USLAW Live

Jessica Dark (Pierce Couch in Oklahoma) and Nick Rauch (Larson • King LLP | Minnesota/North Dakota) welcome Elise Furlan, president, government affairs, North America at SICK, Inc., a global leader in sensor technology and industrial automation, to share insights. Elise shares her journey from in-house counsel to government affairs leader and explores how AI, robotics and regulatory change are shaping manufacturing and innovation. She discusses why trusted, pragmatic legal partners are essential to staying agile in a changing business landscape. Along the way, the trio talks about Elise’s MIT academic pursuits, moving to Boston, parenting—and beef bourguignon. 

3:05 Intro to Elise Furlan

3:55 Elise shares her career journey to her role today.

6:00 MIT Executive MBA, robotics

11:15 USLAW Women’s Connection and why it is such an important initiative

14:35 Regulatory topics, impacts on robotics and manufacturing.

20:27 Product manufacturing space.

22:00 Importance of using USLAW as a close advisor, Barbara Barron in particular.

24:55 Business Development: Women’s Connection and the opportunity to meet peers and customers.

22:55 When not working, recent move, 3-D photography and what’s on the menu?

Many thanks to you for listening to USLAW Live. Stay tuned for more great conversations on USLAW Live. Be sure to click follow so you don't miss an episode. To learn more about USLAW NETWORK, visit uslaw.org.

Steve Marshall of Franklin & Prokopik, P.C. in Maryland, newly named Chair of USLAW NETWORK's Complex Tort and Product Liability Practice Group, joins USLAW Live! co-hosts Nick Rauch (Larson • King LLP | Minnesota/North Dakota) and Mike Judy (Dysart Taylor | Kansas/Western Missouri) to explore these issues and more. From Maryland's pure contributory negligence rules and caps on non-economic damages to how jury psychology shapes trial outcomes, the trio shares practical insights for litigators and their clients. Steve also reflects on his USLAW journey, the value of professional relationships and his priorities as the practice group's new leader. Tune in for a conversation blending litigation trends, strategy, leadership and a few personal stories.

2:15 Steve shares his reaction to being named Chair of the USLAW NETWORK Complex Tort and Product Liability Practice Group, as well as highlights of working in the product liability space.

3:50 Snapshot of Steve’s career path to today, including a focus on his work in products, commercial transportation and general liability. He also acknowledges the mentors who were critical to his joining and growth at F&P.

8:20 Steve shares how he first connected with USLAW and the importance of showing up and contributing.

10:40 Contributory negligence in Maryland.

14:00 Juries working backward to a decision and the comparative fault landscape.

19:45 How Maryland and Minnesota handle caps (or no caps) on non-economic damages.

24:25 On Tamara Goorevitz from Franklin & Prokopik serving as Chair of USLAW NETWORK.

25:55 Comparing travel notes and meeting up with USLAW friends on vacation; and answers to the all-important question: are you the planner or the passenger?

Many thanks to you for listening to USLAW Live. Stay tuned for more great conversations on USLAW Live. Be sure to click follow so you don't miss an episode. To learn more about USLAW NETWORK, visit uslaw.org.

Roger also shares his advice for members looking to get more from the NETWORK — and reflects personally on what leading USLAW from the beginning has meant to him. As avid sports fans, they also give a brief college football preview plus touch upon ice fishing in January. Tune in for the final installment of our three-part conversation with Roger Yaffe.

0:02 Summer trials, college football preview and family

6:00 It’s the people.

8:25 How USLAW navigates today’s legal landscape

10:30 Rewind the clock and collaborating with clients

14:00 Crystal ball for near-term updates

16:45 Let's throw it against the wall and see if it sticks

18:55 Don’t wait for us; go do it, and we’ll support.

21:15 Sage advice for anyone with a USLAW touchpoint

24:08 Ice fishing in January

26:45 Roger reflects on how USLAW has impacted you personally and professionally.

30:52 Mike thanks Roger for all that he has done for everyone for 25 years and counting.

Many thanks to you for listening to USLAW Live. Stay tuned for more great conversations on USLAW Live. Be sure to click follow so you don't miss an episode. To learn more about USLAW NETWORK, visit uslaw.org.

Joe joins co-hosts Jessica Dark of Pierce Couch in Oklahoma and Pam Hallford of Carr Allison in Alabama to share insights from his practice and why strong relationships remain essential to business success. He also shares his experience advocating for animals, his work with a historic beagle rescue, plus a memorable 10th anniversary celebration for his firm. Tune in for a conversation that blends legal insights, leadership, relationships and a few good stories. 

2:00 Intro to Joe Goode

3:00 It’s a people business. Joe shares his love of USLAW and why USLAW works for Laffey, Leitner & Goode LLC

4:00 About Joe’s diverse practice, including a deep focus in dealership and franchise law, trade channel work and Wisconsin Fair Dealership Law.

