It takes a village to save a child from drowning.

What role should short-term rental companies, property owners and lawmakers play in preventing child drownings? And are current regulations doing enough to protect children particularly children with autism who may be at increased risk around water?

In Episode 4 of Case & Cause Hosted by Michael Haggard, Haggard is joined by Stacey Hoagland, a drowning prevention advocate whose work focuses heavily on water safety and the autism community.

Together, they examine the challenges surrounding child drowning prevention, including gaps in short-term rental regulations and the unique water-safety risks children may face when staying in vacation homes and rental properties.

The conversation also explores the role of trial lawyers and advocates in identifying safety gaps, raising public awareness and pushing for changes that can help prevent drownings.

For attorneys, parents, property owners, vacation-rental operators and anyone interested in drowning prevention, autism and water safety, this episode asks an important question:

What can we do, inside and outside the courtroom, to fight the increasing number of childhood drownings?

🎙️ Case & Cause Hosted by Michael Haggard brings together trial lawyers, advocates and experts to examine societal issues and explore how passionate advocacy can help create safer communities.

Topics discussed include: child drowning prevention, short-term rental safety, vacation rental regulations, autism and drowning risk, water safety, property-owner responsibility, public safety advocacy and the role of trial lawyers in preventing future harm.

Episode 4 premieres September 23, 2026. Listen on Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube.

Some conversations are about a case. Others are about a career, a legacy, and the people who helped shape the next generation of trial lawyers. 

In Episode 3 of Case & Cause Hosted by Michael Haggard, host Michael Haggard sits down with one of his most influential mentors, legendary Miami trial attorney Robert L. Parks.

With more than 60 years of experience in personal injury, product liability and aviation litigation, Parks has spent decades pursuing justice in the courtroom and advocating for safer communities. A longtime leader in Florida's legal community, he was most recently presented the 2026 Equal Justice Leadership Award during the Legal Services of Greater Miami’s Heart of Giving Celebration . It was an honor Haggard was able to present to Parks.

But this episode goes beyond the accolades.

Haggard and Parks look back at the past, present and future of trial law, sharing stories from Parks' years working alongside Michael and his father, Andy Haggard, and reflecting on how those experiences helped shape Michael's career.

They also discuss one of their most meaningful collaborations: working with the Baker family following the drowning death of Virginia Graeme Baker and helping drive the effort that ultimately led to the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act, landmark legislation designed to prevent deadly pool and spa suction-entrapment incidents.

From mentorship and trial advocacy to legislative change and the responsibility lawyers have to make a difference beyond the courtroom, this is a special conversation about where trial lawyers come from, the impact they can make, and the legacy they leave behind.

What does it take to represent victims of child sexual abuse—and how can lawyers and advocates work together to protect children and prevent abuse?

In Episode 2 of Case & Cause Hosted by Michael Haggard, host Michael Haggard is joined by Kimberly Wald, partner at The Haggard Law Firm, and Amanda Altman, CEO of Kristi House, a nonprofit children’s advocacy center.

Kristi House protects and treats children affected by sexual abuse, human trafficking and other severe childhood trauma, coordinating legal, medical and mental health services in a safe, child-friendly environment.

The conversation examines the unique challenges of litigating sexual abuse cases, representing survivors, supporting victims beyond the courtroom, and the role lawyers and advocates can play in identifying warning signs, preventing child sexual abuse and creating safer communities.

Topics include: child sexual abuse litigation, sexual abuse victims, victim advocacy, child abuse prevention, human trafficking, civil justice, trial lawyers and child safety.

Case & Cause Hosted by Michael Haggard is available on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

What happens when the work of a trial lawyer extends beyond the courtroom?

In the debut episode of Case & Cause hosted by Michael Haggard, Michael is joined by fellow Haggard Law Firm trial attorney Todd Michaels and Happy Perry, whose son, D’Sean Perry, was killed in the 2022 University of Virginia mass shooting.

Happy shares her deeply personal journey from losing her son to becoming an advocate for gun violence prevention and safer communities. Michael and Todd discuss the unique role trial lawyers can play in supporting advocates, pursuing accountability through civil litigation, and holding responsible parties accountable when gun violence occurs.

The conversation explores an important question for plaintiff attorneys and trial lawyers: How can the civil justice system do more than resolve a case—and help create meaningful change beyond the courtroom?

For attorneys committed to trial advocacy, personal injury law, civil justice, public safety, and social change, this episode examines the intersection of litigation and advocacy—and the responsibility lawyers have to help make communities safer.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Case & Cause Hosted by Michael Haggard is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every legal matter is different and depends on its specific facts and circumstances.