Retirement accounts are often one of the largest assets in a divorce — and one of the easiest to mishandle.

In this episode, we break down QDROs (Qualified Domestic Relations Orders), how they work, and why failing to handle them correctly can lead to tax consequences, penalties, and costly disputes years later.

We cover:

•  How retirement accounts are divided in divorce 
•  When a QDRO is required—and when it isn’t 
•  Why pensions and government plans can be tricky 
•  Common drafting mistakes that create problems down the road 
•  What to do if a QDRO wasn’t done at the time of divorce 

If you’re going through a divorce, or advising someone who is, this episode will help you avoid one of the most expensive mistakes people make.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Intro
01:10 – What is a QDRO (and why it matters)
03:30 – Avoiding taxes and penalties in divorce
04:40 – When a QDRO is required… and when it’s not
05:50 – IRAs vs 401(k)s vs pensions
08:00 – What happens when one party doesn’t cooperate
10:00 – Why waiting years can cause major problems
11:50 – Retirement accounts that can’t be divided (TRS pitfalls)
13:20 – Common mistakes in settlement agreements
15:30 – Why pensions are more complicated than you think
18:00 – The challenge of drafting QDROs after the fact
20:00 – Key takeaways: how to protect yourself

🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards.

🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis
 🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/_rw_DWMQeVg or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.

📩 Contact: [email protected]
| (770) 939-1939
🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com

🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards

🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.
🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner
📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

Crossing borders can change everything—especially in family law.

In this episode, we dive into the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, a treaty that governs what happens when a child is taken from one country to another by a parent.

We break down how these cases actually work, including:

•  What “habitual residence” means and why it matters 
•  The legal process for returning a child to another country 
•  The key defenses that can stop a return—even when removal was wrongful 
•  Why these cases are not custody battles, despite how they feel 

You’ll also hear real-world examples, strategic considerations for attorneys, and why timing can make or break a case.

If you think custody law is complicated, wait until it crosses borders.

⏱️ Chapters

 00:00 – Intro: International Law Meets Family Law
 01:10 – What Is the Hague Convention?
 02:30 – Real-World Example of International Child Abduction
 04:00 – “Habitual Residence” Explained
 05:10 – Where Attorneys Get Involved
 06:15 – How Common Are These Cases?
 07:30 – Why Some Children Are Never Returned
 09:00 – Building a Case: Legal Standards
 12:00 – The Burden Shifts: Defenses Begin
 12:30 – The One-Year “Well-Settled” Rule
 15:15 – Mature Child Objection
 17:30 – Human Rights & Rare Defenses
 19:30 – Grave Risk of Harm Standard
 23:00 – Why “Best Interest of the Child” Doesn’t Apply
 24:30 – Federal vs. State Court Strategy
 27:00 – When the Law and the “Right Outcome” Clash
 31:00 – Timing Matters: Why These Cases Move Fast
 32:00 – Preventing International Child Abduction
 34:00 – Game Time (Because… of course) 

🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards.

🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis
 🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/Zdcx5lIcvGI or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.

📩 Contact: [email protected]
| (770) 939-1939
🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com

🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards

🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.
🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner
📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

Title IX cases aren’t criminal court — but they can carry consequences that are just as serious.

In this episode, the attorneys at Shewmaker & Lewis break down how Title IX works in real life, from the moment a complaint is filed to the final outcome. They explain how universities conduct their own investigations, why the rules are different, and how students can face suspension or expulsion even when criminal charges aren’t pursued.

You’ll hear insights on:

•  The structure and purpose of Title IX 
•  How misconduct allegations are handled on campus 
•  The investigation and hearing process 
•  The difference between criminal and Title IX standards of proof 
•  Strategic considerations when both cases are happening at once 
•  Appeals and potential outcomes 

If you or someone you know is facing a Title IX issue, understanding the process early can make all the difference.

