Podcasts about best lawyers

Stephanie Rupp (Hoffmann Eitle) and Ryan Phelan (Marshall Gerstein) explore how AI is reshaping medtech innovation and the IP strategies founders need to know. They break down key trends, from traditional model training to today's generative AI workflows, plus common pitfalls like novelty-destroying disclosures in pitch decks, websites, and investor conversations. Ryan explains why “file early” matters in the U.S. (and how provisional applications can backfire if they're too thin), while Stephanie shares how Europe's strict novelty rules and EPO “technical effect” requirements change how AI patents must be drafted. The conversation also covers cross-border collaboration, the Unified Patent Court, and why strong IP can become a startup's moat for investors and future growth. Guest links: https://www.marshallip.com | https://www.hoffmanneitle.com/ | rphelan@marshallip.com | srupp@hoffmanneitle.com  Charity supported: Save the Children Interested in being a guest on the show or have feedback to share? Email us at theleadingdifference@velentium.com.  PRODUCTION CREDITS Host & Editor: Lindsey Dinneen Producer: Velentium Medical   EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Episode 089 - Stephanie Rupp & Ryan Phelan [00:00:00] Lindsey Dinneen: Hi, I'm Lindsey and I'm talking with MedTech industry leaders on how they change lives for a better world. [00:00:09] Diane Bouis: The inventions and technologies are fascinating and so are the people who work with them. [00:00:15] Frank Jaskulke: There was a period of time where I realized, fundamentally, my job was to go hang out with really smart people that are saving lives and then do work that would help them save more lives. [00:00:28] Diane Bouis: I got into the business to save lives and it is incredibly motivating to work with people who are in that same business, saving or improving lives. [00:00:38] Duane Mancini: What better industry than where I get to wake up every day and just save people's lives. [00:00:42] Lindsey Dinneen: These are extraordinary people doing extraordinary work, and this is The Leading Difference.  Hello, and welcome back to another episode of The Leading Difference podcast. I'm your host, Lindsey, and today I'm delighted to welcome as my guests Stephanie Rupp and Ryan Phelan. Stephanie's technical expertise stems from working in various fields of electrical engineering and information technology. She is particularly interested and experienced in communication technology, telecommunications engineering, and artificial intelligence due to her time at the university and various projects in the industry. For example, Stephanie gained industry experience with a leading technology company of measurement and high-frequency technology in the field of measurement technology for LTE. Working with a variety of clients from all over the world, Stephanie specializes in prosecution and oppositions at the European Patent Office and German Patent Office, freedom to operate, and patent drafting, in particular in the fields of computer-implemented inventions. Stephanie studied electrical engineering at the Technical University of Munich. She wrote her master thesis at the Chair of Communication Networks in the field of artificial intelligence with a focus on reinforcement learning. Ryan is a registered patent attorney who counsels and works with clients in all areas of intellectual property with a focus on patents. Clients enjoy Ryan's business-focused approach to IP. With an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management, Ryan works with clients to achieve their business objectives, including developing and protecting their innovations and businesses with IP. Ryan has been published in several well-known IP publications, including World Intellectual Property Review, Bloomberg Law, and IP Litigator, and has spoken as a panelist at various IP conferences, including for the International Intellectual Property Law Association and for the University of Illinois Chicago Annual IP Conference. Since 2024, Ryan has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America list in the practice of patent law. All right, Ryan and Stephanie, welcome to the show. I'm so glad that you are here. Ryan, this is your second time. Delighted to have you return, and Stephanie, I can't wait to learn more about you and all the ways that you both contribute to the industry. So thank you both so much for being here. [00:02:54] Ryan Phelan: Yeah, thank you. Yeah. Glad to be back. [00:02:56] Lindsey Dinneen: Awesome. [00:02:56] Stephanie Rupp: And thank you v- very much for having me. [00:02:58] Lindsey Dinneen: Yes, of course. Well, I would love, if you don't mind, starting off by sharing just a little bit about yourself, your background, and what led you to medtech. [00:03:09] Ryan Phelan: Yeah. So I'll kick it off. My name's Ryan Phelan. I'm a partner at Marshall Gerstein, which is an IP boutique here in Chicago. I have a computer science background, so I see the world through, you know, everything computers and, of course, nowadays that means AI. On the, the medtech side you know, I, I have, experience in robotics and so, a lot of medtech devices are in the robotics field, so it's very natural for me to apply my skill set, to that, area of expertise, one of which is, prosthetics. So you have a robotic, prosthetic medical device, and that lends itself to, you know, some type of computational control. And there's certain, legal issues that usually come up in, the US practice. So I enjoy, applying that skill set, to the, to medtech space. also, you know, family members als- have, you know, ailments and things that, I have, grown up with, you know, as a, you know, young boy and, now I'm very happy to you know, give back in my own way. I'm not a doctor. I'm just a-- I'm a, I'm a humble patent attorney, but, helping the, IP world, and, doctors and physicians, with not only, you know, in the robotic space, but also, software medical inventions as well, and I, enjoy working in this space. [00:04:22] Lindsey Dinneen: Love it. Thank you so much. Stephanie? [00:04:26] Stephanie Rupp: Yes. So as you hear from my accent, I'm from Germany, specifically from Munich, so that's a city in the southern part of Germany, close to the Alps. people might probably know Munich from the Oktoberfest that we have each year. And, so I'm a German and European patent attorney at Hoffmann Etile. I also throw it in as well, I'm also UPC representative, so we have, for three years now, we have the Unified Patent Court, so a really new court in Europe for centralized litigation for infringement and revocation actions. So I can also represent clients there. yeah, Hoffmann Etile is a, also a p- a IP boutique firm. not only in Germany, we also have offices, in other places in, Europe. And, yeah, my technical background is electrical engineering and information technology. And, during my studies, I just didn't work a lot in the medtech space. I was, ... my work concentrated more on the telecommunications side, working in a, bigger f- company that, concentrated on measurement and high-frequency technology. But, my master thesis was already about AI, so it was at the Chair of Communication Networks, and it was about, like, reinforcement learning, virtual network embedding. I won't say too much about that. I think it will bore the listeners. But so I didn't know at that time, but it opened my way to the medtech space afterwards. because when I joined Hoffmann Etile nine years ago with my training, the partners were really happy to hear that I have experience in the AI field and the technical background on that. And, around nine years ago, we saw a lot of patent applications being filed in the AI space, like using AI technology in different technical fields, and especially also in the medtech, field. And, so I had the opportunity to jump in there, like, right away when I started and was really happy to do that and also, like, still very glad to have that opportunity to work with the medtech, companies and to get the best patents for them in that, especially in that field. [00:06:26] Lindsey Dinneen: Awesome. Thank you so much. Yeah, thank you both. So, all right. I have so many questions, but I will start here. I'll just, 'cause I'm curious. So how, how did you two meet? Do the firms come together and, and, collaborate? [00:06:38] Ryan Phelan: Yeah, absolutely. so Marshall, Gerstein and Hoffmann, Eitel had a relationship prior with, attorneys, that go back a generation or two, before Stephanie and I met. And so, their-- one firm would send attorneys to the other and vice versa. And then, after a while, given that Stephanie and I have similar backgrounds, it was very, simple just to connect us. And then we've worked together on matters, before and have similar backgrounds like Stephanie mentioned. She has electrical background, but has done a lot of stuff with AI. And so whenever you're doing, matters across the pond, as they say, you need expertise, in the EPO and the US and the laws are different, so you have to collaborate. And it's great to have, have people that you can collaborate and work with. [00:07:21] Stephanie Rupp: Yeah, and a lot of clients, they're not only interested in getting an EP patent, but they also want to get a US patent. And, I'm not a US patent attorney, so, usually tell them, "Oh, yeah, I know a really good patent attorney in the US." And, thank you ... so I will, like, hand over the work to him and then the other way around if they have, like, clients that they want to get a EP patent, and that's how we work together and, also dis-discuss these cases together. And, so yeah, I'm currently in Chicago for a week, also to meet Ryan in person again. I do that, usually once a year. And, yeah, just have time to discuss some cases more regularly. [00:07:55] Lindsey Dinneen: I love that. That's cool. [00:07:56] Ryan Phelan: Yeah, I was in, And I was in beautiful Munich last year, so it was, it was great. [00:08:00] Lindsey Dinneen: Very nice. That's wonderful. Okay. So again, so many things to talk about, but I, I, I'm curious in your interpretation of how AI has affected, especially the legal components of, say, filing a patent or IP protection or all of those things. When it comes to medtech founders, what are you seeing the trends to be, and also, what are some of the pitfalls to avoid? [00:08:29] Ryan Phelan: Yeah. So I've seen AI affect everything from filing strategy or information, gathering, like on the pre-stage of a patent, and then also, the invention itself, has also included AI. I think about it as like AI 1.0 and 2.0. before, 1.0 AI is, a lot of software inventions would train their own models with their own data. Maybe you have a, a cardio, application or something like that, that would use existing, information from patients and, that information, would be used to train a model, and that model would be able to output some type of response for a future patient. Maybe that model was inside of a device that was, implanted or, put on top of, a patient where that sensor data would be collected.  Nowadays, in, in tho-those inventions, usually incorporated some type of trained model. Nowadays, you have a lot of generative AI, where newer inventions are using out-of-the-box models from OpenAI, ChatGPT models, or Anthropic's Claude models. And, a lot of the same issues are still being addressed, where data will, will come from various sources, whether it's a patient's data or clinician's, or maybe it's, a diagnostics or maybe it is more in the robotic space for, prosthetics. But that data is now, instead of being pushed into more traditional models that would be trained, is now being used by these generative, LLMs. And then you can have combinations of the two. So it's, become an explosive field in AI at least from what I have seen. People are getting excited that you have these large treasure troves of data that you can synthesize, the information inside of it and then get some type of, useful output, and then you also have inventors that are seeking solutions, asking, LLMs to help find a particular solution, and they'll add to it. And our invention disclosures that we get, I, I typically joke and say, "Used to, it was hard to get an invention disclosure from an inventor." They would send you, like, a paragraph or two of the invention, and you'd be, "Well, is there anything else?" And now it's, they'll send you 100 pages of stuff. And like, "Well, let's, well, let's talk about what's relevant. Let's find the needle in the haystack here." So AI is, is influencing all sides of the invention from when it's coming in the door and then how, how, what the invention makeup is itself and how that's gonna be protected in the future. I, I see a lot-- In, in the future, I, I can predict or hopefully predict, there's gonna be, a lot of litigation or a lot of, like, questions about who owned what in the future for patents. So that's, that'll be interesting to see, too. [00:11:06] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Absolutely. [00:11:07] Stephanie Rupp: Yeah- I think what I just want to add is, that it also changes how we work. I think in the past it was, so we had, like, these different departments. We had mechanics, e-tech, biotech, chemistry, and it was, like, very clear when you get a new patent, like an invention disclosure in which department you will push it and, like, who will work on that. But now we have, like, more these interdisciplinary inventions especially, like, in medtech, pharmaceutical companies that are using AI and, and that also changes how we work, that we are trying to then find a interdisciplinary team as well, having, like, patent attorneys from different technical backgrounds, because I'm looking at a invention disclosure differently than a patent attorney with a chemistry background. And, so that makes very interesting for us as well, 'cause we have to work together and, that's why sometime I get a call from the biotech department saying, "Oh, we have a invention disclosure with a lot of AI in there. Could you maybe help us out?" And, so that, yeah, it, like, changes our way of working in there as well. That makes it very interesting. [00:12:12] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. That's very interesting, and I actually love that. It seems like a lot of, ability to learn from each other in that way, and so yeah, I love that exposure. So, okay, when it comes to filing patents, and protecting your IP in general, I'm, I'm curious what your advice is for, for founders that maybe have, like, basically timeline, when should they be thinking about engaging with you all, and h- how do they go about that? Just what is, especially for these younger startup founders, what's some advice that you just, you go, "Okay, now's the time. Here's what we need," and, and whatnot? [00:12:51] Ryan Phelan: Yeah, I always advise as early as possible. Okay. usually it's-- usually most founders or startups are not thinking about patents in the beginning. But, you know, I always like to, to tell them when, when I'm speaking to a founder of a startup, think about it as insurance or similar to insurance, because at the end of the day, if you become very successful with your, medtech product, whatever it may be, people are gonna wanna copy you. [00:13:13] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. [00:13:13] Ryan Phelan: And, that, that's probably not only important to you, but also to your investors, if you have them. If, like, you're seeking money from others, whether it be seed money, angel money, or series A, series B the, these people are probably gonna ask you what's your moat, what's your, what's your barrier to entry for others, so if your product, takes off, because they're thinking in terms of, "How much money will I get back if I invest?" It's gonna be s- 20x. And so, it-- they know, and the startup founders should also be aware that if somebody else comes into the market, especially a big player, and they, replicate your product or your software, then that could take market share from you. And so having a patent or building that patent portfolio at the same time, it protects you, from that. It also, of course, there's times, timing, that you have to be mindful of. As soon as you disclose something in the US, it kicks off a, a one-year clock... [00:14:04] Lindsey Dinneen: Hmm ... [00:14:04] Ryan Phelan: ...for you to file something. Just to get an invention in the US, and Stephanie, can let you know about, you know, elsewhere- Mm-hmm ... and in the EU, I understand that there's an absolute bar. Yeah. But for that reasons, for that timing purpose of when someone discloses your invention, and that can be a part of a pitch deck to a set of in- investors, if you don't have a non-disclosure a- agreement, an NDA, then that could also start that clock ticking. So you wanna be mindful. Do this in parallel at the same time, seeking to get your, patent, at least a provisional patent, on file before you go forward. [00:14:37] Stephanie Rupp: Okay. Yeah, as Ryan said, at the, in Europe, we don't have this kind of this year to file a application. Once you publish something, then it's out on, out there in the world and, endangers your own patent application. Because if you want to get a patent the claimed subject matter needs to be novel and inventive. And if you have, like, published this before, then that's prior art with respect to your own patent application. So you always have to keep that in mind and, that's why it's so important to file the patent application first before you use that information for advertisement, for example. And I, we see that often, with startups, and I complete- completely understand. They're super excited with regard to their, like, great idea, and they want to shout it out to the world. But once it's out there that hinders you to get a patent. so- As Ryan said, it's good to think about patents from the beginning and also, the market you're interested in, maybe about competitors and where they're in, which countries they're involved, and then you could also think about, okay, maybe, that is a market of your interest, and then also get advice from patent attorneys in that country because it's different from which d- like, from jurisdiction to jurisdiction how to get a patent, and you want to get the broadest patent as possible. And, especially with AI inventions, where they're the requirements are so different in the different countries, it's, good to have the advice from the beginning on so the patent application is written in the right way. Because once the patent application is filed, we cannot add anything anymore, or we cannot change it. That's why it's, like, good to have really a, like, a well-written patent application also for the jurisdiction you want to go in. [00:16:25] Lindsey Dinneen: Okay. Yeah. Thank you both. That was really insightful. I'm, I'm curious about the patent application itself. Is there-- Well, two questions, I suppose. Is there also a kind of provisional patent opportunity outside of the US, just out of curiosity, as, as well as in the US? And then also, you know, you mentioned being very careful and cognizant about the way that it is written, which of course now you two being experts in this, you know, back, you know, like the back of your hand. But I wonder, if people try to do it themselves. I would love just to hear some advice about that as well. [00:17:06] Ryan Phelan: Yes. Stephanie, do you wanna talk about the provisional outside the US and- [00:17:09] Stephanie Rupp: Yeah. So in Europe, we don't have that provisional applications or non-provisional applications. what you have though is the priority year. So you can, like file an application, for example, first in Europe, and then you have a year to decide which other countries you want to go to, and then claim priority from that European patent application. So, I file a EP application, then after a year I think, okay, I want to go in other countries, I want to maybe file it, one in the US, then you can claim the priority from there. And the previous patent application that you filed will not endanger the other patent application. So that's one way of doing it, to buying yourself a little bit of time. Also, sometimes clients when they're like very cost sensitive, especially for startups, would first think, okay, we file a patent application first to Europe, and you get a, a search report within the priority year from the EPO. And then you already know the prior art that is out there, and you can assess how strong your patent application is, and then you can still decide, how to proceed from there. So there are like some ways of how you could do that. [00:18:19] Lindsey Dinneen: Awesome. Thank you. [00:18:22] Ryan Phelan: Yeah. In the US, of course, we have provisional applications. It, it causes a great, amount of confusion, though, the provisional applications. A lot of startup companies will think that they can file a provisional application and it'll be, you know, a page or two in length, and then they can wait a year and inflate that to 20 pages or, or something like this. And of course, the, the trap for the unwary is, of course, if the claims, when you draft those for the non-provisional or the conversion application, if they are not grounded in that first provisional application, if one element of one of the independent claims, for example, is, s- solely supported by the new material added in the, the new, you know, 20 pages or whatever it may be, then the support gets you the date of your non-provisional conversion filing and not of the provisional. So, usually for startup clients, I have to-- we ta- we have this conversation called the delta. What's the delta between your provisional and your non-provisional? If there's a lot of it, then, that could be a problem because if your claims aren't supported by the text of that provisional application, you're not gonna get that original date. And so, usually that kicks off a conversation of how much of a provisional that you want, or do you just wanna go all non-provisional. Now, I do litigation as well, and I can tell you, the, the, the pitfall is if you file that provisional and you file a non-provisional later and you end up getting that later date, if there is intervening prior art in between, the provisional date and the non-provisional date, that comes before your non-provisional date, that could invalidate your patent despite your provisional. And there's, parties debate this. They, excuse me, fight about this in court all the time. Now, did you have sufficient written description and enablement in your provisional application in order to substantiate your claims later? And if they can find intervening prior art between that year or whatever the time may be, that can be a real problem. So, I, I always c- I always tell clients, like, the, the more you can file up front, the better, because you're gonna get more support or more, possibility to have that support earlier in time. Of course, it takes more work. Most startups don't like to hear that, but it is, but it is the truth, and it does, it does protect them against that insurance policy. You, you add it up front. Like Stephanie said, you wanna, put that information, on file before you go out and do your advertising and marketing. That's also true in the US. Just filing a provisional application, does not in and of itself somehow protect you if, if you don't, if you don't say what it is that you're trying to protect. [00:20:48] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Okay. That makes a lot of sense, and thank you so much for that insight. So you mentioned a couple of times that sort of disclosure component, and so just to d- just be very specific about that whole thing you mentioned that could be-- that could look like even just a, a pitch deck where you think it's potentially within a, a private setting thing. Of course, I would imagine that also extends to talking about it on social media or a website or something like that. So I'm just curious what are some of the things that you see besides maybe perhaps the broader, more obvious, like a website, what are some of those things that you see that people don't think to, be aware of, I guess? [00:21:34] Ryan Phelan: Yeah. I've seen websites. It's super easy to create a website nowadays. You can ask ChatGPT or Claude to generate a website, and if you're putting your invention out in a website form before you file a patent, that could be a novelty-destroying disclosure. if you have a detailed pitch deck that you give to, potential investors without some type of control, like an NDA, that could also be a novelty form of disclosure. Like in the US, for litigation, I, I can tell you one of the questions that always gets asked in discovery