar has a national Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) practice representing veterans and military families around the country including Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington D.C., New York, New Hampshire, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington.   In 2013, Mr. Alsaffar was selected as one of the 20 “Leading Lawyers” under the age of forty in the state of Texas by Texas Lawyer magazine. His legal peers have voted him as a “Super Lawyer” from 2014-2022 and prior to that as a Texas “Rising Star” from 2006-2014. Mr. Alsaffar has also served as the National Chair of the Federal Torts and Military Advocacy Section for the American Association of Justice, the nation’s premier trial lawyer organization. Mr. Alsaffar served as an adjunct professor of trial advocacy at the University of Texas School of Law, and also served as a volunteer coach for the University of Texas undergraduate trial advocacy team for over ten years. Mr. Alsaffar is a proud father of three children and is a volunteer select soccer coach for the Lake Travis Youth Association and serves on the board of LTYA.   PROFESSIONAL AFFILIAT

S3 E21 · Mon, November 06, 2023

Thinking Outside of the Box, with Scott Perry

Join Ben for his interview of Scott Perry, one of Virgina’s most talented and successful trial lawyers.  Scott talks about his transition from Big Law to plaintiffs work and his later transition from a narrow focus on medical malpractice to a broader practice.  Scott discusses some of his landmark cases, including a case that changed the safety standard for American rowing and a recent $10 million verdict on behalf of a high school basketball star severely injured during a school community service project.  Scott talks about how he navigated the difficult facts of the case to achieve justice for his client.    About Scott Perry Before joining Breit Biniazan, accomplished trial lawyer Scott Perry served as a founding partner of Perry Charnoff, PLLC.    Perry knows that it’s not just luck, but skill that gets personal injury lawyers the best result. He strives to surround himself with like-minded attorneys who enjoy the challenge of pushing the status quo and raising the bar for trial practice, which is why he joined forces with Breit Biniazan. Perry, who has a history of creating change in his community, strives to leverage this partnership to make an even greater impact for his clients and the communities he serves.   Several years ago, Scott represented a family in a devastating case involving a drowning on the Potomac River. The victim, an 18-year-old Filipino immigrant, became a rowing coach while on summer break from his Ivy League university. Unfortunately, one beautiful day, the victim was thrown from the launch and tragically drowned—despite being a strong swimmer.    When Perry looked into the case further, he discovered that the sport of rowing in the U.S. fell well behind its European counterparts when it came to safety. Coaches in other countries are required to wear special life vests and safety lanyards—and he successfully argued that safety measures like these could have prevented this tragedy. Perry’s represented families in several other sporting injury and wrongful death cases since then.    While at Perry Charnoff, Scott’s unique litigation approach led to multiple multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, including:  A $35.6 million jury verdict for a catastrophically injured client A $12 million medical malpractice jury verdict for a family who lost a 39-year-old wife and mother due to an undiagnosed blood clot A $4.5 million sexual abuse lawsuit involving two special-needs adults who were raped and impregnated by a workshop employee A $3.0 million medical malpractice verdict for the family of a lawyer whose heart was punctured during a minor procedure A $2.0 million medical malpractice jury verdict for a woman whose leg was amputated when a blood clot went undiagnosed A $1.55 million medical malpractice verdict for a federal worker whose ureter was sewed shut during a hysterectomy <

S3 E20 · Mon, October 23, 2023

Trying Birth Injury Cases with Briggs Bedigian and Jon Stefanuca

During a recent two-month period, Maryland and Pennsylvania-based trial lawyers Briggs Bedigian and Jon Stefanuca obtained verdicts of $34 million and $187 million in back-to-back trials in complex birth injury cases.  Join Ben and Rahul for their discussion with Briggs and Jon about their path to handling these challenging, highly leveraged, and risky cases, and the strategies they have developed for sustained and repeated success.  Whether you handle birth injury cases or not, this episode contains important lessons that will benefit anyone who tries cases for a living.   About Briggs Bedigian H. Briggs Bedigian (“Briggs”) is a trial lawyer dedicated to representing victims of medical malpractice and catastrophic personal injuries nationwide. Briggs and his partner, Charles Gilman, co-founded Gilman & Bedigian, LLC with one guiding principle – to provide the absolute best legal representation to those most in need.     Briggs’ particular set of trial skills sets him apart from his peers when he steps into the courtroom. His familiarity with the trial process and his humility and comfort trying cases in front of juries has proven both persuasive and productive. Briggs has tried more than 70 cases to verdict, including winning the largest medical malpractice verdict in Pennsylvania history, $182 million on behalf of a catastrophically injured child. His record of success also includes winning the second largest medical malpractice verdict in Maryland history of $55 million.     While Briggs prepares every case for trial, he routinely achieves multimillion-dollar pre-trial settlements, many in excess of eight-figures. Experience has proven that the hard work of trial preparation and his assertive strategy has been crucial to his success.     Briggs has earned a reputation in the legal community as the “go-to attorney” for catastrophic medical malpractice and personal injury cases. When judges, defense lawyers, doctors, and prominent lawyers refer Briggs their serious personal injury cases, you know he is providing top notch legal representation – and getting top results.     Bar Admissions:   Maryland   Pennsylvania   District of Columbia   United States District Court of Maryland   United States District Court for the District of Columbia     Special Admissions by way of Pro Hac Vice:   Virginia   Texas   Alabama   New Jersey   Georgia   Delaware   North Carolina   Ohio   Nevada     Education:   University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D.   Honors: Top 10% of class   Ithaca College, New York, B.A.   All American football player   Captain of College football team – elected by teammates.    </p

S3 E19 · Tue, October 10, 2023

Trial Alert: Gideon Asen's Recent Medical Malpractice Trial with Trevor Savage

Gideon Asen attorney, Trevor Savage, joins the podcast to talk about a recent case he and Ben Gideon tried involving a delay in diagnosis of prostate cancer.  Ben and Trevor discuss some of the legal challenges they had to overcome and how they used focus groups and big data to identify key issues and frame the case effectively for trial.  They discuss their approach to voir dire, opening statements, use of demonstrative aides and order of witnesses.     About Trevor Savage Trevor is a skilled trial attorney who represents clients in claims involving medical malpractice, wrongful deaths and other complex personal injury cases. After completing a clerkship with the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, Trevor began his career at a large firm in Portland, representing medical providers, businesses, and insurance companies. Trevor’s experience as a defense attorney gives him a unique perspective that he uses to give Gideon Asen’s clients an advantage during litigation with insurance companies. A native of Maine, Trevor is a graduate of Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, and then the University of Maine School of Law. At Maine Law, he served as Managing Editor of the Maine Law Review and as a legal writing teaching assistant for first-year students. During law school—alongside his then-classmate and current colleague, Meryl Poulin—he distinguished himself as one of two “Prize Arguers” of their class and argued before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. He and Meryl Poulin—another Gideon Asen attorney—later competed nationally as teammates on the Maine Law Moot Court Team, finishing in the top three of a competition of more than forty teams. While at law school, Trevor interned with the Appellate Division of the United States Attorney’s Office and then with Judge Kermit V. Lipez of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. He also worked as a Student Attorney at the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office (winning his first two jury trials as a second-year law student). Trevor lives in North Berwick, Maine, with his wife, Amy, and two children, Jacob and Will.

S3 E18 · Mon, September 25, 2023

Avoid Being Sued or Having Your Money Stolen with Larry and Lauren Acker

Join Ben for his discussion with trial lawyers Larry and Lauren Acker from Travers City, Michigan.  Larry, who has spent his career trying legal and accounting malpractice claims, offers insights into how best to avoid having money embezzled from your law practice and how to avoid being sued for malpractice.  This father and daughter team discuss trying a recent accounting malpractice case together and the approach to communicating these types of cases to jurors.   About Lawrence J. Acker _________________________ Lawrence J. Acker, P.C/ The Acker Law Firm 12930 S. West Bayshore Drive Traverse City, MI 49684 248-229-1911   Education: B.A., Oakland University, Rochester MI 1970 M.A.T., Oakland University, Rochester MI 1972 J.D., Detroit College of Law, Detroit MI 1977   Practice Areas:  Legal Malpractice  Medical Malpractice  Accounting Malpractice  Family Law Fraud Issues Personal Injury   Lawrence Acker is a trial attorney.  He has conducted trials in multiple Federal jurisdictions and multiple State Courts. He has conducted arbitration hearings at the American Arbitration Association, at JAMS and has served as a private arbitrator. Fellow of The American College of Trial Lawyers (FACTL 2007). Fellowship in the ACTL is available only by invitation. Fellows are inducted after rigorous investigation of adherence to the highest standards of trial performance and professional ethics. Membership is available to no more than 1% of the Trial Lawyers in the USA and Canada, after an attorney has established a reputation for excellence in trial advocacy.    Lawrence Acker served as Chairman of the State of Michigan Committee of the American College of Trial Lawyers for a two-year term (2019-2020).   Lawrence Acker is a past member of the Michigan Character and Fitness Committee.   Lawrence Acker has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America , Martindale Hubbell Directory of Preeminent Attorneys and Michigan Super Lawyers   Lawrence Acker has served on the Editorial Board of Michigan Lawyers Weekly .  He was nominated as “Lawyer of the Year” in 2002 by Lawyers Weekly .     Most recent trial completed: Lake Michigan Carferry vs. DeBoer Baumann , CPA firm. Mason County Circuit Court, Ludington, Michigan; Case No. 2019-000249-NM Entered judgment on jury verdict with interest 6/22/2023 in the amount of $746,918. Co-counsel Ms. Lauren Acker.     About Lauren Acker Associate, Lawrence J. Acker, P.C/ The Acker Law Firm 12930 S. West Bayshore Drive Traverse City, MI 49684   Education: J.D. William & Mary Law School, 2019 B.A. Washington & Lee University, 2012  

S3 E17 · Mon, September 11, 2023

Continuous Practice and Improvement Yields Better Results with Monte Tynes

Douglas “Monte” Tynes is a second-generation trial lawyer from Pascagoula, Mississippi.  Monte, who serves as the co-chair of the damages section of the Edge Trial College, has an insatiable desire to continue learning and getting better at the craft of trying cases.  In his career, Monte has tried numerous jury trials in civil rights, employment, personal injury, and medical malpractice cases.  He tries cases in Mississippi, in some of the most conservative and difficult plaintiff’s venues in the Country.  Monte shares his recent experience achieving a verdict of almost $ 1 million in a low speed, no damage, rear-end car accident trial in a conversative Mississippi venue.  Monte talks about his “speed trial” technique and how he presented his difficult damages case.  Monte talks about other lessons learned from this and several other recent trials, and what he is continuing to do each day to hone is skills at the craft of trying cases.   About Monte Tynes Douglas L. Tynes, Jr., who prefers to go by the much more informal ‘Monte’ Tynes, is a second-generation attorney, who began practicing law with his father, Douglas L. Tynes, in 2006. After the latter’s retirement in May 2013, Mr Tynes continued practicing in the same historic building where his father had worked for more than 30 years.   Mr. Tynes is a devoted practitioner of the law. He goes the extra mile to become better acquainted with his client by making house calls, so he may know them in their surroundings. Mr. Tynes makes sure that his team at Tynes Law Firm share his work ethic and is equally understanding of the needs of his clients.   Areas of Specialization: Mr. Tynes’ practice includes: Automobile accidents 18-wheeler accidents Medical malpractice Criminal law Family law cases such as divorce, custody, and child support Mr. Tynes is admitted to practice in all state courts in Mississippi, as well as the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.   Education: Mississippi College School of Law, 2002-2005 Active in the Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association student chapter Earned a Juris Doctorate in May of 2005 University of Mississippi School of Law, 2004-2005 Finished final year of law school as a visiting student Georgia Institute of Technology, 1998-2002 Earned Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and Sigma Phi Epsilon Wrote for The Technique, the school’s weekly newspaper While attending school full time, also worked at Pond & Co., Architects and Engineers   Ocean Springs High School   Graduated with High Honors Lettered in football and soccer Part of civic organizations such as Phi Kappa   Repres

S3 E16 · Mon, August 28, 2023

Finding Your Authentic Voice with Christian Morris

Join Ben and Rahul for their conversation with Nevada trial lawyer Christian Morris.  Attorney Morris describes her journey, from going up on a farm in Maine with no electricity or running water to being named 2019 Trial Lawyer of the Year in Nevada after obtaining a $31 million verdict on behalf of a young California woman who suffered anaphylactic shock while attending a convention in Las Vegas.  Along the way, Attorney Morris describes how she found her own authentic approach, style, and voice as a lawyer that has enabled her to connect with jurors and to build a successful practice and career that she loves.   About Christian Morris   Christian Morris, Esq., is a personal injury trial attorney. Christian focuses exclusively on personal injury cases and making sure her clients obtain a just verdict or settlement.   She recently received a $31 million dollar verdict for a woman who was severely brain damaged due to the negligence of Medic West, an ambulance company that chose to eliminate a lifesaving medication from their medic’s jump bags to save $2.42 per bag.   She is licensed to practice law in Nevada in both state and federal courts. Christian also holds bar licenses in California and New Jersey. In February, 2012, Christian successfully passed the New York State Bar. In 2013, Christian was accepted to the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyer’s College, and she continues her work with the Gerry Spence Method on the Ranch in Wyoming.  Christian was voted Nevada’s Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Nevada Justice Association for 2019. She is the second woman in twenty-two years to receive the honor. Christian also serves on the Board of Governors for the American Association of Justice. Christian is well respected in the legal community for her candor, hard work and commitment to the civil justice system. Her verdicts have changed the law in Nevada for both premises liability cases and how Plaintiffs’ counsel can be compensated for their fees. She has conducted both jury trials and bench trials and has published decisions by the Nevada Supreme Court.  Christian is the proud mother of Jackman Reese Burnette (age 5) and Winter Ryan Burnette (age 3).

S3 E15 · Fri, August 04, 2023

Trial Alert: Breaking Down Rahul’s Recent $46 Million Verdict

In this episode, Ben and Rahul break down the recent $46 million verdict Rahul obtained in a case on behalf of a client injured during a Brazilian Jujitsu class.  Rahul talks about how he frames the issues in the case to deal with the challenge of many jurors believing that those who engage in dangerous activities, like Jujitsu, assume the risk of injury.  He shares his approach to voir dire and to obtaining this high-value verdict in a relatively conservative venue where verdicts tend to be on the lower side.  Rahul talks about how the verdict was received in the Jujitsu community and how it is likely to lead to changes that will make the practice safer.     About Rahul Ravipudi Rahul Ravipudi is a partner at Panish | Shea | Boyle | Ravipudi LLP and has spent his legal career handling catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases involving commercial vehicles, pedestrians, industrial or construction accidents, utility negligence, dangerous conditions of public and private property as well as cases of sexual abuse and sexual assault. Mr. Ravipudi also represents consumers in class actions against businesses who engage in unfair/illegal business practices and public entities in cases where corporations have endangered the safety, health, property or comfort of the public.   Mr. Ravipudi currently serves as Public Entity Plaintiffs’ Co-Lead Counsel in the JUUL Labs Product Cases, representing school districts and other public entities in California involved in litigation against the electronic cigarette manufacturer. Has also serves as Plaintiffs Co-Lead Counsel in the Southern California Fire Cases litigation arising out of the 2017 Thomas Fire and subsequent debris flows in Montecito, California as well as on the Plaintiffs Executive Committee in the California North Bay Fires litigation. Mr. Ravipudi previously served on the Steering Committee in the Blythe bus crash litigation.   Named 2017 Trial Lawyer of the Year by Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, Mr. Ravipudi has obtained numerous landmark verdicts and settlements including a $160.5 million jury verdict for a man who suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of a vicious beating by security personnel for a nightclub, a $46,475,112.33 jury verdict for a beginning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu student who suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury while sparring with a Del Mar Jiu-Jitsu Club instructor who performed a technique which rendered the student an incomplete quadriplegic, a $28,500,000+ settlement for a special needs student who was catastrophically injured after being struck by a vehicle while under the care and supervision of Victor Elementary School District (VESD) personnel, as well as a $23,500,000 settlement on behalf of the family of Paul Lee, a 19-year-old non-verbal autistic student who tragically died aboard a Whittier school bus after the driver left him behind to engage in a sexual tryst with a co

S3 E14 · Thu, July 20, 2023

Trial Lessons Learned from the Tobacco Wars with Sarah London

Join Ben and Rahul for their interview of San Francisco trial lawyer, Sarah London of Lieff Cabraser.  Sarah explains how her interest in community organizing ultimately led her to a career as a plaintiff trial lawyer.  She views the law as the ultimate weapon for promoting positive societal change.  Not long after becoming a lawyer, Sarah London found herself in Florida trying case after case against the big tobacco companies.  At first, the plaintiffs were losing every trial.  But in time, they found strategies to turn the cases around, win, and obtain large verdicts.  This experience of trying similar cases over and over provided a laboratory for better understanding of how to select juries and frame a case for trial success.  The insights gained through this process are valuable not just for tobacco litigation, but anyone who conducts jury trials.  Sarah was recently appointed as co-lead counsel for the Juul litigation.  Sarah’s insights into trial lawyer are both practical and inspirational.  You won’t want to miss this episode!     About Sarah London “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” Martin Luther King, Jr.   A partner in Lieff Cabraser’s San Francisco office, Sarah R. London is a determined, skilled, and experienced advocate for the  injured ,  employees , and  consumers . In February of 2020, Sarah was appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in the  Gilead HIV Drug Kidney & Bone Injuries Litigation . In December of 2019, she was appointed to serve as Co-Lead Counsel and Liaison Counsel for plaintiffs in the  nationwide multidistrict Juul e-cigarette fraud and injury litigation . In September of 2019, Sarah was appointed by Judge Judith E. Levy to serve as Subclass Settlement Counsel in  In re Flint Water Cases , the federal class action lawsuit seeking justice for the over 100,000 residents of Flint, Michigan who were exposed to seriously elevated levels of lead as a result of insufficient water treatment. Sarah also serves in lead roles in women’s health cases, including work as court-appointed Liaison Counsel and Interim Class Counsel in the federal class action filed on behalf of families in May 2018 against San Francisco’s  Pacific Fertility Center  over the Center’s March 2018 allegedly negligent destruction of

