The Heart of Law

What does a litigation finance underwriter actually look for before investing in a law firm? Adam Rosen, Managing Director and Head of Underwriting at Rocade Capital, joins Mirena Umizaj Dumas to share what he has learned from working on both sides of litigation finance. Before moving into underwriting, Adam litigated mass tort cases at Ashcraft & Gerel, experience that now shapes how he evaluates...

Jay Vaughn is a Board Certified Truck Accident Law Advocate at Hendy Johnson Vaughn, P.S.C., whose practice focuses on trucking litigation, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, and other serious personal injury matters. In this episode, Mirena Umizaj Dumas and Jay discuss what separates a true trucking litigation specialist from a generalist firm, the insurance coverage details attorneys ofte...

Ron Johnson has tried cases to verdict for more than 25 years, including a $74 million wrongful death verdict, one of the largest personal injury verdicts in Kentucky history. He is co-lead counsel for the school districts suing Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snap over social media addiction. In this episode, Mirena and Ron cover how he ended up representing school districts in one of the most closely...

Rick Meadow has tried over 25 cases to verdict and spent two decades helping build The Lanier Law Firm into one of the most recognized mass tort practices in the country. In 2023, he founded The Meadow Law Firm in Phoenix as one of the first plaintiff-side practices operating as an Arizona Alternative Business Structure. In this episode, Mirena and Rick cover how the ABS model works in practice, h...

Attorney Sara Papantonio joins host Mirena Umizaj Dumas for a candid conversation about what mass tort work truly demands. From long timelines and real risk to the relationships that ultimately determine outcomes, Sara shares how she found her path into mass torts, what it has been like building her own name while working alongside her father, Mike Papantonio, and what she learned stepping into an...

Houston trial lawyer R. James Amaro joins host Mirena Umizaj Dumas to discuss what it takes to grow and sustain a high-performing personal injury practice. From the BP litigation and its financial fallout to tripling his firm during COVID, James shares the lessons learned from rebuilding under pressure while keeping client advocacy at the center. They explore: • Thriving through COVID by doubling...

In this episode of The Heart of Law , host Mirena Umizaj Dumas sits down with Kimball Jones , Managing Partner at Bighorn Law in Las Vegas, to explore what it truly takes to operate at the top of the legal profession. Kimball shares his extraordinary journey, from humble beginnings and a career in military intelligence to becoming one of the most successful trial lawyers in the country, best known...

In this episode of The Heart of Law Podcast , host Mirena Umizaj Dumas welcomes back returning guest Lynda Shely , one of the nation's leading voices on legal ethics and innovation. A former Chair of the ABA's Ethics Committee and a current member of Arizona's Alternative Business Structures (ABS) and AI Steering Committees, Lynda offers rare insight from the front lines of Arizona's trailblazing...

In a world obsessed with the big picture, discover how one consultant's passion for deconstructing complex challenges into smaller, manageable pieces redefines success in the realm of legal consulting and mass tort litigation. Join us for an exceptional episode of the Heart of Law as our experienced host, Mirena Umizaj, sits down with Crystal Utley, founder, and CEO of Bespoke Consulting and Capit...

How does the heart of a retired judge continue to impact the legal profession through alternative means? In this thought-provoking episode of The Heart of Law, join our perceptive host, Mirena Umizaj, as she welcomes the Honorable Judge Randa Trapp to explore her inspiring transition from the San Diego Superior Court to her new role as a neutral with Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JA...

Have you ever wondered how a legal luminary deftly maneuvers the intricate intersections of law, policy, and diversity? Buckle up for an exciting episode of the Heart of Law as our seasoned host, Mirena Umizaj takes you on a ride through the professional journey of Attorney Marlon Kimpson, a member of Motley Rice LLC, who much like a skilled driver, knows that "when you've got gas in the tank, you...

What drives a legal team to succeed against all odds in high-stakes mass tort litigation? In this captivating episode of The Heart of Law, join our intrepid host, Mirena Umizaj, as she welcomes Attorney Jennifer A. Moore, the founder of Moore Law Group PLLC, to explore her transformative journey from personal injury law to the forefront of mass tort litigation. Embark on an exploration of resilien...

In a world where paths often seem predetermined, brace yourself to unravel the awe-inspiring narrative of a man who transformed a 105-year prison sentence into a Harvard fellowship. Join us for an exceptionally empowering episode of the Heart of Law as our distinguished host, Mirena Umizaj, introduces Andre Norman, a revolutionary transformational speaker, strategist, and consultant transforming c...

