USLAW Live

1:50 As a scholarship winner, Taylor shares what it was like to attend the 2025 USLAW NETWORK Annual Client Conference

3:06 Taylors shares her academic, career and life path to law school. Hear how a family member led her to see the importance of needing representation.

6:00 First-generation law school student in her family.

6:45 Life is not a straight line – how do you adapt when change and challenge cross your path?

8:15 USLAW NETWORK Foundation scholarship program and Taylor’s commitment (and her “why”) to giving back to others, including Upward Bound.

10:05 Serving as Chair of the ABA Law School Division.

11:25 Litigation? Transactional? Criminal? Family law? What’s the path, and how do you get there?

14:08 Maximizing law school time – Nick and Jessica share their paths to their practice.

18:45 Outside of law school studies, Taylor shares her “downtime.”

21:10 Taylor Swift to Harry Potter

23:35 Go back 4-5 years...what advice would you give your younger self?

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.

:05 Welcome and intro

4:5- Introduction to Tamara’s practice (which emphasizes transportation and logistics law and retail law), her role as vice chair of USLAW and her outlook for the USLAW year ahead.

6:55 Guidance to rising lawyers and litigators – building a network, growing participation, and gaining visibility among peers and leaders.

11:25 What’s unique/going on in Maryland law? What business should know about the litigation landscape.

16:50 With a decline of trial cases, how do younger litigators learn the tricks of the trade?

19:55 Is there a case for going to trial?

24:00 Favorite moment of the 2025 USLAW NETWORK Annual Client Conference.

26:35 As a busy litigator, Tamara shares how she finds her quiet/downtime, including quality time with her family, Amazing Race, a good beach read 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.

:10 Back to school morning chaos, ear piercings, dream team Travis-Taylor engagement, Catching Kelce

5:08 Julie Brennan intro.

5:55 Pennsylvania venue rules and the difficult transfer of venue rules.

6:06 Rule on venue, proper venue, “regularly connected business” Supreme Court – Pennsylvania Forum Non Conveniens 

8:30 Waiting for a case to come down that will let Philly cases get moved back to where they should be.

9:05 What is the standard to get a case moved out of Philly? Is there fairness in venue rules?

10:05 Julie’s career path – civil litigation – and lots of trucking. 80% of her practice.

10:30 Sitting for state legal bars + contributory negligence rule.

11:08 Implosions, structures being decommissioned, imploding the building - cross between a property damage and personal injury case and construction litigation – document-intensive part.

13:25 Pennsylvania law – Joint and several liability. Fair Share Act.

14:40 1983 and Civil Rights litigation; trying to tell your clients what they may be liable for; segregated injuries; jury questionnaires; verdict forms.

16:00 New RV, summer camping, cicadas + roller coasters, road trips.

19:55 DC hot spots - shopping at National Archives, Shawarma food trucks, e-bike tours, criteria for beach life.

23:25 Romance novels to historical fiction and murder mysteries.

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.

3:30 Doug provides an overview of Therrien Couture Joli-Coeur LLP and shares a life and career roadmap detailing how he landed where he is today.

5:05 Women’s Connection travels to Quebec City, the only walled city in North America. Historic and beautiful. Unique experience in North America.

7:30 Doug’s law practice explained.

13:55 Natural talent - What about litigation makes you a good commercial attorney or transactional attorney?  

14:24 No sleep? Caffeine-fueled? Not just any cup of coffee, but one good cup of coffee.

18:00 Canadian law and licenses explained, including civil law jurisdictions, federal statutes, provincial law and common law.

20:45 How Therrien Couture Joli-Coeur LLP uses USLAW to help their clients – Canadian attorneys do a lot of international work. Their clients are buying and selling into and from the U.S., which means you must learn how to operate outside of your own jurisdiction.

21:35 USLAW success story – partnered with USLAW member firm Poyner Spruill.

25:00 TCJ represents Canadian businesses in the U.S. and has utilized nearly all USLAW member firms across the continental U.S. USLAW’s national coverage in major commercial centers and smaller jurisdictions is the principal driver. Trusted referrals. Contributes to the confidence TCJ clients have.  

26.45 TELFA connection – working within Europe and facilitating referrals globally.

28:25 Robust vetting process

29:29 Nothing is ever perfect, but one call can resolve an issue.

30:15 International travel and border control/TSA stories U.S. to Canada, isotopes and treadmill tests can make crossing the border an adventure

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.

USLAW Live is supported by USLAW corporate partners S-E-A, American Legal Records, Arcadia Settlements Group, Immersion Legal Jury, Marshall Investigative Group and MDD Forensic Accountants.

