What if the first question you asked when evaluating a case wasn’t “How do we win?” but “How do we lose?”

That is how trial lawyer George Moschopoulos approaches a case.

Before becoming a lawyer, George trained as a structural engineer. That background still shapes the way he thinks today: find the stress points, identify what can fail, and understand which facts are actually carrying the weight of the case.

In this episode of Legal Latitudes, George and Federico Lathrop break down how that mindset translates into the courtroom.

They discuss why lawyers should confront bad facts early instead of hiding from them, how to evaluate performance improvement plans and retaliation cases, and why an imperfect plaintiff can still have a powerful case.

Then the conversation moves into trial.

George explains why he believes lawyers have to earn the right to advocate. First you inquire. Then you inform. Only after that do you persuade.

He also breaks down constructive versus destructive cross-examination and why his default demeanor with a witness is “curiosity and disappointment.”

George learned that lesson the hard way.

In one trial, convinced he was fighting for the right side, he aggressively attacked a CEO on cross-examination. He raised his voice, called the witness a liar, and thought the jury would appreciate the fight.

They didn’t.

He won the case, but the jury awarded only about 10% of what he asked for. Afterward, he learned that several jurors simply did not like the way he treated the witness.

That experience changed the way he tries cases.

The episode also explores why copying another successful trial lawyer rarely works. A technique may be worth studying, but the delivery has to fit the lawyer using it. There is only one Brian Panish. There is only one Gerry Spence. And there is only one you.

George and Federico also talk about preparation, repetition, jury selection, connecting voir dire to closing argument, family, discipline, and George’s kids competing internationally in surfing.

In this episode:

• How an engineer thinks about building a trial case • Why George starts by asking, “How do we lose?” • Finding and owning the weak points in your case • Performance improvement plans and employment cases • Why retaliation often creates such a powerful story • Representing imperfect plaintiffs • Connecting jury selection to closing argument • Constructive vs. destructive cross-examination • Using curiosity and disappointment with witnesses • Why anger can cost credibility with a jury • The trial that changed George’s approach to cross • Why great trial lawyers should be studied, not imitated • Finding your own voice in the courtroom • Why lawyers fall to the level of their preparation

Legal Latitudes is hosted by Federico Lathrop, founder of Lathrop Law and a California personal injury trial lawyer.

Former defense and government attorney Adam Phillips joins Federico Lathrop to explain what happens behind the scenes when insurance companies and defense lawyers evaluate personal injury claims.

Adam shares the personal story that helped shape his career: a damaged tire failed while he was driving, causing his vehicle to flip several times and ejecting him from the car. He was transported by helicopter to a trauma center and later brought that experience with him when he moved from the defense side to representing injured people.

In this episode, Federico and Adam discuss:

• The six-month claim deadline that may apply when a government entity is involved • How defense attorneys evaluate a case and the plaintiff’s lawyer • Why trial experience can affect settlement value • How contingency fees give injured people access to legal representation • Adam’s transition from government defense work to plaintiff-side trial practice • A case that began with an $18,000 offer, resulted in a $175,000 verdict, and ultimately resolved for $325,000 • Policy-limit demands and insurance bad faith • Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage • How artificial intelligence can help small law firms serve clients • Common myths about personal injury lawsuits • What to do immediately after a collision • The biggest misconception Adam held while working on the defense side

Adam also explains why evidence must be preserved quickly after a collision, including photographs, nearby surveillance footage, witness information, police documentation, and timely medical evaluation.

Connect with Adam Phillips:

Instagram: @SDAccidentLawyer

Legal disclaimer: This episode is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and deadlines depend on the facts and jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney regarding your individual circumstances.

The description reflects Adam’s government and defense background, the six-month government-claim discussion, the trial result, the insurance topics, and his recommendations following a collision.

Sagi Shaked has spent more than 25 years finding compensation for families when others

said there was nothing left to recover. What stood out most to you: the brain injury case

where the scans came back normal, the self-driving braking failure, or the insurance

defense tactics in the Insurance Company Games segment?

