Verdict Academy Podcast

Trial credibility often comes down to restraint: knowing when not to object, what to leave out, and how to keep a jury’s attention on what matters. Craig M. Peters, a partner at Altair Law in San Francisco, joins host Kevin Morrison to share trial tips from his path from public defender to plaintiff’s attorney. Craig […]

Over his career as a federal district judge in six districts, he tried over 400 jury trials. When host Kevin Morrison asks retired Hon. Mark W. Bennett to explain that passion, the answer is simple: He believes in the Seventh Amendment. But while the amendment guarantees the right to a jury trial, it doesn’t guarantee […]

Most trial lawyers are taught what to say in the courtroom. Charla Aldous built a 40-year career on something harder: being completely herself — and she believes it’s the only path to real credibility. Charla, founder of Aldous Law in Dallas, joins host Kevin Morrison to share three principles that define her practice. Beyond authenticity, […]

“Mini openings are a gift,” says Michael A. Kelly. “They’re guaranteed by statute.” A shareholder at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly + Schoenberger in San Francisco, Mike joins host Kevin Morrison to deliver his top three trial tips. A member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, the International Academy, the American College, and the International Society of […]

Currently in trial on a landmark social media case, Rahul Ravipudi takes time out to share his battle-tested philosophies in this episode of “Verdict Academy.” A partner at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi in Los Angeles, Rahul is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates and all four elite invitation-only trial organizations: ABOTA, IATL, […]

“Liar, cheat, ambulance-chaser.” If you ask people what they think of lawyers, those pejoratives are often high on the list. When you ask people what they’d like lawyers to be, the answer is almost always “a teacher.” That’s why, if you ask Randi McGinn for her first tip for lawyers, her answer is to be […]

When his dad was diagnosed with cancer at age 53, Rich Schoenberger was unsure about his future. He and his dad had a heart-to-heart. He might want to be a lawyer, he said. “What’s the best place to learn how to be a trial lawyer?” his father asked. “I have no idea.” “Well, why don’t […]

The traditional way to study juror behavior is with a focus group of 10 or 12 mock jurors. Multiply that by 25 or 30, and you have big data: a technique that studies how 300 or 400 people would evaluate a case. The idea is that a large sample can reveal what’s likely to occur […]

Host Kevin Morrison once tried a case against Jerry Popovich. “I can tell you he is top-notch, among the best I’ve ever gone against,” Kevin says. But don’t take it only from Kevin. Jerry is also a member of three invitation-only trial lawyer organizations with more than 80 jury trials under his belt. Speaking with […]

Karen Burgess once sang to a jury in closing argument. And she’s not even an accomplished singer. But it reflects her strategy for closing argument, and she reveals why to host Kevin Morrison. A member of the “big four” invitation-only organizations – the American Board of Trial Advocates, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, American College […]