In this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael Cowen sits down with Todd Tracy, a powerhouse attorney in automotive product liability. Todd shares his journey from defending car manufacturers to fighting for crash victims. They dive into what it takes to spot and win vehicle defect cases, and Todd stresses how important it is for lawyers to work together and share resources to get the best results. He breaks down the top five types of cases worth pursuing—like seat back failures and missing center airbags—and talks about the challenges, costs, and rewards of handling these complex cases. From deep investigations to strong teamwork, this conversation is packed with tips for getting justice in automotive defect cases.
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156 – Sonia Rodriguez – Incredible Settlements Come From Being Ready for Trial
Like crashes, luck is predictable. If you want to get “lucky” and get multimillion-dollar settlements regularly, then you have to put in the time and do the work. And it also helps to have the right mindset and strategy for your case.
In this episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, host Michael Cowen is joined by his partner Sonia Rodriguez. Tune in as Sonia explains the shift in mindset that led to her getting three multimillion-dollar settlements in the past six months on tractor trailer cases. Sonia and Michael also discuss the three things you need to get a big result on a big case, why you need to understand the sunk cost fallacy and Pareto Principle, and how (and why) Sonia gets ready for trial from the first deposition.
Don’t miss out! Big Rig Bootcamp takes place on July 12, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. Register at bigrigbootcamp.com.
Featured Guest
Name: Sonia Rodriguez
About: 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 Peacock
Connect: LinkedIn
Episode Highlights
[01:48] Terrific Results for Clients: In the last six months, Sonia has gotten a $5M settlement, a $5.89M partial settlement, and a $7M settlement. Sonia credits her recent success to a “philosophical shift” in how she approaches her cases.
[04:27] The Right Mindset: To get multimillion-dollar settlements in tractor trailer cases on a regular basis, “you have to absolutely believe that these trucking companies, if they are not training their drivers and they’re not properly vetting them, it is absolutely reckless,” says Sonia.
[08:46] Big Results on Big Cases: Michael and Sonia talk about the three things you need to get a big result on a big case: creativity, commitment, and courage. Michael emphasizes how creativity and commitment go hand in hand because “everyone can dream about it, but actually doing the work to put it into reality is a whole different story”.
[12:10] It’s Not Just Luck: With the settlements that Sonia has gotten recently, some remark that she’s “lucky”, but Sonia is quick to share that it’s not luck, but rather a lot of hard work and time commitment.
[20:19] You Have to Take Some Cases to Trial: “If you always take the last offer, the word gets around,” says Michael. Insurance companies keep databases. They know: What were the offers? What did you settle for? When did you settle? Michael’s been told that some of the excess insurance companies won’t even fully engage you until two weeks before trial.
[22:00] Don’t Blink: “You can’t go say: I’m trying the case because I want them to raise their offer. You have to say: They’re not offering fair money. So I’m going to go try this case. And I trust the jury to give me fair money. And then when you do that, sometimes they come around and offer fair money,” says Michael.
[24:43] Ready for Trial = Big Settlements: Sonia is getting ready for trial from the first deposition, from creating compelling visuals to thinking about vocabulary which will be used with the jury. In the event a case doesn’t settle, she’s ready for trial. But the mere fact that she’s ready for trial has led to incredible settlements.
Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation
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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.
Produced and Sponsored by LawPods.
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198 – Blake Brunkenhoefer & Malorie Peacock- Inside a High-Stakes Bus Crash Trial: Strategy, Teamwork, and Execution
In this episode, Michael Cowen, Malorie Peacock, and Blake Brunkenhoefer explore the challenges and strategies involved in a recent $38 million verdict trial concerning a bus crash and trucking negligence. They discuss the complexities of coordinating a multi-lawyer case, managing jury selection in a diverse community, and the importance of live testimony and technology in trial execution. The conversation highlights the significance of ethical practice, effective communication, and understanding community dynamics in achieving successful outcomes. The episode also promotes the Big Rig Bootcamp, offering further learning opportunities for lawyers interested in trucking law. This discussion provides valuable insights and practical advice for navigating complex legal challenges.
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180 – Delisi Friday – Are You Making LinkedIn Work for You?
In 2023, an American Bar Association report revealed that 81% of lawyers who use social media use LinkedIn. “That sounds like a huge number, but I guarantee you they don’t maximize their use of the platform,” Delisi Friday says to host Michael Cowen. The founder of First Call Friday, Delisi trains lawyers how to get the most out of LinkedIn and other marketing strategies. Tune in for her pro tips, including her coaching Michael, in real time, on how to improve his LinkedIn headline.
Michael and Malorie welcome listener questions for a new “Ask Michael and Malorie Anything” feature. To submit a question, email Michael.
Featured Guest
Name: Delisi Friday
About: Delisi has 20 years of marketing experience in the legal industry, including B2B marketing, CLE event planning, brand recognition, client engagement, podcast management and analytics, and direct mail marketing. She founded First Call Friday in 2025 to help law firm owners create legal marketing and business development strategies for attorney case referrals.
Company: First Call Friday | Facebook | Instagram
Episode Highlights
[03:42] Lessons Learned: Delisi reflects on strategies she’s learned from her years building businesses, including the importance of processes, procedures, and leadership within a law firm.
[09:40] “I Love Lawyers”: That’s why it was hard for Delisi to leave her role in an organization with 700 lawyers.
[12:34] 800-Pound Gorilla Law Firms: Delisi focuses on helping small firms grow their referral business because, she says, that’s how they can compete with the “Morgan & Morgans of the world.”
[14:56] First Rule of Marketing: “Find a group of lawyers that they can connect with on a regular basis,” Delisi says.
[22:03] 30 Minutes: After a networking event, schedule 30 minutes to write down who you met and whether and how to follow up. If you don’t, you’ll lose that momentum, Delisi explains.
[25:36] Low-Cost, No-Cost Marketing: LinkedIn is a huge platform, but Delisi believes that, used properly, it can enhance your marketing efforts.
[27:22] You Want to Be Found: When building your LinkedIn bio, leverage strategies to appear higher in a search. Delisi provides key tips.
[34:11] AI Is Here: Setting your LinkedIn profile to “public” makes it available to AI platforms like ChatGPT – which, in turn, can lead to referrals because, as Delisi explains, “AI thinks, ‘That’s a thought leader. That person knows what they’re talking about.’”
[36:03] Pro Tip: Make sure that any file you put on LinkedIn, like your headshot or a video, has your name because “now, you’re increasing your search results.”
[39:34] Crack Open the Door: Every Monday, Delisi sets aside 15 minutes to see who has viewed her LinkedIn profile. Then, she messages them. “There’s real gold in looking at who looked at your profile and deciding if you feel comfortable enough to send a message,” she explains, “because sometimes those messages can bring you business.”
[42:02] LinkedIn for Lawyers: Delisi describes her work training lawyers on how to get results through LinkedIn.
Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation
☑️ Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and 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 Powered by LawPods
