In this Legend Series episode of The Practice Podcast, Aaron Podhurst shares the defining moments behind a 60+ year career at the highest levels of trial practice.

From the Catskills to the Courtroom

The first in his family to attend college, Aaron earned a basketball scholarship to the University of Michigan and later attended Columbia Law School. He chose law because he loved advocacy, persuasion, and the human side of problem-solving. That instinct became the foundation of a nationally respected trial career.

The Case That Meant the Most

Despite decades of landmark aviation and complex litigation, the most gratifying case of his career was pro bono — helping adoptive parents keep their child after a multi-year legal battle.

His takeaway:
The cases that stay with you are the ones where you truly change someone’s life.

Building a National Aviation Practice

A turning point came after the 1972 Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 crash in the Everglades. As a young lawyer, Aaron asked for a leadership role in the multidistrict litigation. He was appointed chair — a moment that launched a premier aviation practice.

Preparation met opportunity.

On Litigation and Stress

Aaron is candid: trial work is not easy.

• Jurors decide.
• Judges rule.
• Outcomes are public.
• Clients’ futures are on the line.

If you are not feeling stress, you may not care enough. Litigation demands resilience, but for those wired for it, the rewards are unmatched.

Why Pro Bono Matters

He believes pro bono work:

• Makes you a complete lawyer
• Strengthens your reputation
• Earns judicial respect
• Gives young lawyers real courtroom experience

And most importantly, it feels right.

The Secret to Firm Longevity

Podhurst Orsek’s success rests on three pillars:

1. Stay independent.
2. Be excellent at a defined specialty.
3. Protect your reputation.

Skill matters. So does character.

Final Word

Aaron’s message to young lawyers:

• Do work you believe in.
• Take calculated risks.
• Choose your partners wisely, at work and at home.
• Build a reputation that lasts longer than any single case.

This episode is a reminder that longevity in the law is not accidental. It is earned.

Streaming on  YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts. We are also in the top ten percent of listened-to podcasts globally.

Brett M. Amron and Jeffrey Bast sit down with Jim Robinson, Partner at White & Case LLP in Miami, where he leads the firm’s Americas Litigation Section and serves as Chair of the Americas Operations Council. Jim represents U.S. and international clients in complex, high-stakes commercial disputes and is widely respected as a tenacious litigator who believes you do not have to be difficult to be effective.

Jim shares his remarkable path to the law, from growing up on a cattle ranch in Southwest Florida with professional rodeo parents to discovering his passion for litigation during law school. He reflects on the mentorship that shaped his career, why he has spent more than two decades at one firm, and what truly makes lawyers successful in Big Law and beyond. The conversation also dives into defending lawyers in malpractice matters, the importance of proactive lawyering, taking ownership of cases, clear client communication, and building strong teams through leadership and recognition.

The episode closes with a personal look at life outside the courtroom, including community service, faith, family, and the joy of becoming a grandfather. This is a thoughtful and engaging conversation on professionalism, grit, and practicing law with purpose.

Streaming on  YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts. We are also in the top ten percent of listened-to podcasts globally.

Brett and Jeff sit down with Stephen Marino, Jr., Managing Partner of Ver Ploeg & Marino, P.A., one of Florida’s premier policyholder-focused insurance law firms. With decades of experience in complex coverage litigation and firm leadership, Marino offers a candid and insightful look into what it takes to build and sustain a practice at the intersection of commercial litigation, insurance recovery, and client trust. He discusses his unique path to the law (include some speeding tickets along the way), the challenges of managing a high-performing boutique firm, how we teach and learn from younger generations, and the recipe for a perfect smoothie!   

This episode delivers a thoughtful perspective on leadership in a niche that touches nearly every sector of the business world.

Streaming on  YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts. We are also in the top ten percent of listened-to podcasts globally.

For our 200th episode, Jeff and Brett go off-script and revisit the real story behind their partnership, their paths into law, and the early experiences that shaped how they practice today. What starts as a milestone celebration turns into a candid and unexpectedly funny conversation about where they came from, what they learned about each other, and why their careers somehow keep coming back to safety, security, and yogurt.

Listeners will hear about hand-written law school applications, childhood jobs, questionable teenage choices, and the siblings who paved the way. Jeff and Brett also reflect on the deeper purpose behind the podcast: each episode is a small act of gratitude, a chance to thank someone, learn more about them, and highlight the people who support the firm and its community.

They close by reconnecting with the principles that define Bast Amron: committing fully, collaborating with purpose, creating with intention, communicating with clarity, and caring about the people who make the work meaningful.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to the next chapter.

