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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168 – Mike Alder – Why Lawyers Need Discipline, Consistency, and a Spiked Meditation Mat
Three decades as a trial lawyer; 30 trials; more than $3 billion in verdicts and settlements; thriving practices: Ask Mike Alder how he does it, and his answer is simple.
“Take a cold shower and make your bed.”
Make your bed, every day, because it teaches the discipline a trial lawyer needs. Prefer a warm shower? Take a cold one anyway, because stepping outside your comfort zone prepares a trial lawyer for dealing with stressful situations.
In this wide-ranging conversation with host Michael Cowen, Mike reflects on the personal habits (meditating on a spiked mat) and professional strategies (doing small disciplines over time) that have contributed to his success. Tune in to learn his equation for excellence, recipe for losing your life, and daily routines. They’ve taken years to develop, “but now, I’m cooking with gas, and that is what it takes.”
Featured Guest
Name: Mike Alder
About: Mike is owner and senior trial attorney at AlderLaw, a leading Los Angeles firm that represents plaintiffs in personal injury, business torts, and employment litigation cases. He pursues all cases on behalf of his clients who have suffered injustices.
Connect: LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Email
Episode Highlights
[01:33] “It’s a Good Living”: Over a three-decade career, Mike has 30 trials to his credit, with more than $3 billion in verdicts and settlements.
[03:34] Paying It Forward: Mike runs a program in which he pays half of a new lawyer’s trial costs and preparation costs if they agree not to settle for cheap, but rather try the case.
[07:33] Letting Go: Establishing his own firm, Mike discovered that he couldn’t handle both operations and big trials, so he learned to accept what he’s good at and hire the right people for other roles.
[11:10] Equation for Excellence: “Excellence equals consistent, mostly ordinary behavior done over time to create good habits that you combine with other good habits that make you excellent,” Mike says.
[17:03] A Good Pain: Mike swears by his spiked meditation mat because it “focuses the hell out of you.”
[20:14] Dirty Words: Don’t say “work-life balance” in front of Mike or his wife. They believe the expression implies that “if I take this, then I take away from the other.” In fact, they say, you can “have it all” as long as you make priority decisions at certain times.
[26:54] The Common Denominator: Mike recently added a workers’ compensation practice that often crosses into employment law. Ultimately, “it’s all based around helping people.”
[29:18] “Per-chlor What?” When he took on a groundwater contamination case, Mike couldn’t pronounce the name of the chemical. But over time, he learned it, and he and the jury were speaking the same language.
Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation
☑️ Follow us on X, 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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174 – Amy Hall – Elevating Your Case with Visual Trial Strategy
Host Michael Cowen welcomes back visual trial strategist Amy Hall for a discussion about her work helping lawyers connect with juries through visual displays. As she explains, people remember more of what they see than what they just hear – which makes visuals an important tactic in the courtroom. Her strategy focuses on guiding her clients to distill a case so that they display only important points on visual elements like timelines.
Michael and Malorie welcome listener questions for a new “Ask Michael and Malorie Anything” feature. To submit a question, email Michael.
Featured Guest
Name: Amy Hall
About: Amy is a visual trial strategist with over 18 years of experience helping trial lawyers create compelling visual presentations. Her background in graphic design and experience across various industries, including the gambling industry, gave her unique insights into decision-making, emotions, and attention that she now applies to litigation strategy.
Company: Visual Trial Strategy | Trial Strategy Academy
Connect: LinkedIn
Episode Highlights
[04:18] Visual Trial Strategy Defined: Understanding that people are visual creatures, this strategy distills a case in a way that helps jurors connect with it.
[08:33] Pictorial Superiority Concept: It means, simply, that people remember what they see a lot more than they remember what they hear.
[14:14] Distill! One of the first things Amy asks her lawyer clients to do is prepare a two-page neutral statement on the case. When they complain that the case is too complex to be distilled into two pages, she says: “Keep trying.”
[19:08] Common Visuals: The formula is the “shot across the bow” and should be the first exhibit shown, Amy says. She also describes this suite of three exhibits: the anchor, link, and payoff.
[23:59] Battle of the Experts: Expert testimony should always be accompanied with visuals, Amy says, and she never lets an expert bring their own exhibit.
[28:12] Open-Ended Questions: Lawyers often fear asking jurors open-ended questions. Amy is “obsessed” with them because, she says, jurors will love a lawyer who gives them the freedom to come to their own conclusions.
[34:48] Timelines: They’re important because they represent the plaintiff’s history and the defendant’s decisions. But Amy cautions that timelines must simplify the information so the jury is not confused.
[37:39] At the Beginning: That’s when the plaintiff’s lawyer should start developing their visual strategy. “If you start that process, you are going to eliminate a lot of blind alleys,” Amy says.
[42:16] Five Hours a Day: Amy prefers to work with her clients in blocks – five hours a day for four consecutive days – because distilling a case takes sustained time and energy.
[46:58] AI: Amy welcomes exciting, powerful new technology, but she notes that visual trial strategy is tied to a technology that’s been locked in place for some 25,000 years: the human brain.
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 Sponsored by LawPods.
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112 – Krystal Cantu-Cuate – The Healing Journey: Facing Traumas and Truths
On this special episode of Trial Lawyer Nation, Michael welcomes his favorite client of all time, Krystal Cantu-Cuate. Like many clients, Michael was introduced to Krystal under difficult circumstances. Krystal was traveling a car that experienced a tire blowout. The blowout resulted in a tragic accident, and the amputation of Kyrstal’s right arm. As is often the case, this was only the beginning of a long and emotional journey.
