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In this Trial Lawyer Nation podcast, Michael Cowen sits down with a nationally renowned trial consultant, Artemis Malekpour whose strength lies in her trial litigation strategy consulting. She describes it by boiling it all down to, “we help your case.”
However, the sheer magnitude of the scope of her work ranges from before you even file a case, to the end result, and everything in between, including focus groups, trial strategy, mediation strategy, discovery, pre-suit issues, voir dire, and opening statements to name just a few. Artemis describes her entry into the profession as coming initially from a background of psychology and starting down the pre-med path when realizations came to her, along with a pretty dramatic chain of events, that aligned her studies with a passion toward the legal industry. Her dilemma with the situation turned into learning more and taking in feedback from many different subsequent cases and being introduced to them from the inside, which eventually confirmed she was heading in the right direction for herself.
Empathizing with Michael, who also has a psychology degree, Artemis describes several of the cases she’s been through where the emotions start to take over and the desire to help everyone kicks in. Both Michael and Artemis give several examples of intake processes now firmly in place to help avoid accepting cases which are not suitable to take on both for the good of the firm or for the good of the client.
Artemis also opens up about her focus group experiences across the country, averaging sometimes around 40 per year, and divulges some of the trends she is seeing as a result of our current political climate. An interesting moment is a conversation between her and Michael about the power of silence, be it in the courtroom or with a focus group, and how it can be used to benefit your case. And while this technique and others are discussed, Artemis reinforces the importance of understanding there is no “magic formula” for success and describes what she believes the best trial lawyers do after trial.
The insights Artemis shares throughout the conversation are not just insightful, but practical toward any case. Michael jokingly refers to these insights as a “list of the things we do to screw up our own cases.” But we also know even that depiction is sometimes an understatement, which is why talking with Artemis was such a pleasure in this episode. She tells it like it is, and we all come out better on the other side.
Background on Artemis Malekpour
Artemis Malekpour is a partner in the litigation consulting firm of Malekpour & Ball. With a background in psychology and psychiatric research, she specializes in focus groups, case strategy, damages, and jury selection. Artemis did her undergraduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, then earned a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from UNC’s School of Public Health and a law degree with honors from Duke University. She has consulted on a wide variety of cases across the country, with a knack for identifying potential landmines, incorporating her knowledge from years of watching jury deliberations and talking with jurors.
For more info on Artemis Malekpour visit https://www.trialguides.com/authors/artemis-malekpour/
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120 – Malorie Peacock – How To Grow Your Law Firm
Odds are, growing a law firm wasn’t built into your law school’s curriculum. You may be a fantastic lawyer, you may start a top-notch small firm, but if you’re setting out to scale what you’ve built then you will find a whole new set of challenges to tackle.
If you’re contemplating growing your firm or in the midst of the process, this episode is for you.
In episode 120, Michael Cowen is joined by Malorie Peacock, his fellow Partner & Trial Lawyer at Cowen, Rodriguez and Peacock PC about how to grow a law firm. On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael and Malorie outline the mindset needed to start and grow a law firm, the pains and joys of scaling your firm from solo to the next stage, how navigate working with a consultant, how to manage and work with your team, tips on marketing efforts, and much more.
Featured Guest
Name: Malorie Peacock
About: 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: Partner And Trial Lawyer, Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock PC
Connect: Linkedin
Episode Highlights
[03:01] Not Every Attorney Try To Have A Bigger Firm: Malorie reveals that it’s not the best fit for everyone to have a large firm. Solo firms and small firms are great options depending on your career goals.
[09:15] Creating Systems Of Accountability In Your Business: As you are looking to manage your business health, also gauge your personal and team accountability.
[13:05] You have to learn to give up control over certain things as your firm grows: How Michael and Sonia have kept up with their team’s needs with a changing job market.
[26:49] Managing your team, especially with new lawyers: When working with a team, learning to adjust behaviors and expectations is imperative for a healthy team culture.
[38:09] How to balance being an exceptional lawyer with an exceptional law practice: Although your time is eaten up by running a law firm business, there are many methods and practices that you can apply to balance the law firm with practicing law yourself.
