In this enlightening episode, Bill Barton speaks with Brendan Greiner, a District Associate Judge in Polk County, Iowa.

Brendan offers insight into his career to-date, as well as providing thought-provoking takeaways about American law in popular culture, his “anti-courtrooms”, and the essential role of mentorship in law. 

Bill and Brendan also consider the challenges of interstate legal practice and the significant differences and surprising similarities between the U.S. and UK legal systems.

Key points of discussion include:

• American Law in Popular Culture: Brendan discusses how American law is portrayed in TV shows such as "The Lincoln Lawyer" and "Better Call Saul." 
• Interstate Legal Practice in the U.S.: The pair consider the difficulty of moving between states as an attorney in the U.S. and the move towards a more universal bar exam.
• Quality of Legal Advocacy and Mentorship: Brendan observes a decline in presentation skills and a lack of mentorship among newly qualified lawyers in the U.S. He notes that public defenders in Iowa often show higher quality due to structured mentorship within their offices.
• Differences in Courtroom Environments: Brendan describes how his courtrooms are set up, with an "anti-courtroom" where lawyers and clients discuss cases before entering the main courtroom.
• Cross-Jurisdictional Learning: Brendan discusses his experience taking the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) in the UK. 
• The Value of International Legal Exchange: Both emphasise the benefits of exchanging ideas and understanding different approaches in law across jurisdictions.
• Judicial Career Path: Brendan discusses the judicial ladder in Iowa and contrasts the generalist approach in Iowa with the increasing specialisation of judges in English courts.

Brendan also shares some personal anecdotes throughout, such as his hobby of making homemade hot sauce and how he has reimagined his work-life balance to allow him more time for giving back by teaching at local colleges and a law school.

Connect with Brendan: 

Brendan Greiner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendangreiner/ 

Iowa Judicial Branch: https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/district-court/judicial-district-5/judges-and-magistrates/brendan-greiner

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