Former prosecutor and award-winning trial attorney Austin Ward is back for a lighter, fast-paced round of Hot Bench—where we dive into wildly unpopular opinions, tackle absurd legal hypotheticals, and once again prove that lawyers can (and will) argue about anything.

Marissa Montes, Co-Founder and Director of the Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic, shares her journey from immigrant rights activism at USC to building the first binational law school clinic in the U.S. She reveals how shifting policies under multiple administrations have fueled a rise in “self-deportation,” the challenges of representing mixed-status families, and why community-based lawyering is critical in an era of daily immigration policy changes.Questions? Thoughts? Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or visit ⁠itspersonalpod.com⁠Hosted by Christopher AdamsonProduced by Lauren Henning & Chris WeigenBrought to you by ⁠Adamson Ahdoot⁠The views expressed by guests are their own and do not represent Adamson Ahdoot LLP, its attorneys, staff, or affiliates. This podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship and should not be considered legal advice. Content is for general informational purposes only, and listeners should consult a qualified attorney for guidance on their specific circumstances. Adamson Ahdoot does not review or endorse guest statements and is not responsible for their accuracy. By listening, you agree to these terms and any updates.

Adamson Ahdoot trial attorney and partner Austin Ward joins Chris to break down the corporate push to limit attorney fees in personal injury cases—and why it could gut access to justice for everyday people. From his early skepticism of PI lawyers to fighting billion-dollar companies, Ward explains how fee caps tilt the system in favor of corporate interests and what’s really at stake.

Questions? Thoughts? Email us at [email protected] or visit itspersonalpod.com

Hosted by Christopher Adamson

Produced by Lauren Henning & Chris Weigen

Brought to you by Adamson Ahdoot

The views expressed by guests are their own and do not represent Adamson Ahdoot LLP, its attorneys, staff, or affiliates. This podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship and should not be considered legal advice. Content is for general informational purposes only, and listeners should consult a qualified attorney for guidance on their specific circumstances. Adamson Ahdoot does not review or endorse guest statements and is not responsible for their accuracy. By listening, you agree to these terms and any updates.

Daniel Stefanic, now a trial attorney at Adamson Ahdoot, opens up about his battle with addiction and the path that took him from homelessness to the courtroom. He shares how confronting his own demons shaped his approach to criminal defense and later personal injury law, and what it takes to succeed in high-pressure legal work while protecting your own well-being.Questions? Thoughts? Email us at [email protected] or visit itspersonalpod.comHosted by Christopher AdamsonProduced by Lauren Henning & Chris WeigenBrought to you by Adamson AhdootThe views expressed by guests are their own and do not represent Adamson Ahdoot LLP, its attorneys, staff, or affiliates. This podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship and should not be considered legal advice. Content is for general informational purposes only, and listeners should consult a qualified attorney for guidance on their specific circumstances. Adamson Ahdoot does not review or endorse guest statements and is not responsible for their accuracy. By listening, you agree to these terms and any updates.

Chris Adamson and producer Lauren Henning unpack the high-profile Lively v. Baldoni case, where harassment allegations, countersuits, and defamation claims collide with Hollywood power dynamics. Drawing on Lauren’s background at SAG-AFTRA, they explore the legal nuances, industry politics, and cultural stakes behind the headlines—and what this case could mean for the future of workplace accountability in entertainment.

Questions? Thoughts? Email us at [email protected]  or visit itspersonalpod.com

Hosted by Christopher Adamson

Produced by Lauren Henning & Chris Weigen

Brought to you by Adamson Ahdoot

The views expressed by guests are their own and do not represent Adamson Ahdoot LLP, its attorneys, staff, or affiliates. This podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship and should not be considered legal advice. Content is for general informational purposes only, and listeners should consult a qualified attorney for guidance on their specific circumstances. Adamson Ahdoot does not review or endorse guest statements and is not responsible for their accuracy. By listening, you agree to these terms and any updates.

Peter Iwuh, CEO & founder of Tykoon Sports, breaks down the billion-dollar shift in college athletics—from the Ed O’Bannon case to today’s NIL era where branding, boosters, and big-money deals shape recruiting. He reveals how athletes can turn NIL into long-term success, why the transfer portal is a double-edged sword, and how systemic inequalities still leave smaller programs and women’s sports fighting for their share.

Questions? Thoughts? Email us at  [email protected] or visit itspersonalpod.com

Hosted by Christopher Adamson

Produced by Lauren Henning & Chris Weigen

Brought to you by Adamson Ahdoot

The views expressed by guests are their own and do not represent Adamson Ahdoot LLP, its attorneys, staff, or affiliates. This podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship and should not be considered legal advice. Content is for general informational purposes only, and listeners should consult a qualified attorney for guidance on their specific circumstances. Adamson Ahdoot does not review or endorse guest statements and is not responsible for their accuracy. By listening, you agree to these terms and any updates.

Former Public Defenders Saad Sweilem and Daniel Stefanic return for a lighter, fast-paced bonus episode where they go head-to-head in Hot Bench—defending wildly unpopular opinions, tackling absurd legal hypotheticals, and proving that lawyers can (& will) argue about anything.

Former public defenders Saad Sweilem and Daniel Stefanic expose the harsh realities of the U.S. criminal justice system—overcharging to force plea deals, jury bias, limited discovery, and a process stacked against the poor and people of color. From post-9/11 surveillance of Muslim communities to wrongful convictions and life-changing bail decisions, they reveal why “justice” often comes second to winning cases.

Questions? Thoughts? Email us at [email protected] or visit itspersonalpod.com

Hosted by Christopher Adamson

Produced by Lauren Henning & Chris Weigen

Brought to you by Adamson Ahdoot

The views expressed by guests are their own and do not represent Adamson Ahdoot LLP, its attorneys, staff, or affiliates. This podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship and should not be considered legal advice. Content is for general informational purposes only, and listeners should consult a qualified attorney for guidance on their specific circumstances. Adamson Ahdoot does not review or endorse guest statements and is not responsible for their accuracy. By listening, you agree to these terms and any updates.

UCLA soccer stars America Frias and Valerie Vargas stick around for a lighter, fast-paced bonus episode where they reveal their Roman Empires, pre- and post-game rituals, locker-room playlists, guilty pleasures, and hot takes.

UCLA soccer players America Frias and Valerie Vargas tackle the biggest questions in college sports right now—should athletes be considered employees, unionize, and get a share of the revenue they generate? From NIL (Name Image Likeness) money and the transfer portal to loyalty, pay equity, and the future of women’s sports, they reveal how the game is changing both on and off the field.

Questions? Thoughts? Email us at [email protected] or visit itspersonalpod.com

Hosted by Christopher Adamson

Produced by Lauren Henning & Chris Weigen

Brought to you by Adamson Ahdoot

The views expressed by guests are their own and do not represent Adamson Ahdoot LLP, its attorneys, staff, or affiliates. This podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship and should not be considered legal advice. Content is for general informational purposes only, and listeners should consult a qualified attorney for guidance on their specific circumstances. Adamson Ahdoot does not review or endorse guest statements and is not responsible for their accuracy. By listening, you agree to these terms and any updates.