Trial Lawyer Nation

Being an exceptional trial lawyer requires mastering a lot of skills they don’t teach in school. The same can be said for being an exceptional parent. But, sticking the landing on both? That must be a pipedream, right?On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael Cowen and his new Partner, Natalie Arledge, discuss whether it’s possible to be a successful trial lawyer without being a shitty parent. Through the lens of a mom of two, Natalie discusses the challenges of developing as a trial lawyer, her journey from associate to partner, and the unique lessons she learned along the way.Featured GuestName: Natalie ArledgeAbout: Natalie is a Partner at Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock and a mom of two. Natalie was born and raised in San Antonio and attended Baylor University for college and law school. When not in the office, Natalie enjoys spending time with her family and their two dogs.Connect: LinkedInConnect with Trial Lawyer Nation☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.☑️ Subscribe to Trial

Lawyers know their cases backwards and forwards. However, jurors may need help honing in on the most important elements of a case. Visual trial strategy helps create a series of clear, tailored exhibits to present to a jury at trial.On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael Cowen talks to visual trial strategist, Amy Hall. Amy discusses her tried-and-true three-exhibit formula–the anchor, the link, and the payoff–which she uses to distill everything in a complex case into these three themes. Additionally, Amy explains that because jurors learn better by combining both visual and auditory means, she always recommends using physical exhibits while presenting your case instead of fumbling over technology.Tune in to learn how to employ visual trial strategy to guide juries through trials.Featured GuestName: Amy HallAbout:  Amy Hall’s background in cognitive science, journalism, the gambling industry, advertising, and graphic design, has given her a unique and highly relevant skill set for litigation st

“The relationship between the expert and the lawyer is a lot like a horse and a rider. I don't want you to lead me in a dangerous situation, and I don't want to lead you in a dangerous situation.”On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, host Michael Cowen is joined by his partner Sonia Rodriguez, for a discussion on the dos and don’ts of working with retained expert witnesses. Sonia and Michael discuss the importance of consistent communication with your expert and remembering that while they may be the expert in their field, you’re the expert in the courtroom. Experts are equipped with technical knowledge, but when it comes to getting a jury to believe your story, it’s best to keep things simple. Just like a rider guides a horse, lawyers must guide their experts–the expert must know why they’ve been hired and how the lawyer sees them fitting in the case.Featured GuestName: Sonia RodriguezAbout:  Sonia Rodriguez, a native of San Antonio, Texas, is a partner at Cowen Rodriguez Peacock. Sonia has represente

Premises cases can be a tough way to make a living. “It’s challenging, like medical malpractice, but with the right experts, with the right research, with the right resilience, you can win these cases.”On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael Cowen speaks with Michael Neff, an experienced trial lawyer, about the oft-forgotten yet critically important and challenging area of tort law–premises liability law. He explains the kinds of cases that inflame his passions, how to succeed in premises liability law, and, of course, the importance of 7-inch stairs! Neff also briefly discusses his case against Snapchat, a cutting edge case he’s been working on outside of the premises liability realm.Tune in for an in-depth discussion on premises liability law, insights on case selection, and how attorneys like Michael Neff work to secure sizable verdicts for clients with life-changing damages, ensuring the rules are followed. Featured GuestName:  Michael NeffAbout:  Michael is a trial lawyer with appr

Lay witnesses. Whether you call them eyewitnesses, ‘before and after’ witnesses, or damages witnesses, you need them to help you make your case. And sometimes the most unexpected ordinary people can be the greatest witnesses. “There's obvious ones like the spouse or the children or family members of your plaintiff. But beyond that, there's coworkers, there's neighbors, there's the pastor, there's the guy that runs a corner store at the end of the block, their kid’s teacher…it could be a whole universe of people out there.”On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael Cowen and Malorie Peacock explore how to identify potential lay witnesses and the importance of building trust with these witnesses to ensure that they feel comfortable disclosing pertinent information. They also examine the importance of obtaining visual evidence, such as photos and videos, to make events more real for jurors. But when it comes to getting these lay witnesses, lawyers have to be willing to do the legwork.Tune in to gain va