is, "Did you disclose this prior to the, the filing date?" And, if that person, that person will be required to answer under oath, and if they're, "Yes, I had a website," or, "I, I gave this pitch deck to 50 people for investing," usually that's a problem because that--the opposing side that's defending against that patent will do a, a deep analysis and, and look-- and try to find when that was disclosed, and does it map up to the claims, and that could, create a problem with, validity in the US. [00:22:31] Lindsey Dinneen: Oof. That's no fun. That's why they should talk- Yeah ... to you early and often. [00:22:37] Ryan Phelan: Yeah. Yes. Again, another example of filing early, you know, eliminates some of those issues. i-in fact, I tell a lot of the startup companies or any, any client, like, before you go out there and, you know, have your conference or your, your pitch, then file. Most sophisticated clients know this, but a lot of times startups do not. [00:22:54] Lindsey Dinneen: Sure. Yeah, and if you're a first-time founder or something like that, you wouldn't-- you don't know what you don't know for many different categories, so I can see why that is so critical. Yeah. Okay. So, I was wondering if both of you could talk a little bit about maybe, maybe a moment that has stood out to you as, as you've worked, especially with-within medtech and, and working with some of these founders. Are there any moments that really stand out as just affirming that, "Wow, I, I am doing the right thing in the right industry at the right time"? [00:23:28] Stephanie Rupp: Shall I start? Yeah. yes, I, I've-- So for me it was, like, never the plan to become a patent attorney and, and, like, never had that in mind. And, so it was more of a coincidence that I stumbled upon that and did the training and became a patent attorney and... But I still remember my first day in the office and having the feeling of, "Yes, I think that's what I want to do for the rest of my life." Like, continue learning, like, having, like, this incredible opportunity to speak with so many great inventors. Having, like, I don't know, it's always amazing, to see how their mind works and that they're, like, finding solutions for s- like, very complex problems. And, so that, like, from the day, first day on, I had, like, the feeling, okay, I think I can really help here and, protect their asset the best way possible. And then especially within the medtech field, I think what Ryan also said in the beginning, there's like, it's also for me, sometimes it's a kind of s- scary part thinking about, okay, what if you get sick at one point, or like from closer family that got really sick, and, having like this helpless feeling like that you maybe can't change anything here. And then when you work with the medtech industry and you see that they are working on that problem and have these great idea- to help people to like, that there's also k- some kind of involvem- like involvement in this technology. And, so for example, I, there's like one of my clients, they are, working on histological images and analyzing them also with respect to cancer types, and how AI can be such a great help there. And of course, there are like a lot of these discussions about, how we should be careful with the new technology and how we could re- regulate that and stuff like that, but there's also like so much good in there that can really help people's lives. And I think that's like for me, always very nice that yes, Ryan said we're no doctors. So like, we're just like patent attorneys, but still we could contribute a little bit to that too. Yeah. [00:25:34] Lindsey Dinneen: Love it. [00:25:35] Ryan Phelan: Yeah. I would just, I would just echo everything that Stephanie said. That certainly is why I enjoy working in this space too, is, you, you feel like you have a, a little bit of contribution that you make. [00:25:44] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Absolutely. I, I couldn't agree more. I think, to your point, Stephanie, it's, it's so inspiring to see the innovation that's coming out, and it makes you feel like, especially when there's difficult world news, it makes you think, "Okay, but at least there are still these change makers who are really trying to make the world a better place and, and improve patient lives." And I think that's just a, a wonderful thing to get to witness and be a, a part of. It helps the soul. So, I'm always curious about the personal side of things as well. So just what are, what are some of the things that you all en- enjoy doing, say, outside of work? maybe some hobbies or volunteering or interests and things like that. What are... Let's, let's talk about the people as well behind these amazing patent attorneys. [00:26:36] Ryan Phelan: Yeah. everybody has a hobby, so I, I was, I like to run. I was running since high school, so I like to do that. And then, in the winter I like to ski. and then I'm, recently getting my scuba cert, with my daughter. So we're having a good time doing that this summer. So just trying to stay busy and active. I like to learn always, and so I, I, I love learning, I guess. and one of the reason why medtech is interesting to me 'cause I like to apply that, computer science skill to, the medtech field and continuously learn, in that space and also give back, like we talked about before. So, yeah, I guess I would lump in learning as one of my hobbies as well. I like... I, I'll say, and I, I'm not sure if we'll get into this later I think you had a question about, poss- if we, if we could teach one class or- No, we'll get into that ... [00:27:20] Lindsey Dinneen: Something like that. Yeah. [00:27:22] Ryan Phelan: Yeah, okay. I'll, I'll save that for a later time. So. [00:27:23] Lindsey Dinneen: Okay. Yes. Excellent. Stephanie? [00:27:28] Stephanie Rupp: Yeah, I think that's, one common thing that we have, Ryan and I. It's, skiing. That's also what I enjoy a lot. so as I said, I'm from Munich, and it's very close to the Alps, so it takes us only, like, about, like, two hours to go to Austria. and so, but I really enjoy going there for the weekend, clearing my mind. Yeah, especially when the week was very busy with work. so it's like, thinking about something else. And, besides that, yeah, spending time outside, going hiking at the weekend, like when it's... there's no snow. Also, I picked up some hobbies that I had when I was younger. So for example, I had, piano classes for, like, when I was five years old, and then once I had, like, the training and everything else going on, paused that because, like, so much else going on. But then last few years I, taught myself, "Oh yeah, it would be such a waste not to do that anymore." And, so I'm, like, started playing piano again. I'm not good in it. It's more really as a hobby. And, but yeah doing something else in the evening and clearing my mind. So that's what I usually like to do as well. [00:28:35] Lindsey Dinneen: I love that. That's wonderful. I, yes, I, I understand that sometimes picking up a hobby that you sort of set aside for a while is really fun as an adult, 'cause you have a different way of interpreting that learning, back to your point, Ryan, of how it, it it changes. And I, I actually really enjoy that, of, of revisiting something where I might have thought g- especially growing up. Like for instance, I remember thinking I just could not paint for the life of me, like it was never gonna happen. And then as an adult, with a, an instructor who was... maybe s- spoke a slightly different, in a different way, and then getting to like go, "Oh, maybe I can" is always a nice thing to learn too. But anyway. [00:29:17] Stephanie Rupp: And also taking, taking the pressure out of it. Yes. So it's like, as I said, like piano class is just a hobby. I don't have to be good in it. It's just should give me some joy in it. And so yeah. [00:29:27] Lindsey Dinneen: Love that. Yeah. Yeah, okay. So now you've both been in positions of leadership, and I'm curious, and, and I know it's hard to boil it down to maybe one thing, but what is one or two, three things that you would say is your top leadership advice, especially for those who maybe are more in, middle management trying to continue to build their leadership skills? And what, what makes a good leader, in your mind, and then maybe what's one or two pieces of advice? [00:30:02] Ryan Phelan: Yeah. What makes a good leader in my mind is something that somebody that can lead by example, I guess. On like a first project or a new client or a new matter, I like to do it, do it myself once so I can go through it and, get the feeling for the new technology, that may be at play or the new matter, maybe the client's preferences whether it's a startup or a large company. And then once I have that kind of lead from the front, then I like to do, I guess, a military word, dis- decentralized command, which is get people that I trust and who I have a great assistant. I have attorneys that I work with European attorneys such as Stephanie, and then give them work with them and give them free reign and control, whether it's a colleague like Stephanie or a associate here at Marshall Gerstein to, work with the client or have agency over, what they do, 'cause I think it can also teach in that capacity, like things that I learned from the lead from the front can flow, down or through or out and then, that person can also learn on the job doing it themselves. I believe that, people doing, instead of just listening is the, a best way to learn for them and then also get better. And so I, I tend to approach, leadership, from that perspective. [00:31:12] Lindsey Dinneen: Love that. Yeah. Stephanie? [00:31:15] Stephanie Rupp: Yes. I see myself like still more at the beginning of my career, so I can, talk a little bit more of how I, see or like, yeah, see leadership or like, how I experience it. Yeah. it's more also I... like everything what Ryan said, I completely agree. And also like seeing the person behind that. It's like everyone is like very busy, especially when you're in leadership positions and, very busy schedules and, But also seeing the person as a whole- Mm ... and how could you like support them to be better, to grow and, how to also, yeah- lead them or like, yeah, lead them in the way they w- where they want to be at some point. And, I think that's, yeah, what you should not forget e- especially when you have a really busy schedule. That's it. [00:32:11] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. The, the person behind... Yeah. That, that's an interesting theme that continues to come up, time and time again, is, you know, if one of the tricks to being a good leader is to care. It seems so straightforward, but it's if you care about the person and you, you want the best for them, you are going to naturally be a better leader because you're investing in them and, and in their success and goals, and, it's, it's just cool to see. Okay, and then, all right, I'm just going to pivot the conversation a little bit for fun, and this is where exactly what you were referring to earlier, Ryan. So if you were to be offered a million dollars to teach a master class on anything you want, could be in your industry, but doesn't have to be, what would you choose to teach? [00:32:58] Ryan Phelan: I would teach a class called Patenting Software Inventions and, I'm actually currently teaching that class. Oh. they're not-- I'm not getting paid a million dollars to do it, unfortunately. [00:33:07] Lindsey Dinneen: Dang. [00:33:07] Ryan Phelan: But, but it is a, a, a passion and a love. I teach it at, Northwestern Law, where I went to law school. I-- it's, it's my pleasure and joy every year to go back. I teach a power course there every year, I think for the past eight years on, teaching students how to patent software inventions in the US, and I think, elsewhere there's a, you know, there has become, by at least some people, the belief that you can't patent software, you know, which of course is, not true. And so, you know, I teach methodologies in my class about how to, patent software inventions in the US using you know, guidance from the courts, from the Supreme Court, from the Federal Circuit, from the district courts here, in the US. A lot of it covers, things such as Section 101 you know, that changed, in 2014, from the Supreme Court's decision in Alice v. CLS, and how to address, issues, about what the, the court said there. And then also what later courts, the Federal Circuit, said that they wanted to see in order to overcome, Section 101 issues, in the US. A lot of times, too, it's interesting, we have, like, a small slide like that, that deals with EPO-- which Stephanie's much more adept than, than I am-- but what we tell our students is, and maybe Stephanie can address this, is that, you know, there seems to be a convergence, between Section 101 law and, something called a technical effect, an EPO, where it seems like both jurisdictions are wanting to see more of a technical disclosure incorporated into the application rather than just kind of claiming functionally or a high level language. So you need to be very careful in crafting these applications so there's-- they're successful when you're in front of the the patent office in the US. And if you, you do it right, you can, create, you know, not only a US-centric application, but one that might, withstand, the strictures of the EPO. In my opinion, I think that the EPO can sometimes-- and maybe this is just me being a US practitioner-- but the EPO can be somewhat more difficult, to get a patent, application. Maybe Stephanie would disagree and say it's the other way around, but but it's always good, and clients usually, even if they're not thinking about it, to have an application that could survive both places 'cause they tend to be, I think, the, the two more, more difficult, if not most difficult jurisdictions in the world to get a patent application. And if you go into it knowing and how to craft a patent application and you're ready, and you put into that application the right, material, then you can be successful. [00:35:40] Lindsey Dinneen: Awesome. Stephanie, what would you teach? [00:35:44] Stephanie Rupp: Yeah, maybe we, Ryan and I, could do a master class together then because he said, like, then we could explain the similarities or the differences between, US patent law and European patent law, and can also maybe, also add something about the UPC that we have now, the U- Unified Patent Court, and have a, maybe a lively discussion about all of that and, how to get the strongest and broadest, patent in the different jurisdictions. And as Ryan said, there are, like, some similarities, and I also have the feeling when I discuss with Ryan that, when we have a patent application where we struggle to get a patent on, then we usually also struggle with that in the US- Mm-hmm ... or the other way around. And, but of course, there are, like, differences in how the EPO and how the USPTO, like examine these AI inventions and, in the US you have these 101 objections that you usually get. In, Europe it's, they apply the so-called two hurdle approach where they, especially the second hurdle is usually harder to overcome. Mm. And that's also what, Ryan mentioned, is that you have to show the EPO that your AI invention or your AI steps contribute to the technical character of the invention. And that's, often, and I totally understand that, hard to grasp for an inventor because they think we have all these technical means here. We have a server, we have a processor, we have a memory, we have sensors getting data. Do you tell me now that that's not technical? [00:37:18] Lindsey Dinneen: Mm. [00:37:19] Stephanie Rupp: And, but that's not how the EPO thinks. It's, for them, they say, "What is your motivation for that invention?" Or, or in other, more their words, "What kind of technical problem you try to solve?" [00:37:32] Lindsey Dinneen: Mm. [00:37:34] Stephanie Rupp: And that is, what we also usually ask the inventors in our f- like, first meetings with them, "What is the technical problem you're trying to solve with that, and how does the, your AI steps, your method steps contribute to that?" Because that's, if you cannot show that to the EPO, then it's very hard to get a patent on. so maybe my combined master class- yeah ... where we show that and- It, [00:37:59] Ryan Phelan: It would- ... [00:38:00] Stephanie Rupp: Explain that, yeah. So ... [00:38:01] Ryan Phelan: Definitely it would, it would help out my meager EPO slide, any additional information on this, especially the, the UPC, which I'm glad you mentioned. But, maybe, we could take a minute to talk about the UPC and in, in the European area since that's like a new, newer, from what I understand, a newer avenue, the era approach in Europe. [00:38:20] Stephanie Rupp: Yeah. Yeah. It's, so as I said, we have, like, for now three years now, the, Unified Patent Court. And, before that we also had European patents, but once it was granted, was divided into national patents. So if you wanted to, file an infringement action or a nullity action, you had to do that in each specific country. And that made it very complicated because I, I'm a German patent attorney. I don't know anything about Italian law, so you would then need an Italian patent attorney or French and so on. So it was, like, very complicated. And, so what we now have, and that is, like, very exciting to live at that time now, is, the Unified Patent Court, where it's, like, now centralized and you can attack patents at the, like, Unified Patent Court, like, for the whole patent, and you don't have to go to these before the national courts anymore. And, so that's, like, very exciting for us as well because case law is evolving now and, there's, yeah, you can see how, like, how it changes and how the judges are handling these cases and it's, like, also very, like, for us, a lot of new things to learn. [00:39:32] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. [00:39:32] Stephanie Rupp: Yeah. [00:39:33] Ryan Phelan: Yeah, I was gonna say, I, I also heard, and, Stephanie can certainly chime on this, that certain cities in Europe, like Paris, or Munich, may have different judges that specialize in different arts or disciplines. I think, was it, w- what Munich was, I can't remember, is that the mechanical or- Yeah. [00:39:49] Stephanie Rupp: Yeah. So that's, like, for the central division, but we also have then local divisions- Mm-hmm ... as well. So we have, four local divisions in Germany, but also in other countries. And that also, changes, of course, a little bit of how they handle the cases because the judges, they often came from the, like, the national courts. So they, like, when you're in Germany, of course, they still have little bit, little bit more of the German thinking in them. When you're going to a Dutch, local division, then they have a little bit of, like, another, like, view on that. And I think over time it will, like, unify a little bit. but these are, like, also differences that, makes it very interesting, to see. [00:40:27] Lindsey Dinneen: All right. Okay, so next question is, how do you wish to be remembered after you leave this world? [00:40:35] Ryan Phelan: I hope that people remember me as, somebody that was fun, like to, you know, either work or hang out with that regardless of whether we're working hard or, you know, playing hard, that, that it was just fun. So that, that's my only wish. So or, or main wish. [00:40:50] Lindsey Dinneen: Love it. Steph? [00:40:52] Stephanie Rupp: Yeah, I think for me that I was maybe, like, a fair and trustworthy person. I think it sounds a little bit boring, but, more when people work with me and they, like, say, "Oh, when she gave me advice, I knew that she had, like, my best interest in mind as well, and not only, like, filling her own pockets or, like, trying to, like, improve it for herself, but having like..." Yeah, when they remember me of a person that you could trust with the advice, I think that would be, like nice to know for me. Yeah. [00:41:26] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, for sure. All right. Excellent. And then final question. What is one thing that makes you smile every time you see or think about it? [00:41:37] Ryan Phelan: I guess just sticking with our current theme, if in a work capacity, when a client gets a victory of some type certainly makes me smile. A lot of clients are happy when they get their patents allowed, or if you win that litigation case or you, you do things, a lot of times in the US we'll, we'll have these decisions or these patents, and it it, it, it makes me smile to think that, you know, I helped their business in that way to protect their, their IP and just going forward. I, I imagine it's a pretty standard answer, but, you know, certainly in the context of this podcast, that's absolutely one thing that makes me happy. [00:42:10] Stephanie Rupp: Mm. Yeah. I'm a person, I get excited very quickly or, like, really small things make me smile already. So I arrived on Saturday in Chicago, and I, for example, didn't expect to have a gym in the hotel, and then suddenly I discovered that and was really happy about that. So these are these small things that other people say, "Oh, yeah, whatever." but I think what makes me smile the most is, like, knowing that I have a weekend ahead of me with, like, my family and my partner, and we go ski. And I say that now we have, like, summer outs and, like, very warm temperature here in Chicago. I think it's about 80 degrees, and I'm already thinking about skiing and snow, but it's, more of... [00:42:52] Ryan Phelan: It's never too early. [00:42:53] Stephanie Rupp: Yeah. But more of, like, not the skiing per se, but just having time with family and- yeah ... clearing my mind and stuff like that. So, yeah. [00:43:02] Lindsey Dinneen: Excellent. Excellent. Well, thank you both so much for being here. I've so enjoyed the conversation, and you gave so much amazing advice and guidance, so thank you so very, very much for all of that. If folks who should be looking out for services such as yourselves, how do they get in touch with you? [00:43:25] Stephanie Rupp: I think like through the website, that, I think will be- mm-hmm published, with the, podcast. And, also my email address as well. You can find me on the website, or we can also add it to the, to the podcast info. yeah. [00:43:38] Ryan Phelan: What is your... [00:43:38] Stephanie Rupp: It's the easiest ... [00:43:38] Ryan Phelan: What is your email address, Stephanie? [00:43:41] Stephanie Rupp: It... Hopefully I say it correct now. It's, S for Stephanie, S Rupp, my, last name, @hoffmanneitle.com, so very easy. Yeah. [00:43:53] Ryan Phelan: Perfect. Excellent. Yeah, same thing for me. I believe the contact information will be at the with the podcast, but I can be reached at RPhelan R-P-H-E-L-A-N @marshallip.com, and welcome any questions or comments. [00:44:08] Lindsey Dinneen: Awesome. Well, thank you both so much again for your time today. We really appreciate it. We are so honored to be making a donation on your behalf as a thank you for your time today to Save the Children, which works to end the cycle of poverty by ensuring communities have the resources to provide children with a healthy, educational, and safe environment. So thank you so much for choosing that charity to support, and also thank you for continuing to work to change lives for a better world. Love learning about you, about your areas of expertise, and just really appreciate you, being willing to share with us. So thanks again, and, I suppose until next time. [00:44:51] Ryan Phelan: Thank you. Love to come back. [00:44:53] Stephanie Rupp: Thank you. Awesome. Yeah. Thank you so much. [00:44:55] Dan Purvis: The Leading Difference is brought to you by Velentium Medical. Velentium Medical is a full service CDMO, serving medtech clients worldwide to securely design, manufacture, and test class two and class three medical devices. Velentium Medical's four units include research and development-- pairing electronic and mechanical design, embedded firmware, mobile app development, and cloud systems with the human factor studies and systems engineering necessary to streamline medical device regulatory approval; contract manufacturing-- building medical products at the prototype, clinical, and commercial levels in the US, as well as in low cost regions in 1345 certified and FDA registered Class VII clean rooms; cybersecurity-- generating the 12 cybersecurity design artifacts required for FDA submission; and automated test systems, assuring that every device produced is exactly the same as the device that was approved. Visit VelentiumMedical.com to explore how we can work together to change lives for a better world.

