Podcasts about best lawyers

On this week's episode, host David Muñoz sits down with Bill Ogden of Farrar & Ball, LLP—the trial team behind the Alex Jones defamation victories. They dive into the strategy behind the Sandy Hook litigation, navigating bankruptcy tactics, and why civil juries—not social media—are the most effective check on disinformation. Bill also talks about current defamation matters, the economics and risk of trying seven-figure cases on contingency, and why more plaintiff lawyers should step outside their comfort zones to take on work that moves the needle. Get in touch with Bill at https://fbtrial.com/attorneys/bill-ogden/ Get in touch with David at https://missionlegalcenter.com/ Bill Ogden (@billawgden on Instagram) is a partner at Farrar & Ball LLP, where he represents clients in high-stakes product liability and catastrophic injury cases across the country. He has secured major verdicts and settlements against corporations in cases involving defective tires, airbags, medical devices, and industrial equipment, and was lead trial lawyer in a $70 million wrongful death verdict in Harris County. Recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star, National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, and by Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Bill is known for his relentless advocacy and willingness to take on powerful defendants. A graduate of South Texas College of Law, he also teaches trial advocacy as an adjunct faculty member and continues to mentor future trial lawyers. David Muñoz (@imdavemunoz on Instagram) is the Managing Partner of Mission Personal Injury Lawyers, with offices in San Diego, Chula Vista, and El Paso. He is dedicated to advocating for accident victims, combining his background in pre-medicine with his legal expertise to better understand the complexities of serious and often invisible injuries. Recognized as a top-reviewed attorney, David is active in the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego and frequently serves as a speaker and seminar presenter. His mission is to raise the standard of client service and advocacy while serving the broader legal community. ____ LawRank grows your law firm with SEO Our clients saw a 384% increase in first-time calls and a 603% growth in traffic in 12 months. Get your free competitor report at https://lawrank.com/report. Subscribe to us on your favorite podcast app Rate us 5 stars on iTunes and Spotify Watch us on YouTube Follow us on Instagram and TikTok

Susan Guthrie welcomes back three powerhouse professionals to Divorce & Beyond for part two of a very special series that turns the billion-dollar divorce playbook into practical strategies you can use in your own divorce, no matter your net worth. Together, Michelle Smith, Beth McCormack, and Jenny Stevens make up what Susan calls the Billion Dollar Dream Team. Between them, they bring decades of experience guiding clients through some of the most complex, high-stakes divorces in the country. From untangling billion-dollar assets to protecting children's well-being to helping clients stay grounded in the storm, this team delivers legal, financial, and emotional strategies that can benefit anyone facing divorce. In part one, we pulled back the curtain on what divorce looks like when billions of dollars are at stake: the unique challenges, the strategies, and the inside perspective that only comes from decades of experience handling ultra-high-net-worth cases. The lessons from those cases aren't just for billionaires.  This week, in part two, we're taking those big-dollar insights and showing you how they apply to your divorce,  no matter your net worth or no matter where you are in the process. What You'll Discover in This Episode How to trust your gut when choosing the professionals on your dream team Why knowing the true cost of your life is essential for smart financial decisions The power of defining priorities and fears early to shape your legal strategy Why emotional healing often takes longer than the legal process and how to honor that timeline Meet the Billion Dollar Dream Team Michelle Smith Michelle Smith is one of the nation's most sought-after divorce financial specialists, holding the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® designation. She is the founder of Wife2CFO, a platform created to empower women to understand and manage their wealth with confidence. Michelle is also the co-author of Divorce & Your Finances and a regular contributor to national financial media. With more than three decades of experience advising ultra high net worth families, she brings unmatched expertise in investment strategy, wealth transfer, and philanthropic planning — and a unique ability to simplify even the most complex financial landscapes. Contact Michelle:  https://savantwealth.com Michelle's Divorce Journey Self-Discovery Questionnaire Beth F. McCormack Beth McCormack is a highly respected family law attorney, known for her skill in handling the most complex and sensitive divorce and parenting matters. Based in Chicago, Beth is equally at home in the courtroom, in mediation, and in collaborative law, always centering her practice on compassion and empathy. She has been consistently recognized as a Best Lawyer, Super Lawyer, and Leading Lawyer, including being named one of the Top 50 Women Super Lawyers. In addition to her thriving practice, Beth mentors the next generation of family law professionals and writes a monthly column for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. She is especially known for her advocacy on behalf of children and her ability to navigate high-profile, high-net worth divorces with discretion and care. Contact Beth:  https://beermannlaw.com Jenny Stevens Jenny Stevens is a counselor, divorce coach, and adolescent coach who has built her career around helping people navigate life's toughest transitions. With a master's degree in professional counseling and extensive mediation training, Jenny brings both clinical expertise and a no-nonsense, approachable style to her coaching. She has lived through her own share of profound life changes — from loss to illness to divorce — and uses that experience to guide clients with empathy, honesty, and practical strategies. Jenny helps individuals and families regulate emotions, build resilience, and create the foundations for a life they love. Her work emphasizes emotional regulation, self-care, and values-based co-parenting, making her an invaluable support for anyone facing the upheaval of divorce. Contact Jenny: https://jennystevenscoach.com ===================== Take the Most of Your Listening Experience: If this episode resonates with you, be sure to: Subscribe to Divorce & Beyond so you never miss an episode. Share this episode with friends or loved ones who need hope and healing. Leave a 5-star review to help us reach even more listeners. Follow Us Online: Divorce & Beyond:  https://divorceandbeyondpod.com, IG: @divorceandbeyond MEET OUR CREATOR AND HOST: SUSAN GUTHRIE®, ESQ., the creator and host of The Divorce and Beyond® Podcast, has been nationally recognized as one of the top family law and divorce mediation attorneys in the country for more than 30 years.  Susan is the Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution and is a sought-after keynote speaker, business and practice consultant, coach and trainer. You can find out more about Susan and her services here: https://susaneguthrie.com Divorce & Beyond is a Top 1% Overall and Top 100 Self-Help podcast designed to help you with all you need to know to navigate your divorce journey and most importantly, to thrive in your beautiful beyond!   ***************************************************************************** SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: HELLO FRESH HelloFresh is now a proud sponsor of Divorce & Beyond! If you've been thinking about cutting back on grocery bills, avoiding food waste, or just getting dinner on the table without the stress — this is your moment, because right now, HelloFresh is offering one free item in every box — for life! That's right — every single box you order includes a free item, forever. And just to give you a taste of what that looks like... I got pineapple upside-down cakes in my first order! I originally discovered HelloFresh during the pandemic and fell in love with learning new recipes and expanding our dinner routine. I let it go for a while — hey, I live in Chicago with world-class restaurants on every corner — but with today's rising costs, HelloFresh is back on my table, and I'm so glad it is. So if you're ready to save time, money, and dinner — go to divorceandbeyond.com/hellofresh and sign up today to grab that free item for life. ***************** YUMIYU Jewelry YUMIYU Jewelry is Susan's favorite source for meaningful, handcrafted jewelry designed to empower women and celebrate individuality. Each piece is made with care, using high-quality materials like real gold and vermeil, and is water-resistant, non-tarnish, and hypoallergenic. During difficult times, like divorce, wearing a symbol of hope or protection—such as a hamsa or an evil eye—can be a comforting reminder to keep the faith and stay strong. As a special gift to my listeners, YUMIYU Jewelry is offering 20% off your purchase! Use the code "BEYOND" at checkout to claim your discount. Explore their stunning collection at yumiyujewelry.com and find your perfect piece today! Link: https://divorcebeyond.com/YUMIYU  Code: “BEYOND” for 20% off! ***************************************************************************** SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE! If you would like to sponsor the show and reach our large community of those going through and healing from divorce, please reach out to us at  divorceandbeyondpod@gmail.com for pricing and details!!! ***************************************************************************** DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

Susan Guthrie welcomes three powerhouse professionals to Divorce & Beyond for a very special two-part series that pulls back the curtain on ultra high net worth divorces and reveals strategies that can help anyone navigating divorce. Together, Michelle Smith, Beth McCormack, and Jenny Stevens make up what Susan calls the Billion Dollar Dream Team. Between them, they bring decades of experience guiding clients through some of the most complex, high-stakes divorces in the country. From untangling billion-dollar assets to protecting children's well-being to helping clients stay grounded in the storm, this team delivers legal, financial, and emotional strategies that can benefit anyone facing divorce, no matter your net worth. This conversation highlights not only the extraordinary circumstances of billion-dollar cases but also the universal truths: divorce is emotionally scrambling, requires strong communication, and benefits enormously from a cohesive team approach. What You'll Discover in This Episode The unique legal complexities of managing billion-dollar assets, foundations, and family offices. The importance of asking the right financial questions without escalating conflict How privacy, reputation management, and creative solutions play a critical role in high-stakes cases What's Next This is just part one. Next week, Michelle, Beth, and Jenny return to translate the billion-dollar lessons into practical, actionable strategies for your own divorce journey, whether you're just beginning, in the thick of it, or finding your new Beyond. Get Michelle's FREE divorce financial resource downloads mentioned in the episodes. Meet the Billion Dollar Dream Team Michelle Smith Michelle Smith is one of the nation's most sought-after divorce financial specialists, holding the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® designation. She is the founder of Wife2CFO, a platform created to empower women to understand and manage their wealth with confidence. Michelle is also the co-author of Divorce & Your Finances and a regular contributor to national financial media. With more than three decades of experience advising ultra high net worth families, she brings unmatched expertise in investment strategy, wealth transfer, and philanthropic planning — and a unique ability to simplify even the most complex financial landscapes. Contact Michelle:  https://savantwealth.com Beth F. McCormack Beth McCormack is a highly respected family law attorney, known for her skill in handling the most complex and sensitive divorce and parenting matters. Based in Chicago, Beth's practice includes guiding her clients whether they are litigating, mediating or collaborative law, all with compassion and empathy. She has been consistently recognized as a Best Lawyer, Super Lawyer, and Leading Lawyer, including being named one of the Top 50 Women Super Lawyers. In addition to her thriving practice, Beth mentors the next generation of family law professionals. She is especially known for her advocacy on behalf of children and her ability to navigate high-profile, high-net worth divorces with discretion and care. Contact Beth:  https://beermannlaw.com Jenny Stevens Jenny Stevens is a counselor, divorce coach, and adolescent coach who has built her career around helping people navigate life's toughest transitions. With a master's degree in professional counseling and extensive mediation training, Jenny brings both clinical expertise and a no-nonsense, approachable style to her coaching. She has lived through her own share of profound life changes — from loss to illness to divorce — and uses that experience to guide clients with empathy, honesty, and practical strategies. Jenny helps individuals and families regulate emotions, build resilience, and create the foundations for a life they love. Her work emphasizes emotional regulation, self-care, and values-based co-parenting, making her an invaluable support for anyone facing the upheaval of divorce. Contact Jenny: https://jennystevenscoach.com ===================== Take the Most of Your Listening Experience: If this episode resonates with you, be sure to: Subscribe to Divorce & Beyond so you never miss an episode. Share this episode with friends or loved ones who need hope and healing. Leave a 5-star review to help us reach even more listeners. Follow Us Online: Divorce & Beyond:  https://divorceandbeyondpod.com, IG: @divorceandbeyond MEET OUR CREATOR AND HOST: SUSAN GUTHRIE®, ESQ., the creator and host of The Divorce and Beyond® Podcast, has been nationally recognized as one of the top family law and divorce mediation attorneys in the country for more than 30 years.  Susan is the Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution and is a sought-after keynote speaker, business and practice consultant, coach and trainer. You can find out more about Susan and her services here: https://susaneguthrie.com Divorce & Beyond is a Top 1% Overall and Top 100 Self-Help podcast designed to help you with all you need to know to navigate your divorce journey and most importantly, to thrive in your beautiful beyond!   ***************************************************************************** SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: HELLO FRESH HelloFresh is now a proud sponsor of Divorce & Beyond! If you've been thinking about cutting back on grocery bills, avoiding food waste, or just getting dinner on the table without the stress — this is your moment, because right now, HelloFresh is offering one free item in every box — for life! That's right — every single box you order includes a free item, forever. And just to give you a taste of what that looks like... I got pineapple upside-down cakes in my first order! I originally discovered HelloFresh during the pandemic and fell in love with learning new recipes and expanding our dinner routine. I let it go for a while — hey, I live in Chicago with world-class restaurants on every corner — but with today's rising costs, HelloFresh is back on my table, and I'm so glad it is. So if you're ready to save time, money, and dinner — go to divorceandbeyond.com/hellofresh and sign up today to grab that free item for life. ***************** YUMIYU Jewelry YUMIYU Jewelry is Susan's favorite source for meaningful, handcrafted jewelry designed to empower women and celebrate individuality. Each piece is made with care, using high-quality materials like real gold and vermeil, and is water-resistant, non-tarnish, and hypoallergenic. During difficult times, like divorce, wearing a symbol of hope or protection—such as a hamsa or an evil eye—can be a comforting reminder to keep the faith and stay strong. As a special gift to my listeners, YUMIYU Jewelry is offering 20% off your purchase! Use the code "BEYOND" at checkout to claim your discount. Explore their stunning collection at yumiyujewelry.com and find your perfect piece today! Link: https://divorcebeyond.com/YUMIYU  Code: “BEYOND” for 20% off! ***************************************************************************** SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE! If you would like to sponsor the show and reach our large community of those going through and healing from divorce, please reach out to us at  divorceandbeyondpod@gmail.com for pricing and details!!! ***************************************************************************** DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

Liz Roussel is a Partner at Adams & Reese, a law firm offering multidisciplinary legal services across the Southern United States. She is the Litigation Practice Group Leader in the firm's New Orleans office and advises employers and managers in labor, employment, commercial, and directors/officers litigation. Liz joined the firm in 2002 and is ranked by Chambers USA in Labor & Employment law. She also serves on the firm's Executive Committee and has been recognized by Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers for her legal work. In this episode… The rules around emotional support animal fees have long left landlords and property managers confused and cautious. Many believe federal law requires automatic fee waivers whenever a tenant presents an ESA letter. But is that really what the law demands, or is it simply widely misunderstood guidance? According to Liz Roussel, a seasoned litigator who manages a nationwide litigation practice, the law does not require landlords to automatically waive pet fees for emotional support animals. She highlights that a recent federal court ruling clarified HUD's 2020 guidance is not binding law and that courts must evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis. This shift follows the Supreme Court's Loper Bright v. Raimondo decision, which curbed automatic deference to agency interpretations. Liz explains how landlords can now require tenants to prove both the necessity and reasonableness of a fee waiver, and why this ruling gives property managers a clearer roadmap for handling ESA requests without fear of violating fair housing laws. In this episode of The Same Day Podcast, host Mat Zalk sits down with Liz Roussel, Partner at Adams & Reese, to talk about breaking common myths around ESA fee waivers. They discuss how the Henderson v. Five Properties case challenged HUD guidance, why the Loper Bright ruling changes how courts view agency notices, and how landlords can confidently evaluate ESA accommodation requests. Liz also shares how this decision may influence future fair housing disputes.