There are great episodes and there are John Romano episodes. This is not one you want to miss.On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael sits down with legendary trial lawyer John Romano as he shares wisdom acquired over five decades of law practice. John reveals valuable insights into the mindset of a winning trial attorney, practical preparation tips, the importance of  jury research, and even shares his pre-trial preparation checklist. Through personal anecdotes, John also addresses the fear frequently felt by young lawyers and offers practical advice for persevering.There’s still time to sign up for Cowen’s Big Rig Boot Camp CLE Trucking Seminar. We’ll be covering the Nine-Step Method for Maximizing Value in Trucking Cases, Proving Corporate Negligence, Claims Against Other Parties, and more! Register now at BigRigBootCamp.comFeatured GuestName: John RomanoAbout: John Romano is a founding partner of Romano Law Group, a personal injury law firm located in West Palm Beach, Florida. John has succes

If you practice law long enough, you are bound to come across a difficult client. On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael and Malorie tackle setting expectations for communication, documenting actions taken in each case, and laying the groundwork early for client satisfaction.The episode also explores the challenges of identifying the source of clients' demands and concerns, and reminds listeners that it is ultimately the client's case and that they have the final say.Additionally, Michael and Malorie discuss the essentials to a successful law practice such as: the importance of keeping promises and the significance of clients who are willing to trust their lawyer's advice.Finally, Cowen’s Big Rig Boot Camp CLE Trucking Seminar is discussed, where interested parties can register to learn about topics such as maximizing value in trucking cases, proving corporate negligence in company vehicle cases, and more! Visit Cowen's Big Rig Boot Camp to register.Featured GuestName: Malorie J. PeacockAbout: Malori

On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, host Michael Cowen is joined by Peter Anderson, a former insurance claims manager, renowned trial lawyer, and founder of the Law Offices of Peter M. Anderson. They discuss Peter's innovative use of simple props and analogies to convey complex medical information to juries, the importance of being calm and prepared in trials, and the challenges of selecting arguments. They also delve into the significance of empathy and respect in depositions, Peter's approach to calculating damages, and the value of self-care in maintaining a successful legal career. Peter shares insights from notable cases he has worked on, emphasizing the importance of knowing oneself and mastering the art of oration, as well as understanding insurance companies' tracking methods in settlement negotiations.Featured GuestName: Peter AndersonAbout: Peter M. Anderson “PMA” is a former insurance claims manager, national trial tactics lecturer, and expert dirt bike racer. He has tried jury trials ever

In this week’s episode, Michael Cowen and Malorie Peacock discuss the importance of accurately valuing personal injury and wrongful death cases by considering all relevant factors, such as medical bills, future treatments, and insurance coverage. They recommend lawyers form round table discussions and mastermind groups to share insights and improve their negotiation skills. The hosts also challenge the idea that sending a demand letter appears weak, highlighting its role as a powerful negotiation tool.Episode Highlights [01.11] Accurately valuing personal injury cases: The hosts emphasize the importance of accurately valuing personal injury cases to ensure that clients receive fair compensation for their injuries.[06.12] Considering all relevant factors in case valuation: Correctly valuing a case requires considering all relevant factors, including liability, damages, insurance coverage, and potential jury verdicts[08.11] The importance of gathering sufficient information: Engaging in settlement negotiat

When asked how he won a $66.6 million dollar verdict, Lee Hunt attributes much of the victory to the intelligence of the jury — and his ability to forge real, human relationships with his clients. On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, host Michael Cowen talks about trial law with the founder of Hunt Law […]The post 127 – Lee Hunt – The $66.6 Million Verdict: How Trust and Empathy Shaped the Outcome appeared first on Trial Lawyer Nation.

