The Dirty Verdict

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, hosts Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert sit down with Judge Christine Weems of the 281st District Court in Harris County, Texas for a wide-ranging conversation about law, trial work, mock trial, theater, and the unexpected path that shaped her career.

Judge Weems shares how she went from an English major at the University of Texas to South Texas College of Law, where mock trial helped her overcome a fear of public speaking and discover her love for advocacy. She talks about early trial experience, mass tort litigation, moving between Houston, Dallas, and New York, working document review while pursuing theater, and eventually returning to Texas to build a litigation career that led to the bench.

The conversation also covers what motivated her to run for judge, the importance of trial experience on the bench, and her continued work in the arts through Cone Man Running Productions, including lawyer-cast theater productions that even offer CLE credit.

• Judge Weems' unconventional path from English major to trial lawyer to district court judge
• How mock trial helped her overcome fear of public speaking and discover courtroom advocacy
• Early lessons from working as a law clerk and being handed real litigation responsibility
• The impact of tort reform on asbestos and silica litigation work in Texas
• Her time in New York pursuing acting, theater, and entertainment work while still practicing law
• Returning to Texas for Hurricane Ike litigation and rebuilding a trial-focused career
• Why trial experience matters for judges and how courtroom experience shaped her decision to run
• The story behind Cone Man Running Productions and its lawyer-led theater productions
• How legal professionals can participate in or attend theater productions while earning CLE credit

00:00 — Introduction to Judge Christine Weems 01:43 — College background, UT, English major, Spanish minor, and unusual classes 05:26 — Discovering mock trial and meeting Brett Dressler 07:02 — Growing up in Spring and the early pull toward law 07:57 — How mock trial helped her overcome fear of public speaking 08:43 — South Texas College of Law and early work with Robert Clark 09:22 — Choosing litigation over transactional law 10:29 — First jury verdict and early trial experience 11:12 — Moving to Dallas after 9/11 and working in asbestos litigation 12:39 — Missing the courtroom and returning to plaintiff-side trial work 14:08 — Houston theater, acting, and finding a creative outlet outside law 15:12 — Going to New York for acting conservatory 16:06 — Tort reform, asbestos/silica litigation, and a shifting job market 18:51 — Document review, theater work, and extra roles on 30 Rock and Law & Order 21:57 — Meeting her husband, family life, and deciding where to practice law 22:36 — Returning to Texas for Hurricane Ike litigation 23:30 — Personal injury work, board certification, and trying cases 24:12 — Judicial discretion, courtroom experience, and what sparked the idea of running 26:17 — Why she decided to run for judge 26:48 — The 2018 judicial race and life on the bench 29:51 — Founding Cone Man Running Productions 31:07 — Lawyer-cast theater productions and CLE credit 36:18 — Promoting And Then There Were None at Spring Street Studios

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict Podcast, Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert sit down with trial lawyer Alice Lima Lovchik for a wide-ranging conversation about law, trial work, immigration, civility, and heavy metal.

Alice shares her story of moving from Brazil to Houston, rebuilding her legal career from the ground up, learning English, working her way from file clerk to paralegal, and eventually passing both the New York and Texas bar exams. She also talks about her work in personal injury, immigration law, and why she feels called to serve Houston's immigrant community through her trial practice.

The conversation also gets into Alice's life outside the courtroom as a metal vocalist, her love for grindcore and thrash metal, and how her intense stage presence contrasts with the calm, measured way she handled a highly controversial trial incident involving opposing counsel. The hosts and Alice also discuss courtroom civility, trial nerves, lessons from losses, mentorship, and the kind of wisdom trial lawyers would give their younger selves.