3 Takeaways from my conversation with Marty Frankel Co-Chair, Financial Services & Real Property Litigation Group, Executive Committee Member, Maddin Hauser 1. Lawyers sell trust — not expertise. Competence is the baseline. What clients really need is someone on their team who owns their problem with urgency. 2. Find the issue behind the issue. Ask questions. Build rapport. What someone walks in with is rarely what's really keeping them up at night. 3. Delay gratification. Plan long. Reverse engineer from three years out. That's not just career advice — that's a life strategy.   --- MARTIN ("Marty") S. FRENKEL, shareholder and executive committee member, is a multidisciplinary problem solver who consistently delivers sound, pragmatic business counsel and instills in his clients the confidence that comes from knowing that he always has their back. Whether it is the end-to-end, compliance-to-courtroom representation and advocacy he provides mortgage, financial services, and construction companies or the myriad ways he helps clients from a wide range of other industries steer clear of risk and achieve their goals, Marty charts the course that gets his clients where they want to go. Co-Chair of Maddin Hauser's Financial Services and Real Property Litigation and Surety and Construction groups, Marty has established himself as one of Michigan's most accomplished and versatile attorneys. His ability to holistically address the full spectrum of day-to-day and long-term issues faced by small business owners and large institutions alike is why he is often retained to serve as their outside general counsel or as an adjunct to their in-house legal teams. Recognizing that the best attorney-client relationships are built on a foundation of both trust and collaboration, Marty works seamlessly with his clients to understand the problems behind the problems by actively listening to what they say, as well as what they don't. Marty focuses his practice on real estate and financial services risk management, litigation, and regulatory compliance, including matters involving mortgage, banking, construction, real estate development, landlord/tenant, and title-related issues. For mortgage industry clients, Marty brings a 360-degree perspective to his work, a product of his extensive participation in high-level mortgage regulatory compliance matters, the negotiation and drafting of core documentation and business agreements, and hundreds of loan-level mortgage litigation disputes. This full-spectrum experience allows him to serve his financial services clients efficiently, cost-effectively, and with minimized risk while navigating the myriad mortgage origination and servicing processes that are always subject to changing laws, regulations, and market conditions. While Marty possesses unmatched been-there, seen-that insights, he is acutely aware that past experience alone is no guarantee of future success. That is why he prioritizes agile, forward-looking thinking and stays ahead of the ever-evolving legal and economic landscapes in which his clients do business. Marty has forged close bonds with his clients and has earned the respect of his peers, who consistently recognize him for his professionalism and accomplishments. Among his expansive collection of accolades, Marty has been included on the list of the Best Lawyers in America multiple times and has been recognized as a Michigan Leading Lawyer in Real Estate Law: Commercial and Finance every year since 2016. He was named a "Go To" Lawyer in Construction Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly in 2023 and 2025, and was also included in the magazine's 2022 class of Leaders in the Law, an honor awarded to accomplished individuals who set the standard through a commitment to excellence in the practice of law." Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejondwoskinexperience/ Website: https://jondwoskin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/ Email: jon@jondwoskin.com Get Jon's Book: The Think Big Movement: Grow your business big. Very Big! Connect with Martin Frenkel: Website: www.maddinhauser.com Web Profile: https://maddinhauser.com/people/martin-s-frenkel/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-frenkel-a1b5aa8/   *E - explicit language may be used in this podcast.

What happens when a 40-year-old legal data company decides its employees should start building their own software? This week on we talk with Best Lawyers CEO Phillip Greer and Senior Vice President of Research and Product Strategy Elizabeth Petit about an internal AI transformation that reaches far beyond adding ChatGPT to the corporate toolkit. Best Lawyers is experimenting with generative engine optimization, internal agentic systems, vibe coding, and an AI development environment where employees across research, finance, marketing, and other departments build applications around the company's data.Greer begins with a challenge facing every law firm marketing team: traditional search is changing. Google AI Overviews and answer engines such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini increasingly give users answers without sending them to the familiar list of blue links. Greer argues that SEO still matters, but law firms now need to think about Generative Engine Optimization, or GEO, and the signals AI systems use when deciding which sources deserve trust. Structured data, schema markup, substantive content, and third-party validation all become part of the equation. For Best Lawyers, its long history of peer-reviewed rankings offers an interesting advantage. The company's data serves as an independent signal that AI systems might weigh differently from content produced by a firm's own marketing department.Petit explains how Best Lawyers is applying the same thinking to legal marketing through Smithy AI, a system designed to help attorneys and law firm marketers develop profile content without endlessly copying the same biography across websites. Smithy draws from Best Lawyers' structured information and existing lawyer content to produce a starting point that attorneys and marketers then edit. The larger goal is authenticity. As generative systems make producing generic legal content almost effortless, Greer argues that distinctive expertise, voice, and credible third-party signals become more valuable rather than less.The conversation then moves inside Best Lawyers, where Greer has taken a far more unusual approach to AI adoption. After building a secure data layer connecting systems including SQL databases, HubSpot, Gong, Google Analytics, and accounting data, he created an internal Best Lawyers App Store where employees use natural language to build applications against company data. What began with roughly 30 percent of the workforce vibe coding has grown to around 40 percent, according to Greer. Petit describes building research and KPI dashboards despite coming from a research rather than software engineering background. Projects that once required Excel formulas, Power BI reports, development queues, and weeks of waiting now sometimes move from a question at 9:30 to a working internal application by 10:30.That shift also changes the role of professional software engineers. Rather than spending their time building another reporting screen or internal form, Best Lawyers' engineers increasingly concentrate on architecture, data infrastructure, performance, governance, and the guardrails surrounding employee-built applications. Greer describes moving parts of the company's data architecture toward Elasticsearch and developing “Bestie,” an internal agentic AI team member. Yet speed introduces another problem. Petit and Greer describe an “AI vampire” effect, where instant feedback encourages people to keep working because the machine never gets tired, goes home, or stops responding. Human judgment includes knowing when the human needs to stop.Listen on mobile platforms:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Substack⁠[Special Thanks to ⁠⁠Legal Technology Hub⁠⁠ for their sponsoring this episode.]Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.comMusic: Jerry David DeCicca

Marlen Estévez Sanz es socia de RocaJunyent y directora del área de Litigación, Arbitraje y Mediación en Madrid. También preside el Centro de Mediación Empresarial de Madrid y ha sido reconocida por directorios como Chambers, Legal 500 y Best Lawyers.

Seeking Divorce Assistance in These Locations? Our Team Can Help!   Riverside: https://bit.ly/4lYPO9o Corona: https://bit.ly/44gJROv Irvine: https://bit.ly/3EvvQSL San Diego: https://bit.ly/4lOg85X Palm Desert: https://bit.ly/4jNWZzc   Founded in 2021, Reel Fathers Rights APC is a Nationally Recognized Family Law Firm that focuses exclusively on representing Men and Fathers in Family Court in California. RFR boasts over 300 years of combined family court experience and was recognized as the top law Firm on the Inc 5000 List for 2025. RFR attorneys have earned dozens of awards and certifications from being named Certified Family Law Speicialist by the State Bar of California to being named Rising Stars by Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch by Super Lawyers. RFR attorneys are equipped to handle everything from contentious Child Custody disputes to high profile, high-stakes divorce, and defense of serious Domestic Violence Allegations. RFR is the go-to attorney for Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. You can learn more about Reel Fathers Rights and their services on our website www.reelfathersrights.com   Mark Reel Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Reel Fathers Rights APC. Since 2021, Mark and RFR have represented thousands of Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. Mark has been named One to Watch by Best Lawyers and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Inc on their Ince 500 list of fastest growing companies as well as Elite Lawyer and Expertise.com   About this episode In this episode: California family law attorney Mark Reel breaks down Luka Dončić's international custody battle with his ex-fiancée. Mark explains why dueling cases were filed in Slovenia and Los Angeles, how the UCCJEA and “home state” rules decide where custody belongs, and why filing in California was such a high-stakes move financially. He also walks through how child support is calculated for ultra–high income earners, why a $50 million demand may really be about leverage, and why these cases often end in confidential lump-sum settlements rather than massive monthly payments.

Executive Summary On this episode of Adventures in Legal Tech, Jared Correia talks with Phillip Greer, CEO of Best Lawyers, about how AI is rewriting the rules of legal search and firm operations. Greer breaks down the real differences between SEO, AEO, and GEO, then explains how he turned his own company into a shop full of vibe coders. It's a practical look at getting found online and getting comfortable with AI at the same time. Key Takeaways SEO isn't dead. It's the foundation that feeds AEO and GEO, the practices that get law firms found inside AI search tools and chatbots. Quality, well-structured content and citations from reputable third-party sites matter more than backlink farming ever did. Legal consumers across every generation are shifting from typed search terms to conversations with AI tools, often without realizing it. Building an AI-literate firm starts with a safe, governed environment where non-technical staff can experiment without touching client data. Start small. Pick something fun, not a client matter, to learn how an AI tool handles data before you roll anything out firmwide. Links and Resources Red Cave Law Firm Consulting: redcavelegal.com Best Lawyers: bestlawyers.com Keywords AEO, GEO, AI search optimization, legal SEO, AI Overview, ChatGPT for lawyers, shadow AI, vibe coding, AI-literate law firm, Best Lawyers, legal directory marketing, law firm content strategy, AI governance, legal tech podcast, Jared Correia, Phillip Greer, structured data for lawyers, AI search engines, law firm AI adoption, legal marketing strategy Episode Highlights [00:02:29 - 00:04:31] Greer lays out his top SEO pitch: keep doing SEO, treat it as the foundation feeding AIO. [00:04:56 - 00:08:38] Greer defines SEO, AEO, and GEO and explains why all three belong in a firm's strategy. [00:09:32 - 00:11:59] Greer traces shadow AI from a guilty secret to standard practice at nearly every firm. [00:12:56 - 00:16:39] Greer argues authenticity beats generic AI-written content and backlink farming for standing out. [00:27:48 - 00:32:20] Greer describes building the Best Lawyers internal app store that turned employees into vibe coders. [00:32:48 - 00:36:13] Greer explains how he handled data governance and change fears before rolling AI out company-wide. [00:36:20 - 00:39:08] Greer's advice: start vibe coding with something fun and low-stakes before touching firm data.

Discover how a jazz pianist turned niche entertainment work into a powerhouse advertising, privacy, and tech practice—and why treating business development as a marathon, not a sprint, has allowed him to build a loyal, decades‑long client base. In this episode, you'll hear practical, battle‑tested strategies for specialization, client relationships, and training the next generation of rainmakers.   In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Jamie Rubin discuss: Lawyer's journey as a marathon, not a sprint Building a niche/specialist practice and moving firms Impact of legal operations, budgets, and alternative fee arrangements Personal branding vs. firm branding and the “Info Law Group way” Training younger lawyers in organized, non-salesy business development   Key Takeaways: Treating a legal career like a marathon allows room for ebbs and flows in work while staying confident that consistent effort will pay off over time. Specializing deeply in a niche practice area or industry builds trust and makes it easier for clients to follow you, even when you change firms. Modern in‑house legal operations demand sharper budgeting, clearer estimates, and more flexible fee arrangements, forcing outside counsel to become better business partners. Strong client loyalty grows from genuine personal relationships—helping clients succeed, understanding how they are judged internally, and making them look good in front of their own stakeholders. Younger lawyers can learn business development by following a structured, organized process that avoids pushy “sales” tactics and instead focuses on thoughtful questions, careful listening, and well‑practiced messaging.   "My big mistake is not truly understanding my client's perspective." —  Jamie Rubin   Check out my new show, Be That Lawyer Coaches Corner, and get the strategies I use with my clients to win more business and love your career again.   Join the Be That Lawyer Community and connect with ambitious lawyers who are serious about growing their book of business, strengthening their brand, and becoming confident, consistent rainmakers.   Ready to go from good to GOAT in your legal marketing game? Don't miss PIMCON—where the brightest minds in professional services gather to share what really works. Lock in your spot now: https://www.pimcon.org/   Thank you to our Sponsor! LEX Reception: https://www.lexreception.com/partners/bethatlawyer Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ Lawyer.com: https://www.lawyer.com/   Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/   About Jamie Rubin: Jamie Rubin is an advertising, technology, and privacy lawyer who guides clients through bringing traditional and emerging campaigns from initial concept to execution. Ranked as a Leader by Chambers and Partners and recognized by Best Lawyers, his practice covers national and digital advertising, celebrity agreements, sweepstakes, social media marketing, and claim substantiation. Certified as an Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP) and a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), Jamie previously practiced as a partner at Wildman Harrold Allen & Dixon LLP and was named one of the "40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 To Watch" by Law Bulletin Publishing Company.   Connect with Jamie Rubin:   Website: https://www.infolawgroup.com/jamie-rubin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrubinadlawyer/   Connect with Steve Fretzin: LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin Twitter: @stevefretzin Instagram: @fretzinsteve Facebook: Fretzin, Inc. Website: Fretzin.com Email: Steve@Fretzin.com Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more! YouTube: Steve Fretzin Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Invitado: Edmundo Elías Fernandez, Socio de Ramos, Ripoll & Schuster, experto en comercio exterior y aduanas.Entrampados en un tratado trilateral que de comercial tiene ya poco y de geopolítico mucho, el nombre del T-MEC hoy se llama incertidumbre, un juego donde todas las especulaciones caben. Analizar el tema desde una óptica diferente, más apegada a lo operativo y a sus consecuencias era necesario, pero hacerlo con un verdadero experto resulta imprescindible.Edmundo Elías-Fernández, abogado reconocido por Best Lawyers en Derecho Corporativo y de Fusiones, Derecho Comercial y Financiero Internacional y Derecho Mercantil, entre otras áreas, nos acompaña en la Exploración 880 por el Planeta Marketing. Cuáles son realmente los intereses comerciales de ambos países, cómo leer la situación actual en base a experiencias pasadas, cómo negociar con un bully como Trump y su estrategia de mezclar política y seguridad, son aspectos de los que partiremos en la charla.

