Latte With a Lawyer

Welcome back to Latte with a Lawyer—the essential podcast for attorneys navigating the modern legal landscape. In this episode, insurance defense attorney Bryan Grantham of Hawkins Parnell pulls back the curtain on the paradox of practicing in Georgia: a state known for its conservative politics but also for its “plaintiff friendly” laws that are fueling explosive, seven-figure verdicts. Bryan breaks down why trucking and premises liability cases are so volatile and critiques the state's strict collateral source rule, where a jury might see a $100,000 medical bill that was settled for just $5,000. He poses a provocative question for the defense bar: are we trying to make plaintiffs whole, or help them win the lottery?

But Bryan’s perspective is shaped by more than just big-firm defense work. He shares the incredible story of a pro bono case where he stepped in to help his wife, a public defender, after a judge wrongfully declared a mistrial in her murder trial. Recognizing the critical double jeopardy error, Bryan argued the case all the way to the Georgia Supreme Court and won, leading to the client's acquittal. He explains how this experience, and his own time as a public defender, forged his philosophy of “defending the system,” not the act, and how he went from a small-town lawyer's son to feeling like a “Triple-A” player called up to “the show” on the 40th floor of his Atlanta law firm.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-m-grantham-a92a0751/
FIRM Website: https://www.hpylaw.com/

Learn more about EmotionTrac and our AI-driven Emotional Intelligence Platform: https://legal.emotiontrac.com/

Welcome to Latte with a Lawyer—the essential podcast for attorneys who want an inside look at the realities of litigation. In this episode, Bradley Levien of Mintzer Sarowitz Zeris Ledva & Meyers pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes world of insurance defense for national retail and restaurant chains. He reveals the strategies used to defend clients with up to 14,000 locations against everything from slip-and-falls to food poisoning. Bradley also shares his powerful philosophy for trial prep: preparing every case backwards, starting with the closing argument on day one to build a more efficient and focused path to victory.

But it's the unwritten rules of the courthouse that make this conversation unforgettable. Bradley explains his mentor's 'clean bathroom rule'—a brilliant metaphor for why deep local knowledge is non-negotiable. He gives a stunning, play-by-play account of being thrown out of a courtroom by a volatile judge, only to have the judge completely forget the entire incident by Monday morning. Drawing on his experience picking a dozen juries in a single year, Bradley offers a masterclass in reading the room and knowing why a $75,000 verdict for a knee surgery in Brooklyn can be a massive win for the defense.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-levien-7945078/
FIRM Website: https://www.defensecounsel.com/

Learn more about EmotionTrac and our AI-driven Emotional Intelligence Platform: https://legal.emotiontrac.com/

Welcome back to Latte with a Lawyer, the podcast for attorneys exploring the strategies of top litigators. Imagine winning a major trial where the jury awards your client zero dollars—and it’s considered a huge victory. That's the reality Chris Gorman, head of the Real Estate and Construction Litigation department at Abrams Fensterman, shares from a recent case. He breaks down a high-stakes dispute between a hotel developer and a contractor where the jury, unimpressed with either side, delivered a 'zero liability' verdict. Chris explains how this outcome perfectly illustrates why he spends much of his time counseling clients on how to avoid the courtroom, arguing that a litigator's most valuable role is often de-escalation.

This pragmatic approach extends to Chris’s trial preparation. He candidly discusses forgoing expensive mock juries, instead relying on his ability to read the room and pivot his strategy in real-time based on a jury's reaction. He details how he transforms document-intensive commercial disputes—from mortgage foreclosures to defective construction claims—into a compelling story that resonates with non-lawyers. Drawing on his experience starting out at Cahill Gordon, Chris provides a masterclass in developing facts, navigating both plaintiff and defense perspectives, and leveraging technology, recounting how he conducted a 10-day arbitration entirely on Zoom just months after the platform became mainstream.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-gorman-a4849624/
FIRM Website: https://www.abramslaw.com/home

Learn more about EmotionTrac and our AI-driven Emotional Intelligence Platform: https://legal.emotiontrac.com/

Welcome back to Latte with a Lawyer—a must-listen podcast for attorneys tracking the ever-evolving legal landscape. In this episode, Justin Key, a partner at Goldberg Simpson, unpacks a modern relationship landmine: the cohabitation trap. Justin explains why unmarried couples who buy property and have children together can face breakups that are far 'nastier' and more legally complex than traditional divorces. He reveals how these cases often devolve into a 'free-for-all,' akin to a business partnership dissolving without an agreement, and shares the strategies his team uses to navigate these high-stakes disputes for the largest domestic relations firm in his region.

