Lawyers in the Attic

Being a lawyer is not for the faint of heart. As we've documented on this podcast, legal work can be extremely stressful, and can take a serious emotional and physical toll on attorneys who aren't mindful of how their job is affecting them. In this episode, we talk with Danielle De Smeth about her own strategies for surviving the rigors of a legal career, from breathing and visualization exercises...

What new laws are coming our way in 2026? Founding partner Ron Bamieh joins us to discuss some of the big changes happening in the legal world this year, from new ways of prosecuting theft to regulations on AI and electric vehicles.  Lawyers in the Attic is brought to you by the law offices of Bamieh & De Smeth: https://www.bamiehdesmeth.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyersintheattic...

Are new, stronger strains of cannabis part of a larger mental health crisis? Founding partner Ron Bamieh offers his perspectives on a growing trend in his criminal practice: connections between young men, marijuana use, and psychological issues leading to violent offenses. What's really going on?  Lawyers in the Attic is brought to you by the law offices of Bamieh & De Smeth: https://www.bamiehdes...

It's the holiday season once again, so it's time to talk with family law attorney Jennifer Yates about the icy, decidedly uncheerful world of divorce and child custody. When the "elf on the shelf" is your ex-husband's lawyer, and Santa Claus is a local judge, what kinds of decisions can families make to ensure a painless holiday experience? Lawyers in the Attic is brought to you by the law offices...

This week the firm's founding partner, Ron Bamieh, joins us for an often brutally honest conversation about the future of the legal industry, as we continue our consideration of how AI is changing the way lawyers think, work, and run their business. Lawyers in the Attic is brought to you by the law offices of Bamieh & De Smeth: https://www.bamiehdesmeth.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l...

This week senior partner Danielle De Smeth returns from the Crisp Game Changers Summit in Atlanta, Georgia, to reflect on what lawyers and law firms can do to "future proof" their legal practice, with ideas about how AI is set to revolutionize the legal industry. What can we do to prepare for what's coming? Lawyers in the Attic is brought to you by the law offices of Bamieh & De Smeth: https://www...

How is AI changing the legal industry? Will lawyers even EXIST in five years? This week senior partner Jennifer Yates joins us to discuss the new bestseller How to Think about AI: A Guide for the Perplexed by Richard Susskind. Jennifer recently saw Susskind speak at this year's CLIO conference and shares her thoughts on the wide-ranging implications of new AI-driven legal technology, and what it m...

Attorney Danielle De Smeth joins us for an update on the civil case against UCLA, filed by families of children abused at the university's early education center . We discuss the meticulous process of mediation and the larger emotional dynamics involved in assessing damages. Lawyers in the Attic is brought to you by the law offices of Bamieh & De Smeth: https://www.bamiehdesmeth.com/  Instagram: h...

With more than 30 years of legal experience, Ron Bamieh has seen it all. In this conversation, he offers his ideas on how to spot good and bad lawyers. What qualities should you look for when hiring an attorney? And what behaviors are instant red flags? Lawyers in the Attic is brought to you by the law offices of Bamieh & De Smeth: https://www.bamiehdesmeth.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.c...

Senior partner Jennifer Yates joins us this week to report on her experience at this year's ClioCon , a major legal conference in which lawyers and other professionals discuss the state of the industry and the future of practicing law. This year, of course, AI was a hot topic, and Jennifer shares her ideas about how tech is changing (and not changing) the way lawyers do business. Lawyers in the At...

This week's Ron Bamieh joins us to provide updates on three important local cases: The closing of a private Christian school and the site's uncertain future; the Brown Act case against city officials for improper accusations against former city councilman Mike Johnson; and a shocking recent development in the case of Loay Alnaji , who is charged with involuntary manslaughter for an incident at a p...

This week our founding partner, Ron Bamieh, comes to the attic to answer questions from our listeners, touching on all manner of legal intrigue and controversy, from whether you can sue your annoying neighbors to how to protect children from predators. Ron always brings hot takes, and this episode is a chance to hear his stories and advice on topics we rarely cover on the show. Lawyers in the Atti...