What does executive presence really look like in today's workplace — and is it something you can actually learn? In this episode of the LMA Podcast, Trish Lilley sits down with Heather Barnes to discuss the evolution of executive presence, from polished perfection and authority to something far more powerful: genuine connection, empathy, and trust. They discuss the role of body language, audience awareness, feedback, and self-awareness in career advancement, particularly for professionals aspiring to leadership roles. The conversation also dives into resilience and why practices like positive reframing, gratitude, and active listening can help professionals thrive. Along the way, Heather makes a compelling case for embracing humor, vulnerability, and even improv as essential leadership tools in today's workplace. Whether you're an emerging professional looking to elevate your career, a manager developing your leadership style, or a seasoned executive seeking fresh perspective, this is a great conversation on how to show up with confidence. Tune in to learn: • How executive presence has evolved from traditional authority and polish to authenticity and relationship-building. • Practical techniques to command a room. • Ways to build executive presence at any career stage. • Strategies for developing resilience. • Why humor, improv, and vulnerability can be powerful leadership tools. Trish Lilley is the chief marketing and business development officer at Barnes & Thornburg LLP. A forward-thinking, internationally recognized champion of innovation, Trish has led marketing and client development in C-suite roles at four Am Law firms, driving strategic growth, implementing operational realignment, and cultivating high-performing, collaborative teams. Her work has spanned digital transformation, client and alumni relations, lateral recruiting and integration, and a diverse range of branding initiatives. Trish is known for building streamlined service models that strengthen client relationships, drive revenue, and align marketing operations with firmwide business objectives. A longstanding leader in the Legal Marketing Association, Trish is a Fellow in the College of Law Practice Management, chairs the CMO Advisory Board of Best Lawyers, and serves on the Law360 Legal Industry Editorial Board. Heather L. Barnes, MA, is the founder and CEO of Improv @ Work LLC, and she is a faculty member at the Northwestern University Kellogg School for Management. She teaches executive presence, presentation skills, strategic communication, and navigating difficult conversations using improvisational philosophies and techniques. Heather has over 20 years of experience leading people, teaching strategic communication, and innovating large scale presentations. In 2017, Heather founded Improv @ Work LLC to deliver experiential workshops at museums, corporations, law firms, and universities worldwide to empower organizations to evolve. She has a master's degree from the University of Chicago. To learn more about Heather and Improv @ Work LLC visit, https://improvisationatwork.com/.

After more than 400 episodes across eight years, Corey Kupfer launches a new quarterly roundtable with his law firm partners Brian Meegan and Sara Mostafa (together representing roughly 90 years of combined deal experience) to unpack why the projected 2026 M&A boom has not fully arrived, revisit the negotiation tactics behind the 1951 Korean War armistice, and share parting wisdom for business owners in a slower market. In this episode of the DealQuest Podcast, host Corey Kupfer launches a new quarterly roundtable format with his law firm partners, Brian Meegan and Sara Mostafa. Brian has been a partner for several years. Sara joined this year as the newest partner. Together the three represent about 90 years of combined deal experience across M&A, capital raises, cross-border transactions, and wealth management. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN You'll discover why the pent-up M&A demand projected for 2026 has not materialized as expected, how a Virginia-focused fund is challenging the assumption that acquisitions drain leadership talent out of state, and why wealth management continues to run counter to the broader slowdown. Brian and Sara explain what a $60 billion all-stock transaction involving AnySphere signals about AI M&A, what the 1951 Korean War armistice negotiations still teach modern dealmakers, and how a post-Soviet Russian deal turned on cultural understanding rather than a legal provision. THE FIRM'S JOURNEY TO A QUARTERLY ROUNDTABLE The DealQuest Podcast has run for eight years and passed 400 episodes with a rhythm of three guest interviews followed by a solocast. Brian Meegan joined the firm a few years ago as a partner and has appeared on the show as a guest a couple of times. Sara Mostafa joined this year as the newest partner and has also appeared as a guest since coming on board. With three partners now representing roughly 90 years of combined deal experience, Corey launched this quarterly roundtable to talk deals openly, share what each partner is seeing across their practice areas, and introduce a new Deals in History segment. DEALS IN HISTORY Brian opened the first installment of Deals in History with the 1951 Korean War armistice negotiations, which contained nearly every classic tactic anyone has ever written about. The North Koreans picked up the UN delegation in cars carrying white flags, used higher chairs to gain physical advantage, and pushed multi-meeting standoffs over table shape and flag size. At one point both sides sat in complete silence for over two hours, refusing to move on a single boundary point. The full negotiation spanned roughly 160 meetings across two and a half years, and the document that resulted is not a peace treaty. It is a ceasefire that has held since the end of the war. KEY INSIGHTS The pent-up 2026 M&A demand has not arrived. Energy price disruption, interest rate uncertainty, and other macro conditions have kept the big bump from showing up. Deal flow remains active, but both Brian and Sara noted a less frenetic pace toward closing. Wealth management remains a meaningful exception, with private equity capital and succession pressure keeping RIA deal flow robust. Outside wealth management, Sara is seeing active smaller and mid-market activity, especially for targets that have successfully integrated AI into operations. Andrew Dunlap's Virginia-focused fund is a useful counterweight to the standard acquisition narrative. He shared with Corey that 82 percent of Virginia acquisition buyers were from out of state, and top leadership talent tends to relocate with the new HQ. His commitment is to keep businesses local, in a mini Berkshire Hathaway style approach. Cultural understanding often matters more than a specific legal provision. Corey shared a story from the early 1990s, just after the Soviet Union fell, when a Russian counterparty refused to sign a standard non-circumvention agreement as a matter of deeply held belief. Corey structured around it by locking up non-circumvention agreements with the US suppliers directly, and closed the deal. There is a deal for almost any business frustration, challenge, or opportunity. Corey's parting wisdom points to acquihires, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and white labeling as underused options. Brian added Jim Collins' 2009 line to never waste a good recession. Sara closed with practical guidance for women-owned and minority-owned business owners to seek community and specialized funds beyond the SBA. Perfect for entrepreneurs weighing M&A moves right now, wealth management and RIA professionals tracking deal flow, and anyone interested in how experienced deal lawyers read the market quarter to quarter. FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/quarterly-roundtable-brian-meegan-sara-mostafa FOR MORE ON KUPFER.https://www.kupferlaw.com FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFERhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today! Episode Highlights with Timestamps [00:00:00] - Launching the new quarterly roundtable format with Brian Meegan and Sara Mostafa[00:05:13] - Sara on smaller and mid-market deal activity, especially where AI is integrated[00:09:18] - Andrew Dunlap's Virginia fund and the 82 percent out-of-state buyer statistic[00:11:24] - Space industry multiples running hot alongside AI [00:14:09] - The $60 billion all-stock transaction involving AnySphere and Cursor[00:15:04] - Deals in History debut, the 1951 Korean War armistice negotiations[00:20:26] - Walking the Abraham Path with William Ury in 2017 [00:23:32] - Corey's post-Soviet Russian deal and the non-circumvention agreement story [00:28:17] - Cross-border capital flow from the Middle East, India, and China [00:36:22] - Parting Shots from Sara, Brian, and Corey Guest Bios: Brian Meegan has represented US and multinational clients on corporate matters for more than 25 years, primarily on M&A, business formation, contract negotiation, and real estate. Before joining Kupfer, he founded Evergent Law, listed in Best Law Firms in America (Colorado) for Corporate Law and the exclusive Colorado M&A firm in the IR Global network, and he separately founded Watson Ltd., a back-office support company serving law firms nationwide. Brian earned his B.S. and J.D. from the University of Colorado, is listed in Best Lawyers in America (Colorado), and is a self-described history nerd who powers the new Deals in History segment on the show. Sara Mostafa is a corporate attorney with nearly two decades of experience representing private companies and individuals across M&A, private equity, financing, corporate governance, employment, real estate, and outside general counsel work, with clients spanning technology, wealth management, retail, entertainment, construction, restaurants, medical practices, and fitness and nutrition. She began her practice at Cooley LLP in San Diego and later served as a Partner at Lobb & Plewe LLP before joining Kupfer. Sara earned her J.D. from UCLA School of Law and her B.A. magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, completed Harvard Law School's Executive Education program in M&A in 2023, and is licensed in California and Hawaii. She speaks English, Spanish, Arabic, and French Host Bio: Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker with more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Show Description: Do you want your business to grow faster? The DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer reveals how successful entrepreneurs and business leaders use strategic deals to accelerate growth. From large mergers and acquisitions to capital raising, joint ventures, strategic alliances, real estate deals, and more, this show discusses the full spectrum of deal-driven growth strategies. Get the confidence to pursue deals that will help your company scale faster. Related Episodes: Episode 351 - There's a Deal for That Episode 331 - M&A Market Outlook and Deal Predictions Episode 293 - Sunny Vanderbeck, Selling Without Selling Out Keywords/Tags: DealQuest quarterly roundtable, Brian Meegan, Sara Mostafa, Corey Kupfer, 2026 M&A market, wealth management M&A, RIA deal flow, AI acquisitions, AnySphere Cursor, mid-market deals, cross-border transactions, Korean War armistice negotiation, William Ury, post-Soviet dealmaking, Andrew Dunlap Virginia fund, mini Berkshire Hathaway, non-circumvention agreement, deal-driven growth, Kupfer Associates, private equity M&A

Sonya Shikhman, LL.B., is the Founder of Shikhman Barristers, a Toronto criminal defence law firm. Recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada for Criminal Defence in both 2024 and 2025, she has spent more than two decades defending individuals facing serious criminal allegations. Known for her fearless advocacy, she believes the justice system only remains fair when it is challenged, tested, and held accountable. In addition to her practice, she teaches Trial Advocacy at Osgoode Hall Law School and regularly provides legal analysis for CTV News and Newstalk 1010.In this episode, Sonya shares the remarkable journey that began long before she entered a courtroom. Growing up in Odessa during the final years of the Soviet Union, she developed an early understanding of government power, injustice, and the importance of standing up for those whose voices are ignored. At just thirteen years old, she told her parents she would become a criminal lawyer. By seventeen, she was knocking on the doors of law offices across Toronto looking for an opportunity.She reflects on the mentors who shaped her career, the confidence that carried her through unfamiliar situations, and the hidden humility that allowed her to keep learning throughout more than twenty years of practice.Sonya also explains why criminal defence is unlike any other profession: representing people who have placed their lives in your hands, challenging the power of the state, and protecting the principles of fairness, due process, and the presumption of innocence. Throughout the conversation, she speaks candidly about leadership, independence, authenticity, and refusing to change who she is in order to succeed.She leaves listeners with a philosophy that continues to guide both her work and her life: be deeply honest with yourself, know exactly why you do what you do, and always let your conscience lead the way.

Emily Stedman is a commercial litigation partner at Husch Blackwell LLP in Milwaukee, where she handles complex business disputes from pre-suit negotiation through trial and appeal. With more than a decade of experience in practice, Emily brings both Big Law credibility and a practical understanding of what it takes to build a successful legal career without burning out. In addition to her litigation work, she is a nationally recognized advocate for lawyer well-being, known for her candid speaking, writing, and thought leadership on the mental health realities of modern legal practice. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers Rising Stars, and Corporate Counsel for her influence and leadership in the profession, including a Women, Influence, and Power in Law Award in the Mental Health and Well-Being Initiative category. She has also served on the Wisconsin Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being. WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT LAW FIRM LEADERSHIP AND LAWYER WELL-BEING Lawyer well-being is often treated as something individual attorneys have to manage on their own. Lawyers are told to set boundaries, manage stress, ask for help, and keep going. That advice may be useful, but it only goes so far when lawyers are also making assumptions about availability, visibility, and what it really takes to succeed inside a demanding law firm. Emily Stedman is not arguing that Big Law should stop being demanding or that lawyers can build ambitious careers without working hard. Her point is more practical. If law firms want talented lawyers to stay, leaders need to be more honest about how sustainable careers are actually built, including the different ways lawyers can meet expectations, exercise autonomy, and model a life inside the profession that others can realistically imagine for themselves. In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge podcast, Elise Holtzman talks with Emily Stedman of Husch Blackwell LLP about lawyer well-being as a leadership issue, the assumptions lawyers make about availability and visibility, the generational tensions around boundaries, and why leaders need to tell the truth about how they actually work. 3:22 - Why Emily started speaking openly about lawyer well-being 6:12 - Lateraling to Husch Blackwell and practicing more authentically 7:45 - What Emily changed about how she worked after joining a new firm 9:33 - Building a sustainable Big Law career while still meeting firm expectations 12:08 - The mindset shifts lawyers need before setting better boundaries 16:39 - What law firm leaders get right and wrong about well-being 19:43 - Why lawyer well-being does not mean avoiding hard work 21:23 - Why well-being requires better management conversations inside law firms 24:22 - The connection between everyday well-being, burnout, and mental health crises 29:07 - The one concrete thing law firm leaders can do to make a difference 34:14 - How leaders model autonomy, control, and sustainable careers for others MENTIONED IN  WHAT LAW FIRM LEADERS NEED TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT LAWYER WELL-BEING Husch Blackwell LLP | LinkedIn Emily Stedman | LinkedIn Get connected with the coaching team: hello@thelawyersedge.com The Lawyer's Edge SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE This episode is brought to you by the coaching team at The Lawyer's Edge, a training and coaching firm that has been focused exclusively on lawyers and law firms since 2008. Each member of the team is a trained, certified, and experienced professional coach—and either a former practicing attorney or a former law firm marketing and business development professional. Whatever your professional objectives, our coaches can help you achieve your goals more quickly, more easily, and with significantly less stress. To get connected with your coach, fill out our contact form.

AI is moving fast, but most teams are still figuring out how to use it responsibly. In this episode, Tessa Burg talks with advertising attorney Candice Kersh about the legal and practical questions marketing leaders are facing right now. They cover what companies should worry about, where risk tends to show up and why policies, training and better decisions matter more than ever.  This is the conversation that will help you cut through the AI noise. You'll get a clearer understanding of AI contracts, copyright, ownership, data protection, synthetic performers and what brands need to think about before launching AI-powered work. It's a helpful listen for anyone trying to move faster with AI without creating bigger problems later.  Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op. About Candice Kersh: Candice is a leading advertising and marketing attorney and a longtime member of Frankfurt Kurnit's advertising, marketing, and public relations practice. Widely recognized for her expertise and practical approach, she is consistently ranked by Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and Super Lawyers, and was named a 2025 Financier Worldwide Distinguished Advisor in Advertising and Marketing. The first woman named “Advertising Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America and the only lawyer recognized by Folio as a Top Woman in Media, Candice is a go-to advisor for brands navigating complex advertising, marketing, and emerging technology issues.  Her client testimonials speak volumes about the trust her clients place in her and the high standard of counsel she provides.  Candice's experience, insight, and creative problem-solving make her a trusted advisor on the full range of advertising and marketing law issues, including IP, right of publicity, advertising clearance, false advertising and substantiation, AI-related matters, talent and sponsorship agreements, union issues, agency and media agreements, and branded entertainment deals—helping leading brands clear legal hurdles and bring innovative campaigns to market. Candice can be reached on LinkedIn or on her firm's website, fkks.com. About Tessa Burg: Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at Tessa.Burg@ModOp.com.

"The best man on the floor is actually a woman." This simple principle serves as the heartbeat for a life dedicated to authentic human depth. In a world optimized for digital efficiency and "frictionless" convenience, the true currency of a meaningful life remains the unscalable power of independent thought, presence, and intentional effort. In this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, Philip Greer explores the growing cultural movement of human connection, proactive resilience, and the universal language that unites us. Philip shares insights from his personal journey, including navigating a life-changing career evolution since joining the firm in 2005 as a software engineer, building the company's first content management system, and the long road to paying forward the lessons of grit learned from his mother, Sherry. Together, the conversation dives into how we show up for others, the power of surrounding ourselves with people who challenge us, and how leaning into creative outlets outside the boardroom can fundamentally alter our perspectives. 10 Memorable Quotes: "There was no position that was beneath her, but also no position was the ceiling." "Sometimes they say no because systems are built that way, but that doesn't mean the answer is no." "The bookkeeping of benefits is simple. It's all an expenditure. We give for the sake of giving. We do not keep score." "I have so much belief that if we keep saying the bad ones, the good ones will come to the top." "The more you congratulate others, the more they'll end up congratulating you." "The best man is a woman, and it's her right there." "Limitations are what created limitless belief." "I want to be able to solve problems that people say can't be solved." "We must step out of the Tyranny of the or and step into the genius of the and." "Just go out there and congratulate some people today." 10 Key Takeaways: The Test of Truth Tellers: Why surrounding yourself with an executive team and community that pressure-tests your ideas is infinitely better than building an inner circle of enablers. Eight is the Gate: Understanding the tactical benefit of keeping meetings and task forces to eight people or less so that everyone has an active voice and a seat at the table. The Transition from Analog to Digital: How leveraging a software engineering background allowed Philip to modernize a global data platform away from fax machines and phone calls. Dismantling Structural Silos: The strict rule that task forces must pull from multiple departments—such as research, engineering, sales, and finance—to achieve true cross-pollination. The "Tuesday Talks" Framework: Cultivating a transparent culture through monthly, small-group touchpoints that openly address what's working, what's failing, and high-level strategy. Grit on the Factory Floor: Reclaiming the narrative of hard work by looking to foundational role models, including Philip's mother breaking barriers in military transit and heavy manufacturing. The Tyranny of the OR vs. The Genius of the AND: Learning that world-class leadership requires balancing binary traits, integrating logical business goals with emotional human connections. Failing Fast with Guidance: Why moving forward and making quick mistakes under strong mentorship is a better vehicle for success than remaining frozen by the fear of limits. The Core Value of Peer Review: Recognizing that even in an automated, AI-driven environment, verified human connection and peer-reviewed credibility remain irreplaceable. Mudita and Pro-Social Gratitude: Shifting away from keeping score to actively finding joy in the achievements of others, which ultimately drives collective organizational momentum. About our Guest: Phillip Greer is the CEO of Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review resource for top talent in the legal profession. He has driven the company's continual evolution since joining in 2005, originally as a software engineer. By tapping into his engineering background, he built the company's first content management system and led the transition, in his own words, "from analog to digital." He was named President in 2013 and CEO in 2018. Under Phil's leadership, Best Lawyers has solidified its reputation as a market leader and innovator, processing millions of peer-review votes each year and powering rankings that are syndicated by partner publications including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Handelsblatt in Germany, and the Australian Financial Review. He has led international expansion strategies that bring Best Lawyers recognition to attorneys and firms in markets including the United States, Canada, Australia, Spain, and Germany. Phil is a graduate of Augusta University and is based in North Augusta, South Carolina. A lifelong musician, he writes and performs music with his family (most recently with his daughter) and is a frequent supporter of his son's musical theater and dance productions. His perspective on leadership and disruption has been featured in Authority Magazine's "Meet The Disruptors" series and on Gina Rubel's "On Record PR" podcast, where his episode was the #1 downloaded of 2023.