S3 E13 · Mon, July 03, 2023

More Big Data with John and Alicia Campbell

Episode Summary   John and Alicia Campbell join Ben and Rahul for a follow up discussion on the value of Big Data in preparing cases for trial.  John is joined by his business partner, fellow attorney and wife, Alicia Campbell.  John and Alicia discuss their forthcoming book, co-authored with Attorney Sean Claggett, in which they present both the science and practical uses of big data to help trial lawyers make better decisions and achieve better trial results.  In this episode, John and Alicia discuss some of the lessons learned from years of jury research and big data studies; how the data is best used to maximize value at trial; and some of the common mistakes trial lawyers make in case presentation and jury selection that can impact the win rate and verdict value in the case.   About John and Alicia Campbell   John and Alicia Campbell, Campbell Law   John Campbell, JD is a trial and appellate lawyer turned law professor turned jury researcher. John trained as a trial lawyer under John Simon, a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, and then went on to become a successful consumer attorney.  John’s verdicts and settlements exceed $350 million.  John has also handled appeals in the Eighth, Second, Tenth, and Fourth Circuit, as well as the United States Supreme Court and a variety of state courts.  Most recently, John served as lead counsel in a series of class actions against municipalities, including Ferguson, Missouri, who engaged in policing for profit.  The cases led to the eradication of many predatory fees targeted at minorities and the working poor.   John remains a member of Campbell Law LLC. For eight years John served as a professor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.  While there, he founded the Civil Justice Research Initiative, dedicated to better understanding jury behavior through rigorous empirical research.  He continues to run CJRI at the University of Denver and teaches as an adjunct professor. John’s academic work led to demand for him to study individual cases for plaintiff attorneys.  He ultimately founded Empirical Jury.  In only a few years, Empirical Jury has emerged as a cutting-edge firm that uses big data and scientific approaches to equip attorneys to obtain the best result possible for clients.  Empirical Jury has been involved in verdicts in excess of $550 million and is routinely called on to analyze some of the most complex consequential cases in the country. During the Covid-19 era, Empirical Jury is also leading the way on understanding the Covid Effect through careful data gathering and analysis.  To date, Empirical Jury has surveyed over 1,200 jurors on topics relating to Covid-19, virtual trials, and jury duty.   Alicia Campbell Alicia started Campbell Law, LLC, in 2009. Prior to that, she worked for a legal services

S3 E12 · Mon, June 19, 2023

How to Compete and Win Big Every Time with Brian Panish

Join Ben and Rahul for their discussion with legendary trial lawyer Brian Panish, founding partner of Los-Angeles-based trial firm, Panish Shea Boyle and Ravipudi (PSBR).  Brian discusses how the values he learned growing up and playing competitive sports through college shaped his work ethic and approach to the competition of trial practice.  Brian shares keys to success at trial and in building a world-class trial law firm.  Brian is the G.O.A.T. You don’t want to miss this episode!   About Brian Panish One of the country’s leading trial attorneys, Los Angeles personal injury lawyer Brian Panish has obtained some of the most significant jury verdicts in United States history on behalf of plaintiffs. His courtroom victories include a $4.9 billion record verdict in the landmark products liability case Anderson v. General Motors , over 100 verdicts and settlements in excess of $10 million, six verdicts in excess of $50 million, and more than 500 verdicts and settlements over one million dollars in personal injury, car accident , wrongful death and business litigation cases.   Mr. Panish consistently serves in a leading role in the largest personal injury cases in California and the country. He currently serves as Plaintiffs Co-Lead Counsel in the Woolsey Fire litigation,  Plaintiffs Co-Lead Counsel in the Southern California Fire Cases litigation arising from the 2017 Thomas Fire and subsequent debris flows in Montecito, California, and serves on the Plaintiffs Executive Committee for the 2017 North Bay Fires in Northern California. Mr. Panish also serves as Lead Trial Counsel in the Southern California Gas Leak Cases where he led a team of lawyers in obtaining a $1.8 billion settlement from Southern California Gas Company and Sempra Energy . He previously served in leadership roles in the Asiana Airlines Crash Litigation, the Olympus Superbug CRE Litigation and DePuy ASR Hip Implant Litigation, among others.   Most recently, Mr. Panish has been retained to represent the husband and son of Halyna Hutchins, a cinematographer who was fatally shot and killed by Alec Baldwin on the movie set of ‘Rust’ in October 2021.   Since 2011, Mr. Panish has obtained more than $500 million in

S3 E11 · Mon, June 05, 2023

Forming a Powerhouse Trial Team with Jodi Nofsinger and Susan Faunce

Maine trial lawyers, Jodi Nofsinger and Susan Faunce join Ben and Rahul to talk about how they have joined together to form a powerhouse trial team and recently won a $6.5 million verdict in a malpractice case in Maine.  Jodi and Susan talk about their diverse backgrounds which led them to become trial lawyers and how they have worked together over the years to form one of Maine’s most successful trial teams.      About Jodi Nofsinger   Attorney Jodi Nofsinger represents people who have been harmed by medical malpractice and those who have suffered serious personal injury. With an educational background in medicine and biology, Jodi is the rare attorney who understands both the law and science of the cases she handles.   Since joining Berman & Simmons in 1997, Jodi has earned a reputation as a tenacious and effective advocate for her clients. She is a natural competitor who thrives when representing the underdog and holding the powerful accountable.   She is also a trailblazer among Maine’s trial lawyers. In 2014, Jodi became only the 22nd trial lawyer in Maine—and only the third woman—inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Fellowship is extended to trial lawyers who are master advocates for their clients, and whose careers are distinguished by the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.   Jodi learned about the justice system from her mother, a clerk at a federal courthouse in Rockford, IL. Jodi recalls her mother’s compassion for people with disabilities who had come to court seeking benefits that were denied by the government. At an early age, Jodi understood that a lawyer can make all the difference for people who have been wronged.   “People put themselves in your hands, often after the worst thing that has ever happened to them, and your job is to get them to the end of their case safely, and with the best result possible,” Jodi says. “As a lawyer, you have the privilege and power to make positive change in people’s lives. That is the kind of responsibility that makes you want to do better.”   Jodi obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree as a pre-med undergraduate. Beginning in high school and continuing until she entered the University of Maine School of Law, she worked in the field of biology, where she conducted research in the areas of heart disease, cellular biology, and genetics.   Besides her outstanding record of success in medical malpractice and catastrophic personal injury cases, Jodi is also well known for her work on civil rights cases, such as the groundbreaking lawsuit brought on behalf of transgender high school student Nicole Maines of Orono, ME. Jodi serves on the board of directors for the ACLU of Maine and the Maine Trial Lawyers Association.     About Susan Faunce   Since joining Berman & Simmons in 2006, attorne

Bonus · Wed, May 24, 2023

Sponsor Bonus Episode with SmartAdvocate

S3 E10 · Mon, May 22, 2023

Selecting a Winning Jury with Harry Plotkin

Ben and Rahul talk jury selection with Harry Plotkin, a nationally renowned expert on jury selection who has picked over a thousand juries in cases across the country. Harry has been involved in many high-profile cases and ground-breaking plaintiff’s verdicts.  Harry shares his strategies for identifying favorable and unfavorable jurors and identifies areas where lawyer intuition leads to poor choices in jury selection. Harry explains how involvement of a jury consultant can increase the chances of a good result at trial.  If you are heading to trial and picking a jury, you don’t want to miss this episode!   About Harry Plotkin   Harry is a nationally renowned jury consultant and leading voice in the field of jury decision-making, psychology, and persuasion.   He has helped shape the outcome of over one thousand trials across the country in nearly every state.   $19.25 MILLION VERDICT in dangerous condition trial in Santa Cruz         Howard v. CalTrans, February 2023   100% LIABILITY VERDICT in liability phase/fall down lift shaft trial in San Mateo         Veimau v. Phillips, December 2022 (settled for large confidential amount before damage phase)   $45 MILLION VERDICT in public school district physical abuse trial in Los Angeles         Wong v. Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, October 2022   $464.2 MILLION VERDICT in employment retaliation trial in Los Angeles         Martinez/Page v. Southern California Edison, June 2022   $150 MILLION VERDICT in wrongful death trial in Palm Springs         Collins v. Diamond Generating Company, July 2022   $11 MILLION VERDICT in pedestrian v. auto crash trial in Santa Monica         Knight v. Haskell, August 2022   $34.5 MILLION VERDICT in aiding/abetting wrongful termination in Santa Cruz         Ruvalcaba v. Keenan & Associates, May 2022   $102.5 MILLION VERDICT in public school district sexual abuse trial in San Jose         Doe v. Union School District, March 2022   $25.7 MILLION VERDICT in medical malpractice arbitration in San Diego         Vargas v. Kaiser Permanente, April 2022   $23.2 MILLION VERDICT in care home death (of an 81 year-old) trial in Bakersfield         Mosley v. Pacifica Healthcare, March 2022   $10 MILLION VERDICT in "jaywalking" pedestrian death trial in Long Beach         Garcia v. Herrera, December 2021   $7.2 MILLION VERDICT in federal airline/unruly passenger mistreatment trial in LA         Bandary v. Delta, October 2021   $136.9 MILLION VERDICT in federal hostile work

S3 E9 · Mon, May 08, 2023

Character Counts in the Courtroom with Randy Kinnard

From his Purple Heart in Vietnam to his landmark $55 Million verdict against Marriott Hotels in the Erin Andrews trial, Nashville-based trial lawyer, Randy Kinnard leads with character. Join Ben for his fascinating discussion with Attorney Kinnard tracing his journey from West Point to becoming one of the nation’s most successful civil trial lawyers.   About Randy Kinnard   Considered One Of The Best Lawyers In Nashville, TN As a seasoned Nashville personal injury and medical malpractice attorney, Randall L. Kinnard is a highly respected legal professional. He has been recognized by countless organizations and publications for his exceptional skill both in and out of the courtroom. Mr. Kinnard is a leading lawyer in Tennessee and has been ranked as one of the best in all of Nashville. He has recovered millions of dollars for injury victims over the years, always fighting for the maximum value of his clients’ cases.     Valuing His Clients First & Foremost Mr. Kinnard emphasizes two things in his practice: competence and respect. He has started many initiatives that shed light on the importance of respect in life and legal practice. Mr. Kinnard truly respects his clients, treating them as a counselor and acting as a friend to them through the entire legal process.     A Strong Track Record Of Success He stands out from other lawyers by more than just his results and commitment to respect—Mr. Kinnard is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification and Board-Certified as a Medical Malpractice Specialist by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys.   In his 40+ years of practice, he has recovered many record-setting verdicts for injury victims, including a $22 million jury verdict that was the largest in the state for a single person. This is what sets him apart as one of the premier plaintiff’s medical malpractice attorneys in all of Nashville. He was also able to secure a $55 million verdict for sportscaster Erin Andrews in her lawsuit against a hotel and a stalker.     Award-Winning & Nationally Recognized Randall L. Kinnard is widely recognized by leading legal organizations as one of the region’s most talented and successful trial lawyers. He has been named to The Best Lawyers in America since 1993, Mid-South Super Lawyers every year since 2007, and received the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association’s “Outstanding Trial Lawyer of the Year” award in 2016, among many other distinctions.   Mr. Kinnard is also one of a select group of lawyers to become a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, an invite-only group of the nation’s top 100 plaintiffs’ trial attorneys.   The Kentucky Court Trial Review praised Mr. Kinnard's work in the legal community in a post on social

S3 E8 · Mon, April 24, 2023

Exposing Insurance Bad Faith with Matthew Sharp

Reno, Nevada trial attorney Matt Sharp specializes in holding insurance companies accountable for failing meet their obligations to their insureds.  Recently, Matt obtained a record-setting $200 million verdict against the largest health insurer in the country.  Prior to that, Matt obtained a $100 million verdict in another bad faith case.  Join Ben and Rahul for their discussion with Matt about the ins and outs of first party and third-party insurance bad faith claims—and how these cases can result in large verdicts where there is evidence that an insurance company failed to meet its obligations.  Any trial lawyer who may encounter a bad faith claim in practice cannot afford to miss this episode!   About Matthew Sharp   RENO PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER NEVADA INSURANCE LITIGATION ATTORNEY   Over the past 15 years, Reno trial lawyer Matthew L. Sharp has represented individuals and businesses injured by the unlawful conduct of others, including negligence, malpractice, and insurance bad faith. Mr. Sharp focuses on representing clients in connection with insurance disputes, including bad faith claims, delay or underpayment of claims, or the failure to defend. In addition, he has considerable experience handling health insurance disputes, as well as disputes regarding auto insurance, disability insurance, and life insurance.   Additionally, as an experienced personal injury attorney, Matthew Sharp helps clients get money damages for auto accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, elder abuse, and defective products.   Contact Reno accident and injury attorney Matthew L. Sharp at (775) 383-8751 to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your rights and options.   Representing Clients in Connection with Insurance Disputes Matthew Sharp’s experience and know-how when it comes to insurance disputes is second to none. In fact, he has represented clients in cutting edge insurance litigation regarding managed care and other health insurance issues. For instance, he obtained a favorable settlement on behalf of clients injured at a subpar medical facility from a large Nevada HMO who had negligently referred patients to the facility – one of the first cases of its kind in the country.   He represents clients in insurance disputes involving all types of insurance policies, including: Health insurance Disability insurance Automobile insurance Life insurance Homeowners insurance Commercial insurance  

S3 E7 · Mon, April 10, 2023

The Road to a $100 Million Verdict with Andrew Garza

Join Rahul and Ben for their discussion with Andrew Garza, founder of the Connecticut Trial Firm.  Andrew talks about how he started his plaintiff’s practice while working as a bartender at night to make ends meet.  He worked hard to become a better trial lawyer and to develop cutting edge approaches to developing cases and preparing them for trial.  Andrew describes how he applied these strategies recently to obtain a $100 million verdict in a negligence and product liability case tried in Connecticut State Court—the largest personal injury verdict in the State’s history.     About Andrew Garza   Biography   Personal injury clients face many challenges. After an injury, they may struggle to pay bills, find a replacement vehicle, or even obtain medical care. Time and again, insurance companies take advantage of the injured in order to increase their corporate profits. Andrew understands what it means to overcome adversity. He grew up in public housing in Groton and worked his way through college and law school by waiting tables and tending bar. He has devoted his practice to helping those who are most vulnerable to obtain justice. Andrew uses his skills to level the playing field for his clients. When he is not practicing law, Andrew is probably hosting a great party for his family and friends or building furniture in his workshop.   Education   Andrew received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Connecticut. He graduated cum laude from New England School of Law, where he was a New England Scholar and served on the executive board of The New England Law Review.

S3 E6 · Mon, March 27, 2023

$38 Million Negligent Security Verdict and More with Ben Cloward

Join Rahul and Ben for their discussion with Las Vegas trial lawyer, Ben Cloward ( https://www.thefiercefirm.com/) .  Attorney Cloward shares how his Mormon faith and commitment to service created the foundation for his career as a plaintiff trial lawyer.  Ben describes in detail how he used aggressive discovery and big data to develop and try a negligent security case on behalf of the family of a man murdered at a local housing development.  Ben talks about how he was able to identify the most compelling facts, come up with the ideal sequencing of the evidence, and rebut factual and legal defense to achieve this extraordinary result.   About Ben Cloward In 2016, at the age of 37, Benjamin P. Cloward became the youngest lawyer in the history of the State of Nevada to be awarded the prestigious “Trial Lawyer of the Year” by the Nevada Justice Association. That same year, he became the youngest member of the Nevada, Las Vegas Chapter of ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates), and at the time was also the youngest person in the State of Nevada to be Board Certified as a Personal Injury Specialist. He has received many additional recognitions, including being AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and receiving a perfect 10.0 by Avvo.com. He has been featured in several magazines in Nevada for his accomplishments and hard work.   Just recently, in February 2020, Ben obtained a $38 million jury verdict, which is believed to be the largest ever negligent security for wrongful death in the State of Nevada. Other verdicts Ben has obtained include a $15 million jury verdict in 2016 on behalf of a family whose disabled son, Harvey, was allowed to choke to death on a paratransit bus. That verdict was upheld in a unanimous decision after four years of contentious appellate litigation with the final judgment ballooning to over $20.5 million dollars. The defense in that case never formally offered a single penny. After obtaining the verdict, Ben continued working on the safety issue that led to Harvey’s death, and with the help of many other people, got “Harvey’s Law” passed in Nevada in 2017, which required certain training for all paratransit bus drivers to ensure others were protected. In 2016, Ben also obtained a $12.9 million jury verdict for a family whose life had been altered by a drunk driver who injured the mother and killed the daughter. He also obtained a $10 million settlement for a client who was significantly injured from a fall which resulted in a moderate brain injury. Ben has obtained multiple soft-tissue, low visible property damage jury verdicts including a $2.98 million jury verdict in 2018, a $1,075,000 verdict in 2014, and several 6 figure verdicts. In addition to obtaining significant jury verdicts, Ben has also been involved in settling over thirty cases for values ranging from $1 million to $10 million as noted above.  

