The Dirty Verdict

Hosts Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden sit down with Houston trial lawyer Cordt Akers, who lives at the intersection of criminal defense, white collar, and a bit of PI—all while carrying one of the more unusual origin stories you'll hear on the show.

Cordt walks through growing up in Houston, heading to Tulane (where Hurricane Katrina hit on his first day), and spending his early years as a working musician—until a brutal moment of "natural talent vs. hard work" forced a career pivot. That pivot led to South Texas College of Law, mock trial, and a fast, intense run through the Harris County DA's Office, where a terrifying in-flight emergency and an unexpected moment of humanity reshaped how he viewed prosecution—and ultimately why he left.

From there, Cordt breaks down his path into the Dan Cogdell orbit, building a reputation in federal white collar, and what it's like to carry the emotional weight of trial work—especially when the outcome is literally life-changing. He also shares two major acquittals from the year, including a high-emotion murder trial in San Jacinto County and a public corruption case that went sideways for the prosecution in the best way possible.

Funny, serious, and very "Dirty Verdict"—this one moves from My Little Pony headgear to murder trials to the reality of justice, ego, and what makes a great trial lawyer.

Episode Highlights (with timestamps)

• 00:00:41 – 00:01:36 — Christmas edition energy, jokes flying, and Bill's back in the studio
• 00:01:36 – 00:03:14 — Meet Cordt Akers: criminal defense + some PI, and the "multiple practice areas" intro
• 00:03:14 – 00:06:16 — The legend of Brock Akers (Cordt's dad): verdict history, reputation, and the TLA membership banter
• 00:06:16 – 00:11:08 — Houston → Saint Michael's/Jesuit → Tulane… and the jazz musician era (plus Katrina on day one)
• 00:11:08 – 00:12:46 — South Texas Law: dreams of entertainment law die in Contracts I
• 00:12:46 – 00:15:29 — Mock trial war stories: Golden Gate tandem bike terror + "they changed the rules after us"
• 00:15:29 – 00:18:02 — The mock trial culture: training under pressure (and sometimes with a hangover)
• 00:18:02 – 00:20:06 — DA's Office stint (about 20 months) + the brutal elevator moment with Rusty Hardin
• 00:20:06 – 00:22:23 — Working for Dan Cogdell: mentorship, white collar exposure, and leveling up fast
• 00:22:23 – 00:27:14 — The turning point: in-flight engine fire, a stranger's prayer, and Cordt's realization about prosecutorial impact
• 00:27:14 – 00:29:22 — "How do you teach young prosecutors emotional intelligence?" + the ego vs. justice conflict
• 00:29:22 – 00:33:51 — Leaving Dan's shop: taking the "take over the muffler repair center" option and building his own lane
• 00:36:01 – 00:37:08 — Two major acquittals this year: murder case + public corruption case
• 00:37:08 – 00:41:53 — San Jacinto County murder trial breakdown: alleged facts, accident defense, and the emotional verdict moment
• 00:42:10 – 00:44:12 — The "weird" public corruption case: daring the State to call the defendant first… and it backfiring on them
• 00:44:12 – 00:45:24 — Why he usually doesn't talk to juries afterward (and a wild "we thought you were fake" jury comment)
• 00:47:44 – 00:50:34 — Where the DA's office and federal prosecution are headed + why white collar cases feel like they're dwindling
• 00:52:16 – 00:55:30 — Wrap-up: possible Father's Day episode with Brock, where to find Cordt (acresfirm.com), and final laughs

The crew kicks off the holiday episode in peak Dirty Verdict fashion: festive sweaters, friendly roasting, and a proposed "punishment" that somehow turns into high-stakes Trivial Pursuit. Then repeat guest Andrew Cobos jumps in and the conversation shifts from jokes to jaw-dropping: Ironman distances, brutal open-water swims, and why Andrew's next "goal" is somehow even crazier—climbing Mount Everest.

From there, the episode turns serious as Andrew breaks down his firm's work in major mass tort litigation, including PFAS "forever chemical" exposure, firefighting foam, and what those cases mean for veterans and industrial firefighters. The hosts also dig into the realities of taking on the government, how these claims are being built, and the bigger idea behind it all: using litigation to force real-world accountability and policy change—then somehow landing the plane back in Dirty Verdict land with talk of lawyer boxing matches and black-tie fight night.

