Elawvate

Justice for Victims of Havana Syndrome with Paul Miller

Join Rahul and Ben for their conversation with Canadian trial lawyer, Paul Miller, who shares the fascinating account of his effort to find justice for Canadian diplomats impacted by Havana Syndrome.  Paul explains the mounting evidence showing that Canadian and American diplomats posted in Cuba, England, Russia, Vietnam, and China have been targeted by weapons that use microwave or similar technology that is invisible but can cause brain damage, leading to a variety of life-long injuries an...

Take That Elon! $60M Verdict Against Tesla with Lee Christie and Karen Zahka

Join Rahul and Ben for their discussion with Indiana trial lawyer Lee Christie and Trial Lawyers for Justice Attorney, Karen Zahka, as they break down their recent trial against Tesla.  Although the case started out as a simple pickup truck vs. motorcycle accident involving a left turn, the personal involvement of Elon Musk led to an unusual investment of resources on the defense side and high drama in the courtroom.  To get to verdict, the plaintiff had to navigate a series of landmines and...

Big Picture Take Aways with Rahul and Ben

In this episode, Rahul and Ben discuss major trends in trial practice and big picture take aways from the last 3 ½ years of the podcast.  The conversation begins with a discussion of nuclear verdicts in the golden age of trial, moves on to case analysis and key issues, then to strategies or courtroom success, and ends with discussion of the impact of the MAGA juror.     About Rahul   https://www.panish.law/ravipudi.html   Rahul Ravipudi is a partner at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP and ...

Discovering Dr. Death with Catherine “Katie” Bertram

We’ve all heard the stories of doctors who cause harm to patients by systematically performing medically unnecessary procedures, just to line their own pockets.  These circumstances rise to a level beyond ordinary medical negligence to fraud or criminal acts.  However, when we litigate individual medical malpractice cases, the rules of discovery and evidence can pose barriers that make it difficult to determine whether a client’s experience reflects a larger pattern and practice by the docto...

From College Basketball to $36 Million Judgment in School Shooting Case with Sheila Hiestand

Louisville, Kentucky trial lawyer Sheila Hiestand has harnessed the same competitive zeal she had as a starting center on a division one college basketball team to become one of Kentucky’s leading trial lawyers.  Sheila has successfully litigated and tried many high-profile cases, including a recent case in which she obtained a $36 Million judgment on behalf of the family of victims of a January 2018 shooting at Marshall County High School in which two students were killed and several others...

Poker, Landmines and Trials with Reza Davani

Before Maryland-based trial lawyer Reza Davani began rolling the dice with juries, he was a competitive poker player. Join Ben and Rahul for their discussion with Reza, in which he recounts how principles and lessons learned from playing poker translate to trial practice. Reza provides many valuable strategies for trial success, including identifying and planting “landmines” for the defense as part of his case. In addition to his phenomenal success as a trial lawyer, Reza is a sought-after s...

Trial Lawyers to the Stars with Neville Johnson and Douglas Johnson

From representing Yoko Ono to winning class action lawsuits on behalf of actors and musicians, Neville Johnson and his partner Douglas Johnson (no relationship) have built one of the most interesting and successful entertainment law practices in the nation, specializing in representing “talent” as opposed to the business side of the industry.  Join Rahul and Ben for a fascinating discussion with Neville and Doug, as they describe how they got their start in this practice, recount some of the...

Embracing Risk and Winning at Trial with Jeffrey Kroll

Chicago-based trial lawyer Jeffrey Kroll is no stranger to risk.  On the road to some of his biggest verdicts, including a 2017 verdict for $148 million, Jeff has turned down big money to cast his lot with the jury.  Join Ben and Rahul for their conversation with Jeff, in which he discusses some of the core beliefs and strategies that inform his highly successful approach to trying cases to juries.  Listeners will come away with many insightful tips that will benefit their own trial practice...

$6.19 Million in Rural Ohio, with Allen Tittle

Join Ben and Rahul for their discussion with Ohio Trial Lawyer, Allen Tittle who recently obtained a $6.19 million verdict in a difficult medical malpractice case in rural Ohio.  This was a case that Allen round tabled with Ben’s breakout medical malpractice group at the PSBR trial college in California last year.  We discuss how Allen successfully used the hospital policies to establish the standard of care and system failures that resulted in the harm to his client.  We also talk about how...