¿Cuándo empiezas a confesar al consumidor que te ayuda una IA? ¿Se cumple con el deber de información si un “AI Agent” acepta una política de protección de datos? ¿Podemos delegar a estos el consentimiento como base legal o elemento del contrato?Jorge Morell Ramos lleva 16 años prestando servicios legales en el ámbito del derecho tecnológico, desde el despacho Términos y Condiciones. Ha sido elegido como Best Lawyer en 2024 y 2025 en la categoría de IT Law (el único en Baleares en esta categoría). Fue además ganador del premio al mejor blog jurídico en España en 2014, mejor web legal en 2018 y la divulgación de la seguridad informática en 2020. Su proyecto sobre la monitorización de términos y condiciones y políticas de privacidad ha sido destacado por el Legal Design Lab de la Universidad de Stanford.También es fundador de Legaltechies, co-organizador del primer congreso sobre LegalTech y creador de Jade, que fue uno de los primeros proyectos de LegalTech de código abierto. También es fundador de The Legal Letters, una newsletter sobre la IA y su desarrollo normativo.Referencias:* Jorge Morell en LinkedIn* Términos y Condiciones (despacho)* El chatbot de AI asilvestrado: los usuarios de Cursor engañados por una política inventada (eWeek) [inglés]* La influencer virtual Aitana López responde a la polémica apuesta de H&M por los modelos con IA (MarketingDirecto)* UETA: Agentes de IA y contratos electrónicos: la ley ya dice “sí” (Andrew Grant) [inglés]* Internet, Claves legales para la empresa (2002, AA.VV) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mastersofprivacy.com/subscribe

Join Jeffrey Bellomo as he addresses several questions that have surfaced during his weekly calls with members of the Red Wagon Club. Jeff reviews an increase in estate and gift tax exemptions as part of recent federal legislation and clears up confusion about irrevocable trusts and the “step-up in basis.” Additionally, he explains Pennsylvania's grantor trust rules. Jeff also takes time to express his immense gratitude for the clients and the talented individuals—past and present—who have made Bellomo & Associates the success that it is. He reflects on the honor of being voted “Best Lawyer” by the community and acknowledges the work of his dedicated team. He also shares a story from a recent event at The Residence at Fitz Farm, where a current client shared their experience with Bellomo's Life Care Planning team. Jeff could not have been more proud.     WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (00:00) Introduction to Q&A from Red Wagon Club members   (01:22) Expressing gratitude and giving credit to the Bellomo team   (04:24) What are the new estate and gift tax exemptions for 2026?   (08:00) Clarifying myths about irrevocable trusts and the step-up in basis   (11:40) How did you spend your summer vacation?  (14:15) Am I required to file a separate tax return for a grantor trust?   (16:18) Busting with pride over an unexpected client testimonial   (22:44) How Jeff's own family has benefitted from Life Care Planning   (25:40) When is the best time to attend Bellomo's free workshops?     ABOUT BELLOMO & ASSOCIATES Jeffrey R. Bellomo, the founder of Bellomo & Associates, is a licensed and certified elder law attorney with a master's degree in taxation and a certificate in estate planning. He explains complex legal and financial topics in easy-to-understand language. Bellomo & Associates is committed to providing education so that what happened to the Bellomo family doesn't happen to your family. We conduct free workshops on estate planning, crisis planning, Medicaid planning, special needs planning, probate administration, and trust administration. Visit our website (https://bellomoassociates.com/) to learn more.   LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED Bellomo & Associates workshops:https://bellomoassociates.com/workshops/ Life Care Planning The Three Secrets of Estate Planning Nuts & Bolts of Medicaid For more information, call us at (717) 845-5390. Connect with Bellomo & Associates on Social Media Tune in Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. Eastern to WSBA radio: https://www.newstalkwsba.com/ X (formerlyTwitter):https://twitter.com/bellomoassoc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BellomoAssociates Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/bellomoassociates Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bellomoassociates/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bellomoandassociates WAYS TO WORK WITH JEFFREY BELLOMO Contact Us:https://bellomoassociates.com/contact/ Practice areas:https://bellomoassociates.com/practice-areas/    

Welcome to 'AI Lawyer Talking Tech.' Artificial intelligence is swiftly reshaping the legal profession, bringing profound advancements from automating routine tasks and enhancing document review to proactively identifying potential class action lawsuits. This transformative power promises new levels of efficiency and access to justice for many. However, this rapidly evolving landscape also introduces a complex web of critical considerations and challenges, including persistent ethical dilemmas, the risk of AI "hallucinations" and fabricated legal citations, and concerns around algorithmic bias. Moreover, the integration of AI tools is triggering significant shifts in employment law, posing data privacy and security risks, and necessitating new regulations for everything from AI training data and outputs to the use of AI notetakers. Today, we'll delve into how courts, regulators, and legal teams are actively addressing these evolving demands, highlighting the crucial interplay of technological innovation, compliance obligations, and the indispensable role of human expertise in navigating this dynamic legal frontier.The Promise and Peril of AI in Legal Practice2025-08-21 | JD SupraClaude wins high praise from a Supreme Court justice - is AI's legal losing streak over?2025-08-21 | ZDNetData Privacy Laws: What You Need to Know in 20252025-08-21 | JD SupraWhat Businesses Should Ask Before Hiring an AI Bias Auditor – With Bonus Free Questionnaire2025-08-21 | JD SupraILTACON 2025: Unlocking agentic AI success for legal professionals2025-08-21 | Thomson ReutersNavigating the Complexities of GenAI with Portal262025-08-21 | InvestorsHangout.comClio's vLex Acquisition Redefines the Legal Tech Stack2025-08-21 | LawyeristILTACON's Startup Hub in pictures: Who they are and what they do2025-08-21 | Legal Technology InsiderThis AI-Fueled Startup Is Helping Attorneys Find New Class Action Lawsuits2025-08-21 | Forbes.comLOWCODEMINDS Launches NeoLegal: Transforming Legal Operations with AI and…2025-08-21 | AiThority.comSpotDraft, StructureFlow, BigHand, Eudia + ClausePilot2025-08-21 | Artificial LawyerTraining AI Models? Here's What You Need to Know About Copyright Risks2025-08-21 | JD SupraThe Role of Natural Language Processing (NLP) in Legal AI2025-08-21 | Legaltech on MediumNew Lawsuit Highlights Concerns About AI Notetakers: 7 Steps Businesses Should Take2025-08-21 | Fisher & Phillips LLPMid-Year Recap: State Consumer Privacy Laws2025-08-21 | Perkins CoieConnecticut Pierces the GLBA Veil in Overhauling its Omnibus Privacy Law2025-08-21 | Perkins CoieCPPA Approves Cybersecurity, Automated Decisionmaking, and Risk Assessment Regulations2025-08-21 | Perkins CoieMinnesota and Tennessee Consumer Privacy Laws Now in Effect: Key Compliance Considerations2025-08-21 | Perkins CoieData Brokers Under the Spotlight: Latest CPPA Enforcement Action Reflects New Era for Data Broker Compliance2025-08-21 | Perkins CoieHIPAA Privacy and the Luigi Mangione Prosecution2025-08-21 | Holland & KnightCanada's Privacy Commissioner Issues Biometric Guidance for the Private Sector2025-08-21 | Ogletree Deakins260 Dinsmore Attorneys Listed as 2026 Best Lawyers ®, Ones to Watch2025-08-21 | Dinsmore & ShohlTrump Uses Presidential Powers to Influence 2026 Midterms2025-08-20 | NewsLooks.comBridging the Divide: Lessons in Lawyering Across Generations Baker Women Newsletter2025-08-20 | Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz PCThe Generational Edge: How Diverse Legal Teams Better Serve Clients Baker Women Newsletter2025-08-20 | Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz PCQuisLex Appoints Alok Priyadarshi as Vice President, Strategic AI Advisory and Legal Transformation for QuisLex Advisory2025-08-20 | Legal Technology News - Legal IT Professionals | Everything legal technology

Jeffrey Bast is a nationally respected attorney with over 30 years of experience in insolvency and commercial litigation. He represents debtors, creditors, trustees, and business stakeholders in workouts, reorganizations, and bankruptcy-related litigation, with a strong focus on avoiding bankruptcy when possible and guiding clients through complex financial transactions and restructuring. Jeff completed two federal bankruptcy clerkships and rose to the level of equity partner at two international law firms. He brings both legal and business acumen to each matter, with deep experience in bankruptcy sales, acquisitions, and financing. Jeff is frequently invited to speak and has been consistently recognized by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, Florida Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and the South Florida Legal Guide. Brett Amron is a nationally recognized litigator with over 25 years of experience in complex business and bankruptcy litigation, representing fiduciaries, trustees, creditors, and companies in high-stakes matters. A pioneer in utilizing contingency fee structures in insolvency cases, Brett has secured tens of millions of dollars in recoveries for creditors. He served as a prosecutor and later as a partner in a major bankruptcy litigation group. Brett is consistently recognized by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, Florida Super Lawyers, and the National Law Journal. He also serves on committees for the ABA and Federal Bar Association. Together, Jeff and Brett are the founding partners of Bast Amron LLP, a nationally recognized boutique law firm based in Miami, Florida. The firm focuses on commercial litigation, insolvency, bankruptcy, and related business disputes, representing debtors, creditors, fiduciaries, and trustees in complex matters nationwide. WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT BUILDING A LAW FIRM PARTNERSHIP THAT LASTS Jeff and Brett didn't know each other when they each launched solo practices in 2008. By 2009, they had formed a partnership that has now lasted 16 years. What started as two lawyers drinking from a firehose during the financial crisis became something much bigger—a thriving law firm with a national reputation. Along the way, they've built a resilient firm culture, navigated economic cycles, and adapted to a shifting legal market. Their approach to law firm leadership, talent retention, and long-term growth shows how intentional communication and shared values can sustain a partnership over decades. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge podcast, Elise speaks with Jeff and Brett about the founding decisions that shaped their identity, how they've maintained trust and communication for more than 16 years, and what it takes to run a law firm partnership that's built to last. 3:07 - The founding values that have guided them for 16 years 8:07 - How they built trust when they barely knew each other 14:25 - The weekly communication rituals that keep them aligned 16:20 - Being open to conversations and opportunities for growth 20:00 - Learning to run a business through EO, the Entrepreneurs' Organization 22:49 - Core drivers for evaluating opportunities and staying focused 24:18 - The culture they're passionate about protecting 28:54 - Their "hire slow, fire fast" approach to talent 34:33 - Lessons about staying resilient through changing markets 39:59 - Why they still feel like they're building a startup after 16 years 43:08 - The genesis of their podcast and the Business Advantage Forum 47:53 - Brett's advice on patience and listening 48:34 - Jeff's philosophy on trust as the foundation of leadership MENTIONED IN BUILDING A LAW FIRM PARTNERSHIP THAT LASTS Bast Amron LLP The Practice Podcast Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) Managing Partner Forum Get connected with the coaching team: hello@thelawyersedge.com The Lawyer's Edge SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE... Today's episode is brought to you by the Ignite Women's Business Development Accelerator, a 9-month business development program created BY women lawyers for women lawyers. Ignite is a carefully designed business development program containing content, coaching, and a community of like-minded women who are committed to becoming rainmakers AND supporting the retention and advancement of other women in the profession. If you are interested in either participating in the program or sponsoring a woman in your firm to enroll, learn more about Ignite and sign up for our registration alerts by visiting www.thelawyersedge.com/ignite.

