Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

Like the legal profession, the practice of medicine in the United States is highly regulated. But it hasn't always been, and the idea that a person has the right to try the medical therapies of their choice has a much longer history. In Choose Your Medicine: Freedom of Therapeutic Choice in America, law professor Lewis A. Grossman introduces readers to a fractious history with some unexpected comb...

Don’t fall into the TV trap of coming in hot on every witness. You could burn your own case if the jury remembers you were mean to a witness and forgets the key points of their testimony. But you don’t want to be a pushover either, so how do you temper your approach? Amy, Liz, Megan, Mary, and Elizabeth share trial-tested tactics on when to pivot your attitude, how non-verbals can telegraph your f...

Part Two includes practical considerations and ideological drivers. Why are you doing this in the first place? What is the mission of your new firm? Who are your working partners outside your office? And how important is it to exit gracefully when you do decide to leave your current position? Tune in as John and Erich offer more great advice to help you start your new firm with a better chance of...

Has the topic of vaccines become the new “no talk of politics, sex, or religion at the dinner table?” As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, the topic of who is or is not vaccinated is sure to come up ahead of the big day. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 58.5% of the United States is currently fully vaccinated against Covid-19. So, if you’re faced with a conflict...

How important are online reviews, and what can you do about them? Guest Eric Goldman, legal scholar and expert, explains the intersection of Section 230 and the ethics of online reviews. Tune in next time for part 2 of the conversation. And Thanksgiving is a time to remind your clients you appreciate them. In a segment dubbed “Crappy Holiday Promotions,” Conrad and Gyi share thoughts on holiday se...

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused courts—previously slow to adopt new technology—to leap into prioritizing digital services. As legal aid and court services increase the use of online tools, there is a concern that people without access to technology and high-speed internet will be left behind. This gap, referred to as the “digital divide,” is the topic of the latest Talk Justice episode.  Learn mo...

Struggling to find joy and fulfillment in her work at a prestigious law firm, guest Ali Katz thought striking out on her own was the way to go. But she found herself battling the same demons, too busy producing paperwork to achieve work/life balance and find satisfaction by fully serving her clients.  Then it hit her. There’s nothing wrong with the legal profession, what’s wrong is the way lawyers...

Have you ever wondered about the secret to getting great PR for yourself and your firm? How do some lawyers get quoted over and over again in media publications on topics you know you’re the expert in? Meet Michelle Calcote King, and this week we’re diving into why PR is necessary to incorporate into your firm. Michelle is the Principal & President of Reputation Ink, a professional services public...

Meg Steenburgh of the ABA Law Student Podcast welcomes Adam Liptak to learn about his career as a legal journalist. Adam explains his typical work cycle as Supreme Court correspondent for The New York Times and offers insights on how a law degree translates into the world of journalism. They also discuss some of the Supreme Court’s upcoming cases and Adam shares his top advice for today’s law stud...

Dennis and Tom have hit their 300th episode! Join in on the fun as special guest host Adriana Linares grills the guys on technology, podcasting, and—after all these years—just how well they really know each other.  And, Adriana sticks around for the parting shots! Stay tuned for that one tip, website, or observation that you can use the second the podcast ends. Have a technology question for Denni...

The stats are in, and law firms are truly ill-equipped to combat ransomware. So, what should they do? Sharon and John welcome David White of Axio to talk about his company’s 2021 State of Ransomware Preparedness Report. David talks about their key findings and offers a back-to-basics approach that helps lawyers and law firms take steps to prevent cyber attack.  David White is president and co-foun...

Attorneys Alan Russo and Marie Castronuovo from the law firm Russo & Gould discuss social inflation and its impact on the insurance industry. Special thanks to our sponsor, AM Best Company, Best’s Insurance Professional Resources, including Qualified Member attorneys, adjusters and expert service providers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hiring in the legal field is on the rise and the market for experienced talent is more competitive. To remain successful in the months ahead, law firms and corporate legal departments are adjusting their hiring and compensation strategies in response to a dynamic environment. Many legal professionals are actively seeking positions that offer not only career advancement but salaries, benefits and p...