S3 E5 · Mon, March 13, 2023

Trial Alert: Gideon Asen Trial Loss, Followed by $4.5 Million Verdict with Taylor Asen

Episode Summary: Join Rahul for his conversation with Ben and Ben’s law partner, Taylor Asen, in which they break down recent back-to-back jury trials: one which resulted in a defense verdict and the other a $4.5 Million verdict for the plaintiff.   About Taylor Asen: “Taylor went above and beyond during the entire case. I felt valued, respected and as if I was the #1 and only client he had.” – Adam D. (Winslow, Maine) Taylor specializes in medical malpractice cases, trucking accident cases, and other complex personal injury cases. Except for his partner Ben, Taylor is the only Maine lawyer listed in Lawdragon’s list of top 500 plaintiff’s attorneys. Taylor possesses a unique combination of intellect, competitive drive, and human empathy that makes him a powerful advocate for his clients. Taylor has dedicated his career to championing the interests of individuals who have suffered harm or injury from corporate misconduct, individual negligence, and bad medical care. Taylor’s efforts on behalf of injured Mainers have resulted in several of the largest case settlements in Maine history. “Nobody is more committed to his clients than Taylor,” said Ben Gideon. “His mind is always working. It’s not unusual for me to receive a call after midnight from Taylor, wanting to brainstorm about a thorny problem or about case strategy. Taylor is also a gifted legal writer, enabling our clients to gain the upper hand in motions and briefs submitted to the courts. When it comes to the full range of personal qualities and skills needed to achieve extraordinary client results, there are few lawyers I’ve met who can match Taylor.” A native of Maine, Taylor is a graduate of Yale Law School. At Yale, Taylor worked in the Veterans Legal Services Clinic, representing veterans who were improperly denied disability benefits. After graduating from law school, Taylor clerked for federal judges in New York City and Newark, New Jersey. Taylor began his career at a plaintiff class action firm in New York, before returning to Maine to represent individual plaintiffs in medical malpractice, truck accident and other complex personal injury cases. “The wealthy and the powerful don’t just expect their attorneys to be good. They expect them to be the best,” Taylor says. “We aren’t interested in being ‘good’ lawyers. We expect ourselves to provide our clients representation every bit as good as America’s biggest corporations receive.” Taylor’s wife, Becca, is the Director of Recruiting and Professional Development at Bernstein Shur. Taylor and Becca live in Falmouth, Maine with their three children, Davida, Vivienne, and Leon.

S3 E4 · Mon, February 27, 2023

Fearless Pursuit of Frontier Justice with Zander Blewett

Episode Summary   Anyone familiar with the popular television series, Yellowstone, will recognize the peculiar challenges of trying plaintiffs’ cases in Montana.  Yet, Montana trial lawyer, Zander Blewett, has been doing it successfully his entire career.  Join Ben ( www.gideonasen.com ) for his in-depth discussion with Zander, describing the unique circumstances that brought him to the practice of plaintiff law, his many landmark cases and verdicts, and his approach to success as a trial lawyer, family man and leader in the community.   About Zander Blewett   Founding Partner The University of Montana Law School has been renamed the " Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana ." Alexander (Zander) Blewett III has earned an  AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell™ , the highest recognition possible in the legal industry, for his professionalism and ethics.   Prac​tice Areas Personal Injury Trucking  &  Auto Accidents Brain Injury Wrongful Death Product Liability Insurance Bad Faith Workplace Injuries Railroad Law Class Actions Bicycle Accidents Motorcycle Accidents   Admitted Montana, 1971 U.S. District Court, District of Montana U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th and 9th Circuits U.S. Supreme Court   Education University of Montana, J.D., 1971 Montana State University, B.S., 1967   Associations and memberships The Inner Circle of Advocates  (Only Montana Member in National Organization limited to top 100 trial lawyers in the United

S3 E3 · Mon, February 13, 2023

Mastering the Ability to Try High Impact Cases with Jim Leventhal

Episode Summary   Few lawyers have succeeded in building and trying more complex, high impact cases than Colorado-based trial lawyer, Jim Leventhal.  Join Ben (www.gideonasen.com) for his in-depth discussion with Jim, beginning from Jim’s early days working in the public defender's office while moonlighting in his father’s clothing store, to his journey building one of the most successful plaintiff’s firms in the county.  Learn how Jim’s journey included investigating and trying many significant and ground-breaking cases which have changed the legal and medical landscape and made the world a safer place for all patients.    About Jim Leventhal   JIM LEVENTHAL is devoted to helping and improving the quality of life of the clients he serves by putting the interests of the client first. This emphasis on achieving the best possible result for his clients is reflected in Jim’s recognition as one of the Best Lawyers in Colorado and the United States. As the founder of Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. Jim has worked diligently for over 41 years in cases involving medical negligence and serious personal injury, fighting relentlessly to ensure that people receive justice.    Jim Leventhal’s Cross-Examination of an Adverse Party: Complete Transcript https://www.patrickmalonelaw.com/useful-information/legal-resources/attorneys/legal-resources-attorneys-injured-clients/cross-examination-transcripts/leventhal-jim-adverse-examination-of-a-defendant-doctor-in-a-medical-malpractice-case/  

S3 E2 · Mon, January 30, 2023

Winning Trials in Conservative Venues with Tom Keefe

Join Ben ( www.gideonasen.com ) for his conversation with the insightful, brilliant, and always irreverent trial lawyer, Tom Keefe.  Ben and Tom discuss Tom’s journey from childhood, where he grew up the son of a successful worker’s compensation lawyer, to his current status as one of the most successful plaintiff’s trial lawyers in Illinois.  Tom talks about strategies he uses to connect with jurors in the deeply red, conservative venues of Illinois where he tries many of his cases.     About Tom Keefe Tom Keefe, Jr. has been handling high stakes complex lawsuits on behalf of plaintiffs for nearly 40 years. He has compiled a remarkable record including more than 200 verdicts, judgments and settlements in excess of $1,000,000, and more than 20 of those in excess of $10,000,000. His clients have been compensated more than three-quarters of a billion dollars in cases ranging from medical negligence to products liability to vehicle and truck accidents to construction injuries to claims against railroads. He is relentless.   Tom is consistently named as one of America’s top lawyers and has been a Super Lawyer since 2007 through the present.  For nearly a decade, his peers have voted him the best Downstate Lawyer, and among the Top 10 of all lawyers, in the State of Illinois. He has received Martindale Hubbell’s highest rating for more than 30 years.  Most notably, he is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, an invitation-only group of 100 of the best plaintiff lawyers in the United States.   He has given hundreds of lectures and presentations and written extensively. He has been the recipient of numerous honors including the Madison County Record Person of the Year, the Richard Hudlin Memorial Award, and the Leonard Ring Award.  He and his late wife Rita have long been active philanthropists and tireless supporters of social justice.

S3 E1 · Mon, January 16, 2023

Winning Verdicts and Championing Causes with Brent Walker

Join Ben ( https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/ ) and Rahul ( https://www.psbr.law/ravipudi.html ) for their conversation with renowned Dallas, Texas trial lawyer, Brent Walker, one half of the firm Aldous & Walker.  Brent talks about growing up with a trial lawyer mother and his journey to partner with legendary Texas trial lawyer Charla Aldous.  Brent discusses how the two of them have built a firm focused on individual clients and taking on important causes, like Texas’ challenge to school mask mandates and sexual assault at a Jesuit school.  Brent describes how he and Charla have teamed up at trial to achieve an incredible string of verdicts in a diverse set of cases.  This is a great episode that you won’t want to miss.   About Brent Walker   Sharp. Protective. Trial Attorney.     Some attorneys focus on different areas of law, building a practice around specific kinds of cases and concentrating on them. But I don’t work like that. Instead, I try all kinds of cases. My job as a Dallas trial attorney is to go into court and stand up for my clients, whether the client is a person with a personal injury case or a corporation locked in a legal battle with another business. Whatever your case, I can plead your cause in court.     The experience of representing individuals and businesses as both plaintiffs and defendants gives me a unique perspective and helps me better serve clients of the firm. At the same time, my extensive appellate experience allows me to work on cases before and during trial with an eye toward possible issues in the event of an appeal.     Courtroom Experience     Before coming to work with Charla and the team at Aldous \ Walker—then Aldous \ Walker—I worked at one of Dallas’ leading healthcare law firms, as well as one of the nation’s leading personal injury firms. Over the years, I’ve gained significant experience in personal injury cases involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death, as well as commercial litigation claims involving breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets.     But the most important thing to remember is not that I’ve tried this kind of case or that, but that I have, in fact, taken them to trial. I’ve stood up in court, argued cases to judges and juries, and persuaded them to my clients’ point of view. In an age where some young attorneys never even see the inside of a courtroom, that makes me rather unique.  

S2 E21 · Mon, December 05, 2022

Navigating the World of 30(b)(6) Depositions with Mark Kosieradski

Minnesota trial lawyer, Mark Kosieradski is not only a highly accomplished trial lawyer, but he has written multiple books and is recognized across the country as a leading expert on the use of 30(b)(6) depositions.  Mark joins Ben and Rahul to talk about his roots, practice and expertise using 30(b)(6) depositions to help build and win the case.   About Mark Kosieradzki Mark R. Kosieradzki is a board-certified civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and the Minnesota State Bar Association. He is recognized in Best Lawyers in America in addition to recently receiving his twenty-first Super Lawyer award. Mr. Kosieradzki is a past president of the Minnesota Association for Justice (MNAJ, formerly known as the Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association) and the Minnesota Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). He was on the Board of Governors for the American Association for Justice and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.   Mr. Kosieradzki is an expert on 30(b)(6) depositions and teaches his techniques at seminars across the country. He is nationally renowned for his knowledge of 30(b)(6) deposition practice and authored 30(b)(6): Deposing Corporations, Organizations & the Government.   From Mark: I am the son of Polish immigrants. My mother fought in the Polish Underground in Warsaw during World War II. She was captured by the Nazis and imprisoned in a Nazi camp. My father was captured by the Russians and sent to a Gulag north of the Arctic Circle. They survived the war and ultimately immigrated to the United States. My parents taught me to stand up for what is right and to be scrappy. They also taught me that every day is an opportunity for a new adventure. These lessons have guided me to success professionally and personally. In addition to the passion I have for my work, I am an avid cyclist. At age 50 I took up playing the blues harmonica and on my 60th birthday I took up surfing in Costa Rica. This past year I took salsa lessons in Havana. As my parents taught me, and I share with my own children: look for and pursue the opportunities to do something meaningful and keep life exciting.

S2 E20 · Mon, November 21, 2022

Changing Lives One Client at a Time with Tanya Ortega

Recorded at TLU Vegas, Rahul ( https://www.psbr.law/ravipudi.html ) and Ben ( https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/ ) talk to California trial lawyer Tanya Ortega about her approach to maximizing the value of cases for her brain-injured clients. Tanya has developed unique specialization in brain injuries, which begins with a deep understanding of the science and how to use objective medical evidence and the right experts to prove a TBI case. Tanya talks about her philosophy, which centers around investing substantial time and resources for individual clients, not just to help them win their cases, but also to help them on the road to healing from their brain injuries. For anyone who plans to handle a TBI case, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.   About Tanya Ortega Tanya started her career in Chicago after earning a prestigious judicial clerkship and subsequently worked for a large Chicago insurance defense firm representing Fortune 100 and 500 companies against personal injury claims. For years, she won cases for insurance companies and learned every strategy used to defeat the claims of injured individuals. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Tanya now uses her insight of the judiciary and insurance companies to gain a significant advantage for her clients.   Tanya’s recent litigation accomplishments include the following jury verdicts and settlements: a jury verdict in McCall v. Coast Line Distributing, Inc., et al. for $2.1 million; a confidential settlement of $2.8 million; a settlement of $1.5 million in Singh v. Parris; a settlement in Jane Doe v. Tom Malloy Corporation, et al. for 1.2 million; a settlement in Osumi v Central Coast Fence, Inc., et al. for $1 million; a settlement in Adams v. Main Street Produce, Inc., et al. for $1 million; a settlement in Macari v. Salvucci and RBZ Vineyards, LLC dba Sextant Wines for $1 million and a settlement over the insurance policy limit in Wolff v. Cliff Resort LLC and Raul Quintana-Castillo. The Wolff case settled for $600,000, including $500,000 from Progressive Insurance that was 10 times the underlying policy limit of $50,000. Tanya was recognized by Top Verdict for having obtained one of the top 100 jury verdicts in California. She has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star for consecutive years, an achievement limited to the top 2.5% of attorneys in California, and The Top Women Attorneys in Southern California.   Tanya is also a member of the American Association for Justice Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group where she has been invited to speak at conferences across the country on various subjects, including an Overview of Traumatic Brain Injuries, Bias in Neuropsychological Testing as well as Sexism and Racism in Neuropsychological Testing.   Tanya is a life

Bonus · Mon, November 14, 2022

Sponsor Bonus Episode with Hype Legal

Join us for a discussion with folks from Hype Legal as part of our special sponsorship bonus track.

S2 E19 · Mon, November 07, 2022

Winning A Texas-Sized $352 Million Verdict and More with Randy Sorrels

In this episode, Ben ( https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/ ) speaks with Texas trial lawyer Randy Sorrels about his recent $352 Million verdict returned for the family of a single, injured plaintiff—the largest compensatory damages verdict for a single injured individual ever recorded.  Randy tells the story of this landmark trial against well-known Texas lawyer, Rusty Harden.  Randy also discusses two other multi-million-dollar pandemic verdicts, including one involving former major league baseball great, Roger Clemens.  Randy talks about what it’s like trying cases together with his wife and starting a new law firm during the pandemic.  He also talks about his work as President of the Texas Bar Association.  Randy is a gifted and inspiring lawyer, and you don’t want to miss this episode.    About Randy Sorrels   Randy Sorrels holds the unique distinction of being the only Texas board certified plaintiffs’ lawyer ever to have been both elected to serve as President of the State Bar of Texas and selected as one of the Top 100 lawyers in the state by Texas Super Lawyers magazine. His passionate representation of clients and lawyers has garnered statewide recognition and numerous prestigious awards – including most recently being named the ALM Media/Texas Lawyer Attorney of the Year Award (2022). Randy and his partner/wife obtained what is believed to be the largest actual damages verdict in United States’ history for an injured worker — $352.7 million – in a fully contested jury trial. In short, whether it is in the courtroom or in the boardroom, Randy has an unparalleled track record of success for his clients and the organizations he leads.     As a leader, Randy was voted by Texas lawyers to become the 2019-2020 State Bar President by the widest margin of victory in State Bar history. During his presidential service, he traveled Texas solidifying his reputation for helping not only those who hire him, but also helping fellow lawyers. His network of friends and relationships throughout the state is vast, and he is often hired by lawyers who are in need of representation. As a zealot advocate for his clients, Randy holds four board certifications including in Personal Injury Trial Law, Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. And in a peer selection process, for the last 14 years he has been named one of the Top 100 lawyers in the state. He is sought after by the nationwide and local media for legal analysis, commentary and perspective.     Randy’s success in the courtroom is also well-known throughout Texas and nation. He has taken dozens of cases to trial, securing multi-million-dollar verdicts in personal injury cases, medical malpractice cases, plant explosion cases and business lawsuits. During the ti

S2 E18 · Mon, October 24, 2022

Trial Alert: Ben's Recent $5.5 Million Verdict with Meryl Poulin

Ben and attorney Meryl Poulin of Gideon Asen talk with Rahul about a verdict obtained on September 30, 2022, in which a jury in Androscoggin County, Maine, returned a verdict of $5.5 million on a claim brought by the daughter of a decedent against a funeral services business for mishandling of her father’s remains after death.  This is the largest jury verdict in Maine this year, and for the past several years.     At trial, the evidence showed that the funeral service was picking up decedents for cremation, but not processing the bodies for cremation, but rather allowing them to decompose in the basement of the funeral home.  Plaintiff alleged negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress claims.  The damages claim was limited to Plaintiff’s emotional distress in learning about the mishandling of her father’s remains.  There were no physical injuries, medical expenses, or lost earnings claimed.     The pretrial offer was $7,500.     Here are some of the issues discussed on the podcast:   1. How to overcome defense attempt to benefit from a stipulation to liability.   2. How to turn Defendant’s “acceptance of responsibility” argument against them at trial.   3. How to maximize recovery of emotional distress damages when there is minimal (or no) physical injury.   4. How to dismantle the “death by 1000 cuts” defense.   5. How to use voir dire to find jurors willing to assign real value to emotional distress damages.   6. How to captivate the jury with a powerful opening.   7. How to frame a powerful closing and rebutting close, even in a conceded liability case.    About Meryl Poulin Meryl is a Maine native and attended Colby College and the University of Maine School of Law.   Meryl is an extraordinary athlete. At Colby, Meryl played varsity hockey, field hockey, and softball and was captain of the hockey and field hockey teams. Meryl was able to achieve incredible athletic success despite being sidelined for many months with two major knee injuries and reconstructive surgeries. Her experience dealing with chronic knee injuries gave her insight into the difficulties of living with pain and the effect of debilitating injuries on every part of a person’s physical and emotional well-being.   At Maine Law school, Meryl distinguished herself as an appellate advocate, winning the honor of “Prize Arguer” in her class and the Gignoux Award for Appellate Advocacy. Meryl was a part of two moot court teams that competed on a national level. In her third year, she and her moot court partner finished in the top three of a competition of more than forty.   After law school, Meryl worked at a large law firm in Portland defending medical malpractice and personal injury cases. This work gave her a keen understanding of how insurance companies operate. “There is no shortcut to getting your client fairl