In episode 213, Coffey talks with Vianei Braun about how HR leaders can effectively work with boards of directors.  They discuss the strategic vs operational divide between board oversight and executive execution; skills needed for senior HR roles including broad industry perspective and data-driven insights; the importance of moving beyond compliance mindset to strategic partnership; executive compensation benchmarking and peer analysis; culture preservation during mergers and acquisitions; AI implementation ethics and workforce planning; the critical role of data in board communications; and characteristics of successful senior HR leaders including truth-telling, collaboration, and ambiguity management. Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.  If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit—business credit for SPHRs! To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.  About our Guest: Vianei Braun leads the employment law practice at Decker Jones, P.C., a full-service law firm in Fort Worth. She has been recognized as a Texas Monthly “Super Lawyer” and is listed in Best Lawyers in America for Labor & Employment Law.  Vianei is also a member of the Board of Directors of First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: FFIN), a banking institution with assets of $14 billion and 79 banking locations throughout Texas. Vianei serves on the board's Compensation, Nom/Gov and Risk Committees and chairs the Advisory Board of First Financial Bank's Chisholm Trail Region. In addition, Vianei serves on the Board of Trustees and the Audit & Compliance Committee of Texas Health Resources.  Vianei is an honors graduate of Princeton University and the University of Texas School of Law. Vianei has been honored as a “Great Woman of Texas” by the Fort Worth Business Press, and as a member of the “Fort Worth 500” by Fort Worth Inc. Vianei Braun can be reached at www.deckerjones.com www.linkedin.com/in/vianeibraunattorney About Mike Coffey: Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher. In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business. Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies. Imperative has been named a Best Places to Work, the Texas Association of Business' small business of the year, and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.  Mike shares his insight from 25+ years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community. Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.  Mike serves as a board member of a number of organizations, including the Texas State Council, where he serves Texas' 31 SHRM chapters as State Director-Elect; Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County; the Texas Association of Business; and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, where he is chair of the Talent Committee. Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and teaches multiple times each week. Mike and his very patient wife of 28 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.  Learning Objectives: Develop strategic thinking capabilities that focus on industry trends and long-term organizational health rather than just operational HR tasks when communicating with senior leadership. Present data-driven recommendations to boards using benchmarking, competitive analysis, and concrete evidence to support HR initiatives and policy changes. Shift from a compliance-focused "department of no" mindset to a collaborative problem-solving approach that offers solutions while managing organizational risks.  

In episode #118 of Work Comp Talk, host Carmen Ramirez and Eric Farber, CEO of Pacific Workers, expose the rise of fake legal ads targeting injured workers. Learn how lead-gen companies disguise themselves as law firms, what red flags to watch out for, and how to protect yourself when choosing legal help.    Need real help? Call Pacific Workers at (800) 606-6999 for a FREE consultation.    This episode is sponsored by Pacific Workers, Northern California's Best Lawyers for Injured Workers.    What You'll Learn in this episode:  The difference between real law firms and shady lead-gen companies  The red flags of fake legal ads (and why they're so dangerous)  How scammers target injured workers in their most vulnerable moments  Insider tips on how to verify an attorney and avoid being sold to the highest bidder  Why choosing the right workers' comp attorney is critical for your case 

Jack is a nationally recognized and award winning criminal defense lawyer, awarded Among the Best Criminal Defense Lawyer of 2024, Minnesota Super Lawyer for 2023, Among the Best Lawyers of 2022, winner of the Minnesota Attorney of the Year Award for 2021 and founder of Jack Rice Defense. He was awarded the Professional Excellence Award…

Jack is a nationally recognized and award winning criminal defense lawyer, awarded Among the Best Criminal Defense Lawyer of 2024, Minnesota Super Lawyer for 2023, Among the Best Lawyers of 2022, winner of the Minnesota Attorney of the Year Award for 2021 and founder of Jack Rice Defense. He was awarded the Professional Excellence Award…

Timestamps:6:32 - How can lawyers help entrepreneurs?13:55 - The cost of legal services: hourly rates vs. success fees23:40 - Essential contracts for startups: what founders must know40:10 - Understanding term sheets and key negotiations50:56 - Personal liability and risk managementThis episode was co-produced by EO Zürich. Check out their upcoming event, Entrepreneurs Summit 2025.Subscribe to the Swisspreneur Newsletter to keep up to date with all the newest developments of the Swiss startup scene.About Stefan Kirchhofer:Stefan Kirchhofer is the Founding Partner of ADROIT Attorneys, and the owner of the Hooters restaurant chain in Switzerland. He holds a Masters of Laws from the University of Bern and has worked for Credit Suisse First Boston, the Zurich District Court and Homburger.During his chat with us, Stefan delved into the intersection of law and entrepreneurship, exploring the unique challenges and perspectives that lawyers bring to the business world. He discussed the cautious nature of lawyers, the importance of calculated risks, and the essential role of legal professionals in business transactions. The conversation also covered the complexities of legal fees, the necessity of contracts for startups, and the strategic considerations around equity distribution among founders. Here are some of the main takeaways:SharesSuccessful partnerships require commitment from all shareholders, so giving shares away for free is often unwise.Founders should avoid giving away shares too early: startups should focus on revenue and growth before equity distribution.Small shareholders may not find shares valuable.Phantom stock options can be a fair way to engage employees.Working with lawyersMost lawyers are not trained to be entrepreneurs, and therefore are much more risk-averse. However, this attitude can be a useful counterbalance to entrepreneurial daring, as calculated risks are essential for business success. When looking for the best legal team to work with, take into account that a good transactional team includes various specialists, and that smaller law firms can often provide better value. When assessing a legal team, consider the importance of fair billing practices, and the clarity and conciseness of essential contracts like shareholder agreements and client contracts.Founders should always be cautious about what they commit to. The most obvious aspect of this is that term sheets should be reviewed carefully before signing. It's also worth noting that legal assessments are crucial when facing lawsuits, and that personal liability can be mitigated with careful documentation.The cover portrait was edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartportrait.io⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Don't forget to give us a follow on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠⁠, and⁠⁠⁠ Youtube ⁠⁠⁠so you can always stay up to date with our latest initiatives. That way, there's no excuse for missing out on live shows, weekly giveaways or founders' dinners.

Growing up, I knew I wanted to be an attorney since I was a sophomore in high school; my guest this week had me beat by 8 years. All of my peers thought I was crazy to have a kid right as I was about to finish law school; my guest this week earned her JD at night while working a full-time job. I could do more of these comparisons, but the point is that hurdles take on a lot of different forms, sometimes obvious but sometimes not. As lawyers we want the necessary facts, and while that's great for understanding a case, people are often a lot more nuanced. My conversation this week was one of the best reminders I've had in a while to slow down and get to know someone else's story. So with that in mind, my guest this week is Breeana Somers, a litigation associate with Ballad Spahr whose practice focuses on consumer financial services matters.Earning a place in 2024's “Ones to Watch” by Best Lawyers in America, her journey has been anything but traditional, but nothing short of extraordinary.Enjoy the show. 

In this inaugural “Legal Tuesday” edition of The Rainmaking Podcast, Scott Love introduces a new series focused specifically on legal professionals, offering expert insight for lawyers navigating complex transitions. Scott speaks with Hilary Gerzhoy, a seasoned ethics lawyer and thought leader on professional responsibility, who shares valuable guidance on avoiding ethical pitfalls during lateral partner moves. She outlines real-world examples of landmines, such as premature client contact, improper solicitation of team members, and breach of fiduciary duty—each of which can derail a move or trigger legal retaliation. The conversation covers essential considerations for departing lawyers, including how to handle sensitive communications, what firms can legally withhold, and how to protect client relationships ethically. The episode is especially timely for law firm partners considering a move, and serves as a cautionary guide to avoid becoming tomorrow's legal headline. This Tuesday edition of the podcast delivers focused legal guidance, while Thursday episodes will continue serving broader professional services audiences. Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/LAtWIzixoeY ----------------------------------------

Topics:Pre-LOI: How Independent Sponsors Win DealsLOI Execution: Structure, Risks, MistakesGood vs. Bad Post-LOI DiligenceWhat Attracts and Repels Capital...and so much more.Top TakeawaysRollover is your edge against strategics. Strategic buyers often can't offer it. Independent sponsors can—that's your edge. Typical range is 10–40%, and when structured well, the second bite can be worth more than the first. It aligns incentives, keeps sellers engaged, and shows you're building with them instead of just buying them out.An LOI isn't a victory if it's not fundable. Signing an LOI with mispriced risk, unrealistic earnouts, or soft terms might feel like a win, but it's not fundable. Capital partners will walk, and worse, re-cutting terms after signing can fracture trust with the seller. John's advice: pressure-test your LOI with capital providers before it reaches the seller's desk. Call out red flags early—or risk killing the deal later. Strong diligence starts with a clear timeline, experienced advisors, and structured checkpoints to raise red flags before they become roadblocks. John warns that bad diligence often means avoiding tough conversations about risk. If you're not surfacing problems early, you're setting yourself up for failure post-LOI.Stay exit-ready from day one post-close. Even if you're planning to hold for five years, act like you'll sell in two. That means clean financials, documented systems, and clear growth metrics. You never know when the perfect buyer will come knocking. The sponsors who are prepared are the ones who cash in early.Choose advisors who know the IS model, not just deals in general. John shares that many first-time independent sponsors make the mistake of hiring advisors who don't understand the nuances of independent sponsor deals, like capital stack structuring or running a capital raise alongside diligence. Look for professionals who have worked on multiple independent sponsor transactions and understand the pressure points before and after the LOI.About John KoeppelJohn Koeppel is a Partner at Lippes Mathias, where he leads the firm's Private Equity and Independent Sponsor practice. With 25+ years of experience, John has structured and closed 250+ deals ranging from $5M to $250M+. His work has earned recognition from Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, and Super Lawyers.About Lippes MathiasLippes Mathias is a full-service law firm that advises independent sponsors, family offices, and institutional investors throughout the full lifecycle of a transaction—from LOI to exit. Known for its deep transactional experience and business-first mindset, the firm is a trusted legal partner to dealmakers across the lower middle market and beyond.

The one-sized-fits-all mindset doesn't work in international law.Step into another country thinking your way is the only way, and you'll fail fast.Success in law isn't just about knowing the rules—it's about understanding the culture behind them.I've seen lawyers walk into international markets assuming they can operate like they do at home. They hit a wall. Because legal strategy, business and connections is shaped by culture.In some places, contracts mean everything. In others, personal relationships hold more weight than a signed agreement.Cultural intelligence isn't just a “nice-to-have” skill. It's the difference between landing clients and losing them.Today, I'm sitting down with George Summerfield, partner at K&L Gates Beijing office. He has worked in patent litigation for over 30 years and was listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for patent litigation in 2024. After a long career in the US, George decided to make a career change and move to China. We explore the challenges and insights of cross-cultural experiences, practicing law in a completely different culture, adapting to new norms, and building meaningful connections. --25 Ways To Do Law Differently- Free guideDiscover innovative, unconventional waysto build your legal career on your own terms. Whether you want more freedom or flexibility, this FREE guide offers 25 inspiring ideas to get paid for doing law in a way that works for YOU.Download now:https://holly-cope.myflodesk.com/25ways-to-do-law-differently Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ability for athletes to profit from their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) has opened new opportunities—but also new risks. How can young athletes protect themselves from bad contracts? What legal changes are shaping the future of college sports? In this episode of Mitlin Money Mindset®, Larry Sprung interviews Mit Winter, Attorney at Kennyhertz Perry, about the evolving NIL landscape, the risks athletes face, and how legal shifts could impact college and high school sports. Mit shares insights on contract pitfalls, NCAA policy changes, and the potential for athletes to be classified as employees. Mit discusses: The importance of reviewing NIL contracts carefully and how some athletes have been taken advantage of The NCAA's recent settlement that removes scholarship limits in favor of roster limits, affecting different sports in various ways How the transfer portal and NIL deals have transformed college athlete recruitment into a financial negotiation The potential classification of college athletes as employees and the legal battles shaping this shift High school athletes profiting from NIL deals, the challenges of financial oversight, and concerns about protecting young athletes' earnings And more! Resources: Mitlin Financial   The JOY and Productivity Journal by Lawrence Sprung  Download Your Free Copy of the Couple's JOYful Money Guide Connect with Larry Sprung:  LinkedIn: Larry Sprung Instagram: Larry Sprung Facebook: Larry Sprung X (Twitter): Larry Sprung Connect with Mit Winter:  X: @WinterSportsLaw Instagram: @mitwinter40 LinkedIn: Mit Winter About our Guest: Mit is a college sports attorney based in Kansas City. He currently represents numerous universities, NIL collectives, businesses, athletes, and agents in NIL and other college sports related matters, and is often sought out by the media and others for his expertise in those areas. Previously, he represented the NCAA and conferences such as the Big 12 in a number of legal matters, including a number of cases related to college athlete compensation. He has been recognized numerous times by his peers as a Super Lawyer in the sports and entertainment law category and in the past two editions of Best Lawyers in America for his work in sports law. Mit was also recently named to the Missouri Lawyers Power List top 100, which recognizes the top 100 attorneys in the state of Missouri, and and has been recognized by On3 as one of the top 25 most influential figures in NIL and by SilverWaves Media as one of the 70 most impactful people in the NIL space. In addition to his work in the college sports law space, Mit is also a former Division I college basketball player at William & Mary. He somehow still holds the record for most points scored (36) by a William & Mary player in Kaplan Arena (although he's sure it will be broken soon). Disclosure: Guests on the Mitlin Money Mindset are not affiliated with CWM, LLC, and opinions expressed herein may not be representative of CWM, LLC. CWM, LLC is not responsible for the guest's content linked on this site.  