Justice and Accountability for Victims of Mass Shootings with Jamal Alsaffar

When trial lawyer Jamal Alsaffar of Austin Texas heard about the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, he had the eerie feeling of history repeating itself.  Many of the facts were strikingly similar to what had occurred in the Sutherland Springs church mass shooting case in Texas that Jamal tried to a Federal judge, resulting in a $230 million judgment for the families.  In the process, Jamal also forced the U.S. Government to disclose documents and information that demonstrated a long-standing...

Thinking Outside of the Box, with Scott Perry

Join Ben for his interview of Scott Perry, one of Virgina’s most talented and successful trial lawyers.  Scott talks about his transition from Big Law to plaintiffs work and his later transition from a narrow focus on medical malpractice to a broader practice.  Scott discusses some of his landmark cases, including a case that changed the safety standard for American rowing and a recent $10 million verdict on behalf of a high school basketball star severely injured during a school community s...

Trying Birth Injury Cases with Briggs Bedigian and Jon Stefanuca

During a recent two-month period, Maryland and Pennsylvania-based trial lawyers Briggs Bedigian and Jon Stefanuca obtained verdicts of $34 million and $187 million in back-to-back trials in complex birth injury cases.  Join Ben and Rahul for their discussion with Briggs and Jon about their path to handling these challenging, highly leveraged, and risky cases, and the strategies they have developed for sustained and repeated success.  Whether you handle birth injury cases or not, this episode...

Trial Alert: Gideon Asen's Recent Medical Malpractice Trial with Trevor Savage

Gideon Asen attorney, Trevor Savage, joins the podcast to talk about a recent case he and Ben Gideon tried involving a delay in diagnosis of prostate cancer.  Ben and Trevor discuss some of the legal challenges they had to overcome and how they used focus groups and big data to identify key issues and frame the case effectively for trial.  They discuss their approach to voir dire, opening statements, use of demonstrative aides and order of witnesses.     About Trevor Savage Trevor is a sk...

Avoid Being Sued or Having Your Money Stolen with Larry and Lauren Acker

Join Ben for his discussion with trial lawyers Larry and Lauren Acker from Travers City, Michigan.  Larry, who has spent his career trying legal and accounting malpractice claims, offers insights into how best to avoid having money embezzled from your law practice and how to avoid being sued for malpractice.  This father and daughter team discuss trying a recent accounting malpractice case together and the approach to communicating these types of cases to jurors.   About Lawrence J. Acker ...

Continuous Practice and Improvement Yields Better Results with Monte Tynes

Douglas “Monte” Tynes is a second-generation trial lawyer from Pascagoula, Mississippi.  Monte, who serves as the co-chair of the damages section of the Edge Trial College, has an insatiable desire to continue learning and getting better at the craft of trying cases.  In his career, Monte has tried numerous jury trials in civil rights, employment, personal injury, and medical malpractice cases.  He tries cases in Mississippi, in some of the most conservative and difficult plaintiff’s venues ...

Finding Your Authentic Voice with Christian Morris

Join Ben and Rahul for their conversation with Nevada trial lawyer Christian Morris.  Attorney Morris describes her journey, from going up on a farm in Maine with no electricity or running water to being named 2019 Trial Lawyer of the Year in Nevada after obtaining a $31 million verdict on behalf of a young California woman who suffered anaphylactic shock while attending a convention in Las Vegas.  Along the way, Attorney Morris describes how she found her own authentic approach, style, and ...

Trial Alert: Breaking Down Rahul’s Recent $46 Million Verdict

In this episode, Ben and Rahul break down the recent $46 million verdict Rahul obtained in a case on behalf of a client injured during a Brazilian Jujitsu class.  Rahul talks about how he frames the issues in the case to deal with the challenge of many jurors believing that those who engage in dangerous activities, like Jujitsu, assume the risk of injury.  He shares his approach to voir dire and to obtaining this high-value verdict in a relatively conservative venue where verdicts tend to be...

Trial Lessons Learned from the Tobacco Wars with Sarah London

Join Ben and Rahul for their interview of San Francisco trial lawyer, Sarah London of Lieff Cabraser.  Sarah explains how her interest in community organizing ultimately led her to a career as a plaintiff trial lawyer.  She views the law as the ultimate weapon for promoting positive societal change.  Not long after becoming a lawyer, Sarah London found herself in Florida trying case after case against the big tobacco companies.  At first, the plaintiffs were losing every trial.  But in time,...

More Big Data with John and Alicia Campbell

Episode Summary   John and Alicia Campbell join Ben and Rahul for a follow up discussion on the value of Big Data in preparing cases for trial.  John is joined by his business partner, fellow attorney and wife, Alicia Campbell.  John and Alicia discuss their forthcoming book, co-authored with Attorney Sean Claggett, in which they present both the science and practical uses of big data to help trial lawyers make better decisions and achieve better trial results.  In this episode, John and A...