From a planned career in intellectual property to becoming a leader in family law, Justin's journey is anything but typical. The son of a coal miner, he shares how a 'boring' law school externship pushed him away from his computer science background and toward the unpredictable world of family court. Justin also gives an inside look at the unique challenges of practicing in Kentucky, where family law cases are decided exclusively by bench trials. He discusses the strategic adjustments required when presenting a case to a single judge and why the lack of a jury makes some litigators shy away from this demanding field.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keylaw/
FIRM Website: https://www.goldbergsimpson.com/

Learn more about EmotionTrac and our AI-driven Emotional Intelligence Platform: https://legal.emotiontrac.com/

Welcome back to Latte with a Lawyer—an essential podcast for lawyers seeking fresh perspectives on practice building. This week, we're joined by Loren Wolff, a self-described 'good old-fashioned dirt lawyer' who has built a unique practice at the intersection of real estate, economic development, and government advocacy. Loren explains her 'just call me, I got you' approach to shepherding complex projects, from million-square-foot logistics warehouses to the historic preservation of 1850s buildings in Kentucky's 'Gateway to the West.' She shares how her early career in a mayor's office gave her the practical business sense to guide developers and companies from initial zoning challenges to final completion.

But what happens when a world-famous muralist paints on the side of a historic townhouse you just developed? Loren pulls back the curtain on the creative problem-solving required to answer questions like 'who owns the mural?' and 'who pays for maintenance?,' revealing how she used an HOA and a 10-year preservation agreement to solve the puzzle without litigation. She also discusses her journey as an early adopter of legal tech, from the 'nuts' days of backing up QuickBooks on a CD to embracing cloud-based tools like Cleo just six months after its launch, offering a masterclass in being a practical problem-solver for clients.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loren-wolff/
Firm Website: https://www.dbllaw.com/

Learn more about EmotionTrac and our AI-driven Emotional Intelligence Platform: https://legal.emotiontrac.com/

Welcome back to Latte with a Lawyer—a top podcast for attorneys exploring the minds of legal leaders. In this episode, we sit down with Steven Kirsch, a veteran litigator and partner at Larson King who, after trying 100 cases, has shifted his focus to the art of mediation. Steven explains why he traded the stress of the courtroom for the strategy of the conference room, becoming a go-to neutral for high-stakes product liability and personal injury disputes across the Midwest. He reveals how his work on the landmark I-35W bridge collapse case transformed his practice and shares what it takes to guide parties from huge impasses to a final settlement.

Steven pulls back the curtain on his mediation playbook, explaining how he moves beyond just "splitting the difference" to find the one number both sides can live with, even when they start hundreds of thousands of dollars apart. He also offers a rare look into Minnesota’s judicial selection process, sharing candid stories from his time on Governor Jesse Ventura's selection committee—including the governor’s memorable crusade against judges getting "robitis." From handling clients with unrealistic settlement expectations to navigating a legal culture he describes as uniquely honorable and free of gamesmanship, Steven provides a masterclass in strategy and psychology from his 40-plus years in the trenches.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirschsteven/
FIRM Website: https://www.larsonking.com/

Learn more about EmotionTrac and our AI-driven Emotional Intelligence Platform: https://legal.emotiontrac.com/

Welcome back to Latte with a Lawyer—the essential podcast for attorneys seeking inspiration from the profession's top performers. In this episode, we sit down with Kila Baldwin, who recently launched her own catastrophic injury firm, Baldwin Matzus Law. Kila shares her journey from a world-renowned plaintiff's firm to starting her own practice, getting out from under the shadow of mentors to define her own future. She explains why she believes the plaintiff's bar offers younger lawyers more opportunities for early, hands-on trial experience and discusses her path from aspiring doctor to powerhouse trial attorney.