Bonus · Mon, October 17, 2022

Sponsor Bonus Episode with LawPods

A discussion with Robert Ingalls , founder and CEO of LawPods , a podcast production company for lawyers and law firms. This episode is part of our special sponsorship bonus track. LawPods Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

S2 E17 · Mon, October 10, 2022

It's About Vision with John Romano

Join Ben and Rahul for their discussion with legendary Florida trial lawyer, John Romano. John recounts his experience learning from masters of trial practice during the golden age of trial practice in Florida and about the need for trial lawyers of each age and generation to continuously reinvent themselves, innovate, and develop a new vision for the times. John shares strategies of presenting non-economic losses in a compelling way that resonates with the jury.   About John Romano A partner at Romano Law Group, John F. Romano is a civil trial advocate board-certified by the Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy, as well as the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys. John is also a member of the Taos Group, an association of prominent trial attorneys from around the country who work together to better serve the needs of their clients.     John regularly handles and litigates cases in the following areas: auto and truck accident litigation and trials, fall-down and premises liability cases, product liability, business litigation, pharmaceutical drug cases, pharmaceutical medical device cases, insurance litigation and criminal defense.     John has successfully litigated to a verdict nearly every type of civil and criminal case, including those involving failure to diagnose cancer, product defects, drug and vaccine defect litigation, libel and slander, vehicular collisions, personal injury, murder, armed robbery and wrongful denial of health insurance benefits. He lectures across America on trial advocacy and tort and criminal law, has authored three textbooks, and has published more than 100 articles in national publications or papers for national presentation.     John is a graduate of Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach. He accepted a football scholarship from Florida State University and went on to attend law school at South Texas College of Law in Houston, receiving his Juris Doctor degree in 1973. He was admitted to practice law in the state of Florida in 1974. John also proudly served as a Captain and J.A.G. Officer with the United States Marine Corps (primarily with the Second Marine Division out of Camp LeJeune, North Carolina).     John returned to Florida to work with the personal injury and general trial attorneys at the law firm of Cone, Wagner, Nugent, Johnson & McKeown, and later formed the Palm Beach County law firm of Romano, Eriksen & Cronin. In 2007, the firm became Romano Law Group. With nearly 40 years in law practice, he has held numerous positions in national law organizations and has been recognized for his contributions to the field of law in Florida, including receiving the Jon E. Krupnick award in 2015.  He was inducted into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame in 2015.     John has authored thousands of legal opinions and articles, including The Right to Trial by Jury. 

S2 E16 · Mon, September 26, 2022

Think of Her as Your One-Woman Special Operations Force for Trial with Ibiere Seck

Join Ben ( https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/ ) and Rahul ( https://www.psbr.law/ravipudi.html ) for their discussion with trial lawyer Ibiere Seck.  Ibiere is a one-of-a-kind trial talent who often gets tapped to enter cases in the final days before trial as lead trial counsel or co-counsel.  In this episode, Ibiere describes her journey from her early days working at the Johnnie Cochrane to her current position as one of California’s leading plaintiff lawyers.  Ibiere talks about her approach to trials and how such has managed to find her authentic voice as a lawyer.  You don’t want to miss this episode.     About Ibiere Seck Ibiere is the founder and principal trial attorney at, Seck Law P.C. where her practice focuses primarily on complex catastrophic injury, wrongful death, traumatic brain injury and sexual assault cases.  Ibiere is the Secretary of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, the largest plaintiff trial lawyers association in the nation, and will lead the association as its President in 2024. She is also the Past President of The National Black Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40.   Ibiere received her Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. While in law school, she earned several distinctions, including being selected as a member of the nationally recognized Byrne Trial Advocacy Team and worked as a prosecutorial extern with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and as a civil rights intern with Inner City Law Center where she advocated for the homeless and working poor. Ibiere received her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Journalism Magna Cum Laude from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.   Brain injury, civil rights and sexual assault of minors. Ibiere exclusively represents plaintiffs in civil litigation/trial and prides herself in being a zealous advocate on an endless pursuit for justice on behalf of people who have been wronged, harmed or injured.   Prior to starting her firm, Ibiere was a partner and trial lawyer at the firm founded by the late civil rights attorney, Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr.   Ibiere has been recognized by her peers as a zealous advocate for her clients. She has been selected Southern California Super Lawyers list, an honor reserved for those lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice. Only 5% of attorneys in Southern California receive this distinction and was voted National Bar Association’s “Nation’s Best Advocates 40 Under 40” in 2015. A year later, she was the recipient of Consumer Attorneys Association of California’s Street Fighter of the Year award for her work on behalf of survivors of childhood sexual abuse.   Ibiere is a member of the California State Bar and is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Central District of Ca

Bonus · Mon, September 19, 2022

Bonus: Building a Trial Lawyer Community with Dan Ambrose

In this episode, Ben ( https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/ ) and Rahul ( https://www.psbr.law/ravipudi.html ) catch up again with Trial Lawyer University founder Dan Ambrose to debrief from the Los Angeles trial college and discuss his plan for the second annual TLU Vegas conference in October.      About Dan Ambrose:   Daniel Ambrose started out in Detroit, Michigan as a criminal defense lawyer. Dan has attended programs such as the National Criminal Defense College, Western Trial Advocacy Institute and Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyer’s College, tried over 150 jury trials, and has studied trial advocacy for 20 years.  Dan is known for his exceptional skills advocating for his clients.  Through 20 years of practice, he has found a unique method to help trial lawyers efficiently master their skills. THE METHOD, was developed by meeting weekly with five trial lawyers over an eighteen month period. They presented, video recorded, and discussed their strengths and weaknesses.  Dan currently lives in Los Angeles, California and now focuses on civil trial work, consulting, trial coaching and teaching.

S2 E15 · Mon, September 12, 2022

The Art and Science of Persuasion with Justin Kahn

Charleston, South Carolina attorney, Justin Kahn, is not only a successful trial lawyer and professor of trial practice, but also an accomplished magician and student of the neuro and cognitive science of jury persuasion.  In this episode, Ben (https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/) and Rahul (https://www.psbr.law/ravipudi.html) interview Justin live at the PSBR Trial College, where Justin taught a breakout group on trial presentation skills.  Enjoy the Bob Marley music in the background as Justin discusses strategies to improve your ability to communicate and persuade.   About Justin Kahn   REPRESENTATION FROM AN AV® RATED ATTORNEY   Justin S. Kahn is a civil litigator. His practice focuses on catastrophic personal injury matters and various kinds of complex litigation. Since 1992, Justin has worked hard fighting for those who cannot help themselves. He has successfully resolved cases and claims for several million dollars as well as represented people in small claims court matters. He is an advocate for those who cannot help themselves. He gives personal attention to every client. He gets to know the client to better understand the impact of the negligence on their life. Communication is key to effective representation. Mr. Kahn will keep you up to date and provide answers to the questions you have.   Accolades Board Certified Medical Malpractice, American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate, National Board of Legal Specialty Certification Board Certified Civil Practice Advocacy, National Board of Legal Specialty Certification AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® Super Lawyers: Top Rated Medical Malpractice Attorney in Charleston, SC Certified Court Mediator, South Carolina Supreme Court   Experience Mr. Kahn is an adjunct professor at the Charleston School of Law where he teaches civil pre-trial practice and for over 20 years, Mr. Kahn has written the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure Annotated as well as the South Carolina Rules of Evidence Annotated published by the South Carolina Bar CLE Division. These are the books lawyers and judges use every day in the courts of South Carolina.   Justin S. Kahn's published text and annotations for the Rules of Civil Procedure and the Rules of Evidence provide practical information regarding case law and statutes. They are available for purchase at the links below: South Carolina Rules Annotated 2020 South Carolina Evidence Handbook Annotated, 15th Edition   He is admitted to the United States Supreme Court, the Second, Third and Fourth Circuit Courts of Appeals, the District of Columbia, the United States Federal Court of Claims, the United States District Court of South Carolina and the South Carolina Supreme Court.   Mr. Kahn has been involved with cases around the co

S2 E14 · Mon, August 29, 2022

Game Changing Voir Dire with Dirk Vandever

Kansas City trial lawyer Dirk Vandever has developed a mastery of voir dire and trial that few lawyers can match.  In this episode, Ben ( https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/ ) and Rahul ( https://www.psbr.law/ravipudi.html ) chat with Dirk at the PSBR Trial College, where he taught a breakout group on voir dire strategy.  Join Ben and Rahul for their conversation with Dirk and learn the voir dire and trial techniques Dirk uses to regularly obtain significant seven-figure verdicts on behalf of his clients.   About Dirk Vandever Dirk Vandever served as the youngest president of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association before going on to become president of the Kansas City Bar Foundation and the American Board of Trial Advocacy (KS/MO). He regularly lectures on trial practice at national, state and local levels. He graduated with honors from the University of Missouri – Columbia (BS) and UMKC (JD). His proudest achievements have been his own two children and being able to help his clients who need it.

S2 E13 · Mon, August 15, 2022

How to Captivate the Jury from the Opening with Daniel Kramer

Daniel Kramer discusses how to craft a successful opening to captivate the jury by painting a scene the jury can relate to and help them understand your case from the onset. He delivers insight on how to set the stage and use it throughout trial to engage the jury and help them not only understand but track the evidence of the case. Also included in this episode is a rundown of how to up your trial game by utilizing focus groups, why you should do them as often as possible, and giving yourself exposure to testing methods before you get in the courtroom.   About Daniel Kramer Daniel Kramer is a trial lawyer who specializes in representing families and individuals involved in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death matters, as well as employment discrimination and retaliation lawsuits. Daniel has obtained numerous jury verdicts as lead counsel, all victories on behalf of his clients. Multiple verdicts have been featured in both The Daily Journal, Verdict Search, The Huffington Post, and Fox 11 News. Five verdicts were ranked as the top 50 verdicts in the state of California for 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 by TopVerdict.com.  Early in his career, Daniel tried one of the first cases in Los Angeles County history to embrace a controversial new law regarding the recoverability of health insurance payments in personal injury actions. In his first year with the firm, Daniel obtained a $3 million settlement on behalf of the family of a WWII veteran who was tragically killed when a truck owned by a large grocery store chain ran a red light and crushed their husband and father to death. In 2015, Daniel obtained a $1,237,500 settlement on the eve of trial on behalf of CalTrans worker who was severely injured in a freeway collision. In 2016, Daniel obtained a $1,420,000 settlement just before trial against a shopping center for failing to protect its customers when a vehicle jumped a curb severely injuring a mother and her two daughters. Also in 2016, Daniel obtained a $1,000,000 policy limits settlement on behalf of a family who lost their 87-year-old father and grandfather who fell down a poorly lit stairwell. In late 2016, Daniel obtained a $2,160,000 jury verdict against the City of Los Angeles in a slip and fall case. That verdict was selected as one of California’s Top 100 verdicts in 2016. In 2017, he obtained a $1,830,000 wrongful termination verdict and judgement on behalf of a minimum wage worker who was terminated because of his disability, where the jury awarded punitive damages.  In 2018, Daniel received a $2,847,500 verdict against two large construction companies after his client fell in an open trench resulting in 3 broken ribs and permanent nerve damage.  Just before COVID, Daniel obtained an $850,000 verdict in a very difficult slip and fall trial where the client suffered a fractured knee cap. In July 2021, and in one of the first cases tried during COVID in the Central Courthouse in Los Angeles,

S2 E12 · Mon, August 08, 2022

Discovering a Passion for Trial with Greyson Goody

Greyson Goody followed his passion for surfing to California, but found a new passion for trying jury trials.  Join Ben (https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/) and Rahul (https://www.psbr.law/ravipudi.html) for their discussion with Greyson about how he developed a courtroom style that has enabled him to win most of his trials, even those that had serious challenges.  As a bonus, Greyson shares his insight into work-life balance as a new father and the secrets of the vegan, trial-lawyer diet!  You won’t want to miss this episode.   About Greyson Goody Greyson Goody is a Partner and senior trial attorney at the Simon Law Group.   Greyson is originally from Jackson, Wyoming. One of Greyson’s earliest memories is watching his father, a federal public defender, argue and try cases. Greyson always knew he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a lawyer. After graduating from Montana State University, he eventually found his way to California to attend Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego. Here he met fellow Simon Law Group attorneys Brandon Simon, Sevy Fisher, Evan Garcia, and Travis Davis.   Since becoming an attorney, Greyson has obtained over $40 million in jury verdicts. Notably, he was the lead trial attorney in Pebley v. Santa Clara Organics, which finally gave clarity to the issue of determining reasonable value for lien-based treatment when the plaintiff is insured.  Greyson is a proud member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), Orange County Trial Lawyers Association (OCTLA), Consumer Attorneys of San Diego (CASD), and the South Bay Bar Association (SBBA). He is a current Board Member of CAOC.   Outside of work, you can likely find Greyson catching some waves, crafting up new vegan recipes, and spending quality time with his wife, Taly, of Goody Law Group.

Bonus · Mon, July 25, 2022

Sponsor Bonus Episode with Steno

S2 E11 · Mon, July 18, 2022

Advanced Cross Examination and More with Roger Dodd

Episode Summary Roger Dodd has spent most of his life trying cases in venues around the United States.  From capital murder trials to complex personal injury cases, Roger has done it all.  Roger has also devoted much of his career to speaking and teaching trial skills.  His multi-day seminar in cross examination has become so popular that when a date is announced the seats fill immediately.  Roger will be presenting on advanced cross examination at the upcoming PSBR Trial College and has seminars scheduled for Hawaii and Boston later in the year.  Join Ben and Rahul for their discussion with Roger that ranges from his approach to cross examination to other experiences and lessons he’s learned during his four decades as a trial lawyer.   About Roger Dodd Formerly a Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist for thirty (30) years and formerly a Board Certified Criminal Trial Specialist for 20 years, trial attorney Roger Dodd has represented clients in legal matters since 1976. Mr. Dodd has been a lecturer, expert witness, and teacher in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Russia, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and various Caribbean locations (comprehensive map with all locations of Mr. Dodd's lectures).   Mr. Dodd is a frequent guest and commentator on television programs, including Court TV, Good Morning America, Geraldo at Large, and is co-author of Cross-Examination: Science and Techniques. He is one of a select group of attorneys to receive the distinguished Super Lawyer rating in multiple states. In addition to teaching throughout the U.S. and other countries, Mr. Dodd provides specialized individual training (www.doddlawclinic.com) and trial lawyer coaching ( www.rogerdoddtriallawyercoaching.com ).   Mr. Dodd is also a partner in the Jacksonville, Florida plaintiff law firm Spohrer & Dodd P.A. (www.sdlitigation.com) and the firm of Dodd & Kuendig, Park City, Utah (www.doddkuendig.com).

