Lawyers Without Billboards

What does a County Solicitor actually do, and why does it matter if you’re charged with a misdemeanor? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , Steve Shewmaker and Alexa  & Jimmy Lewis talk with Gwinnett County Solicitor Lisa Marie Bristol about her role, her office, and how misdemeanor cases are handled in Georgia courts. From traffic offenses to more serious misdemeanor charges, the S...

The holidays are supposed to be joyful - but in family law, they’re often a flashpoint for conflict. In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa break down why holiday parenting time creates so many disputes, how courts actually divide holiday schedules, and the drafting mistakes that turn manageable situations into annual blowups. From Christmas and New Year’s t...

In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa kick off a new series on national cases of note with a deceptively simple question: Can you sue the person your spouse cheated with? The answer depends entirely on where you live. The team breaks down the rarely used - but very real - tort of alienation of affection , a law that still exists in only a handful of states...

Is Legally Blonde a feminist legal masterpiece… or courtroom fiction? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , real attorneys Steve Shewmaker and Alexa Lewis review Legally Blonde , breaking down what the movie gets right, what it gets wrong, and why it still resonates more than 20 years later. From law school stereotypes to courtroom theatrics, this episode blends legal insight with humor...

Phil McCurdy on Au Pairs, Divorce, and 37 Years of Family Law In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa sit down with longtime Georgia family law attorney Phil McCurdy , bringing more than 37 years of courtroom experience to one deceptively simple question: Is hiring a live-in au pair ever a good idea? From real divorce cases to power imbalances, courtroom cons...

In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , Steve, Alexa and Jimmy sit down with Erica McCurdy , a nationally recognized Master Coach, mediator, and founder of McCurdy Solutions - known for helping families, executives, and high-conflict individuals navigate some of life’s most complicated challenges. Erica brings decades of experience working with blended families, co-parents, divorcing spous...

In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , Steve, Patty, and Alexa sit down with Judge Tangela Barrie of the DeKalb County Superior Court - the youngest judge ever elected in DeKalb and a former Prosecuting Attorney of the Year. Judge Barrie pulls back the curtain on what really happens behind the bench: • How judges navigate high-conflict custody cases • Why courtroom decorum matters more th...

What happens when a client hands Alexa a vintage 1978 issue of Playboy … complete with a “Divorce Manual for Men”?  In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa flip through the old-school advice and break it all down - the tips that aged well, the ones that aged terribly, and the ones that are so outrageous they’re genuinely hilarious. The team reacts to guidance...

How do you actually pick the right lawyer without getting misled by billboards, online noise, or empty promises? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa walk through the smartest (and safest) ways to find an attorney who genuinely fits your case. From why “phone a friend” still works better than Google, to the danger signs of attorneys who guarantee outcomes,...

What does it really mean to be held in contempt of court? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa break down one of the most misunderstood parts of family law - contempt. From unpaid child support to denied visitation and even showing up late with the kids, the team explains when a judge might send someone to jail, when a simple fine will do, and how lawyers...

In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the crew welcomes longtime friend and mentor - Attorney Kim Dymecki for a candid conversation about the blurred lines between family law and criminal law . From hacking emails to planting recording devices and tracking spouses with AirTags , the group dives into the messy intersection of privacy, technology, and relationships. Kim, who began her care...

What’s it really like to move from prosecutor to judge — and preside over Georgia’s toughest family law cases? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the Shewmaker & Lewis team sits down with Judge Alice Benton of the Fulton County Superior Court for a candid conversation about what really happens behind the bench. From evidentiary objections to unrealistic expectations, Judge Benton...

What’s it really like to sit on the bench -and what do judges wish lawyers knew? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the Shewmaker & Lewis team sits down with Judge Kimberly Childs of Cobb County Superior Court for a candid, insightful, and often hilarious look at life from the other side of the courtroom. From her early days working as a jail guard during Freaknik to presiding ove...

What exactly does a Guardian ad Litem do - and how do they shape custody cases in Georgia? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the Shewmaker & Lewis team sits down with longtime mentor, mediator, and guardian ad litem Jim Holmes to pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood roles in family law. From how guardians are selected to what “best interest of the child” really...

Think My Cousin Vinny is just a comedy? Think again.  In Part 2 of Legal Movies on Trial: My Cousin Vinny , the Shewmaker & Lewis team dives deep into one of the most entertaining, and surprisingly accurate, courtroom movies ever made. From opening statements to expert testimony, they unpack what Vinny gets right (and wrong) about real trial work. Learn why opening statements make or break a c...

Think My Cousin Vinny is just a hilarious courtroom comedy? Think again. In this new mini-series from Lawyers Without Billboards , the Shewmaker & Lewis team puts Hollywood’s most iconic legal movies on trial—starting with My Cousin Vinny . From Joe Pesci’s unforgettable performance as Vinny Gambini to Marisa Tomei’s Oscar-winning turn as Mona Lisa Vito, this film has long been celebrated for...

Think military divorce is straightforward? Think again. In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the Shewmaker & Lewis team kicks off a brand-new mini-series on military divorce by separating fact from fiction. From the infamous “10-year rule” to survivor benefits, pensions, and remarriage myths, they break down the most common misconceptions - and explain what really happens when milit...

Think temporary hearings are just a quick pit stop in divorce? Think again. In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the Shewmaker & Lewis team digs into the rules, risks, and realities of divorce temporary hearings - and why they’re often the trial before the trial . From custody disputes to who stays in the house, these hearings set the ground rules for life while a case is pending, a...

What does it mean to serve justice with compassion? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the Shewmaker & Lewis team sits down with Judge Angela Duncan of Gwinnett County. From her early military service and family law background to her commitment to accountability courts, Judge Duncan shares how discipline, empathy, and perspective shape her work on the bench. You’ll hear candid sto...

Think a wedding license is the only way to be married in Georgia? Think again. In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the Shewmaker & Lewis team unpacks what really constitutes a valid marriage under Georgia law. From the three essential requirements of marriage to surprising cases where “celebrations of love” turned into binding contracts, the conversation dives into quirky legal twi...

Think mediation is just shuttling offers back and forth like a courtroom carrier pigeon? Think again. In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the Shewmaker & Lewis team sits down with legendary mediator and arbitrator Andy Flink - aka Flink Daddy, the Flinkster, and the Sultan of Flinkingness. From his unlikely start folding shirts in retail to building one of Atlanta’s leading ADR fir...

What do high-speed chases, GPS lawsuits, jury picks worth millions, and dumpster stakeouts have in common? They’re all part of the wild and fascinating world of private investigation. In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the Shewmaker & Lewis team sits down with Pat and Eric Echols of TFP Company - Georgia’s premier private investigative service. Married for over 30 years and partne...

Can you really have a jury trial in a Georgia divorce? Yes — but only in very specific circumstances. And it’s one of the rarest legal options in the country. In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the Shewmaker & Lewis team pulls back the curtain on how jury trials work in Georgia family law — from what juries can decide (and what they can’t) to why you might want one… or why it coul...

What happens when a former prosecutor becomes a judge - and decides to launch a mental health accountability court? Or when someone shows up to court in shorts and flip-flops? In this candid and often hilarious episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the Shewmaker & Lewis team welcomes their first-ever guest judge: the Honorable David Lyles of Paulding County. Judge Lyles opens up about the re...

What do military tax breaks, digital IDs, roadside pet sales, and Brunswick Stew have in common? They’re all part of Georgia’s latest legislative updates—and yes, they’re now law. In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the Shewmaker & Lewis team dives into the new Georgia laws that took effect on July 1, 2025. With their signature humor and sharp insight, the team breaks down what’s n...