Civilly Speaking

By Ohio Association for Justice

Education Government & Organizations Training Local

What's Civilly Speaking about?

Civilly Speaking is a monthly podcast brought to you the Ohio Association for Justice. A podcast for trial attorneys, by trial attorneys.

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Civilly Speaking episodes:

11.09.2022
Recap of Ohio’s 2022 General Election
Host Sean Harris sits down with OAJ Director of Government Affairs, Brad Ingraham, and attorney and OAJ member, Rick Topper, for a recap of the 2022 General Election. ***The Civilly Speaking Podcast is now being hosted on a different site....
10.19.2022
The Supreme Court at the Ballot Box
Host Sean Harris sits down with OAJ President Sydney McLafferty and MAJ President Stuart Sklar for a deep dive on the Ohio and Michigan Supreme Court races this election year. Find your voting resources at https://www.oajustice.org/oajvotes and be sure to...
09.28.2022
A Conversation with Sari de la Motte
Listen to the latest episode of Civilly Speaking as Sean Harris sits down with Sari de la Motte for a thought-provoking conversation about voir dire, non-verbal communication, and talking to the jury. https://www.civillyspeaking.com/saridlm
09.14.2022
The Rundown on Asbestos Litigation & Legislation
In this episode, host Sean Harris sits down with Shawn Acton, Partner with one of Ohio’s asbestos litigation firms, Kelley & Ferraro, to discuss the state of asbestos litigation and updates on relevant legislation.
08.31.2022
Coming Back from Burnout
In this episode, host Sean Harris sits down with Lauren Ruth Martin, licensed professional counselor, speaker, and podcast host, to discuss the causes of burnout, how to recognize the signs, and pitfalls to avoid. Lauren is the keynote speaker at...
08.10.2022
The Unseen Effects of Car Crashes
Host Sean Harris sits down with Nathan Stuckey, with The Stuckey Firm, and Rhys Richards, with The Richards Firm, to discuss the psychological effects of car crashes and the impact those effects can have on your cases. Register for OAJ’s...
07.29.2022
What is Going on with Ohio’s Elections
Host Sean Harris sits down with Brad Ingraham and State Representative Richard Brown (D-Reynoldsburg) for a Special Election Update and will take a look at some of the most relevant and surprising races around Ohio. *Since this episode was recorded, The...
02.09.2022
The Betrayal Structure
In this episode, Host Sean Harris sits down with Brett Turnbull to discuss the hook of the betrayal and TrialSmith’s Betrayal Structure.
01.19.2022
Let’s Talk About Data Privacy
In this episode, host Sean Harris sits down with OAJ’s Director of Government Affairs, Brad Ingraham, and Senior Policy Analyst with Consumer Reports, Maureen Mahoney to discuss data privacy, how it is being legislated, and what this means for trial...
12.07.2021
Recent Developments in Representation of Sexual Assault Survivors
In episode 75 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris and guests Konrad Kircher and Ryan McGraw with Rittgers & Rittgers discuss the Brandt case and recent developments in representation of sexual assault survivors.
11.16.2021
Vaccine Mandates: A Roadmap
In episode 74 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris and guests Ashlie Case Sletvold, managing partner with Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane & Conway, and Chris Lalak, partner with Nilges Draher, discuss vaccine mandates and exceptions and look ahead to the...
10.06.2021
Practicing Law in a Multi-Generational Firm
In episode 73 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Rob and Mary Erney from Erney Law about the benefits and unique challenges of working in a multi-generational law firm.
08.31.2021
How to Maximize your Paralegal’s Potential
In episode 72 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Candess Zona-Mendola, Senior Trial Paralegal with The Lange Law Firm and featured speaker at our upcoming Paralegal Convention about how to best use your paralegal’s skills to optimize your...
08.03.2021
The Importance of Communities: OAJ Women’s Caucus Edition
https://civillyspeaking.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/civilly-speaking-7-21_mixdown.mp3 In episode 71 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with former OAJ Women’s Caucus Chair, Ashley Rutherford Starling of Willis Spangler Starling, Jessica Bacon of Bevan & Associates, LPA, INC., and Meghan Connolly of Lowe Scott Fischer Co.,...
03.25.2021
Jury Trials during COVID-19
In episode 70 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to Matt Nakajima of Rittgers & Rittgers about his recent in-person jury trial that resulted in a plaintiff’s verdict.
03.16.2021
The Importance of Communities: St. Patrick’s Day Edition
In episode 69 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to three Irish Ohioans about the importance of communities and how being a part of the Irish community has impacted them. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
02.17.2021
Models for Success: Expanding a firm’s practice areas
In episode 68 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to Lindsay Lawrence of Rittgers & Rittgers about her experience starting a new practice area within a firm.
01.27.2021
Models for Success: Starting Your Own Firm
In episode 67 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to Nathan Stuckey of The Stuckey Firm about how he has navigated owning his own practice.
11.23.2020
How trial lawyers bring about meaningful change
In a special Thanksgiving episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to four OAJ members — Andy Young of The Law Firm for Truck Safety, Allen Tittle of Tittle & Perlmuter, Eleana Drakatos of Yacobozzi Drakatos, LLC, and Brian...
11.02.2020
Practicing Law in a Pandemic
In episode 65 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to Charlie Rittgers of Rittgers & Rittgers and Michael Brown from FindLaw about best practices for law firms amidst COVID-19.
10.19.2020
A Conversation with Judge Jennifer Brunner on Election Law
In episode 64 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to Judge Jennifer Brunner, one of eight state appeals court judges of the Tenth District Court of Appeals in Franklin County and a candidate for the Ohio Supreme Court.
10.05.2020
Why More Trial Lawyers Should Run for Public Office
In episode 62 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to Dennis E. Murray, Jr., a former member of the Ohio House of Representatives, about his experience as a politician and why more OAJ members should consider running.
09.28.2020
Proportionality in Discovery with special guest Judge John O’Donnell
In episode 63 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to Judge John O’Donnell, a judge in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and candidate for the Ohio Supreme Court, about the new rule 26.
09.10.2020
OAJ Votes and the Importance of the 2020 Election