⏱️ Chapters

 00:00 – Intro: A “Cavalcade of Nines”
 00:45 – What Is Title IX (and Where It Actually Lives in the Law)
 03:30 – How Title IX Applies to Colleges and Universities
 05:00 – When Allegations Trigger a Title IX Investigation
 06:30 – University Investigations vs. Criminal Cases
 08:00 – Who Handles These Cases (and Why That Matters)
 09:30 – The Investigation Process and Its Limitations
 11:00 – How Hearings Used to Work vs. Today
 12:00 – The Right to Cross-Examine (and Why It Changed)
 13:30 – Balancing Title IX and Criminal Defense Strategy
 15:00 – Why Title IX Can Help (or Hurt) a Criminal Case
 15:30 – The Lower Burden of Proof Explained
 16:30 – Real Case Example: When Outcomes Don’t Make Sense
 17:00 – Appeals and Fighting Back
 18:00 – Possible Punishments: From Suspension to Expulsion
 19:00 – What Expulsion Means for a Student’s Future
 20:00 – Can Students Continue Classes During Investigations?
 20:30 – Does Title IX Apply to High Schools?
 22:00 – Real-World Case Outcomes and Lessons Learned
 23:30 – How to Avoid a Title IX Situation
 25:30 – Should You Hire an Attorney?
 26:00 – Final Thoughts and Takeaways 

🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards.

🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis
 🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/w85iMCiQaJc or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.

📩 Contact: [email protected]
| (770) 939-1939
🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com

🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards

🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.
🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner
📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

What actually matters in court?

In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, we sit down with Judge Ann Harris, Chief Judge of the Cobb County Superior Court, for a candid conversation about how decisions are really made from the bench.

Judge Harris shares her journey from a 19-year career in the District Attorney’s office to presiding over a courtroom that handles everything from criminal cases to complex domestic and civil matters. Along the way, she offers insight into what judges look for, what lawyers often miss, and how courtroom strategy can make or break a case.

We cover:

•  How judges evaluate arguments, evidence, and credibility 
•  When and why judges reserve rulings 
•  The realities behind attorney’s fees decisions 
•  Common mistakes lawyers make in court 
•  The importance of clarity, structure, and relevance 
•  Mental health accountability courts and their real-world impact 

This episode pulls back the curtain on the courtroom and offers a rare perspective from someone who sees it all.

⏱️ Chapters

 00:00 – Intro & why judges make great guests
 01:00 – Meet Judge Ann Harris
 03:30 – From prosecutor to judge: taking the leap
 09:30 – Learning domestic law from scratch
 13:00 – The biggest challenges on the bench
 16:00 – When judges rule immediately vs. later
 18:30 – Do lawyers or clients bring more emotion?
 21:00 – Attorney’s fees: what judges actually look for
 25:00 – What makes evidence persuasive (and what doesn’t)
 27:30 – “This is not moving the needle”
 30:00 – Do lawyers really understand evidence rules?
 34:30 – Favorite movies & personal side of judging
 38:00 – Life beyond the bench
 41:00 – Mental health accountability courts explained
 48:00 – International judicial work (Republic of Georgia)
 50:30 – Final thoughts 

🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards.

🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis
 🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/xiTL6TbrFTk or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.

📩 Contact: [email protected]
| (770) 939-1939
🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com

🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards

🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.
🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner
📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

What do high schoolers really understand about the law, and where can everyday behavior turn into real legal consequences?

In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve and Patty are joined by their daughter, Molly,  a high school student for a candid, eye-opening conversation about life inside today’s schools. From vaping and gambling to driving risks and school discipline, they break down the difference between what’s “normal” and what can actually lead to serious trouble.

Along the way, they explore how school rules differ from criminal law, why certain behaviors are treated more seriously than others, and the surprising age when teens can be charged as adults.

It’s an honest look at the gray areas most people don’t think about — until they matter.

Whether you’re a student, a parent, or just someone who’s ever said, “I didn’t know that was illegal,” this episode offers practical insight into how the law really works in everyday situations.

⏱️ Chapters

 00:00 Intro
 00:41 Meet Our First High School Guest
 01:35 What Teens Actually Talk About (Legal Topics & Current Events)
 03:10 School Rules vs. Real Crimes
 04:20 Common High School Infractions (Vaping, Gambling, etc.)
 06:10 What Schools Enforce vs. What Slides
 06:44 Guns, School Zones, and Legal Boundaries
 08:15 Alternative School: What It Really Means
 10:54 Drugs in High School: The Reality
 12:10 Risky Behavior & Real Consequences
 13:30 Teen Driving & Decision-Making
 14:03 When Do You Become an “Adult” in the Eyes of the Law?
 16:00 Being Charged as an Adult (Even Under 18)
 17:00 Final Advice for High Schoolers 

🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards.

🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis
 🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/YLyQGAK947M or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.

📩 Contact: [email protected]
| (770) 939-1939
🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com

🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards

🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.
🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner
📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

Cross-Examination: Where Cases Win or Implode

Cross-examination is often the most critical moment in any case—and the most dangerous.

In this episode, the attorneys at Shewmaker & Lewis break down how they prepare clients for cross-examination, what can go wrong on the stand, and why credibility is everything in front of a judge.

They discuss the importance of identifying weaknesses early, understanding the opposing side’s perspective, and having honest, sometimes uncomfortable conversations with clients before trial.

The key takeaway: there are no perfect clients—but owning your mistakes and preparing properly can make the difference between winning and losing.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Intro: What Is Cross-Examination?
 01:14 – Why Cross-Examination Can Make or Break Your Case
 02:36 – Finding Weak Spots in Your Own Case
 03:38 – Practicing Cross-Examination with Clients
 04:46 – How Attorneys “Box You In” on the Stand
 06:23 – When Evidence Backfires
 07:06 – How Clients Should Handle Tough Questions
 08:01 – Rule #1: Tell the Truth (Even When It Hurts)
 09:22 – Get Ahead of Weaknesses Before Cross
 10:04 – Military Lessons on Seeing the Other Side
 12:20 – If You Can’t Explain Your Case Simply, You’re Not Ready
 14:53 – Owning Your Mistakes Builds Credibility
 17:21 – Why Judges Care More About Honesty Than Perfection
 20:24 – Mock Cross-Examinations & Real Preparation
 22:39 – “I Don’t Know” vs. Losing Credibility
 25:51 – Why Some Lawyers Don’t Prepare (And Why That’s Risky)
 27:17 – Final Takeaways: Preparation + Perspective + Ownership

🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards.

🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis
 🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/Rr8GEwRTFcg  or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.

📩 Contact: [email protected]
| (770) 939-1939
🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com

🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards

🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.
🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner
📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

Divorce is one of the most common legal experiences in real life… so why does Hollywood almost never portray it?

In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, we take a closer look at Marriage Story and break down how accurately it reflects the realities of divorce. From courtroom strategy to emotional conflict, we compare the film’s portrayal with what actually happens in family law cases.

We also explore why divorce is such a difficult topic for storytelling — and why so few films attempt to tackle it.

Whether you're navigating a divorce, supporting someone who is, or just interested in how law and media intersect, this episode offers insight you won’t get from the movies.

00:00 – Intro
01:12 – Why Are There So Few Divorce Movies?
04:30 – Introducing Marriage Story
07:10 – First Impressions from a Legal Perspective
10:25 – What the Movie Gets Right
16:40 – Attorney Dynamics & Strategy
22:15 – Emotional Reality vs. Legal Reality
28:05 – What Hollywood Gets Wrong
34:20 – Custody & Financial Misconceptions
40:10 – Real Divorce vs. Movie Drama
45:30 – Final Thoughts

🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards.

🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis
 🎧 Watch here:https://youtu.be/vhcboXAoPCs or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.

📩 Contact: [email protected]
| (770) 939-1939
🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com

🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards

🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.
🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner
📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

After a full year of Lawyers Without Billboards, the team takes a moment to look back at the topics, lessons, and surprising realities they’ve covered since launching the podcast.

In this anniversary episode, attorneys Steve Shewmaker, Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy Lewis, and Alexa Lewis reflect on some of the biggest themes from their first year behind the microphones. From divorce myths to custody disputes and the realities of family law litigation, they discuss what people often misunderstand about the legal system and what actually happens inside the courtroom.

It’s an honest conversation about the cases, misconceptions, and legal realities that come up again and again in family law.

