Coopers' Code

In our previous episode, we sat down with Jeff Mitchell - a San Francisco-based medical malpractice trial lawyer partner at Mitchell Leeds LLP - to talk about his path into trial law, jury selection strategy, courtroom psychology, and the mindset behind winning difficult medical malpractice cases. If you missed Part 1, stream it here:  - Youtube: https://youtu.be/5a5UZ7pKVd4 - Apple Podcasts: http...

In this episode of Coopers’ Code, Miles Cooper sits down with Jeff Mitchell, a San Francisco-based medical malpractice trial lawyer and partner at Mitchell Leeds LLP.  Jeff has secured the two largest medical malpractice verdicts in California history, holds record verdicts in multiple counties, and has resolved approximately $500 million on behalf of malpractice clients across California, Arizona...

As Coopers’ Code takes a short holiday break, we’re bringing back a conversation that remains as powerful and necessary as ever. A mother and her two daughters were handcuffed and detained for nearly an hour in a parking lot while doing absolutely nothing wrong. No probable cause. No matching description. No apology. What followed became the Loggervale case, also known as the “Parking While Black”...

In Part 2 of this after action review, Miles Cooper and Brett Schreiber, Partner at Singleton Schreiber take us inside the courtroom to show how strategy, clarity, and pressure shaped a record verdict. If you missed Part 1, stream it here: - Youtube: https://youtu.be/iYF4EURNLWc - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tesla-on-trial-%24329-000-000-autopilot-judgment-with/id16796226...

In this two-part after action review, Miles Cooper sits down with Brett Schreiber, Partner at Singleton Schreiber, to break down the first jury verdict holding Tesla liable for an Autopilot defect. In August 2025, a Florida federal jury issued a unanimous 329 million dollar judgment, including 243 million in compensatory damages, placing the result among the largest individual plaintiff outcomes i...

In the recurring AI conversation series, regulars Marshall Cole, Shahrad Milanfar, and Miles Cooper are joined by Spencer Pahlke, Walkup partner and mock trial expert, who breaks down qualitative insights drawn from AI use and mock trial success. The conversation highlights prompting strategy, tool reliability, the limits of AI in predicting juries, and how human judgment continues to shape real t...

In this final chapter of Coopers' Code: Lifecycle of a Case series , Miles Cooper breaks down what happens after a case resolves: court-approved minors’ compromises, how to choose the right vehicle for protecting a child’s settlement, when special needs trusts are necessary, and the realities of lien resolution. Miles also walks through distribution reports, exit interviews, and the practical...

In this episode of Coopers' Code, Miles Cooper welcomes back Shaana Rahman: a distinguished trial lawyer, cycling advocate, and all-around force for justice. Together they unpack the world of amicus briefs, the impact of the California Supreme Court’s recent cycling decision, and the evolving legal challenges around rideshare companies and protective orders. The conversation explores how publi...

In this episode of Coopers' Code: Lifecycle of a Case , Miles Cooper guides listeners through the final stages of litigation: post-verdict and appeals (phases 8B & 9). He explains how to gather insights from jurors, protect successful verdicts, and identify procedural missteps that could affect post-trial motions. Listeners learn the mechanics and strategy of motions for new trial, judgmen...

In this episode of Coopers’ Code, Miles Cooper with Shahrad Milanfar and Marshall Cole discuss new examples of AI hallucinations affecting both solo practitioners and top law firms, the rise of self-represented litigants successfully using AI, and the growing concern over automation tools that monitor legal workflows. They also explore how big data is reshaping case valuation, why human intuition...

This is Part II of our conversation with Justice William W. Bedsworth. If you missed Part I, stream them here: - Youtube: https://youtu.be/havfT8S-_ew - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/20ah8B2eguosV8q0L2oTec - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-lawyers-get-wrong-about-the-courtroom-justice/id1679622653?i=1000732643803 Justice William W. Bedsworth recently retired...

This is Part I of our conversation with Justice William W. Bedsworth. He recently retired from the California Appellate court, receiving the court’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. He is probably best known for his nationally syndicated column, which he has been writing for 44 years. Along the way he served as goal judge for the Anaheim Ducks, advanced civility through the case opi...

