In this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael Cowen and Malorie Peacock discuss the effective examination of treating doctors in trial settings. They emphasize the importance of concise and persuasive direct examination techniques, the necessity of understanding medical terminology, and the critical role of establishing causation through expert medical opinions. The conversation provides practical insights into preparing for depositions, structuring witness testimony, and ensuring that jurors can easily follow the medical aspects of a case.
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192 – Michael Leizerman – How Michael Leizerman Secured an $82.1 Million Win in a Landmark Trucking Case
In this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael Leizerman shares insights from his experience winning an $82.1 million verdict in a challenging motorcycle accident case. He discusses the importance of credibility, the dynamics of working with a legal team, and the strategies used to connect with jurors. Leizerman emphasizes the need for compassion in the courtroom, the effective use of visuals and metaphors, and the significance of framing the case to resonate with jurors. He also reflects on the fears he faced during the trial and how he navigated them to achieve a successful outcome.
Featured Guest
Name: Michael Leizerman
Company: Law Firm for Truck Safety
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152 – Odalys Lopez – How to Develop Attorney Skills and Mindset in Your Law Firm
Once you start getting big results, then people give you more opportunities to do bigger cases. But as a new lawyer, how do you begin getting big results?
In this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, host Michael Cowen welcomes Odalys Lopez, an up-and-coming lawyer at Cowen Rodriguez Peacock, who shares insights on being a new lawyer.
Tune in as Michael and Odalys discuss the firm’s strategies to develop lawyers, including doing “workdays” on cases, attorney development meetings, and 3pm trainings on Fridays. The conversation also covers how to alleviate clients’ nerves before defending depositions, why you should treat the truck driver on the other side of the case with respect (rather than hostility) to serve your case better, and why Michael started the tradition of having a celebratory dinner at trial the night before closing.
Don’t miss out! Michael’s book, Big Rig Justice: A Comprehensive Guide to Maximizing Value in Truck Accident Cases is now available!
Featured Guest
Name: Odalys Lopez
About: Odalys is an associate attorney at Cowen Rodriguez Peacock. She joined the firm in December of 2021.
Odalys was born and raised in Mission, Texas. She first moved to San Antonio to obtain her undergraduate degree in Philosophy from St. Mary’s University in December of 2017. Odalys chose to stay at St. Mary’s to attend St. Mary’s School of Law, graduating Cum Laude in May of 2021.
While in law school, Odalys interned at an insurance defense firm, giving her a unique and valuable perspective on Cowen Rodriguez Peacock cases. She also served as a student attorney for the Criminal Justice Clinic at the Center for Legal and Social Justice, where she provided pro bono representation to community members.
Company: Cowen Rodriguez Peacock
Connect: LinkedIn
Episode Highlights
[01:45] Getting to know Odalys: Odalys graduated from law school in 2021 and shares what it was like to work on her first trial as a “baby lawyer” a few months after starting at Cowen Rodriguez Peacock.
[05:13] Celebratory dinner at trial the night before closing: So many lawyers get burned out with trial work. The hard part is that while we can control what we put in–preparation, skillset–we don’t control the outcome. That’s why Michael likes to celebrate “the fact that we are blessed with being able to do this, that we’re going to have fun, we’re going to enjoy it, and then we’re going to let the jury take care of the rest.”
[09:48] Takeaways from defending depositions: Odalys shares that clients tend to be very nervous in these depositions, so confidence is key. Prepare clients to take pauses, focus on understanding the questions, and take breaks.
[18:58] Previewing the Big Rig Bootcamp: From telematics to working with a real expert and putting on a direct exam, the Big Rig Bootcamp is not just talking about theory. Michael and the team will show you what visuals to use, how to prep the expert, how to get the expert to testify, and more.
[26:05] First lawyer in the family: Odalys credits her parents, discipline, and hard work for allowing her to graduate college, law school, and become a lawyer.
[29:00] Respect the truck driver on the other side of the case: Most truck drivers are good people just trying to make a living in difficult circumstances. Empathy, rather than hostility, towards the truck driver will serve your case better. If you want to get behind the wheel of a truck, there’s a program through the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys.
[32:03] Dive deep into the case: The firm does a “workday” on some cases. It’s a time to turn off your ringer, turn off your email, and get into a room with a group of people and brainstorm each other’s cases to help one another.
[35:00] Have attorney development meetings to stay on track: These professional development meetings are a chance to go through goals with attorneys, give feedback, and are also a chance for the attorneys to give feedback as well.
Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation
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☑️ 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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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.