00:00 – Introduction to Lawyers Without Billboards
 00:41 – Meet the hosts
 01:55 – Celebrating one year of the podcast
 02:30 – Why the team started the show
 05:10 – Looking back at the first episodes
 08:20 – Divorce myths people still believe
 11:45 – Custody battles and what really matters in court
 15:20 – What surprises clients the most about family law
 18:40 – The reality of courtroom litigation
 22:10 – Lessons learned after a year of podcasting
 25:05 – Favorite topics and memorable moments
 27:40 – Final thoughts and looking ahead to year two

🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards.

🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis
 🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/vhcboXAoPCs  or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.

📩 Contact: [email protected]
| (770) 939-1939
🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com

🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards

🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.
🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner
📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

In Part 2 of our ROTC disenrollment series, we examine the hearing process itself — and why it shocks so many families.

Yes, you can hire an attorney.
 No, your attorney cannot speak during the hearing.

Instead, the cadet must conduct their own examination of witnesses, cross-examine accusers, introduce evidence, and make arguments — often in cases involving serious allegations.

We break down:
 • The structure of ROTC disenrollment hearings
 • Why post-hearing review can take over a year
 • What happens if command overrides the board
 • The financial consequences if disenrollment stands
 • Why preparation can cost more than trial representation

If you’re facing ROTC disenrollment, this episode explains the reality of the process — and why strategic preparation is critical.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Part 2 Begins: Why This System Is So Frustrating
 01:04 – Should You Hire an Attorney Who Can’t Speak?
 02:43 – Why “Winning” Doesn’t End the Process
 03:05 – The Army’s Multi-Level Review Process
 04:48 – A Year in Limbo After Victory
 05:59 – Sexual Assault Allegations in ROTC Hearings
 08:40 – The Proof Chart Strategy
 09:02 – Training a Cadet to Act as Their Own Lawyer
 11:38 – The Real Cost of Preparation
 13:46 – False Allegations & Military Culture
 17:24 – Is There Any Appeal After ROTC Command?
 18:11 – Repayment: $25,000 to $200,000+
 19:21 – Enlistment vs. Repayment
 20:09 – Final Takeaways

🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards.

🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis
 🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/4p0HMzJgMuQ or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.

📩 Contact: [email protected]
| (770) 939-1939
🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com

🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards

🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.
🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner
📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

What happens when an ROTC cadet is accused of misconduct, academic failure, or a serious violation of military standards?

In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, the team breaks down the high-stakes world of ROTC disenrollment hearings — where a scholarship can suddenly transform into a six-figure debt or even mandatory enlisted service.

ROTC contracts are not symbolic. They are binding agreements with the United States government. And when issues arise — whether involving grades, conduct, DUIs, drugs, or allegations of sexual misconduct — cadets can find themselves facing a formal disenrollment process that feels more like a military tribunal than a campus disciplinary hearing.

In Part 1, the panel explains:

• What ROTC disenrollment actually means
• How the process begins
• The types of allegations that trigger hearings
• What rights cadets have
• How scholarship repayment is calculated
• Why early legal strategy matters

If you or your student is contracted in ROTC, this is information you need before a problem arises.

Part 2 will dive deeper into hearings, outcomes, and appeals.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Intro
00:41 – Welcome & Today’s Topic: ROTC Disenrollments
02:00 – What Does ROTC Stand For?
02:14 – The Three Paths to Becoming an Officer
04:30 – How ROTC Works on College Campuses
06:18 – ROTC vs Academies: Who Produces Better Officers?
09:25 – ROTC Contracts & Giving Up Civil Liberties
10:19 – What Is a Contracted Cadet?
11:53 – What Gets You Kicked Out of ROTC?
14:12 – “Back in the 80s”: ROTC Then vs Now
16:24 – Contracted vs Non-Contracted Cadets
18:31 – Notice of Disenrollment: What Happens First?
20:33 – When Title IX & Criminal Charges Complicate Things
22:47 – Requesting a Hearing (Or Waiving It)
23:21 – Air Force vs Other Branches: Key Differences
24:12 – What the Hearing Looks Like
27:38 – Winning the Board Isn’t the End
29:57 – Repayment vs Enlisted Service
30:28 – Part 2 Preview

🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards.

🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis
 🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/p2Tfy5Ntv_U or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.

📩 Contact: [email protected]
| (770) 939-1939
🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com

🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards

🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.
🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner
📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA