Ten Minutes At The Bar With Miami Attorney Michael Tein

Through her tireless commitment to her clients and honing her craft, Lilly Ann Sanchez has become one of the most sought-after trial lawyers in South Florida. Even today, she is often the only woman in the courtroom. So, Sanchez has made it her mission to develop women trial lawyers and lobby for more women and minorities on our benches.

All Miami roads, it seems, run through Roland Sanchez-Medina. He is the Platonic Form of a business lawyer - - and sets the bar high as our first "10 Minutes" with a non-litigator. Sanchez-Medina is a founding partner (and the first two letters) of the now-legendary SMGQ law firm in Coral Gables. He was ACTUALLY LISTENING in high school and has truly modeled his law practice on the Belen Jesuit Prep code of humble service to others. Enjoy.

In today's podcast, Mike interviews Celeste Siblesz Higgins, a renowned defense lawyer who has more than 100 federal criminal jury trials under her belt. She is a past chair of the University of Miami Law School trial skills program; in this episode of 10 minutes at the Bar with Michael Tein, she reveals the secret sauce for dealing with pre-trial jitters.

You will not find a lawyer who appears more at home in the courtroom than today's guest Jacqueline Arango, now global chief of the government-investigations and trial practice at Akerman. In her prior life as an AUSA, Jackie and the FBI investigated and tried the "Liberty City 7" case -- then the biggest post-9/11 terrorism trial in the country. Jackie gives us her motto to practice by and tells us what to do when the inevitable happens in front of a jury.

(NB: This was my first Starbucks interview and my cheap-o mic cord failed, so we "recasted" this episode.)

Attorney Allan Kaiser shares the secrets to being a great trial lawyer. In this episode, Miami attorney Michael Tein banters with Kaiser and encourages him to spill the beans on what makes him so successful in court. Want to know the BEST place to stand in the courtroom? Whether showing a computer power-point in court is a good, or a bad, idea? And what game you should be really, really good at...if you want to be a great litigator? It is all covered in this podcast.

In his first telephone podcast, Mike Tein talks with attorney Melanie Nezer. Nezer is the senior vice president for public affairs for HAIS, where the motto is "Welcome the stranger. Protect the refugee." She explains how HAIS' focus has shifted, yet its purpose and mission remain the same. Nezer offers passionate advice for young lawyers about why it is so important to follow your heart throughout your career...and how the goals she created back in her 20s, are still relevant today. She also shares an important lesson she learned during her first week of work. Here's a hint: it happened during a trial, and she made sure it never happened again.

Miami's own Ira Kurzban literally wrote the book on immigration law. In fact, his Immigration Law Sourcebook is basically the Gray's Anatomy for US immigration lawyers. Today, at a turning point in history, he continues to carry the torch for refugees and asylum seekers. In this episode, Ira shares his passion for the practice of law, the importance of pro bono work, and the one college course he wishes he had taken.

Miami attorneys Michael Tein and Curtis Miner meet at Small Tea in Coral Gables, and discuss topics ranging from advice for young lawyers to Curtis' recent visit to Normandy Beach on the anniversary of D-Day. Curtis shares his tips for staying organized in his legal practice, his most embarrassing moment in trial, and his love of yoga.

In this episode, Miami attorney Michael Tein talks with former Florida legislator JC Planas. Planas shares his groundbreaking experience, shaping Florida election law.

Miami attorney Michael Tein interviews trial master Alex Anguiera. Highlights include Alex's advice to young lawyers, his proudest moments in the courtroom...and a rather inopportune XYZPDQ moment.