Step into the dynamic realm of litigation finance, where the heartbeat of law intersects with financial ingenuity. In this revealing episode of "The Heart of Law," our adept host, Mirena Umizaj, collaborates with expert strategist Jacob Cantrell, Co-founder, and Chief Risk Officer of Rocade Capital, to explore the intricacies of strategic legal financing. Drawing from their respective expertise, t...

In a world where the intricacies of our legal system intersect with the heart-wrenching struggles of society's most vulnerable, emerges a remarkable individual whose unwavering dedication knows no bounds. Join us for an exceptionally heartfelt episode of the Heart of Law as our compassionate host, Mirena Umizaj introduces us to prominent Attorney Steve New, a founding member of Stephen New & Assoc...

What intriguing connection bridges the role of a meticulous "trash man" and that of one of the nation's most esteemed figures in the MSA industry? Join us as we delve into this captivating parallel, where Attorney John Cattie Jr., the managing member of Cattie and Gonzalez P LLC, expertly sweeps through the complexities of lien resolution within mass tort cases, ensuring the stage is impeccably se...

Prepare to venture into the uncharted territory of Arizona's legal landscape, where the rulebook is being reshaped, and the status quo is bravely defied. In this transformative episode of The Heart of Law, our astute host, Mirena Umizaj, invites Ethics Attorney Lynda Shely, the esteemed founder of The Shely Firm, to shed light on the intricacies of the Arizona Business Structure (ABS) program and...

Join host, Mirena Umizaj, in the latest episode of The Heart of Law podcast as she delves into the world of modern law firms and their innovative approaches to delivering superior client service.  In this captivating episode, Mirena interviews Sam Tabibian and Sahm Manouche hri, partners at Lyfe Law in Los Angeles, CA, who are widely recognized as leaders in the industry. They share how embracing...

Episode #3.2: The Heart of Law With Attorney Ed Bell   Are you ready to uncover the truth behind one of the most significant and complex cases of our time? Join our intrepid host, Mirena Umizaj , in a powerful and poignant episode of The Heart of Law , as she invites Attorney Ed Bell , the founder and senior partner at Bell Legal Group , to explore the unwavering dedication of Attorney Ed Bell and...

Episode #3.1: The Heart of Law With Mike Papantonio  Today, on The Heart of Law we are honored to welcome back Mike Papantonio, or "Pap" as he is affectionately known, a senior partner at the Levin Papantonio Rafferty law firm. With a series of multimillion-dollar verdicts under his belt, he is a trailblazer in the field of mass tort litigation, having handled thousands of cases across the nation....

EPISODE #2.9:  The Heart of Law with Alejandro Blanco So what does Antoine De Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince have to do with Mirena's special guest in this episode of The Heart of Law ? Fittingly enough, Alejandro Blanco , architect and godfather of Trial Structure , reels us into an empirical conversation about how to effectively win a trial with the mind and the heart. Our facile host hits th...

EPISODE #2.8: The Heart of Law with Andrew Finkelstein Aptly called by Mirena " a visionary ", Andrew Finkelstein , a pioneer in integrating technology into his law firms in the mid-1990s, shares his trade secrets in The Heart of Law. At the inexperienced age of 22, Andrew first felt ambivalence toward acquiring an MBA or pursuing a law degree. Yet a chance encounter with business mogul Larry Tisc...

Touted by the New York Times as " One of the top civil trial lawyers in America ,"   Mark Lanier graces The Heart of Law in one of the most thought-provoking episodes to date. Famed to have won about $20 Billion in verdicts, the esteemed litigator—also a theologian and preacher—lends invaluable insight into family, faith, science, law, and life. Sharp as a tack and a transcendent seeker herself, M...

Stephen Reck and Jose Rojas roll in The Heart of Law to chat with Mirena Umizaj about one of the biggest, polemical cases sweeping the country. They are pioneers in the baby formula lawsuits: the Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) litigation against Mead Johnson and Abbott Laboratories. Currently hoping to build awareness and reverse the careless tradition of offering cow-based formula to premature i...

EPISODE #2.5:  The Heart of Law with Willie D. Powells III Have you ever met a true brainbox? Someone intrepidly astute? Someone so capable, they can accomplish almost everything they set their mind to do? Wait until Mirena introduces you to her friend and present-day Renaissance man, Willie D. Powells III . He and our incisive host talk nineteen-to-the-dozen on today's Heart of Law episode, showi...