The Chris Jackman Show

In this episode, Chris Jackman pulls back the curtain on what a real family law case actually looks like, from the moment a client walks through the door to the long, often messy road toward resolution.

Chris walks through a true case involving a contested divorce with children, covering child support, alimony, and property division, and explains why he tackles these issues in a specific order, saving the most difficult and emotionally charged issue for last.

Along the way, Chris talks about why negotiation makes up the bulk of a family law attorney's work, why "best interests of the child" is such a vague and contested legal standard, and how witnesses can end up tipping the scales in a custody dispute when both parents look equally good on paper.

This is part of an ongoing case series, so make sure to subscribe to see how it's ultimately resolved in a future episode.

What you'll hear in this episode:

-The real timeline of a divorce case from start to finish

-How child support, alimony, and property division actually get negotiated

-Why custody and visitation are almost always saved for last

-The role witnesses play when neither parent has an obvious edge

-What it really means for a judge to weigh the "best interests of the child"

If you found this episode valuable, please subscribe and leave a review. It helps others find the show.

Disclaimer: This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No identifying details of real clients are shared.

Connect with us:

Website: https://www.jackmanfirm.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheChrisJackmanShow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackmanlawfirm/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisjackmanlawyer

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jackman-65a9a3253/

Getting hired straight out of law school is tougher than most students expect, and grades aren't the deciding factor most people think they are. In this episode, Chris Jackman, owner and managing attorney of Jackman Law Firm, shares what he actually looks for when hiring new attorneys.

Chris covers:

-Why internships and externships beat GPA when it comes to getting hired

-How to network your way in, even in a remote-first legal world

-The "send it and delete it" mindset firms want from new hires

-A pitch strategy that puts your resume at the top of the pile

-Why building a relationship with a recruiter can make all the difference

Whether you're still in law school or a recent grad in the job hunt, this episode offers a practical, real-world look at what it takes to get hired.

If this episode was helpful, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who's job hunting.

Connect with us:

Website: https://www.jackmanfirm.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheChrisJackmanShow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackmanlawfirm/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisjackmanlawyer

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jackman-65a9a3253/

In this episode, Jackman Law Firm founder Chris Jackman shares one of the most personal stories from his career: A case that came to him just a month before trial, after his client had spent nearly a year with another firm and felt like nothing was moving.

Chris walks through what happened next: An emergency prep for trial, a father fighting for custody of his two young children while also facing a 50/50 split of the business he'd built from scratch, and a three-week courtroom battle. The outcome wasn't what anyone expected, and it led to an international custody case that invoked the Hague Convention.

This episode is a real, behind-the-scenes look at how family law cases actually unfold.

What happens when you change lawyers mid-case?

Why aren't trial dates as fixed as people think?

And why is negotiating a settlement often better than rolling the dice in front of a judge?

If you're a father navigating a divorce or custody dispute, this story will hit close to home.

Connect with us:

Website: https://www.jackmanfirm.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheChrisJackmanShow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackmanlawfirm/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisjackmanlawyer

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jackman-65a9a3253/

In this episode, I'm sharing something I've never really talked about before: The full behind-the-scenes story of how I built the Jackman Law Firm into the practice it is today.

I take you all the way back to January 2014, when I started the firm with no real direction and no niche. My very first case? A speeding ticket I picked up from a stranger in a courthouse hallway. From there, I slowly found my way into family law, discovered a real passion for helping fathers navigate some of the hardest moments of their lives, and never looked back.

I talk about the case that changed everything: A high-stakes custody battle that taught me more about client management and keeping my composure under pressure than anything else in my career. I also get into how COVID, as disruptive as it was, gave me the space to rethink everything and commit to growing the firm in a way I never had before.

From hiring my first attorney in 2021, to building out an intake team, developing a leadership structure, and opening an office in Houston, I walk through all of it, including what went right, what went wrong, and where I see Jackman Law going from here.

If you're fresh out of law school, a lawyer thinking about going out on your own, or just someone curious about what it really takes to build a business from scratch, I think you'll get a lot out of this one.

Connect with us:

Website: https://www.jackmanfirm.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheChrisJackmanShow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackmanlawfirm/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisjackmanlawyer

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jackman-65a9a3253/

Choosing a family law attorney isn't just a legal decision, it's a personal one. With the average case lasting a year and some stretching to three, the lawyer you hire becomes your advocate, your counselor, and in many ways, your lifeline through one of the hardest seasons of your life.

In this episode, Chris Jackman, owner and managing attorney of Jackman Law Firm, walks you through the six factors that should drive your decision when hiring a family law or divorce attorney. Chris breaks down what separates a great attorney from one who will leave you in the dark.

Whether you're at the beginning of a divorce, navigating a custody dispute, or simply want to be prepared, this episode gives you a practical, no-nonsense playbook for finding the right attorney.