Summary:In this episode, Jason Wright, an experienced family law attorney, shares insights on navigating divorce, custody disputes, and the importance of informed decision-making. Learn how misconceptions, social media, and emotional reactions can impact legal outcomes and how to approach family law with clarity and strategy.About Jason Wright:Jason Wright, an award-winning Austin family law attorney and the founder of The Law Office of Jason Wright. Licensed since 2012, Jason focuses on complex divorce, custody disputes, and property division. He's known as the lawyer who "tells it like it is," often reminding clients that fairness isn't how family law works — instead, he helps families understand the legal rules, the tradeoffs involved, and the long-term consequences of their decisions. Jason has been recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers, is a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, and has served on the Board of Directors for Volunteer Legal Services of Travis County.Key Topics:Common misconceptions about divorce and custody.The impact of social media and electronic evidence.The importance of legal boundaries and emotional managementDifferences between community property and equitable division..The role of judges and county-specific laws in family court.Strategies for effective mediation and conflict resolution.The influence of age and developmental stages on custody decisions.Mistakes to avoid during divorce proceedings.SIGN UP FOR my Better Divorce Blueprint PROGRAM: https://betterdivorceblueprint.com/bdbWEBSITE - resources for those in need of Certified Divorce Coaching and Private Mediation Services: https://betterdivorceacademy.com/SOCIAL MEDIA - bit.ly/betterdivorceacademyBuy my book and workbook: Better Divorce Blueprint https://betterdivorceblueprint.com/RESOURCES - https://betterdivorceacademy.com/reso...AUDIOBOOK FROM AUDIBLE - https://www.audible.com/pd/Better-Div...Are you looking for answers and guidance? BOOK a 30 minute assessment consultation: https://calendly.com/betterdivorceaca...#divorce #mediation #coaching #lifeafterdivorce #divorcesupport

Leadership in a law firm requires more than just legal expertise, it demands strategic delegation and authentic communication. In this episode, Jimmy Lye shares his journey from international student to successful law firm owner, highlighting the importance of treating your team as partners and fostering a growth culture.Jimmy discusses how leveraging LinkedIn helped him attract top talent, connect with professionals, and generate client referrals. He emphasizes the value of delegating operations and marketing tasks to trusted leaders, freeing up time to focus on strategic growth and client service.In this episode you'll learn: The importance of leadership over technical prowess How to build trust and delegate effectively Strategies for leveraging LinkedIn for hiring and business development The mindset shift needed to embrace vulnerability and growth Practical steps to foster culture and retain talented team members This conversation offers actionable insights into leadership, scaling, and managing a profitable, healthy law firm. It's a practical guide for owners looking to lead thoughtfully and grow intentionally.Today's episode is sponsored by The Managing Partners Mastermind. Click here to schedule an interview to see if we're a fit: https://arraydigital.com/the-managing-partners-mastermind/ Chapters (00:00:00) - Law Firm Leaders: LinkedIn Is Worth Its Weight(00:00:51) - Managing a Law Firm(00:01:35) - How to become a LinkedIn Influencer(00:02:15) - Startup entrepreneur Jimmy Lai on How to Get Out of Debt(00:06:46) - Are You the Best Lawyer in the Firm?(00:14:00) - Having a CFO in the business(00:14:43) - How LinkedIn is helping my Law Firm(00:15:49) - How to Use LinkedIn to Gain a Lead(00:21:26) - How to Inspire the Law Firm's Team on LinkedIn(00:25:56) - Keep Your Employees Happy or Go for It(00:30:09) - How to get yourself out there on LinkedIn

Seeking Divorce Assistance in These Locations? Our Team Can Help!   Riverside: https://bit.ly/4lYPO9o Corona: https://bit.ly/44gJROv Irvine: https://bit.ly/3EvvQSL San Diego: https://bit.ly/4lOg85X Palm Desert: https://bit.ly/4jNWZzc   Founded in 2021, Reel Fathers Rights APC is a Nationally Recognized Family Law Firm that focuses exclusively on representing Men and Fathers in Family Court in California. RFR boasts over 300 years of combined family court experience and was recognized as the top law Firm on the Inc 5000 List for 2025. RFR attorneys have earned dozens of awards and certifications from being named Certified Family Law Speicialist by the State Bar of California to being named Rising Stars by Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch by Super Lawyers. RFR attorneys are equipped to handle everything from contentious Child Custody disputes to high profile, high-stakes divorce, and defense of serious Domestic Violence Allegations. RFR is the go-to attorney for Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. You can learn more about Reel Fathers Rights and their services on our website www.reelfathersrights.com   Mark Reel Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Reel Fathers Rights APC. Since 2021, Mark and RFR have represented thousands of Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. Mark has been named One to Watch by Best Lawyers and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Inc on their Ince 500 list of fastest growing companies as well as Elite Lawyer and Expertise.com   About This Episode:   This episode provides a critical update on the ongoing legal battle between Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen, noting that as of April 2026, a Utah judge has officially granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Dakota. However, because Dakota was already granted a restraining order against Taylor in March, a mutual "no contact wall" has effectively been established between the parties due to cross-allegations of domestic violence. In a massive blow to Taylor, the judge ruled that their two-year-old son, Ever, will remain in the primary custody of Dakota for the time being, restricting Taylor to just eight hours of supervised visitation per week. The court cited volatile behavior as the reason for this restriction, pointing to multiple leaked videos showing physical altercations while the children were present. The episode concludes by looking ahead to the critical court showdown scheduled for April 30, 2026.        

Seeking Divorce Assistance in These Locations? Our Team Can Help!   Riverside: https://bit.ly/4lYPO9o Corona: https://bit.ly/44gJROv Irvine: https://bit.ly/3EvvQSL San Diego: https://bit.ly/4lOg85X Palm Desert: https://bit.ly/4jNWZzc   Founded in 2021, Reel Fathers Rights APC is a Nationally Recognized Family Law Firm that focuses exclusively on representing Men and Fathers in Family Court in California. RFR boasts over 300 years of combined family court experience and was recognized as the top law Firm on the Inc 5000 List for 2025. RFR attorneys have earned dozens of awards and certifications from being named Certified Family Law Speicialist by the State Bar of California to being named Rising Stars by Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch by Super Lawyers. RFR attorneys are equipped to handle everything from contentious Child Custody disputes to high profile, high-stakes divorce, and defense of serious Domestic Violence Allegations. RFR is the go-to attorney for Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. You can learn more about Reel Fathers Rights and their services on our website www.reelfathersrights.com   Mark Reel Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Reel Fathers Rights APC. Since 2021, Mark and RFR have represented thousands of Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. Mark has been named One to Watch by Best Lawyers and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Inc on their Ince 500 list of fastest growing companies as well as Elite Lawyer and Expertise.com   About This Episode:   This episode of the podcast covers Mississippi's passage of House Bill 1662, a groundbreaking family law reform that establishes a rebuttable presumption that joint custody with equal parenting time is in the best interest of children. The host, family rights attorney Mark Ruel Jr., celebrates Mississippi for joining an elite group of states—including Kentucky, Arkansas, West Virginia, Florida, and Missouri—that have codified true 50-50 parenting laws. The discussion highlights how this law effectively eliminates the outdated "weekend visitor" dynamic for fathers, shifts the burden of proof to the party trying to deny custody, adjusts child support expectations based on actual parenting time, and aligns with data showing the psychological benefits of dual-parent involvement for children.    

Seeking Divorce Assistance in These Locations? Our Team Can Help!   Riverside: https://bit.ly/4lYPO9o Corona: https://bit.ly/44gJROv Irvine: https://bit.ly/3EvvQSL San Diego: https://bit.ly/4lOg85X Palm Desert: https://bit.ly/4jNWZzc   Founded in 2021, Reel Fathers Rights APC is a Nationally Recognized Family Law Firm that focuses exclusively on representing Men and Fathers in Family Court in California. RFR boasts over 300 years of combined family court experience and was recognized as the top law Firm on the Inc 5000 List for 2025. RFR attorneys have earned dozens of awards and certifications from being named Certified Family Law Speicialist by the State Bar of California to being named Rising Stars by Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch by Super Lawyers. RFR attorneys are equipped to handle everything from contentious Child Custody disputes to high profile, high-stakes divorce, and defense of serious Domestic Violence Allegations. RFR is the go-to attorney for Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. You can learn more about Reel Fathers Rights and their services on our website www.reelfathersrights.com   Mark Reel Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Reel Fathers Rights APC. Since 2021, Mark and RFR have represented thousands of Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. Mark has been named One to Watch by Best Lawyers and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Inc on their Ince 500 list of fastest growing companies as well as Elite Lawyer and Expertise.com   About This Episode:   This episode of the podcast covers a major legal shift in the ongoing divorce between Real Housewives of Atlanta stars Drew Sidora and Ralph Pittman. After nearly three years of litigation, a judge has issued a temporary order requiring Drew to vacate the marital home by May 31, 2026, ending the "co-parenting limbo" where the couple lived on separate floors of the same house. Most significantly, the judge awarded Ralph primary custody during the school year after his legal team provided evidence that the children had excessive school absences while under Drew's primary care. While Drew's attorneys maintain that this is a temporary order and the matter is still being actively litigated, she currently faces a move-out deadline and a reduction to an alternating weekend visitation schedule starting in August.  

Doug Noll, JD, MA is a Distinguished Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators, the world's most prestigious mediation organization, and recipient of IAM's Syd Leezak Award of Excellence. Named California Lawyer Attorney of the Year (2012) and Best Lawyers in America Lawyer of the Year (2013), he was as a Purpose Prize Fellow for pioneering the Prison of Peace program, teaching emotional literacy to violent offenders in maximum security facilities over 10 years (2010-2020). As Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University's Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution (ranked #1 in the nation), Doug teaches graduate courses on decision-making under stress and conflict resolution. Doug is the author of four books, including the bestselling De-Escalate (45,000+ copies, translated into five languages). Doug will be delivering a TEDx talk entitled "How to Listen Someone into Existence" at TEDxApex in Apex, North Carolina on April 18, 2026. Website: https://dougnoll.com/  YouTube: @DouglasNollPeacemaker ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtAHXdBT1Y0Pl7SGrM_HcFw )  Facebook: @doug.noll.52 ( https://www.facebook.com/doug.noll.52 )  Instagram: @douglasenoll (https://www.instagram.com/douglasenoll/) Promoting: Doug is promoting his book "De-Escalate: How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less" Link to Book: https://www.amazon.com/Escalate-Calm-Angry-Person-Seconds/dp/1582706557/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26I0P2YY0VUN8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KVkOHqUANXteSdM0uyY0ufzI4KVTqesyn86T82LqWa_UOEgcJz-hr7gOJp9_nICswaH9J3gDieAovc_Ju_JXUyFbbGGjAwxCTd6QaPK4CqWqxjIR9JgIpJqy4htL2b88NBRXmnPq4d9tTduIPOYRgMGW_fcdR-MbS-P1Ro13GfU.fiZO4TYsSTU80FsM2Dc1q9b0vKN3T2t_egkekaWoy4M&dib_tag=se&keywords=doug+noll&qid=1735287953&sprefix=doug+noll%2Caps%2C323&sr=8-1

Seeking Divorce Assistance in These Locations? Our Team Can Help!   Riverside: https://bit.ly/4lYPO9o Corona: https://bit.ly/44gJROv Irvine: https://bit.ly/3EvvQSL San Diego: https://bit.ly/4lOg85X Palm Desert: https://bit.ly/4jNWZzc   Founded in 2021, Reel Fathers Rights APC is a Nationally Recognized Family Law Firm that focuses exclusively on representing Men and Fathers in Family Court in California. RFR boasts over 300 years of combined family court experience and was recognized as the top law Firm on the Inc 5000 List for 2025. RFR attorneys have earned dozens of awards and certifications from being named Certified Family Law Speicialist by the State Bar of California to being named Rising Stars by Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch by Super Lawyers. RFR attorneys are equipped to handle everything from contentious Child Custody disputes to high profile, high-stakes divorce, and defense of serious Domestic Violence Allegations. RFR is the go-to attorney for Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. You can learn more about Reel Fathers Rights and their services on our website www.reelfathersrights.com   About This Episode:   This episode explores the sudden legal fallout between Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and his former fiancée, Sarah Jane Ramos, following the cancellation of their luxury wedding in Lake Como, Italy, on April 10, 2026. The split followed a high-tension trip to the Bahamas where allegations of infidelity arose, leading to the couple calling off the wedding via an email to 250 guests. The podcast details the legal steps taken by Prescott, who filed a petition in Texas to establish joint managing conservatorship for their two young daughters, MJ and Aurora, seeking specific parental rights such as joint decision-making and a geographic restriction to keep the family in Texas. Despite the initial public drama, the episode highlights a positive development: both parties have agreed to settle custody and co-parenting details privately through mediation rather than a public trial, a move praised by their legal teams and peers as being in the best interest of their children.

Seeking Divorce Assistance in These Locations? Our Team Can Help!   Riverside: https://bit.ly/4lYPO9o Corona: https://bit.ly/44gJROv Irvine: https://bit.ly/3EvvQSL San Diego: https://bit.ly/4lOg85X Palm Desert: https://bit.ly/4jNWZzc   Founded in 2021, Reel Fathers Rights APC is a Nationally Recognized Family Law Firm that focuses exclusively on representing Men and Fathers in Family Court in California. RFR boasts over 300 years of combined family court experience and was recognized as the top law Firm on the Inc 5000 List for 2025. RFR attorneys have earned dozens of awards and certifications from being named Certified Family Law Speicialist by the State Bar of California to being named Rising Stars by Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch by Super Lawyers. RFR attorneys are equipped to handle everything from contentious Child Custody disputes to high profile, high-stakes divorce, and defense of serious Domestic Violence Allegations. RFR is the go-to attorney for Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. You can learn more about Reel Fathers Rights and their services on our website www.reelfathersrights.com   Mark Reel Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Reel Fathers Rights APC. Since 2021, Mark and RFR have represented thousands of Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. Mark has been named One to Watch by Best Lawyers and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Inc on their Ince 500 list of fastest growing companies as well as Elite Lawyer and Expertise.com   About This Episode: This episode covers the stunning legal fallout between former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin and his 19 teenager son, Jonah Bevin. Matt Bevin, who famously championed "family values" and signed legislation creating a presumption for 50/50 joint custody, now faces a 60-day jail sentence after being found in contempt of court. The conflict centers on Jonah's allegations that his parents abandoned him at a residential facility in Jamaica at age 17—a facility later shut down for abuse—and left him without resources or education. As Jonah sues for child support and educational expenses, the case has sparked further controversy with the introduction of House Bill 707, dubbed the "Bevin Bill," which aims to prevent children from intervening in their parents' divorce cases.

Jennifer is a Shareholder in the Employment and Labor Group for the U.S. Region of Dentons, one of the largest law firms in the world. She also serves on the firm's U.S. ESG AdvisoryBoard and is a member of its Oversight and Executive Committee and Governance and Nominating Committee. With nearly 25 years of experience, Jennifer has built an impressive career representing clients across industries such as health care, education, aviation, manufacturing, and technology. She is widely recognized for her work in employment law, including complex litigation, corporate investigations, and compliance matters, and has been named to The Best Lawyers in America for Labor and Employment Litigation. In this episode, we dive into Jennifer's professional journey, from how Villa Maria Academy helped played a big role in her development, to the early stages of her career, and to becominga leader at a global firm. She shares valuable insights on what it takes to succeed at a high level, emphasizing the importance of hard work, teamwork, and discipline along the way. Jennifer also reflects on key moments that shaped her path and offers practical advice for young professionals looking to grow intheir careers. It's a great conversation filled with perspective, leadership lessons, and real-world experience you won't want to miss.

