Civilly Speaking

Host Sean Harris sits down with OAJ Director of Government Affairs, Brad Ingraham, and attorney and OAJ member, Rick Topper, for a recap of the 2022 General Election. ***The Civilly Speaking Podcast is now being hosted on a different site. If you currently subscribe to this podcast through WordPress, you may want to update your... Continue Reading →

Host Sean Harris sits down with OAJ President Sydney McLafferty and MAJ President Stuart Sklar for a deep dive on the Ohio and Michigan Supreme Court races this election year. Find your voting resources at https://www.oajustice.org/oajvotes and be sure to vote on or before November 8!

Listen to the latest episode of Civilly Speaking as Sean Harris sits down with Sari de la Motte for a thought-provoking conversation about voir dire, non-verbal communication, and talking to the jury. https://www.civillyspeaking.com/saridlm

In this episode, host Sean Harris sits down with Shawn Acton, Partner with one of Ohio’s asbestos litigation firms, Kelley & Ferraro, to discuss the state of asbestos litigation and updates on relevant legislation. 

In this episode, host Sean Harris sits down with Lauren Ruth Martin, licensed professional counselor, speaker, and podcast host, to discuss the causes of burnout, how to recognize the signs, and pitfalls to avoid.  Lauren is the keynote speaker at this year’s Paralegal Convention in Columbus on September 29 & 30, where she will be... Continue Reading →

Host Sean Harris sits down with Nathan Stuckey, with The Stuckey Firm, and Rhys Richards, with The Richards Firm, to discuss the psychological effects of car crashes and the impact those effects can have on your cases.  Register for OAJ’s upcoming Scene of the Crash Car Crash CLE for a day of hands-on training and experiences... Continue Reading →

Host Sean Harris sits down with Brad Ingraham and State Representative Richard Brown (D-Reynoldsburg) for a Special Election Update and will take a look at some of the most relevant and surprising races around Ohio. *Since this episode was recorded, The Ohio Supreme Court rejected another proposed map of U.S. House Districts. The decision returned the... Continue Reading →

In this episode, Host Sean Harris sits down with Brett Turnbull to discuss the hook of the betrayal and TrialSmith’s Betrayal Structure.

In this episode, host Sean Harris sits down with OAJ’s Director of Government Affairs, Brad Ingraham, and Senior Policy Analyst with Consumer Reports, Maureen Mahoney to discuss data privacy, how it is being legislated, and what this means for trial attorneys.

In episode 75 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris and guests Konrad Kircher and Ryan McGraw with Rittgers & Rittgers discuss the Brandt case and recent developments in representation of sexual assault survivors.

In episode 74 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris and guests Ashlie Case Sletvold, managing partner with Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane & Conway, and Chris Lalak, partner with Nilges Draher, discuss vaccine mandates and exceptions and look ahead to the... Continue Reading →

In episode 73 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Rob and Mary Erney from Erney Law about the benefits and unique challenges of working in a multi-generational law firm.

In episode 72 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Candess Zona-Mendola, Senior Trial Paralegal with The Lange Law Firm and featured speaker at our upcoming Paralegal Convention about how to best use your paralegal’s skills to optimize your... Continue Reading →

In episode 71 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with former OAJ Women’s Caucus Chair, Ashley Rutherford Starling of Willis Spangler Starling, Jessica Bacon of Bevan & Associates, LPA, INC., and Meghan Connolly of Lowe Scott Fischer Co., LPA... Continue Reading →

In episode 70 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to Matt Nakajima of Rittgers & Rittgers about his recent in-person jury trial that resulted in a plaintiff’s verdict.

In episode 69 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to three Irish Ohioans about the importance of communities and how being a part of the Irish community has impacted them. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

In episode 68 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to Lindsay Lawrence of Rittgers & Rittgers about her experience starting a new practice area within a firm.

In episode 67 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to Nathan Stuckey of The Stuckey Firm about how he has navigated owning his own practice.

In a special Thanksgiving episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to four OAJ members — Andy Young of The Law Firm for Truck Safety, Allen Tittle of Tittle & Perlmuter, Eleana Drakatos of Yacobozzi Drakatos, LLC, and Brian... Continue Reading →

In episode 65 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to Charlie Rittgers of Rittgers & Rittgers and Michael Brown from FindLaw about best practices for law firms amidst COVID-19.

In episode 64 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to Judge Jennifer Brunner, one of eight state appeals court judges of the Tenth District Court of Appeals in Franklin County and a candidate for the Ohio Supreme Court.

