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After an extended holiday break, we are back for Season 3 with new episodes. In this episode, we tackle Rebecca's theme for 2023: Chess Not Checkers. We look at the divorce between Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen and what you can learn from playing the long game.

After years of service to the family bench, Judge Brennan is officially departing to join the civil/criminal bench. Judge Brennan discusses her decision, why now is the time to leave, how family law courts can be improved, and what the future holds.

Every state has an office that assists the court in matters involving minor children. We are joined by the Oakland County Friend of the Court, Suzanne Hollyer, who talks about the functions of these offices, what they are doing to help families, and what makes Michigan so special when it comes to services for families across the Mitten State.

Judge Brennan and Judge Cunningham are back to talk about best practices, how to avoid upsetting your judge, and common mistakes made by lawyers. Whether you practice in Oakland County or across the country - you are sure to learn something from our judicial roundtable.

This podcast is all about best practices - and who better to learn from then the judges who are hearing your case. We are joined by Judge Mary Ellen Brennan from the Oakland County Family Division and Judge Jacob Cunningham of the Oakland County Civil/Criminal Division. Learn about how to tackle difficult issues, what to avoid, and how to make sure your client gets the best possible outcome.

Defamation expert Diana Warshow joins Ryan and Rebecca to break down her thoughts on the Johnny Depp/Amber Heard defamation trial. Diana also wrote about the trial for Above the Law and NJ.com. You can read her articles here: https://abovethelaw.com/2022/06/why-johnny-won-an-explanation-of-the-jurys-decision-in-depp-v-heard/https://www.nj.com/opinion/2022/06/victory-for-johnny-depp-is-not-a-setback-for-women-opinion.html

After 6 weeks and a few days of deliberations - the jury has returned a verdict. We examine what the verdict means, whether it mattered at all, and what is next for Captain Jack and Mera.

The defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is rolling on. Rebecca and Ryan examine the testimony of Johnny and Amber, what lawyers can learn from each side's strategy (or lack thereof), and what the verdict is going to be - and why it probably does not matter.

The defamation case between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard has been a gold mine for meme creators, but the trial has also illustrated a variety of legal issues. Ryan and Rebecca explore the differences between toxic relationships and domestic violence, Johnny's mastery of hearsay, and when not to object. (Special thanks to Tik Tok user @ mculokii for the trial audio).

The hit movie Mean Girls not only provided the world with countless jokes and quotes, it also gave legal nerds a question to ponder: Is the Burn Book defamatory? Based upon an Above the Law article written by Diana Warshow, Ryan and Rebecca look at the pages of the Burn Book and debate whether any of the characters would have a cause of action for libel.Make sure to read Ms. Warshow's article on Above the Law: https://abovethelaw.com/2022/01/mean-girls-or-liable-girls-was-the-burn-book-defamatory/

It's the premiere episode for Season 2 of the world's best legal podcast. Ryan and Rebecca get into the latest on the Kim and Kanye divorce and how dealing with issues of mental health impacts a pending divorce case.

Ryan and Rebecca are joined by the Michigan Inter-Professional Association on Marriage, Divorce and the Family for a round table discussion with two mothers who chose to co-parent with their spouses even after they were betrayed. Listen as they talk about why they chose to put their children first, how they overcame their feelings of anger and grief, and what you and your clients can learn about parenting with a former spouse even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Ryan and Rebecca are joined by Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. She discusses leaving the bench and running against an unbeaten incumbent, her plans for criminal justice reform, and what lawyers can do better when in the courtroom.

We explore the recent court ruling abating Charlie Sheen's obligation to pay child support to his ex-wife Denise Richards - particularly the difficulty in cases where parents allow teenage children to dictate where they will live. Also, HBD Walt Disney World!

Did you see the movie Tinker, Tailor, Solider Spy? Get ready for the jurisdictional sequel: Solider, Skier, Custody Battle! UCCJEA expert Kathryn Mayer helps you breakdown custody battles that take place between 2 states. We examine Olympic skier Bode Miller's own turbulent custody battle to help layout the principles of the UCCJEA and how you can make sure to avoid landmines the next time you have a custody case playing out in different states.

Singer/TV host/WayFair Spokesperson Kelly Clarkson was recently ordered to pay $200,000 in interim child and spousal support. What you can learn from these ginormous celebrity support orders and more!

Witnesses are an essential part of any trial or hearing - but what happens if that witness is your own child? Is calling a child to testify in a divorce or custody case a good idea? Are there times when it's necessary? We explore these ideas and more.

Actor Greg Ellis and his new book The Respondent profess to shine light on what he calls the family law cartel. We explore some of his claims and what he absolutely got wrong about the family court system in America.

Reports have surfaced that former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler is seeking a piece of Kristin Cavallari's jewelry company Uncommon James as part of their divorce settlement. Rebecca and Ryan talk about prenuptial agreements (which they don't have), awarding ownership of a business to divorcing spouses (which the court won't) and why it should not matter what your gender is when you get a divorce.

Crafting orders and judgments is an exact science. Every word matters and far too often, attorneys draft orders intending for one thing to happen, only to see it fail. Rebecca and Ryan walk through some drafting tips so you can make sure that your client is getting what they signed up for.

Bill and Melinda Gates are calling it quits. And while how they split up their billions is what everyone is talking about, Rebecca and Ryan look at some of the other interesting aspects of their divorce.

Paternity law can be challenging and complex - and you might not have learned everything you need to know from watching Maury. Rebecca and Ryan talk to paternity expert Kate Weaver about the evolving landscape to establish and revoke paternity.

Do you attach an entire judgment to your pre-judgment motion? Is your preamble a written assault against the opposing party? Are you unsure what you are even asking the court for? If so, then this podcast is for YOU. Ryan and Rebecca provide practice tips for effective motion drafting and the most effective strategies to ensure that your petitions are granted.

Ryan and Rebecca talk about the most talked about celebrity divorce of 2021 and what you can takeaway from a billion dollar separation.

In the premiere episode, Rebecca quizzes Ryan on some of the common misconceptions new lawyers may have as they leave the confines of academia and enter the courtrooms of America. Whether you've been practicing for 50 years or 50 seconds, there is plenty to learn and it starts here.