Today, we're diving headfirst into the nitty-gritty of estate planning with our special guest, Kristen Luce, Partner at Coughlin and Gerhart, LLP, who knows this stuff like the back of her hand. Our episode kicks off with a casual banter that sets the tone for a relaxed yet informative discussion. Kristen shares her journey and passion for helping clients navigate the often murky waters of estate planning. Together we discuss how many people feel overwhelmed and hesitant to start their estate planning because, let's face it, nobody wants to think about their mortality. But Kristen reassures us that it's all about getting organized and taking proactive steps. We touch on the importance of having a good team in your corner—fee-only financial planners and attorneys who actually communicate and work together.Together, we unravel the mystery of why having a solid estate plan is essential, especially when life throws curveballs your way. We tackle the common misconceptions that make people hesitant to seek professional help and why you should throw your trust into the hands of someone who knows what they're doing (spoiler alert: it's not always the first Google result). Kristen explains how you should navigate the legal labyrinth of financial planning, ensuring you don't end up in a pickle when it counts the most.Takeaways:Ditch the Suits podcast is all about sharing financial insights that the industry prefers to keep hush-hush, helping listeners navigate their money matters like seasoned pros. The transition to Patreon is a game-changer, making past episodes accessible and ensuring you never miss out on new content, so hop on board! Estate planning isn't a one-size-fits-all process; it's crucial to work with an attorney who gets your unique situation and crafts a plan that truly reflects your wishes. Clients often struggle to get organized for estate planning, but with a solid questionnaire and guidance, the process can be smoother and less daunting than you think! Understanding the legal side of financial planning is essential, especially during tough times, as it helps to ensure your family's stability and peace of mind in the future. Communication is key in estate planning; a good attorney listens to what's important to you and explains things in plain English, avoiding the dreaded legalese. ________________________________________Ms. Luce joined Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP in 2007 and is a partner with the firm. She is chair of the firm's Trusts & Estates Practice Group. Ms. Luce's practice is concentrated in the areas of Estate Planning, Trust & Estate Administration, Guardianships, Adoptions, Litigated Estate Matters, and Real Estate. She practices in the firm's main office, as well as the Owego branch office. She has been selected as a Rising Star among New York lawyers for Estate Planning from 2013 – 2018 by Upstate New York Super Lawyers magazine. In 2017 Ms. Luce was named in the 24th Edition of the Best Lawyers in America® in the practice area of Trust & Estates. Ms. Luce has been given this award every year since 2017 (for the Best Lawyers in America© for Trust & Estates).Ms. Luce is a current member of the Broome County and New York State Bar Associations. She is a member of the New York Bar Association's Elder Law and Special Needs Section. Ms. Luce previously served on the Board of Directors to the local American Automobile Association (AAA) Club. She is a past Co-Chair of the Broome County Bar Association's Young Lawyers Committee. She served on the Board

Denise Baker is a Co-Managing Partner of one of Canada's oldest and most prestigious firms, WeirFoulds. In addition to that role, she advises on complex municipal and land use planning law issues that appear before multiple courts and tribunals. She also participates in mediations and negotiations to effectively resolve disputes before they get to court. Denise chairs numerous land use and municipal law-related committees, including serving as a past chair of the municipal law section of the Ontario Bar Association. She speaks frequently for organizations like the Law Society of Ontario, the Ontario Professional Planners Institute, and the Ontario Bar Association, and has been teaching land use law for years. She's repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada, in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, and is ranked by Chambers Canada. WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT LEADING A LAW FIRM As a managing partner of a law firm who still maintains a busy legal practice, you often have to wear many hats, such as leading your firm, making critical decisions, managing different personalities, and ensuring top-tier client service. Connecting with peers who share similar challenges can be invaluable. This is what drew Denise Baker to the Managing Partner Forum's conference at the end of 2024, where she and Elise Holtzman, the host of The Lawyer's Edge podcast, met as faculty members. In this episode, Elise speaks with Denise about the pressing issues, tough decisions, and key leadership lessons she has encountered as a law firm leader. Denise discusses the challenges of training and motivating lawyers, the evolving role of AI in legal practice, the decision to adopt a co-managing partner structure, and the critical importance of addressing toxic behavior within a firm. 3:36 – Key issues that managing partners and law firm leaders face today 6:13 – Use of AI and the importance of carefully weaving it into legal practices 11:48 – Why WeirFoulds decided to adopt the fairly new co-managing partner framework 15:41 – The importance of balancing management responsibilities while in a busy practice 17:28 – How Denise has evolved as a leader since becoming co-managing partner 19:56 – The challenge of managing difficult people and why dealing with toxic behavior in your firm is a necessity 31:01 – Denise's final piece of advice that can pay dividends for your organization's culture MENTIONED IN LEADING A LAW FIRM: HOT TOPICS, TOUGH CALLS, AND LEADERSHIP LESSONS Denise Baker (WeirFoulds LLP) | LinkedIn WeirFoulds LLP | LinkedIn | YouTube Managing Partner Forum | Conference Overview  Above the Law Get Connected with The Coaching Team at hello@thelawyersedge.com The Lawyer's Edge SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE… Today's episode is brought to you by the Ignite Women's Business Development Accelerator, a 9-month business development program created BY women lawyers for women lawyers. Ignite is a carefully designed business development program containing content, coaching, and a community of like-minded women who are committed to becoming rainmakers AND supporting the retention and advancement of other women in the profession.  Early Bird Registration is now underway for our 2025 Ignite cohorts. If you are interested in either participating in the program or sponsoring a woman in your firm to enroll, learn more about Ignite and sign up for our registration alerts by visiting www.thelawyersedge.com/ignite.

This week, the Dental Amigos welcome immigration attorney Wendy Castor Hess to explore how dental practices can navigate the complicated world of hiring foreign-trained dentists. Wendy is a partner at Landau, Hess, Simon, Choi, and Doebley, and has over 42 years of experience in Immigration Law. She is fluent in Spanish and serves as counsel to the Mexican Consulate in Philadelphia. Wendy advises institutions across healthcare, education, and technology industries, and also represents individuals in family-based cases. She has been recognized repeatedly as one of the Best Lawyers in America, including “Lawyer of the Year” for Immigration Law in Philadelphia. In this episode, Wendy shares her insight on OPT (Optional Practical Training) for F1 student visas and the challenges involved with the H-1B visa lottery. She also discusses the process of obtaining green cards through the PERM labor certification process, and what practice owners need to know to avoid costly mistakes. Wendy emphasizes the need for dental practices to work with immigration specialists to navigate these complexities and ensure compliance with U.S. immigration laws. To learn more about Wendy Castor Hess and her immigration law services, visit lhscimmigration.com or email her directly at whess@lhscimmigration.com. Listeners who want to reach Paul can do so at Paul@DentalNachos.com and those who want to reach Rob can do so at Rob@RMontgomery-law.com.

What are some of the most common pitfalls family business owners face when planning for "The Four D's," and how can they proactively address them? In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, Mark Dorman sits down with James Aussem, a distinguished attorney specialising in succession planning, mergers, and acquisitions. Together, they explore the challenges of planning for “The Four D's”—Death, Disability, Departure, and Discord—and share actionable strategies for family businesses to navigate transitions successfully. James discusses his journey from a tax attorney at Ernst & Ernst to a career dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and family business owners. He provides insights into why closely held family businesses require unique planning approaches, touching on key considerations like ownership requirements, business sustainability, and equity among family members. Mark and James discuss: Death, Disability, Departure, and Discord – The essential planning considerations for business owners. The Three W's for Family Businesses: What do current owners need? What can the business afford? What is fair for all stakeholders? Mistakes to Avoid in Succession Planning – How miscommunication and lack of planning can lead to failure. Baby Boomer Business Transitions – Advice for the wave of retiring entrepreneurs Connect with Mark Dorman: Succession Plus US LinkedIn: Mark Dorman LinkedIn: Succession Plus Facebook: Succession Plus (330)-416-9271 mdorman@succession.plus Connect with James Aussem: LinkedIn: James Aussem About Our Guest: James Aussem is a seasoned attorney and shareholder at Cavitch, Farmelo, and Durkin Co., L.P., specialising in succession planning, mergers and acquisitions, and estate management. With over 40 years of experience, he's a trusted advisor to family businesses, simplifying complex legal issues to deliver practical solutions. A Hall of Fame inductee by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils, Jim is also recognised annually as one of The Best Lawyers in America. Known for his entrepreneurial mindset, Jim is dedicated to helping business owners plan for success and longevity.

En este episodio de Date Crédito Podcast, Gabriela Mitri conversa con la reconocida abogada laboral Marite Villanueva sobre cómo identificar, enfrentar y superar entornos laborales tóxicos. Descubre qué es el mobbing, cuáles son tus derechos legales frente al acoso laboral y qué pasos prácticos tomar para proteger tu bienestar y autonomía profesional.  Marite Villanueva es Fundadora de "Mujeres con Autonomía" y es promotora de la autonomía económica femenina. Ha sido reconocida por The Legal 500 Latinoamérica y Best Lawyers 2025. Marite comparte consejos clave y recursos que toda persona trabajadora debe conocer para vivir en sus propios términos, incluso ante situaciones difíciles.  ¡No te pierdas esta charla poderosa y llena de herramientas para tu desarrollo laboral y personal! Date Crédito es un podcast de Speakhers conducido por Gabriela Mitri. Speakhers es una incubadora de futuras líderes de opinión, y tiene como propósito amplificar las voces de mujeres que impactan. Conoce más sobre Speakhers aquí: https://www.speakhers.co/ y síguenos en Instagram:   / speakhers.co   Sigue a Gabriela Mitri aquí:   / gabimitri   Y únete a nuestro canal de Youtube:    / @speakhers  

Stanley Ference, Stanley has an extensive background in intellectual property law, including Online Counterfeiting. He advises clients on all aspects of patent, trademark, and copyright law. Stanley's practice includes litigation for both plaintiff and defendant, patent prosecution for computer-related technology, trademark prosecution and oppositions. Stanley has argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and has served as an expert witness. He is an E-Discovery Special Master for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Ference was selected to the 2022 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list. In 2020 Stanley was recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Chambers & Partners, IP Stars and Super Lawyers. He has also been recognized as a Lawyer of the Year by U.S. News and the firm has been recognized as a Best Law Firm.Highlight Bullets> Here's a glimpse of what you would learn…. Importance of protecting intellectual property (IP) for e-commerce businesses.Challenges posed by online counterfeiting and its impact on brand owners.Legal options available for e-commerce sellers facing IP infringement.Differences between patents, trademarks, and copyrights.Emotional and financial toll of counterfeiting on entrepreneurs.Strategies for enforcing IP rights and taking legal action against infringers.The role of online marketplaces in IP protection and their limitations.Mindset shifts for entrepreneurs regarding counterfeiting as a sign of success.Continuous monitoring and enforcement of IP rights as a necessity.Actionable steps for e-commerce sellers to secure and enforce their intellectual property.In this episode of the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley discusses the critical issue of online counterfeiting with Stanley Ference, a leading patent attorney from Pittsburgh. Josh shares his personal struggles with intellectual property (IP) protection, emphasizing its importance for business growth. Stanley offers expert advice on navigating IP challenges, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. He highlights the necessity of proactive legal action and continuous enforcement to protect e-commerce brands. The episode provides actionable insights for seven-figure business owners aiming to scale, stressing the value of professional legal guidance in safeguarding their intellectual property.Here are the 3 action items that Josh identified from this episode:1. Prioritize IP Registration and Enforcement: Secure patents, trademarks, and copyrights for your products, and be proactive in monitoring for infringement. Regularly enforcing these rights is essential to protecting your brand from counterfeiters and should be a core business practice.2. Consider Legal Action When Facing Infringement: When encountering counterfeits, consult with a legal expert to assess your options, even if you don't have formal IP protections in place. Legal professionals can help you navigate complex cases, and actions like asset freezing orders can have a significant impact on reducing counterfeit activity.3. Be Prepared for Ongoing IP Protection: Recognize that IP enforcement is an ongoing effort. Regular monitoring of marketplaces and prompt action against infringers will help maintain your brand's integrity and reduce the risk of long-term damage. Stay organized and informed to streamline your IP protection strategy effectively.Resources mentioned in this episode:Josh Hadley on LinkedIneComm Breakthrough ConsultingeComm Breakthrough PodcastEmail Josh Hadley: Josh@eCommBreakthrough.comAmazon Brand RegistryApex Program for PatentsMy Life in Court by Louis NizerFerence LawBill Gates on LinkedInSteve Jobs on LinkedInSteve Wozniak on LinedInSpecial Mention(s):Adam “Heist” Runquist on LinkedInKevin King on LinkedInMichael E. Gerber on LinkedInRelated Episode(s):“Cracking the Amazon Code: Learn From Adam Heist's Brand Scaling Secrets” on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast“Kevin King's Wicked-Smart Tips for Building an Audience of Raving Fans” on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast“Unlocking Entrepreneurial Greatness | Insider Secrets With E-myth Author Michael Gerber” on the eComm Breakthrough PodcastEpisode SponsorThis episode is brought to you by eComm Breakthrough Consulting where I help seven-figure e-commerce owners grow to eight figures. I started Hadley Designs in 2015 and grew it to an eight-figure brand in seven years.I made mistakes along the way that made the path to eight figures longer. At times I doubted whether our business could even survive and become a real brand. I wish I would have had a guide to help me grow faster and avoid the stumbling blocks.If you've hit a plateau and want to know the next steps to take your business to the next level, then go to www.EcommBreakthrough.com (that's Ecomm with two M's) to learn more.Transcript AreaJosh 00:00:00  Welcome to the Ecomm Breakthrough podcast. I'm your host, Josh Hadley, where I interview the top business leaders in e-commerce. Past guests include Kevin King, Michael Gerber, author of The E-myth, and Stephen Pope of My Amazon Guide. Today, I am speaking with Stanley Ferentz, one of Pittsburgh's leading paten...