S2 E10 · Tue, July 05, 2022

The Wisdom that Comes with A Life Spent Trying Cases with Keith Mitnik

Perhaps no lawyer in America conducts more civil jury trials than Keith Mitnik, the Senior Trial Attorney at America’s largest personal injury law firm, Morgan and Morgan.  Keith tries more jury trials in a month than most trial lawyers try in a year.  Keith’s focus on trying cases and his high volume of trial work allows him to test and improve his courtroom strategy and technique regularly.  Join us for Keith’s discussion with Rahul and Ben where he shares brand new insights, proven approaches, and memorable moments.  This is a show you will not want to miss.   About Keith Mitnik Keith R. Mitnik was born in Eustis, Florida in 1959. He graduated from Eustis High School in 1977, and from UCF Magna Cum Laude in 1981 with a degree in Allied Legal Services. He graduated from FSU Law School with honors in 1984. Upon graduation he was selected to train under one of the premier Trial Attorneys in Central Florida. Within two years he was named a partner by his mentor. He remained in the firm of Robertson, Williams, Mitnik and McDonald until 1992, when he formed The Law Firm of Peed and Mitnik. In 1997 he joined the Law Firm of Morgan & Morgan and is now one of the owners. Mr. Mitnik is Senior Trial Lawyer for  Morgan & Morgan,  and is designated to assist other members of the firm on their trials. As a result, he tries a large number of cases every year. He has handled many high-profile cases and has been interviewed by Mike Wallace on 60 Minutes. Over the years, his list of clients has included judges, elected officials, law firms, and world-famous musicians. He has handled such high-profile cases as the suit against Britney Spears by her former manager; the suit by the Backstreet Boys against their former manager; the suit by Harlem Globetrotters legends, including Curly Neal and Meadowlark Lemon, against The Harlem Globetrotters; the civil suit against Casey Anthony; and the “Tailwind” case against CNN and Time Magazine (one of the leading defamation cases of the last decade). He has been honored as a member of the Florida Legal Elite, Florida’s “Super Lawyers,” Best Lawyers in America (2013 Lawyers of the Year), and Martindale’s Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers. Mr. Mitnik has obtained a long list of verdicts in excess of a million dollars. In the last few years, he has jury verdicts of $1 Million, $1.35 Million, $2.4 Million, $2.7 Million, $5.1 Million, $18.1 Million, $27 million, $40 Million, and a $90 Million (which was the 7th largest verdict in America for 2010). He is a frequent seminar presenter for plaintiffs’ lawyers in Florida and across the country, sharing his cutting edge lawsuit strategies. Education From high school to law school, Mr. Mitnik received his education in Florida, the state in which he bases his law practice to this day. Mr. Mitnik graduated from UCF Magna Cum Laude in 1981

S2 E9 · Mon, June 20, 2022

Using Technology to Automate Discovery with Pratik Shah

SHOW SUMMARY: Have you ever sought a more efficient way to complete discovery?  Well, attorney Pratik Shah did and then created a technological solution to streamline and improve the discovery process.  Join Rahul (https://www.psbr.law/ravipudi.html) and Ben (https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/) for their discussion with Pratik about his game-changing discovery technology and his observations on efficiency and productivity in the practice of trial law.   ABOUT PRATIK: Pratik Shah Associate Director of Litigation   Pratik H. Shah is the Associate Director of Litigation at Panish | Shea | Boyle |Ravipudi LLP, working alongside the firm’s Director of Litigation on trial strategies, as well as with referral lawyers to ensure a smooth transition of cases brought to the firm by outside counsel. A Southern California native, Mr. Shah began his legal career as a Deputy District Attorney with the County of Sacramento where he worked on the trial team. He led numerous trials to verdict in Sacramento County before returning to Southern California to open a solo practice with a focus on criminal defense and personal injury. Prior to joining Panish | Shea | Boyle | Ravipudi LLP, Mr. Shah served as Co-Founder and Partner at Shah D’Egidio APC Injury Lawyers, a civil litigation law firm in San Diego focused on personal injury, bad faith insurance, and civil rights. He also Co-Founded the legal technology platform, EsquireTek, and continues to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the software company. In 2021, Mr. Shah was named one of the Top 15 Attorneys Disrupting the Legal Industry and he has been consistently recognized by Super Lawyers® as a Southern California Rising Star since 2016. He is a member of Consumer Attorneys of California, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, and the American Association of Justice. Mr. Shah is a past President of the South Asian Bar Association of San Diego, an active member of both the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego and the San Diego County Bar Association, and a committee member for the Brain Injury Association of California. A member of the State Bar of California, Mr. Shah received his law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and is admitted to practice before all courts of the State of California as well as the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.   ARTICLE: EsquireTek.com https://www.esquiretek.com/category/press/ USA Today: The Top 15 Attorneys Disrupting the Legal Industry to Make it Better Pratik H. Shah founded a successful law firm in Southern California and made a pronounced career out of going up against the billion-dollar bullies known as insurance companies. Noticing a definite need in the law-firm workday, Shah launched EsquireTek, groundbreaking softwa

S2 E8 · Mon, June 06, 2022

Trial Alert - Breaking Down Rahul's Recent $8 Million Verdict

Ben and Rahul break down the case and events leading up to Rahul's recent $8 million verdict.

Bonus · Mon, May 30, 2022

Sponsor Bonus Episode with Expert Institute

Join us for a discussion with folks from the Expert Institute as part of our special sponsorship bonus track.  Learn about cutting edge services EI has developed to help trial lawyers track information about their own and opposing experts.

S2 E7 · Mon, May 23, 2022

Deconstructing and Building A Winning Case with Phillip Miller

In this episode, Ben speaks with trial lawyer and trial consultant Phillip Miller about how he helps trial lawyers deconstruct and then build a winning case for trial.  Phillip starts by identifying landmines that will cause you to lose the case.  Each landmine must be made irrelevant, immaterial, or otherwise overcome so that it does not sink the case.  Phillip then talks about questions that every juror needs answered: why is the case important?  How will the verdict affect meaningful change apart from money?  Who is the villain (wrongdoer) in the case?  What is the “real evidence”—i.e., the evidence that is not manufactured by one side of the other? Has this happened before?  Phillip talks about his strategy for voir dire, which involves using a series of clear PowerPoint slides to frame critical issues that identify good and bad jurors or prime jurors on important issues in the case.    About Phillip Miller Tennessee Serious Injury Attorney     "Making the world a little better and a little more fair for everyone."     Phillip Miller is a nationally recognized attorney who specializes in representing people and families who have experienced serious, catastrophic injuries and death. He is certified as both a civil trial specialist and a pre-trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Mr. Miller has been recognized as one of the “Best of the Bar” by the Nashville Business Journal, as a "Super Lawyer," is "AV" rated, and his firm has been designated as one of the pre-eminent law firms in the United States.     Mr. Miller is the past president of the Tennessee Association for Justice. Mr. Miller is a frequently sought lecturer on legal issues and has spoken at the National Judicial College, Harvard Law School, the University of North Carolina, Sanford Law School, The William Mitchell School of Law, the Nashville School of Law, the University of South Texas, and Duke Law School.     As part of his practice, Mr. Miller is frequently hired by other firms to help them prepare their biggest, most significant cases. Firms in Michigan, Alabama, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Texas, Oregon, Kansas, California, New York, New Jersey, Colorado, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Missouri have used Mr. Miller to help them recover tens of millions of dollars for their injured clients.     Phillip's passions include education, the environment, dogs, and what he would describe as "making the world a little better and a little more fair for everyone."     In addition to being a founding sponsor of School Aid, International, and sponsoring a Head Start class for more than 18 years, Phillip has also volunteered for Junior Achievement, bringing a businessman's perspective to middle school students.     He is a lifetime member of the Sierra Club and belongs to the Tennessee Environmental Council, Tennessee

S2 E6 · Wed, May 11, 2022

Back to Back Record Breaking Verdicts with Joe and Pat Cullan

Trial law has been in the blood of Omaha-based trial lawyers, Pat and Joe Cullan, since they were growing up.  They learned life lessons about how to be a trial lawyer from their father, legendary trial lawyer, Dan Cullan.  Like their father, Pat and Joe are also doctors, who use their combined expertise in law and medicine to level the playing field on behalf of their clients. Now, Pat and Joe are legends in their own right, recently winning record-breaking verdicts in no-offer medical malpractice cases in some of the toughest venues in America.  In this episode, Rahul and Ben explore how lessons learned early in life created a foundation for their success and how their unique brotherly chemistry and approach to trying complex medical cases has yielded such extraordinary results.   About Joe Cullan Dr. Joseph (Joe) Cullan is both a trial lawyer and a medical doctor. He has nearly two decades of legal experience fighting for the injured and has taken part in medical internships in the U.S., Argentina, and Ireland. His considerable legal and medical experience give Dr. Cullan a definite edge in representing those who have suffered catastrophic injuries due to negligence and wrongdoing.   Licensed to practice in Arizona, Nebraska, and California, Dr. Cullan has obtained record setting verdicts and recovered tens of millions of dollars on behalf of his clients. He has played a key role in nationally-recognized cases across the U.S. and has earned various awards and accolades as a result. Dr. Joe Cullan and his brother, Dr. Pat Cullan, have both been selected to the Inner Circle of Advocates. This is one of the most prestigious organizations and membership is limited to the top 100 lawyers in the United States. The members must have a proven and extraordinary record of results on behalf of their clients. In addition, to this prestigious award, Dr. Joe Cullan has been named to Nebraska’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers and the Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates. Dr. Cullan’s medical and legal training, along with his unwavering dedication to righting wrongs, has helped him represent a range of clients across his key areas of practice, including medical malpractice, birth injuries, catastrophic injuries, and more. He believes in using his hands-on and academic experience to help his clients face better and brighter futures.   About Pat Cullan A medical doctor and a seasoned trial lawyer, Dr. Patrick (Pat) Cullan has an impressive track record of representing those who have suffered catastrophic injuries due to another’s negligence or wrongdoing. In his first trial together with his father, Dr. Dan Cullan, he successfully fought for a $6.7 million verdict on behalf of a child who sustained terrible injuries in a swimming pool. Dr. Patrick Cullan and his brother Dr. Joe Cullan have been trying cases together for over ten years. They have repea

S2 E5 · Mon, April 25, 2022

What You Need to Know about Zoom Trials with Judge Matthew Williams

Perhaps no jurisdiction has conducted more Zoom jury trials since the start of the pandemic than King County (Seattle), Washington.  In this episode, Ben and Rahul speak with King County Superior Court Judge, Matthew Williams, about lessons he has learned managing Zoom trials, including his experience conducting jury selection. trial, witness examination, cross examination, use of exhibits, and his observations concerning the key differences between Zoom and in-person trials.  About Judge Williams Matthew W. Williams is a Superior Court Judge for the State of Washington. Almost all of his time off the bench is devoted to Rule of Law and AntiCorruption Initiatives in pre/post conflict nations and emerging democracies around the world. He has such led initiatives in Central Asia, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and within the former Soviet Republics. He also has been invited to provide training and consultations for justice systems within those regions in culturally specific advocacy, case-management, transparency/ “open courts”, and judicial process and demeanor. Since 1985 he has served as an operational consultant and trainer in complex information gathering and analysis environments. Judge Williams teaches at the Washington State Judicial College and serves as member of Washington State Superior Court Judges Association (SCJA) Ethics and Education Committees. He serves as a trainer and presenter for the SCJA and the Washington State District and Municipal Judges Association (DMCJA) as well as the National Judicial College (NJC), and the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). Judge Williams serves on the Advisory Board of the Institute for the Global Understanding of the Rule of Law (IGUL), and as an Advisor to the Civil Jury Project at NYU School of Law. He is a member of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Post-Pandemic Planning Workgroup, and has provided consultation and training to judges throughout the United States on every aspect of remote/virtual operations. He was selected as 2021 Trial Judge of The Year by the Washington Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Judge Williams has taught Trial Advocacy at Seattle University School of Law (University of Puget Sound) since 1991. In 2020 he developed and conducted the first fully virtual Trial Advocacy program at Seattle University, which included both traditional in-person advocacy skills as well as the emerging skill sets associated with remote advocacy. Judge Williams has served many terms as faculty team leader for the renowned Kessler-Eidson Trial Techniques Program at Emory School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia. Additionally, from 2000-2016 he served as a Director of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) Trial, Deposition, and Public Service Programs. In 2016 NITA awarded Judge Williams the Prentice Marshall Award for the Development of Innovative Teaching Methods. Judge Williams began his legal career(s) with

S2 E4 · Mon, April 11, 2022

Family, Faith and the Fight for Justice with Craig and Toni Schlapprizzi

St. Louis, Missouri trial lawyers Craig and Toni Schlapprizzi learned what it means to be a trial lawyer from their successful trial lawyer father, Don Schlapprizzi.  Now, both Craig and Toni are prominent trial lawyers in their own right who have won many large verdicts, and recently, achieved a record-setting $37 million settlement in a product liability case.  Join Rahul (https://www.psbr.law/ravipudi.html) and Ben (https://gideonasen.com/attorney-benjamin-gideon/) for a discussion with Craig and Toni about how their family and faith shaped their career as trial lawyers and the keys to their incredible success. About Craig Schlapprizzi CRAIG SCHLAPPRIZZI Craig@SchlapprizziPC.com Vice President & Personal Injury Lawyer Growing up, Craig Schlapprizzi always knew he wanted to be a lawyer; it was ingrained in him from an early age, but it wasn’t until he was in law school at Washington University that it clicked that he truly wanted to be a trial lawyer, and a good one at that.   “Anybody who does this, represents plaintiffs in personal injury cases, knows it becomes a huge part of your identity and your life.” His favorite aspect of his job is the courtroom experience. He’s most passionate about representing everyday people in a courtroom in front of a jury because he believes it’s a privilege, an honor, an incredible experience, and, of course, a competition. He played football during his time at Dartmouth and was motivated by the competition and dedication involved. He experiences that same competition through his trial work. “There is a deep sense of satisfaction in standing up for someone who has been unjustly pushed around.” He likes going into something representing a person; he has always felt like he was on the right side, representing and fighting for somebody who was wronged. He’s able to bring closure, and get people who wouldn’t otherwise have the means, to live out the rest of their lives with dignity–that is what motivated him to be a personal injury trial lawyer. When Craig’s not in court, he’s pursuing his other passion: cooking. He gets inspiration for his concoctions from Mario Batali, Michael Mina, and Emeril. When he’s not creating his latest pasta recipe, he enjoys trying new restaurants, exercising, travel, and spending time with family and friends. Craig is also a big history fan, his favorite historical figures being Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill. He’s read many books on Lincoln, but he most frequently references the "The Quotable Winston Churchill" for a quick laugh or bit of motivation. He is a member of the Missour

S2 E3 · Mon, March 28, 2022

Winning the Hard Trials with Felix Luna

Seattle-based trial lawyer, Felix (Gavi) Luna is not afraid to try hard cases.  Join  Ben (( Ben Gideon | Gideon Asen LLC) )  and Rahul (( Rahul Ravipudi (psblaw.com) for this episode as Gavi explains the strategies and techniques he has used to get extraordinary results in some of the toughest cases, including a case involving highway design  and a malpractice case involving failure to prevent a stroke. Felix Gavi Luna luna@pwrfl-law.com Felix moved to Seattle from Boston, Massachusetts, as a teenager and grew up in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood. After graduating from Rainier Beach High School, he went on to graduate from the University of Washington. He then attended the UW School of Law, graduating in 1997 with highest honors, Order of the Coif, Order of the Barristers . Felix spent his first ten years of practice at Heller Ehrman LLP, where he was promoted to shareholder. There, Felix’s practice focused on complex commercial and civil rights litigation.  While with Heller Ehrman, Felix examined and cross-examined scores of fact and expert witnesses at trial, and spent more than a year of his tenure with the firm actively engaged in trial or arbitration. Felix joined Peterson Wampold Rosato Feldman Luna in March 2007, where he continues his career as a trial lawyer. Since joining PWRFL, Felix has been a member of several trial teams in counties across the state. He also serves as an adjunct professor/lecturer for the UW School of Law trial advocacy program and as a coach for the school’s national mock trial team. Felix also serves on numerous legal and civil boards, and regularly conducts Continuing Legal Education seminars for other attorneys on many subjects related to trial advocacy. In addition to being named a “Top 100 Super Lawyer” by Washington Law & Politics and earning a “Superb” rating on Avvo, Felix was recognized as the 2005 Outstanding Young Lawyer of the year by the King County Bar Association and named a 2005 40 under 40 honoree by the Puget Sound Business Journal for his contribution to the Puget Sound civic and business community. In 2011, he was honored by the UW School of Law with the recent graduate award and by the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Association as its 2011 Plaintiff Attorney of the Year. In 2012 Felix joined the Damage Attorney’s Round Table (DART) and in 2015 Felix joined the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). In 2018, he was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL). You can watch Felix give his speech on behalf of all of the 2018 inductees here . In 2019, he received the Tom Chambers Trial Lawyer of the Year Award and in 2020 Felix was inducted into The Inner Circle of Advocates. Felix’s practic

S2 E2 · Tue, March 15, 2022

Finding Strength in Vulnerability with Ben Gideon

In this inspiring episode, Ben (www.gideonasen.com) talks about how many trial lawyers face personal challenges they must overcome to find happiness and success in their practices.  Ben reveals how his own journey to overcome anxiety helped to shape his character and approach as a trial lawyer.   ABOUT BEN GIDEON BEN’S PHILOSOPHY When clients come to us, they are looking for financial compensation. They are often struggling just to stay above water, and they need money to provide safety and security to meet basic life needs and to build a new and better life for themselves and their family in the future. But for many of our clients, their case is also about something more—something larger—than money. It’s about accountability. It’s about wanting to create a society where individuals, corporations, medical providers and insurance companies don’t get away with selfish, neglectful or greedy choices that put people at risk. It’s about obtaining the catharsis and closure the only comes when justice is done to make up for the precious things that another’s harmful conduct took away from them. In short, I have come to realize that my clients don’t just want a lawyer. They want a Champion—that is, someone who will fight for them individually, but also be willing to fight for the larger cause for which they stand. Let Us Be Your Champion. – Ben Gideon, 2021 ABOUT BEN Early Years Ben grew up in Portland, Maine, attended public schools and graduated from Deering High School in 1989. Ben’s father, Martin Rogoff, was a prominent member of the Maine Law School faculty, so Ben grew up immersed in discussions of the law. Ben began to develop his legal skills early in life through nightly arguments with his father at the dinner table. In high school, Ben played varsity soccer and was the captain of the hockey team. Following high school, Ben attended Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Ben attempted to walk on to the Cornell hockey team, but was eventually cut from the team, ending his hockey career. Depressed and disappointed at this failure, Ben became a poor student, failed several classes, and was told he was being suspended from college on academic probation. After rehabilitating himself through some community college courses, Ben was able to gain re-admission to Cornell and to complete his degree. Ben applied to law school and was admitted to Boston University School of Law. There, Ben was a standout student. His grades were so exceptional after his first year that he was accepted as a transfer student to Yale Law School where he earned his law degree. Ben began his career in private practice at a large, multi-national law firm, Latham & Watkins, in New York City. He practiced there for several years before deciding to return to Maine to join Berman & Simmons, PA, Maine’s largest plaintiff’s law firm. A Leader at Berman & Simmons During his yea