Streaming on  YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts. We are also in the top ten percent of listened-to podcasts globally.

In this episode, Jeff and Brett sit down with Patty Tomasco, a seasoned bankruptcy and restructuring partner at Quinn Emanuel. Known for her calm command in crisis situations and her sharp instincts in high-stakes litigation, Patty brings a rare mix of courtroom experience and boardroom strategy. The conversation spans her path into law, how she became a self-taught bankruptcy lawyer, and how she’s carved out a leadership role in a competitive practice area, and how Texas became a bankruptcy hotspot.   Patty also touches on her passions outside the office, the definition of grace, and more.  It's a grounded, compelling look at what it means to start and lead a practice that sits at the intersection of business, law, and urgency.

Streaming on  YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts. We are also in the top ten percent of listened-to podcasts globally.

In this episode, Jeff and Brett are joined by Amy Perez, Associate Dean for Career & Professional Development at the University of Miami School of Law. With deep experience in student advising, employer engagement, and legal talent development, Amy offers an inside look at how legal education is evolving to meet the modern profession’s demands.  The conversation explore how law schools are rethinking career services and professional readiness, the shifting expectations of legal employers, the phenomenon of upward comparison, and how AI is changing the law school landscape.  With clarity, warmth, and candor, Amy shares practical insights and forward-thinking advice for both students and practitioners navigating career growth in today’s legal landscape.

Streaming on  YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts. We are also in the top ten percent of listened-to podcasts globally.

In this episode, Brett and Jeff are joined by Adriana Rivera-Badell, a powerhouse trial attorney, passionate advocate, and rising star in the South Florida legal community. With a reputation for fearless courtroom presence and deep community involvement, Adriana shares her journey from analyst to law student to litigator—and the lessons she’s learned along the way.   This conversation explores a number of topics including thinking before speaking, giving up a career for law school, the importance of authenticity and delf-critique, and how her background and identity have shaped her legal career and perspective.  Whether you’re just beginning your legal path or reflecting on your next chapter, Adriana offers honest insight, personal reflection, and plenty of inspiration.

Streaming on  YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts. We are also in the top ten percent of listened-to podcasts globally.

On this episode, we welcome family law attorney and mediator Kristen Goss, founder of KWG Family Legal & Mediation Services.  Kristen brings a human-centered perspective to family law,  championing collaborative processes, alternative dispute resolution, and holistic family healing. Kristen shares her journey, from her roots in a socially engaged household to founding her own firm in 2016, she explains why she blends the roles of negotiator, mediator, and community advocate.   She also discusses her preference for resolving family disputes outside the courtroom whenever possible, favoring collaborative approaches that protect relationships and prioritize children’s well-being.  Whether you’re a legal professional seeking fresh perspectives, someone navigating a challenging family transition, or simply curious about the people-centered side of law, this episode offers thoughtful, grounded insights and a hopeful approach to meaningful resolution. 

Streaming on  YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts. We are also in the top ten percent of listened-to podcasts globally.

Jerry Markowitz is a founding shareholder at Markowitz Ringel Trusty + Hartog.  He joins Jeffrey and Brett to talk about the values and vision that have guided his extraordinary legal career.  As one of South Florida’s most accomplished bankruptcy attorneys, Jerry reflects on his decades in practice, the art of balancing firm leadership with client advocacy, Jerry’s early years and the formation of the firm, how the bankruptcy landscape has changed, lessons in leadership from building a law firm that last, the role of community service,  what Jerry still loves about practicing law, and what young lawyers should know.  Whether you’re a first-year associate or a founding partner, this episode is filled with practical wisdom and timeless perspective from one of the profession’s most trusted voices.
 

Streaming on  YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts. We are also in the top ten percent of listened-to podcasts globally.

On this special episode, we share an intimate conversation with our producer, Nelson Rosado. Sadly, this will be the first and last time he speaks on the show.   Nelson has worked with us for 12 years, helping to produce the podcast since its inception. Unfortunately, he is being forced out of the country where he has lived for nearly 35 years.   We discuss Nelson’s childhood in Honduras, his journey to the U.S., his passion for learning, and what he loves about this country. Jeffrey and Brett also share their views on the policy that is forcing Nelson to abruptly leave and why they think it is bad for business. This episode is deep and meaningful to all of us at The Practice Podcast. We enjoyed the conversation, and we expect you will too. We will miss our friend and colleague dearly. Buena Suerte Nelson!  

Streaming on  YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts. We are also in the top ten percent of listened-to podcasts globally.