Courtroom Stories & Tactics

Starting a better health journey now is more important than waiting for the perfect time. Our recent series of episodes have focused on themes of health, wellness, work-life balance, confronting stress, and building an intentional career as a lawyer where your work doesn't consume your life. But how do you know where to start? Where do you begin measuring and understanding what steps to take?...

Has your firm discussed the importance of wellness initiatives and mental health? It's a subject that is slowly becoming less taboo, but there is a lot of work that remains to be done. Especially in the legal profession. We still operate in an environment where it's common to have a bar in your office, to keep mental health challenges under wraps, to work as much as humanly possible, and...

Why are states so bad at lethal injection? There are the moral arguments and debates on capital punishment itself, its effectiveness in deterrence and the ethics of state-sanctioned executions. But interwoven into those debates are the methods of capital punishment, particularly lethal injection. What has long been presented as a clean, non-violent process has in fact proven to be the opposite. Pr...

You can't rank for what doesn't exist. The world of online marketing can seem overwhelming, complicated and exploitive: as lawyers, we know that we're targets for agencies and consultants who see our profession and think $$$. Nevertheless, digital marketing is an area you can't ignore. Fortunately, it's also one where you can hit the ground running and quickly start punchi...

Today's episode is part of our effort to put a broader perspective on the work and life of trial lawyers: it's not just about the case, the training and the preparation. It's also about your health, your stamina, work/life balance and your mental strength. Sam Johnston is a fitness coach and former college hockey player, who has become an expert in understanding nutrition, fitness a...

If working in Civil Law, and representing victims of crime, is something you do, or aspire to do, it is crucially important to recognize why this work is so important, yet also so specialized. This is delicate work, and understanding the psychology of trauma will determine how you interact with, and represent, your client. Renée Williams is the CEO of the National Center for Victims of Crime, the...

In just one year, Damon Hudson launched his personal injury firm in New Mexico and grew from 20 cases to over 70, a testament not just to results, but to his connection with his clients. There was one case however that stood out, a trip-and-fall case, where the client in question believed so deeply in her case, she had filed a pro se claim herself at state court. The case then got moved to federal...

How would you approach arguing a personal injury case where there is very little visible damage, there are pre-existing conditions for the client, and a lot of difficulties in gathering evidence?  In fact, would you take such a case in the first place? Our firm Gray Broughton was approached with this challenging car crash case, and despite the long odds, we knew there was an opportunity to get a s...

The defense asks you a seemingly innocuous question, and it's tempting to assume that whatever their angle is, it's probably nothing.  Elliott Buckner learned the hard way that even the most mundane motion can cause major headaches to your case, especially in the hands of a crafty defense lawyer.  If it's not setting off alarm bells, look again. Ask for a second opinion. Ask your fr...

Clients getting hurt for the first time in a significant way often don't know where to go, not just for legal advice but for medical advice.  Not only does it impact their health and their recovery, but it impacts the strength of their case. Without the right medical treatment, without the right supporting doctors and experts, insurance companies just don't take the claims as seriously....

How do you set the value for a case? Are you holding your case back from getting what it's really worth? And who makes that determination? Robert Hirschhorn's advice: "Don't put caps on yourself. You want to choose the biggest number that you could ever imagine a jury would award [in a case such as yours], and whatever that number is, multiply it times two." But to be succ...

Over two and a half years ago, our firm was approached by a father in Winchester, VA, with a case that had been rejected by at least three other law firms.  We knew it would be a very challenging case, with very limited evidence. It was not a "typical" case with clear-cut medical or economic damages. Others would ask us over time why we said yes to taking it on, despite the odds and obst...

You are the most powerful person you know. Whether you're a trial lawyer, working in corporate America, or in any walk of life, nothing can change this simple fact. You have the ability to make the choices and decisions that are healthy and positive, for you and those around you. And yes, these are real choices. They may be challenging, they may shake things up, but there's a reason why...

For years, you've been building your law career: head down, focused, years of commitment and perseverance. But are you sure you're where you need to be? Perhaps you know already: 'This is the best place, the best people and the best work for me, right now.' Which is a wonderful feeling, and something we're all striving for. But if you find yourself trying to fit in, to sta...

Losing a trial case can feel like a crushing gut punch, an emotional hit, burdened with the weight of disappointing your client. It stings, and it's hard to shake off. You can't control the outcome, but you can control your reaction to it. Matt Nakajima is an accomplished trial lawyer who has secured more than forty verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more. Since 2025 alone, he has...

How would the FBI approach jury selection? Imagine applying these same tools and trainings to your own jury selection and investigations, and having the ability to uncover evidence that changes the outcome of cases. Jim Melia is a retired FBI special agent turned professional investigator, here in Richmond, VA. Today he shares his insight into the skills required for effective interviewing, how to...

Civil Defense Lawyer Jason Boone shares his personal experience of making sure he maintains the right work/life balance for him and his family. In a conversation of frankness and authenticity, Jason talks about how lawyers of all stripes can, and should, find a balance that works for them. There are the years when you need to put in the time to learn the profession, and get the reps. But then ther...

Virginia's appellate landscape changed a lot in 2022, to where, similar to many other states, virtually everyone has an automatic right to go to the Court of Appeals. Yes, it can feel complicated and overwhelming. But the appellate process is a vital part of the legal system that deserves attention from trial lawyers. If you have a client who desperately wants to appeal, or the other side is...

When is being "reasonable," patient and compromising in fact just a strategy of the other side to delay, frustrate and ultimately to avoid trial? We should be respectful. We should be professional. But at no point should we ever compromise the duty to our client for the sake of getting along. Samantha Cohn talks about the moral and ethical motivations behind her career shift to becoming...

Dog bite cases are rarely about just one victim—they’re about public safety, accountability, and preventing the next attack.  "You have to show that this could happen to pretty much anyone. This could happen anytime, anywhere. You have to get the jury's mind ticking, and get them to see that it's not just that person who got bit on the face, it's anybody." Ashley Strandjor...

You've completed law school, taken the bar exam, have built a network of contacts and are ready to start practicing.  And then, your entire law school's results are thrown out.  You're faced with the choice: walk away completely for a new career, or go back to law school and do it all over again. "I graduated the first time, took the bar, and I had to ask myself then before I w...

If you want more high-value cases without giving more money to Google, this episode is for you. " Understanding referral generation is crucial for business growth, and a law practice must be a business first. " Today we look at the importance of referrals in law firms, focusing on who is responsible for generating these referrals and how to effectively manage this process.  In keeping wi...

If you want to learn how to live a full, sustainable life as a lawyer, this episode is for you. Matt Long breaks down how to build a healthy firm culture, communicate effectively, and avoid burnout as a lawyer. Please consider sharing this episode with someone who could benefit from it. Matt is the President of Bowen Ten Long & Bal in Richmond, Virginia. Over his 17+ year career, he has led wi...

"It gives me so much purpose and meaning: we are helping educate people in a place where they don't know anything. And they need the help." Michele Lewane is runs the Injured Workers Law Firm in Richmond, VA, which since 2006 has been advocating to get the benefits injured workers deserve for their worker's compensation claims. Worker's compensation is a complex and bureau...

"What helps motivate us in part is institutional or organizational betrayal: where the bond between the institution and the person is strong, but there's a big power differential due to the size and strength of the institution." - Peter Everett Peter Everett and Barkley Horn from Blankenship & Keith joined us to talk about their firm's approach to personal injury law. They...