Major Topics Discussed:

00:00 — Opening, host introductions, and Peter's son being drafted by the Miami Dolphins

02:19 — Introducing Alice Lima Lovchik and her reputation as both a trial lawyer and metal vocalist

03:01 — Thrash metal, death metal, grindcore, and Alice's former band Evocation

05:09 — Alice's background in Brazil, moving to Houston, and meeting her husband at a rock show

07:49 — Starting over in the U.S., learning English, and entering the legal field as a file clerk

09:42 — Earning her LLM, passing the New York bar, and later passing the Texas bar

11:59 — Alice's early legal career, working with Darrell Barger, and deciding insurance defense was not for her

14:03 — Working with Javier Marcos, moving into immigration law, and later returning to personal injury

16:20 — Marcos & Associates, trying cases frequently, and serving Houston's Hispanic and immigrant communities

18:43 — How Alice evaluates cases, prepares for trial, and manages a large litigation docket

21:06 — Trying 25 cases in 12 months and the rush of being in trial

23:12 — Judges, livestreamed courtrooms, and how public clips can shape perceptions

28:46 — The controversial trial incident involving opposing counsel taking a photo of Alice's notes

32:38 — How Alice handled the incident, why she chose restraint, and what civility looks like under pressure

38:18 — Maintaining professionalism with opposing counsel after serious conflict

43:13 — Houston's metal scene, White Swan, and Alice's next musical chapter

45:32 — Alice's book project collecting stories and lessons from trial lawyers

48:45 — The hosts and Alice answer questions about their best moments as trial lawyers

54:42 — Trial losses, humility, and advice for younger lawyers

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict Podcast, Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert sit down with trial lawyer Alice Lima Lovchik for a wide-ranging conversation about law, trial work, immigration, civility, and heavy metal.

Alice shares her story of moving from Brazil to Houston, rebuilding her legal career from the ground up, learning English, working her way from file clerk to paralegal, and eventually passing both the New York and Texas bar exams. She also talks about her work in personal injury, immigration law, and why she feels called to serve Houston's immigrant community through her trial practice.

The conversation also gets into Alice's life outside the courtroom as a metal vocalist, her love for grindcore and thrash metal, and how her intense stage presence contrasts with the calm, measured way she handled a highly controversial trial incident involving opposing counsel. The hosts and Alice also discuss courtroom civility, trial nerves, lessons from losses, mentorship, and the kind of wisdom trial lawyers would give their younger selves.

00:00 — Opening, host introductions, and Peter's son being drafted by the Miami Dolphins

02:19 — Introducing Alice Lima Lovchik and her reputation as both a trial lawyer and metal vocalist

03:01 — Thrash metal, death metal, grindcore, and Alice's former band Evocation

05:09 — Alice's background in Brazil, moving to Houston, and meeting her husband at a rock show

07:49 — Starting over in the U.S., learning English, and entering the legal field as a file clerk

09:42 — Earning her LLM, passing the New York bar, and later passing the Texas bar

11:59 — Alice's early legal career, working with Darrell Barger, and deciding insurance defense was not for her

14:03 — Working with Javier Marcos, moving into immigration law, and later returning to personal injury

16:20 — Marcos & Associates, trying cases frequently, and serving Houston's Hispanic and immigrant communities

18:43 — How Alice evaluates cases, prepares for trial, and manages a large litigation docket

21:06 — Trying 25 cases in 12 months and the rush of being in trial

23:12 — Judges, livestreamed courtrooms, and how public clips can shape perceptions

28:46 — The controversial trial incident involving opposing counsel taking a photo of Alice's notes

32:38 — How Alice handled the incident, why she chose restraint, and what civility looks like under pressure

38:18 — Maintaining professionalism with opposing counsel after serious conflict

43:13 — Houston's metal scene, White Swan, and Alice's next musical chapter

45:32 — Alice's book project collecting stories and lessons from trial lawyers

48:45 — The hosts and Alice answer questions about their best moments as trial lawyers

54:42 — Trial losses, humility, and advice for younger lawyers

57:04 — Balancing legal work, mental health, family, and professional ambition

58:54 — Where to find Alice online, her music, and her firm information

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, hosts Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden sit down with trial lawyer and settlement planner Dan Horowitz for a conversation that starts with classic Dirty Verdict chaos and eventually lands on some genuinely valuable guidance for lawyers handling serious personal injury cases.

Dan walks through his path from Bay City, Texas, to the University of Texas, South Texas College of Law, Abraham Watkins, and eventually opening his own firm. Along the way, the group covers law school networking, the realities of partnership points, going out on your own, and why relationships matter just as much as legal skill.

