Beyond the Gavel

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Janet Carpenter, health and privacy lawyer at Stewart McKelvey, about the collision between digital healthcare, AI, and patient privacy. Drawing on her experience responding to one of the largest cybersecurity incidents in Canadian healthcare history, Janet explains why so many organisations underestimate the volume of information...

In this episode, Rodney Peyton sits down with Stephen De Bonis to discuss the rise of artificial intelligence in law and medicine. They explore how AI is transforming the way lawyers build cases and settle demands, the very real dangers of AI hallucinations and overconfidence, and why failing to adopt AI responsibly may soon be seen as a failure of professional duty. They also examine the irreplac...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton talks with Sonia Nijjar, a partner at Neinstein LLP in Toronto, about how medical negligence litigation is evolving in Canada. They explore the case for an enterprise liability model over endless finger-pointing, why communication breakdowns drive so many catastrophic errors, and how AI can serve as a check and balance without replacing the j...

Artificial intelligence is already reshaping how lawyers research, analyze, and decide which cases to pursue, yet skepticism runs deep. In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton sits down with Vancouver-based technology and privacy lawyer Sahil Asthana to unpack the real tension facing the profession: the reluctance to adopt new tools versus the reality that AI can already cut resear...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton talks with Toronto litigator Daniel Fisher about nursing home negligence and catastrophic injury claims. They explore the often-misunderstood value of loss of care, guidance, and companionship claims, the challenge of proving psychological injury, and how to earn the trust of grieving, guilt-ridden families. A thoughtful look at advocacy, jud...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Mark Thomason, Head of Personal Injury at Optimal Solicitors. Mark discusses your path into clinical negligence, your move into leadership and management, and how you balance client care with the commercial realities of legal practice. You explore early case assessment, supporting junior lawyers, and the growing role of AI, regula...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Jamie McGill, senior solicitor at Lindsays, about how Scotland’s legal profession is evolving through technology and mentorship. Jamie discusses how hybrid courts, remote hearings, and digital systems have reshaped litigation since COVID-19, while structured mentoring keeps young lawyers connected and supported. He also shares ins...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, Rodney Peyton sits down with Jesse Toprak, a tech entrepreneur with nearly 30 years of experience building data-driven startups in the automotive industry, to introduce Peyton AI, a new tool built for the medical malpractice world. They discuss how pattern-recognition principles from the car industry apply to medical legal cases, and how the system turns decade...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel , host Rodney Peyton speaks with Rob Parkinson, Vice President of -30- Forensic Engineering and a leading expert in injury biomechanics. Rob discusses how engineering evidence is used in personal injury litigation, the science behind low-speed collision claims, and the relationship between biomechanics, medicine, and the law. The conversation explores the role o...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, Rodney Peyton sits down with Alex Perry, a medical malpractice lawyer known for a practical and thoughtful approach to complex cases. They discuss the transition from legal theory to real-world practice, the importance of mentorship, and the core skills needed to succeed in demanding litigation. The conversation also explores managing client expectations, the r...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, Rodney Peyton sits down with Reese Sobol, a medical malpractice attorney with a background shaped by early exposure to law and judicial clerkship experience. They discuss how young lawyers build credibility through practical experience, mentorship, and honest case evaluation, along with the challenges of managing client expectations in complex claims. The conve...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Jennifer Harris, Legal Director at Capsticks, about defending high severity clinical negligence claims. They explore how defense teams assess risk, the impact of litigation on clinicians, and how clear cases, strong records, and targeted education help resolve claims and improve patient safety.

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, Rodney Peyton sits down with Paul Delahunt to discuss his path into law, from early debating to building experience across plaintiff and defense litigation. They cover credibility in cases, working with experts, the value of relationships, and how AI is shaping the future of legal practice.

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, Rodney Peyton sits down with Robert Godosky, a managing attorney with decades of experience in personal injury and medical malpractice litigation. They discuss how seasoned lawyers assess cases early, the critical role of credible expert testimony, and the balance between client expectations and legal reality. The conversation also explores the demands of long-...

In this episode, Rodney Peyton sits down with Stewart Cohen, founding partner of Cohen, Placitella, and Roth, P.C. and one of America's most respected trial attorneys with 50 years at the bar. The importance of communication and soft skills in the legal profession, what the Board of Bar Examiners really looks for in candidates, the surprising role that addiction plays in over 90% of disciplin...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, New York trial attorney Anna Berezovski discusses how medical malpractice cases are selected, built, and defended through summary judgment in a demanding litigation system. She explains the cost pressures, the role of medical records and expert support, and the importance of disciplined strategy from the outset. The conversation also explores how AI tools assis...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel , medical malpractice attorney Emily Trieber shares how her EMT and public health background shapes the way she screens cases and supports clients through high stakes litigation. She explains the difference between an unfortunate outcome and true negligence, what makes an expert credible before a jury, and why early case evaluation matters. The conversation also...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel , we speak with Ohio medical malpractice attorney Brian Eisen about how his background in neurobiology and federal prosecution shapes the way he evaluates and tries complex medical cases. He explains why disciplined case selection, credible experts, and clear storytelling matter more than volume. A focused look at contingency practice, courtroom strategy, and wh...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Donn Christensen, plaintiff trial attorney and civil rights advocate based in California.  Donn shares how a wrongful arrest and police brutality shifted your path from broadcasting into law and shaped your focus on representing people harmed by institutional power. He explains how storytelling, authenticity, and clear communicati...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Carlos Stecco, medical malpractice attorney, who now represents patients and families across Maryland and Washington, D.C.  Carlos explains why he moved from defense to plaintiff work, how he evaluates cases with a defense lawyer’s eye, and why early expert screening and clear communication sit at the heart of sound case selection...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, the host speaks with Richard Edwards, founder of Richard Edwards & Co, catastrophic injury specialist, deputy district judge, and board member of the Expert Witness Institute.  Richard explains why he left large corporate firms, how judging has sharpened his advocacy, and what courts truly expect from lawyers and experts. From using AI sensibly to running d...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Leo Lachs, Director of INNEG, on how technology and data-driven systems are reshaping clinical negligence and serious injury practice. Leo explains how INNEG integrates structured expert databases, AI-assisted workflows, and rigorous quality control to enhance accuracy and cut costs. He highlights the value of mentoring, continuou...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel , host Rodney Peyton speaks with Ben Townsend, Partner at Stewarts and leading claimant personal injury lawyer. With over 30 years in catastrophic injury cases, Ben shares how preparation and credibility win cases before day one. He explains the importance of building trust with experts, managing relationships with the defense, and being trial-ready even when mo...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton talks with Michaela Guthrie, a partner at Balfour+Manson and one of Scotland’s leading claimant solicitors in clinical negligence. Michaela shares her path from early interests in justice and medicine to her role in complex medical negligence cases, including obstetric claims. She and Rodney discuss the landmark Montgomery case and how it res...

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Dr. Herschel Lessin, a pediatrician with 40 years in the clinic and 30 years as a medical expert witness. Trained at Stanford and Yale, Dr. Lessin pairs frontline care with national policy work through the American Academy of Pediatrics and leadership across New York’s Hudson Valley. The conversation covers the emotional toll of l...