Why should CEOs approach litigation as a strategic tool rather than a reactive burden? In this episode of The CEO Project podcast, host Jim Schleckser sits down with Mo Lovett, founder of Mo Lovett Law and a Chambers-ranked Band 1 trial lawyer. Mo brings her extensive experience handling high-stakes litigation for global corporations. The conversation dives into practical insights for CEOs on navigating legal challenges, managing risk, and leveraging litigation as a business strategy. Mo also discusses her journey from large firms with thousands of lawyers to founding her own practice, emphasizing the importance of proactive legal planning, vigilance, and team alignment to mitigate threats and capitalize on opportunities. From counterclaims that turn the tables to lessons learned from mediation and arbitration, this episode offers indispensable advice for leaders looking to strengthen their legal toolkit. Key Takeaways: → Proactive legal planning minimizes surprises and helps CEOs stay ahead of potential threats.  → Litigation can serve as a strategic business tool when approached with the right mindset.  → Communication training for teams at all levels reduces risks from emails and casual messaging.  → Mediation offers an opportunity to resolve disputes while appearing ready for trial, enhancing negotiation leverage.  → Knowing when to bring in external legal expertise, whether for strategy or trial preparation—is critical for managing costs and outcomes effectively.  More from Mo Levett Mo Lovett is a distinguished first-chair trial lawyer with over 30 years of experience, having tried more than 50 jury cases with over $100 billion collectively at stake. She specializes in complex legal matters, including patent and trademark infringement, trade secret theft, entertainment litigation, and high-stakes commercial disputes. Her client roster includes some of the world's largest corporations, and her notable cases range from defending a Fortune 10 software company in a $43 billion trademark dispute to representing Lady A in their naming rights battle. She has also served as lead counsel in over 75 patent cases and represented major players in industries like banking, oil, and manufacturing. Before founding Mo Lovett Law, she held senior roles at prestigious global firms, including King & Spalding and Greenberg Traurig, where she was the highest-ranking woman among 2,650 lawyers worldwide. Recognized by Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America, and Texas Super Lawyers, Mo has earned accolades such as being named a "Top 100 Lawyer in Texas" and a "Top Mentor" by Texas Lawyer magazine. Known for her strategic brilliance and dedication to diversity, she consistently fields inclusive teams to deliver exceptional results for her clients. Website: https://molovettlaw.com/ LinkedIn: @maryolgalovett Instagram: @maryolgalovett Twitter/X: @molovett Contact: mo@molovettlaw.com If you are an experienced CEO looking to grow your company, visit https://www.TheCEOProject.com You can also reach Jim by email: Jim@TheCEOProject.com LinkedIn: @theceoproject Instagram: @the_ceoproject Twitter/X: @the_CEO_Project Facebook:  @IncCEOproject  

Show Notes:Breslin and Smith and Farrant, oh my! The road to speedy probate trials has become more challenging over the last few years due to recent case law. Practitioners who intend to steer their trust and estate litigation matters to trial must be prepared for the roadblocks they will face along the way. In this episode, two trust-and-estate litigators identify such roadblocks, as well as effective strategies for getting through them or avoiding them altogether.About Our Guest:Golnaz YazdchiGolnaz is a partner in the San Diego (Del Mar) office of Sheppard Mullin. Her practice focuses exclusively on disputes over trusts, estates, conservatorships and other fiduciary matters. Golnaz is a graduate of Loyola Law School and she is member of the Trusts and Estates Section of the California Lawyers Association. She has been selected by Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers in the practice area of trust and estate litigation.Golnaz can be reached at gyazdchi@sheppardmullin.com.About Our Host: Matt OwensMatt is a partner in the San Diego (Del Mar) office of Sheppard Mullin. His practice is focused on trust, estate, and inheritance disputes.Matt is a certified specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Trusts and Estates Section of the California Lawyers Association (TEXCOM), and served as Chair of the Executive Committee of the San Diego County Bar Association's Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law Section. He is ranked by Chambers in Private Wealth Disputes.Matt can be reached at mowens@sheppardmullin.com or on LinkedIn.Thank you for listening to Trust Me!Trust Me is Produced by Foley Marra StudiosEdited by Cat Hammons and Todd Gajdusek

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In this episode of French Insider, Sheppard Mullin partners Jonathan Meyer, Liisa Thomas and Carolyn Metnick join host and French Desk Co-Chair, Valérie Demont, to explore the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and privacy under a new Trump administration.   What We Discussed in This Episode: What is CISA and what is its role in cybersecurity? What can we expect from the Trump administration regarding cybersecurity? Could we see less regulation but greater enforcement? Might there be more stringent regulation with respect to cyber attacks and private ransomware? Where does the United States currently stand in terms of privacy law? What is the current status of state and federal privacy laws in relation to the healthcare industry? In terms of privacy, where could enforcement be headed under the incoming administration? How do the various state attorneys general and federal agencies coordinate on enforcement? What enforcement trends should businesses be aware of, and what do they need to focus on? What specific enforcement trends are we seeing in the healthcare space? Generally speaking, what types of penalties could result from enforcement actions?  Could a company's officers and directors face personal liability, either criminal or civil? How might class action litigation originate from a cybersecurity or privacy incident? What should businesses prioritize in terms of cybersecurity and privacy compliance?   About Jonathan Meyer As a partner in Sheppard Mullin's Governmental Practice Group and leader of the firm's National Security team, Jonathan E. Meyer counsels clients on their interactions with federal and state government, as well as national and homeland security, Congressional oversight, cybersecurity, AI, high tech, and transportation security, among other issues. Prior to returning to Sheppard Mullin, Jon served as the Sixth General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from 2021 to 2024. His decades of experience in Congress, the Justice Department and DHS position him to bring an insider's perspective to interactions between private companies and the government. He has defended scores of Congressional investigations and has prepared witnesses for over 100 hearings, including Supreme Court nomination hearings, impeachment hearings, oversight hearings, high tech and antitrust investigations, and civil rights investigations, among others. He has also represented defendants and witnesses in high-stakes Justice Department criminal investigations. The media – including CBS News, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post and Politico – regularly turn to Jon for insight into issues regarding national security, homeland security, government investigations, cybersecurity, immigration, politics and Congress. He has twice been honored with the Secretary of Homeland Security's Outstanding Service Medal, the highest civilian award bestowed by DHS, among numerous other prestigious accolades recognizing his exceptional service.   About Liisa Thomas Liisa M. Thomas, a partner in Sheppard Mullin's Chicago and London offices, serves as the Leader of the firm's Privacy and Cybersecurity Team and as the Office Managing Partner for Chicago. As a member of the Intellectual Property Practice, she focuses on privacy, advertising, and unfair competition law.  Liisa frequently coordinates global privacy, data security and digital advertising matters for her clients. They value her global insights and familiarity with business systems outside the U.S. With Liisa's assistance, her clients – including major consumer brands, advertising agencies and consumer research companies – are able to navigate thorny data breach disclosure issues, use emerging interactive advertising techniques and create compliant security programs, all while effectively managing their legal risks. Clients praise Liisa's ability to add real value to their businesses, and describe her as "keeping [clients] one step ahead of where [they] need to be." Liisa is the author of two treatises: Thomas on Data Breach: A Practical Guide to Handling Worldwide Data Breach Notification, which has been described as "a no-nonsense roadmap for in-house and external practitioners alike;" and Thomas on Big Data, praised for being a "comprehensive and detailed analysis of the complex and rapidly changing world of privacy law." Recognized as an industry leader in privacy, data security and advertising law, she has been honored by Best Lawyers in America, Leading Lawyers Network, Chambers, Super Lawyers, and The Legal 500, for her "broad depth of privacy knowledge."    About Carolyn Metnick Carolyn V. Metnick is a partner in Sheppard Mullin's Corporate Practice Group in the firm's Chicago office and a member of the Healthcare and Privacy & Cybersecurity Teams. She represents a range of healthcare industry clients, including hospitals and health systems, physician organizations and digital health companies. Carolyn's practice focuses on healthcare regulatory and transactional matters, with an emphasis on health information privacy and security. In addition to providing guidance on various privacy and security laws, including HIPAA and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), she also counsels businesses in data breach investigations and compliance with federal and state breach notification laws. Carolyn also advises healthcare clients on issues related to AI, including governance, contractual matters, and data related issues. Additionally, she represents healthcare industry clients in transactional matters, including joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions. Her background as a former litigator helps inform her transactional work. Carolyn is a Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US) and a Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E). She is also the founder and leader of Sheppard Mullin Healthy AI, an initiative focused on legal issues related to the use of AI in healthcare.    About Valérie Demont Based in the firm's New York office, Valérie Demont is a partner in Sheppard Mullin's Corporate Practice Group, where she focuses primarily on U.S. and cross-border mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance matters. As a leader of the firm's French Desk team, she advises foreign companies on the establishment and growth of their operations in the United States, acting as de facto "outside general counsel" for non-U.S. companies in the United States.  Valérie has been involved in numerous mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and dispositions for corporations and private equity funds in the U.S., Europe (including France) and Asia (including India). Not only is she a frequent speaker at events focused on cross-border trade, but she is also an outside pro bono counsel to Girls Who Invest, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of women in portfolio management and executive leadership in the asset management industry.   Contact Info: Jonathan E. Meyer Liisa M. Thomas Carolyn V. Metnick  Valérie Demont   Thank you for listening! Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the show to receive every new episode delivered straight to your podcast player every week. If you enjoyed this episode, please help us get the word out about this podcast. Rate and Review this show in Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon Music, or Spotify. It helps other listeners find this show. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.  

Greg Ward stands as the entrepreneurial force behind Ward Law Group, a Miami-based personal injury firm distinguished by its empathetic engagement with the community, client-centric values, and a progressive strategy that has fueled its swift expansion. His journey began in 2012 when he, alongside his partner and wife, Jany, laid the foundation for Ward Law Group. Starting in a modest office with nothing but a folding table and a laptop, they quickly expanded their team and set their sights on serving the Hispanic communities in South Florida, focusing on car accident victims. Under Greg's leadership, the firm has evolved from a humble two-person operation into a prominent legal entity in South Florida, now boasting over 120 dedicated team members. This growth trajectory is a testament to Ward's entrepreneurial spirit and his commitment to providing Spanish-speaking clients with unparalleled legal representation. Ward's legal prowess, backed by a juris doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of Law and over two decades of experience, has been instrumental in securing more than $250 million in compensation for clients in Miami/South Florida and New York. His strategic vision has propelled the Ward Law Group to achieve an impressive annual growth rate of over 40% in the last eight years, alongside securing 22 settlements of over $1 million each. A standout achievement includes a landmark settlement exceeding $100 million, marking one of the nation's largest of its kind. Greg's entrepreneurial journey is decorated with numerous accolades recognizing his innovative business practices and legal expertise. He has been honored by the National Trial Lawyers, the South Florida Legal Guide, Florida Trend Magazine, Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers in America, among others. Beyond the courtroom, Ward is an influential voice in the entrepreneurial community, frequently sharing his insights on news programs, conferences, and podcasts nationwide. His discussions span a range of topics, from business growth strategies and systemization to personal development and faith-based entrepreneurship, showcasing his multifaceted approach to leadership and success in the legal sector.