Timestamps & Highlights

• 00:00:15 – Holiday chaos begins — Peter, Kyle, and Bill trade greetings, jokes, and sweater-season banter.
• 00:00:40 – "Punishment" ideas — the crew floats leprechaun makeup and even retaking the SAT as consequences for missing the memo.
• 00:01:14 – High-stakes Trivial Pursuit — $100 per person, teams allowed… and trash talk immediately escalates.
• 00:02:11 – Andrew Cobos returns — repeat guest is back, and the guys immediately notice he's in serious shape.
• 00:02:33 – Ironman résumé revealed — Andrew details completing two half Ironmans and a full (and clarifies the year).
• 00:02:53 – Ironman distances explained — swim/bike/run breakdown, plus the "it's longer than it sounds" reality.
• 00:03:08 – Galveston + Cozumel swim stories — calm water vs brutal open-ocean conditions.
• 00:04:34 – Full Ironman in Florida — Andrew talks Panama City Beach and why "flat" can still feel brutal.
• 00:05:36 – Next goal: Everest — Andrew explains he's transitioning from endurance racing to mountain climbing.
• 00:06:09 – Everest risk talk — crowding, danger, and the harsh reality of summit attempts.
• 00:06:47 – Andrew's practice growth — the hosts talk about how well his firm is doing and why he keeps it lean.
• 00:09:05 – Lean firm philosophy — small team, low overhead, and staying intentional about growth.
• 00:09:45 – Mass tort focus — Andrew gets into the 3M earplug litigation and the scale of bellwether outcomes.
• 00:10:38 – PFAS explained ("forever chemicals") — what it is, where it came from, and why it's a major national litigation front.
• 00:11:15 – Firefighting foam + cancer discussion — exposure pathways, firefighters, and what makes these cases so serious.
• 00:12:16 – C8 vs C6 — the distinction, the "PR shift," and why it still matters in litigation.
• 00:13:23 – Dose + duration challenge — why proving exposure over time becomes a battlefield in these cases.
• 00:15:03 – Legal-movie sidebar — the crew riffs on classic litigation films and how realistic negotiation scenes can be.
• 00:16:12 – 3M earplug case scale — why it's one of the biggest MDLs and what makes it uniquely massive.
• 00:17:08 – Transition to Fort Hood/Cavazos topic — the conversation turns to a major new, troubling set of allegations.
• 00:18:07 – Andrew's military background + context — West Point, Fort Hood experience, and systemic concerns.
• 00:20:15 – "Floodgates opened" moment — the scope expands quickly once the case becomes public.
• 00:22:22 – Power dynamics + policy failures — Andrew explains why structural safeguards matter in military medical settings.
• 00:24:22 – Moving beyond litigation — emphasis on policy reform and conversations with lawmakers.
• 00:26:48 – Volume of clients referenced — Andrew discusses the scale of representation and coordination.
• 00:31:52 – Intake + mental health support — the firm's workflow and why trauma counseling is a priority.
• 00:34:38 – Broader military context — comparisons to other cases and how these situations escalate institutionally.
• 00:36:17 – Andrew's MP deployments — route security, IED reality, and what that job actually looked like.
• 00:41:07 – Army–Navy tradition — library pushups, West Point culture, and Houston's West Point club.
• 00:43:24 – Why Andrew keeps the firm small — travel, retreats, and culture as a deliberate strategy.
• 00:46:55 – Lawyer boxing idea returns — the crew starts fantasy-booking "Dirty Verdict Fight Night."
• 00:48:10 – White-collar boxing memory — black-tie vibe, big money, and how it could work as an event.
• 00:50:32 – Wrap-up — thanks, shout-outs, and where to follow/listen.

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert sit down with Houston branding powerhouse Chi Nguyen to unpack the real story behind one of the most recognizable legal marketing campaigns in the city: "We Push. You Win."

Chi shares his Houston roots, the wild origin story that pushed him toward law (yes—he got hit with a Nike cease & desist as a teenager), and how a marketing brain + personal injury law became the foundation for a firm built to scale. Then the conversation turns into a full-blown masterclass on billboards, repetition, commuter psychology, emotional decision-making, and building a brand that stays top-of-mind.

They also dive into the less-glamorous side of growth—systems, operations, HR headaches, and maintaining quality while scaling fast—before Chi shares what's next: launching The Nguyen Law Firm and building a legal tech / AI platform designed to help lawyers run leaner and serve clients better.

