Trial Lawyer Nation

Being an exceptional trial lawyer requires mastering a lot of skills they don’t teach in school. The same can be said for being an exceptional parent. But, sticking the landing on both? That must be a pipedream, right?On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael Cowen and his new Partner, Natalie Arledge, discuss whether it’s possible to be a successful trial lawyer without being a shitty parent. Through the lens of a mom of two, Natalie discusses the challenges of developing as a trial lawyer, her journey from associate to partner, and the unique lessons she learned along the way.Featured GuestName: Natalie ArledgeAbout: Natalie is a Partner at Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock and a mom of two. Natalie was born and raised in San Antonio and attended Baylor University for college and law school. When not in the office, Natalie enjoys spending time with her family and their two dogs.Connect: LinkedInConnect with Trial Lawyer Nation☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry – specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.

Lawyers know their cases backwards and forwards. However, jurors may need help honing in on the most important elements of a case. Visual trial strategy helps create a series of clear, tailored exhibits to present to a jury at trial.On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael Cowen talks to visual trial strategist, Amy Hall. Amy discusses her tried-and-true three-exhibit formula–the anchor, the link, and the payoff–which she uses to distill everything in a complex case into these three themes. Additionally, Amy explains that because jurors learn better by combining both visual and auditory means, she always recommends using physical exhibits while presenting your case instead of fumbling over technology.Tune in to learn how to employ visual trial strategy to guide juries through trials.Featured GuestName: Amy HallAbout:  Amy Hall’s background in cognitive science, journalism, the gambling industry, advertising, and graphic design, has given her a unique and highly relevant skill set for litigation strategy. She combines exceptional design, editing, and writing with real-world insights on decision-making and emotion to distill case themes into an effective visual strategy. She helps identify the difficult truths in a case, and then helps resolve them, providing tangible, ready-to-use tools that address the toughest case issues.Company:  Amy Hall’s Visual Trial StrategyConnect:  LinkedIn | Trial Strategy Academy CLEConnect with Trial Lawyer Nation☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry – specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.

“The relationship between the expert and the lawyer is a lot like a horse and a rider. I don't want you to lead me in a dangerous situation, and I don't want to lead you in a dangerous situation.”On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, host Michael Cowen is joined by his partner Sonia Rodriguez, for a discussion on the dos and don’ts of working with retained expert witnesses. Sonia and Michael discuss the importance of consistent communication with your expert and remembering that while they may be the expert in their field, you’re the expert in the courtroom. Experts are equipped with technical knowledge, but when it comes to getting a jury to believe your story, it’s best to keep things simple. Just like a rider guides a horse, lawyers must guide their experts–the expert must know why they’ve been hired and how the lawyer sees them fitting in the case.Featured GuestName: Sonia RodriguezAbout:  Sonia Rodriguez, a native of San Antonio, Texas, is a partner at Cowen Rodriguez Peacock. Sonia has represented only plaintiffs for nearly 20 years, and she practices in the areas of personal injury trial and appellate law. Beyond the practice of law, Sonia has provided unwavering support to a number of important civic and community causes, including the Young Women’s Leadership Academy and the SAISD Foundation.Company: Cowen | Rodriguez | PeacockConnect: LinkedInConnect with Trial Lawyer Nation☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry – specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.

Premises cases can be a tough way to make a living. “It’s challenging, like medical malpractice, but with the right experts, with the right research, with the right resilience, you can win these cases.”On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael Cowen speaks with Michael Neff, an experienced trial lawyer, about the oft-forgotten yet critically important and challenging area of tort law–premises liability law. He explains the kinds of cases that inflame his passions, how to succeed in premises liability law, and, of course, the importance of 7-inch stairs! Neff also briefly discusses his case against Snapchat, a cutting edge case he’s been working on outside of the premises liability realm.Tune in for an in-depth discussion on premises liability law, insights on case selection, and how attorneys like Michael Neff work to secure sizable verdicts for clients with life-changing damages, ensuring the rules are followed. Featured GuestName:  Michael NeffAbout:  Michael is a trial lawyer with approximately 30 years of experience, who practices premises liability law, including ‘trip and fall’, ‘slip and fall’, negligent security, and much more. He is the founding partner of the Atlanta-based firm, Neff Injury Law, which has won over $100 million in jury verdicts for its clients. Outside of the courtroom, Michael is the author of Premises Liability: A Guide to Success and founder of the National Association of Premises Liability Attorneys (NAPLA).Company:  Neff Injury LawConnect:  LinkedIn // michael@neffinjurylaw.com // 404-531-9700Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry – specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.