If you have zero clue what co-pay maximizers and/or co-pay accumulators are and the financial incentives involved for PBMs (pharmacy benefit managers) and plan sponsors here, after you're done listening to this episode, go back and listen to the show with Joey Dizenhouse (EP423). Also, the episode called “Game Theory Gone Wild” with Dea Belazi, PharmD, MPH (EP293). Both these shows could fill in some blanks. For a full transcript of this episode, click here. If you enjoy this podcast, be sure to subscribe to the free weekly newsletter to be a member of the Relentless Tribe. Here's the micro mini of the co-pay maximizer/accumulator deal. These are vehicles that are designed by vendors who are also sometimes called maximizers or sometimes they're also PBMs. But these programs are designed to get as much money out of Pharma as possible in the form of co-pay support. So, here's how the maximizers are supposed to maximize plan sponsors getting pharma money. Say, for some drug, the pharma company has, I don't know, $12,000 max in co-pay support available to patients in total per year. Pharma does always cap the dollars that are available for patients. So, in this hypothetical, $12k a year is available. What a forthright or well-run maximizer will do is figure out, you know, if there's $12k max available, then they'll set a co-pay—so there's variable co-pays for patients—so they'll set a patient co-pay of, like, $1000 a month, which adds up to $12k over 12 months of the year. Get it? Every single month, the patient has a $0 co-pay, but the plan maximizes the dollars that the plan gets. Or, you know, maybe they'll charge $1,025 a month so the patient has some small “skin in the game,” and the plan sponsor just banked $12k. Sounds great, right? Well, sure, when it works as promised … and we'll get to this in a moment. Accumulators, on the other hand, have no such “Hey, let's make sure the patient actually gets their meds” guardrails. They hear that the Pharma is offering $12k, and the accumulator vendor and their plan sponsor clients also are like, “Cool, let's get that money as fast as possible.” So, they make the co-pay for that drug, I don't know, like hypothetically $3000. Great, now the patient runs out of that co-pay money in May. And don't forget and/or let me inform you, for both maximizers and accumulators, dollars paid by the Pharma generally don't count to the plan deductible for the patient. So now, the patient walks into the pharmacy, if in an accumulator or in a poorly run maximizer program, they walk into the pharmacy in May and are told that if they want their drug, they're gonna need to pay the $3000 co-pay that was set out of pocket every month until they reach their deductible. With some of these co-pay maximizer/accumulator plans, the plan sponsor may be a little bit out of the loop relative to what is actually going on here. The plan sponsor may think that members are doing fine—you know, they're getting their drug every month—so they may be surprised to learn about this running out of money in May issue. And what is true more often than it's not true, this $3000 or whatever—hundreds or thousands of dollars—payment due co-pay, the patient learns about it at the pharmacy counter or while trying to get chemo. It comes as a complete surprise, the fact that they owe three grand or whatever. What patient just shrugs and pays up in that moment because they happen to have their entire deductible or thousands of dollars lying around and at the ready? What a shock to find this out at the pharmacy counter or at the infusion clinic. Some of these maximizer programs are also starting to veer back into accumulator zones, like they're doing things such as saying that the member must pay their out-of-pocket max or their deductible or 30% of the cost of the drug, right, like some number before the plan will allow the patient to use the co-pay reimbursement program to begin with. So, there's other things that are emerging right now, which, again, cause the patient to have a very, very large out of pocket in order for them to get a drug which they have been prescribed and—ostensibly, at least—need. Allegedly, and sometimes for sure, dollars raked in from Pharma make it across the PBM/maximizer, vendor, middleman trench all the way over to the plan sponsor. For sure, especially for the administrative only maximizer vendors … yeah, you're gonna have the dollars actually making it to the plan sponsor. But sometimes the vendor running these programs is paid spread, right? So, the more expensive the drug and the richer the co-pay card program, the more the vendor will make because they take a percentage of savings. So, the more expensive, the more savings, therefore, the more the vendor is gonna make. In these cases where the vendor is paid a spread, can I take Perverse Incentives for $600, Alex? Right? But in sum, again, there's a lot to this conversation with Bill Sarraille, so please do listen to the whole thing. Bill offers five main pieces of advice, so I'm just gonna cover them right here up front—spoiler alert, I guess, but just to keep them all in one place. 1. Look into what is going on with a maximizer and/or accumulator program. First of all, is the plan sponsor paying spread? And also, how are these programs being marketed to members and how aggressively? Because there are a lot of plan sponsors having way more negative impact than they suspect they are. So, that's point of advice #1: Really look into actually what is happening on the grounds with some of these programs. 2. Eliminate surprise. Any plan sponsor listening, and Brian Reid also says this very crisply in an episode a month or so ago (EP456). If a plan sponsor wants to do stuff like this—like force a patient to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars out of pocket—if at any point during the year they are gonna wind up with thousands of dollars in co-pay or coinsurance to get their Crohn's disease med or cancer med or whatever, be really up front about this at least. It's really important if we really want to make sure that patients are taking maintenance meds and getting the medications that they're prepared for the reality that, at a certain point during the year, they are going to have a really big bill. 3. There is legal risk here. So also, Bill's advice is check into whether accumulators and/or maximizers are unlawful under the ACA (Affordable Care Act) and/or by deceptive practices rules when maximizers or accumulators are teed up as a benefit. And it, again (reference point of advice #2), it's not explained that dollars they get from Pharma will be taken by the plan and not applied to the patient deductible. I was just reading about the crazy aggressive marketing tactics that some of these vendors are using to get members to sign up and … yeah, definitely look into deceptive practice rules. 4. If it's utilization management that we're trying to achieve here, then your utilization manager should be utilization managing. These maximizers are not meant to impact utilization management. Patients really cannot differentiate, as per study after study, it's very difficult for patients to differentiate high-value from low-value care or meds. So, pretty much the impact of having a patient with thousands or hundreds of dollars of out-of-pocket spend to get a med isn't going to be to ensure that the right people are taking the right med. Point is, use the right tool for the right job. So, if we're trying to keep patients away from low-value meds, the tool for that is utilization management. Also be aware, if the PBM says it cannot do utilization management or you'll lose your rebates and/or is pushing into a maximizer accumulator program to do this instead, that's kind of a clue that they cannot do it because they are taking money from Pharma to not have any restrictions on a drug. Read the article in the New York Times (you're welcome) about how PBMs took secret payments for the free flow of opioids, and Chris Crawford also talks about this sort of same-ish thing in an upcoming show relative to GLP-1s. But if you're trying to do utilization management, then do utilization management. 5. Use our understanding of this whole goings-on as a rationale or a way to tamp down perverse incentives. We want to wind up with patients getting charged a percentage of net prices, not a percentage of some wildly inflated list price with this whole accumulator maximizer contributing to, you know, just more wildly inflated list prices so the co-pay programs can be bigger and someone can make even more money off of the percentage of savings. And plan sponsors addicted to rebates now have another bucket of cash. Like, this is just another example of how perverse incentives pervade the system. And we should certainly be aware of that. Bill Sarraille was a healthcare attorney for many years. He retired from his law firm on the first of last year, and now he's doing the things he wanted to do before but couldn't because his billable rate was too high. Bill is teaching at the University of Maryland Law School and doing some regulatory consulting, etc. He's working with a variety of patient groups. Also mentioned in this episode are University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law; Joey Dizenhouse; Dea Belazi, PharmD, MPH; Brian Reid; Chris Crawford; Marilyn Bartlett; Scott Haas; Paul Holmes; and Tom Nash. You can learn more at University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and by following Bill on LinkedIn. You can also sign up for his Substack.   Bill Sarraille is a professor of practice at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, a regulatory consultant, and a retired senior member of the Healthcare Practice group at Sidley Austin LLP. Bill is a nationally recognized expert in healthcare, life sciences, drugs, medical devices, and patient access to treatments. He is widely known for his expertise in a broad array of healthcare matters, including rare disease treatment access barriers, pharmaceutical pricing, Anti-Kickback Law compliance, the 340B program, and managed care and PBM issues. During his years practicing law, Bill was recognized repeatedly by The Best Lawyers in America in both healthcare law and administrative law. He was also consistently listed as a leader in the field of healthcare law in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. Bill also serves as the general counsel of the charity the Pharmaceutical Coalition for Patient Access, as an advisor to multiple patient advocacy groups on patient access issues, a compliance advisor to a coinsurance patient assistance foundation, and as the director of a rare disease society and Kalderos, Inc., a health IT firm with a focus on effectuating pharmaceutical discounts and rebates.   09:31 What should plan sponsors be aware of right now? 14:01 What is the justification for maximizers, and why is this at odds with the purpose of insurance? 18:05 Where does the issue of “fairness” land within cost containment? 20:00 Brian Reid's LinkedIn post on insurance company access challenges. 21:30 What are the real legal issues presented by some of these co-pay maximizers and co-pay accumulator programs? 27:06 How are these programs creating perverse incentives? 29:28 EP450 with Marilyn Bartlett, CPA, CGMA, CMA, CFM. 32:16 “If you're covered by the ACA, I think this is unlawful.” 32:57 What advice does Bill have in regard to these programs? 33:49 What potential litigations does Bill see coming in the near future in regard to these co-pay maximizers and co-pay accumulator programs? 38:38 EP365 with Scott Haas. 38:45 EP397 with Paul Holmes.   You can learn more at University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and by following Bill on LinkedIn. You can also sign up for his Substack.   @HCLAWComment discusses #costcontainment on our #healthcarepodcast. #healthcare #podcast #pharma #healthcareleadership #healthcaretransformation #healthcareinnovation   Recent past interviews: Click a guest's name for their latest RHV episode! Stacey Richter (INBW41), Andreas Mang (Encore! EP419), Dr Komal Bajaj, Cynthia Fisher, Stacey Richter (INBW40), Mark Cuban and Ferrin Williams (Encore! EP418), Rob Andrews (Encore! EP415), Brian Reid, Dr Beau Raymond, Brendan Keeler  

It is not a stretch to say that attorney Richard Jaffe is at the top of the legal profession in the state of Alabama.  I say this somewhat objectively, given the fact that he has been consistently named as a top 50 lawyer in the State of Alabama for well over a decade by Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers has listed him Lawyer of the Year for Birmingham in either White -collar criminal law or criminal defense 4 times in recent years.  In fact, he was featured on the cover of the 2023 Mid-South Super Lawyers magazine and you can read that article here.  This quote pretty much sums up his 45 plus year career:  “A philosopher and a warrior.  Richard Jaffe helps people from being executed by the state.”  Richard's book, “Quest for Justice: Defending the Damned”2 Ed is available at this link, and on Amazon .He is also a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL). I learned on the podcast that Richard got his start through the help of correspondence he started with Alabama's then up and coming Attorney General, Bill Baxley.  Also, during his career, he worked closely with former Alabama United States Senator Doug Jones as they taught each other state and federal legal practice.  It obviously worked out well for both of them!  It occurs to me that a lot of young lawyers just starting their legal careers can learn a lot from this episode with Richard as to how to have an enduring, impactful and satisfying career in the law      

In this episode of the Daily Mastermind, host George Wright III interviews Doug Noel, a former trial lawyer who transitioned to becoming a peacemaker. Noel shares his journey from practicing law to focusing on emotional intelligence, de-escalation, and conflict resolution. They discuss the importance of recognizing and managing emotions, both in personal and professional settings, through techniques such as affect labeling. The conversation covers how emotional competence can enhance leadership, build trust, and create emotional safety, ultimately leading to more fulfilled and successful lives. Doug also provides practical steps for mastering these skills and offers resources for further learning. 01:29 Doug's Journey from Lawyer to Peacemaker02:44 The Philosophy of Tai Chi and Its Impact03:22 The Turning Point: Questioning the Legal Career04:32 Pursuing a New Path in Peacemaking08:06 Understanding Emotional Intelligence12:12 The Science Behind Affect Labeling16:35 Practical Application of Affect Labeling19:21 Overcoming Social Prejudices in Emotional Labeling19:52 The Power of Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence20:29 Mastering Emotional Competence in Business21:37 The Myth of Rationality and Embracing Emotions24:59 The Two Types of Listening27:26 Creating Emotional Safety in Leadership31:49 Practical Steps to Develop Emotional Competency Thanks for listening, and Please Share this Episode with someone. It would really help us to grow our show and share these valuable tips and strategies with others. Have a great day. George Wright III“It's Never Too Late to Start Living the Life You Were Meant to Live”FREE Daily Mastermind Resources:CONNECT with George & Access Tons of ResourcesGet access to Proven Strategies and Time-Test Principles for Success. Plus, download and access tons of FREE resources and online events by joining our Exclusive Community of Entrepreneurs, Business Owners, and High Achievers like YOU.Join FREE at www.JoinTheEvolution.comAbout Doug NollDoug Noll is an expert in resolving complex and emotional conflicts, with a distinguished career as a lawyer turned peacemaker, mediator, and leadership consultant. After 22 years as a trial lawyer, he shifted to mediation and leadership development, earning recognition as one of the Best Lawyers in America and Northern California Super Lawyer. He co-founded the pro bono Prison of Peace project, winning California Attorney of the Year in 2012.An acclaimed author, Doug has written award-winning books, including De-Escalate and Elusive Peace. He teaches at Pepperdine's Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution and is a sought-after trainer and lecturer on peacemaking and conflict resolution.Outside his professional life, Doug is a skilled violinist, pilot, tai chi master, and chef. He lives in the Sierra Nevada, California, with his wife Aleya.Guest Resources:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/douglasenoll/Website: DougNoll.comCLICK HERE to submit your request for a FREE PERFECT Interview on Valiantceo.com Magazine.

Part 4 of 4: In this episode, Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, PhD, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Kate is an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology who specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. She has over a decade of experience, and works with a wide range of clients, from biotech startups to big pharma to non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law.

Part 3 of 4: In this episode, Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, PhD, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Kate is an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology who specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. She has over a decade of experience, and works with a wide range of clients, from biotech startups to big pharma to non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law.

Part 2 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Kate, an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology, specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. With over a decade of experience, she works with biotech startups, big pharma, and non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law.