YouTube-style highlights (with timestamps)

• 00:00:39 — Intro + Chi Nguyen joins the show
• 00:00:53 — Why Chi is one of the most recognizable legal brands in Houston
• 00:02:15 — Chi's Houston upbringing + immigrant family background
• 00:03:13 — "I got sued by Nike for $1,000,000 in 9th grade." 😳
• 00:05:44 — The "Gucci monogram Jordan" moment… and realizing they were fake
• 00:06:23 — How Chi found a China supplier + created a dropship operation
• 00:08:04 — Early Google PPC: "Air Jordan" clicks were $0.10
• 00:08:30 — Scaling from 20 orders/day to 100+ orders/day as a teenager
• 00:08:50 — Nike demand letter hits: fear, panic, and the moment that changed his life
• 00:10:09 — Using the money to help family (not flexing shoes) + why he chose law
• 00:12:40 — U of H marketing + sales program (why it matters)
• 00:14:04 — Why personal injury: watching Jim Adler commercials as a kid
• 00:15:13 — South Texas College of Law + meeting Anthony + starting the firm
• 00:19:04 — The "biggest in Houston" vision + hitting goals early
• 00:22:42 — Spotting a funeral home "For Sale" sign… and turning it into the office
• 00:23:18 — Target audience strategy: why he focused on specific Houston pockets
• 00:25:03 — Billboard strategy begins: planning in 2021, executing in early 2022
• 00:26:34 — Google PPC got wrecked: $500–$600 per click for PI terms
• 00:28:00 — Why billboards still work in Houston (if you do it right)
• 00:29:39 — "You don't have to be everywhere—just be undeniable somewhere."
• 00:30:27 — Repetition math: 250,000 cars/day + stacking boards for 100% capture
• 00:31:21 — People buy emotionally, then justify logically (jury + marketing crossover)
• 00:33:06 — "Your logo is your face." Branding with faces > logos
• 00:35:37 — The psychological hack behind We Push / You Win
• 00:37:18 — Early boards were too busy → simplifying to face + website only
• 00:39:03 — Why they went all-in on branding instead of lead-gen
• 00:40:33 — Timeline expectations: committing to a full year with no panic pivot
• 00:41:52 — Starting budget: around $100K/month for the initial billboard run
• 00:43:31 — The iconic "viral" square board location off 45 & Telephone
• 00:43:58 — Scale: ~50 "permed" boards + building the inventory over time
• 00:46:27 — Scaling operations: bringing in a CEO to systematize and streamline
• 00:49:28 — The hardest part of growth: managing people + protecting culture
• 00:51:12 — What's next: The Nguyen Law Firm + launching a legal tech company
• 00:53:32 — AI thesis: the biggest flex is building lean with small teams
• 00:56:17 — AI for law: case management, comms, virtual depos/mediations
• 00:57:22 — Claude vs ChatGPT + "make the AIs argue" strategy
• 00:59:24 — What lawyers should fear: surveillance, not productivity
• 01:00:27 — Wrap-up + where to find Chi + beta testing timeline
• 01:01:28 — Outro + socials

Welcome back to The Dirty Verdict—and this week, Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert are coming to you Tuesday after Thanksgiving with two things on the agenda: a little post-game storytelling from a wild weekend in Austin, and a masterclass in building a real law practice the right way.

Their featured guest is Stephen Boutros, a board-certified personal injury trial lawyer and proud Texas Aggie, who joins the show for an honest conversation about what it takes to sustain a long, successful career without chasing hype. Stephen walks through his path from South Texas College of Law to plaintiff's work, how a single early verdict changed everything, and why he intentionally runs a lean firm focused on personalized client care—not volume.

Along the way, the guys dive into unforgettable war stories (including a dumpster explosion case and a catastrophic workplace injury caught on video), smart trial strategy when liability isn't perfect, and the practical habits Stephen believes separate great lawyers from average ones: show up prepared, care about people, tell the truth, and do the right thing—especially when nobody's watching.

If you're a young lawyer thinking about going solo (or just trying to build something that lasts), this episode is packed with perspective, tactics, and the kind of wisdom you only get after decades in the arena.

Guest: Stephen Boutros Website: BoutrosLaw.com

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, hosts Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert welcome back fan-favorite trial lawyer Will (now with The Counsel Table podcast) alongside Ryan Loya, who's fresh off launching his own firm. After some classic Dirty Verdict banter—college football pain, unexpected fan shoutouts, and law-firm "launch party" flexes—the conversation pivots into a deep dive on one of the most catastrophic industrial incidents Houston has seen in years: a propylene leak and explosion that devastated a neighborhood in January 2020.

