Heels In The Courtroom

We always want to win in the courtroom, but should that be our only measure of success? Nationally recognized plaintiff attorney John Simon, the founder of The Simon Law firm, one of the winningest firms in the country, argues there is much more. In this candid conversation, John shares how the power of a positive upbringing, hard work, and the joy of a generous heart helped him become one of the...

One key goal of our podcast is to mentor and inspire the next generation of attorneys. This week’s encore episode offers advice from Elizabeth McNulty, Mary Simon, and Megan Crowe about their experiences as young lawyers and tips on how you can overcome most obstacles with drive, diligence, and tons of preparation. Tune in for a motivational episode that will remind you that every successful attor...

Posting pics from your latest concert or footage of that crazy car crash you were in for all your friends to see? Surprise…..your opposing counsel might see it too. Today we’re talking about the gold nuggets and dirt we have found on social media and how social media can build your case or compromise your client.

Lawyers are taught plenty about the law but are expected to manage their legal teams with very little training. Today’s discussion on management style focuses on growth and fixed mindsets and how you, and your team, can learn to use failure and problem-solving as growth tools.

You have a question about your case, so you approach a colleague for advice. But the first thing out of their mouth is “How can you possibly not know that?” Ouch! How we deliver feedback can crush a co-worker or build camaraderie. This episode examines supportive ways to respond to inappropriate feedback and how to be sensitive when someone asks you for advice.

We recently attended the inspiring Women In The Law symposium sponsored by the Federal Bar Association for the Southern District of Illinois, and several panelists discussed an ongoing issue….why are women still expected to handle emotions in the workplace? Shouldn’t caring and compassion be leadership qualities of all genders? We certainly can’t solve the problem in this episode, but we sure have...

Inspiring women are at work around the globe and we can learn a lot from their experience. Amy Gunn had the opportunity to speak with former Canadian Supreme Court Justice Marie Deschamps on Amy’s ACTL podcast, Trial Tested. Justice Deschamps continues to champion social causes even after stepping down from the bench and shares candid thoughts about her career, landmark decisions, and advice for a...

Loyal Heels in the Courtroom listeners know Amy Gunn also hosts a podcast for the American College of Trial Lawyers. On her Trial Tested podcast, Amy spoke with Joan Lukey, one of the top female litigators in the country and the first female President of the ACTL. This extraordinary episode is a great opportunity to take notes on Joan’s philosophy for success and her ongoing commitment to compassi...

You clearly gave your focus group jurors all the facts in your case. Most understood your message, but a few folks went completely off the deep end and jumped to a conclusion you can’t even comprehend. We often forget that jurors don’t share our legal knowledge and that the responsibility of decision-making in a legal setting can be overwhelming. Tune in to hear some of the crazy comments we’ve he...

Wouldn’t you love to know what jurors are thinking about your case? Focus groups provide valuable insights into case strategy and potential damages issues. They can also reveal issues you never considered or indicate where clarification or visuals might be needed to help the jury understand complex information. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of online and in-person focus groups, how to prep and p...

Say you go on vacation and your condo reservation gets canceled just before you arrive, but you are promised a full refund. But after a gazillion texts, emails, and phone calls, you still don’t have your money. Now what? It happened to one of us and it turned out to be a great lesson in the basics of small claims court. You won’t want to miss this one….cuz when you try to cheat Amy Gunn, you get 4...

The Texas Two-Step isn’t just a country music line dance. It’s a controversial legal maneuver a company can use to avoid exposure to potential legal claims, and it could derail your case. We’ll examine the potential impact of bankruptcy on litigation and explain why you should always discuss bankruptcy with your client, how to seek relief if an insurance company claims financial insolvency, and of...

Mediators are supposed to be unbiased but that’s not always the case. What should you do if your mediator appears to be favoring the other side or acts inappropriately? We’ve got some great stories about what happened to us, so listen in and learn what to do if/when you find yourself in a messy mediation, including when to walk and how to prep your client for that possibility.