Lay witnesses. Whether you call them eyewitnesses, ‘before and after’ witnesses, or damages witnesses, you need them to help you make your case. And sometimes the most unexpected ordinary people can be the greatest witnesses. “There's obvious ones like the spouse or the children or family members of your plaintiff. But beyond that, there's coworkers, there's neighbors, there's the pastor, there's the guy that runs a corner store at the end of the block, their kid’s teacher…it could be a whole universe of people out there.”On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael Cowen and Malorie Peacock explore how to identify potential lay witnesses and the importance of building trust with these witnesses to ensure that they feel comfortable disclosing pertinent information. They also examine the importance of obtaining visual evidence, such as photos and videos, to make events more real for jurors. But when it comes to getting these lay witnesses, lawyers have to be willing to do the legwork.Tune in to gain valuable insights and strategies for building a compelling case through effective lay witnesses.Featured GuestName: Malorie J. PeacockAbout: Malorie J. Peacock is a Partner at Cowen Rodriguez Peacock. She was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and received her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center. During her time with Cowen Rodriguez Peacock, Malorie has worked on numerous commercial vehicle, trucking, and wrongful death cases. Malorie brings close attention to detail, commitment to finding safety issues and areas of neglect, continued utilization of technology and cutting-edge visuals in cases, along with a sincere passion to help those who have been hurt, to each and every case.Company: Cowen Rodriguez PeacockConnect: LinkedInConnect with Trial Lawyer Nation☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry – specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.

There are great episodes and there are John Romano episodes. This is not one you want to miss.On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael sits down with legendary trial lawyer John Romano as he shares wisdom acquired over five decades of law practice. John reveals valuable insights into the mindset of a winning trial attorney, practical preparation tips, the importance of  jury research, and even shares his pre-trial preparation checklist. Through personal anecdotes, John also addresses the fear frequently felt by young lawyers and offers practical advice for persevering.There’s still time to sign up for Cowen’s Big Rig Boot Camp CLE Trucking Seminar. We’ll be covering the Nine-Step Method for Maximizing Value in Trucking Cases, Proving Corporate Negligence, Claims Against Other Parties, and more! Register now at BigRigBootCamp.comFeatured GuestName: John RomanoAbout: John Romano is a founding partner of Romano Law Group, a personal injury law firm located in West Palm Beach, Florida. John has successfully represented clients in a wide range of personal injury cases, including auto accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and has successfully litigated to a verdict nearly every type of civil and criminal case. He is a civil trial advocate board-certified by the Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy, as well as the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys.Company: Romano Law GroupConnect: LinkedInConnect with Trial Lawyer Nation☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry – specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.

If you practice law long enough, you are bound to come across a difficult client. On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael and Malorie tackle setting expectations for communication, documenting actions taken in each case, and laying the groundwork early for client satisfaction.The episode also explores the challenges of identifying the source of clients' demands and concerns, and reminds listeners that it is ultimately the client's case and that they have the final say.Additionally, Michael and Malorie discuss the essentials to a successful law practice such as: the importance of keeping promises and the significance of clients who are willing to trust their lawyer's advice.Finally, Cowen’s Big Rig Boot Camp CLE Trucking Seminar is discussed, where interested parties can register to learn about topics such as maximizing value in trucking cases, proving corporate negligence in company vehicle cases, and more! Visit Cowen's Big Rig Boot Camp to register.Featured GuestName: Malorie J. PeacockAbout: Malorie J. Peacock is a Partner at Cowen Rodriguez Peacock. She was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and received her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center. During her time with Cowen Rodriguez Peacock, Malorie has worked on numerous commercial vehicle, trucking, and wrongful death cases. Malorie brings close attention to detail, commitment to finding safety issues and areas of neglect, continued utilization of technology and cutting-edge visuals in cases, along with a sincere passion to help those who have been hurt, to each and every case.Company: Cowen Rodriguez PeacockConnect: LinkedInConnect with Trial Lawyer Nation☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry – specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.