Will and Ryan break down how the litigation evolved into a massive Texas MDL, why the case became "the gamut" of tort claims (personal injury, property damage, business interruption, subrogation, and more), and how the trial team secured two monster verdicts—$37.8M in the first trial and $118M+ in the second. The group also digs into trial strategy: how MDL "trial tracks" get chosen, how the defense approached (and arguably misplayed) damages, the value of picking the right liability narrative, and why juries—especially younger jurors—are thinking differently about corporate accountability.

If you want a real-world masterclass in explosion litigation, MDL mechanics, and trial tactics under pressure, this one's loaded.

Show Highlights (with timestamps)

• 00:00:00 – 00:01:00 — Intro
• 00:01:00 – 00:02:22 — Will's return + the running joke about his podcast spinoff era (The Counsel Table / "coaching tree" banter).
• 00:03:03 – 00:04:28 — Ryan Loya joins, shares his background, and announces his new firm launch (including the Bentley showroom party).
• 00:04:28 – 00:05:33 — Law-firm websites, domain-name chaos, and the "starting a business is just buying URLs" reality.
• 00:06:15 – 00:07:52 — College football detour: hostile road environment stories and Texas/Georgia frustration.
• 00:07:52 – 00:09:43 — Fan shoutouts, the "who's your favorite host?" debate, and the crew reacting in real time.
• 00:09:43 – 00:12:13 — The incident overview: propylene leak, ~10+ hours of gas accumulation, switch flip → explosion → neighborhood damage.
• 00:12:13 – 00:14:00 — Casualties and injuries discussed; why Houston's lack of zoning can put heavy industry next to homes.
• 00:13:42 – 00:15:12 — MDL explained (for non-lawyers): centralized claims, same tort, different damages—how it differs from class actions.
• 00:15:12 – 00:17:03 — The case complexity explodes: nuisance, injury, property, insurer subrogation, business interruption; plus bankruptcy complications.
• 00:18:05 – 00:21:31 — Defendants and liability focus: gas detection systems, service obligations, corporate handoffs, and the "we didn't own it anymore" defense.
• 00:20:47 – 00:21:31 — The first big number lands: $37.8M (Trial 1), and the second: $118M+ (Trial 2).
• 00:21:31 – 00:23:14 — How MDL "trial tracks" are picked: plaintiff picks vs defense picks and the strategy behind each.
• 00:23:14 – 00:24:57 — Settlements/non-suits reshaping the lineup right before trial; trial team composition and collaboration across firms.
• 00:26:03 – 00:28:00 — Trial strategy critique: defense under-anchoring damages, limited pushback, and why that can backfire.
• 00:28:18 – 00:29:31 — Key tactical move: narrowing targets ("ride one horse") to simplify the liability story for the jury.
• 00:31:02 – 00:32:18 — Fault allocation talk + a rare joint enterprise finding discussion and what it means in practical terms.
• 00:33:07 – 00:34:36 — The "reptile" angle without gross negligence: internal safety language like "protect the community" becomes trial fuel.
• 00:38:06 – 00:39:48 — Appellate counsel mentions + jury selection decisions (including shuffling based on early panel composition).
• 00:42:44 – 00:44:14 — Trial 2 injuries: orthopedic workups/surgeries, chemical exposure claims, and the major plaintiff: a 9-year-old with scleroderma.
• 00:46:03 – 00:47:25 — Practice pointer: the danger of trial-depo video strategy and how cross-exam choices can haunt you.
• 00:46:31 – 00:48:30 — Deliberations lasted days; holdout dynamics; biggest award in Trial 2: $58M to the child plaintiff.
• 00:48:30 – 00:49:36 — A Gen Z juror's accountability mindset: "I'm not signing unless the corporate defendant is 51%+."
• 00:50:18 – 00:52:28 — Will reflects on how the show helped his firm; big shoutouts to the collaborative team that carried the case for years.

The Dirty Verdict crew is back with Houston mediator Peter Taaffe and co-host Kyle Herbert—plus producer Amanda—welcoming back Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare for a wide-ranging, candid conversation. Teare breaks down what he's learned in his first months in office, how he's rebuilding morale by bringing veteran prosecutors back, and why he's personally getting back into the courtroom. The discussion also dives into criminal justice priorities, jail population trends, a new diversion concept partnering with trade unions, and how today's immigration enforcement climate is impacting witnesses, prosecutions, and public safety in Harris County.