The second half of the episode shifts into Dan's current work in settlement planning, structured settlements, trusts, tax-free growth, fee deferrals, and how lawyers can better protect clients after a major recovery. Dan explains why settlement planning should not be treated as an afterthought, especially in cases involving minors, catastrophic injuries, long-term care needs, or clients receiving life-changing sums of money.

00:00 – Introduction / Meet Dan Horowitz

01:20 – Growing Up in Bay City, Texas

02:20 – Getting Expelled Senior Year

05:30 – Getting Into UT and Coasting Through the End of High School

07:00 – Driving Buses at UT / Early Work Stories

13:20 – Studying Business at UT

15:10 – Law School Path

16:20 – Biggest Law School Regret: Not Networking More

22:10 – Dan's Professional Background and Recognition

23:20 – Early Legal Career and Firm Progression

25:45 – Becoming an Equity Partner

28:45 – Leaving to Start His Own Firm

31:25 – Transitioning Into Settlement Planning

33:00 – Getting His Insurance License

35:30 – Getting His Securities License

37:15 – Structured Settlements Explained

38:40 – Downsides of Structured Settlements

40:30 – Inflation Risk and Long-Term Planning

42:00 – Planning for Minors and Catastrophic Injury Cases

46:00 – When Lawyers Should Bring in a Settlement Planner

48:30 – Deferring Attorney Fees

51:00 – Structures as Protection From Bad Decisions or Pressure

52:40 – Customizing the Plan for Each Client

The Dirty Verdict Hosts sit down with legendary lawyers, Dan Cogdell, Rusty Hardin and Erica Harris to discuss civility in the legal space.

This week on The Dirty Verdict Podcast, Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden sit down with renowned jury consultant Robert Swafford for a deep dive into the strategy behind jury selection, witness preparation, and trial storytelling. Robert explains how he helps lawyers maximize strikes for cause, sharpen voir dire, and prepare witnesses for high-stakes moments in court.

The episode also explores Robert's work on major cases like the Alex Jones trial, his thoughts on why most lawyers misuse voir dire, and what separates effective trial prep from wasted effort. Along the way, the conversation mixes practical courtroom insight with memorable stories about legendary trial lawyers like Joe Jamail and Warren Burnett.

Main topics discussed:

• 0:00 – Robert Swafford joins the show and explains his background as a jury consultant, along with the types of services he offers to trial lawyers.
• 5:00 – What jury consultants actually do, from writing voir dire scripts to courtroom coaching, witness prep, focus groups, and settlement videos.
• 13:00 – How to maximize strikes for cause and why jury selection is really about removing the worst jurors rather than finding the "perfect" panel.
• 25:00 – The language of voir dire, including why wording matters, how to ask better questions, and why most lawyers make it harder than it needs to be.
• 39:00 – Lessons from the Alex Jones trial, including written juror questionnaires, identifying problem jurors early, and navigating a highly charged panel.
• 47:00 – Legendary courtroom stories, featuring Joe Jamail and Warren Burnett, plus what those stories reveal about advocacy and jury work.
• 59:00 – Witness preparation in high-stakes cases, including Robert's work preparing Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis for powerful testimony in the Alex Jones case.

On this episode of The Dirty Verdict, hosts Peter Taaffe and Bill Ogden sit down with powerhouse trial lawyers John Zavitsanos and Monica Uddin of AZA to talk about what makes Houston such a legendary trial-lawyer city, how elite trial teams are built, and why the best courtroom lawyers know how to find the human story in any case. The conversation covers everything from headline-making defamation matters and health care litigation to the future of Texas business courts and what young lawyers actually need to succeed in trial work.

John shares his path from an immigrant upbringing to becoming one of Houston's most respected trial lawyers, along with his perspective on how Houston became a true legal proving ground for courtroom talent. Monica brings insight from the next generation of elite trial lawyers, including her work on high-profile matters and her candid thoughts on legal recruiting, mentorship, and why real trial experience still matters.