Kila pulls back the curtain on one of her most memorable cases: securing a staggering $57.1 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson in a transvaginal mesh case. She reveals how her all-female trial team of three went up against a defense team of twenty lawyers and won. Kila also details her core trial philosophy, arguing that being relatable and likable to a jury is on equal footing with the facts of the case. She explains her method for breaking down incredibly complex topics—from neurosurgery to fallen power lines—into simple, persuasive narratives that resonate with jurors.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kila-baldwin-7176949/
FIRM Website: https://www.matzuslaw.com/

Learn more about EmotionTrac and our AI-driven Emotional Intelligence Platform: https://legal.emotiontrac.com/

Welcome back to Latte with a Lawyer—the podcast for attorneys exploring the most unique legal niches. In this episode, host Jonathan Brickman sits down with Carolyn Wolf, an executive partner at Abrams Fensterman who has carved out a rare practice in mental health law. Drawing on her background as a hospital risk manager, Carolyn explains how she acts as a guide for families with loved ones suffering from serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or traumatic brain injuries. She shares her unique "toolkit" approach, creating a legal and clinical roadmap for families to navigate everything from involuntary commitments and guardianships to accessing proper treatment.

Carolyn pulls back the curtain on the dramatic, real-life hearings her work entails, including obtaining civil mental health warrants to get a person evaluated by court order. She offers a powerful critique of how confidentiality laws like HIPAA can shut families out of treatment and discharge planning, and she debunks dangerous media-fueled stigmas, explaining why people with serious mental illness are far more likely to be victims than perpetrators of violence. For any lawyer whose practice intersects with family conflict, housing issues, or criminal justice, Carolyn provides an essential look into the complex world of mental health advocacy.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-wolf-0815266/
Firm Website: https://www.abramslaw.com/home

Learn more about EmotionTrac and our AI-driven Emotional Intelligence Platform: https://legal.emotiontrac.com/

Welcome back to Latte with a Lawyer—a leading podcast for attorneys dissecting the careers of the legal world's most effective practitioners. In this episode, we meet Kim Jackson, a partner at Bovis Kyle whose journey from the pig farms of Bourbon County, Kentucky, to the top of Atlanta's defense bar is a masterclass in grit. As a first-generation college graduate who sent out 600 resumes to land his first job, Kim shares his powerful story of navigating the class divides of big law—including a cringeworthy job interview at a "Silk Stocking firm"—and how that outsider's perspective became his greatest asset in the courtroom. He explains why he was drawn to the "defense row" and built a thriving practice defending other lawyers in high-stakes legal malpractice, sanctions, and bar complaint cases.

Kim pulls back the curtain on one of the most satisfying wins of his career: a legal malpractice case where his own insurance carrier gave him a 0% chance of winning on liability. He breaks down how he defended a lawyer accused of blowing the statute of limitations, facing five hostile board members all testifying to the same story. Kim reveals the trial-winning strategy he deployed, turning the case on the testimony of an unexpected witness who dismantled the plaintiffs' credibility and secured a complete defense verdict. He also shares his contrarian take on jury selection, explaining why the belief that "juries hate lawyers" is a myth and how to pick a panel that will deliver a fair verdict for a professional client.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacksonkim/
FIRM Website: https://www.boviskyle.com/

Learn more about EmotionTrac and our AI-driven Emotional Intelligence Platform: https://legal.emotiontrac.com/

Welcome back to Latte with a Lawyer—the essential podcast for attorneys seeking an edge. This week, we explore the power of emotional intelligence with Claire E. Parsons, a partner at Wood + Lamping who is redefining what it means to be a 'badass lawyer.' After facing a personal breakdown and anxiety early in her career, Claire discovered how mindfulness and compassion practices could transform her work. She shares the powerful techniques from her upcoming book, 'Compassion Practices for Badass Lawyers,' explaining how emotional resilience—not just aggression—can become a lawyer's greatest tool for focus, clarity, and courtroom success.

But Claire's insights aren't just theoretical; they're forged in the high-stakes world of local government defense. She takes us inside her unique practice defending school districts against contentious special education claims, where disputes over student placement can lead to financial consequences like $50,000-a-year private tuitions. Claire also discusses her litigation work defending police and jails in Section 1983 cases, her journey as a third-generation lawyer who 'saved thousands of lives' by failing out of engineering camp, and why she believes preserving a relationship can be more valuable than winning at all costs.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claireeparsons/
FIRM Website: https://woodlamping.com/

Learn more about EmotionTrac and our AI-driven Emotional Intelligence Platform: https://legal.emotiontrac.com/