Seeking Divorce Assistance in These Locations? Our Team Can Help!   Riverside: https://bit.ly/4lYPO9o Corona: https://bit.ly/44gJROv Irvine: https://bit.ly/3EvvQSL San Diego: https://bit.ly/4lOg85X Palm Desert: https://bit.ly/4jNWZzc   Founded in 2021, Reel Fathers Rights APC is a Nationally Recognized Family Law Firm that focuses exclusively on representing Men and Fathers in Family Court in California. RFR boasts over 300 years of combined family court experience and was recognized as the top law Firm on the Inc 5000 List for 2025. RFR attorneys have earned dozens of awards and certifications from being named Certified Family Law Speicialist by the State Bar of California to being named Rising Stars by Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch by Super Lawyers. RFR attorneys are equipped to handle everything from contentious Child Custody disputes to high profile, high-stakes divorce, and defense of serious Domestic Violence Allegations. RFR is the go-to attorney for Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. You can learn more about Reel Fathers Rights and their services on our website www.reelfathersrights.com   Mark Reel Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Reel Fathers Rights APC. Since 2021, Mark and RFR have represented thousands of Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. Mark has been named One to Watch by Best Lawyers and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Inc on their Ince 500 list of fastest growing companies as well as Elite Lawyer and Expertise.com   About This Episode:   This podcast episode dives into Title IV-D, a 1975 federal program originally designed as a "safety net" for low-income families that has transformed into what the host calls a "money-maker" for state governments. Originally intended to recover welfare costs from non-custodial parents, the program now serves as a state-subsidized debt collection service for wealthy families regardless of income. The host argues that because the federal government provides performance bonuses based on cost-effectiveness, state case workers are incentivized to prioritize high-dollar cases over impoverished families who actually need the help. To fix the system, the episode proposes implementing means testing and weighted metrics that reward lifting children out of poverty rather than just collecting large checks for the affluent.

This week, your hosts Steve Lowry and Yvonne Godfrey interview Randall Sorrels and Alexandra Farias-Sorrels of Sorrels Law (https://sorrelllawfirm.com/)   Remember to rate and review GTP on iTunes: Click Here To Rate and Review   Case Details: Husband-and-wife trial team Randall Sorrels and Alexandra Farias-Sorrels of Sorrels Law share how they secured justice for an airline wing walker who was struck by a fueling truck and catastrophically injured. On September 7, 2019, Ulysses Cruz donned his yellow vest and held bright orange wands to guide a United Airlines plane when Allied Aviation Fueling Company truck driver Reginald Willis struck Ulysses with the vehicle. Ulysses was paralyzed on impact, underwent spine stabilization surgery and suffered an accident-related stroke that affected the right side of his body and the left side of his brain. In the courtroom, award-winning trial lawyers Randall and Alexandra Sorrels sparred against the defense attorney, who attempted to place blame on United Airlines and to label Ulysses as a wing walker with a lack of "situational awareness." The Sorrels Law duo countered with proof that Reginald Willis violated Allied Aviation Fueling Company's policies by continuing to drive while blinded by the sun. On October 25, 2021, a Harris County, Texas jury found Allied Aviation Fueling Company 70% responsible and driver Reginald Willis 30% responsible for the accident and awarded Ulysses Cruz and his family a $352.77 million verdict, which is believed to be the largest actual damages verdict in U.S. history for an injured worker.    Click Here to Read/Download the Complete Trial Documents Guest Bios: Randy Sorrel Randy Sorrels holds the unique distinction of being the only Texas board-certified plaintiffs' lawyer ever to have been elected to serve as President of the State Bar of Texas and selected as one of the Top 100 lawyers in the state by Texas Super Lawyers magazine. His passionate representation of clients and lawyers has garnered statewide recognition and numerous prestigious awards. Randy and his partner/wife obtained what is believed to be the largest actual damages verdict in United States' history for an injured worker — $352.7 million – in a fully contested jury trial. In short, whether it is in the courtroom or in the boardroom, Randy has an unparalleled track record of success for his clients and the organizations he leads. As a leader, Randy was voted by Texas lawyers to become the 2019-2020 State Bar President by the widest margin of victory in State Bar history. During his presidential service, he traveled Texas solidifying his reputation for helping not only those who hire him, but also helping fellow lawyers. His network of friends and relationships throughout the state is vast, and he is often hired by lawyers who are in need of representation. As a zealot advocate for his clients, Randy holds four board certifications including in Personal Injury Trial Law, Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. And in a peer selection process, for the last 14 years he has been named one of the Top 100 lawyers in the state. He is sought after by the nationwide and local media for legal analysis, commentary and perspective. Randy's success in the courtroom is also well-known throughout Texas and the nation. He has taken dozens of cases to trial, securing multi-million-dollar verdicts in personal injury cases, medical malpractice cases, plant explosion cases and business lawsuits. During the time of Covid, Randy and the Sorrels Law team secured two of the largest personal injury jury verdicts in the country in high-profile cases that received media attention worldwide. In one of the cases, the jury returned an actual damages verdict of $352.7 million for an injured worker who suffered catastrophic injuries, while in the other the jury awarded two minor league baseball players $3.24 million. For 2022, Randy has been named the Best Lawyers® Personal Injury – Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” in Houston, and has been named the Best Lawyers' Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” in Houston on three separate occasions. He has received some of the highest legal honors in the state, including being awarded the State Bar of Texas President's Award (recognizing the one Texas Lawyer who provided the most outstanding contributions through distinguished service to the lawyers of Texas), the Judge Sam Williams Award (recognizing the Texas lawyer who provides the greatest contribution to both local bars and the State Bar of Texas), and the Houston Bar Association President's Award (recognizing significant contributions to an HBA program). Early in his career, Randy was honored with the Woodrow B. Seals Outstanding Young Lawyer of Houston Award (recognizing the one young Houston lawyer who exemplified significant professional traits both inside and outside the practice of law). He started his career as a lawyer at the internationally acclaimed Fulbright & Jaworski (now Norton Rose Fulbright). Read Full Bio   Alex Farias-Sorrels Alex Farias-Sorrels is a passionate litigator, who left “Big-Law” to pursue her desire to help people who have been wrongly injured. She treats her clients like family and handles every aspect of her cases as if she were handling them for her own mother, father, sister, or brother. A Latina, native Houstonian, and bilingual lawyer, Alex is proud to bring a woman's touch to personal injury law. Alex attended both undergrad (2007) and law school (2010) at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, graduating with honors.  While graduating in the top 10% of her law school class, Alex also interned for the appellate division of the U.S. Attorney's office in Houston and for Legal Services of Greater Miami. After law school, as part of a fellowship program, Alex served as a full-time law clerk for U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Jeff Bohm for a year.  At the same time, and on a part-time basis, she received her first exposure to plaintiffs' work at a respected personal injury law firm in Houston where she handled personal injury cases and business disputes.  In her second year of practice, she worked as a briefing attorney for the Supreme Court of Texas, clerking for Justice David Medina. There, she assisted the Court in assessing complex state law issues and also helped draft the Court's opinions. After her term at the Court, Alex joined the international law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, a Philadelphia-based firm with over 2,200 lawyers worldwide.  Alex practiced in the firm's Houston litigation section and focused mostly on complex commercial cases and insurance recovery cases.  She also handled products liability and personal injury cases, including aircraft crashes.  She served as first-chair counsel in more than ten trials, and was often called on to assist on thorny appellate issues.  Alex's largest victory came in an arbitration award, as she was instrumental in securing an almost $300 million arbitration award on behalf of a major Fortune 500 company on a fraudulent transfer claim.   Alex and her husband Randy Sorrels have a young son, Houston Alexander, who is bilingual, and keeps them busy when they are not working.  They also have two rescue dogs – Gio and Luna.  Alex is active in the bar, currently serving as a board member on both the Texas Bar Foundation and the Houston Young Lawyers Foundation. Read Full Bio   Show Sponsors: Legal Technology Services - LegalTechService.com Harris Lowry Manton LLP - hlmlawfirm.com   Free Resources: Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 1 Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 2  

Recently we marked 77 years since the NATO alliance was founded. Instead of celebrating this milestone, however, President Trump's comments slamming NATO over its reluctance to help the US secure the Straits of Hormuz, including calling the alliance a “paper tiger” and saying NATO allies were “tested” and they “failed”, have left allies wondering if the future of the alliance is in doubt. Given President Trump's statements, could a US withdrawal from NATO be in the cards, and what would it mean for the US and for allied countries like Greece?  James Lindsay and Ino Afentouli join Thanos Davelis as we break down why NATO matters in a world of increasing great power rivalry, what's at stake for the US, and why it's critical for Greece, Southeastern Europe, and the Eastern Mediterranean. This week we're also digging into Greek history as Greece recently commemorated the 200th anniversary of the heroic exodus of the Greeks from the besieged city of Messolonghi during the Greek Revolution. We break down this story with Professor Alexander Kitroeff who explains why it was a pivotal moment for the Greek Revolution, how it galvanized philhellenes around the world, and why this story still resonates today. Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we're highlighting one of HALC's earliest members, Harry Koulos. A distinguished attorney, Harry has been named one of Best Lawyers' Ones to Watch since 2024. He honed his skills as a clerk in Federal court and at one of the biggest law firms in the US, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, before taking his expertise to Kibler Fowler & Cave, where he currently practices. A distinguished leader, Harry's passion for the law is equal to his passion for his Hellenic identity and the community. A little more info on our guests: James Lindsay is the Mary and David Boies distinguished senior fellow in U.S. foreign policy at the Council on Foreign Relations. Ino Afentouli is the Senior Policy Advisor and Head of the Observatory of Geopolitics and Diplomacy at ELIAMEP. Alexander Kitroeff is a professor of history with an expertise in Greece and the diaspora. You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.

Seeking Divorce Assistance in These Locations? Our Team Can Help! Riverside: https://bit.ly/4lYPO9o Corona: https://bit.ly/44gJROv Irvine: https://bit.ly/3EvvQSL San Diego: https://bit.ly/4lOg85X Palm Desert: https://bit.ly/4jNWZzc   Founded in 2021, Reel Fathers Rights APC is a Nationally Recognized Family Law Firm that focuses exclusively on representing Men and Fathers in Family Court in California. RFR boasts over 300 years of combined family court experience and was recognized as the top law Firm on the Inc 5000 List for 2025. RFR attorneys have earned dozens of awards and certifications from being named Certified Family Law Speicialist by the State Bar of California to being named Rising Stars by Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch by Super Lawyers. RFR attorneys are equipped to handle everything from contentious Child Custody disputes to high profile, high-stakes divorce, and defense of serious Domestic Violence Allegations. RFR is the go-to attorney for Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. You can learn more about Reel Fathers Rights and their services on our website www.reelfathersrights.com   Mark Reel Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Reel Fathers Rights APC. Since 2021, Mark and RFR have represented thousands of Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. Mark has been named One to Watch by Best Lawyers and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Inc on their Ince 500 list of fastest growing companies as well as Elite Lawyer and Expertise.com   About This Episode:   In this episode, the host investigates the public downfall of Taylor Frankie Paul, once poised to be the next Bachelorette before her world "went up in flames" in March 2026. The episode provides a detailed timeline of her legal troubles, starting with the 2022 "soft swinging" scandal that ended her marriage to Tate Paul, followed by a volatile relationship with Dakota Mortensen featured on Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The discussion focuses on a 2023 domestic violence video showing Taylor throwing a metal chair that struck her daughter, which resurfaced alongside new 2026 domestic assault allegations. From a family law perspective, the host analyzes the protective orders filed by both Tate and Dakota, explaining why Taylor faces a significant uphill battle to retain custody of her three children due to evidence of child endangerment.  

Sue or Settle? Negotiating out of litigation with Sam Imperati-  trial attorney, judge (pro tem) and meditator .Join Martin Medeiros in The Persuasion Lab with his very special Guest, Sam Imperati,  for this information packed episode for anyone facing litigation and looking for alternatives or insights how to engage in litigation productively. Sam Imperati, is the Executive Director of ICMresolutions, a Seattle-based national dispute resolution provider of mediation, facilitation, decision-making, team building, and training services. Sam is experienced at the intersection of policy, politics, science, business, and law. Sam has been a full-time ADR professional since 1992 and has managed everything from “Admiralty to Zoning.” He represented individuals and labor unions in private practice and was Nike's Assistant Corporate Counsel for litigation. He served as a Judge Pro Tempore and taught public policy facilitation at UO Law CRES program, leadership, negotiation, ethics, & decision-making at Willamette MBA, and environmental dispute resolution at Lewis & Clark Law.2006 – 2025 Best Lawyers in America (ADR). 2026 edition “Lawyer of the Year” for Mediation in Portland, Oregon. Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating, AV Preeminent. 10/10 AVVO rating. OSB & OMA Lezak Awards for mediation excellence. Standup comedy winner… which helps get agreements, I kid you not!During his free time, Sam plays “zone defense” against his four granddaughters and midfield on an Over-68 men's soccer team, where, occasionally, you can perceive movement on the field! Gain access to the latest research and premium content by supporting the cannel and becoming a subscriber to The Persuasion Lab, or join our in person and streamed monthly class, The  Negotiation DojoⓇ  more information here.Questions about the lab? Let us know at martin.medeiros@thepersuasionlab.com. The host and our guests anonymize case studies, stories, and examples. Any resemblance to real persons and similar circumstances is coincidental. Nothing in this podcast should be relied upon as legal, financial, psychological, or medical advice. As such, you should not rely solely on the information in this podcast. Please consult the relevant licensed professional in your jurisdiction to get information before you change your position in reliance on any information presented. Support the show

Seeking Divorce Assistance in These Locations? Our Team Can Help!   Riverside: https://bit.ly/4lYPO9o Corona: https://bit.ly/44gJROv Irvine: https://bit.ly/3EvvQSL San Diego: https://bit.ly/4lOg85X Palm Desert: https://bit.ly/4jNWZzc   Founded in 2021, Reel Fathers Rights APC is a Nationally Recognized Family Law Firm that focuses exclusively on representing Men and Fathers in Family Court in California. RFR boasts over 300 years of combined family court experience and was recognized as the top law Firm on the Inc 5000 List for 2025. RFR attorneys have earned dozens of awards and certifications from being named Certified Family Law Speicialist by the State Bar of California to being named Rising Stars by Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch by Super Lawyers. RFR attorneys are equipped to handle everything from contentious Child Custody disputes to high profile, high-stakes divorce, and defense of serious Domestic Violence Allegations. RFR is the go-to attorney for Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. You can learn more about Reel Fathers Rights and their services on our website www.reelfathersrights.com   Mark Reel Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Reel Fathers Rights APC. Since 2021, Mark and RFR have represented thousands of Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. Mark has been named One to Watch by Best Lawyers and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Inc on their Ince 500 list of fastest growing companies as well as Elite Lawyer and Expertise.com   About This Episode:   This episode tells the incredible true story of Joe Newton, a father whose life was defined by the search for his daughter, Michelle, after she was kidnapped by her own mother, Deborah Lee Newton, in April 1983. After Debora fled Kentucky for Florida, she assumed the false identity of Sharon Neely and raised Michelle under a web of lies for 42 years. The podcast details the decades of silence, the breakthrough in 2025 using age-progression software and a Crime Stoppers tip, and the emotional reunion between Joe and Michelle while Joe was recovering from a heart transplant. The episode explores themes of deception, parental bonds, and the legal consequences facing Deborah as she is extradited back to Kentucky to answer for the stolen time.

STEVEN ("STEVE") D. SALLEN joined Maddin Hauser as a law clerk in 1983. Today, he is the president and CEO of the firm. Steve earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Detroit School of Law. There he served as Case and Comment Editor of the University of Detroit Law Review. Steve concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate law, environmental law, and corporate law. His clients include some of Michigan's most successful manufacturing firms, real estate developers, general contractors, and commercial real estate brokers. He also heads the firm's Environmental Law group and is co-chair of the Real Estate group. Steve applies a problem-solving approach to transactional issues as reflected in the many articles he has had published, including From Lemons to Lemonade; Successful Management of Lease Termination Negotiations Can Lead to New Opportunities For Commercial Property Owners (Michigan Lawyers Weekly, April 21, 2008) and New IRS Rules for Lenders May Help Troubled Commercial Borrowers (Michigan Lawyers Weekly, November 2, 2009). In 2009, Steve developed the Commission-Safe® Marketing Program, a proven system of re-useable tools and checklists, training, and consulting for commercial real estate brokers. This program has made Steve a go-to resource for many of southeast Michigan's premier commercial brokers. Since 2010, Steve's peers have continually selected him for inclusion in the annual edition of Best Lawyers in America® in the area of real estate law and since 2020 in the area of business organizations (including LLCs and partnerships). For several years in a row, Steve also has been named a Michigan Super Lawyer and a Top Lawyer by DBusiness Magazine©, all in the field of real estate law. What's more, has been recognized in Michigan Lawyers Weekly's 2020 Hall of Fame, named a Michigan Leading Lawyer in the areas of commercial and finance real estate law, and selected for inclusion in the Top Attorneys of North America 2018-2019 edition of The Who's Who Directories. For 20 years, Martindale-Hubbell® has honored Steve with an AV-Preeminent® ranking, its highest peer rating for professional excellence, legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards. Steve resides in an "empty nest" in Orchard Lake, Michigan, with his wife and two dogs. Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejondwoskinexperience/ Website: https://jondwoskin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/ Email: jon@jondwoskin.com Get Jon's Book: The Think Big Movement: Grow your business big. Very Big!   Connect with Steve Sallen:Website: https://maddinhauser.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaddinHauser LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/maddin-hauser-roth-and-heller-pc/ X: https://twitter.com/MaddinHauserPC YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@maddinhauserlaw   *E – explicit language may be used in this podcast.