Main Highlights (with time stamps)

• 00:00:38 – Peter and Kyle kick off the show, explain Bill Ogden's absence, and bring in producer Amanda
• 00:01:44 – DA Sean Teare returns: recap of his election win and what he's focused on now
• 00:04:41 – Rebuilding the DA's office: Teare shares how experienced prosecutors and leaders are coming back
• 00:05:39 – Teare talks trying cases himself—including a major intoxication manslaughter conviction—and why it matters
• 00:07:11 – Leadership style shift: "rolling up sleeves," working dockets, and boosting office morale
• 00:13:02 – Key jail and crime stats: shifting focus away from low-level drug cases toward violent crime priorities
• 00:17:21 – Big opportunity: diversion programs + an innovative partnership with unions/apprenticeships to cut recidivism
• 00:31:04 – Immigration enforcement's real-world courtroom impact: witnesses too afraid (or unable) to testify
• 01:03:42 – "Serial killer?" rumor addressed: Teare explains why the cases point to homelessness/addiction issues instead
• 01:07:51 – Wrap-up: where to follow the show + Teare hints at branding the union diversion initiative

On this episode of The Dirty Verdict, Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert sit down with Houston trial lawyer Sammy Ford of AZA Law Firm for a wide-ranging conversation about big cases, career pivots, and what it really takes to build a life in the courtroom.

Sammy walks us through his journey from growing up in Houston's Third Ward and dreaming of Wall Street, to Harvard, UT Law, a Fifth Circuit clerkship, and stints at powerhouse firms Sussman Godfrey and Abraham Watkins—before landing at AZA. Along the way, he shares war stories from Enron-era work, hedge fund blow-ups, MDLs, and trying complex commercial and injury cases in front of some of Texas's most memorable judges.

From buying his first Bitcoin at an ATM "as a joke" to taking on billion-dollar trading companies after Winter Storm Uri, Sammy breaks down how high-stakes litigation actually works, how big verdicts happen, and why relationships, bar work, and smart marketing still matter. The episode closes with practical, no-nonsense advice for young lawyers who want to carve out a serious trial career in a chaotic legal landscape.

Segment Highlights (with timestamps)

[00:00:38] Opening banter & Halloween costume chatter Peter welcomes listeners back, introduces Bill and Kyle, and the crew roasts Bill's "athletic fit" shirt and his Halloween costume plans.

[00:01:16] Introducing guest trial lawyer Sammy Ford (AZA Law Firm) The hosts welcome returning guest Sammy Ford of AZA, joke about going in "totally cold," and tease hot-button topics from Garza to politics.

[00:02:14] Politics, Garza, and why Peter refuses to go full pundit Light sparring over politics, "woke" jokes, and Peter's insistence on mostly avoiding political rabbit holes in a polarized world.

[00:02:34] Peter vs. Sammy's résumé (and a call to Jennifer Pinkerton) Peter admits Sammy's bio is so stacked he had to stop reading, call friend Jennifer Pinkerton for emotional support, and regroup before finishing it.

[00:03:12] Growing up in Houston's Third Ward & inner-city Catholic school Sammy shares his roots in Third Ward / Riverside Terrace, inner-city Catholic school, and the transition to St. Thomas High School.

[00:03:38] "Absolutely not": Why law was not the first plan In high school, Sammy wanted away from Texas—chasing finance or computer science in California or New York and aiming for Wall Street or Silicon Valley.

[00:04:02] Choosing Harvard & the dot-com bust / Enron era pivot Sammy picks Harvard, then watches the dot-com bubble burst, markets slide, and Enron collapse back home—pressure that nudges him toward law.

[00:05:20] Government major, hated econ, and the "study what you like" lesson He bails on economics, studies government, considers folklore & mythology, and explains why "it doesn't matter what you major in" hits different at Harvard.

[00:07:13] Early Houston litigation work during the Enron fallout Sammy returns to Houston summers to work at Nickens, Keaton, Lawless, Farrell & Flack, seeing Enron officers cycling through the office and Houston from a new, big-firm vantage point.

[00:09:30] UT Law, the infamous Buda apartment & early big-firm life He heads to UT Law, gets tricked into living way out in Buda, and splits summers between Vinson & Elkins and Andrews Kurth, while big-firm tort defense starts to fade.

[00:15:19] Fifth Circuit clerkship with Judge Jerry Smith Sammy talks about clerking for Judge Jerry Smith, why one year of clerking is usually plenty, and how some co-clerks parlay that path all the way to the Supreme Court.

[00:17:27] Sussman Godfrey & the $500M hedge fund blow-up case At Sussman Godfrey, he dives into a major arbitration over a hedge fund blown up by aggressive margin calls during the financial crisis.

