The Dirty Verdict

What really happens behind the scenes when an insurance company gets sued? And what can plaintiff lawyers do to get cases settled faster? On this episode of The Dirty Verdict Podcast , Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert sit down with two experienced insurance defense attorneys, Stew Schmella of the Lanza Law Firm and Chris Papadopoulos of Adams and Reese , for a candid, entertaining look at the other s...

This week on The Dirty Verdict: Grant Cardone is battling Susman Godfrey—and his post-deposition social media videos may be making things even more interesting. The explosive Cornell Seven lawsuit raises new questions about a sexual-assault investigation that resulted in no criminal charges. Plus, we're warning you about a frightening jury-duty scam that could cost you thousands. A troubling "figh...

In this episode, Adam Funk joins hosts Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden and Kyle Herbert and gives his insight into medical malpractice law, including common cases, legal procedures, and the impact of tort reform in Texas. Listeners will learn about the nuances of medical malpractice claims, legal strategies, and recent legal developments. Key Topics: -- Medical malpractice standards and common cases -- L...

"You can go broke by answering the phone and saying yes to everybody." On this week's Dirty Verdict Podcast, we sat down with two lawyers who left established firms to hang their own shingle: Matt Mendoza (Mendoza Law Firm, ~2 years in) and Hogan Leatherwood (soon to be Leatherwood & Schindler, ~1 year in). No fluff. Just the real numbers and the real mistakes. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 → Both funded the...

The Dirty Verdict takes on the highly publicized Lindsey Clancy murder trial and the legal battle surrounding her insanity defense. Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden are joined by Houston criminal defense attorney Anthony Osso to break down the case, the evidence presented at trial, and the extraordinary circumstances surrounding a jury that appears hopelessly deadlocked. The group examin...

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict , Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert return for a wide-ranging legal news roundup covering some of the strangest lawsuits, biggest verdicts, and most consequential legal questions making headlines. The episode opens with a truly unforgettable lawsuit against Popeyes involving a "condom-like" foreign object allegedly found inside a piece of fried chicken...

On this episode of The Dirty Verdict , Kyle Herbert and Bill Ogden sit down with attorney and mediator Sherra Gilbert for a wide-ranging conversation about the experiences that shaped her career, what she has learned from practicing on both sides of the courtroom, and why preparation can make or break a case long before anyone gets to trial. Sherra shares her journey from growing up in Laredo, Tex...

On this episode of  The Dirty Verdict , hosts Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert welcome attorney and mediator Leigh Lewis to discuss her transition from a successful insurance-defense practice to full-time mediation. Leigh reflects on growing up in Midland, Texas, studying environmental management at Duke University, attending the University of Texas School of Law, and building a litigation career tha...

In this episode of  The Dirty Verdict , Peter Taaffe and Bill Ogden sit down with attorney Anthony Vessel of Marc Whitehead & Associates for a deep dive into a practice area many lawyers encounter but few truly understand: disability benefits, insurance denials, Social Security disability, veterans disability claims, and ERISA litigation. Anthony walks through how he found his way from Beaumont, T...

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict , Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert sit down with Laura Hollingsworth, Dana Levy, Leah Graham, and Daniel Dutko for a deep dive into the civil case surrounding the tragic death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs. The panel breaks down the facts behind the case, the role of Angels communications director Eric Kay, the evidence that revealed a broader cultur...

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict , hosts Kyle Herbert, Peter Taaffe, and Bill Ogden sit down with trial attorney Trey Barton for a wide-ranging conversation about his path from teacher and coach to plaintiff's lawyer, opening his own firm right as COVID hit, and building a practice largely through attorney referrals. Trey walks through several recent verdicts, including a wrongful death/DWI ca...

On this episode of The Dirty Verdict Podcast , hosts Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden welcome back Erica Rose and Chuck Sanders of Rose Sanders Law Firm for a wide-ranging, hilarious, and surprisingly thoughtful conversation. The group catches up on Rose Sanders' expansion into California, the differences between handling injury cases across states, and the realities of building a multi-...