FREE TODAY: Download The Total Mind Control Handbook ($27 Value)  https://andymurphy.online/ebook Welcome to EP 442, another exciting episode of the Neuro Performance podcast with your host, Andy Murphy! (FAVORITE GUESTS:  3 Million + downloads: Mathew Knowles (Beyonce's dad), UFC Bruce Buffer, Dennis Mckenna, Tony Jeffries, Matt Gallant, Sanjiv Chopra (Deepaks brother) Listen now and Visit httphttps://neuroperformancepodcast.com to select your favorite platform, become a sponor or guest.  Watch the full interview on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AndyMurphyperformance TODAYS EPISODE  I want to showcase Jim Adduci's  exceptional career in law, his leadership in international trade, and his personal insights. As the founder and managing partner of Adduci, Mastriani & Schaumberg, LLP, a firm specializing in international trade matters, Jim has built one of the largest collections of international trade attorneys in the country. He's known for his expertise in Section 337 litigation and has led negotiations in international trade, notably as a member of the U.S. delegation to the Multilateral Trade Negotiations in Geneva. Mr. Adduci is ranked as one of America's leading business lawyers in "Chambers USA," is the featured speaker on Sky Radio's "America's Best Lawyers," and is named among the top lawyers in Washington, DC, according to "Washingtonian Magazine." He has lectured and published articles on various international trade issues, including international finance and investment and intellectual property protection. In this episode, you will learn: - Why relationships are your biggest asset - How a simple method allowed Jim to stay calm under pressure - Why getting clarity as early as you can in life, allows you to jump ahead - Why having a role model, like your father, can push you forwards faster - How NLP, neuroscience, and neuro performance is the operational manual for your brain - Why joining the 8 figure thinker members club will be your gift to yourself if you are  Frustrated CEOs, Next-Gen leaders, Consultants, and Executives Beyond Limiting Cycles into Untapped 'Blue Oceans' of Income, Influence, and Impact. GUEST EMAIL: adduci@adducillp.com GUEST INFOR: https://www.icle.org/modules/directories/contributors/bio.aspx?PNumber=F44544 CONTACT AND DOWNLOADS The Total Mind Control Handbook ($27 Value): https://andymurphy.online/ebook CONTACT ANDY Coaching (personal or corporate)  https://andymurphy.online/contact COURSES https://andymurphy.online/courses KEYNOTES https://andymurphy.online/media    ABOUT PODCAST 3+ MILLION DOWNLOADS FAVORITE GUESTS:  3 Million + downloads: Mathew Knowles (Beyonce's dad), UFC Bruce Buffer, Dennis Mckenna, Tony Jeffries, Matt Gallant, Nick Onken, Sanjiv Chopra (Deepaks brother) Jordan Harbinger, Nathan Latka, Michael O'Neil, Shanda Sumpter, Ari Meisel, Dennis Mckenna, Jill Stanton,  Bio Optimizers, Yuri Elkaim, Jayson Gaignard, Tony Jeffries, Shawn Wells, Theresa Depasquale, Ilan & Guy Ferdman, Hither Mann, Peter Sage, Jayson Gaignard, Jeff Woods,  Matt Gallant, Nick Onken, Scott Oldford and many more.   ABOUT ANDY MURPHY Andy Murphy is a world-leading neuro-performance expert, who for 22 years has developed his cutting-edge protocols by working with the best in sports, health, online, finance, and royalty, to now focusing his passion on the next generation to assist them in being at their peak performance during the great wealth transfer so that they can create an incredible future for us all. https://andymurphy.online/clients

Part 1 of 4: Jon Chee hosts Kate Neville, Partner at Marshall Gerstein—a law firm with over 60 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated intellectual property advice and legal services to leading businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Kate, an accomplished attorney with a doctoral background in microbiology and immunology, specializes in global patent prosecution and strategic management. With over a decade of experience, she works with biotech startups, big pharma, and non-profits. Kate has been recognized as a "World's Leading Patent Practitioner" by IAM magazine since 2013, an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2018, and is included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Patent Law.

Kelli J. Stump is the President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association where she has also served as chair of the EOIR and ICE committees, as well as serving as a member of many National AILA Liaison committees including several conference planning committees, the Membership Committee, and the Publications Committee. She is the owner and principal attorney at Stump Law in Oklahoma City, OK with nearly 20 years of experience in a practice limited primarily to immigration law. Ms. Stump has also been recognized by her peers in Best Lawyers as Lawyer of the Year for Immigration Law in Oklahoma City, OK. In this episode, you'll hear about: Reflections on the pre-internet era of immigration law practice and its challenges Discussion of the overwhelming backlog in U.S. immigration courts and its implications Analysis of immigration policies from the Obama to Trump administrations Exploration of innovative solutions like the Heartland Visa to address immigration reform The role of AILA in supporting immigration lawyers and fostering a resilient community Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellistump Website -  www.stumpimmigration.com Alcorn Immigration Law: Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter Sophie Alcorn Podcast: Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3 Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook Alcorn Academy course for best practices for securing the O-1A visa, EB-1A green card, or the EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) green card—the top options for startup founders. Use promotion code EAB20 for 20% off the enrollment fee.

The Herle Burly was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as CN Rail, and Fidelity.Greetings, you curiouser and curiouser Herle Burly-ites! You know, there's only ONE Provincial Premier in this country that has bucked the electoral trend since Covid – which is to say, NOT lost the election, or eked out a tiny margin of victory, or just managed to retain a majority with a vastly diminished number of seats.That Premier (and former Herle Burly guest) is Tim Houston of Nova Scotia, who, this week, increased his majority from 34 to 43 seats (out of 55). Crushing the Liberals and making the NDP the new official opposition in the process.  Premier Houston is one of one.Today, we're talking to the leaders and architects of the campaign that helped him do it. A dream team victory lap, as it were: Cameron Mackeen, Tara Miller, and James Mitchener join us today.A few, very brief biographical notes:Cameron MacKeen served as Premier Houston's campaign co-chair for both the 2021 and 2024 elections. He's a managing lawyer with Nova Scotia Legal Aid, and a former Leg. Reporter at the Chronicle Herald.Tara Miller served as co-chair for the 2024 election. She's been recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada for 3 years running … and is a partner, and the “M”, in MDW Law. James Mitchener was campaign manager in both 2021 and 2024. He's currently Premier Houston's Director of Operations and Strategic Relations.I'm going to talk to them about the whole, goddamn successful story today:The only incumbent government in Canada to increase their margin of seats and votes in a high inflation period. How did they do it?The risk/reward calculus for going early. The core strategies. The federal Liberal wedge and why it was so effective.Thank you for joining us on #TheHerleBurly podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch episodes of The Herle Burly via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.

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:$135 million verdict for two men who were sexually abused as students by a teacher in the Moreno Valley Unified School District.$48,500,000 settlement at the beginning of trial involving a 26-year-old man who was struck by a corporate vehicle and suffered a severe traumatic brain injury.$30,000,000 settlementat the beginning of trial involving a 33-year-old man who was struck by a tractor-trailer and suffered a severe traumatic brain injury.$19,466,000 verdict In Zastawnik v. Asplundh Construction, for his client who suffered severe ankle fractures and resulting pain disorder after being struck by a construction truck while riding a motorcycle.$17,120,672 verdict In Huayanca v. Southland Transit District, for his 83 year old client who sustained a below the knee amputation after being struck by a bus in a crosswalk.$13,000,000 verdict in Doe v. EōS Fitness,  in Riverside County Superior Court for a young girl who was sexually molested while in the care of EōS Fitness' Kid's Club in Palm Springs, California. This verdict is believed to be one of the largest of its kind in America.$15,313,703 verdict in Francisco v. AC Transit, for a client who suffered a back injury while riding on a city bus.$15,000,000 verdict in Tilton v. Southern California Gas Company, for a teenager who sustained a closed head injury after his vehicle was struck by a Southern California Gas Company utility truck.$14,500,000 verdict in Barber v. Mossy Ford , in a complex tire failure case arising from a accident in which the parents of three young boys were killed.  Along with settlements reached with other defendants, the total award was in excess of $22 million.$14,000,000 verdict in Curiel v. SSA Marine, for a man who suffered serious spinal cord injuries after a crane operator dropped a 25,000 lb. container onto the cab of his truck.$21,000,000 verdict in Nelsen v. Hillyard Inc., for an Iraq war veteran who suffered a brain injury after being rear-ended by a commercial vehicle at high speed.$20,000,000 verdict in Rivas v. J.B. Hunt , for a woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer.$10,500,000 in Nichols v. Alameda-Contra Costa County Transit, on behalf of a woman who suffered serious orthopedic injuries when she was struck by an AC Transit bus while crossing the street.  The case settled for $10.5 million.$8,652,580 award in the matter of of Haskell v. Farmers Insurance, on behalf of his client who suffered pelvic injuries. The settlement offer in this case prior to the award was $300,000.Outside the courtroom, Mr. Lucas is a frequent speaker on various issues, including traumatic brain, spinal cord injuries, and sexual abuse, and actively publishes articles in trade publications on a wide range of legal topics. He also spends much of his time dedicated to assisting his clients recovering from trauma obtain the best medical treatment available.In addition to his work as a trial lawyer, Mr. Lucas is a member of the Pepperdine School of Law Dean's Council and serves on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers' Charities (LATLC) which funds many local charity groups focusing on education, survivors of abuse, children, and the homeless.Originally from Seattle, Washington Mr. Lucas graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Business Administration.  During his undergraduate work, he completed an International Business program with honors from the University of Sevilla in 1999. He graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law in 2004, where he was the co-founder of the Pepperdine International Human Rights Program.Fluent in Spanish, Mr. Lucas works with many of the firm's Spanish-speaking clients and is frequently asked to give legal commentary on national Spanish television and radio programs.  He has lived in Havana, Cuba, and throughout Mexico, where he spent his summers in college building homes for the homeless in Ciudad Juarez.Mr. Lucas is a member of the State Bar of California, the District of Columbia Bar and the Washington State Bar Association. He is an active member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, Consumer Attorneys of California, and Los Angeles County Bar Association, and regularly volunteers his time providing pro-bono legal services to foster children and children facing immigration deportation proceedings.

Ches McDowell leads the Checkmate Government Relations team and focuses primarily on the North Carolina General Assembly and the North Carolina Congressional Delegation. He has delivered victories for clients in health care, financial services, entertainment, technology, outdoor sports, aviation,municipal government, nonprofits, state-wide associations, elections, energy, pharmaceuticals, real estate development, gaming, and professional sports. He has been selected as one of the top 10 lobbyists in North Carolina by the North State Journal – every year they have done the poll – and has received honorable mentions for representing a diverse portfolio. Ches was recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in 2023 and 2024 for Government Relations Practice. He was selected by Triad Business Journal as one of its “40 Leaders Under 40” in 2021. Ches was recognized as a “Young Gun” in 2019 by Business North Carolina magazine. Ches' career began while he was earning an undergraduate degree at North Carolina State. He became one of the only college students to work full time at the legislature, where he managed various projects for State Senate Leader Phil Berger.  Ches also remains committed to civic engagement and serves his community and state in multiple capacities, including as a Trustee at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and a member of the Board of Visitors of Campbell Law School. In addition, he serves on the National Board of Directors for Cross Trail Outfitters, on the Host Committee for the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation's annual Wine, Wheels, and Wildlife fundraiser, and as Deputy Province Commander of the Kappa Alpha Order's Smith Province.

In this episode, Sam Mollaei and Neil Tyra discuss why legal skills alone don't guarantee success and share strategies to help you thrive in today's competitive market.Learn the essentials to run a law practice like a business, how to take calculated risks, and use marketing to stand out.This episode shares insights on how to balance introversion and stay ahead of tech trends, plus tools to turn challenges into growth opportunities.Key Takeaways from Sam and Neil:1. Not Learning the Business Side of LawWhile many lawyers are skilled in law, few are taught business essentials like financial management and client acquisition, making it harder to grow their practice.Investing in business knowledge or hiring experts for accounting, marketing, and operations can bridge this gap.2. Not Understanding Marketing in a Saturated SpaceWith intense competition in law, standing out now requires a proactive marketing approach beyond legal expertise.Mastering digital marketing basics like SEO and social media—or partnering with specialists—will help attract clients early on.3. Staying in the Comfort Zone and Not Taking Enough RiskRisk aversion limits growth, especially as competition and technology rapidly transform the industry.Lawyers who evaluate risks and take bold, calculated actions are better positioned to advance their practices.4. Being Introverted or Extroverted When a Balance Is NeededBalancing introversion with extroverted skills is essential for building trust, networking, and connecting with clients.Adopting an approachable presence—both in person and online—helps create client confidence and professional credibility.5. Failing to Keep Up with Changing Industry Trends and Tech InnovationsAs technology accelerates, lawyers must adapt to stay relevant and meet clients' evolving needs.Staying updated on tools like CRM software and AI enhances client service, efficiency, and competitiveness in a fast-paced field. "If you're an introvert, you cannot just be an introvert in business. God favors the bold, and God wants you to be a well-rounded person." — Sam Mollaei"Lawyers are particularly risk-averse…we're trained to be risk-averse, and that's not consistent with creating a great practice. You have to take risks." — Neil Tyra

