Cowen Rodriguez Peacock

“If you’re a lawyer listening to this podcast and you manage anybody,” says Malorie Peacock, “I think you can find some value in some of the stuff that we’re going to talk about.”

What Malorie and host Michael Cowen talk about is effective law firm leadership, and the “stuff” includes strategies for building a culture of accountability without workplace drama. Borrowing insights from Cy Wakeman’s revolutionary books, they share personal and professional experiences that they’ve applied as leaders.

Featured Guest

Name: Malorie Peacock

About: A name partner at Cowen Rodriguez Peacock, Malorie represents clients who have been injured by the negligence of others. Her experience includes working on commercial vehicle, trucking, and wrongful death cases.

Company: Cowen Rodriguez Peacock

Connect: LinkedIn | X | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Episode Highlights 

[05:27] Not a Good Fit: A healthy workplace culture has no room for employees who thrive on drama, fights, and politics. Michael’s message to those people is: “We want this a place where you don’t want to be anywhere close to it.”

[14:25] Lessons from Daycare: A song from her son’s daycare helped Malorie manage a frustrating episode with a mediator. Tune in to learn the jingle.

[17:16] Choose How to React: Michael’s minor broken arm reminded him that his clients go through worse. “Now I know what they’re going through a little bit more, but now it’s time to get back on.”

[18:14] Got BMWs?: Not the car. This acronym, coined by Cy Wakeman, describes a particular type of challenging employee. Michael suggests how the savvy manager can handle them.

[26:07] Accountability: Everybody thinks they’re personally accountable. But are they? Four key factors clarify what accountability means in practice. 

[28:55] Focus on Failure: While analyzing what went wrong can be instructive, too much of that focus can create a culture of emotionally expensive people, Malorie proposes.

[37:50] Power Up: A loss in the courtroom or in life is the time to access your personal power to affect the situation. 

[47:38] Suffering Is Optional: Channeling a tenet of Buddhism, Michael explains why effective lawyers and firms reject suffering when something doesn’t go their way.

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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.

Host Michael Cowen chats with Darryl Isaacs of Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers about personal branding and marketing.

Darryl shares his journey from starting his practice in Kentucky to becoming a widely recognized figure in personal injury law across several states, with his own trademarked nickname: “The Hammer.” From television advertisements to digital platforms, Darryl discusses his experience with a range of marketing tools. Ultimately, though, he suggests that any marketing must be aligned with a lawyer’s authentic, unique voice.

Want to learn more from Darryl? Call his cell.

Featured Guests

Name: Darryl Isaacs

About: Nicknamed “The Hammer,” Darryl Isaacs smashes through delays, red tape, and tactics that insurance companies use to keep from paying what their clients deserve. His practice focuses on auto accidents, commercial vehicle and truck accidents, and wrongful death cases.

Company: Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers

Connect: LinkedIn

Episode Highlights 

[02:11] Heavy Hitter: Darryl recounts the genesis of his nickname, “The Hammer.”

[04:21] His “Secret Sauce”: With authenticity, putting others first, and not being selfish, “you’ll get a lot more in return,” Darryl says.

[10:56] “Would You Like Fries with That?”: Darryl’s early marketing efforts drew from his experience flipping burgers; he’d ask clients: “Do you know family? friends? Could I help them? And I was getting hundreds of cases a year.”

[13:52] Grassroots Marketing: Darryl suggests that lawyers compile a client list and reach out to them: “Word of mouth, I think, is the best.”

[18:09] The Epiphany: Injured in an accident in 2015, Darryl made a deal with God: If He let him walk again, Darryl would help other personal injury lawyers improve their skills.

[23:49] Gerry Spence Trial Institute: Darryl recounts his story of participating in the renowned institute – an adventure that started with him nearly turning around at the airport, worried he wasn’t good enough to join.

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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.

“I think it’s more than just the pinky,” Teana Overton says of her client’s injury from a trip-and-fall. In fact, the pinky bone shattered, requiring surgery and limiting the client’s way of life.

Teana and Drew Gilliland join host Michael Cowen to discuss how they won $1.8 million for the plaintiff. Their behind-the-scenes description of the case highlights how they developed a strong relationship with the client and how they welcomed witness testimony that made her relatable to the jury. They also recall a “scary” moment when the defense motioned for a mistrial. Tune in to learn the twists and turns of the story. 

Featured Guests

Name: Teana Overton

About: Teana is a first-generation college graduate and, more recently, a first-generation law school graduate. An associate at the Nick Schnyder Law Firm, she is a hardworking advocate for clients in underserved and underrepresented communities. 

Company: Nick Schnyder Law Firm

Connect: LinkedIn

Name: Drew Gilliland

About: A senior trial attorney at the Nick Schnyder Law Firm, Drew represents people who have been injured by another’s negligence. He has recovered millions of dollars for his clients since he became a personal injury attorney and is frequently asked to co-counsel on cases with other attorneys.

Company: Nick Schnyder Law Firm

Connect: LinkedIn

Episode Highlights 

[03:29] Nine Years: The case started in 2015, when Drew and Teana’s client tripped and fell on uneven pavement outside a QuikTrip. 

[08:26] Hidden Hazard: The sidewalk’s elevation change was just .44 of an inch, but Georgia code requires that an elevation change of more than a quarter of an inch be beveled.

[12:20] “Grandmother Vibe”: Teana spent time getting to know their client. “I just wanted to know who she was.”

[22:07] Developing Skills: Drew recalls watching “every single trial” that he could and reading all the guide books. 

