ABOTA Speaks

In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jake Courtney talks with Jonathan Shapiro, a former federal prosecutor turned Emmy and Peabody Award-winning television writer and producer. Known for his work on shows like The Practice, Boston Legal, and Goliath , Shapiro shares how his decade as a trial lawyer prepared him for a career writing for television — and why the two professions require the same fu...

In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jill Webb sits down with the Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison, former U.S. Senator and U.S. Ambassador to NATO, for a conversation about democracy, judicial independence, and the Rule of Law. Drawing on her extensive experience helping former Soviet republics transition to democracy, Ambassador Hutchison shares why the concept of an independent judiciary — one t...

In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jake Courtney sits down with Stephen Vladeck, CNN Supreme Court analyst, Georgetown law professor, and New York Times bestselling author of The Shadow Docket . They explore one of the most consequential yet underreported developments in American law: the Supreme Court's increasing reliance on emergency rulings made without oral argument or full opinions. Vlade...

In this episode of ABOTA Speaks host Jill Webb explores how livestreaming is transforming the American courtroom. She's joined by David Siegel, National Editor at Courtroom View Network, and attorneys Kyle Farrar and Mark Bankston, who represented the Sandy Hook families in the highly publicized, livestreamed defamation trial against Alex Jones and InfoWars. Together, they discuss the practical re...

In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, recorded at the 2025 National ABOTA Summer Conference in Banff, Canada, host Jake Courtney sits down with former MLB All-Star pitcher Dave Dravecky for an unforgettable conversation about resilience, identity, and finding purpose after loss. After pitching in the World Series for the San Diego Padres, Dravecky was at the peak of his career with the San Francisco Gi...

In this special episode of ABOTA Speaks , two of America’s most influential political minds come together for a candid and compelling conversation. Paul Begala, a renowned political consultant and commentator who helped shape the presidency of Bill Clinton, joins Karl Rove, former Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush, to share what they’ve learned from decades spent...

In this episode of ABOTA Speaks , host Jennifer Doan, National President of the American Board of Trial Advocates, sits down with Matt Green, Luis Cardenas, and Judge Edward C. Prado, former U.S. Ambassador to Argentina, to explore "ABOTA in Argentina: The Buenos Aires Experience." Together, they discuss how this groundbreaking international program is building bridges between American and Argenti...

In this episode of ABOTA Speaks , Keith More, an ABOTA member from the Orange County Chapter, sits down with his longtime friend Vince Young—former NFL and University of Texas quarterback. Together, they discuss lessons on perseverance, dedication, and the hard work it takes to succeed both on and off the field.

Host Jill M. Webb of the Illinois Chapter sits down with ABOTA National President Jennifer H. Doan for a special preview of the upcoming ABOTA National Conference in Austin, Texas. Together, they discuss what members can look forward to at this year’s gathering—from dynamic programming and distinguished speakers to the unique opportunities for connection and camaraderie that make ABOTA events so m...