Although technology has improved our quality of life, there are negative consequences, such as the increase in automobile and truck accidents stemming from distracted driving. Despite the benefits of GPS tracking, specialized brake systems, and virtual logging of hours, there have been issues with falsified data, unassigned drive time, and “phantom drivers” in the trucking […]The post 126 – Malorie Peacock – Unlocking the Power of Telematics: How Distracted Driving Evidence Can Win Big Verdicts appeared first on Trial Lawyer Nation.

Helping attorneys create great company culture is what motivates Jessica Mogill to give her best every day. As Head of Coaching Strategy at Crisp, the nation’s leading law firm growth company, Jessica helps attorneys define and improve their culture.  “Culture is really what drives the experience. And it drives the emotions that you feel,” Jessica […]The post 125 – Jessica Mogill – Building a World Class Law Firm Culture appeared first on Trial Lawyer Nation.

Focus groups can be a pertinent tool for complicated cases to get a sense of how ordinary people think about a case. Malorie J. Peacock, Partner at Cowen Rodriguez Peacock, uses focus groups to gain an outside perspective on her cases. “Sometimes you get so wrapped up in the minutiae of your case or some […]The post 124 – Malorie Peacock – Why Focus Groups Matter and How To Make the Most of Them appeared first on Trial Lawyer Nation.

Before opening his own firm after graduating from law school in 2018, Tom Kherkher didn’t have Facebook or Instagram. “I was the guy everybody made fun of because I didn’t have social media,” he remembers. Flash forward four years and Tom — or AttorneyTom, as he’s known online — is one of the most recognizable […]The post 123 – Tom Kherkher – How Lawyers Can Make It Big on Social Media appeared first on Trial Lawyer Nation.

A new year is an excellent opportunity to reflect on your progress and set or reassess goals. That’s the easy part. The challenge comes when your motivation wanes as the year wears on. How does a trial lawyer, with too many tasks to juggle already, set (and stick to) a lofty set of personal and […]The post 122 – Malorie Peacock – Growing Your Practice (and Yourself) in 2023 appeared first on Trial Lawyer Nation.

A Trial Lawyer Nation listener since his Defense days, Ben Newman joins the podcast today to discuss his recent $1,076,000 verdict in Collin County, Texas. At first blush, the facts of this case are problematic. Stemming from a spine injury the plaintiff suffered in a collision at an intersection, the case faced hurdles including, a […]The post 121 – Ben Newman – How to Turn 45K in Medical Expenses Into a Million Dollar Verdict appeared first on Trial Lawyer Nation.

Odds are, growing a law firm wasn’t built into your law school’s curriculum. You may be a fantastic lawyer, you may start a top-notch small firm, but if you’re setting out to scale what you’ve built then you will find a whole new set of challenges to tackle. If you’re contemplating growing your firm or […]The post 120 – Malorie Peacock – How To Grow Your Law Firm appeared first on Trial Lawyer Nation.

Two of the most difficult career paths are running your own business and practicing as a trial lawyer. They both take time, energy, commitment, and exceptional ability in your craft. However, when running your own law firm, you’re tasked with doing both. It can be easy to mismanage the business side or let your abilities […]The post 119 – Sonia Rodriguez – The Balancing Act: Running A Law Firm And Practicing Law appeared first on Trial Lawyer Nation.

Big insurance cases can become complicated quickly. The ins and outs, layers of coverage, and strategies aren’t a one-size-fits-all, but learning from someone who has spent years putting on the parachute and jumping out the plane can save you from many of the headaches that follow. With a storied career ranging from big law and […]The post 118 – Deena Buchanan – An Inside View of How Insurance Companies Value Cases appeared first on Trial Lawyer Nation.

When it comes to personal injury law, the client-firm relationship can be fairly transactional. Most clients aren’t talking about their personal injury cases with their network, and lawyers hope that their clients don’t get injured again and become repeat customers.    But when you have mostly transactional, single-case relationships with clients, how can you gain more […]The post 117 – Isabella Santellan – How to Build a Referral-Based Practice appeared first on Trial Lawyer Nation.