In episode 62 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to Dennis E. Murray, Jr., a former member of the Ohio House of Representatives, about his experience as a politician and why more OAJ members should consider running.

In episode 63 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to Judge John O’Donnell, a judge in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and candidate for the Ohio Supreme Court, about the new rule 26.

In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to Rick Topper, an attorney, longtime poll worker, and election rights advocate, about the importance of being involved in this year’s election.

In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Toledo attorney Katie Harris. Before becoming a plaintiff attorney, Katie worked for the courts and spent a few years in insurance defense. With her background, Katie brings a unique... Continue Reading →

In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Columbus attorney Jessica Doogan, an Associate in the Labor and Employment practice at Barkan Meizlish DeRose Wentz Mclnerney Peifer, LLP. Jessica shares her perspective on how COVID-19 has impacted... Continue Reading →

In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Brad Ingraham, OAJ’s Director of Government Affairs. Brad provides a brief background on his work at the Statehouse before coming to OAJ then dives into current legislation.

In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Sydney McLafferty, an attorney from Columbus, Ohio. Sean and Sydney discuss COVID-19 and its impact on civil litigation and the future of jury trials.

In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Julian Gomez, an attorney from McAllen, Texas. Julian provides insightful information on where we stand with crash avoidance technologies and autonomous vehicles today. He also shares his thoughts on... Continue Reading →

In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Micheal Mogill, founder and CEO of Crisp Video. Michael founded Crisp Video in 2008. His business quickly became successful, but not without challenges and growth pains. From those experiences,... Continue Reading →

In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Patrick Perotti, an attorney from northeast Ohio. Patrick is a national leader in the field of consumer class actions. Throughout this episode, Patrick explains the importance of class actions... Continue Reading →

In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Brian Wilson, an attorney from Canton, OH. Brian has been practicing law for over 30 years. He recently sat down and reflected upon what he has learned during that... Continue Reading →

In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Hans Nilges, an attorney from Massillon, OH. Hans believes plaintiff attorneys are lagging behind other great professions when it comes to decision theory. Throughout the episode, Hans makes his... Continue Reading →

In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Ashley Rutherford Starling, a trial attorney from Columbus, Ohio. Ashley offers valuable information on the client intake process when handling garden variety personal injury cases.

To celebrate the 50th episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with special guest, Dr. David Ball. David is the co-founder of the Reptilian Trial Advocacy Method and the nation’s most influential trial consultant. During this episode, David shares... Continue Reading →

In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with John Camillus, a trial attorney and co-founder of Camillus Trial Consulting. As an attorney and co-founder of a consulting company that specializes in focus groups, John shares a unique... Continue Reading →

Host Sean Harris talks with Stephanie Hanna, an attorney and a networking and professional development coach. Stephanie runs her own business, The Other 85, where she coaches law students and attorneys to help them navigate their professions, build their reputation and develop... Continue Reading →

Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member, Mark Abramowitz, about technology and E-Discovery. Mark discusses different databases that should be used in Discovery to organize and structure information even when it falls under an unstructured category.

Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member, Chelsea Fulton Rubin, about the interaction between the workers’ compensation system in Ohio and politics.

Host Sean Harris talks with Ohio Supreme Court Justice Melody Stewart. Justice Stewart talks about her law background and her time on the bench throughout her career.

Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member, Konrad Kircher about sexual assault cases, how they differ from personal injury cases, and areas where the law can improve for sexual assault survivors.

Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member Pete Friedmann about medical and disability leave for employees. Pete covers the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member Rob Miller from Columbus, OH about client expectations and how to manage them.

Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member Steve Babin about Mass Torts and multidistrict litigation.

Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member, Marc Pera about medical negligence claims. Specifically, they discuss the rising number of nurse practitioners and their involvement with treatment, discrediting defense experts, and Robinson v. Bates.

Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member, Eric Cameron about workers’ compensation and his views on the practice after an eye-opening experience during a hearing.

Host Sean Harris talks with Jordan Schuetzle and Mike Brown from FindLaw about online reviews and maintaining a positive online reputation.

Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member, Florence Murray, about railroad worker cases, the Federal Employers Liability Act, and the growth of the industry.

Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member, Megan Frantz Oldham about medical malpractice cases and how to be successful when selecting and taking on these cases.

Host Sean Harris talks with Florida attorney Sean Domnick about cervical cancer cases.

Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member and Massillon attorney, Hans Nilges, about hidden employment claims that may be lurking in other types of cases, specifically personal injury and workers’ compensation.