S2 E1 · Wed, March 02, 2022

Damages Evolving with David Ball Artemis Malekpour Nick and Courtney Rowley

We are kicking off Season 2 of the Elawvate podcast (www.elawvate.fm)  with a bang!  In our first episode, Ben ( Ben Gideon | Gideon Asen LLC) )  and Rahul (( Rahul Ravipudi (psblaw.com)  host four of the country’s most respected trial lawyers and trial consultants, to discuss their forthcoming book, Damages Evolving.  Those familiar with David Ball’s foundational work, Damages, will    learn how his ideas have evolved, shaped through his long-time partnership with Artemis Malekpour and new collaboration with Nick and Courtney Rowley.  They discuss how trial strategies have evolved over the past two decades and continue to evolve today.   About David Ball David Ball (Malekpour Ball Consulting) is the nation's most influential trial consultant. With partner Artemis Malekpour, he guides plaintiff's civil cases and criminal defense cases across the country. They are the nation's only trial consultants qualified to help attorneys with Reptilian methods and strategy, as well as with Ball's David Ball on Damages techniques and a wide range of other essential approaches. They have an unparalleled record in helping attorneys with every size and kind of case. Dr. Ball is also a pioneer in adapting methods of film and theater for use in trial. His theater/film students hold Oscars, Obies, Tonys, and Emmys. His Theater Tips and Strategies for Jury Trials has been a bestseller for nearly two decades, and his Backwards and Forwards has been a foundation of theater and film training since 1984. Dr. Ball wrote two of the bestselling trial strategy books ever published: David Ball on Damages and—with Reptile cofounder Don Keenan— Reptile: The 2009 Manual of the Plaintiff's Revolution . Dr. Ball is an award-winning teacher for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and the American Association for Justice's National College of Advocacy. He has also taught law students at North Carolina, Wake Forest, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, and Campbell law schools, and at Duke Law as a senior lecturer. He has long been the nation's most in-demand continuing legal education speaker. About Artemis Malekpour Artemis Malekpour is a partner in the litigation consulting firm of Malekpour & Ball Consulting.  With a background in psychology and psychiatric research, she specializes in focus groups, case strategy, damages and jury selection.  Artemis did her undergraduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, followed by a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from UNC’s School of Public Health.  After several years of working in the Department of Psychiatry at UNC Hospitals, Artemis went on to earn a degree with honors from Duke Law.  Artemis’ path to litigation consulting began while still in law school, working as an intern with David Ball and interview

S1 E22 · Mon, January 17, 2022

How Big Data Helps Trial Lawyers Get Better Results with John Campbell

Access to Big Data has proven to be indispensable in making key decisions to maximize values of verdicts and settlements.  Join Join  Ben (( Ben Gideon | Gideon Asen LLC) )  and Rahul (( Rahul Ravipudi (psblaw.com) for our discussion with John Campbell, the leading national expert on Big Data for trial lawyers.  Through his company Empirical Jury (www.empiricaljury.com) John has already helped countless trial lawyers get results that many would have thought to be impossible just a few years ago.  If you're a trial lawyer, you can't afford to miss this episode! About John Campbell Professional Biography Professor Campbell focuses on bringing the real-world into the classroom. He also focuses his scholarship and service efforts on the enhancing the nexus between practicing attorneys and scholars. Teaching John teaches a variety of courses, including lawyering process, torts, evidence, and a live client appellate class. He also teaches internationally, including at Moscow State University. Scholarship John creates high-impact scholarship about mortgage issues, measuring written persuasion, and studying jury behavior. He recently won the national writing competition held by the American College of Financial Service Lawyers, an ABA group. And his work on juries and other topics have appeared in a variety of journals, including the Washington University Law Review (a Top 20 journal), Iowa Law Review (a Top 20 journal), the University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform, Brooklyn Law Review, and Catholic Law Review. Service In order to bring his trial work and jury study work together to benefit the University, John co-founded and is the co-director of the  Denver Empirical Justice Institute  (DEJI) - an organization dedicated to promoting two fundamental ideas. They are 1) being a trial and appellate lawyer is a noble calling, and 2) empirical studies can inform and improve trial practice and the rules that impact it. Impact beyond the University In addition to his work at the University, John is an active trial and appellate lawyer (Of Counsel, Campbell Law LLC). As a trial and appellate lawyer he is ranked by SuperLawyer and Best Lawyers. He is also rated AV Preeminent on Martindale Hubbell, and has served as lead counsel in cases that resulted in total recoveries of over $300 million. John also runs a jury consulting group (Empirical Jury), where he helps litigants assess their case, improve it, and then pick better juries. The firm uses online platforms, statistics, and lessons from big data to change the way attorneys prepare for trials. <a href="https://www.law.du.edu/sites/default/files/2020-09/john-e-campbell

S1 E21 · Mon, January 03, 2022

Never Stop Asking Questions with Mark Mandell

What is the key to Mark Mandell's success as a trial lawyer?  He questions all assumptions and has spent his entire career in search of answers.  And what he has uncovered along the way is required knowledge for anyone who wants to try cases for a living.  Join  Ben (( Ben Gideon | Gideon Asen LLC) )  and Rahul (( Rahul Ravipudi (psblaw.com)  for our probing discussion with Mark as he describes his thoughtful approach to trial work that has led to many successful verdicts and settlement and underpins his two widely acclaimed books on trial practice:  Case Framing and Advanced Case Framing. About Mark Mandell Mark Mandell graduated from Georgetown University Law Center receiving his J.D. in 1974. When Mark graduated from Georgetown he served as a law clerk for the Honorable U.S. District Judge Edward W. Day in the United States Federal District Court in Providence for a year before entering private practice. Mark is certified for his expertise in civil trials by two national organizations. He is a Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification . Attorney Mandell is also nationally recognized and Board Certified as an expert in medical negligence litigation by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys . Double board certification nationally is rare for trial lawyers. Both certifications require trial experience and passing a national certification examination. Mark is actually Triple Board Certified as he is also board certified in Civil Pretrial Practice by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification . Mark is a member of the prestigious Inner Circle of Advocates . Membership in the Inner Circle is limited to 100 of the best trial lawyers in the country. The Inner Circle has been described as “an invitation only group of the best plaintiffs lawyers in the United States”. Mark is also a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers . Membership in the College is an honor that is given only after a lengthy and rigorous evaluation. Attorney Mark Mandell is a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers  and a member of the American Law Institute . He

S1 E20 · Mon, December 20, 2021

A Life In the Arena with Nick Rowley

For his 20 plus year career as a trial lawyer, Nick Rowley has lived in life in the arena.  For most of his career, he has tried 10 jury trials each year.  He has tried cases in 33 separate states and has numerous seven and eight figure verdicts.  Nick discusses his journey to becoming a trial lawyer, his approach and philosophy of communicating with jurors and trying cases and how he balances his busy trial practice with the rest of his life. About Nick Rowley Many consider Nicholas C. Rowley to be the most accomplished trial lawyer of his generation having won more than $1.5 Billion in verdicts and settlements for injury victims and families across the country. Winner of the  2018 Trial Lawyer of the Year  and five time finalist, he is one of the youngest trial lawyers in history to be presented with the award.  He has extensive courtroom experience representing victims of serious injuries and medical malpractice, especially those who have suffered traumatic brain injuries , spinal injuries, and chronic pain. Nick, our Denver injury lawyer ,  has been recognized by dozens of publications for his record-breaking verdicts and work for injury victims and their families.  In 2018, Nick was named to The National Law Journal’s Elite Trial Lawyers for having a top 50 verdict in the nation.  He was also named “Los Angeles Top Litigators in 2018” by the Los Angeles Business Journal.  In 2015, Nick was listed in TopVerdict.com’s Top 100 Largest US Verdicts in the nation.  In 2012, Nick was a finalist for the “ Consumer Attorney of the Year ” award, given by Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC). Nick was recognized by the Los Angeles Daily Journal for winning a  “Top Verdict of 2010”  for his  $31.6 million  jury verdict for the victim of a traumatic brain injury. In 2009, the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego awarded Nick its  “Outstanding Trial Lawyer” award. In 2013, Nick was honored with the organization’s top award – “ Outstanding Trial Lawyer of the Year” . Some of Nick’s other recent successes include a record setting $131,000,375 verdict for the victim of a car accident after the driver was over served at a bar, a record setting $74,525,000 verdict for a victim of medical malpractice, $40,000,000 for two parents whose 33 year old son was negligently killed due to corporate negligence, a $38,600,000 verdict for a young man who fell from a hotel balcony while intoxicated, a $17,000,000 win for a woman who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a fall from a hotel w

S1 E19 · Mon, December 06, 2021

The Principles Behind Winning Individual Case and Mass Tort Trials With Khaldoun Baghdadi

Join us for our conversation with preeminent trial lawyer, Khaldoun Baghdadi.  Khaldoun talks about how his Palestinian background has influenced his perspective and approach to the law. He talks about the principles that have enabled him and his firm to obtain many record setting verdicts in both individual plaintiff and mass tort trials.  Since 2009, Khaldoun has been named a Northern California Super Lawyer®. In addition, Khaldoun is AV – Pre-Eminent rated by Martindale Hubbell, signifying the highest peer review mark for ethics and standards of practice. His AVVO professional rating is 10.0 – Superb, reflecting the highest rank available. Khaldoun served an adjunct instructor teaching trial advocacy at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. He also served as an adjunct professor at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. He has also served as an instructor on trial technique, deposition practice and lawyering skills for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Active in the courtroom and the community, Khaldoun served the City of San Francisco by way of Mayoral appointment to the San Francisco Human Rights Commission. In 2006, he was elected chair of that body. Khaldoun graduated cum laude from the University of California, Irvine, and obtained his law degree from UC Hastings College of the Law. He lives in San Francisco with his wife and two children. Noteworthy Verdicts and Settlements $1 billion dollar jury verdict for defective hip implant $ 9 million dollar medical negligence settlement $8.3 million dollar jury verdict for defective hip implant $7.8 million dollar personal injury settlement for defective medical device $7.3 million wrongful death jury verdict in an automobile collision $6.25 million wrongful death settlement in a vehicle/trailer rollover $4.5 million dollar personal injury settlement in an automobile collision $2.9 million wrongful death settlement for roof crush vehicle defect $2.6 million settlement for defective medical device $2.4 million medical negligence settlement Published Works Apples and Oranges, the Supremacy Clause and the Determination of Self-Executing Treaties Representative Cases Detoy v. City and County of San Francisco Ard v. Bi-Bett Corporation Bennett v. City of Visalia Gu v. BMW Honors and Awards Northern California Super Lawyer®, 2009 AV – Pre-Eminent rated by Martindale Hubbell AVVO Professional Rating is 10.0 – Superb Professional Associations and Memberships San Francisco Human Rights Commission, Member and Chair Arab American Attorneys Association, Co-chair, Bay Area Chapter Consumer Attorneys of California, Member San Francisco Trial L

S1 E18 · Mon, November 22, 2021

Pioneering a Data-Driven Approach to Trial with Sean Claggett

With multiple recent 8-figure jury verdicts in difficult cases, Sean Claggett is truly on a roll. But nothing Sean has accomplished is an accident.  It is the culmination of his own personal journey to re-invent himself as a master trial lawyer and to pioneer the use of data-driven decision-making to maximize his results.  Join us for our conversation with Sean as we explore his uniquely successful approach to winning at trial. We begin with a discussion of Sean's background and journey to becoming a trial lawyer.  He recounts how he gave up trying cases and moved on to other things, before deciding to recommit himself to trial practice.  With his newfound commitment, Sean spent several years learning as much as he could about trial strategy and technique and rehearsing his approach with regular focus groups.  Armed with newfound confidence, Sean re-entered the courtroom and has had unparalleled success. Along the way, Sean explains how he adopted a data-driven approach to preparing for trial, using so-called "big data" metrics to identify his best trial cases, determine his likely win ratio and guide his approach to asking for money. The results speak for themselves. About Sean Claggett Sean Claggett is an established Las Vegas personal injury attorney and handles difficult cases across the country. Sean founded Claggett & Sykes Law Firm in 2005, and is the firm’s lead trial lawyer. In 2017, Sean was recognized by his fellow trial lawyers of the Nevada Justice Association as Nevada’s Trial Attorney of the Year. PROVEN TRIAL SUCCESS In 2016, Sean had the fourth most influential verdict in the United States according to Courtroom View Network, stemming from a slip and fall at Lowe’s in which his client suffered a TBI after she slipped, fell, and knocked down a three-foot yellow warning cone. Lowe’s top offer before the verdict was $1,400,000.00, and the referring plaintiff attorney offered to resolve the case for $1,749,999.99. The jury returned a verdict in the amount of $16,430,000.00. Sean’s trial success continued with two verdicts in 2018 in the amounts of $20,000,000.00 and $3,382,000.00. Sean’s verdict of $20,000,000.00 was recognized as the fourth most influential verdict in the United States according to Courtroom View Network, stemming from a negligence case against an HOA for failing to maintain its swing set. The HOA’s top offer before trial was $400,000.00, and the referring plaintiff offered the HOA to resolve the case for $949,000.00. The plaintiff in the case suffered a TBI. Sean’s trial success continued in 2019 as he obtained a verdict of $645,814.33 in which there was a 16-day gap in treatment after the initial wreck, and then, after eight months of physical therapy treatment, there was a three and

S1 E17 · Mon, November 08, 2021

Mastering Cross Examination with Patricia Kuendig

Nationally-recognized trial lawyer Patricia Kuendig joins us to describe the approach to cross examination she and her partner Roger Dodd teach to trial lawyers across the country.  Patricia explains the three rules of  successful cross examination.  She illustrates how the rules work in practice.  She discusses strategies for sequencing cross, recovering from problems, dealing with un-crossable witness and preparing you own witnesses for the other side's cross.   About Patricia Patricia Kuendig pursued law out of a desire to help people when they needed it most. For the first few years of her practice, Patricia worked on complex divorce and family law matters from her office in Miami, FL. She credits that experience with her comfort and confidence in the courtroom, as well as at the negotiating table. Then, her mother passed away in a bus accident. Patricia filed the wrongful death lawsuit herself. She has been helping accident victims with their personal injury suits ever since. Recognized Leader in Law Through hard work and determination, Patricia has distinguished herself in the legal community. She is the youngest faculty member of the Houston Family Law Trial Institute. Along with several publications and awards to her name, she has given lectures on a variety of trial-related subjects for organizations such as the Utah Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers, The Georgia Bar, and the Oklahoma State Bar's Family Law Section. In September 2014, Patricia was honored to present on “First Impressions and Voir Dire" for 360 Advocacy's program titled "Trial Skills from the Woman's Perspective" in New Orleans, LA. Education Patricia earned a B.S. from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a J.D. from George Washington University. While working on her J.D. at George Washington University, Patricia interned for a U.S. District Court Judge and the U.S. Department of Justice. Her time in school may be done, but as a lifelong learner, she is always looking for new ways to help her clients. About the Elawvate Podcast The Elawvate Podcast – Where Trial Lawyers Learn, Share, and Grow is where the practice of trial law meets personal growth. To succeed as a trial lawyer and build a successful law firm requires practice skills, strategic thinking and some amount of business and entrepreneurial savvy. Elawvate is a place to learn and share skills and strategies for success. But it is also a place to dig deeper and achieve personal growth. Those who succeed as trial lawyers at the highest levels cultivate character, principle, integrity, leadership, courage, compassion and perseverance.   We learn and draw inspiration from those who hav