If you’re starting or running a solo or small law practice (or even working in a larger firm), it’s important to remember you are not out there on your own. The ABA Law Practice Division (ABA LP) is loaded with resources to help you succeed and grow your business.  ABA LP Chair Heidi Barcus and Vice Chair Mary Vandenack join host Adriana Linares for a deep dive into the four pillars of success: ma...

Is there a significant crossover between this podcast's audience and Taylor Swift? I guess we'll find out this week as we discuss her latest re-release and the intellectual property issues driving her new recording strategy. Because everything comes back around to the law... even pop music. We also talk about Above the Law's role in the latest inquiry from the House Judiciary Committee and the tec...

Law prof Michele Pistone says there aren’t enough immigration lawyers and pro bono attorneys to meet the demand of immigrants seeking legal assistance. This justice gap is a primary reason that she created a program to train paraprofessionals to handle legal work in the immigration realm. Special thanks to our sponsors, Alert Communications and Smokeball.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

The thought of starting your own firm appeals to many attorneys at some point in their careers. But there are several things you should consider before you quit your current firm or try to hang up your shingle straight out of law school. As the founder of a large firm and a solo practitioner, John and Erich discuss the pros and cons from two different perspectives and offer insights about software...

In Part Two of our analysis of a $10 million dollar medical malpractice verdict for our client, Amy Gunn and Liz Lenivy discuss witness prep, damages, and defense tactics that didn’t seem to land well with the jury. Amy also reveals the toll this massive case and an extremely hectic return to the courtroom have taken on her resolve, and how she plans to get everything “back on the rails” after cel...

Missed out on Quantum Leap back in the day? No worries, Jared’s here to put right what went wrong, hoping this time you’ll find a way to bring this awesome series home… or something like that. Next, Jared leaps into his interview with small business consultant Terri Teague! They chat about new trends on LinkedIn and how lawyers can leverage creative content to help their businesses grow. And, you’...

Regardless of your financial situation, the beginning of your career is a terrific time to build credit. Great credit affords you critical opportunities when you fund your practice or buy a home. It’s not about what you’re earning, it’s about the payment mechanisms. Financial speaker-writer-consultant Eric Rosenberg joins our very own Mathew Kerbis for a deep dive on establishing and building incr...

In Glynn County, Georgia, the trial of three white men charged in the death of Ahmaud Arbery has selected a jury, however the makeup of that jury has raised some controversy. With eleven White members and only one Black member, the prosecution has accused the defense of eliminating qualified Black jurors from serving. In response to a motion filed by the State, presiding Judge Timothy Walmsley sai...

Guest Phil Alvarez, director of 9/11 Outreach and Education for the law firm Hansen & Rosasco, shares how his brother fought to the end like the hero he was. Luis Alvarez was an NYPD detective who worked in the toxic ruins of the World Trade Center for months, not knowing a silent beast would stalk him for the rest of his life, and dying of cancer caused by the chemicals in the air and the rubble....

Sidley is offering associates firm branded AirPods and jackets as a token of appreciation after bringing lawyers back to the office. Putting aside whether or not that's a fair deal for associates, what exactly makes for a good branded gift? Not all swag is created equal. We also chat about a town in California that has declared itself an independent Constitutional Republic (that's not a thing), th...

Most med mal cases aren’t decided for the plaintiff, so when a verdict of this magnitude is ruled in your client’s favor, it’s something to celebrate and learn from. In this episode of Heels in the Courtroom, Amy Gunn and Liz Lenivy share their pre-trial and courtroom strategies and discuss the concepts of agency, bifurcation, and some little-known facts about medical records. It’s a great story f...

In an encore presentation of one of our most popular episodes (EP109), John Simon presents twelve specific tips for creating a highly persuasive opening statement. Take a listen and learn what all the other attorneys who downloaded this podcast already know about making their case stronger from the start. You’ll be glad you did when you step in front of your next jury. Learn more about your ad cho...