The Dirty Verdict

S3 EPS 24: Jeff Davis on Oilfield Trials, Mentors, and Moshing Gone Wrong


Listen Later

Defense trial lawyer Jeff Davis joins Peter, Kyle, and Bill for a fast-moving hour that hops from a wild "mosh pit" case at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion to the nuts and bolts of catastrophic oilfield litigation. Jeff shares early-career war stories with Peter, breaks down indemnity and Chapter 95 fights, and explains why stipulating to liability can defang a jury's anger. You'll hear candid takes on focus groups, witness prep disasters, New Mexico's hedonic damages, and how juries "send a message" without blowing up numbers. We wrap on golf: Bandon trips, Pebble magic, Muirfield Village perfection, Big Cedar surprises—and a Houston muni tale you won't forget.

Highlights

  • Throwback trial: The Pavilion "mosh pit" case, early use of responsible third party, and a conservative jury's $20k punitive "message."
  • Oilfield 101: Catastrophic injury (≈80%) vs. commercial down-hole disputes; indemnity/knock-for-knock dynamics; Chapter 95 control issues.
  • From rig to courtroom: Day-one callouts, OSHA interactions, Permian & New Mexico venues, and why site visits matter.
  • Strategy that moves numbers: How stipulating liability and smart focus groups cool juror anger—and when plaintiffs' detailed demand letters help resolution.
  • Witness prep—good, bad, ugly: The peril of over-coaching, "I don't know" discipline, and the depo pause heard 'round the mediation.
  • Venue quirks: New Mexico wrongful-death hedonic damages and RTP practice to get all actors on the form.
  • Verdicts & lessons: A seven-figure Oklahoma verdict, why "ask" matters, and the anti-reptile effect of accountability.
  • Golf cooldown: Bandon plans, Pebble as #1 played, Muirfield Village conditions, Big Cedar/Payne's Valley cabins, and the Lions/Hermann Park debate.

🎧 Follow and watch: Spotify • YouTube • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Music • TikTok • LinkedIn • Instagram • Facebook.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Dirty VerdictBy Kyle Herbert

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

32 ratings


More shows like The Dirty Verdict

View all
The Bill Simmons Podcast by The Ringer

The Bill Simmons Podcast

30,319 Listeners

Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast by Matt McCusker & Shane Gillis

Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast

11,547 Listeners

This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von by Theo Von

This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von

27,977 Listeners

Pod Save America by Pod Save America

Pod Save America

87,966 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

112,956 Listeners

The Bulwark Podcast by The Bulwark

The Bulwark Podcast

12,769 Listeners

Strict Scrutiny by Strict Scrutiny

Strict Scrutiny

5,839 Listeners

The Journal. by The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

The Journal.

6,114 Listeners

The Shawn Ryan Show by Shawn Ryan

The Shawn Ryan Show

46,336 Listeners

The Dispatch Podcast by The Dispatch

The Dispatch Podcast

3,354 Listeners

The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway by Vox Media Podcast Network

The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

5,672 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

16,362 Listeners

The Next Level by The Bulwark

The Next Level

3,170 Listeners

Pablo Torre Finds Out by The Athletic

Pablo Torre Finds Out

2,479 Listeners

Prof G Markets by Vox Media Podcast Network

Prof G Markets

1,471 Listeners