5:38 Why Joe has a small practice that focuses on animal law cases - see A Recent Effort with the Center for a Humane Economy - Laffey, Leitner & Goode LLC for more details.

9:25 Nicholas the beagle and Harlow the pit bull mix

10:48 - The case of a 1938 law.

12:48 More about Laffey, Leitner & Goode LLC

17:17 The case about liquor distributors | Deutsch family wine distribution in Wisconsin

19:45 Teaching and mentoring next generation of lawyers

24:25 Giving opportunity  

25:41 Although graduating 11th in his class, Joe posits why some of the best trial lawyers were the ones who were C students. 

28:38 Diploma privilege in Wisconsin, last state in the country with it.

29:40 Golf, food, travel and more.

Many thanks to you for listening to USLAW Live. Stay tuned for more great conversations on USLAW Live. Be sure to click follow so you don't miss an episode. To learn more about USLAW NETWORK, visit uslaw.org.

Roger shares why smaller gatherings can create some of the strongest connections, the story behind USLAW’s “no business cards” culture and what it takes to produce more than two dozen events a year. And then there are the buses. From breakdowns and wrong turns to one memorable encounter with a porte cochère, Roger revisits a few legendary USLAW “buscapades.” Co-hosted by Jessica Dark (Pierce Couch in Oklahoma), Pam Hallford (Carr Allison in Alabama)  and Mike Judy (Dysart Taylor | Kansas/Western Missouri), this episode offers a look at the strategy, culture and controlled chaos behind the USLAW experience. Tune in.

3:10 What led USLAW's growth?

5:44 ROI for members and their clients, growing USLAW’s portfolio of client-facing events 

8:27 Client size or geographic reach

9:05 What is a national client and where do regional clients fit in?

10:23 Growth of USLAW events

11:20 Focus on smaller-sized events

12:10 Centralizing the invitation process and why that was necessary. Firms are not travel agents.

13:15 Relationships come first.

14:52 USLAW culture, no business cards

16:45 Why the no business cards approach has repercussions outside of USLAW life

17:33 Importance of USLAW social events

18:24 Best legal education and best events in legal industry

20:08 What goes on in planning an event.

24:44 What is the chaos that goes on behind the scenes?

28:50 Bus stories and buscapades

Many thanks to you for listening to USLAW Live. Stay tuned for more great conversations on USLAW Live. Be sure to click follow so you don't miss an episode. To learn more about USLAW NETWORK, visit uslaw.org.

She joins USLAW Live! to discuss everything from the "buxom barmaid" NIL lawsuit to collapsing conveyor belts in industrial chicken coops. Kristina also breaks down the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in Monsanto v. Durnell and what it means for product labeling preemption under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The conversation also covers AI in legal practice, personal branding and more. This episode is co-hosted by Jessica Dark of Pierce Couch (Oklahoma) and Pam Hallford of Carr Allison (Alabama). Tune in today.

2:25 Intro to Kristina Kamler’s career that started with running 2 businesses at the age of 8.

4:35 Developing a niche in the weird and wild cases, including the “buxom barmaid” NIL.

7:58 An interesting wrinkle in the products liability world: Monsanto v Durnell and what it means to product labeling preemption under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). 

9:15 How does this decision change your legal practice and manufacturing clients’ operations?

12:35 Post-sale duty to warn

14:35 Using AI in a legal practice

15:44 Examples of AI uses in law practice, helping clients

17:35 Nebraska has a statute of repose for product liability cases

18:15 Inaugural LeadX Cohort and Chicago

19:55 What’s your brand?

20:16 More weird and wild cases, including medical records and a chicken coop

22:10 Summer plans and travels

28:08 Reading and watching

Many thanks to you for listening to USLAW Live. Stay tuned for more great conversations on USLAW Live. Be sure to click follow so you don't miss an episode. To learn more about USLAW NETWORK, visit uslaw.org.

He joins USLAW Live! host Mike Judy (Dysart Taylor | Kansas/Western Missouri) to discuss why the first 24 to 48 hours after a workplace incident are critical, how claims across industries present unique legal and business challenges, and the importance of balancing sound legal strategy with strong business relationships. They also touch on virtual hearings before wrapping up with Buffalo's famous chicken wings, the blue cheese-versus-ranch debate, and annual family Olympics. Tune in for an informative conversation.

2:25 Stan Evans' road to becoming a workers' comp attorney

3:35 How and when the NY State workers' comp board went virtual and why it still works today.

5:20 Was working in workers' comp Stan's dream?

6:50 Why make the switch from in-house to private practice?

8:00 Different industries and what makes one more unique than another regarding workers' comp.

10:48 With multiple lines of litigation, can defenses be coordinated?

13:18 The importance of investigating claims within first 48 hours

16:22 Did the person fall on the left or right side?

17:38 Trends coming out of union shops

19:22 What to know when dealing with professional employment organizations (PEOs)

21:54 Go to trial or settle

28:08 Summer plans and the great Buffalo wings debate

Many thanks to you for listening to USLAW Live. Stay tuned for more great conversations on USLAW Live. Be sure to click follow so you don't miss an episode. To learn more about USLAW NETWORK, visit uslaw.org.

