In this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, host Michael Cowen speaks with Chris Earley, a successful personal injury lawyer from Boston. They discuss Chris’s journey from starting with nothing to building a thriving law practice, the importance of referral partners, and the power of saying no to cases that don’t fit. Chris shares insights on time management, marketing strategies, and the significance of establishing core values within a law firm. They also touch on the role of technology in enhancing efficiency and the value of networking through conferences and podcasts. The conversation emphasizes the importance of personal growth, communication with clients, and the need for lawyers to give themselves permission to design their practices according to their values and goals.
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181 – Laura Pazin Porter – Resolving a Wrongful Death Case with Empathy, Strategy
These cases are “righteous,” explains host Michael Cowen, “because when a tractor trailer is backing across the roadway, it is very difficult for oncoming traffic to see the trailer in time to stop.” He and trial partner Laura Pazin Porter recently resolved just such a case, in which their clients’ father died after striking an 18-wheeler that was backing across a highway at night. Laura describes how she established trust with the grieving family members, and Michael reveals how he channeled his “Just Keep Swimming” mantra during adverse rulings. Together, they achieved a confidential settlement right before closing arguments.
Michael and Malorie welcome listener questions for a new “Ask Michael and Malorie Anything” feature. To submit a question, email Michael.
Featured Guest
Name: Laura Pazin Porter
About: Laura has over 20 years of experience in civil litigation, complex litigation, civil trial, and appellate law. She has participated in cases across multiple states and has been recognized as a “Texas Rising Star” by Thomson Reuters.
Company: Cowen Rodriguez Peacock
Connect: LinkedIn
Episode Highlights
[02:52] Fatal Trucking Crash – Laura describes the wrongful death case in which their clients’ father died after striking an 18-wheeler that backed across a highway at night, blocking all lanes.
[05:08] Placing Blame – The investigating officer blamed their client without conducting a proper reconstruction or considering visibility issues, creating an uphill battle from the start.
[08:22] On-Scene Witnesses – They provided crucial evidence about the facts of the crash, what could be seen, and what could not be seen..
[12:07] Seeing Is Believing – Michael explains their goal in meticulously recreating the exact crash conditions, although the judge ultimately excluded the compelling visual evidence.
[17:15] Challenging Jury Selection – Laura describes how they handled a “rough crowd” who initially called the case a “money grab” before ultimately securing a favorable jury.
[21:04] Psychological Perspective – A psychologist offered important insight on grief and loss, which bolstered the team’s mental anguish claim.
[29:58] “Magical” Examination – Michael describes Laura’s direct examination of the grieving sons as “the most magical experience I’ve ever had in the courtroom.”
[39:43] Emotional Rollercoaster – “As much as you never know for sure, I did really feel like we were winning that case,” Michael says of settlement discussions.
[40:38] Not Just Money: Ultimately, their clients agreed to a settlement in which the trucking company agreed to make a change that could save future lives. “We did something that I’m super proud of that wasn’t just money in this case,” Michael says.
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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.
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142 – Ed Ciarimboli – Visuals, Sequencing, and Zoom: Ed Ciarimboli on Trying Cases Post-COVID
Trying cases is an evolving process. And if you’ve been doing the same thing for 25 years, you’ve probably been doing something wrong for the past 24 years. From shorter jury attention spans, to Zooming in experts, to condensing information, and incorporating more visuals, courtroom trial techniques and jury expectations have changed significantly following COVID.
On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, host Michael Cowen speaks with Ed Ciarimboli, a trial lawyer out of Pennsylvania who’s tried close to 100 cases since the beginning of his career.
Tune in to hear Ed share how his approach to trials has changed in the post-COVID world and get his tips on how to adapt your trial strategies to “move the needle toward victory.” And how can you overcome the fear of losing cases? Get comfortable with yourself and realize that there are things that you can control and things you can not.
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: Ed Ciarimboli
Ed Ciarimboli is a founding partner in the Eastern Pennsylvania law firm of Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law P.C. Ed concentrates his practice on trucking and auto collision and medical malpractice litigation. He is Board Certified by the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys and Board Certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Ed has been selected for inclusion in the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers® list every year since 2008.
Ed graduated from Wilkes University with a dual degree in political science and engineering and applied science. He earned his J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law. After graduating from law school, Ed served as a law clerk to the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Company: Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law P.C.