S1 E16 · Mon, October 25, 2021

Using the Domino Theory to Win at Trial with Edward Capozzi

Join us for a conversation with top New Jersey trial lawyer, Edward Capozzi, author of the best-selling Trial Guides book, The Domino Theory.  Ed describes how his upbringing in a blue collar family and background as a front man for a rock band readied him for the world of trial law.  Ed talks about how he began trying the most difficult "no offer" cases and honed his approach and skills by trying more than a dozen jury trial a year for more than decade.  His insight led him to develop the "Domino Theory," and approach to litigating and trying a case that allows the lawyer to envision each building block of the case as a separate "domino," and culminating with a hands-on demonstration in which Ed uses individually crafted dominos tailored with the issues in each case and literally builds the case in front of the jury at the end of his closing argument--and then lets the dominos fall.  The dominos show the jury the proximate cause and damages elements of the case and serve to rebut comparative fault defenses.  Listen as Ed walks us through this unique and effective approach. About Edward Capozzi One of New Jersey’s most renowned and dynamic personal injury attorneys , Edward P. Capozzi exclusively handles auto, trucking, NJ Transit, products liability, and other catastrophic personal injury cases. He has successfully represented seriously injured clients in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Michigan, West Virginia, Florida, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Delaware. Edward is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney. The New Jersey Supreme Court has designated this honor to attorneys who are able to demonstrate sufficient levels of experience, education, knowledge, and skill in civil trial practice. Known for his fierce cross-examination of medical witnesses and artistic presentations of his cases, Edward lectures across the country on trial techniques and the concept of proximate cause. Edward is the author of The Domino Theory , a Trial Guides publication in which he explains proximate cause and shows other attorneys how to successfully present any case to a jury. In his popular YouTube video, “ Capozzi Causation Dominos ,” Edward demonstrates, step-by-step, how to set up each element from discovery to settlement to opening statement to arguing damages in closing – when you knock down your dominos and demonstrate the inevitable logic of your case. Edward is an active participant, advocate, and educator in the field of law. He is a published author and lectures nationally on trial techniques and cross-examination of defense medical experts. In 2014, Edward received the New Jersey Law Journal’s Personal Injury Hall of Fame Award for receiving the largest verdict in the state in a products liabil

S1 E15 · Mon, October 11, 2021

Unpacking the Electronic Medical Record and Audit Trail with Saira Pasha

Saira Pasha is an attorney who used to work for major hospital corporations handling the defense side of medical malpractice cases.  Now, she assists lawyers for patients and their families in medical malpractice cases.  We spend time with Saira discussing how to better understand the information that is available through the electronic medical record and audit trail kept by hospitals and other medical providers.  We learn that there is a lot of information that is available but will not be turned over unless you know how to ask for it.  And once you get the information, we talk about how you can use it to help prove your case. Ms. Saira Pasha is an attorney who has extensive experience managing complex medical malpractice litigation for a large Illinois healthcare system and a major multi-state malpractice insurance carrier. Now, her focus and passion have shifted towards advocating for victims of medical malpractice and their families in order to obtain answers and justice.  In her prior roles, Ms. Pasha handled hundreds of malpractice claims, from ones filed directly by patients to those litigated by the most successful plaintiff firms in Chicago. She was responsible for evaluating liability, causation, and damages to develop an overall defense strategy for each claim. This required detailed reviews of medical records (including with the electronic medical record system) interviewing defendant physicians, nurses, and other witnesses to the incident, obtaining expert reviews to obtain standard of care opinions, assisting with written discovery, and attending critical depositions. Ms. Pasha has successfully negotiated the resolution of dozens of cases through mediation, pre-trial settlement conferences, direct discussions with plaintiff attorneys, and high-low agreements during trial. Many of these claims involved complex medical issues and catastrophic injuries, resulting in multi-million dollar settlements.  Ms. Pasha also has significant experience monitoring medical malpractice trials in Cook County, IL, a venue known for record-setting verdicts. During these high-stakes trials, her employers relied upon her daily evaluations and recommendations to determine whether cases should be taken to verdict or resolved through direct settlement or a high-low agreement. As a claims professional, Ms. Pasha worked alongside top defense attorneys at the best defense firms in the city. These opportunities provided insight into how the most successful trial attorneys approach, analyze, and execute their cases. Similarly, Ms. Pasha learned a great deal about medicine and the complexities of malpractice cases directly from defendant doctors and nurses. Through these professional experiences, Ms. Pasha gained significant insight and knowledge about the medical malpractice industry. Combined with her exceptional intuitive abilities and investigation skills, Ms. Pasha stands out as a uniquely qualified medical malpractice

S1 E14 · Mon, September 27, 2021

The Power the Comes with Trusting the Jury with Michael Cowen

Michael Cowen is a successful trial lawyer and host of the popular podcast, Trial Lawyer Nation.  He joins us to talk about the power he has gained from learning to overcome his own insecurities and to place his trust in juries to do what is right.  Michael talks about how working on his own mindset has produced better results in his trials and made him a happier person.  He goes on to talk about systems he uses to prepare for trial, run his law firm and manage his employees.  He talks about what got him into podcasting and how he built his show, Trial Lawyer Nation, into a great success. As a graduate of Texas A&M University in 1991, Michael is a proud Aggie. After obtaining his degree, Michael attended law school at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law where he graduated in 1995 with high honors and earned the top score on the Texas Bar Exam. To this day, Michael is still asked about this achievement so early in his career. After graduating, Michael clerked for Judge Reynaldo G. Garza on the Fifth Circuit. In 1996 Michael moved to New York, where he joined Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, the oldest law firm in the nation. It was his legal experience in New York representing a number of corporations, which led him to his passion to help people when they have been injured and are in need of help the most. After returning to Texas, Michael spent his legal career handling a wide variety of injury cases. His experience gathering and interpreting evidence has helped him continue to be the most prepared attorney in the courtroom. As a Board Certified attorney in personal injury trial law, Michael has spoken at numerous CLE courses on a range of topics, which include pre-trial motions, roof crush litigation, trucking accidents, trial skills, oil field accidents, product liability and the preservation of evidence. One of Michael’s notable accomplishments involves his work in a product liability case. Seven months after he requested a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation into defective Chinese-made tires distributed by the Hercules Tire & Rubber Company, the tire importer announced it would recall seven sizes of certain All Trac A/T SUV tires. This recall was the result of hard work and dedication to not only the client’s Michael Cowen represents, but also the public who deserve to be safe on our roads. In 2016, Michael celebrated 20 years of practicing law and is devoted to passing on his years of experience and lessons learned along the way, to his peers in the legal community. As a seasoned trial lawyer Michael has experience handling over 100 trials. Whether it is a CLE course hosted by TTLA, AAJ, AIEG, or a CLE event hosted by Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock, Michael takes pride in continuing to give his time to not only his clients, but his colleagues as well. He also welcomes the opportunity to work on cases with fellow attorneys, especially in trucking

S1 E13 · Mon, September 13, 2021

Driven to Learn, Share and Grow with Rahul Ravipudi

About Rahul Ravipudi Rahul Ravipudi is a partner at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP and has spent his legal career handling catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases involving commercial vehicles, pedestrians, industrial or construction accidents, utility negligence, dangerous conditions of public and private property as well as cases of sexual abuse and sexual assault. Mr. Ravipudi also represents consumers in class actions against businesses who engage in unfair/illegal business practices and public entities in cases where corporations have endangered the safety, health, property or comfort of the public. Mr. Ravipudi currently serves as Public Entity Plaintiffs’ Co-Lead Counsel in the JUUL Labs Product Cases, representing school districts and other public entities in California involved in litigation against the electronic cigarette manufacturer. Has also serves as Plaintiffs Co-Lead Counsel in the Southern California Fire Cases litigation arising out of the 2017 Thomas Fire and subsequent debris flows in Montecito, California as well as on the Plaintiffs Executive Committee in the California North Bay Fires litigation. Mr. Ravipudi previously served on the Steering Committee in the Blythe bus crash litigation. Named 2017 Trial Lawyer of the Year by Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, Mr. Ravipudi has obtained numerous landmark verdicts and settlements including a $160.5 million jury verdict for a man who suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of a vicious beating by security personnel for a nightclub, a $28,500,000+ settlement for a special needs student who was catastrophically injured after being struck by a vehicle while under the care and supervision of Victor Elementary School District (VESD) personnel, as well as a $23,500,000 settlement on behalf of the family of Paul Lee, a 19-year-old non-verbal autistic student who tragically died aboard a Whittier school bus after the driver left him behind to engage in a sexual tryst with a coworker. The Lee case was a catalyst for significant change in school transportation with Governor Jerry Brown signing the “Paul Lee School Bus Safety Law” in September 2016, requiring all school buses in the state of California to be equipped with a child safety alarm system that must be deactivated by the bus driver before departing the bus. The new law will go into effect at the start of the 2018-19 school year and requires bus drivers to receive training in child-safety check procedures. Committed to serving as an advocate for his clients, Mr. Ravipudi has obtained numerous eight-figure awards including a $20,500,000 jury verdict for the mother of a high school student who was killed while walking to a bus stop, a $19,786,818 jury verdict for a man who suffered severe burn and traumatic brain injuries when his rental home exploded as a result of Southern California Gas Company negligence, a $13,935,550 jury verdict for 19-year-old pedestrian who suff

S1 E12 · Mon, August 30, 2021

Mastering the Art of Trial Presentation with Dan Ambrose

About Dan Ambrose Daniel Ambrose started out in Detroit, Michigan as a criminal defense lawyer. Dan has attended programs such as the National Criminal Defense College, Western Trial Advocacy Institute and Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyer’s College, tried over 150 jury trials, and has studied trial advocacy for 20 years.  Dan is known for his exceptional skills advocating for his clients.  Through 20 years of practice, he has found a unique method to help trial lawyers efficiently master their skills. THE METHOD, was developed by meeting weekly with five trial lawyers over an eighteen month period. They presented, video recorded, and discussed their strengths and weaknesses.  Dan currently lives in Los Angeles, California and now focuses on civil trial work, consulting, trial coaching and teaching.   About the Elawvate Podcast The Elawvate Podcast – Where Trial Lawyers Learn, Share, and Grow is where the practice of trial law meets personal growth. To succeed as a trial lawyer and build a successful law firm requires practice skills, strategic thinking and some amount of business and entrepreneurial savvy. Elawvate is a place to learn and share skills and strategies for success. But it is also a place to dig deeper and achieve personal growth. Those who succeed as trial lawyers at the highest levels cultivate character, principle, integrity, leadership, courage, compassion and perseverance.   We learn and draw inspiration from those who have achieved this success. For more about Elawvate, visit our website at www.elawvate.fm .  You can also  join our Facebook Group at Elawvate | Facebook For more information or to contact the hosts, see: ( Rahul Ravipudi (psblaw.com)  ( Ben Gideon | Gideon Asen LLC) 

S1 E11 · Mon, August 16, 2021

Use Authenticity and Technology to Win at Trial with Lloyd Bell

We begin by discussing Lloyd's unique journey to become a trial lawyer, which was shaped by his military education at the Virginia Military Institute and years prosecuting and defending case in the Army JAG Corps.  Lloyd explains how he learned the importance of meeting your audience where they are while defending enlisted soldiers before juries of officers.  One of the most important lessons he learned was that officers wanted to carry out their "noblesse oblige" mission of showing generosity and nobility toward those they lead, and this key insight provided an opportunity to get his clients a second chance.   Lloyd moves on discussing how he applied lessons learned in the JAG Corps to his plaintiff trial practice.  He began representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases, and over time developed a specialization in medical negligence.  Lloyd explains how he meets juries where they are in medical cases by developing his cases around accessible themes, like one of the Seven Deadly Sins, as opposed to focusing the case on the medicine.  We then move on to discussing Lloyd approach to his opening statement and use of trial technology.  Lloyd explains how he models his openings on popular television shows, which always begin with a dramatic hook.  He then uses technology to show  the jury the key medical concepts before telling the story of his particular case.  Lloyd provides tips on what makes effective use of technology in the courtroom, such as limiting the number of words on a slide, careful choice of images, single-concept slides and a clean, appealing layout and color scheme.   Lloyd prefers a multi-media approach including blowups, models and other aids to involve the jury in the evidence to the maximum extent possible. About Lloyd Bell ( Lloyd Bell | Bell Law Firm) With more than 25 years of legal experience, Lloyd Bell has built a sterling courtroom record and recovered millions of dollars for medical malpractice victims. A veteran of the U.S. Army JAG Corps, Bell founded his own law firm in 1999 and is consistently recognized as one of the top attorneys in his field. In 2018, Bell Law Firm was recognized as Personal Injury Litigation Team of the Year by Daily Report, the leading source of legal news in Atlanta. Lloyd Bell has been included in Atlanta Magazine’s prestigious Super Lawyers list every year since 2005, and more recently the Super Lawyers “Top 100 Lawyers in Georgia” list in 2018. Bell has also been named as one of the few personal injury lawyers in Georgia on the prestigious list of “Legal Elite” by Georgia Trend Magazine, an honor he has received every year since 2015. In 2019 Bell was named as the second ever Georgia attorney to join the Inner Circle of Advocates , an elite, invitation only group of the nation’s top plaintiff lawyers. His firm differentiates itself

S1 E10 · Mon, August 02, 2021

From Trial Law to Facebook and Cryptocurrency with Paul Grewal

We begin the episode discussing Paul's early career as a trial lawyer where he had to find ways to explain complex concepts, often involving technology, to ordinary jurors.  Paul describes how he learned to do this, particularly with argument by analogies that were accessible to jurors. We then move to discuss Paul's years as a Judge in the Northern District of California, where he presided over many civil jury trials.  As a judge, Paul was in a good position to observe and comment on the quality of the lawyering.  He saw what worked and what did not work in front of juries.  He also developed views about how to improve civil jury trials to produce fairer and better results. Following Paul's time on the bench, we became of the senior attorneys at Facebook, responsible for managing Facebook's litigation across the globe.  Paul shares what he learned about digital media from that experience and provides his take on the current debate between first amendment open media and the role of social media platforms, like Facebook, in the dissemination of propaganda, conspiracy theory and false and misleading information. Finally, we move on to discuss Paul's current position as general counsel at Coinbase, an online cryptocurrency trading platform. Paul explains the concept behind cryptocurrency and provides his thoughts on the future of this type of digital currency. About Paul Grewal (Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Grewal) Paul Grewal (full name: Paul Singh Grewal ) is currently Chief Legal Officer at Coinbase . Previously Grewal was Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Facebook , and is also a former U.S. Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California . Education Grewal received his Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering in 1993 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology , where he was elected to Tau Beta Pi and Sigma Xi   Grewal then obtained his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the University of Chicago in 1996. Career Upon graduation from law school, Grewal served as a judicial law

S1 E9 · Mon, July 19, 2021

Digital Marketing for Trial Lawyers with Seth Price

Join us for a discussion of digital marketing for trial lawyers with attorney and digital marketing guru, Seth Price.  Learn how Seth used his experience building a successful law firm using digital marketing, and then started a  digital marketing firm to help other law firms do the same.  In this episode, we discuss what works and doesn't work for trial lawyer marketing, pitfalls that lawyers fall into and how to maximize return on investment for marketing dollars spent.  In the process, we discuss a number of topics, including search engine optimization (SEO) Google Pay Per Click Ads Google Local Service Ads Facebook Marketing Referral Marketing Television and Billboard Ads About Seth Price An accomplished attorney and transformational thought leader, Seth Price is a founding partner and the business backbone of Price Benowitz LLP as well as the founder and CEO of BluShark Digital. Seth took a two person law firm and scaled it to 36 lawyers in less than a decade. Now Seth has taken the same digital power that built the firm to create a best in class digital agency focused on the legal sector in BluShark Digital. Seth has been a frequent lecturer and moderator at some of the largest and most influential law conferences in the United States, speaking on the tools and strategies law firms can use to align their business development with changing consumer habits. He has spoken on topics including but not limited to, how to build a firm, ethics, best practices for firm operations, search engine optimization (SEO), and digital marketing as a whole. About the Elawvate Podcast The Elawvate Podcast – Where Trial Lawyers Learn, Share, and Grow is where the practice of trial law meets personal growth. To succeed as a trial lawyer and build a successful law firm requires practice skills, strategic thinking and some amount of business and entrepreneurial savvy. Elawvate is a place to learn and share skills and strategies for success. But it is also a place to dig deeper and achieve personal growth. Those who succeed as trial lawyers at the highest levels cultivate character, principle, integrity, leadership, courage, compassion and perseverance.   We learn and draw inspiration from those who have achieved this success. For more about Elawvate, visit our website at www.elawvate.fm .  You can also  join our Facebook Group at Elawvate | Facebook For more information or to contact the hosts, see: ( Rahul Ravipudi (psblaw.com)  ( Ben Gideon | Gideon Asen LLC)   

S1 E8 · Tue, July 06, 2021

Discovering the Trial Lawyer Within with Josh Koskoff

What you Will Learn In this episode, Josh begins by discussing how his legacy growing up in a family of prominent trial lawyers shaped his outlook on the role of a lawyer and his own personal journey to becoming a successful trial lawyer.  Josh discusses what he learned from his father and grandfather, and what he needed to unlearn  to find his own unique style.  Josh describes how he struggled early in his career to find his own clear voice in the courtroom, to the point where he came close to changing directions in his career.  Josh tells us about the case that served as a turning point--a case in which he discovered his authentic self in the courtroom and achieved an incredible result for a client in what was considered to be an unwinnable case. Josh talks about how we as lawyers sometimes fail to predict how a case will play out in a courtroom, because a trial is a human drama "not played on paper."  As a result, a case does not  look  good on paper can sometimes be very powerful in a courtroom, as Josh proved in this "turning point" case. Josh then goes on to discuss the status of a high-profile case, in which he represents the victims of the shooting at the Sandy Hook School in Newtown, Connecticut against the Remington firearms company, manufacturer of the AR-15 weapon used by the shooter.  Josh explains how he was able to avoid Federal immunity for firearms manufacturers by pleading the case under a Connecticut statute proscribing false and misleading advertising.   Josh talks about the legal challenges he has been able to overcome in the lawsuit and the current status of this important, landmark, case. About Josh Koskoff Josh represents the third generation of Koskoffs at Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder (https://www.koskoff.com)  Known for his dedication, compassion, and creativity, Josh brings a fresh and unique perspective to all his cases.  Like his father and grandfather, Josh believes strongly in the role of the lawyer as a fighter whose sole purpose is to improve his clients’ lives through the legal system.  He views the law as working only when it works for the people and not just the powerful.  His personal concern for the welfare of each of his clients has won their trust and devotion. Josh has won substantial, record-setting medical malpractice verdicts throughout Connecticut, and has taken on powerful interests in cases with national implications.  He currently represents 10 families of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in a landmark case against the Remington Arms Company – the manufacturer of the assault rifle used to carry out the attack.  He also represents Sandy Hook families in a suit against the controversial “conspiracy theorist” Alex Jones for his false claims that the Sandy Hook shooting was a “hoax” and that it was staged by actors.  Recently Josh filed suit against eight manufacturers of assault weapons on behalf of the