The episode also dives into some of the biggest issues shaping modern litigation: the devastating speed of social-media-fueled defamation, the economics behind health care and insurance disputes, and whether Texas business courts are becoming a serious alternative for complex commercial cases. It is a smart, funny, wide-ranging conversation packed with war stories, strong opinions, and a behind-the-scenes look at how great trial lawyers think.

Top highlights from the episode:

• 00:03:06 – John Zavitsanos on his background and why Houston became his destination John talks about growing up in an immigrant family, discovering trial law, and why Houston stood out as the place to learn from the best.
• 00:18:39 – Monica Uddin discusses the Mary Kate Cornett matter Monica breaks down how a viral online rumor spiraled across social media, the real-world toll it took, and the legal and reputational issues that followed.
• 00:29:02 – John on trying cases against major insurance interests A sharp discussion on health care litigation, emergency room reimbursement fights, and why some of those cases became especially personal and meaningful.
• 00:39:19 – Monica on the Drake/UMG dispute Monica explains AZA's Texas-side involvement in litigation tied to the Drake and Kendrick Lamar controversy.
• 00:44:21 – Texas business courts and what they could become John and Monica weigh in on how the new business courts are functioning, where they are succeeding, and what questions are still being worked out.
• 00:52:10 – What AZA looks for in young trial lawyers The conversation closes with a great discussion on training, courtroom reps, firm culture, and why they push young lawyers into real trial work early.

In this wild and wide-ranging episode of Dirty Verdict, the hosts sit down with legendary criminal defense attorney Dan Cogdell for an unfiltered conversation that moves from legal commentary to cultural criticism and back again. Dan talks about the unexpected rise of his own podcast and social media presence, then dives into his sharp perspective on the steep decline in white collar prosecutions, shifting federal priorities, and what that means for defense work today.

The conversation also explores Dan's representation of the EPIC Muslim community development in Plano, including the political backlash, lawsuits, and broader questions about religious liberty, fear-based politics, and how certain communities get turned into convenient political targets. Along the way, the episode detours into Enron, jury strategy, high-stakes litigation, the Harris County DA's office, and the changing business of law—making this one of the most candid, chaotic, and thought-provoking episodes yet.

Major Topics

• Dan Cogdell's new podcast, social media growth, and why short-form content has taken off for him
• The dramatic slowdown in federal white collar prosecutions and shifting enforcement priorities
• Fraud investigations, immigration enforcement, and changes inside the U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI resources
• Dan's representation of the EPIC Muslim community in Plano and the political controversy surrounding it
• Islamophobia, media narratives, and the use of fear in modern politics
• Enron, Jeff Skilling, Andy Fastow, and Dan's firsthand stories from major white collar cases
• Harris County criminal justice, the DA's office, and Sean Teare's leadership compared to the prior administration
• Jury consulting, mock trials, AI-driven trial tools, and how litigation strategy is evolving
• Big verdicts, wrongful death litigation, and the differences between criminal and civil trial work
• The business of law, influence, branding, and how lawyers are adapting to media and public attention

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert sit down with returning guests Matt Greenberg and Mike Streich to talk about launching their new firm and what it really looks like to build a modern plaintiff's practice from the ground up. From leaving a successful firm and betting on themselves, to handling overhead, referrals, office space, and admin headaches, Matt and Mike Streich share the honest realities of starting fresh in today's legal market.

The conversation also dives into how lawyers are using LinkedIn as a real business development and networking tool, why it matters more than ever for younger lawyers, and how online engagement can actually lead to cases and meaningful professional relationships. Beyond firm ownership, the episode gets into bigger-picture issues in litigation, including deposition conduct, objection gamesmanship, confidentiality clauses in settlements, and why more transparency could help level the playing field for plaintiffs' lawyers.

It's a smart, funny, and practical conversation about law practice, entrepreneurship, and the changing business of being a trial lawyer.