The Risks of Criminal Court: What People Don't Talk About. We clashed on one or two points, but some would be surprised that we agreed on most everything else. For nearly three decades, Iris Eytan built a reputation as one of Colorado's most formidable criminal defense attorneys. With 28 years in the courtroom, thousands of defendants represented, and countless high-stakes Trials, she stood on the frontlines of a justice system few truly understand. But behind the acquittals and accolades lies a side of the profession that rarely makes headlines, the emotional toll, the systemic flaws, and What People Don't Talk About when it comes to criminal law. The Podcast is available for free on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and most major podcast platforms. “I gave everything to the work,” Eytan said. “But over time, the work takes something from you too.” The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast social media like their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms. A Career Defined by High-Stakes Justice Eytan's legal career began after earning her law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. She quickly stepped into the role of Deputy State Public Defender, where she gained firsthand experience representing individuals often overlooked by the system. Over time, she transitioned into private practice, co-founding her own firm and becoming a leading voice in criminal defense and civil rights litigation. Supporting articles about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin . Her résumé is extensive, recognition from Best Lawyers in America, features in 5280 Magazine, and even the cover of Colorado Super Lawyers Magazine. But for Eytan, the real measure of her career wasn't awards, it was impact. The Risks of Criminal Court: What People Don't Talk About. “I've represented thousands of people,” she explained. “And every single one of them mattered. These aren't case numbers, they're human beings whose lives are on the line.” The Reality Behind Prosecutors, Attorneys, and the System In discussing The Risks of Criminal Court, Eytan didn't shy away from addressing one of the most controversial topics in the legal world: prosecutorial misconduct. “Most people assume the system is balanced,” she said. “But the reality is, Prosecutors hold immense power, and there's very little accountability when that power is abused.” The episode is available across major platforms including their website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, with highlights shared across their Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn profiles. Research supports her concern. Studies have shown that misconduct by prosecutors and government officials plays a role in a significant percentage of wrongful convictions. Yet discipline remains rare, a troubling disconnect that continues to raise questions about oversight and ethics within the system. The Risks of Criminal Court: What People Don't Talk About. “Defense Attorneys are fighting uphill battles,” Eytan added. “When evidence is withheld or misrepresented, it can completely change the outcome of a case. And often, no one is held responsible.” The Case That Changed Everything Eytan's career reached a turning point with a high-profile case. What began as a vigorous defense effort evolved into something much larger, the exposure of serious prosecutorial misconduct. “We uncovered things that should never happen in a courtroom,” she said. “It wasn't just about winning a case anymore, it was about exposing a broken system.” Available for free on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube and most major Podcast networks. The case ultimately led to the dismissal of first-degree murder charges against him. In the aftermath, investigations resulted in the disbarment of a former district attorney and public discipline for others involved. But the victory came at a cost. “That case changed me,” Eytan admitted. “It opened my eyes to how deep the problems go. And honestly, it contributed to my decision to step away from criminal defense.” The Risks of Criminal Court: What People Don't Talk About. The Hidden Toll: PTSD in the Legal Profession One of the most overlooked aspects of The Risks of Criminal Court is the mental and emotional impact on those working inside it. “I developed PTSD,” Eytan revealed. “And that's something people don't expect to hear from a lawyer.” She described years of exposure to traumatic evidence, intense courtroom battles, and the constant pressure of defending lives in jeopardy. Look for The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on social media like their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms. “You carry these cases with you,” she said. “The images, the stories, the outcomes, they don't just disappear when the trial ends.” It's a reality that is rarely discussed on Facebook, Instagram, or even professional platforms. While legal victories may trend in the News, the human cost behind them is often left unspoken. From Courtroom to Reform In 2022, Eytan made the difficult decision to step away from practicing criminal law. But rather than leave the system behind, she chose to confront it from a different angle. The Risks of Criminal Court: What People Don't Talk About. She founded PEP (Prosecutorial Ethics Project), an organization dedicated to exposing misconduct and pushing for systemic reform. “I couldn't just walk away,” she said. “I needed to do something to fix what I had seen for nearly 30 years.” You can find the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn, as well as read companion articles and updates on Medium, Blogspot, YouTube, and even IMDB. Since its founding, PEP has played a role in holding prosecutors accountable and advocating for transparency within the justice system. “There has to be oversight,” Eytan emphasized. “Without it, the same patterns will continue.” A Broader Conversation Through Media Today, Eytan is using new platforms to reach a wider audience, from the Podcast interview on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast which is available on their website, also on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Her mission is clear: educate the public on the realities of the criminal justice system. “People need to understand what's really happening,” she said. “Not just the version they see on TV or social media.” Even as she shares her story, she acknowledges that conversations about justice can be complex. The Risks of Criminal Court: What People Don't Talk About. What People Still Don't Talk About At its core, Eytan's message is about awareness. The risks aren't just for defendants, they extend to everyone involved in the system. From overworked defense attorneys to unchecked prosecutorial power, the cracks in the system are wider than many realize. “People think it can't happen to them,” she said. “But the truth is, anyone can find themselves in a courtroom, relying on a system that isn't as fair as it should be.” Listeners can find the full podcast interview for free on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and most major podcast platforms. Her story serves as both a warning and a call to action, a reminder that justice isn't guaranteed, and reform requires more than silence. The Risks of Criminal Court: What People Don't Talk About. “Change starts with understanding,” Eytan said. “And understanding starts with talking about the things no one wants to talk about.” Background song Hurricane is used with permission from the band Dark Horse Flyer. You can contact John J. “Jay” Wiley by email at Jay@letradio.com , or learn more about him on their website . Find a wide variety of great podcasts online at The Podcast Zone Facebook Page , look for the one with the bright green logo. Be sure to check out our website . Be sure to follow us on X , Instagram , Facebook, Pinterest, Linkedin and other social media platforms for the latest episodes and news. The Risks of Criminal Court: What People Don't Talk About. Attributions Protect Ethical Prosectors Lexinter Law Facebook Facebook Group   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Seeking Divorce Assistance in These Locations? Our Team Can Help!   Riverside: https://bit.ly/4lYPO9o Corona: https://bit.ly/44gJROv Irvine: https://bit.ly/3EvvQSL San Diego: https://bit.ly/4lOg85X Palm Desert: https://bit.ly/4jNWZzc   Founded in 2021, Reel Fathers Rights APC is a Nationally Recognized Family Law Firm that focuses exclusively on representing Men and Fathers in Family Court in California. RFR boasts over 300 years of combined family court experience and was recognized as the top law Firm on the Inc 5000 List for 2025. RFR attorneys have earned dozens of awards and certifications from being named Certified Family Law Speicialist by the State Bar of California to being named Rising Stars by Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch by Super Lawyers. RFR attorneys are equipped to handle everything from contentious Child Custody disputes to high profile, high-stakes divorce, and defense of serious Domestic Violence Allegations. RFR is the go-to attorney for Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. You can learn more about Reel Fathers Rights and their services on our website www.reelfathersrights.com   Mark Reel Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Reel Fathers Rights APC. Since 2021, Mark and RFR have represented thousands of Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. Mark has been named One to Watch by Best Lawyers and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Inc on their Ince 500 list of fastest growing companies as well as Elite Lawyer and Expertise.com   About This Episode: In this episode, family rights attorney Mark Ruel Jr. explains the five legal "filters" often used by the government to dismiss Section 1983 lawsuits, which are civil actions for rights violations by state actors. He breaks down the Qualified Immunity Trap, where officials can be protected if no identical prior case exists, and the Rooker-Feldman Doctrine, which prevents federal courts from overturning state court family law decisions. Ruel also discusses the Absolute Judicial Immunity of judges and prosecutors, the Monell Standard requiring proof of official policy rather than individual error, and the No Physical Seizure rule that often disqualifies harassment claims if children were not physically removed. The episode aims to educate viewers on the uphill battle of filing these cases and advocates for legal reform to hold government officials accountable.  

Eido M. Walny is the founder and managing attorney of Walny Legal Group LLC, where he focuses on estate planning, asset protection, business succession, probate, and trust administration. He founded the firm in 2011 with a commitment to providing high-level legal counsel paired with exceptional client service. Eido advises clients across the country on protecting and transferring multi-generational wealth through strategies such as wills, trusts, tax planning, and charitable giving. A nationally recognized speaker, author, and commentator on estate planning and business issues, he has received numerous honors, including recognition in Best Lawyers in America and designation as an Estate Planning Law Specialist. Eido earned his J.D. from Boston University School of Law and holds a B.A. in Political Science with honors from the University of Chicago. Connect with Eido Walny:Website: www.walnylegal.com TurnKey Podcast Productions Important Links:Guest to Gold Video Series: www.TurnkeyPodcast.com/gold The Ultimate Podcast Launch Formula- www.TurnkeyPodcast.com/UPLFplusFREE workshop on how to "Be A Great Guest."Free E-Book 5 Ways to Make Money Podcasting at www.Turnkeypodcast.com/gift Ready to earn 6-figures with your podcast? See if you've got what it takes at TurnkeyPodcast.com/quizSales Training for Podcasters: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sales-training-for-podcasters/id1540644376Nice Guys on Business: http://www.niceguysonbusiness.com/subscribe/The Turnkey Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/turnkey-podcast/id1485077152

In this episode, Jon Dwoskin and Craig Zucker discuss the crucial role of proactive legal planning in business. Craig shares how many entrepreneurs skip formalizing agreements early on, leading to preventable conflicts. He stresses the importance of proper documentation and preparing for worst-case scenarios, even in trusted partnerships. Craig Zucker is a shareholder and member of Maddin Hauser's Executive Committee. H co-chairs the firm's Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Debtor-Creditor Rights group. Craig concentrates his practice in bankruptcy and complex insolvency-related matters, serving clients throughout the United States including in New York, Ohio, and Florida. He has a broad range of experience representing debtors and creditors in federal, bankruptcy, and state court proceedings and through out-of-court workouts, mediations, and facilitations. Craig has successfully represented the interests of multi-employer fringe benefit funds, pension funds, health and welfare funds, unions, and retirees in various federal and bankruptcy court proceedings, including Chapters 7, 9, and 11 bankruptcies. He also has gained extensive experience with construction law and construction-related lien and bond rights in federal and state court matters. Craig is AV rated in Martindale Hubbell and has been named in the Best Lawyers in America since 2010. Listed as a Top Lawyer by DBusiness Magazine in litigation-bankruptcy, he also has been recognized as a Michigan Leading Lawyer in the areas of Bankruptcy & Workout Law: Commercial and Creditor's Rights/Commercial Collections Law. Craig was selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly for induction in their "Hall of Fame" 2023 class, an honor awarded to Michigan legal leaders for their successful careers and valuable contributions to the profession and community. As a presenter at various national and local seminars, Craig shares his extensive knowledge on insolvency, bankruptcy, and debtor/creditor rights.   Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejondwoskinexperience/ Website: https://jondwoskin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/ Email: jon@jondwoskin.com Get Jon's Book: The Think Big Movement: Grow your business big. Very Big!   Connect with Craig Zucker:Website: https://maddinhauser.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-zucker-444447220/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaddinHauser X: https://twitter.com/MaddinHauserPC Firm LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/maddin-hauser-roth-and-heller-pc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@maddinhauserlaw                                                                                     *E – explicit language may be used in this podcast.

Seeking Divorce Assistance in These Locations? Our Team Can Help! Seeking Divorce Assistance in These Locations? Our Team Can Help!   Riverside: https://bit.ly/4lYPO9o Corona: https://bit.ly/44gJROv Irvine: https://bit.ly/3EvvQSL San Diego: https://bit.ly/4lOg85X Palm Desert: https://bit.ly/4jNWZzc   Founded in 2021, Reel Fathers Rights APC is a Nationally Recognized Family Law Firm that focuses exclusively on representing Men and Fathers in Family Court in California. RFR boasts over 300 years of combined family court experience and was recognized as the top law Firm on the Inc 5000 List for 2025. RFR attorneys have earned dozens of awards and certifications from being named Certified Family Law Speicialist by the State Bar of California to being named Rising Stars by Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch by Super Lawyers. RFR attorneys are equipped to handle everything from contentious Child Custody disputes to high profile, high-stakes divorce, and defense of serious Domestic Violence Allegations. RFR is the go-to attorney for Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. You can learn more about Reel Fathers Rights and their services on our website www.reelfathersrights.com   Mark Reel Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Reel Fathers Rights APC. Since 2021, Mark and RFR have represented thousands of Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. Mark has been named One to Watch by Best Lawyers and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Inc on their Ince 500 list of fastest growing companies as well as Elite Lawyer and Expertise.com   About This Episode:   This episode discusses a high-stakes legal battle between NBA superstar Luka Dončić and his ex-fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, who has filed for child support and attorney fees in California. The host explains that Goltes is likely seeking to leverage California's lack of a hard cap on child support for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, which could result in monthly payments exceeding $100,000—significantly more than what she would likely receive in their home country of Slovenia. While California can enforce financial support due to Dončić's employment with the Lakers, the host notes a jurisdictional catch: the California courts cannot decide custody because the children have not lived in the state for the required six months. The episode concludes by predicting a protracted international court battle or a quiet out-of-court settlement as Dončić's legal team attempts to move the case back to Slovenia.    

https://www.cevanstewartauthor.com/ C. Evan Stewart recently retired as a senior partner in an international law firm headquartered in New York City. Mr. Stewart is a visiting professor at Cornell University and an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School. In addition, he is a contributing columnist for the New York Law Journal, New York Business Law Journal, and the Federal Bar Council Quarterly; he has published approximately 300 articles on a variety of legal subjects, and is frequently featured in the national media and regularly speaks across the country on securities, professional responsibility, and complex litigation issues. In 2016, he received the Sanford D. Levy Award from the New York State Bar Association for his contributions to the field of legal ethics. Mr. Stewart is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Economic Club of New York. He is also a Director and Treasurer of Humanities New York. Mr. Stewart has served as a Trustee of Cornell University, Westminster School, the American University of Bulgaria, the American Historical Association, the Young Women's Christian Association of the USA, YMCA Camping Services, and the Federal Bar Council. Mr. Stewart has been recognized by The Legal 500 since 2015, Super Lawyers since 2009, and has also been hailed as a Local Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation. He is also recognized by The Best Lawyers in America in its securities litigation category. In 2016, Mr. Stewart received the Sanford D. Levy Award from the New York State Bar Association's Ethics Committee for his significant contributions to the field of professional responsibility. In 2008, he received the Modaq Content Award for writing the most popular article in the United States. Since 1980, Mr. Stewart has been AV(R) Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. William Henry Seward and the Secession Winter (November 1860 – April 1861) The lively tale of a politically fraught era 165 years in the past and yet highly relevant today. In the winter of 1860-61, one man, William Henry Seward, Republican Senator from New York (the presumptive favorite for the 1860 Republican nomination for president; defeated by Lincoln on the third ballot), labored mightily to effectuate his plan to save the Union. Because of history's (and historians') heavy bias to portray Lincoln as almost a saint (see, for example, Jon Meacham's “And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle” (Random House 2022)), Seward's prodigious efforts have either been ignored, given short shrift, or looked upon as something less than honorable. This short book – based upon original archival research and a comprehensive review of secondary sources – tells the story of Seward's efforts. Counter-factual history is always an iffy business. But Seward's “plan” did help to keep the Upper South States in the Union during the months before the president-elect became the president. And had his counsel been followed after March 4th, perhaps the course of American History would have played out very differently.

Seeking Divorce Assistance in These Locations? Our Team Can Help!   Riverside: https://bit.ly/4lYPO9o Corona: https://bit.ly/44gJROv Irvine: https://bit.ly/3EvvQSL San Diego: https://bit.ly/4lOg85X Palm Desert: https://bit.ly/4jNWZzc   Founded in 2021, Reel Fathers Rights APC is a Nationally Recognized Family Law Firm that focuses exclusively on representing Men and Fathers in Family Court in California. RFR boasts over 300 years of combined family court experience and was recognized as the top law Firm on the Inc 5000 List for 2025. RFR attorneys have earned dozens of awards and certifications from being named Certified Family Law Speicialist by the State Bar of California to being named Rising Stars by Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch by Super Lawyers. RFR attorneys are equipped to handle everything from contentious Child Custody disputes to high profile, high-stakes divorce, and defense of serious Domestic Violence Allegations. RFR is the go-to attorney for Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. You can learn more about Reel Fathers Rights and their services on our website www.reelfathersrights.com   Mark Reel Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Reel Fathers Rights APC. Since 2021, Mark and RFR have represented thousands of Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. Mark has been named One to Watch by Best Lawyers and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Inc on their Ince 500 list of fastest growing companies as well as Elite Lawyer and Expertise.com   About This Episode:   On this episode, Mark Reel Jr. breaks down the two-part constitutional shield of due process that stands between a family and state overreach. He explains that procedural due process acts as the court's "user manual," requiring the three pillars of official notice, a meaningful opportunity to be heard, and an impartial judge to ensure the legal process is fair. Mark then dives into substantive due process, which protects the fundamental liberty interest parents have in the care and control of their children. Because these rights are fundamental, the state must meet the "strict scrutiny" standard, proving they have a compelling reason—such as preventing immediate physical harm—before they can legally interfere with a family. Ultimately, he illustrates how procedural due process protects the trial itself, while substantive due process protects the very fabric of the family.

Seeking Divorce Assistance in These Locations? Our Team Can Help!   Riverside: https://bit.ly/4lYPO9o Corona: https://bit.ly/44gJROv Irvine: https://bit.ly/3EvvQSL San Diego: https://bit.ly/4lOg85X Palm Desert: https://bit.ly/4jNWZzc   Founded in 2021, Reel Fathers Rights APC is a Nationally Recognized Family Law Firm that focuses exclusively on representing Men and Fathers in Family Court in California. RFR boasts over 300 years of combined family court experience and was recognized as the top law Firm on the Inc 5000 List for 2025. RFR attorneys have earned dozens of awards and certifications from being named Certified Family Law Speicialist by the State Bar of California to being named Rising Stars by Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch by Super Lawyers. RFR attorneys are equipped to handle everything from contentious Child Custody disputes to high profile, high-stakes divorce, and defense of serious Domestic Violence Allegations. RFR is the go-to attorney for Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. You can learn more about Reel Fathers Rights and their services on our website www.reelfathersrights.com   Mark Reel Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Reel Fathers Rights APC. Since 2021, Mark and RFR have represented thousands of Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. Mark has been named One to Watch by Best Lawyers and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Inc on their Ince 500 list of fastest growing companies as well as Elite Lawyer and Expertise.com   About This Episode:   The Troxel v. Granville Supreme Court case established that fit parents have a fundamental 14th Amendment right to make decisions regarding the care and custody of their children. The ruling struck down an overly broad Washington state law that allowed any person to sue for visitation, asserting that the government cannot override a fit parent's choices just because a judge believes a different arrangement would be "better". While frequently cited by parental rights advocates to support autonomy and equal time, the case specifically addressed disputes between parents and third parties, such as grandparents, rather than conflicts between two fit parents.    