Study mentioned in the episode, on why a normal CT or MRI does not rule out a brain injury:

https://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(23)00297-6/fulltext

(General information only, not medical or legal advice.)

When an insurance company tells you not to worry, that may be exactly when you should. In this episode of Legal Latitudes, host Federico Lathrop sits down with Sagi Shaked, a board-certified Miami trial lawyer who has spent more than two decades representing families through the worst moments of their lives.

Sagi has built a national reputation handling traumatic brain injury, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury cases, and he teaches lawyers across the country on how these claims are actually won. He and Federico get into the realities most people never hear about, from the science of an invisible brain injury to the moves insurance companies make the moment a case begins.

What this episode covers:

• Why a serious traumatic brain injury should be handled like a wrongful death case, and how before-and-after witnesses carry the story
• What it means when a brain injury shows up clinically even though the CT and MRI come back normal, and how DTI imaging can help explain it
• Preserving critical evidence early, before the insurance company builds its own record
• How to choose the right lawyer for a serious injury or death case, and why board certification, results, and real trial experience matter
• The hidden sources of insurance and compensation many lawyers miss, including a bar that overserved an underage driver, homeowners policies, and employer liability
• Product liability in a new era, including a case involving an automatic emergency braking system that failed
• Trucking and delivery cases, and how Amazon and FedEx contractor structures affect who can be held responsible
• Rideshare distraction, and the argument that a constantly pinging app can be treated as a product-liability problem
• The insurance defense tactics Sagi sees again and again, including lowball proposals for settlement, empty-chair defenses, motions to bifurcate, and fights over billed versus paid medical bills

Whether you are an injury victim, a family trying to understand your options, a lawyer sharpening your craft, or someone who follows trial law, this conversation is full of practical insight into how these cases really work.

Ted Wacker is a trial lawyer in Southern California with over 35 years of experience and more than 30 jury trials. He's spent his career standing up for people who often don't have anyone else in their corner. In this episode, we talk about:

- Growing up with a judge for a father, and what an 8-year-old boy witnessed that never left him

- The Vioxx litigation, where Ted helped expose what a pharmaceutical giant knew but wouldn't admit

- A recent San Francisco case involving a young immigrant from Nepal who suffered a life-changing brain injury while delivering food for Uber Eats, and what it took to get him justice

- What it really takes to go up against a corporation that would rather wait you out than do the right thing

- What Uber is quietly trying to do in California right now — and how it could strip everyday people of their ability to be made whole after they've been hurt

- The Gerry Spence Method and their Ranch, the art of real persuasion, and why stepping into another person's shoes is everything in this work

- The legacy Ted hopes to leave behind

This one is about people — the ones who get hurt, the ones who get ignored, and the lawyers who refuse to look away. If this episode meant something to you, leave us a 5-star review and share it with someone who needs to hear it. The more people who understand their rights, the better.

🎙️ Legal Latitudes — hosted by Federico Lathrop Subscribe for more conversations on law, justice, and how the legal system actually works in the real world.

What do poker tables and jury trials have in common? In this episode of Legal Latitudes, Federico Lathrop sits down with employment litigation lawyer Raj Guha to unpack a journey that runs from UCLA biochemistry, to seven years as a professional poker player, to fighting for employees’ civil rights in court.

Raj shares how strategy, discipline, and the ability to read people carried him from the card room to the courtroom. Along the way, he breaks down common myths around wrongful termination and hostile work environments, explains why telling your lawyer the truth is non-negotiable, and reveals the biggest lessons he learned starting a firm from scratch.

Whether you’re an employee wondering about your rights, a lawyer thinking of going solo, or just curious how poker strategy translates to trial advocacy, this episode is packed with stories, insights, and practical takeaways. You will have fun listening and learn tons.

In this episode of Legal Latitudes, we sit down with the an awesome nice kind and great lawyer. Ike Kaludi—a powerhouse trial lawyer with Indian-Ecuadorian roots.

We talk about everything from growing up Catholic and questioning authority, to channeling personal truth in front of a jury, and how being real beats being rehearsed—every time.

