Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

On June 12, 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were murdered outside Brown’s Brentwood home, sparking one of the most infamous criminal cases in history. The investigation quickly led to O.J. Simpson, with key evidence including blood at the crime scene and his Rockingham estate. Five days later, his arrest warrant triggered a surreal, slow-speed Bronco chase that captivated millions. With the trial lasting 474 days and shaping public perception of the judicial system, this episode breaks down the core elements of the case to explain how the jury reached its controversial verdict. SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VOICE ACTORS:Vincent Howard as Johnnie CochranCJ Jackson as Christopher DardenMeghan Steenburgh as Marcia ClarkAndrew Wood as Detective FuhrmanAdam Lockwood as Gerald UelmenRyan Pinkney as Professor William C. ThompsonVictor Li as Judge Lance ItoJ.D. Freedman as Barry ScheckDave Scriven-Young as Dr. Henry Lee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brad Adams and Climate Rights International believe that progress on climate change cannot succeed without protecting human rights – and the fight for human rights cannot succeed without protecting our planet against climate change. Brad and CRI work in partnership with local and international groups, activists, and affected communities to demand justice and accountability from powerful interests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In January, communities in Los Angeles were devastated by wildfires, permanently displacing thousands and destroying property and lives. Prior to the fires, thousands of L.A. residents in fire-prone areas were dropped from their insurance, leaving them with no protection or safety net. After losing their homes, their businesses, and their schools, they were left with the harsh reality of picking up the pieces.In this episode, Craig is joined by Hannah Perls, Senior Staff Attorney with the Harvard Environmental & Energy Law Program (EELP), as they take a look at the aftermath of the L.A. fires. Craig and Hannah discuss disaster preparedness and response, insurance recovery after big disasters like the fires, and next steps for those impacted by the fires.Listen to our previous episodes about other California wildfires:2018 Episode with Dan Wade, Tiela Chalmers and Michael Hart2007 Episode with Mark C. Zebrowski, Katherine L. Parker and Dan HullMentioned in This Episode:It’s Always Fire Season Now -Harvard Law TodayNeighborhood Legal Services of L.A. County (NLSLA)Is California Becoming Uninsurable? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Rho Thomas, a money coach for lawyers, discusses the financial struggles faced by legal professionals, particularly focusing on student loans, lifestyle expectations, and the impact of debt. Rho emphasizes the importance of intentional spending, budgeting, and making significant financial decisions, such as housing choices. The discussion also covers the balance between investing and paying off debt, strategies for increasing income, and the importance of communication and shared vision in financial planning. Rho shares her personal journey of overcoming debt and offers insights into building net worth through effective financial management. Links from the episode:  The guide to mistakes that keep lawyers from making money Lawyerist Alternative Fee Structures Webinar (March 12)   00:00 Financial Struggles of Lawyers 06:05 Lifestyle Creep: Hidden Costs 11:52 Big Financial Decisions: Housing & Lifestyle 18:01 Investing vs. Paying Off Debt 24:02 Building Net Worth Beyond Debt  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jared may be too busy to write personalized Valentines for each member of the Legal Toolkit community, so, instead, he's gifting you with a special rebroadcast of an excellent episode from our friends over at Lawyerist.In this episode, Stephanie Everett sits down with Matthew Hunt on Lawyerist Podcast to break down the art of creating high-impact, snackable content for LinkedIn. Because let’s face it—if you’re not using LinkedIn to boost visibility, generate leads, and build real connections, you’re leaving opportunities on the table.Matthew shares his best strategies for turning LinkedIn into a powerful tool for growing your law firm, attracting referrals, and making sure you stay top of mind in your network. Get ready to rethink how you use LinkedIn! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wonder what it takes to pass the NALA Certified Paralegal (CP®) certification exam? Let’s break it down and set you apart in your field. You can do this. Guest Lori Young is a full-time faculty member at the College of the Canyons in California and a part-time instructor at the University of California Santa Barbara. She has been a paralegal professional for more than 25 years and specializes in legal tech, contract law, estate planning, and helping students just like you prepare for and pass the CP exam. Young knows firsthand the ins and outs of the CP exam. She freely admits she failed it the first time, so she’s been there, done that, and knows what it takes. She buckled down and passed, then helped develop a curriculum to help others pass the exam the first time. She offers tips and inspiration for anyone considering taking the plunge. (Spoiler: Taking a prep course can give you the confidence you need). In California, CP Exam test prep programs are free at community colleges, but they’re also available at a very low cost online for those outside the state. Certification can boost your career, elevate your performance, increase your confidence, and make you more valuable to your team. Bottom line: the CP designation opens new doors. No more putting it off. Lori also offers her first hand experience with the recent California wildfires. The College of the Canyons became an evacuation center for the community and served as a center for the Incident Command team. She provides valuable takeaways for paralegal students to become more involved in their communities via volunteer opportunities and working with legal clinics to assist those impacted by disaster. Mentioned in This Episode:NALA Certified Paralegal (CP®) programNALA CP practice examCertified Paralegal Exam Test Preparation Program, College of the CanyonsNALA Conference & Expo 2025NALA, The Paralegal AssociationLos Angeles Paralegal Association (LAPA) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To soar as a solo attorney, you need financial stability, a clear flight plan to attract the right clients, and a reliable system that delivers the best ROI, while setting you apart from the competition. In this first episode of the First Flight series, Adriana Linares and Rio Laine dive into the essential habits that can make or break a solo practice. Inspired by Marco Brown’s "Eight Commandments" for solo attorneys, they discuss the importance of structuring your practice from day one, managing trust accounts responsibly, and developing good financial habits before unsustainable ones take hold.They also explore why specialization can help streamline your firm and even lower malpractice insurance premiums. Plus, they tackle imposter syndrome, the importance of mentorship, and how technology can lift the burden of running a law firm. Hear the original episode with Marco Brown.Learn more about ALPS Insurance. Receive email notifications every time we release a new episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome aboard New Solo: First Flight! In this special series, hosts Adriana Linares and Rio Laine of ALPS Insurance are your captains, guiding you through the ups and downs of launching your own law firm. Before takeoff, leave your emotional baggage from law school and big law behind—this journey is all about charting your own course as a solo practitioner.Buckle up as we cover essential topics like choosing the right tech, working with a practice management advisor, and finding networking opportunities. Our first episode lands on February 13th. Subscribe now so you don’t miss a moment of the ride! ✈️Subscribe on SpotifySubscribe on Apple PodcastsSign Up for Email NotificationsLearn More About ALPS Insurance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

And Biglaw begins adjusting to Trump era.------If United Healthcare considered spending more on a cancer patient and less on lawyers to sue doctors for pointing out they didn't spend on the cancer patient they wouldn't be getting so thoroughly dragged online. While the mockery they're getting is funny, this underscores the dangerous weaponization of defamation (and also copyright) laws, allowing deep pocketed antagonists to squelch criticism by filing low merit suits. Also, a Biglaw firm quietly scrubbed its website of a lot of its "diversity" language as the government steps up threats against private companies. And the ABA thinks the Supreme Court needs ethical rules.Chapters0:00 Small Talk9:50 UnitedHealthcare15:46 DEI21:03 Top Law Firm Representing Trump23:47 ABA’s Stance on Supreme Court Ethics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Panicking about a bad fact in your case? When you can find the truth behind it, put it in context for your client and be prepared to own it, you can often disarm the potential damage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices