Houston Law Nerd Podcast, with Dylan Russell

In the seventh episode of Houston Law Nerd Podcast, I sit down with Attorney Derek Hollingsworth of Houston, Texas, a co-founder of Drumheller, Hollingsworth & Monthy, LLP. His firm website is https://dhmlaw.com/.

Listen in and learn while we discuss a number of topics including his early career as a Clerk at the Texas Supreme Court, his time as a civil trial and appellate attorney with a large firm where he participated in a U.S. Supreme Court case, his transition to becoming a prosecutor in Dallas and Harris Counties, his time with Rusty Hardin & Associates, his decision to open his own firm with partners Andy Drumheller and Jeremy Monthy, the different approaches between criminal and civil jury trials, his tips on voir dire, when having outside appellate counsel is appropriate, and his favorite courtroom movies, among other topics.

Email me with questions, comments, or suggestions for guests at [email protected]. 

In the sixth episode of Houston Law Nerd Podcast, I sit down with Attorney Joe Jaworski of Galveston, Texas. His firm website is https://jaworskilawfirm.com/. 

Listen in and learn while we discuss a number of topics including his early career in civil practice including a coveted Fifth Circuit Clerkship, his practice as a civil litigator in a large law firm, his transition to a full-time mediator with a specialized expertise in Defense Base Act Claims among other areas, his tips for attorneys and former judges wishing to open  a mediation practice, his public service with the City of Galveston, including as a City Councilman and Mayor, and his favorite courtroom movies, among other topics.

Email me with questions, comments, or suggestions for guests at [email protected].

In the fifth episode of Houston Law Nerd Podcast, I sit down with Judge Toni Wallace of the Fort Bend County Court at Law 4.

Listen in and learn while we discuss a number of topics including her early career in civil practice, the transition to the Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office as a prosecutor, her initial appointment as a County Court at Law Judge, making her the first African-American female judge appointed in Fort Bend County, her subsequent election and re-election to her current court, the general jurisdiction of Fort Bend County Courts at Law, which includes a broad array of subject matter including misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases, juvenile matters, probate, guardianship, civil mental health, and eviction appeals, the importance of mentoring less experienced lawyers, and her favorite courtroom TV show, among other topics.

Email me with questions, comments, or suggestions for guests at [email protected].

In the fourth episode of Houston Law Nerd Podcast, I sit down with Personal Injury Attorneys Daniel Johnson and Juan Garcia, who are Co-Founders of the Houston-based firm of Johnson Garcia LLP, website at https://www.johnsongarcialaw.com/.

Listen in and learn while we discuss a number of topics including where they started their early careers as attorneys, when they joined forces as Big Law Partners, their joint and now-realized dream of opening their own personal injury firm, what they've learned along that journey, why they watch livestreamed trials and hearings to learn different judges' approaches, voir dire and jury charge tips, and their favorite courtroom TV shows or movies, among other topics.

Email me with questions, comments, or suggestions for guests at [email protected].

In the third episode of Houston Law Nerd Podcast, I sit down with Attorney Lee Kaplan, the Founding Partner of Smyser Kaplan & Veselka, L.L.P. and a candidate for Houston's Mayoral race.

Listen in and learn while we discuss a number of topics including how he started his long career as a trial attorney, his decision to run for Houston's Mayor, tips on how to prepare a witness for live testimony, a strong opinion on the newly-created "Business Courts," and his favorite courtroom movies, including the Henry Fonda version of 12 Angry Men, among other topics.

Email me with questions, comments, and suggestions for guests at [email protected].

In the second episode of Houston Law Nerd Podcast, I sit down with Judge James Horwitz of the Harris County Probate Court No. 4.

Listen in and learn while we discuss a number of topics including what brought him to the practice of law, his long and varied private practice career, his decision to run for judge, the primary scope of a Texas Probate Court's jurisdiction (it's not a probation court) and when regular civil cases can get pulled into Probate Court, preferences between paper versus electronic, the newly created Probate Court No. 5, things attorneys should and should NOT do, and his favorite courtroom movie, which happens to be my favorite as well. 

Email me with questions, comments, and suggestions for guests at [email protected].

In the inaugural episode of Houston Law Nerd Podcast, I sit down with Judge Mike Engelhart of the 151st District Court of Harris County, Texas. 

Listen in and learn while we discuss a number of topics including his time in private practice, his decision to run for judge, voir dire tips, when he writes his own orders, motion practice, citations in footnotes or not, permissive appeals, things attorneys should and should NOT do, and his favorite courtroom movies. 

Email me with questions, comments, and suggestions for guests at [email protected]