[42:24] Best practices for coaching team members: It can be difficult telling a team member you don’t like what they do, but by using radical candor you can help a team member be better for them and for the rest of the team.
[40:32] Hiring for the things you don’t want to do: One of the keys to balance is to hire a great team to handle the business side of a law firm so you can focus on the practice side.
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.
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129 – Peter Anderson – Powerful Persuasion: Unveiling Peter Anderson’s Trial Strategies and Energy Secrets
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 Guest
Name: Peter Anderson
About: 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.com
Connect: LinkedIn
Episode Highlights
[07:42] Effective communication with props and analogies: Peter uses props and analogies to explain things like nerves carrying pain or illustrating the weight of the human head, to help jurors understand complex concepts.
[13:56] The importance of self-education and personal growth: Peter engages in constant learning through reading trial guides and holding seminars. He also dedicates himself to self-improvement, waking up early to practice voir dire and voice work.
[25:40] Developing an emotional connection with juries: Peter builds credibility, trust, and emotional connections with jurors by sharing vivid scenes and stories that resonate with them.
[28:27] Gathering powerful stories: Peter spends time listening to clients, seeking powerful moments that emotionally resonate. He uses the “20-20-20 rule” to identify critical aspects of the case.
[33:15] Respecting experts and delivering strong closing arguments: Respecting experts, choosing the moral high ground, and delivering compelling closing arguments that connect with jurors’ emotions are all important.
[49:36] Distinction and board certification for trial lawyers: Peter and Michael discuss the possibility of a distinction or board certification for trial lawyers to recognize the specific skills and dedication required in trial work.
[54:18] Uncertainty and change in the legal industry: Peter and Michael express uncertainty about the future of the legal profession. They discuss the rise of trial teams in advertising firms and the potential impact of non-lawyer ownership of law firms.
Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation
☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.
☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and 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.
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131 – John Romano – The Art of Trial Preparation
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.com
Featured Guest
Name: John Romano
About: 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 Group
Connect: LinkedIn
Episode Highlights
[03:52] A marine’s leap into the legal world: John, a former marine, recounts his journey of finding his true calling as a trial lawyer.
[09:11] The vital role of mentors, seminars, and practical skills: John attributes his professional growth to the valuable lessons absorbed from seasoned lawyers and extensive workshops. He also delves into learning about the innovative use of jury research via mock trials and focus groups which honed his trial abilities.
[12:12] Debunking the myth that ‘it’s so tough to get trials’: Romano argues that trials are there, but that sometimes plaintiff lawyers look for ways to get out of trying a case. But he underscores that the client’s welfare should remain the overriding factor in all decisions.
[15:33] Fostering hope in the face of legal challenges: John goes into the mental aspects of lawyering, particularly the interplay between fear and hope during trials. He advocates for embracing fear, transforming it into courage and action in the interest of clients.
[23:30] Secrets in tackling a spectrum of cases and strategies: Romano shares insights from a variety of civil and criminal cases.
[29:08] The power of early preparation and preservation of evidence: John emphasizes the importance of proactive case preparation. He details the process, from the preservation of evidence to theme development, treating depositions as significant events, and the utility of written discovery. He also endorses early engagement with a trial consultant.
[33:18] Unpacking the pre-trial preparation checklist: John shares his pre-trial preparation checklist includes communication with defense counsel and going over deadlines, among other things.
[39:14] Leveraging facts, jury research, and persuasion: Romano shares his key strategies for successful case handling, underscoring the role of good facts, jury research, compelling opening statements, and effective persuasion techniques.
[44:29] Communicating effectively for impactful legal arguments: John explores the art of persuasion, emphasizing its role as a tool to help others understand and connect with one’s ideas rather than to force acceptance.
[47:34] The profound influence of mentors in the legal profession: Concluding with a poignant reflection on mentorship, Romano asserts its profound importance. Mentors, he says, offer more than just knowledge; they provide guidance, protection, and personal fulfillment, and can come from any walk of life.
Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation
☑️ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.
☑️ Subscribe to Trial Lawyer Nation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and 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.