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict , hosts Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert sit down with Judge Christine Weems of the 281st District Court in Harris County, Texas for a wide-ranging conversation about law, trial work, mock trial, theater, and the unexpected path that shaped her career. Judge Weems shares how she went from an English major at the University of Texas to South Texas Coll...

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict Podcast, Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert sit down with trial lawyer Alice Lima Lovchik for a wide-ranging conversation about law, trial work, immigration, civility, and heavy metal. Alice shares her story of moving from Brazil to Houston, rebuilding her legal career from the ground up, learning English, working her way from file clerk to paralegal, a...

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict , hosts Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden sit down with trial lawyer and settlement planner Dan Horowitz for a conversation that starts with classic Dirty Verdict chaos and eventually lands on some genuinely valuable guidance for lawyers handling serious personal injury cases. Dan walks through his path from Bay City, Texas, to the University of Texas,...

The Dirty Verdict Hosts sit down with legendary lawyers, Dan Cogdell, Rusty Hardin and Erica Harris to discuss civility in the legal space.

This week on The Dirty Verdict Podcast , Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden sit down with renowned jury consultant Robert Swafford for a deep dive into the strategy behind jury selection, witness preparation, and trial storytelling. Robert explains how he helps lawyers maximize strikes for cause, sharpen voir dire, and prepare witnesses for high-stakes moments in court. The episode also ex...

On this episode of The Dirty Verdict , hosts Peter Taaffe and Bill Ogden sit down with powerhouse trial lawyers John Zavitsanos and Monica Uddin of AZA to talk about what makes Houston such a legendary trial-lawyer city, how elite trial teams are built, and why the best courtroom lawyers know how to find the human story in any case. The conversation covers everything from headline-making defamatio...

In this wild and wide-ranging episode of Dirty Verdict , the hosts sit down with legendary criminal defense attorney Dan Cogdell for an unfiltered conversation that moves from legal commentary to cultural criticism and back again. Dan talks about the unexpected rise of his own podcast and social media presence, then dives into his sharp perspective on the steep decline in white collar prosecutions...

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict , Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert sit down with returning guests Matt Greenberg and Mike Streich to talk about launching their new firm and what it really looks like to build a modern plaintiff's practice from the ground up. From leaving a successful firm and betting on themselves, to handling overhead, referrals, office space, and admin headaches, Matt and Mike...

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict , Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden sit down with former Judge Mike Engelhart for a lively conversation that mixes courtroom insight, legal war stories, and a look at life on and off the bench. Judge Engelhart shares how he approached judging with patience, preparation, and practicality, while also reflecting on some of the memorable moments that defin...

Hosts Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden sit down with Houston trial lawyer Cordt Akers, who lives at the intersection of criminal defense, white collar, and a bit of PI—all while carrying one of the more unusual origin stories you'll hear on the show. Cordt walks through growing up in Houston, heading to Tulane (where Hurricane Katrina hit on his first day), and spending his early years a...

The crew kicks off the holiday episode in peak Dirty Verdict fashion: festive sweaters, friendly roasting, and a proposed "punishment" that somehow turns into high-stakes Trivial Pursuit. Then repeat guest Andrew Cobos jumps in and the conversation shifts from jokes to jaw-dropping: Ironman distances, brutal open-water swims, and why Andrew's next "goal" is somehow even crazier— climbing Mount Eve...

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert sit down with Houston branding powerhouse Chi Nguyen to unpack the real story behind one of the most recognizable legal marketing campaigns in the city: "We Push. You Win." Chi shares his Houston roots, the wild origin story that pushed him toward law (yes—he got hit with a Nike cease & desist as a teenager), and how a marketing b...

Welcome back to The Dirty Verdict —and this week, Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert are coming to you Tuesday after Thanksgiving with two things on the agenda: a little post-game storytelling from a wild weekend in Austin, and a masterclass in building a real law practice the right way. Their featured guest is Stephen Boutros , a board-certified personal injury trial lawyer and proud Texas Aggie, who...