Rebecca Zung shares fresh strategies to take on your biggest bullies and win. — YOU'LL LEARN — 1) How to identify if someone is a high-conflict personality 2) How to SLAY your bullies and win 3) The mindset trick to keep narcissists at bay Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1009 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT REBECCA — Rebecca Zung is a high conflict negotiation expert, a U.S. News recognized Best Lawyer in America and USA Today Bestselling Author. Speaking on platforms worldwide, she is also a bestselling author of several books including the USA Today National Bestselling book SLAY the Bully: How to Negotiate with a Narcissist and Win and her YouTube channel has tens of millions of views. Her podcast, Negotiate Your Best Life has 2 MM downloads and is in the top .5% of podcasts globally.She's also the founder of the proprietary SLAY® Method, the proven blueprint for negotiating with narcissists and her programs, including her High Conflict Negotiation Certification Training program- a coach certification program – have transformed thousands of lives in more than 150 countries and on every continent.• Book: Negotiate Like YOU M.A.T.T.E.R.: The Sure Fire Method to Step Up and Win • Book: SLAY the Bully: How to Negotiate with a Narcissist and Win • Prep Playbook: “Crush My Negotiation” • YouTube: RebeccaZung.TV • Website: RebeccaZung.com — RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Book: A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of ‘A Course in Miracles' by Marianne Williamson • Book: The Power of Intention: Learning to Co-Create Your World Your Way by Wayne Dyer • Book: The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav • Book: This Thing Called You by Ernest Holmes— THANK YOU, SPONSORS! —• LinkedIn Jobs. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/beawesome • Lingoda. Visit try.lingoda.com/Awesome and save up to 20% off your sign up fee! Plus, get an extra $25 off with the code AWESOME• Jenni Kayne. Use the code AWESOME15 to get 15% off your order!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Estate planners not only help clients plan for what happens at death. Nowadays, especially with the high divorce rates, trust and estate lawyers also need to be mindful of how certain planning will play out in the event of a divorce.  In this episode of Trust Me!, we discuss what estate planners should know about the basics of family law.About Our Guest:Vanessa Soto Nellis is a Shareholder and Chair of the Family Law Practice Group of Lewitt Hackman.  She is also a Certified Specialist in Family Law.  She prides herself on bringing “calm to crisis” in family law matters, by focusing clients on the big picture, even in high-conflict divorce and child custody situations. Representing individuals in all aspects of family law in Southern California, Vanessa counsels and litigates for clients in dissolution (or divorce) matters, spousal support, child support, visitation rights, cohabitation, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and other family law matters.Vanessa was designated one of the Best Lawyers in America in Family Law in 2024 by Best Lawyers Magazine, and a Southern California Super Lawyer (2018-present) and Rising Star (2007-12 and 2015-17) by Super Lawyers Magazine. The publication also named her one of Southern California's Up-and-Coming 50 Women Attorneys, as well as one of the Up-and-Coming 100.Vanessa is a member of the State Bar of California, San Fernando Valley Bar Association (SFVBA), SFVBA Family Law Executive Committee, Los Angeles County Bar Association, and the Ventura County Bar Association. She co-founded Women To Women, a professional network here in Los Angeles.Vanessa can be reached at: VNellis@lewitthackman.comAbout Our Host:Host Anna Soliman is Trust Counsel and Managing Director for Fiduciary Trust International of California out of the Los Angeles Office.  She is also the Chief Fiduciary Officer of their California trust business. Prior to joining Fiduciary Trust International, Anna was an estate tax attorney for the Internal Revenue Service and also worked in private practice, specializing in estate planning and trust administration for ultrahigh net worth individuals.  She is also a member of the Trust and Estates Section of the California Lawyers Association and is a Vice-Chair of the Fiduciary Income Tax Section of the American Bar Association. Thank you for listening to Trust Me!Trust Me is Produced by Foley Marra StudiosEdited by Todd Gajdusek and Cat Hammons

David Matthews is the Firm Founder of Matthews and Associates.  David has been chosen through US News & World Report as one of the Best Lawyers in America from 2016-2023 and repeatedly voted by his peers as one of the top trial lawyers in the country.  He has tried more than 175 cases to verdict and helped injured people across the country attain some of the largest verdicts or settlements in pharmaceutical litigation against the makers of such drugs as Phen-Fen, Rezulin, Vioxx, and Bextra-Celebrex.  Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-matthews-a3a51811b/  Visit Matthews and Associates: https://www.thewagstafflawfirm.com/  On This Episode, We Discuss…How the Landscape of Mass Tort Litigation has Evolved Over the YearsComplexities of Pharmaceutical LitigationStrategic Elements of Mass Tort LitigationCamp Lejeune Water Contamination Case

In today's episode, Rachel and Amber sit down with burn survivor Jason Nelson and experienced burn injury attorney Matt Cunningham to explore the complexities of navigating a burn injury legal case.Jason shares his inspiring story of resilience and recovery, showcasing firsthand how you can turn a tragedy into triumph. Matt provides expert legal insight, breaking down the anatomy of a burn injury lawsuit—from the importance of contacting an attorney quickly and assessing damages to the critical steps in building a strong case. Together, they shed light on the challenges survivors and families face and how the legal system can offer a lifetime of support. Tune in to learn about the intersection of personal experience and legal expertise in burn injury cases and how justice can help rebuild lives.Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!  Meet Our Guests Matt Cunningham is a trial attorney who has been handling burn injury cases for over 25 years.  He is recognized as one of the top burn injury lawyers in the United States.  He is the owner and President of the Cunningham Law Firm which is recognized as America's top burn injury law firm.  Since 1996, Matt and the Cunningham Law Firm have represented over 124 clients involving burn related injuries.  Matt is a member of the National Fire Protection Association, American Burn Association, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, and previously a guest speaker at the North American Burn Society.  During his career he has obtained some of the highest verdicts and settlements involving burn related injuries.  In 2008 he obtained the highest burn injury verdict in Arizona state history.  Matt and the Cunningham Law Firm are recognized as true advocates on behalf of burn survivors, their families, and generously supports the work of burn foundations across the United States.  Matt is recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association, Best Lawyers of America, Elite Lawyers of America, Arizona's Finest Lawyers, and Southwest Super Lawyers.Dr. Kevin Foster, Director of the Arizona Burn Center, stated about Matt, “Matt Cunningham has earned the respect of the burn community through his hard work, compassion, and deep understanding of the true impact of burn injuries.”  Matt is honored to be a part of the burn community and a champion of justice for burn survivors and their families.  Jason Nelson, a Phoenix, Arizona native, experienced a life-altering event on February 9, 2014. A natural gas explosion in a rental home he owned left him with a staggering 80% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) burn. The trauma was immense, but Jason's resilience shone through.After enduring countless surgeries, enduring grueling therapy sessions, and navigating the long road to recovery, Jason found a purpose beyond his own healing. Driven by a deep-seated desire to give back to the organizations and individuals who supported him through his ordeal, he dedicated his life to advocating for burn survivors.Jason's involvement with the Arizona Burn Foundation is a testament to his commitment. As a member of the Board of Directors, he actively contributes to shaping the foundation's mission and strategies. His personal experience provides invaluable insights into the unique challenges faced by burn survivors, enabling him to advocate for programs and initiatives that address their needs effectively.Moreover, Jason's fundraising efforts have been instrumental in generating over a million dollars to support burn survivors' journeys. His passion and dedication have inspired others to contribute to this worthy cause, ensuring that burn victims receive the necessary resources to thrive.Jason Nelson's story is a powerful reminder of the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity. His unwavering commitment to helping others recover from the devastating impact of burns serves as an inspiration to countless individuals. Through his tireless efforts, he continues to make a significant difference in the lives of burn survivors, transforming their experiences from tragedy to triumph. Links Connect with the Cunningham Law Firm team by calling 602-257-1750 or visiting their website: http://cunninghamlawfirm.com.Watch the Courage Rising Film.  Podcast Sponsor Today's podcast is powered by Cunningham Law Firm! Located in Phoenix, Arizona and helping clients nationwide, the Cunningham Law Firm specializes in personal injury, wrongful death and burn related cases. Learn more by visiting https://cunninghamlawfirm.com. Sponsor Girls with Grafts  Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.  

The threat of a dock strike hangs over the country. Mark interviews NY Post Journalist Michael Goodwin. Goodwin cannot believe the United States has done so little to protect one of our closest allies. They also hit on the legal issues plaguing Mayor Adams.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Joshua Kappel, a founding partner of Vicente LLP and co-author of Colorado's Proposition 122, the Natural Medicine Health Act. Find episode links, summary, and transcript here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-269-joshua-kappel-esq/?ref=278  Joshua shares his journey from cannabis law to psychedelic policy reform, detailing the groundbreaking aspects of Colorado's legislation. He discusses the nuances of becoming a licensed psychedelic facilitator, regulations for healing centers, and the state's approach to manufacturing and cultivation. Joshua also explores the broader landscape of psychedelic policy reform across the United States, offering insights into potential future developments and the challenges faced by the emerging industry. Joshua Kappel is a founding partner of Vicente LLP with a passion for helping entrepreneurs and visionaries build human-centric and regenerative companies in the cannabis and psychedelic industries. Joshua co-authored Colorado's Proposition 122, the Natural Medicine Health Act, and served as chair of the campaign committee for Natural Medicine Colorado. He helped draft Colorado's Amendment 64, the first state measure to legalize cannabis for all adults. Joshua is a founding board member of the Microdosing Collective and serves as a founding member of the Psychedelic Bar Association. He is recognized by his peers in Best Lawyers in America for his work in cannabis law and was repeatedly named one of "Denver's Top Lawyers" by 5280 Magazine. Highlights: Joshua's background in cannabis law and transition to psychedelic policy Key components of Colorado's Natural Medicine Health Act Details on becoming a licensed psychedelic facilitator in Colorado Regulations for psychedelic healing centers and service locations Manufacturing and cultivation licenses for psychedelic products Outlook on psychedelic policy reform in other states Links: Vicente LLP Microdosing Collective Episode Sponsors: KA! Empathogenics Kanna Supplements. Get 10% off with code THIRDWAVE at checkout

Ready to transform your life in 30 days? Join the Unbeatable Challenge now at unbeatablemind.com/30 and unlock your peak performance with Navy SEAL-proven techniques. Limited-time discount available – don't miss out!   It's believed 1 in 6 people are narcissistic. Dealing with a narcissist can be exhausting, often involving manipulation, gaslighting, and emotional abuse. Rebecca Zung, a top-rated attorney and expert on narcissism, breaks down how to recognize and deal with narcissistic personalities in both personal and professional settings. She teaches methods for negotiating with narcissists and emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, protecting your energy, and understanding that narcissists operate from a place of fear and childhood trauma.    Rebecca Zung is a top-rated attorney, recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Lawyer in America. She's the author of bestselling books on divorce and negotiation, including "Negotiate Like You MATTER" with a foreword by Robert Shapiro. A sought-after expert, Rebecca has been featured on major media outlets like Extra, Forbes, and NPR. Based in Los Angeles, she continues to share her expertise through keynote speeches, media appearances, podcasts, and on-demand programs.   The Signs of Narcissism: Be wary of people who seem too good to be true, mirror your interests perfectly, push for quick commitments, or react poorly to boundaries. These are potential red flags for narcissistic behavior. Narcissists Operate Differently: Narcissists are motivated by "narcissistic supply" and may not respond to rational arguments. Their behavior is often rooted in childhood trauma, leading to emotional regulation issues and "narcissistic blindness" when triggered. Use the SLAY Method When Dealing With Narcissists: Strategy (define your goals), Leverage (identify their sources of supply), Anticipate (understand their type), and You (maintain your authentic power). This helps in negotiations or conflicts with narcissists. Set Strong Boundaries: Set clear boundaries, avoid JADE (Justify, Argue, Defend, Explain), use specific language, and remember that you're entitled to respect. Developing these skills can help protect your mental health and achieve better outcomes when interacting with narcissists.   Sponsors Zbiotics: Go to zbiotics.com/DIVINE to get 15% off your first order when you use DIVINE at checkout. ZBiotics is backed with 100% money back guarantee so if you're unsatisfied for any reason, they'll refund your money, no questions asked.   NeuroHacker: To feel in your prime WAY longer than you ever thought possible, try Qualia Senolytic up to 50% off right now at neurohacker.com/DIVINE15, and code DIVINE15 at checkout will score you an additional 15% off.    Defender:  Ready for adventure? With a family of vehicles to choose from, you'll have the space, technology, and performance to go further than ever before. Explore the Defender lineup at https://www.LandRoverUSA.com/Defender      Bespoke Post Get a free Mystery Gift with your first monthly shipment when you sign up at boxofawesome.com and enter the code DIVINE at checkout.    SealFit ElectroGreens: Fuel your body and conquer your limits with SealFit ElectroGreens - a USDA organic superfood packed with over 25 organic fruits, vegetables, and electrolytes. Head to Amazon, search for "SealFit ElectroGreens," and use code SEALGREENS25 at checkout for 25% off your order.    Links for Rebecca Website YouTube  Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

From the archive: This episode was originally recorded and published in 2021. Our interviews on Entrepreneurs On Fire are meant to be evergreen, and we do our best to confirm that all offers and URL's in these archive episodes are still relevant. Rebecca Zung is a Narcissism Negotiation Expert. She was recognized as Best Lawyer in America by U.S. News. She has two bestselling books and 6 million views on YouTube. She has been featured on Extra, Dr. Drew, NPR, Forbes, in Time Mag, Huffington Post, Newsweek and many more media outlets. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. You alone define your value. Regardless of how the other person makes you feel, you have the power to not give them the permission. A narcissist will do everything to bring you down. 2. The key to negotiating with a narcissist is to build a strategy and have leverage that actually threatens a source of narcissistic supply that is more important for the narcissist to keep and retain than the supply that they get from jerking you around and keeping you miserable. 3. When you're creating that “magic bullet” leverage, think about what's going to motivate and squeeze that narcissist, and incentivize them into wanting to come to the table with you by coming up with things that potentially expose them. Subscribe to Rebecca's YouTube - Rebecca Zung's YouTube Sponsors HubSpot With HubSpot's customer platform you can spend less time switching between systems, and more time on growing your business. Visit HubSpot.com to learn how HubSpot's customer platform can help you grow your business BuckedUp Say goodbye to waking up on the wrong side of the bed with Brain Gainz from BuckedUp. Claim your special offer today by texting FireFocus to 312345, or go to BrainGainz.com/fire