On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, host Michael Cowen is joined by Peter Anderson, a former insurance claims manager, renowned trial lawyer, and founder of the Law Offices of Peter M. Anderson. They discuss Peter's innovative use of simple props and analogies to convey complex medical information to juries, the importance of being calm and prepared in trials, and the challenges of selecting arguments. They also delve into the significance of empathy and respect in depositions, Peter's approach to calculating damages, and the value of self-care in maintaining a successful legal career. Peter shares insights from notable cases he has worked on, emphasizing the importance of knowing oneself and mastering the art of oration, as well as understanding insurance companies' tracking methods in settlement negotiations.Featured GuestName: Peter AndersonAbout: Peter M. Anderson “PMA” is a former insurance claims manager, national trial tactics lecturer, and expert dirt bike racer. He has tried jury trials every year for two decades, and during this time he’s won over 96% of his jury trials. Attorney Anderson has received money in 16 straight jury trials, and in the past two years he has tried five 18-wheeler semi-truck jury trials. Colorado-based attorney Anderson co-counsels large semi-truck cases, and this year, in 2023 alone, he’s received over $12M in jury verdicts, and with his truck crash settlements this year has exceeded $40 million.Company: www.coloradopersonalinjury.comConnect: LinkedInConnect with Trial Lawyer Nation☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry – specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.

In this week’s episode, Michael Cowen and Malorie Peacock discuss the importance of accurately valuing personal injury and wrongful death cases by considering all relevant factors, such as medical bills, future treatments, and insurance coverage. They recommend lawyers form round table discussions and mastermind groups to share insights and improve their negotiation skills. The hosts also challenge the idea that sending a demand letter appears weak, highlighting its role as a powerful negotiation tool.Episode Highlights [01.11] Accurately valuing personal injury cases: The hosts emphasize the importance of accurately valuing personal injury cases to ensure that clients receive fair compensation for their injuries.[06.12] Considering all relevant factors in case valuation: Correctly valuing a case requires considering all relevant factors, including liability, damages, insurance coverage, and potential jury verdicts[08.11] The importance of gathering sufficient information: Engaging in settlement negotiations without adequate information can result in missed opportunities, undervaluing or overvaluing a case, and a less favorable settlement outcome[11.07] Challenging the notion that sending a demand letter is weak: Sending a demand letter can be a powerful negotiation tool that can demonstrate a lawyer's confidence in their case and their willingness to fight for their client's rights[20.23] The round table approach to case valuation: The round table allows for a more comprehensive analysis of a case and helps lawyers prepare a stronger negotiation strategy.[30.41] Improving knowledge and skills through mastermind groups: The hosts encourage lawyers to form mastermind groups for improved knowledge and skills. They discuss the benefits of collaborating with other lawyers and provide tips for finding or creating a group. [32.39] Using a carefully curated form to identify critical factors: Using a carefully curated form to identify key factors can help lawyers systematically and objectively evaluate a case's strengths and weaknesses, which can lead to a more accurate valuation.[36.43] The benefits of sharing knowledge within the plaintiff's bar: Plaintiff attorneys shouldn’t see each other as competitors but rather as colleagues who can collaborate and share knowledge to improve their skills and the quality of legal representation for their clients.Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.In this popular and award-winning podcast for trial lawyers, noteworthy author, sought-after speaker, and renowned trial lawyer, Michael Cowen explores critical topics distinctive to the legal profession with some of the biggest names in the industry – specifically focused on developing extremely efficient law practices, securing a competitive edge in the industry, and wildly excelling in the courtroom.Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.

When asked how he won a $66.6 million dollar verdict, Lee Hunt attributes much of the victory to the intelligence of the jury — and his ability to forge real, human relationships with his clients. On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, host Michael Cowen talks about trial law with the founder of Hunt Law […]The post 127 – Lee Hunt – The $66.6 Million Verdict: How Trust and Empathy Shaped the Outcome appeared first on Trial Lawyer Nation.