Connect: LinkedIn
Episode Highlights
[08:36] Learning and evolving: Ed views trying cases as an art where you’re always pushing the envelope and trying new things, some of which will work and some will not. He says that if you’re always doing things the same way, “you’re not learning and evolving.”
[10:31] Getting over fear: Throughout the course of his practice, Ed has learned that a big part of getting over the fear of losing cases or not doing well at trial is accepting that there are things that are in your control and things that are not.
[12:41] Don’t talk to jurors afterwards: Ed follows the advice once given to him by a judge, which is to never talk to jurors after a case regardless of the outcome.
[16:51] Take care of yourself first: Ed’s advice on dealing with stress is to take care of yourself first, both mentally and physically.
[19:34] Using visual summaries: One of the things Ed learned while trying cases during COVID was to condense large volumes of information into visual summaries so that the jury can get all the information they need to make a decision, and to do it quickly, and in a way that leaves an impression.
[29:44] Zooming into the courtroom: Pre-COVID, Ed rarely used Zoom. Now Zoom is commonplace and jurors expect it, especially with expert witnesses.
[31:12] Move quickly but not in a hurry: Post-Covid, juror attention spans and trials have gotten shorter. Give the jury the information they need to make a favorable decision and don’t waste their time.
[39:32] Jury selection and masks: Jurors who wear masks can be polarizing and impact the group dynamic of a jury. Both Michael and Ed don’t select jurors who wear a mask.
[41:00] Sharing resources: Ed graciously shares a PowerPoint presentation that he’s done on visual aids. You can download the presentation here.
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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145 – Natalie Arledge – Goal-Setting for Success: Michael and Natalie’s Roadmap for 2024
It’s that time of year again. What do we want 2024 (and beyond) to look like and how are we going to make it happen? At Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock, it all starts with goals.
But, as we’ve all learned by now, all goals are not created equal. How do you identify your goals? Are they long-term or short-term and how do they align with your existing circumstances? Are they specific or general? How do you measure your progress?
On this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael Cowen is joined by partner Natalie Arledge to discuss goal-setting for 2024 and share some of their goals, including making more money, drafting pattern jury charges, empowering their team to make decisions, and using more visual aids in depositions, hearings, and at trial.
Tune in to join the Trial Lawyer Nation team in setting big, achievable goals for 2024!
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: Natalie Arledge
About: Natalie Arledge was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She graduated cum laude from Baylor University with a B.A. in Political Science and earned her J.D. from Baylor Law School. A partner and trial attorney at Cowen Rodriguez Peacock, Natalie focuses her practice on 18-wheeler and commercial vehicle cases involving death and catastrophic injury.
Company: Cowen Rodriguez Peacock
Connect: LinkedIn
Episode Highlights
[4:43] The importance of setting specific goals. A goal should be specific, not wishy-washy. Specific goals are measurable, allowing you to track your progress.
[8:10] Natalie’s goals for 2024. Natalie’s goals include analyzing FOIA documents and driver logs, drafting pattern jury instructions after initial client meetings, putting photos of clients in their case files, empowering her team to make decisions, and using more visual aids.
[13:29] Michael’s goals for 2024. Michael’s goals include hiring someone to take over the administrative part of running the firm, trying at least two jury trials, getting back to running five days a week, and hiking a mountain over 14,000 feet.
[17:12] How to ensure goals get done. Using visual reminders, enlisting support to stay accountable, and tracking goals on the calendar.
[21:40] Presentation Zen. Michael recommends a book titled, Presentation Zen, about presentation design and delivery.
[22:09] The idea of traction and hiring an integrator. The book, Traction, introduces the idea of traction, where a business has a visionary who comes up with ideas and an integrator then makes those ideas come to pass and runs the business. Michael wants to hire an integrator.
[26:45] Using coaches to achieve goals. Michael has many coaches in his life, including a fitness coach, eating coach, running coach, and business coach.
[27:35] Share your goals with Michael. Michael invites listeners to share their goals and offers to give advice to anyone who emails him at michael@CowenLaw.com.
[27:52] Michael Cowen’s book. Big Rig Justice: A Comprehensive Guide to Maximizing Value in Truck Accident Cases, is available at Trial Guides.
[28:11] Cowen’s Big Rig Bootcamp. Michael’s seminar will take place in San Antonio, Texas on July 12th. Sign up at BigRigBootcamp.com.
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.
