The Defense Never Rests

What drives you each day to keep working toward your professional goals? Better question…do you know what those goals even are? Some of us are determined to put in the work solely to best serve our insureds. Others it could be monetary rewards or promotions. And for some, providing for our families are the reason we are motivated to succeed. It also could be a number of things. But for each and every one of us, there is some fire inside that drives us. Even if you do not consciously realize it is there. For our guest this week on The Defense Never Rests, Nicole Pielli, General Counsel of First Tek, Inc. she is driven to succeed not only to provide for her family but as an example to her daughter as to why you work hard. I think many of us can relate to this. Nicole has worked tirelessly as a single working mother to make sure her daughter has all the opportunities available to her that she deserves. But also she wants to be a positive example of what we can accomplish if you put the work in. And Nicole definitely put in the work! Not only has she proven herself in private practice, at a big four accounting firm and now as GC at a large technology company, but she sat for the bar a mere few weeks after giving birth. And passed. I would say she wears a cape and has a super power of pure grit and determination. That is certainly a positive example for her daughter – way to go Nicole! If you do not know why you put in the work or what your goals are, you should not miss this podcast. Nicole's story will certainly inspire you. So, asking again, what drives you to succeed?

How does the average juror view the trucking industry? You know what we mean, does the average individual have a positive or negative opinion of truckers. As we approach the holiday season with warnings of supply shortages and we are worrying about getting those all important gifts in time, I would venture a guess that the average person is relying on the trucking industry quite a bit. Even if we may not always be consciously aware of it. We needed it 18 months ago when we were not leaving our homes. We need it today and we will certainly need it tomorrow. Simply said, we, as a society, need the transportation industry. On this installment of Hot Topics in Trucking, my dear friend and fellow Philadelphia attorney Jared Shafer jumps into the hot seat to discuss the latest issues we are seeing in the trucking industry. Jared is no stranger to defending catastrophic lawsuits and the specific challenges he has seen his clients face over the years. He dives into how we can humanize companies and help change the dialog. How do you think we should change the dialog?

What do you think are the hot topics the trucking industry is facing right now? Driver shortage… Nuclear verdicts... Or is it something else? This week on the Defense Never Rests we launch a new series: Hot Topics in Trucking where I set up a special podcasting booth at the TIDA Annual Conference and jumped into the upcoming trucking trends and what we can do to prepare for what is to come. First up is Andrew Stephenson a seasoned litigator with years of defending national trucking companies from catastrophic claims who was brave enough to be the first one to sit down at the podcast booth. Andrew brings a surplus of knowledge and experience wherein he can offer his insight as to what is hot now and what we should look out for next. He also tried to take over my job as host… If you work in claims in the trucking industry, this series is a must listen. What do you think we need to be ready for next?

When you assign your outside counsel, did you ever stop and think about the traits you're seeking? Maybe it is an aggressive approach to litigation. Maybe it is mental dexterity. Maybe both. Perhaps trial experience is an absolute "must." Perhaps you just genuinely like working with them. No matter what characteristics your outside counsel exhibits, chances are they are different from other risk managers and claims handlers across the country, let alone the globe. This week on "The Defense Never Rests," we are joined – again – by Matt Margolis, who, after years of private practice, recently moved on to become the Director of Legal & Risk Management at Lloyd Jones. In this episode, we talk about not only the transition from firm attorney to risk manager, but also what traits he looks for when he hires outside counsel. Given his background, Matt offers a truly unique perspective. Just a few months ago, he was being assigned files from the people in the very seat in which he now sits! Matt can still vividly recall working up the defense of a file. But now he is the one asking the tough questions and making the big decisions. Most importantly, he's learned what he likes (and loathes) in outside counsel. Spoiler: brevity in reporting is preferred! Matt also talks about how tough it was to "let go of the reins" and let someone else – someone who he might not have ever met and with whom he only recently started working – steer the ship through litigation. And, of course, if you have tuned into other episodes with Matt, you know he is a fun and engaging guest that is easily recognized as Matt the Millennial Lawyer! What challenges have you faced when managing outside counsel?

Undeniably, not the sexiest event during litigation. But, in many cases, it might just be the most vital piece of your defense. There are so many elements to consider to achieve a successful corporate designee deposition. Responding to the deposing counsel's notice. Choosing the right deponent. Preparing the designee. This week on the Defense Never Rests we are joined by Wade Vandiver, who breaks down corporate designee depositions for us. He not only practiced defending extra-contractual and coverage claims, but spent the bulk of his career at a carrier where he managed outside counsel in their defense of these claims. In fact, he might even be an expert on this topic as he has sprung his experience into his own consulting business. But today we got him for free! During his career he has witnessed the good and the bad..…and wants to share his tips and tricks to a successful deposition. But also how to manage your counsel to get the best results for your case. What do you think are the most important factors when preparing for corporate designee depositions?

Do you know how implicit gender bias is impacting your workplace? It is not always easy to spot and the best of us may be guilty of it as well. Each year, nearly half of graduating law students are women. However, the number of women in partnership or managerial positions is grossly disproportionate to men. This trend is not just seen in the legal field. Women in managerial positions across professional industries, including the insurance industry, are more likely to be male-dominated. Why do we continue to see this happening? We tackle that very question this week on the Defense Never Rests with a lively panel of women - Jamie Szal, Karly Wannos and Helen Yoon – to take a deep dive into gender and racial bias in the work place. We discuss our personal experiences and observations during the course of careers but also some tactics we've used to overcome barriers in our way. Which starts with being our true authentic selves. The more important question we raise is: what can we do to change it?

Have you wondered how to become a sports lawyer? What does a sports lawyer do? In this episode of The Defense Never Rests podcast, we are joined by Sam Burum, associate counsel for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. Sam currently works with the New Jersey Devils and The Philadelphia 76ers behind the scenes and he is here to answer those questions!

This week on The Defense Never Rests we are joined by Porter Nelms, VP of Claims at Premier Group Insurance Company, who after over 25 years in the industry has witnessed first hand how the insurance industry is changing with the times.