When she first saw her family members gathered in the hospital waiting room, they were crying and expressing fear and apprehension about her future. In that moment, Krystal decided she was going to be strong for them and defy their fears and worries.
With the driving force to be strong for her family and take control of her situation, Krystal began working tirelessly to achieve and overcome. Within a month of her accident, Krystal was back in the gym resuming her CrossFit training.
Behind that incredible tenacity the world saw, a much darker story was playing out. Krystal wasn’t okay. The trauma was silently wearing on her. She admits she was in denial, repressing difficult thoughts, emotions, and feelings about the accident. And, because she was lacking the tools and knowledge to process the trauma she went through, inner struggle, pain, and repressed emotions became her normal. As litigation wore on, and maintaining the Superwoman exterior became more difficult, Krystal’s mental health challenges began to consume her.
While the journey has more bumps than Krystal was willing to admit to herself in the early years, this story has a happy ending. With Michael’s help, Krystal admitted to herself that is was okay not to be okay, made her mental health a priority, and sought out the support she needed to continue her healing journey.
Join us on this new episode of Trial Lawyer Nation for this emotional story of trauma, bravery, hard truths, and healing with guest Krystal Cantu-Cuate, an ex-CrossFit adaptive athlete and keynote speaker on mental health.
Featured Guest
Name: Krystal Cantu-Cuate
About: Krystal Cantu-Cuate is an ex-CrossFit adaptive athlete, keynote speaker on mental health, part-time bridal stylist, mother, and wife. After a tragic car accident in 2013 that resulted in the amputation of her right arm, Krystal went on to live her life in the face of adversity. Becoming one of the first competitive CrossFit adaptive athletes, Krystal traveled all over the US competing — and inspiring thousands while doing so. In 2016, she gave birth to her son, Joaquin, and left her competitive career. In 2021, Krystal was faced with her biggest challenge yet: mental health. After a traumatic experience with crippling anxiety, Krystal was faced with challenges that called for uncomfortable conversations. Krystal is now a keynote speaker on mental health and its importance. She continues using her own personal experiences to help others who may be struggling.
Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
Key Points
Top takeaways from this episode
- It’s okay to ask for help. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak — it actually shows how strong you are. Whether you have a case in litigation or you’re fighting inner battles, it’s important to seek help. Lawyers and experts in the field can guide you through the litigation process and ease your worries. Close friends and family can give you the support needed to work through personal struggles. No matter your circumstance, always remember that you don’t have to go through it alone.
- A healing journey requires honesty and bravery. Healing is never easy, and it’s not a linear process. You have your ups, your downs, and everything in between. But what will get you through is honesty and bravery. You must be honest with yourself about where you are and what you need to start healing. Once you understand this, you need the courage to take on whatever challenge comes your way.
- Trust yourself. Nobody knows you better than yourself, although it’s easy to forget sometimes. In her darkest days, Krystal’s husband, Daniel, reminded her, “No matter what’s happening in your head right now, don’t forget — don’t forget who you are… Just trust yourself.” Trusting yourself and your strength can help keep you out of a downward spiral.
Episode Highlights
[02:06] The tragic story that changed everything: Krystal Cantu-Cuate shares the story of her car accident in 2013 that resulted in the amputation of her arm (and the beginning of her work with Michael Cowen).
[04:48] The litigation process: Krystal recounts what the litigation process was like, the harsh questions she faced in the deposition room, and what it was like dealing with foreign language and legalese documents.
[07:39] Knowing your strengths: Despite the severity of the situation, Krystal trusted in Michael, continued her CrossFit training as a form of therapy, and stuck to her strengths. What drove her to take on this superwoman persona?
[13:45] Dealing with the difficulties of the case: Krystal opens up about her fears of facing the memories during the witness preparation.
[16:18] Using CrossFit to push through: Krystal couldn’t fathom someone telling her she couldn’t do something — so she continued her CrossFit training. She doesn’t regret doing CrossFit because it kept her body healthy and her mind preoccupied.
[20:07] Struggling behind closed doors: Despite her fierce positivity, Krystal lost a lot of confidence in herself and faced a ton of anxiety after the accident.
[22:28] Finding a breakthrough: Krystal shares what finally led her to a breakthrough after a traumatic anxiety spiral. From suicidal thoughts to medication, Krystal faced a turning point that led to her healing journey.
[33:15] Using therapy in your healing journey: Michael and Krystal discuss their experiences seeing a therapist and why you have to be courageous to get honest. They also dive into the stigma of therapy and their thoughts on removing the stigma.
[35:31] The truth about intrusive thoughts: Krystal talks about naming her suicidal thoughts, telling her family about them, and why suicidal and intrusive thoughts are more common than you’d think.
[41:43] Not staying quiet: Instead of holding in her thoughts, feelings, and pain, Krystal speaks up. Whether it’s to her husband or therapist, Krystal shares what she’s feeling — despite how uncomfortable it can be.
[44:39] Receiving support: Krystal shares how her husband, Daniel, was an essential part of her healing.
[47:45] Krystal’s speaking initiatives: How is Krystal using her speaking to help others going through a similar situation? She’s sharing all of the details.
[51:08] Leading through tough situations: Krystal shares advice for attorneys on how to companion people through their difficult journeys.
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.