This week, family law attorney Jennifer Yates returns from a week in court, and she has a story to tell. At a contentious divorce-related trial, she encounters a series of personalities and events that shed light on how, even in the most straightforward cases, things are not what they seem.  Lawyers in the Attic is brought to you by the law offices of Bamieh & De Smeth: https://www.bamiehdesmeth.c...

Having spent much of his legal career trying criminal cases, Ron's not a big fan of family law. And yet, he's been a part of some major family law cases over the years. In this episode, he offers his takes on the world of divorce, restraining orders, and custody battles, and explains why he tends to stay away from family court these days. Lawyers in the Attic is brought to you by the law offices o...

This week our resident education attorney, Meghan Sherry, returns to offer parents some ideas and resources about the "placement" process in school, and explains what to do if you disagree with how your student is being treated by school administration. .  Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates : https://www.copaa.org/ Wrightslaw : https://www.wrightslaw.com/   Lawyers in the Attic is brought t...

This week Ron tells us about his recent car accident and resulting fight with insurance companies, a saga that offers some deep lessons about the injustice of the system and how individuals can fight for their rights against forces that often seem out of our control. Lawyers in the Attic is brought to you by the law offices of Bamieh & De Smeth: https://www.bamiehdesmeth.com/  Instagram: https://w...

It's back to school time, so our resident education attorney Meghan Sherry swings by the attic for a conversation all about the myths, distortions, and outright lies that circulate about children with disabilities, and the rights that parents and students have when dealing with the public school system.  Lawyers in the Attic is brought to you by the law offices of Bamieh & De Smeth: https://www.ba...

This week attorney Danielle De Smeth gives us an update on the firm's civil lawsuit against UCLA in the case of Christopher Rodriguez , a teacher at the university's Early Care and Education Center, who was recently convicted of several charges related to the sexual abuse of minors at the school. Danielle shares details on the complicated investigation, the grief experienced by victims and their f...

Defense attorney Ron Bamieh gives us an update on the case of Loay Alnaji , a local college professor charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Paul Kessler, after the two had an altercation at a political rally in the wake of the 10/7 attacks in Israel. This case will likely go to trial this fall, and obviously carries intense emotions connected to the larger global politics involved....

Do people go to prison, or even face execution, for crimes they didn't commit? As a former prosecutor and current criminal defense attorney, Ron Bamieh has seen all sides of the legal system, and shares his candid takes on what really happens in the nation's courts. From plea bargains to the death penalty, this conversation explores some of the darker questions lurking under the surface of America...

How weird and petty do people get when in the midst of a contentious divorce? Spoiler: VERY weird and petty! This week we talk with family law attorney Jennifer Yates about some of the wackier things she's encountered in her practice, from couples fighting viciously over custody of a toaster oven to emotional disagreements about dog and cat visitation rights. Jen offers some incredible examples an...

What happens when your client is found guilty of murder? In the conclusion of our series on the art of criminal defense, attorney Ron Bamieh walks us through the final part of the process: hearing the jury's verdict and dealing with the consequences. Since Ron just wrapped up a murder trial last week, he's got plenty of takes on the subject and as always, offers his candid observations on how the...

Do you really "get everything" if your partner cheats? Do moms always get full custody of the kids? Spoiler alert: Um, no. This week we talk with family law attorney Jennifer Yates about the biggest myths, lies, and outright bullsh!t that the American public believes about how divorce, child custody, and family court actually work in real life. What you don't know CAN hurt you, and Jen is here to...

Is filing a lawsuit an easy way to get rich? A lot of Americans seem to think so! But the truth is, of course, far more complicated. In this episode, attorneys Danielle De Smeth and Meghan Sherry debunk the many myths about personal injury lawsuits, and discuss the reasons why so many falsehoods exist in the first place (spoiler: insurance companies have a lot of money and influence). Let's set th...

This week Jennifer Yates joins us to talk about shocking developments in the case of four college students murdered in Moscow, Idaho in 2022. How did all sides come to this decision? And what does this case's outcome tell us about the strengths and weaknesses of our legal system? Lawyers in the Attic is brought to you by the law offices of Bamieh & De Smeth: https://www.bamiehdesmeth.com/  Instagr...