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Trial Lawyers

These lawyers are in the courtroom trying cases before judges and juries. Not all litigators spend a lot of time in the courtroom, but those who do tend to be a special breed.

Episode #53
May 22nd, 2023

Mediation and Arbitration as Alternatives to Litigation

After a long career in litigation, Diane Sorenson, a graduate of the University of Kansas, is transitioning to arbitration and mediation, also known as alternative dispute resolution or ADR. She discusses the differences and similarities between litigation, arbitration, and mediation. For ADR, experience is paramount not only for getting cases to resolve but also figuring out how to actually resolve them.

This episode is hosted by Kimber Russell.

Civil Litigation Alternative Dispute Resolution Kansas Labor and Employment Leaving The Law Mid-Size Firm Seasoned Lawyer
Episode #52
August 24th, 2020
27:30

Litigating Brain Injuries Against Huge Insurance Companies as a Solo

Ilya Lerma, a 1999 graduate of the University of Arizona, runs a small solo practice where she takes on insurance companies in complicated brain injury cases. She discusses the difficulty of running a contingency-fee practice, litigating as a woman of color, and how she manages the stress of being a lawyer.

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Episode #50
August 10th, 2020
26:07

How Prosecution Can Be Like a Mathematical Formula

Jon Holscher, a 2011 graduate of Drake Law School, prosecutes crime for the state in Iowa. While the facts differ among cases, they have to all add up to the elements of a crime to get a convinction.

Criminal Law Government Iowa LSAC Mid-Career Lawyer Prosecutor State Government
Episode #43
April 17th, 2019
29:34

The Complexities of Criminal Defense for a State Public Defender

Alisha Backus, a 2014 graduate of Barry University School of Law, has an inspiring passion for her work representing people accused of crimes. When she was younger, she experienced the ugly side of our justice system as a victim of domestic violence. While this understandably causes others choose a different path, it helps her suss out reliable information from not only victims, but her clients too.

Criminal Law Government Junior Lawyer LSAC Montana Public Defender State Government
Episode #40
May 23rd, 2016
21:20

Representing Indigent Clients as a Federal Public Defender

Because all parties must have legal representation in criminal cases, underfunded public defender offices raise serious constitutional questions. In this episode, Candace Hom, an alum of Georgetown University Law Center, discusses working at the federal public defender office, how she builds trust with clients, and the challenges of dealing with prosecutors.

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Episode #37
April 3rd, 2016
26:33

Appellate Lawyer: Telling A Court They Got It Wrong

Virginia Whitner Hoptman, alum of the University of Virginia School of Law, changed course several times throughout her career before settling back where she started with a highly-specialized appellate process. She discusses elitism in the world of appeals, how difficult it is to become a full-time appellate lawyer, and fundamental differences between appellate and trial lawyers.

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Episode #36
March 20th, 2016
29:47

Criminal Defense: The Business Side of Being a Lawyer

Solo practitioners are small business owners who happen to provide legal services. Matt Swain started his own criminal defense practice after graduating from University of Oklahoma College of Law. In this episode, Matt describes the importance of knowing your business inside and out, and techniques that make him more likely to notice opportunities to help his clients move forward with their lives.

Criminal Law Solo Practice Law Firm Mid-Career Lawyer Oklahoma Proprietor
Episode #32
February 7th, 2016
21:07

Helping Injured Workers Fight Insurance Companies on Workers Comp

In this episode we meet workers compensation attorney Royce Bicklein, a 1998 graduate of St. Mary University's School of Law. Royce discusses his firm's practice and what's involved in proving where an injury occurred and what's to blame for the extent of an injury.

Civil Litigation Administrative Law & Process Labor and Employment Law Firm Personal Injury Proprietor Seasoned Lawyer Small Firm Texas
Episode #16
June 8th, 2015
31:58

Assistant U.S. Attorney: Prosecuting Federal Drug Laws

In this episode, Assistant U.S. Attorney and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law alumnus Mike Hunter details his role in the criminal justice system. From 4th Amendment advice for federal agents making a bust to deciding which cases to take, when to seek indictments, and who to make plea agreements with, Mike tells us how he makes choices in pursuit of justice.

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Episode #11
March 16th, 2015
30:06

Health Policy and Medical Professional Prosecutions for the State

Professional licensing boards are a major way lawyers protect the public from wrongdoing. In this episode, we talk to Vanderbilt Law School alumna Johanna Barde, a lawyer for the Tennessee Department of Health. Johanna creates health policy and prosecutes medical professionals before state health boards. The work can be repetitive and bleak, Johanna admits, but her desire to protect public health keeps her motivated.

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Episode #6
February 9th, 2015
24:49

Obtaining Writs of Mandamus to Assist Aggrieved Government Employees Through Administrative Appeals

The famous Marbury v. Madison case involved a writ of mandamus—an order to a government agency or official to behave in accordance with the law. In this episode, Michael Morguess discusses seeking writs of mandamus for clients fired by government agencies. Michael faces immense pressure with jobs and livelihoods on the line, but the intellectual challenge and thrill of victory buoy his non-traditional litigation practice.

Civil Litigation Solo Practice Administrative Law & Process Appellate California Labor and Employment Law Firm Proprietor Seasoned Lawyer
Episode #4
January 26th, 2015
22:06

Representing Alleged Criminals Who Can't Afford a Lawyer as a Public Defender

Oft-romanticized in TV shows and movies, public defense is a complex field that bears little resemblance to glamorous Hollywood portrayals. In this episode, former public defender and University of Georgia Law alumna Laurie Landsittel gives us valuable insight into the everyday duties of public defenders. Laurie shares some of her personal experiences, such as her biggest challenges representing defendants who had committed serious crimes.

Criminal Law Georgia Government Junior Lawyer Public Defender State Government