[23:44] Male-Female Trial Team: How Drew and Teana make their differences work to their advantage at trial.

[33:03] Joyful Stories: Why Teana chose witnesses who told stories about their “joyous” client, before the accident. 

[41:34] Video Glitches: There were 16 cameras, but only the footage showing the client’s fall was corrupted. 

[44:46] Move for Mistrial: When the jury wrote damages with a “K” and liability with “100%,” the defense moved for a mistrial based on “inconsistent verdict.” “That was a scary moment,” Drew recalls.

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.

Host Michael Cowen invites Business Development Manager Abbey Vela to discuss how Cowen Rodriguez Peacock attracts and then keeps referral partners over the long haul. Abbey’s role at the firm is to connect and communicate with referrals; as she explains, it’s a position that “a lot of law firms tend to lack.” Michael observes that any firm interested in building a referral-based practice must be prepared to offer value. “It can’t just be, ‘Come listen to how, what a badass I am and why you should give me your cases.’ No one wants to hear that.”

Finally, Michael and Abbey encourage listeners to attend the firm’s Big Rig Masterclass in Las Vegas on October 16, part of TLU Vegas. Those interested in enrolling can visit Cowen’s Big Rig Masterclass and use the promo code COWEN400 to save $400 off the price of registration.

Featured Guest

Name: Abbey Vela

About: Abbey is the business development manager at Cowen Rodriguez Peacock, where she liaises between the firm’s lawyers and referral partners. She has more than eight years of experience in building and growing businesses. 

Company: Cowen Rodriguez Peacock    

Connect: LinkedIn 

Episode Highlights 

[02:51] The Conduit: As a non-lawyer, Abbey learned the “language” of lawyers to support the firm’s big picture: building and maintaining relationships with referral partners.

[06:16] Communication Styles: From emails to texts to phone calls to in-person meetings, Abbey adapts to referral partners’ preferred communication styles.

[16:12] Building Relationships: The work of generating referrals starts with building relationships. Abbey offers her strategies.

[19:02] In It for the Long Haul: The goal with a referral-based practice is to have a long-term relationship that matures. Michael shares insight about partnering with a firm that, today, co-counsels with his firm on high seven-figure or low eight-figure trucking cases.

[21:28] Celebration Surveys: Abbey conducts “celebration surveys” – asking questions like “What sports do you like?” and “What are your hobbies?” – to connect with referral partners. 

[23:17] Sharing Information The key to getting referrals from other lawyers is providing value, such as sharing actionable information that someone can use in practice. 

Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation

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☑️ 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.

Renowned trucking accident lawyer Joe Fried tried the second case in the nation and the first in Georgia to test Amazon’s claims that it has no responsibility for its drivers’ conduct.

The result was a $16.2 million verdict against Amazon for pain and suffering endured by his client’s son, an 8-year-old boy who was run over by a delivery van. As Joe explains to host Michael Cowen, the groundbreaking case offers unique teaching opportunities for plaintiffs’ lawyers. Among the successful strategies: his team’s focus on exposing how the driver was himself a victim of Amazon, which places drivers under immense pressure. “The jury agreed with us on that in that regard.”

Both Joe and Michael will share their insights about trucking accident law this fall.

First, Joe will discuss the Amazon case at the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys Annual Symposium, to be held in Nashville from September 25 to 27. 

Then, Joe and Michael will join the faculty at TLU Vegas, October 16-19 at Caesars Palace. Joe will present about the case, and Michael will lead a masterclass on trucking.

Featured Guest

Name: Joe Fried   

About: Joe Fried is one of the original truck accident lawyers in the country and is widely recognized as a top attorney in the field. He is credited with developing many of the best practices used by lawyers nationally in truck accident investigation and truck accident litigation.

Company: Fried Goldberg LLC  

Connect: Facebook | LinkedIn | X | YouTube | Instagram      

Episode Highlights 

[02:13] First in Georgia, Second in Nation: Joe’s unique case focused on whether Amazon should be held responsible for the conduct of drivers who are doing Amazon work.

[05:14] All Profit, No Responsibility: Amazon puts its drivers under pressure to perform, then claims to have no responsibility when problems occur.

[10:19] Joe’s Legal Theory: Amazon failed to train its driver on two things: how to handle children in a residential neighborhood and how to drive the vehicle he had that day: a rental van, not the typical delivery van.

[16:08] Specifics of the Case: The Amazon van struck an 8-year-old boy who was riding an electric bike. The boy suffered a fractured pelvis and a “de-gloving” injury to his leg, which required multiple surgeries, including skin grafts.

[20:36] Mission-Critical: A re-enactment showed that, whichever way the boy was coming toward the van, he was visible – unless packages on the dash blocked the driver’s view.

[31:58] Modern-Day Tenant Farming: Amazon’s delivery service provider owner believed he was an independent businessman. In fact, Amazon had control – like the puppetmaster of a marionette that Joe was prepared to display at trial but didn’t.

[38:29] The Jury’s Conclusion: Amazon held 85% responsibility for negligently training the driver; the driver and his delivery service provider had 10%; and the adult who went inside the house when the incident occurred had 5%.

[1:06] The Future of Trucking Cases: The so-called “relay cases,” which focus on 18-wheelers that deliver for Amazon.

[1:09] View Behind the Curtain: Joe explained the significance of this case to jurors this way: “You have had one of the rare looks behind the curtain at what Jeff Bezos has created.”

Connect with Trial Lawyer Nation

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☑️ 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.