In this episode of Coopers' Code – Lifecycle of a Case , Miles Cooper walks through the Trial phase (8A): the point where organization, collaboration, and foresight can make or break a case. From exhibit lists and jury questionnaires to motions in limine and mini-openings, Miles outlines the systems that help trials run smoothly. He explains why joint trial submissions can improve courtroom ra...

In this episode of Cooper’s Code , Miles Cooper with Shahrad Milanfar and Marshall Cole discuss the latest developments in AI and their legal implications. The discussion covers a published appellate decision sanctioning attorneys for citing fabricated AI-generated cases, best practices for avoiding hallucinations, and how firms can create responsible AI policies. The group also explores Nvidia’s...

This is Part II of this conversation. Missed Part I? Listen to it here: Youtube: https://youtu.be/u7nMJjRRIO8 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/%249-57m-school-bullying-verdict-part-1-harassment-attack/id1679622653?i=1000727840741 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/011eqoCLeJKNpzsPZkRSw3 In this second part of our After Action Review with Megan Burns and Emily L. Dahm of...

In this first part of our After Action Review with Megan Burns and Emily Dahm of Mirador Law, we dive into their journey from public defense to plaintiff’s work and explore how they secured a $9.57 million verdict in a high-stakes bullying case against the New Haven Unified School District. Megan and Emily share how their trial backgrounds shaped their litigation style, the unique challenges of ha...

In this month’s AI deep dive with Shahrad Milanfar and Marshall Cole, we dived into the MIT study on AI’s impact on critical thinking, the first wrongful death lawsuit against OpenAI, and the risks of over-relying on AI in law practice. We cover cognitive downsides, vendor hype, courtroom implications, and the newest tools like NotebookLM, Google Veo 3, and holographic tech. Essential listening fo...

In this episode of the Lifecycle of a Case series, Miles Cooper breaks down Mediation and Expert discovery , respectively phases 6 and 7. He explores mediation strategy, the tactical use of Code of Civil Procedure section 998 offers, and how to prepare clients for the mediation process. He also compares mediation with mandatory settlement conferences, outlining their pros, cons, and unique dynamic...

Continuing the Lifecycle of a Case series, in this episode of the Lifecycle of a Case series, Miles Cooper dives into the #5 phase, Discovery - and explains how plaintiff lawyers can get proactive and stay ahead of defense tactics. From drafting discovery before filing suit to serving interrogatories, requests for production, and admissions, Miles walks through practical strategies to gather key d...

At the halfway point of his legal career, Miles Cooper reflects on 25 years in the law and the lessons learned along the way. From battling addiction and supporting his daughter through cancer to learning from mentors and colleagues, Miles shares wisdom on knowing yourself, doing less but doing it well, balancing life’s demands, riding waves of momentum, and the importance of true friendships. Thi...

In this month’s AI deep dive, Miles Cooper and Sharhad Milanfar explore how quickly AI is evolving and the legal implications for trial lawyers. They discuss bias in AI outputs, the risk of judges or court staff inadvertently relying on AI, and how to address potential errors without alienating the bench. The conversation covers new California Judicial Council AI rules, responsible prompting pract...

Continuing the Lifecycle of a Case series, this episode focuses on pre-litigation and filing suit - two critical phases that bridge initial investigation and courtroom action. Miles Cooper shares his process for building airtight demand packages, communicating effectively with insurance adjusters, and assessing collectability before litigation. He also discusses demand letter strategies, underinsu...

In this new series, inspired by Kevin Lancaster’s annual case lifecycle workshops, Cooper's Code dives into each critical phase of a legal case. The episode begins with the Intake/Initial Investigation - Phase 1, exploring how the initial conversation and client relationship shape the case's foundation. From effectively handling the initial intake interview to strategically gathering evidence - Ph...

In Part 2 of this After Action Review, trial attorneys Karman Guadagni and Kelsey Craven return to break down their $24 million elder abuse verdict in Donahue v. MBK Senior Living. After a hung jury in Trial #1, the team reassessed everything—from witness control and causation framing to how they used tech, visuals, and jury psychology. They walk us through what changed in Trial #2, how jurors con...

In the first part of this After Action Review, trial attorneys Karman Guadagni and Kelsey Craven break down the first of two trials in the elder abuse case of Donahue vs MBK Senior Living . What began as a strong case involving multiple falls, understaffing, and COVID-era failures ended in a hung jury - despite five weeks of trial. This episode dives into the legal strategy, discovery hurdles, sta...