We just heard that if you want to rise to the top, you need to exhibit “quiet masculinity”. What the hell is that? Is it a weird way of saying “don’t be loudly feminine?” And are the traits many perceive as feminine really out of place in the C-suite? Join our spirited discussion as we unpack this loaded phrase and the stereotypes and implications that go with it.

Filed any frivolous lawsuits lately? Of course you haven’t, but sadly, many people think lawyers are just greedy manipulators who lie for a living. Not only does that hurt us personally, but it also undermines the foundation of our judicial system. Join today’s discussion about why there are so many lawyer misconceptions (and bad jokes) and what we can do to restore some of the dignity and appreci...

After years of litigation, the check is literally sitting on your desk. All you have to do is sign that boilerplate settlement agreement and you’re done, right? Wrong. Pour a cup of coffee and take the time to read every word because the terms of confidentiality, liens, and indemnification could make a critical difference for your client or for you in a future case. We dodged a couple of bullets o...

We’re not talking about eating more veggies or actually using that old gym membership. Our thoughts about New Year’s resolutions for 2023 involve personal challenges to build and defend our boundaries, be brave and try something new. Take a moment for some sincere introspection and join us in our renewed resolve to give ourselves permission to get what we want this year and to support others who a...

Here’s an inspiring story to start the new year. Heels in the Courtroom host Amy Gunn shares her American College of Trial Lawyer’s podcast interview with Boma Alabi, a commercial trial lawyer working in Nigeria. Boma maintains a large pro bono criminal workload and is a fierce high-tech advocate for citizens being targeted and harassed by government agencies. Hear how one woman can make a differe...

If you are a regular Heels in the Courtroom listener, you know Amy Gunn is one busy woman. She also hosts the American College of Trial Lawyer’s podcast Trial Tested and recently spoke with journalist, human rights activist, and author Kati Marton about her book; The Chancellor, the Remarkable Odyssey of Angela Merkel. We’re sharing Amy’s ACTL podcast so you can learn from Angela Merkel’s example...

We’ve got a great topic to chat about at your next holiday gathering with girlfriends. What were your highs and lows of the year, personally and professionally? Did you overcome an obstacle? Reach a goal? Deal with a loss? Fail miserably? And what does it tell you about yourself and how to be a better you next year? Hear how we learned, lost, and lived through our highs and lows of 2022 in this in...

Zig Ziglar once said, “Humility will open more doors than arrogance ever will.” This often-overlooked virtue distinguishes a boss from a leader and allows you to re-center and learn after a loss. Today’s episode discusses how to cultivate humility in the workplace, and reminds us that when we act with humility, we can give up our pride and still retain our dignity.

Office parties. Co-worker gifts. Corporate giving. Hosting events. When do you possibly find time for making holiday feasts, visiting family, and preparing for that upcoming trial? The holidays can be a blur unless you get in the spirit of “get to” instead of “have to.” Join this jolly pre-holiday episode for hints on staff gift-giving, attitude adjustment, and making time to recharge for the new...

Female attorneys are still being asked to get the coffee. Will that ever change, and what can we do to make it change? Ladies, we need to find camaraderie and courage to speak out, stand together and share a little grace when the going gets tough. That starts with each of us taking small steps toward positive change that benefits all of us. Get a little inspiration for your personal journey in the...

Even though you are a successful female attorney, do you ever feel like this career is not for you? You’re not alone. Women attorneys are twice as likely to make an early exit from their practices as men and they continue to disappear even after making partner. There are a lot of reasons, but one might be the fact that male equity partners make 27% more than female equity partners. Women of color...

Decades of research tells us why women leave their legal careers; it's the same story on repeat. So what is the difference between women who love their legal careers and those struggling to hang on? At different stages of their careers, the ladies of The Simon Law Firm have created a podcast based on answering that question. Starting with the basics, the hosts of “Heels in the Courtroom” will shar...