Ike opens up about his time at the Trial Lawyers College, how authenticity and vulnerability changed the way he tries cases, and why cross-examination isn’t just strategy—it’s storytelling.

We also dig into:

• How your culture and upbringing shape your presence in the courtroom
• Why every depo should be treated like a cross
• The art of finding real witnesses who move a jury
• What it takes to stand out as a trial lawyer today

This one’s full of insights, truth bombs, and heart. Whether you’re a young lawyer, a seasoned vet, or just love a good story about resilience and realness, you don’t want to miss this conversation.

🎙️ New episode of Legal Latitudes—streaming now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen.

In this episode of Legal Latitudes, we sit down with Arya Tahmassebi — trial lawyer, law firm partner, and rising force in LA’s personal injury scene.

Arya shares what it was like starting out in one of the most competitive markets in the country, working his way from law student to partner at Mendez & Sanchez, one of the fastest-growing firms in Los Angeles.

We talk about what keeps trial lawyers hooked on the courtroom, how to scale a practice without burning out, and what it takes to lead — especially when your team is remote and working across borders. (Yes, Arya's team includes members based in Honduras.)

We also get into law firm systems, the role of AI, and how to keep your edge as a young lawyer navigating both business and litigation.

Whether you’re trying to build your own firm, love trial work, or just want to hear a sharp and humble perspective on making it in law — this one’s for you.

In this episode of Legal Latitudes – The Lathrop Law Podcast, I sit down with Sarah Havens, the 2025 President of Consumer Attorneys of San Diego and an absolute star in the courtroom. But before she was leading the justice charge, she was dominating the snowparks as a competitive snowboarder, throwing down rotations and pushing limits.

Sarah and I connect on a great level, especially when it comes to translating the drive and intensity of extreme sports into the legal world. We talk about her journey—from shredding mountains to taking on big cases, her early years as an attorney, and the legal conferences that shaped her career.

But this conversation gets personal. Sarah opens up about a pivotal part of her life: her decision to quit drinking and embrace an alcohol-free lifestyle. It’s a raw and honest discussion about personal growth, balance, and how making tough choices can impact your career and well-being.

We also break down the evolving landscape of personal injury trial work, the overwhelming number of legal seminars out there, and what it really takes to be a top trial lawyer today.

🔥 If you're looking for an authentic, inspiring, and high-energy conversation about law, life, and pushing limits, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now on YouTube, iTunes, and Spotify! Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share—we’d love to hear your feedback! 🚀

🎙️ In this episode of Legal Latitudes, host Federico Lathrop welcomes two fun, dynamic, and interesting guests full of great insights for trial lawyers, Steve Hohman and Olivia Espinosa from Haus of Improv, are redefining trial preparation with techniques straight from the theater stage.

Steve and Olivia bring their extensive backgrounds in improv and acting to the legal world, sharing powerful tools that every trial lawyer can use to transform their courtroom presence. In this episode we dive deep into:

• The game-changing "Yes, And" mindset and how it can make cross-examinations more fluid and effective.
• Breaking free from rigid scripts and embracing spontaneity to connect with juries on a deeper level.
• The secrets of compelling storytelling that help trial lawyers create narratives that stick.
• Practical tips on mastering body language, non-verbal cues, and active listening in high-pressure situations.

Whether you’re a seasoned attorney looking to sharpen your skills or just curious about the intersection of law and theater, this episode offers actionable insights and fresh perspectives. Get ready to learn how improv can help you embrace the unexpected, connect authentically, and elevate your performance in the courtroom.

💡 Tune in now to discover the art of improvisation and how it can change the way you approach trial lawyering.

In this special episode of LegaLatitudes, the roles are reversed as Amelia Brummel takes the lead and interviews host Federico Lathrop. Federico shares his unique journey from advocating for victims of domestic violence in Chile to practicing law in the U.S. Starting in Big Law with real estate cases, Federico now focuses on personal injury, specifically traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases. Join us as we dive into the complexities of brain injury litigation, while also uncovering Federico’s story of resilience, growth, and dedication to justice across borders.