How to Compete and Win Big Every Time with Brian Panish

Join Ben and Rahul for their discussion with legendary trial lawyer Brian Panish, founding partner of Los-Angeles-based trial firm, Panish Shea Boyle and Ravipudi (PSBR).  Brian discusses how the values he learned growing up and playing competitive sports through college shaped his work ethic and approach to the competition of trial practice.  Brian shares keys to success at trial and in building a world-class trial law firm.  Brian is the G.O.A.T. You don’t want to miss this episode!   Ab...

Forming a Powerhouse Trial Team with Jodi Nofsinger and Susan Faunce

Maine trial lawyers, Jodi Nofsinger and Susan Faunce join Ben and Rahul to talk about how they have joined together to form a powerhouse trial team and recently won a $6.5 million verdict in a malpractice case in Maine.  Jodi and Susan talk about their diverse backgrounds which led them to become trial lawyers and how they have worked together over the years to form one of Maine’s most successful trial teams.      About Jodi Nofsinger   Attorney Jodi Nofsinger represents people who have...

Sponsor Bonus Episode with SmartAdvocate

Selecting a Winning Jury with Harry Plotkin

Ben and Rahul talk jury selection with Harry Plotkin, a nationally renowned expert on jury selection who has picked over a thousand juries in cases across the country. Harry has been involved in many high-profile cases and ground-breaking plaintiff’s verdicts.  Harry shares his strategies for identifying favorable and unfavorable jurors and identifies areas where lawyer intuition leads to poor choices in jury selection. Harry explains how involvement of a jury consultant can increase the cha...

Character Counts in the Courtroom with Randy Kinnard

From his Purple Heart in Vietnam to his landmark $55 Million verdict against Marriott Hotels in the Erin Andrews trial, Nashville-based trial lawyer, Randy Kinnard leads with character. Join Ben for his fascinating discussion with Attorney Kinnard tracing his journey from West Point to becoming one of the nation’s most successful civil trial lawyers.   About Randy Kinnard   Considered One Of The Best Lawyers In Nashville, TN As a seasoned Nashville personal injury and medical malpractic...

Exposing Insurance Bad Faith with Matthew Sharp

Reno, Nevada trial attorney Matt Sharp specializes in holding insurance companies accountable for failing meet their obligations to their insureds.  Recently, Matt obtained a record-setting $200 million verdict against the largest health insurer in the country.  Prior to that, Matt obtained a $100 million verdict in another bad faith case.  Join Ben and Rahul for their discussion with Matt about the ins and outs of first party and third-party insurance bad faith claims—and how these cases ca...

The Road to a $100 Million Verdict with Andrew Garza

Join Rahul and Ben for their discussion with Andrew Garza, founder of the Connecticut Trial Firm.  Andrew talks about how he started his plaintiff’s practice while working as a bartender at night to make ends meet.  He worked hard to become a better trial lawyer and to develop cutting edge approaches to developing cases and preparing them for trial.  Andrew describes how he applied these strategies recently to obtain a $100 million verdict in a negligence and product liability case tried in ...

$38 Million Negligent Security Verdict and More with Ben Cloward

Join Rahul and Ben for their discussion with Las Vegas trial lawyer, Ben Cloward (https://www.thefiercefirm.com/).  Attorney Cloward shares how his Mormon faith and commitment to service created the foundation for his career as a plaintiff trial lawyer.  Ben describes in detail how he used aggressive discovery and big data to develop and try a negligent security case on behalf of the family of a man murdered at a local housing development.  Ben talks about how he was able to identify the mos...

Trial Alert: Gideon Asen Trial Loss, Followed by $4.5 Million Verdict with Taylor Asen

Episode Summary: Join Rahul for his conversation with Ben and Ben’s law partner, Taylor Asen, in which they break down recent back-to-back jury trials: one which resulted in a defense verdict and the other a $4.5 Million verdict for the plaintiff.   About Taylor Asen: “Taylor went above and beyond during the entire case. I felt valued, respected and as if I was the #1 and only client he had.” – Adam D. (Winslow, Maine) Taylor specializes in medical malpractice cases, trucking accident c...

Fearless Pursuit of Frontier Justice with Zander Blewett

Episode Summary   Anyone familiar with the popular television series, Yellowstone, will recognize the peculiar challenges of trying plaintiffs’ cases in Montana.  Yet, Montana trial lawyer, Zander Blewett, has been doing it successfully his entire career.  Join Ben (www.gideonasen.com) for his in-depth discussion with Zander, describing the unique circumstances that brought him to the practice of plaintiff law, his many landmark cases and verdicts, and his approach to success as a trial la...

Mastering the Ability to Try High Impact Cases with Jim Leventhal

Episode Summary   Few lawyers have succeeded in building and trying more complex, high impact cases than Colorado-based trial lawyer, Jim Leventhal.  Join Ben (www.gideonasen.com) for his in-depth discussion with Jim, beginning from Jim’s early days working in the public defender's office while moonlighting in his father’s clothing store, to his journey building one of the most successful plaintiff’s firms in the county.  Learn how Jim’s journey included investigating and trying many signi...

Winning Trials in Conservative Venues with Tom Keefe

Join Ben (www.gideonasen.com) for his conversation with the insightful, brilliant, and always irreverent trial lawyer, Tom Keefe.  Ben and Tom discuss Tom’s journey from childhood, where he grew up the son of a successful worker’s compensation lawyer, to his current status as one of the most successful plaintiff’s trial lawyers in Illinois.  Tom talks about strategies he uses to connect with jurors in the deeply red, conservative venues of Illinois where he tries many of his cases.     Abo...

Winning Verdicts and Championing Causes with Brent Walker

Join Ben (https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/) and Rahul (https://www.psbr.law/ravipudi.html) for their conversation with renowned Dallas, Texas trial lawyer, Brent Walker, one half of the firm Aldous & Walker.  Brent talks about growing up with a trial lawyer mother and his journey to partner with legendary Texas trial lawyer Charla Aldous.  Brent discusses how the two of them have built a firm focused on individual clients and taking on important causes, like Texas’ challenge ...

Navigating the World of 30(b)(6) Depositions with Mark Kosieradski

Minnesota trial lawyer, Mark Kosieradski is not only a highly accomplished trial lawyer, but he has written multiple books and is recognized across the country as a leading expert on the use of 30(b)(6) depositions.  Mark joins Ben and Rahul to talk about his roots, practice and expertise using 30(b)(6) depositions to help build and win the case.   About Mark Kosieradzki Mark R. Kosieradzki is a board-certified civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and the Minnesota...

Changing Lives One Client at a Time with Tanya Ortega

Recorded at TLU Vegas, Rahul (https://www.psbr.law/ravipudi.html) and Ben (https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/) talk to California trial lawyer Tanya Ortega about her approach to maximizing the value of cases for her brain-injured clients. Tanya has developed unique specialization in brain injuries, which begins with a deep understanding of the science and how to use objective medical evidence and the right experts to prove a TBI case. Tanya talks about her philosophy, which cen...

Sponsor Bonus Episode with Hype Legal

Join us for a discussion with folks from Hype Legal as part of our special sponsorship bonus track.

Winning A Texas-Sized $352 Million Verdict and More with Randy Sorrels

In this episode, Ben (https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/) speaks with Texas trial lawyer Randy Sorrels about his recent $352 Million verdict returned for the family of a single, injured plaintiff—the largest compensatory damages verdict for a single injured individual ever recorded.  Randy tells the story of this landmark trial against well-known Texas lawyer, Rusty Harden.  Randy also discusses two other multi-million-dollar pandemic verdicts, including one involving former ma...

Trial Alert: Ben's Recent $5.5 Million Verdict with Meryl Poulin

Ben and attorney Meryl Poulin of Gideon Asen talk with Rahul about a verdict obtained on September 30, 2022, in which a jury in Androscoggin County, Maine, returned a verdict of $5.5 million on a claim brought by the daughter of a decedent against a funeral services business for mishandling of her father’s remains after death.  This is the largest jury verdict in Maine this year, and for the past several years.     At trial, the evidence showed that the funeral service was picking up deced...

Sponsor Bonus Episode with LawPods

A discussion with Robert Ingalls, founder and CEO of LawPods, a podcast production company for lawyers and law firms. This episode is part of our special sponsorship bonus track. LawPods Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Sponsor Bonus Episode with Lawpods

It's About Vision with John Romano

Join Ben and Rahul for their discussion with legendary Florida trial lawyer, John Romano. John recounts his experience learning from masters of trial practice during the golden age of trial practice in Florida and about the need for trial lawyers of each age and generation to continuously reinvent themselves, innovate, and develop a new vision for the times. John shares strategies of presenting non-economic losses in a compelling way that resonates with the jury.   About John Romano A par...