From a simple website and a shared passion for golf that sparked a pivotal connection to the vision of the founders and early leaders who built the organization, Roger shares candid stories and valuable perspective on what has remained constant through decades of growth. Co-hosted by Jessica Dark (Pierce Couch in Oklahoma), Pam Hallford (Carr Allison in Alabama)  and Mike Judy (Dysart Taylor | Kansas/Western Missouri), this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the early days of USLAW. Tune in.

3:10 Roger Yaffe’s career path to USLAW.

6:45 How the USLAW connection happened.

11:54 What was your takeaway from the meeting with the original 6 that made you think this would succeed?

13:04 What were early takeaways, thoughts and ideas that would set them apart from other legal marketing groups?

13:22 Attorney’s successes in their own individual careers set the bar.

16:50 What were you and the early leaders looking for in order to grow membership?

19:10 What was the energy like?

21:33 Member vetting process

25:20 From USLAW perspective - what should anyone take away from USLAW?

27:41 The USLAW experience.

29:30 Looking back, did you ever envision it being what it is today?

Many thanks to you for listening to USLAW Live. Stay tuned for more great conversations on USLAW Live. Be sure to click follow so you don't miss an episode. To learn more about USLAW NETWORK, visit uslaw.org.

Christina Hesse of Duke Evett PLLC in Idaho joins USLAW Live! to explore the rapidly evolving intersection of AI and healthcare, drawing on her experience in medical and professional malpractice defense and commercial litigation. Alongside co-hosts Pam Hallford (Carr Allison) and Nick Rauch (Larson • King), the trio previews next week's USLAW Medical Law Forum and examines the growing web of legal issues surrounding AI-generated physician summaries, medical diagnoses, HIPAA, privacy, data storage, standards of care and the professional duty of competence. They also make time for "Fly Guy," classic rock, misunderstood song lyrics and summer camps. Tune in!

2:35 Christina Hesse shares her road to current role at Duke Evett PLLC

5:45 How her extensive medical law practice evolved and her work with healthcare providers.

7:21 Leadership roles

8:15 USLAW NETWORK Medical Law Forum in Asheville, North Carolina

9:10 Program topics in Asheville and growing list of impacts at the intersection of AI and the medical industry

13:15 Litigation and the new AI frontier

14:45 Professional duties of competence

16:35 Use of AI creates more scrutiny in litigation

17:36 AI - questions beget more questions

19:00 Potential for more documentation in discovery

22:15 Christina’s current reading list and listening playlist, plus wrong lyrics, mashups and summer camps.

Many thanks to you for listening to USLAW Live. Stay tuned for more great conversations on USLAW Live. Be sure to click follow so you don't miss an episode. To learn more about USLAW NETWORK, visit uslaw.org.

Patrick and USLAW Live! co-hosts Jessica Dark (Pierce Couch in Oklahoma) and Mike Judy (Dysart Taylor | Kansas/Western Missouri) also examine the recent SCOTUS Montgomery decision and its implications for the transportation industry. They also touch on pipe organs, Cirque de Soleil and a festive twinning dress-up event for the Fourth of July. Tune into this informative and entertaining conversation.

USLAW serves the state of Missouri through member firms Lashly & Baer, P.C., and Dysart Taylor (Kansas/Western Missouri).

3:25 Patrick Foppe shares his journey through USLAW, including a nod to Kevin Fritz and hisinvolvement in several USLAW programs, practice groups )transportation and retail)

6:20 Patrick shares firsthand experience and advice for anyone looking to become more involved with USLAW.

7:40 “We’ve got you.” Team sport.

8:50 Impact of hearing the client's perspective

9:35 Patrick shares how he uses AI in his practice and offers tips on how everyone can learn to use it best.

11:00 Productivity gained through AI and use of agents – generating evaluations, emails, billing, calendar and more.

13:00 How to build an Agent and use self-improvement loops.

15:30 Where do you start exploring AI if you don’t have 3 years of experience already learning it?

17:45 How does AI change the makeup of law firms? Plaintiffs' bar vs defense bar adoption of AI. More work to come.

19:26 How are Lashly & Baer and law firms in general handling AI on the ground level?

21:00 How AI will help us focus on theatrics – storytelling, connecting, etc.

25:00 SCOTUS Montgomery decision and what it means for the transportation industry.

31:50 Getting to know Patrick outside of the office and courtroom, including a busy year of a family wedding, seven kids, a pipe organ, Cirque de Soleil school for aerial silk performances, nursing degree, volleyball and a twin’s dress-up event for the Fourth of July.

Many thanks to you for listening to USLAW Live. Stay tuned for more great conversations on USLAW Live. Be sure to click follow so you don't miss an episode. To learn more about USLAW NETWORK, visit uslaw.org.