[00:20:01] The first Bitcoin buy: $20 at a bar ATM Sammy tells the story of buying about $20 of Bitcoin from an early ATM at a Houston bar, forgetting about it, then finding the receipt years later when it was worth far more.

[00:23:24] Moving to Abraham Watkins for real trial experience He joins Abraham Watkins, tries around 20 cases in five years, and works with Randy Sorrels, Benny Agosto, Mo Aziz, Brant Stogner, and others on serious PI and explosion cases.

[00:29:03] First lead trial: Handwritten appearance at the holiday party At the firm holiday party, Judge Wyman conscripts Sammy into representing a pro se plaintiff the next morning—he handwrites his notice of appearance on yellow legal pad and jumps into his first lead trial.

[00:37:00] Landing at AZA: A blend of Sussman and Abraham Watkins Sammy explains how AZA came onto his radar, why it feels like a mix of high-end commercial litigation and plaintiff-side trial work, and how teams rotate instead of being siloed.

[00:41:07] Winter Storm Uri & the $123M "force majeure" showdown He breaks down representing an Oklahoma producer against Koch Energy over Winter Storm Uri: force majeure declarations, withheld payments, a $123M damages model, and a fast jury verdict in his client's favor.

[00:47:37] Port of Houston vs. Louis Dreyfus & Judge Lynn Hughes Sammy walks through a trial for the Port of Houston over a grain facility against Louis Dreyfus, complete with damaged infrastructure, a cooperative plant manager, and Judge Lynn Hughes cutting off his cross.

[00:52:09] How AZA gets its cases & being the "trial-only" hire Discussion turns to institutional clients, one-off engagements, and being the firm that's brought in when another shop needs a pure trial team to finish the job.

[00:53:47] Lessons from clerkships, Sussman, Abraham Watkins & AZA Sammy lays out key career lessons: don't politically box in your career, fight over what matters (a la Steve Sussman's Trial by Agreement), get deeply involved in the bar, and market yourself so people actually know you're good.

[00:58:11] Closing, Greek Festival talk & where to find Sammy The hosts plug AZA's website, joke about the firm's art and Greek Festival tickets, and wrap with where to find Sammy and future Dirty Verdict episodes wherever you get your podcasts.

Mediator Peter Taaffe and trial lawyer Kyle Herbert host a "diet" edition of The Dirty Verdict with a powerhouse guest: Imrana Manzanares, former ICU nurse turned trial lawyer at Abraham Watkins.

Imrana walks through her journey from the Texas Medical Center to the courtroom, what it's really like doing ICU nursing in Houston, how she pivoted into law school, and how her medical background gives her a serious edge in personal injury cases. She also opens up about raising kids while building a career, surviving floods and tornadoes at the firm's iconic building, and why yoga and fitness are non-negotiables for lawyers' mental health.

• 00:00:40 – "Diet Dirty Verdict" intro Peter and Kyle kick off a slimmed-down episode, joke about hot yoga, matcha, and introduce guest trial lawyer and former nurse Imrana Manzanares.

• 01:27 – From ICU nurse to medicine snob Imrana talks about working as an ICU nurse at St. Luke's and Methodist in the Texas Medical Center, handling pulmonary and surgical ICU patients, and seeing world-class care up close.

• 03:07 – Growing up in Houston & education path She shares about growing up in Alief, moving to Sugar Land, bouncing between Second Baptist and Hastings, then heading to UH, UTB for nursing, a psychology degree, and finally law school at Thurgood Marshall (TSU).

• 05:04 – The pivot from nursing to law Imrana explains how she knew bedside ICU nursing wasn't a lifelong fit, looked at NP and MBA programs, then on a whim took the LSAT, earned a scholarship to TSU, and followed that door when it opened.

• 07:26 – Moving to LA, graduating early & joining Abraham Watkins She describes finishing law school in 2.5 years to join her husband in Los Angeles, coming back to Houston during the 2009 recession, and landing at Abraham Watkins after a Christmas party invite—and staying for 16 years.

• 09:12 – Building a career while raising young kids Imrana talks about starting at the firm with a toddler, getting pregnant with her son, and how the firm let her work 9–3 for years so her career could grow alongside her children.

• 10:22 – Teenagers, growth spurts & mom life She shares where her kids are now (15 and 17), the 4.5" summer growth spurt, and a moment when her son officially became taller than her.

• 11:29 – Husband the builder: arenas, rails, and high-rises Imrana explains her husband's career building major projects like the Spurs' arena, convention centers, the Houston light rail, and a downtown LA high-rise that once housed Soulja Boy.