Think of Her as Your One-Woman Special Operations Force for Trial with Ibiere Seck

Join Ben (https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/) and Rahul (https://www.psbr.law/ravipudi.html) for their discussion with trial lawyer Ibiere Seck.  Ibiere is a one-of-a-kind trial talent who often gets tapped to enter cases in the final days before trial as lead trial counsel or co-counsel.  In this episode, Ibiere describes her journey from her early days working at the Johnnie Cochrane to her current position as one of California’s leading plaintiff lawyers.  Ibiere talks about...

Bonus: Building a Trial Lawyer Community with Dan Ambrose

In this episode, Ben (https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/) and Rahul (https://www.psbr.law/ravipudi.html) catch up again with Trial Lawyer University founder Dan Ambrose to debrief from the Los Angeles trial college and discuss his plan for the second annual TLU Vegas conference in October.      About Dan Ambrose:   Daniel Ambrose started out in Detroit, Michigan as a criminal defense lawyer. Dan has attended programs such as the National Criminal Defense College, Western Tr...

The Art and Science of Persuasion with Justin Kahn

Charleston, South Carolina attorney, Justin Kahn, is not only a successful trial lawyer and professor of trial practice, but also an accomplished magician and student of the neuro and cognitive science of jury persuasion.  In this episode, Ben (https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/) and Rahul (https://www.psbr.law/ravipudi.html) interview Justin live at the PSBR Trial College, where Justin taught a breakout group on trial presentation skills.  Enjoy the Bob Marley music in the bac...

Game Changing Voir Dire with Dirk Vandever

Kansas City trial lawyer Dirk Vandever has developed a mastery of voir dire and trial that few lawyers can match.  In this episode, Ben (https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/) and Rahul (https://www.psbr.law/ravipudi.html) chat with Dirk at the PSBR Trial College, where he taught a breakout group on voir dire strategy.  Join Ben and Rahul for their conversation with Dirk and learn the voir dire and trial techniques Dirk uses to regularly obtain significant seven-figure verdicts on...

How to Captivate the Jury from the Opening with Daniel Kramer

Daniel Kramer discusses how to craft a successful opening to captivate the jury by painting a scene the jury can relate to and help them understand your case from the onset. He delivers insight on how to set the stage and use it throughout trial to engage the jury and help them not only understand but track the evidence of the case. Also included in this episode is a rundown of how to up your trial game by utilizing focus groups, why you should do them as often as possible, and giving yourse...

Discovering a Passion for Trial with Greyson Goody

Greyson Goody followed his passion for surfing to California, but found a new passion for trying jury trials.  Join Ben (https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/) and Rahul (https://www.psbr.law/ravipudi.html) for their discussion with Greyson about how he developed a courtroom style that has enabled him to win most of his trials, even those that had serious challenges.  As a bonus, Greyson shares his insight into work-life balance as a new father and the secrets of the vegan, trial-...

Sponsor Bonus Episode with Steno

Advanced Cross Examination and More with Roger Dodd

Episode Summary Roger Dodd has spent most of his life trying cases in venues around the United States.  From capital murder trials to complex personal injury cases, Roger has done it all.  Roger has also devoted much of his career to speaking and teaching trial skills.  His multi-day seminar in cross examination has become so popular that when a date is announced the seats fill immediately.  Roger will be presenting on advanced cross examination at the upcoming PSBR Trial College and has se...

The Wisdom that Comes with A Life Spent Trying Cases with Keith Mitnik

Perhaps no lawyer in America conducts more civil jury trials than Keith Mitnik, the Senior Trial Attorney at America’s largest personal injury law firm, Morgan and Morgan.  Keith tries more jury trials in a month than most trial lawyers try in a year.  Keith’s focus on trying cases and his high volume of trial work allows him to test and improve his courtroom strategy and technique regularly.  Join us for Keith’s discussion with Rahul and Ben where he shares brand new insights, proven approa...

Using Technology to Automate Discovery with Pratik Shah

SHOW SUMMARY: Have you ever sought a more efficient way to complete discovery?  Well, attorney Pratik Shah did and then created a technological solution to streamline and improve the discovery process.  Join Rahul (https://www.psbr.law/ravipudi.html) and Ben (https://gideonasen.com/our-team/benjamin-gideon/) for their discussion with Pratik about his game-changing discovery technology and his observations on efficiency and productivity in the practice of trial law.   ABOUT PRATIK: Pratik ...