In this episode, Michael Cowen shares his comprehensive approach to trial preparation, including logistics, mental mindset, and the role of AI in legal research. He discusses practical tips for trial readiness, managing stress, and leveraging technology to improve efficiency.
Featured Guest
Name: Sonia Rodriguez
Role: Partner & Attorney
Contact: sonia,rodriguez@cowenlaw.com
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182 – Sonia Rodriguez – Winning An $8.5M Verdict After A Client’s Phenomenal Recovery From A TBI
When host Michael Cowen and partner Sonia Rodriguez represented a high-earning tech executive who returned to work after a traumatic brain injury, they leaned on this strategy: “Trust the people that knew her before and after over any paid expert.” Compelling before-and-after stories, strategic witness testimony, and visual evidence helped Michael and Sonia demonstrate real damages—even when their client appeared to have “recovered” on the surface. The jury awarded $8.5 million for their client.
Michael and Malorie welcome listener questions for a new “Ask Michael and Malorie Anything” feature. To submit a question, email Michael.
Featured Guest
Name: Sonia Rodriguez
About: Sonia has represented only plaintiffs for nearly 20 years. She practices in the areas of personal injury trial and appellate law.
Company: Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock
Connect: LinkedIn
Episode Highlights
[03:07] The Challenge: Managing a TBI case where the client is a high-earning tech executive who returned to work within six months after a moderate to severe injury.
[04:37] Before and After: Using friends and family as witnesses to paint a vivid picture of subtle cognitive changes that only those close to the client would notice.
[06:00] Work Context: Returning to work didn’t mean full recovery – their client still struggles with memory, requires extra notes, needs more breaks, and ends each day exhausted.
[07:31] It’s What She Lost: Demonstrating that the client’s cognitive abilities were exceptional before the injury, making even a drop to “above average” a significant loss.
[09:17] Alarming Anecdote: Highlighting powerful anecdotes, like when a friend described how the plaintiff could no longer identify tools while helping with home renovations.
[10:37] Visual Evidence: Creating clear graphs comparing medical visits before and after the injury to counter defense claims about pre-existing conditions.
[13:08] Prior Records: Contextualizing their client’s prior medical issues, rather than hiding from them, allowed Michael and Sonia to become “bringers of the truth.”
[17:55] Trusting the Jury: Believing jurors are good people who want to do the right thing helped Michael remain calm during challenging testimony.
[24:41] “We Had to Pivot”: Adapting when key evidence about prior incidents and OSHA regulations was excluded right before opening statements.
[29:34] Expert Witness Strategy: Allowing an overly talkative defense expert to reveal his bias through his non-responsive answers rather than objecting.
[38:36] Final Verdict: Securing a unanimous verdict with 90% liability on the defendant and an $8.5 million award after just 2.5 hours of deliberation.
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.
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170 – Dirk Derrick – Leveraging the Transformative Power of Focus Groups
South Carolina PI attorney Dirk Derrick joins host Michael Cowen for an in-depth discussion about Dirk’s innovative approach to focus groups.
By prioritizing truth-seeking and empowering clients through data-driven decisions, Dirk’s team uses focus groups to maximize case values. Plaintiffs’ attorneys who want to learn more are invited to request access to his podcast, “The Appraisers,” where other plaintiffs’ attorneys share case studies from their focus groups.
Featured Guest
Name: Dirk Derrick
About: Dirk’s firm, Derrick Law Firm Injury Lawyers, has nearly 30 attorneys practicing in 10 locations across South Carolina. He has obtained information from 10,000 South Carolinians and watched 700 focus group juries deliberate. He partners with data scientists to develop a proprietary interactive database to analyze the data.
Company: Derrick Law Firm Injury Lawyers
Connect: LinkedIn | Facebook | X | YouTube | Instagram
Episode Highlights
[04:31] Prioritizing Client Service: Dirk shares his hiring strategy to ensure that clients have support not only from their lawyer but also paralegals, bills and records, and others.
[06:37] It Starts on Social Media: Focus groups start by gathering participants; for Dirk’s team, that means inviting potential members via social media. From there, the process includes vetting the participants, presenting arguments, and following up with questionnaires.
[13:08] Game-Changer: Dirk explains how his focus group program has changed “every part of our practice, of how we build cases.”
[16:48] Insurance Leverages: Insurance companies have four main leverages over plaintiffs’ attorneys and their clients. Dirk outlines each.
[25:36] Everyone’s Invited: The firm’s focus groups include participants on all sides of any issue, including insurance adjusters and ex-defense lawyers. Dirk explains the strategy.
[31:39] The Appraisers: Plaintiffs’ attorneys are invited to request access to this closed podcast, where they can hear case studies from other lawyers who have used focus groups. Click here to sign up.
[35:36] The Anti-Marketer: Years ago, Dirk had a static website and did not actively market. One night, he told his wife that he planned to pursue a marketing strategy. She thought he’d gone crazy.
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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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