Connect with us:

Website: https://www.jackmanfirm.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheChrisJackmanShow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackmanlawfirm/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisjackmanlawyer

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jackman-65a9a3253/

What really goes into preparing a family law case for trial? In this episode, attorney Chris Jackman pulls back the curtain on the real work that happens months before stepping into the courtroom.

Chris explains why most family law cases never actually go to trial, yet the best attorneys prepare as if every case will. From reverse-engineering the outcome you want, to gathering documents, lining up witnesses, working with appraisers and forensic accountants, and even rehearsing arguments, this episode walks through the full trial-prep roadmap.

You'll hear practical advice for young lawyers, insights into the mindset needed to reduce trial anxiety, and why preparation, not the courtroom itself, is where cases are truly won or lost.

If you're a lawyer, law student, or simply curious about how the legal process works behind the scenes, this episode is a must-listen.

Connect with us:

Website: https://www.jackmanfirm.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheChrisJackmanShow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackmanlawfirm/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisjackmanlawyer

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jackman-65a9a3253/

Your first year in family law can feel overwhelming, emotional, and nonstop, but it doesn't have to burn you out.

In this episode, we break down what it really takes to survive (and thrive) in your first year practicing family law. From managing emotionally charged clients and difficult opposing counsel to learning how to communicate effectively in high-stakes situations, this conversation offers practical advice you won't find in a textbook.

You'll learn:

• Why family law is unlike any other practice area

• The importance of over-communicating and why phone calls still matter

• How to balance compassion with professional distance

• Why honesty, even when it's hard, builds long-term trust

• The danger of tying your self-worth to client reactions

• How mentorship and community can accelerate your growth

• Why you should prepare every case as if it's going to trial

• How to protect your mental health by taking control of your calendar

• The value of watching court hearings to sharpen your courtroom instincts

Family law offers one of the most direct and meaningful ways to impact someone's life, but it demands resilience, boundaries, and preparation. If you're stepping into this field for the first time, this episode will help you set realistic expectations and build the foundation for a long, sustainable career.

If you're ready to approach your first year with clarity, confidence, and strategy, this episode is for you.

Connect with us:

Website: https://www.jackmanfirm.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheChrisJackmanShow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackmanlawfirm/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisjackmanlawyer

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jackman-65a9a3253/

Divorce can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to finances. In this episode, attorney Chris Jackman breaks down how assets are divided in a divorce and what you should realistically expect from the court system.

From dividing the family home to understanding child support, alimony, and retirement accounts, this episode explains the financial issues that cause the most stress during a divorce. Chris also covers the difference between community and separate property and addresses common misconceptions about business ownership in divorce cases.

Whether you're going through a divorce now or planning ahead, this episode offers clear, practical guidance to help you navigate the financial side of divorce with confidence.

-How courts divide assets in a divorce

-What happens to the family home

-Buying out a spouse vs. selling the home

-Child support basics and how it's calculated

-Whether 50/50 custody eliminates child support

-How alimony (spousal support) is decided

-Dividing retirement accounts, 401(k)s, and pensions

-Separate vs. community property explained

-How businesses are handled in divorce

Are you going through something like this? Connect with us:

Website: https://www.jackmanfirm.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheChrisJackmanShow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackmanlawfirm/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisjackmanlawyer

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jackman-65a9a3253/

Are fathers really at a disadvantage in family court?

In this episode, family law attorney Chris Jackman breaks down the most common myths and misconceptions surrounding fathers' rights, child custody, and the family law system.

If you're a dad facing divorce, custody, or parenting time issues, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by misinformation from Google searches, social media, Reddit forums, and even AI tools. Drawing on over a decade of experience representing fathers exclusively, Chris pulls back the curtain on how family law actually works for dads today, and why many long-held beliefs are outdated or flat-out wrong.

This episode covers:

-Whether family courts are truly biased against fathers

-The truth about custody decisions and parenting time

-Why old stereotypes about moms automatically getting custody still persist

-What fathers need to understand before entering family court

Our goal is to give fathers clarity, confidence, and practical insight, so they can make informed decisions during one of the most stressful times of their lives.

Are you going through something like this? Connect with us:

Website: https://www.jackmanfirm.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheChrisJackmanShow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackmanlawfirm/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisjackmanlawyer

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jackman-65a9a3253/

What does a real win look like in family court? In this episode, family law attorney Chris Jackman breaks down the three core factors that truly determine success in a divorce or custody case and why most people misunderstand what "winning" actually means.

You'll learn: • How custody and visitation schedules are decided • Why fathers often face bias in family court (and how to navigate it) • How to avoid wasting thousands in unnecessary legal fees • What temporary orders are and why they can completely change your case • Why mediation is often the fastest, least expensive path to resolution • How to shorten your divorce or custody battle and avoid a year-long court fight

If you're going through a divorce, custody dispute, or fighting for fathers' rights, this episode gives you a realistic, experience-based roadmap for protecting your time, money, and relationship with your children.

Connect With Us!

Website: https://www.jackmanfirm.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheChrisJackmanShow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackmanlawfirm/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisjackmanlawyer

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jackman-65a9a3253/