Important Highlights

• Matt Greenberg and Mike Streich launch their new firm The guys discuss leaving their former firm, opening their own practice in late 2025, and what pushed them to make the leap.
• What it's really like to start a law firm in 2026 They break down the practical side of launching a firm today, including office space, software, legal research tools, admin work, and managing overhead.
• Why betting on yourself matters Matt and Mike talk about timing, building a bridge before making the jump, and why the fear of regret can be greater than the fear of failure.
• How LinkedIn is changing legal networking and referrals The episode explores how LinkedIn has become a real platform for lawyers to build relationships, share ideas, attract referrals, and even generate cases.
• Thought leadership and improving law practice culture They discuss using public conversations to challenge common frustrations in litigation and push for better practices across the profession.
• Deposition pet peeves and objection abuse Mike and Matt get into sloppy "non-responsive" objections, witness coaching, waiver issues, and the kinds of deposition tactics that frustrate trial lawyers.
• Confidentiality clauses in settlements The group talks about why confidentiality provisions often benefit defendants, when they should actually be negotiated, and why plaintiffs' lawyers should push back.
• Plaintiff resources and the Texas venue map Matt and Mike explain a resource they built for plaintiff lawyers to compare Texas venues and make more informed filing decisions.

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden sit down with former Judge Mike Engelhart for a lively conversation that mixes courtroom insight, legal war stories, and a look at life on and off the bench. Judge Engelhart shares how he approached judging with patience, preparation, and practicality, while also reflecting on some of the memorable moments that defined his time in Harris County.

The conversation touches on his path from New Jersey to Michigan to Houston, his legal beginnings working for John O'Quinn, and the decision to leave private practice for the bench. Judge Engelhart also opens up about losing his judicial primary, returning to private practice at Kherkher Garcia, and why he does not see another run for office in his future.

Along the way, the episode delivers one of the most entertaining stories of the show: the famous case of Wilbur the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, a homeowner's association dispute that turned into a viral courtroom moment. Add in practical advice for trial lawyers, thoughts on litigation funding, and reflections on how lawyers should carry themselves in court, and this episode delivers both substance and personality.

Timestamps & Highlights 00:00 – Judge Mike Engelhart joins the show The hosts welcome former Judge Mike Engelhart and kick things off with humor and stories from lawyers who appeared in his courtroom.

00:01:42 – Favorite Judge Engelhart courtroom moments Peter, Kyle, and Bill share memorable examples of Judge Engelhart's patience, wit, and style from the bench.

00:04:06 – The Wilbur the pig story Judge Engelhart tells the now-legendary story of ruling that Wilbur, a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, qualified as a pet and could stay in a neighborhood despite HOA objections.

00:11:07 – His background: Jersey, Michigan, and Houston Judge Engelhart talks about growing up in New Jersey, attending the University of Michigan, and eventually making Houston his long-term home.

00:15:27 – Spanish studies and studying abroad in Seville He shares how Spanish became a major part of his academic journey and led to a semester abroad in Spain.

00:19:48 – Why he chose the University of Houston Law Center Judge Engelhart explains why Houston was the right place to build a legal career and personal life.

00:20:38 – Family, marriage, and life in Houston He reflects on meeting his wife in law school, raising a family, and building a life in the city.

00:25:35 – Litigation funding and legal industry trends The group dives into a substantive discussion about disclosure of litigation funding and broader changes in the business of law.

00:29:04 – Early legal career and working for John O'Quinn Judge Engelhart discusses his first years in practice, learning procedure and evidence, and doing legal research the old-school way.

00:34:26 – Why he ran for judge He explains what drew him to the bench and how he navigated Harris County's political and legal landscape.

00:40:10 – Best and worst things lawyers can do in trial Judge Engelhart offers practical advice for lawyers on preparation, credibility, courtroom demeanor, and what turns judges off.

00:47:58 – Do judges really read the briefing? He gives a candid answer about how he prepared for hearings and what made written advocacy more effective.

00:48:40 – Leaving the bench and joining Kherkher Garcia Judge Engelhart talks about losing his 2024 primary, transitioning back into private practice, and what he enjoys about his current role.

00:50:07 – Will he ever run for office again? He shares why he believes that chapter is closed and what comes next professionally.

00:51:34 – The cases he's handling now From catastrophic injury matters to national litigation, Judge Engelhart describes the serious cases he is working on today.