Lawyers Without Billboards

Welcome back to Lawyers Without Billboards! Many people think the divorce is over once the judge signs the final decree. In reality, that's often when some of the most important work begins. In this episode, Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa discuss the critical post-divorce steps that can make the difference between a smooth transition and years of unnecessary headaches. From transferring prope...

What does it actually mean when a lawyer stands up and says, "Objection"? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the attorneys at Shewmaker & Lewis explain one of the most recognizable parts of any courtroom proceeding. They discuss why objections exist, how they protect the fairness of a trial, and what judges consider when deciding whether to sustain or overrule an objecti...

What exactly is hearsay, and why do courts spend so much time arguing about it? In this episode, the attorneys of Shewmaker & Lewis tackle one of the most confusing concepts in the legal world. They explain how hearsay is defined, why courts generally exclude it, and what makes certain out-of-court statements reliable enough to be admitted as evidence. The conversation covers practical courtro...

What exactly does a judicial officer do in Fulton County Family Court? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve, Patty, and Jimmy sit down with Judge Scott Kaye, one of Fulton County's most experienced judicial officers, to pull back the curtain on how family court really works. Judge Kaye explains the purpose of 30-day, 60-day, and 120-day status conferences, how temporary hearin...

For many divorcing couples, the marital home is their largest asset and often one of the most emotionally charged parts of the divorce process. In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , Steve Shewmaker, Alexa Lewis, and Jimmy Lewis sit down with certified divorce real estate expert Jill Heineck to discuss how specialized real estate guidance can help families protect equity, reduce conflict,...

What happens when a parent takes a child and disappears? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the attorneys at Shewmaker & Lewis tackle one of the most frightening concerns parents face during custody disputes: child abduction by a parent or family member. The discussion explores real-world cases of domestic and international child abduction, the controversial story of Faye Yager an...

Retirement accounts can become one of the most confusing and expensive parts of a divorce… especially when QDROs are involved. In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the team at Shewmaker & Lewis dives deep into the world of QDROs (Qualified Domestic Relations Orders), retirement account divisions, pensions, gains and losses, plan administrator headaches, and the costly mistakes attor...

What makes a great opening statement? Is it storytelling? Strategy? Psychology? Or knowing exactly when to bend the rules without breaking them? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the team at Shewmaker & Lewis dives deep into one of the most important — and misunderstood — parts of any trial: the opening statement. Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa break down:  Why opening statements...

What actually happens during closing arguments in court? And are they really the most important part of a trial? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the attorneys at Shewmaker & Lewis break down the strategy behind effective closing arguments, including how attorneys persuade juries, simplify complicated evidence, and tailor arguments differently for judges versus jurors. The team...

In this episode, the attorneys at Shewmaker & Lewis discuss two recent Georgia Court of Appeals decisions that could significantly impact how lawyers handle appeals and post-trial representation. The conversation focuses on situations where parties attempted to file appeals on their own while their attorneys were still technically counsel of record, and why those filings were treated as legal...

Retirement accounts are often one of the largest assets in a divorce — and one of the easiest to mishandle. In this episode, we break down QDROs (Qualified Domestic Relations Orders) , how they work, and why failing to handle them correctly can lead to tax consequences, penalties, and costly disputes years later . We cover:  How retirement accounts are divided in divorce   When a QDRO is required—...

Crossing borders can change everything—especially in family law. In this episode, we dive into the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction , a treaty that governs what happens when a child is taken from one country to another by a parent. We break down how these cases actually work, including:  What “habitual residence” means and why it matters   The legal process fo...

Title IX cases aren’t criminal court — but they can carry consequences that are just as serious. In this episode, the attorneys at Shewmaker & Lewis break down how Title IX works in real life, from the moment a complaint is filed to the final outcome. They explain how universities conduct their own investigations, why the rules are different, and how students can face suspension or expulsion e...

What actually matters in court? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , we sit down with Judge Ann Harris , Chief Judge of the Cobb County Superior Court, for a candid conversation about how decisions are really made from the bench. Judge Harris shares her journey from a 19-year career in the District Attorney’s office to presiding over a courtroom that handles everything from criminal cas...

What do high schoolers really understand about the law, and where can everyday behavior turn into real legal consequences? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , Steve and Patty are joined by their daughter, Molly,  a high school student for a candid, eye-opening conversation about life inside today’s schools. From vaping and gambling to driving risks and school discipline, they break dow...

Cross-Examination: Where Cases Win or Implode Cross-examination is often the most critical moment in any case—and the most dangerous. In this episode, the attorneys at Shewmaker & Lewis break down how they prepare clients for cross-examination, what can go wrong on the stand, and why credibility is everything in front of a judge. They discuss the importance of identifying weaknesses early, und...

Divorce is one of the most common legal experiences in real life… so why does Hollywood almost never portray it? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , we take a closer look at Marriage Story and break down how accurately it reflects the realities of divorce. From courtroom strategy to emotional conflict, we compare the film’s portrayal with what actually happens in family law cases. We a...

After a full year of Lawyers Without Billboards , the team takes a moment to look back at the topics, lessons, and surprising realities they’ve covered since launching the podcast. In this anniversary episode, attorneys Steve Shewmaker, Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy Lewis, and Alexa Lewis reflect on some of the biggest themes from their first year behind the microphones. From divorce myths to custody dis...

In Part 2 of our ROTC disenrollment series, we examine the hearing process itself — and why it shocks so many families. Yes, you can hire an attorney.  No, your attorney cannot speak during the hearing. Instead, the cadet must conduct their own examination of witnesses, cross-examine accusers, introduce evidence, and make arguments — often in cases involving serious allegations. We break down:  •...

What happens when an ROTC cadet is accused of misconduct, academic failure, or a serious violation of military standards? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , the team breaks down the high-stakes world of ROTC disenrollment hearings — where a scholarship can suddenly transform into a six-figure debt or even mandatory enlisted service. ROTC contracts are not symbolic. They are binding ag...

Military retirement benefits can be one of the most valuable — and most misunderstood — assets in a divorce. In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa break down the fundamentals of military pensions, including the often-confused 10-10 Rule, how DFAS works, and what “High-36” really means. They explain how military retirement differs from private-sector pension...

Should lawyers prepare their clients for testimony? Absolutely. But preparation does not mean telling someone what to say. In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa break down what real trial preparation looks like — and why it starts long before you ever step into a courtroom. From correcting language habits in the very first consultation to organizing emails...

What happens when a marriage becomes a zero-sum game - and what does it really cost to “win”? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , Steve and Patty Shewmaker and Jimmy and Alexa Lewis put the 2025 remake The Roses on trial, comparing it to the original War of the Roses and examining what both films reveal about marriage, power, identity, and conflict. Unlike the original, which focused h...

What really happens inside Temporary Protective Order (TPO) court, and how do judges separate real danger from strategic filings? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , Steve and Patty Shewmaker and Jimmy and Alexa Lewis sit down with Fulton County Magistrate Judge Alex Manning for an unfiltered conversation about life on the bench, domestic violence hearings, and the realities judges fac...

Military Divorce Pitfalls: The Survivor Benefit Plan Explained What happens to a military pension after divorce, and what happens if the service member dies? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , Steve and Patty Shewmaker and Jimmy and Alexa Lewis break down one of the most misunderstood and high-risk issues in military divorce: the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) . SBP can determine whether...