Seeking Divorce Assistance in These Locations? Our Team Can Help!   Riverside: https://bit.ly/4lYPO9o Corona: https://bit.ly/44gJROv Irvine: https://bit.ly/3EvvQSL San Diego: https://bit.ly/4lOg85X Palm Desert: https://bit.ly/4jNWZzc   Founded in 2021, Reel Fathers Rights APC is a Nationally Recognized Family Law Firm that focuses exclusively on representing Men and Fathers in Family Court in California. RFR boasts over 300 years of combined family court experience and was recognized as the top law Firm on the Inc 5000 List for 2025. RFR attorneys have earned dozens of awards and certifications from being named Certified Family Law Speicialist by the State Bar of California to being named Rising Stars by Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch by Super Lawyers. RFR attorneys are equipped to handle everything from contentious Child Custody disputes to high profile, high-stakes divorce, and defense of serious Domestic Violence Allegations. RFR is the go-to attorney for Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. You can learn more about Reel Fathers Rights and their services on our website www.reelfathersrights.com.   Mark Reel Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Reel Fathers Rights APC. Since 2021, Mark and RFR have represented thousands of Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. Mark has been named One to Watch by Best Lawyers and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Inc on their Ince 500 list of fastest growing companies as well as Elite Lawyer and Expertise.com   About This Episode: In early 2026, Jim Edmonds secured sole physical custody of his children after a legal battle with ex-wife Meghan King, triggered by allegations that she administered unprescribed Ritalin to their son. Following a CPS investigation initiated by a mandatory school reporter and a previous restraining order involving Jim's current wife, Courtney, a December 2025 settlement resulted in the children moving to Tennessee to live with Jim full-time. This case mirrors California legal procedures, where the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) investigates similar reports via a Section 3027 report to determine if allegations are founded, which can lead to emergency custody shifts and restricted visitation.

Seeking Divorce Assistance in These Locations? Our Team Can Help!   Riverside: https://bit.ly/4lYPO9o Corona: https://bit.ly/44gJROv Irvine: https://bit.ly/3EvvQSL San Diego: https://bit.ly/4lOg85X Palm Desert: https://bit.ly/4jNWZzc   Founded in 2021, Reel Fathers Rights APC is a Nationally Recognized Family Law Firm that focuses exclusively on representing Men and Fathers in Family Court in California. RFR boasts over 300 years of combined family court experience and was recognized as the top law Firm on the Inc 5000 List for 2025. RFR attorneys have earned dozens of awards and certifications from being named Certified Family Law Speicialist by the State Bar of California to being named Rising Stars by Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch by Super Lawyers. RFR attorneys are equipped to handle everything from contentious Child Custody disputes to high profile, high-stakes divorce, and defense of serious Domestic Violence Allegations. RFR is the go-to attorney for Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. You can learn more about Reel Fathers Rights and their services on our website www.reelfathersrights.com.   Mark Reel Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Reel Fathers Rights APC. Since 2021, Mark and RFR have represented thousands of Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. Mark has been named One to Watch by Best Lawyers and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Inc on their Ince 500 list of fastest growing companies as well as Elite Lawyer and Expertise.com.   About This Episode:   Family law attorney Mark Real Jr. explains the legal and logistical challenges of claiming children as dependents on tax returns after a divorce or separation. He notes that while court orders often specify how tax credits should be divided between parents, the IRS primarily determines eligibility based on the number of overnights each parent spends with the children. Real emphasizes that following the court order is crucial to avoid sanctions, especially since electronic filing conflicts—where one parent files first—can trigger reviews that delay both parents' tax returns.    

Seeking Divorce Assistance in These Locations? Our Team Can Help! Riverside: https://bit.ly/4lYPO9o Corona: https://bit.ly/44gJROv Irvine: https://bit.ly/3EvvQSL San Diego: https://bit.ly/4lOg85X Palm Desert: https://bit.ly/4jNWZzc   Founded in 2021, Reel Fathers Rights APC is a Nationally Recognized Family Law Firm that focuses exclusively on representing Men and Fathers in Family Court in California. RFR boasts over 300 years of combined family court experience and was recognized as the top law Firm on the Inc 5000 List for 2025. RFR attorneys have earned dozens of awards and certifications from being named Certified Family Law Speicialist by the State Bar of California to being named Rising Stars by Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch by Super Lawyers. RFR attorneys are equipped to handle everything from contentious Child Custody disputes to high profile, high-stakes divorce, and defense of serious Domestic Violence Allegations. RFR is the go-to attorney for Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. You can learn more about Reel Fathers Rights and their services on our website www.reelfathersrights.com. Mark Reel Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Reel Fathers Rights APC. Since 2021, Mark and RFR have represented thousands of Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. Mark has been named One to Watch by Best Lawyers and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Inc on their Ince 500 list of fastest growing companies as well as Elite Lawyer and Expertise.com. About This Episode: The legal battle between NBA star Anthony Edwards and influencer Aisha (Ayesha) Howard centers on a jurisdictional dispute over their daughter, Baby Aubrey, who was born in October 2024. A California judge ruled in early 2025 that the state lacked jurisdiction over child support, a major win for Edwards as it moved the financial proceedings to Georgia, where support caps are generally lower than in California. Despite being granted sole custody, Howard has allegedly delayed signing the final agreement due to new demands, including a public apology on all of Edwards' social media platforms and $500,000 in damages for reputational and financial harm. Edwards, who has not met his daughter and is not seeking visitation, has accused Howard of exploiting the litigation and their child for social media content. Howard has since appealed the jurisdictional ruling, accusing Edwards of misleading the court about his business ties to California.  

In this episode, Jon Dwoskin and Craig Zucker discuss the crucial role of proactive legal planning in business. Craig shares how many entrepreneurs skip formalizing agreements early on, leading to preventable conflicts. He stresses the importance of proper documentation and preparing for worst-case scenarios, even in trusted partnerships. Craig Zucker is a shareholder and member of Maddin Hauser's Executive Committee. H co-chairs the firm's Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Debtor-Creditor Rights group. Craig concentrates his practice in bankruptcy and complex insolvency-related matters, serving clients throughout the United States including in New York, Ohio, and Florida. He has a broad range of experience representing debtors and creditors in federal, bankruptcy, and state court proceedings and through out-of-court workouts, mediations, and facilitations. Craig has successfully represented the interests of multi-employer fringe benefit funds, pension funds, health and welfare funds, unions, and retirees in various federal and bankruptcy court proceedings, including Chapters 7, 9, and 11 bankruptcies. He also has gained extensive experience with construction law and construction-related lien and bond rights in federal and state court matters. Craig is AV rated in Martindale Hubbell and has been named in the Best Lawyers in America since 2010. Listed as a Top Lawyer by DBusiness Magazine in litigation-bankruptcy, he also has been recognized as a Michigan Leading Lawyer in the areas of Bankruptcy & Workout Law: Commercial and Creditor's Rights/Commercial Collections Law. Craig was selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly for induction in their "Hall of Fame" 2023 class, an honor awarded to Michigan legal leaders for their successful careers and valuable contributions to the profession and community. As a presenter at various national and local seminars, Craig shares his extensive knowledge on insolvency, bankruptcy, and debtor/creditor rights.   Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejondwoskinexperience/ Website: https://jondwoskin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/ Email: jon@jondwoskin.com Get Jon's Book: The Think Big Movement: Grow your business big. Very Big!   Connect with Craig Zucker:Website: https://maddinhauser.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-zucker-444447220/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaddinHauser X: https://twitter.com/MaddinHauserPC Firm LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/maddin-hauser-roth-and-heller-pc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@maddinhauserlaw                                                                                     *E – explicit language may be used in this podcast.

“If you die without a will… the law has written one for you.”In this episode of The Unlimited Podcast—the first in our Wealthhard series—Brian speaks with Jessica Feldman Chittley, partner at Bales Beall LLP, about wills and powers of attorney: what they are, why everyone needs them, and how to draft them so they reduce tax and probate, protect minor children, and avoid executor headaches. Jessica explains the real consequences of dying intestate (meaning, without a will), how guardianship and trusts for minors work, and why powers of attorney for property and personal care are urgent. She also walks through the scope of the executor's role, probate-planning options (e.g., multiple wills, bare-trust structures), and simple but powerful drafting tools that prevent family conflict. Practical, clear and essential listening for anyone who hasn't reviewed estate documents in the last few years. And especially for those who haven't yet organized their wills and/or powers of attorney...What are you waiting for?Jessica Feldman Chittley is a Partner at Bales Beall LLP who focuses on estate and trust planning and estate administration. She advises individuals, families and private-business owners on tax-minimization at death, drafts wills, trusts and powers of attorney, and guides executors through the administration process. Jessica serves on the Executive Committee of the Ontario Bar Association's Trusts & Estates Law Section, is a member of Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and the Canadian and Ontario Bar Associations, and was recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada (2025) for Trusts and Estate.Timestamps:0:00 Disclaimer & Intro1:25 Wealthhard4:47 Why do you need a will?7:57 What happens if you don't have a will?13:02 The key elements of a will18:56 The role of the executor24:36 How a will impacts children29:32 Planning for maximum value31:55 What to do once a will is written34:28 What is a power of attorney?42:40 If Jessica could do anything, what would it be?43:56 Outro

Seeking Divorce Assistance in These Locations? Our Team Can Help!   Riverside: https://bit.ly/4lYPO9o Corona: https://bit.ly/44gJROv Irvine: https://bit.ly/3EvvQSL San Diego: https://bit.ly/4lOg85X Palm Desert: https://bit.ly/4jNWZzc   Founded in 2021, Reel Fathers Rights APC is a Nationally Recognized Family Law Firm that focuses exclusively on representing Men and Fathers in Family Court in California. RFR boasts over 300 years of combined family court experience and was recognized as the top law Firm on the Inc 5000 List for 2025. RFR attorneys have earned dozens of awards and certifications from being named Certified Family Law Speicialist by the State Bar of California to being named Rising Stars by Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch by Super Lawyers. RFR attorneys are equipped to handle everything from contentious Child Custody disputes to high profile, high-stakes divorce, and defense of serious Domestic Violence Allegations. RFR is the go-to attorney for Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. You can learn more about Reel Fathers Rights and their services on our website www.reelfathersrights.com.   Mark Reel Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Reel Fathers Rights APC. Since 2021, Mark and RFR have represented thousands of Men and Fathers in California Family Courts. Mark has been named One to Watch by Best Lawyers and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Inc on their Ince 500 list of fastest growing companies as well as Elite Lawyer and Expertise.com.   About This Episode:   In July 2025, Haley Ah-Yone filed a petition in Los Angeles County to establish the parental relationship of her then-unborn child with Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua. The legal battle involves requests for full physical custody and child support, and has been marked by social media conflict, including allegations from Ah-Yone that Nacua was a "narcissist". While the child, Kingston, was born in October 2025 with Nacua present, the legal case remains complex due to Nacua's formal request for a DNA test and recent controversial comments he made on a live stream advising against marriage.  

Most PI firms are still measuring performance the way Google used to work, not the way it does now. In this webinar replay, Chris Dreyer and Steven Willi unpack what's actually driving bottom-of-funnel cases heading into 2026, how AI systems and paid platforms are reshaping visibility and conversion, and why many firms are optimizing the wrong signals without realizing it. Learn: How AI overviews and LLMs prioritize structured content, local data, and entity signals Why directories like Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Justia, and Yelp now influence discovery and conversion When Performance Max works as a compounding channel — and when it starts cannibalizing real demand How Meta and Yelp fit into a modern performance stack, and why many firms misread their true impact Buy tickets for PIMCON 2026: pimcon.org Get Social! Personal Injury Mastermind (PIM) powered by Rankings.io is on Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

AI can't recommend what it can't see – or trust. Today's large language models lean hard on third-party proof: legal directories, reviews, awards, and case results that signal who's actually “the best” in your market. In this webinar replay, Rankings.io experts Shawn Denney and Logan Mosby unpack the AI feedback loop for law firms: how Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Justia, Yelp, and structured case results feed LLMs the data they use to decide which firms get cited, clicked, and ultimately chosen. Learn: Why legal directories now act as AI “authority amplifiers” for your firm How to use Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and Best Law Firms strategically (without wasting budget) The right way to fully optimize Justia, Yelp, and other high-value profiles for AI and humans How to structure, publish, and scale case result pages so AI can surface your biggest wins Get Social! Personal Injury Mastermind (PIM) powered by Rankings.io is on Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

In this episode, Kevin Daisey sits down with legal marketing expert Gary Sarner to break down the true secrets of law firm growth. Together, they explore why small cases often generate more referrals than big ones, why intake is one of the most important parts of your business, and why authentic human connection still beats AI in building trust with clients. Gary and Kevin share real stories from years of working with law firms across the country and highlight what separates successful, growing firms from those that remain stuck. If you want to strengthen your culture, improve your service, and increase referrals, this conversation is packed with practical insights you can use right away. Today's episode is sponsored by The Managing Partners Mastermind. Click here to schedule an interview to see if we are a fit. Chapters (00:00:00) - Gary Sauner On The Managing Partners Podcast(00:04:08) - Law Firm Network: The Human Connection(00:06:38) - Law Firm Executives: AI Taking Over the Phone(00:09:14) - The Dictionary Additions Words From The 90s(00:10:17) - Acquiring a Client(00:10:57) - Law Firm Referral Business(00:17:14) - Chris Farley's Second Conference(00:18:26) - The Digital Law Firm Conference(00:20:03) - Ron and Gary on Law Firm Connections(00:25:47) - The Secret to Hiring the Best Lawyer(00:26:47) - Law Firm Review: The Settlement Sucked(00:29:14) - Small Cases Are Worth It(00:34:41) - Pimcon 2017: No Sales Pitch(00:35:30) - Jason Tackett On The Podcast(00:37:03) - When You Can't Attend A Metallica Concert(00:39:13) - Steve Perry on One Last Concert(00:41:41) - Gary and Steve Meet on LinkedIn

We're talking all about Hulu's new hit All's Fair and its glossy world of powerhouse, all-female divorce attorneys. The show is everywhere right now, but how much of it reflects what really happens in high-stakes family law? Susan Guthrie is joined by two of the most trusted experts in the field, Beth F. McCormack and Kimberly A. Cook, Esq., to break down what the series gets right, where it leans into pure Hollywood, and what it leaves out entirely about the real work of guiding families through divorce. If you've been wondering whether All's Fair captures the truth or just the drama, this episode gives you the inside view. What You'll Discover in This Episode Where All's Fair nails the reality of female attorneys breaking away to build something better What the show gets wrong about divorce law and why those myths can mislead real clients How strategy and preparation matter far more than the aggressive “never settle” persona “Adding a zero” isn't how settlements actually work Why representation in legal dramas matters and how this show misses key opportunities to get it right More About Our Special Guests:  Kimberly A. Cook, Esq. Kimberly A. Cook is a Partner with Schiller DuCanto & Fleck, LLP, one of the nation's premier divorce and family law firms. Known for her ability to both fiercely advocate and thoughtfully problem-solve, Kimberly represents C-suite executives, professional athletes, entertainers, and other high-profile clients in complex family law matters. Before joining Schiller, Kimberly founded Dovetail Conflict Resolution, LLC, where she focused exclusively on divorce and family mediation, helping families identify creative solutions and reach lasting agreements. She also hosts the Grown Girl Divorce podcast, where she empowers listeners to navigate family transitions with clarity and confidence. Kimberly shares her knowledge as an adjunct law professor, mentor, and frequent speaker, and has been featured in Crain's Chicago, Black Enterprise, Thrive Global, and Business Insider. She has been consistently recognized among the Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers for her excellence and leadership in the field. Contact Kimberly: growngirldivorce.com or https://sdflaw.com   Beth F. McCormack Beth F. 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: beermannlaw.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: @divorceandbeyondpod Meet Our Host Susan E. Guthrie®, Esq. is one of the nation's leading family law and mediation experts, with more than 35 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate divorce and conflict with clarity and compassion. She is the Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, a best-selling author, and a sought-after speaker, trainer, and practice-building consultant. Susan recently appeared as the featured expert on The Oprah Podcast, where she shared her insights on gray divorce and the changing landscape of relationships. Her expertise has also been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Washington Post, NewsNation, and NBC's Chicago Today, among many others. As the creator and host of the award-winning Divorce & Beyond® Podcast, ranked in the top 1% of all podcasts worldwide with more than 3.4 million downloads, Susan brings together top experts and powerful personal stories to help listeners move through divorce and beyond with confidence, insight, and hope. Learn more about Susan and her work at 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!   ***************************************************************************** SPECIAL OFFER FROM BLUE MERCURY! Treat yourself to luxury skincare, makeup, and fragrance favorites from Blue Mercury, your destination for beauty and self-care. Divorce & Beyond listeners receive 15% off their first order when they use the special link in the show notes. Because you deserve to look and feel your best,  inside and out. You must use this link to receive the 15% off on your first Blue Mercury order: https://divorcebeyond.com/Blue-Mercury SPECIAL OFFER FROM YUMIYU! 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! ***************************************************************************** Opportunities for Expert Guests and Fellow Podcasters Partner with Divorce & Beyond Whether you're a podcaster looking to expand your reach or an expert ready to share your insights, Divorce & Beyond offers the perfect platform to amplify your voice.  Find out more here: https://divorceandbeyondpod.com/guest-opportunities ***************************************************************************** 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 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.