• 13:16 – Leaving the bedside & how hard ICU really is She opens up about why she didn't want to stay at the bedside forever, how emotionally and physically brutal ICU work can be, and why we should be grateful for doctors and nurses.

• 15:21 – Medical background as a superpower in PI Imrana and the hosts dive into how her nursing background helps her read records, understand medical jargon, and go toe-to-toe with medical experts in depositions.

• 16:35 – Translating doctor/nurse shorthand She explains how she can "read between the lines" in nurses' notes and build a more accurate damages model from medical records.

• 19:10 – The brutal reality of med-mal in Texas Imrana breaks down why she mostly moved away from medical malpractice: tort reform, causation fights, non-economic caps that haven't budged in 20+ years, and why most med-mal cases just don't make economic sense anymore.

• 22:03 – Steering the kids: engineering & debate team She talks about guiding her daughter toward chemical engineering and her son toward law via debate, plus a hilarious "llama haircut vs. Sephora products" argument that shows how sharp he is.

• 24:26 – Work–life balance, networking & "lady who lunches" Imrana explains learning the importance of networking in law (vs. healthcare), juggling lunches, happy hours, mom life, and why her supportive husband and family make it possible.

• 27:18 – Flexible schedules & long-term loyalty She describes how being allowed to work part-time created a win-win: she stayed present for her kids and the firm gained a long-term, loyal trial lawyer.

• 28:21 – Post-Covid remote work & opportunity for women lawyers Imrana shares why she thinks Covid changed the game—Zoom, remote work, and how a little flexibility can unlock huge value from talented moms and caregivers.

• 30:02 – Floods, tornadoes & the legendary Abraham Watkins building The crew recaps multiple floods at the downtown building, converting the flooded first floor into a parking garage, then getting hit by a tornado, and plans for a new three-story expansion.

• 32:59 – Memorable Metro bus case Imrana talks about a tough case against Metro involving a pedestrian client and disputed liability, how many lawyers turned it down, and how she fought through video and liability issues to get a meaningful result.

• 42:15 – Premises tragedies: manhole death & gym shooting She walks through two heartbreaking cases:

  • A woman found in an uncovered, brush-covered manhole behind her home

  • A man randomly shot in the back of the head at a gym and how premises liability is often brutally hard when third-party crime is involved.

• 45:00 – Dump truck crash & finding extra coverage With only a $500k CSL policy and ten claimants, Imrana dug deeper, discovered the dump truck was overloaded, and brought in another responsible party with more coverage to get a better outcome.

• 48:08 – Gas explosion wrongful death case She describes a Dallas-area home gas explosion case where her client was severely burned and later died, litigating against the gas company, and working with experienced explosion lawyers to resolve it.

• 53:59 – Growth & diversity at Abraham Watkins Imrana reflects on the firm's evolution—from an older, mostly male shop to ~30 lawyers, a fully diverse roster, and expansion that just keeps filling up.

• 55:25 – Covid productivity, Zoom practice & remote staff The team talks about how much work they got done during Covid, how Zoom changed depositions and hearings, and how remote work lets them keep talented staff who move or need flexibility.

• 57:32 – Yoga, Peloton & staying healthy as a lawyer Imrana shares how she transitioned from running to yoga in 2017, why yoga is her "end-of-day massage" for desk-job shoulders, uses Peloton and yoga apps, and the importance of movement as lawyers age.

• 58:56 – Yoga culture, crowded studios & Black Swan shout-out They trade stories about sweaty, mat-to-mat classes, shirt-on vs. shirt-off yoga guys, and Imrana shouts out Black Swan Yoga and her favorite studios.

• 1:07:18 – Final takeaways: second careers, flexible firms, and move your body Peter recaps the themes: law as a powerful second career, firms embracing flexible schedules, and the importance of exercise. Imrana closes with her "nurse attorney" perspective on why working out, not self-medicating, is critical for lawyers' mental health.

• 1:08:52 – Outro & where to follow The Dirty Verdict team signs off and reminds listeners to follow and subscribe on Instagram, Spotify, LinkedIn, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, TikTok, Facebook, and more.

The Dirty Verdict — Halloween Edition 2025 🎃 Costumes, bourbon, and big-law war stories collide. Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden welcome fan-favorites Mark Thiessen and Mark Metzger for our annual Halloween bash. It's part comedy hour, part shop talk: mediation mind games, Stowers tactics, billboard math, PI client-poaching, charging trends in Harris & Galveston County, immigration cross-currents, and why this show is—ironically—a very visual medium. Watch for the costumes; stay for the legal gems.