In episode 61 of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris speaks to Rick Topper, an attorney, longtime poll worker, and election rights advocate, about the importance of being involved in this year’s election.
08.03.2020
Looking at the Plaintiff Side from A Different Perspective
In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Toledo attorney Katie Harris. Before becoming a plaintiff attorney, Katie worked for the courts and spent a few years in insurance defense. With her background, Katie brings a unique...
07.06.2020
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Workplace and Employment Law
In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Columbus attorney Jessica Doogan, an Associate in the Labor and Employment practice at Barkan Meizlish DeRose Wentz Mclnerney Peifer, LLP. Jessica shares her perspective on how COVID-19 has impacted...
06.01.2020
A Legislative Discussion with OAJ’s New Director of Government Affairs
In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Brad Ingraham, OAJ’s Director of Government Affairs. Brad provides a brief background on his work at the Statehouse before coming to OAJ then dives into current legislation.
05.04.2020
Civil Litigation in the Era of COVID-19
In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Sydney McLafferty, an attorney from Columbus, Ohio. Sean and Sydney discuss COVID-19 and its impact on civil litigation and the future of jury trials.
04.06.2020
Crash Avoidance Technologies and Autonomous Vehicles
In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Julian Gomez, an attorney from McAllen, Texas. Julian provides insightful information on where we stand with crash avoidance technologies and autonomous vehicles today. He also shares his thoughts on...
03.02.2020
What Got You Here, Won’t Get You There
In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Micheal Mogill, founder and CEO of Crisp Video. Michael founded Crisp Video in 2008. His business quickly became successful, but not without challenges and growth pains. From those experiences,...
02.03.2020
An Overview on Class Action Lawsuits
In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Patrick Perotti, an attorney from northeast Ohio. Patrick is a national leader in the field of consumer class actions. Throughout this episode, Patrick explains the importance of class actions...
01.06.2020
Reflecting on 30 Years of Practice
In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Brian Wilson, an attorney from Canton, OH. Brian has been practicing law for over 30 years. He recently sat down and reflected upon what he has learned during that...
12.02.2019
Statistically Speaking
In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Hans Nilges, an attorney from Massillon, OH. Hans believes plaintiff attorneys are lagging behind other great professions when it comes to decision theory. Throughout the episode, Hans makes his...
11.04.2019
Make the Most of Your Client Intake
In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with Ashley Rutherford Starling, a trial attorney from Columbus, Ohio. Ashley offers valuable information on the client intake process when handling garden variety personal injury cases.
09.30.2019
Celebrating 50 Episodes with Dr. David Ball
To celebrate the 50th episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with special guest, Dr. David Ball. David is the co-founder of the Reptilian Trial Advocacy Method and the nation’s most influential trial consultant. During this episode, David shares...
09.02.2019
Focus Groups: An Inside Perspective
In this episode of Civilly Speaking, host Sean Harris talks with John Camillus, a trial attorney and co-founder of Camillus Trial Consulting. As an attorney and co-founder of a consulting company that specializes in focus groups, John shares a unique...
08.05.2019
The Skills to Take Your Career from Good to Great
Host Sean Harris talks with Stephanie Hanna, an attorney and a networking and professional development coach. Stephanie runs her own business, The Other 85, where she coaches law students and attorneys to help them navigate their professions, build their reputation and develop...
07.01.2019
What is E-Discovery?
Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member, Mark Abramowitz, about technology and E-Discovery. Mark discusses different databases that should be used in Discovery to organize and structure information even when it falls under an unstructured category.
06.03.2019
Ohio’s Workers’ Compensation System
Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member, Chelsea Fulton Rubin, about the interaction between the workers’ compensation system in Ohio and politics.
05.06.2019
Conversation with Justice Melody Stewart
Host Sean Harris talks with Ohio Supreme Court Justice Melody Stewart. Justice Stewart talks about her law background and her time on the bench throughout her career.
04.01.2019
Sexual Assault Cases: How are they Different?
Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member, Konrad Kircher about sexual assault cases, how they differ from personal injury cases, and areas where the law can improve for sexual assault survivors.
03.04.2019
Understanding Medical & Disability Leave for Employees
Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member Pete Friedmann about medical and disability leave for employees. Pete covers the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as the Family and Medical Leave Act.
02.04.2019
Managing Client Expectations
Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member Rob Miller from Columbus, OH about client expectations and how to manage them.
12.31.2018
Mass Torts & Multidistrict Litigation
Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member Steve Babin about Mass Torts and multidistrict litigation.
12.03.2018
Examining the World of Medical Malpractice
Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member, Marc Pera about medical negligence claims. Specifically, they discuss the rising number of nurse practitioners and their involvement with treatment, discrediting defense experts, and Robinson v. Bates.
11.05.2018
A New Perspective on the Practice of Law
Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member, Eric Cameron about workers’ compensation and his views on the practice after an eye-opening experience during a hearing.
10.01.2018
Legal Consumers & Online Reviews
Host Sean Harris talks with Jordan Schuetzle and Mike Brown from FindLaw about online reviews and maintaining a positive online reputation.
08.31.2018
Let’s Talk Railroad Cases
Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member, Florence Murray, about railroad worker cases, the Federal Employers Liability Act, and the growth of the industry.
08.06.2018
How to be Successful when Taking on a Medical Malpractice Case
Host Sean Harris talks with OAJ member, Megan Frantz Oldham about medical malpractice cases and how to be successful when selecting and taking on these cases.
07.02.2018
Cervical Cancer Cases: It’s Time to Take a Stand
Host Sean Harris talks with Florida attorney Sean Domnick about cervical cancer cases.

What's Civilly Speaking about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Civilly Speaking episodes:

Recap of Ohio’s 2022 General Election

The Supreme Court at the Ballot Box

A Conversation with Sari de la Motte

The Rundown on Asbestos Litigation & Legislation

Coming Back from Burnout

The Unseen Effects of Car Crashes

What is Going on with Ohio’s Elections

The Betrayal Structure

Let’s Talk About Data Privacy

Recent Developments in Representation of Sexual Assault Survivors

Vaccine Mandates: A Roadmap

Practicing Law in a Multi-Generational Firm

How to Maximize your Paralegal’s Potential

The Importance of Communities: OAJ Women’s Caucus Edition

Jury Trials during COVID-19

The Importance of Communities: St. Patrick’s Day Edition

Models for Success: Expanding a firm’s practice areas

Models for Success: Starting Your Own Firm

How trial lawyers bring about meaningful change

Practicing Law in a Pandemic

A Conversation with Judge Jennifer Brunner on Election Law

Why More Trial Lawyers Should Run for Public Office

Proportionality in Discovery with special guest Judge John O’Donnell

OAJ Votes and the Importance of the 2020 Election

Looking at the Plaintiff Side from A Different Perspective

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Workplace and Employment Law

A Legislative Discussion with OAJ’s New Director of Government Affairs

Civil Litigation in the Era of COVID-19

Crash Avoidance Technologies and Autonomous Vehicles

What Got You Here, Won’t Get You There

An Overview on Class Action Lawsuits

Reflecting on 30 Years of Practice

Statistically Speaking

Make the Most of Your Client Intake

Celebrating 50 Episodes with Dr. David Ball

Focus Groups: An Inside Perspective

The Skills to Take Your Career from Good to Great

What is E-Discovery?

Ohio’s Workers’ Compensation System

Conversation with Justice Melody Stewart

Sexual Assault Cases: How are they Different?

Understanding Medical & Disability Leave for Employees

Managing Client Expectations

Mass Torts & Multidistrict Litigation

Examining the World of Medical Malpractice

A New Perspective on the Practice of Law

Legal Consumers & Online Reviews

Let’s Talk Railroad Cases

How to be Successful when Taking on a Medical Malpractice Case

Cervical Cancer Cases: It’s Time to Take a Stand