S1 E7 · Mon, June 21, 2021

Beyond the Reptile with Don Keenan

Perhaps no individual plaintiff’s lawyer can claim to have had a larger impact on the trial bar than Don Keenan (( https://www.keenanlawfirm.com/ ).  Not only has Keenan been involved in hundreds of successful jury trials and handled cases in 47 states, but with his book, The Reptile (co-authored with jury consultant, David Ball), Reptile organization (now the Edge and Keenan Trial Institute), Keenan has mentored thousands of trial lawyers in his techniques and revolutionized the way plaintiff attorneys approach trials.  Keenan’s approaches have become so widespread and successful that organizations of defense attorneys routinely hold seminars to teach defense lawyers how to combat Keenan’s systems and the Reptile strategies have become the subjects of routine defense motions and numerous reported judicial opinions. In this episode, we have a wide-ranging discussion with Keenan in which Keenan talks about his use of foreseeability, focus groups, statistics, power words, repetition, and lighthouse phrases to win jury trials.  Keenan explains the original philosophy behind the Reptile approach and how that has evolved into something different—and better—over the years.  Keenan talks about how changes brought on by Covid have impacted focus group results and changed his approach to jury trials. About Don Keenan  Children’s Lawyer During his forty years specializing in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, Mr. Keenan has secured over 381 verdicts and settlements over $1,000,000, including 15 over $10,000,000 and one over $100,000,000. Mr. Keenan has dedicated his practice to child injury and wrongful death cases arising from medical negligence, products liability, and premise liability, with the goal of making our society safer for children.  He has handled cases in 47 states and on three continents. Child Advocate Mr. Keenan strongly believes that our duty does not end when we secure justice for the child and family. Equally important is learning from the prevention lessons of the case and formulating a public awareness campaign to help prevent future injuries and deaths and when necessary, push for legislation and regulations. He calls this unique approach to law the One-Third Solution: one-third litigating the case, one-third public awareness on the prevention and one-third pushing for regulations and legislation. Examples of his One-Third Solution are the Playground Safety Project being featured on the Today Show for the past three years, The Toy Safety Campaign profiled in USA Today and Good Morning America. The Imagine Magazine Summer 2005 issue featured Don Keenan and his One-ThirdSolution as did Mercedes Momentum Magazine in winter of 2004. Awards / Distinctions Selected by Oprah Winfrey as one of the “People Who Have Courage” noting that Don has been fighting for the rights of abused children for 25 years <p

S1 E6 · Mon, June 07, 2021

Fearless Cross Examination with Pat Malone

The episode begins with a discussion of how Pat went from graduating Yale Law School to becoming one of the nation's leading medical malpractice plaintiff's trial lawyers.  Pat talks about how he started as a newspaper reporter covering malpractice trials, and was drawn to this field even  before attending law school.  Pat talks about what drew him to medical malpractice cases, why these cases  are hard for plaintiffs to win and strategies he has used for success, including lessons he has applied from his groundbreaking work co-authored with Rick Friedman, Rules of the Road . (https://www.trialguides.com/products/rules-of-the-road-trade).   Pat later adapted  the "rules" approach to medical malpractice cases in his book, Winning Medical Malpractice Cases with the Rules of the Road Technique   (https://www.trialguides.com/products/winning-medical-malpractice-cases ). Pat discusses how his own personal journey raising an autistic son brought him face to face with the medical establishment and helped him to  develop his own sense of empathy--a trait which has helped him relate to clients with similar struggles.   Pat discussed his latest book, The Fearless Cross Examiner (https://www.trialguides.com/products/the-fearless-cross-examiner).  He explains why some of the commonly-taught techniques for cross examination are wrong and how he has developed some better approaches.  He explores both the technical and human aspects of cross examination. About Patrick Malone Patrick Malone is a son of the Midwest. He grew up in an Irish Catholic family in Wichita, Kansas, the oldest of seven children. After graduating summa cum laude from the University of Kansas, he worked as a reporter for United Press International in Kansas City, then won a prestigious journalism fellowship at the University of Michigan, where he studied public health issues and wrote freelance articles for the Washington Post. Malone then worked as a medical writer and investigative reporter for the Miami Herald, where he won a number of awards, including a finalist designation for the Pulitzer Prize for a series co-authored on “dangerous doctors.” After he was accepted at Yale Law School, Malone and his wife Vicki sold their home in Miami and moved to a rental apartment in New Haven, Connecticut with their infant son. They had one more son while at Yale and a third after moving to the Washington area. At Yale, Malone won several student awards, including best “moot court” argument. He worked for a year after graduating for a prominent federal judge, U.S. District Judge Gerhard Gesell in Washington, D.C. In 1985, Patrick Malone began his career as an attorney representing seriously injured people. For more, visit https://www.patrickmalonelaw.com/   About Elawvate The Elawvate Podcast – Where T

S1 E5 · Mon, May 24, 2021

Picking a Winning Jury with Sonia Chopra

Sonia discusses the  evolution of jury consulting to trial consultants and, finally, to litigation consulting.  Part of that evolution is the constant balancing of the science and the art of human psychology and social psychology.  The science is through training -- Sonia's training is as a Ph.D psychologist with an emphasis in  litigation.  The art is the constant exposure to prospective jurors through focus groups and voir dires.  Unlike trial lawyers who, even the best of them on high exposure trials, get to trial four to ten times a year, Sonia has the capacity to  accomplish the same volume in a month.  As a result, she has interacted with more people than almost any trial lawyer.   That type of real life exposure -- data -- helps to minimize the subjectivity to her methods. An essential aspect of jury selection is identifying jurors with biases that warrant the Court excusing them from presiding over the trial.  Sonia discusses the impediments that lawyers face in overcoming their own biases to be effecting in communicating with and exposing prospective juror's biases. Like any other person, lawyer's biases are innate and potentially translate into their personal lives.  The irony of that is not something that is lost on Rahul and Ben.  We spend our careers trying to eliminate bias, like many trial lawyers, but in order to effectively do so, we need to make sure we have done so in our own lives. Rahul has been working with Sonia for many years and is a firm believer in the benefit of an effective litigating consultant.  Ben has utilized litigation consultants in focus groups but his time with Sonia may have expanded his interest in using litigation consultants more broadly.   About Sonia Sonia Chopra, Ph.D. is co-founder and president of Chopra Koonan Litigation Consulting. Dr. Chopra has 20 years of experience and has been involved in over 400 cases, ranging from multi-million-dollar civil litigation to high stakes criminal trials. She provides clients with assistance in litigation and settlement strategy, storytelling and theme development, damages valuation, opening statements and closing arguments, focus group and trial simulation research, witness preparation, and jury selection. Her practice specialties include plaintiff side personal injury, employment and civil rights litigation, commercial litigation and criminal defense. She has served on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Trial Consultants and is the former General Editor of the trial manual, Jurywork:® Systematic Techniques.  To learn more about Sonia, visit her website at www.ChopraKoonan.com.   About Elawvate The Elawvate Podcast – Where Trial Lawyers Learn, Share, and Grow is where the practice of trial law meets personal growth. To succeed as a trial lawyer and build a successful law firm requires practice skills, strategic thinking and s

S1 E4 · Mon, May 10, 2021

Taking on Goliath with Bob Kelley

What you will learn from this episode. Bob talks about the importance of the trial culture in Southern Florida during his time as a young lawyer.   After working a brief time as an insurance defense lawyer, Bob met the famous trial lawyer  Sheldon ("Shelly") Schlesinger and went to work at Shelly's firm.  There, Bob observed Shelly's unmatched trial skills and unique domineering style.  Bob talks about how he had the opportunity early in his career to try a  lot of jury trials and to develop his own unique style which relied more upon a human connection with the jury.  Bob explains the importance of presenting the case in a way that keeps the jurors entertained and avoids boredom. At age forty-nine, after much success as a trial lawyer, Bob decided to leave the Schlesinger firm and to start a new law firm with attorney John Uustal ( https://kelleyuustal.com/ )   Bob talks about the challenges of starting his own firm and offers his advice to lawyers seeking to go out on their own.  Bob discusses how he structured his law practice to enable him to take on expensive and lengthy battles against major corporations, like tobacco companies and auto manufacturers.  He talks about his approach to jury selection and techniques to ensure that he has a fair jury that will give him a chance to win his case. The Memorandum Bob's new book, The Memorandum: A True Story of Justice Forged from Fire Sutton Hart Press | Boutique Publisher of Non Fiction Titles by Notable Authors tells the story of a case Bob litigated for a decade arising out of a post-collision fuel-fed fire in an GM Oldsmobile station wagon.  The story centers on the great lengths GM and its attorneys went to cover up and hide key documents and witnesses, and how Bob and John were able to find and force production of the evidence to show  how GM failed to protect consumers from post-collision fuel-fed fires.   Bob explains why he wanted to write this book and provides  a behind-the-scenes look into the epic battle he fought--and won--on behalf of his clients.  Bob explains how the evidence he uncovered in his case led to billions of dollars in additional verdicts against GM in the years following his landmark verdict. About Robert Kelley, Esq.    Robert W. Kelley | American Trial Lawyer & Author Robert W. Kelley is an award-winning American trial lawyer, author and co-founder of one of Florida’s premier catastrophic injury and wrongful death law firms. His professional life and passion are focused on high stakes difficult trials where he battles for justice on behalf of people seriously injured by the negligence or misconduct of people and corporations. Bob rose to national prominence with a string of high profile eight and nine figure jury verdicts for families facing malevolent and uncaring

S1 E3 · Mon, April 26, 2021

Channeling your Inner Performing Artist with Karen Smolar

What you will learn .  Our show begins with Karen discussing the breaking news of the verdict in the Chauvin murder trial (we taped the show the morning after the jury reached its guilty verdict).  Karen discusses the cognitive dissonance she feels as a criminal defense attorney, believing that the jury reached a correct and just verdict but describing the awkward tension being a defense attorney but routing for the prosecution.  Karen discusses her views on what the defense attorney did well and where she believes mistakes were made.  She talks about the decision not to put Chauvin on the witness stand. After discussing the Chauvin trial, Karen goes on to describe her background and pathway to becoming a successful criminal defense trial lawyer.  She joined the New York Legal Aid Society directly out of law school.Karen married a fellow trial lawyer, who she describes as her mentor and the best courtroom lawyer she has ever seen.Karen talks about how she initially tried to model herself on her husband’s courtroom style, but later became a better lawyer when she was able to find her own voice. After trying cases for a number of years, Karen was invited to attend the National Criminal Defense College, which, at the time, was located in Macon, Georgia.  Karen describes how the curriculum in Macon was eye opening for her and taught her new a new vocabulary and approach to trying cases.  When Karen returned to the Bronx she established a trial skills program based in part on what she had learned in Macon. In her trial skills program, Karen began to develop innovative approaches to both trying cases herself and teaching trial skills.  She brought in improv actors to help lawyers improve their ability to improvise and think quickly on their feet, which is particularly important during cross examination.  She brought in storytellers to teach lawyers to become better at constructing and weaving compelling narratives. She even trained with a voice coach to improve how she used her voice in the courtroom. More recently, Karen became the Dean of the National Criminal Defense College, which has now moved its headquarters to Karen’s home state of Rhode Island.  Karen also works as the Legal Training Director of the Criminal Practice at the Committee for Public Counsel Services in Massachusetts, where she trains lawyers in trying cases. About Karen Smolar  https://www.publiccounsel.net/dir/bos-train/karen-smolar/ Karen Smolar is the Legal Training Director of the Criminal Practice at the Committee for Public Counsel Services in Massachusetts. Before coming to the Commonwealth, she worked as a criminal defense attorney since graduating from law school in 1992. For the last 19 years, Karen was the Trial Chief at the Bronx Defenders in New York City. At CPCS, she works with the Training Unit developing and

S1 E2 · Mon, April 12, 2021

Breaking Glass Ceilings and Verdict Records with Kalpana Srinivasan

In this Second Episode of the Elawvate Podcast, Rahul ( Rahul Ravipudi (psblaw.com)  and Ben ( Ben Gideon | Gideon Asen LLC) spend time with a trailblazer, Kalpana Srinivasan.   Part of being a successful trial lawyer is consistently making the right decisions.  While that is easier said than done, Kalpana has done that her whole career.  After graduating from Stanford Law School and receiving offers from all of the "big" firms, Kalpana accepted a job at the then four lawyer Los Angeles office of Susman Godfrey.   She did that because she was impressed with the attorneys at the firm from top to bottom and saw them as people who would give her the opportunities to thrive and succeed.  And that she did.   Kalpana tried cases all over the country and consistently won -- including a $700 million verdict in Texas.  Kalpana helped the firm grow its Los Angeles office and helped recruit the best of the best -- which included a significant number of female attorneys and minority attorneys.  She is well liked both inside and outside the office and has become a leader in all professional aspects of law.  Kalpana discusses her path, her vision for equality and unity in the practice of law, and shares her methods of succeeding without sacrificing happiness.     About Kalpana Srinivasan.   Ms. Srinivasan tries high-stakes cases for plaintiffs and defendants in courtrooms across the country. Susman Godfrey’s co-managing partner and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, she has secured significant victories for her clients in trade secret, antitrust, patent, copyright, class action and other complex disputes. Ms. Srinivasan’s recent representations include serving as lead trial counsel in an entertainment insurance coverage dispute; acting as  Court-appointed co-lead counsel  for a certified class of hundreds of millions of consumers impacted by anticompetitive conduct in mobile chipset sales; securing a court approved class action settlement for music copyright holders valued at over $100 million with music streaming service Spotify; and prosecuting telecommunications patents against the three major wireless carriers. In a groundbreaking misappropriation of trade secret, fraud and breach of contract case, Ms. Srinivasan won a $706.2 million jury verdict  for real estate analytics company, HouseCanary. Ms. Srinivasan also argued the appeal of the jury verdict in 2020. Read more on the HouseCanary trial – deemed by  Benchmark Litigation  to be an <a href="h

S1 E1 · Tue, February 16, 2021

Success Starts from Within with Rick Friedman

Episode 01 - Success Starts from Within with Rick Friedman You don’t want to miss the Elawvate interview of Rick Friedman, one of America’s pre-eminent plaintiff trial lawyers and teachers.  In this episode Ben ( Ben Gideon | Gideon Asen LLC)  and Rahul (( Rahul Ravipudi (psblaw.com) ) talk to Rick about his latest book, The Way of the Trial Lawyer: Beyond Technique  (published by TrialGuides and available here:  The Way of the Trial Lawyer – Trial Guides ). What Will You Learn From Listening to this Episode?                The Power of Moral Advocacy.  In this episode, you will learn about the power the comes from developing what Rick calls ethos, or the authenticity and credibility that stems from advocacy tied to core more principles and beliefs.  Rick explains that lawyers are trained to become skilled technicians in logical argument (logos) and to harness the power of emotion (pathos), but few develop the ability to “run on all cylinders” by adding the power of moral advocacy (ethos).                 Personal Understanding and Growth .  Rick provides a roadmap that lawyers can follow to develop the strength that comes with moral advocacy.  The first step involves looking inward—to resolve any cognitive dissonance or moral conflict you may have, and to achieve clarity of mission.  Rick explains how the “zealous advocacy,” “win at all costs” model lacks is a cynical model built on corporate values, and deprives the civil trial lawyer of moral model built on human values. Instead, Rick advocates for an approach in which the cause must include something more than just winning—there must be some larger (moral) principle at stake.                Rick explains that to harness the power of moral advocacy, the lawyer must “enter the dark alley” and confront honestly and overcome personal demons that may be stunting growth.  These demons include over-emphasis on personal ego, a knee-jerk resort to self-pity or macho “tough guy” image to avoid truly confronting the hardest aspects of trial law, like fear of losing, performance anxiety, or loss of a carefully cultivated image.  Rick explains how therapy has helped him and many successful trial lawyers achieve the kind of growth necessary for self-awareness and authenticity.                Moral Energy and Steadiness .  Once a lawyer has done the hard work to grow as a person and to commit to a moral advocacy model, Rick explains that the lawyer can then marshal these powerful forces as a means of persuasion.  To do so requires identifying the  core moral issues and forces that bear on a dispute, and to understand which of those will reasonable more strongly with the decision maker

Trailer · Mon, February 15, 2021

Introductions and Expectations

In this brief trailer, Ben Gideon and Rahul Ravipudi talk about what motivated them to launch this podcast and their goals and expectations for the show.