Chapters 00:00 Cold open: "This is a visual medium—watch on YouTube" 00:38 Halloween roll-call + where's Tally? 02:30 Mediation mindset: deadlines, snacks & "sweating out" the other side 03:48 Costumes: Pickle Bill, Michael Myers, Teen Wolf, Bandit, Dorothy 05:39 Road-trip Bandit: Texas to Florida & the Hyundai Tucson saga 06:52 The eternal bunny suit & (soft-core?) Donnie Darko jokes 10:00 Catching up: building a PI practice (marketing, pipeline, burn) 11:45 Client poaching, runners & why criminal court culture is different 13:39 Flat fees vs. hourly; trial dates, Stowers pressure, and the waiting game 15:25 "Letterhead rule," airtight Stowers ideas & certified mail gambits 18:48 Billboard economics (9–15k/mo), reinvesting vs. Lambos 20:16 EOS / Fireproof by Mike Morse; visionary vs. integrator 22:10 Trying cases = better outcomes (criminal & PI parallels) 25:14 Galveston update: new DA appointment + local bar dynamics 28:15 Metzger's bikini-contest emcee gig (marketing that isn't boring) 33:12 Lone Star Rally crossover? Law Tigers chat 37:08 Harris County pulse: charging trends, DV reasonableness, intox manslaughter offers 41:30 Individualizing justice vs. one-size-fits-all sentencing 45:10 Immigration ripples: ICE fears, "witness cards," plea choices 51:20 Lawyers + burnout: immigration bar morale & policy whiplash 54:40 Closing chaos, shout-outs, and where to find the guests 56:48 Follow/Subscribe + platforms

Guests & Links • Mark Thiessen — TexasTrialAttorney • WeFightGiants.com • Mark Metzger — IslandAttorney.com • #IslandAttorney

Watch/Listen YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Music (search "The Dirty Verdict")

Follow The Dirty Verdict IG/TikTok/FB: @thedirtyverdict

The Dirty Verdict — Halloween Edition 2025 🎃 Costumes, bourbon, and big-law war stories collide. Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden welcome fan-favorites Mark Thiessen and Mark Metzger for our annual Halloween bash. It's part comedy hour, part shop talk: mediation mind games, Stowers tactics, billboard math, PI client-poaching, charging trends in Harris & Galveston County, immigration cross-currents, and why this show is—ironically—a very visual medium. Watch for the costumes; stay for the legal gems.

Chapters 00:00 Cold open: "This is a visual medium—watch on YouTube" 00:38 Halloween roll-call + where's Tally? 02:30 Mediation mindset: deadlines, snacks & "sweating out" the other side 03:48 Costumes: Pickle Bill, Michael Myers, Teen Wolf, Bandit, Dorothy 05:39 Road-trip Bandit: Texas to Florida & the Hyundai Tucson saga 06:52 The eternal bunny suit & (soft-core?) Donnie Darko jokes 10:00 Catching up: building a PI practice (marketing, pipeline, burn) 11:45 Client poaching, runners & why criminal court culture is different 13:39 Flat fees vs. hourly; trial dates, Stowers pressure, and the waiting game 15:25 "Letterhead rule," airtight Stowers ideas & certified mail gambits 18:48 Billboard economics (9–15k/mo), reinvesting vs. Lambos 20:16 EOS / Fireproof by Mike Morse; visionary vs. integrator 22:10 Trying cases = better outcomes (criminal & PI parallels) 25:14 Galveston update: new DA appointment + local bar dynamics 28:15 Metzger's bikini-contest emcee gig (marketing that isn't boring) 33:12 Lone Star Rally crossover? Law Tigers chat 37:08 Harris County pulse: charging trends, DV reasonableness, intox manslaughter offers 41:30 Individualizing justice vs. one-size-fits-all sentencing 45:10 Immigration ripples: ICE fears, "witness cards," plea choices 51:20 Lawyers + burnout: immigration bar morale & policy whiplash 54:40 Closing chaos, shout-outs, and where to find the guests 56:48 Follow/Subscribe + platforms

Guests & Links • Mark Thiessen — TexasTrialAttorney • WeFightGiants.com • Mark Metzger — IslandAttorney.com • #IslandAttorney

Watch/Listen YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Music (search "The Dirty Verdict")

Follow The Dirty Verdict IG/TikTok/FB: @thedirtyverdict