1:50 Small world connection between Pam Hallford and Will Morris. Who’s ruthless?

2:25 1-year anniversary with DSI, 12 years on the dark side doing “plaintiff’s work.”

4:00 Overview of Will’s role as GC at DSI Security Services

5:25 Transition to GC and in-house role

8:10 Claims work versus managing the business side of things | contracts, plus all manner of claims in employment, auto, workers’ comp, premise liability | internal policy and procedures, in-house training, reporting procedures.

9:45 AI use in security, from facial recognition to long-gun detection and much more. Should companies use a closed system? Once you have the data, what happens next? Are you still factoring in the human element?

13:00 Developing policies around AI and a company’s response to AI data? Best practices and capabilities.

14:06 Has there been a decline in the number of employees due to the use of AI? 

17:05 Preparing for problems when AI is wrong or just misidentified. AI is good, not perfect. 19:10 Client variety -those who are all in on AI and the other side wants the human element involved. How to balance the two. Understand capabilities and limitations to be able to provide the best solutions for the client.

21:00 Why Will’s first USLAW event was a success for him.

22:35 Family time

26:20 National Peanut Festival, the “peanut capital of the world,” good food (aka anything fried), plus boiled peanuts explained. For reference: National Peanut Festival

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.

USLAW Live is supported by USLAW corporate partners S-E-A, American Legal Records, Arcadia Settlements Group, Immersion Legal Jury, Marshall Investigative Group and MDD Forensic Accountants 

2:00 Intro to Keely Duke, her practice, the growth of her litigation firm, plus thoughts on the Idaho college murder trial and Bryan Kohberger

5:09 Do things try in Idaho?

5:27 What are juries like? Thoughts from a recent focus group.

6:30 Career journey

8:17 Is there a Z in Boise?

8:45 Focus groups – using them more frequently and doing multiple focus groups on big cases, early theme development 

9:40 Examples of cases that are good for focus groups, what tactics the plaintiff’s bar is using around this and how local jurors have a sense of personal responsibility.

11:40 When do you start focus groups? At what point in a case? Before or after the plaintiff’s deposition?

12:30 What's plaintiff’s bar doing with mock trials and data? Keely shares a defense-side perspective and important insights from a recent mock trial.

17:57 When should you file a motion in limine?

19:14 How focus groups and mock trials are the best crystal balls we have.

20:10 Difficult tower issues and how mock trials and data can help.

21:10 Highlights from USLAW NETWORK Medical Law and Professional Liability forums – special event was among the best – USLAW is fun, not just educational! Also, what did a special guest plaintiff’s lawyer share? 

24:34 Keely’s perfect day

26:08 Favorite travel destination, empty nesting

28:55 Low turnout for people sitting for the bar in some states – but Duke Evett has found the unicorns, and the unicorns are staying; it’s also about firm culture.

31:30 Favorite things about doing the podcast.

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.

USLAW Live is supported by USLAW corporate partners S-E-A, American Legal Records, Arcadia Settlements Group, Immersion Legal Jury, Marshall Investigative Group and MDD Forensic Accountants 

2:15 Josh introduces his background and career path.

4:55 The 1% who say they enjoy risk and claims. No single day is the same.
5:24 Advice for those starting out in their careers.

6:35 Advice for people who need to learn how to manage and lead people. Circle K leadership classes, plus listen and show you care.

8:15 Return to office – benefits, challenges, business cultural impact; is there really a lesson to learn from a very wise Real Housewife?

11:00 Trends, tort reform, unreasonable billing

14:30 Doctors who perform care at the direction of counsel, plus connections between the plaintiff’s counsel and medical providers.

20:34 What state leads the country in unreasonable billing?

22:30 Beach bum, podcasts, music, parenting, best of USLAW excursions, rappelling.

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.

USLAW Live is supported by USLAW corporate partners S-E-A, American Legal Records, Arcadia Settlements Group, Immersion Legal Jury, Marshall Investigative Group and MDD Forensic Accountants

3:35 Intro to Taylor Brewer's career, which includes medical malpractice and trucking defense. “Any tort-based defense work that will land me in the courtroom, I am happy about. I am happy to learn the rules of the road, pun intended.”

4:29 It’s all about the experts. Can she use tips and tricks (and knowledge) from her med malpractice work in her growing transportation practice? And how her time as Geico staff counsel created a good foundation for trying trucking accident cases. 

5:55 How Taylor headed to a med malpractice focus.

:00 Niche within medical malpractice, a sub-specialty if you will, of correctional medicine. Brings in federal claims like Deliberate Indifference 1983 cases, and she represents healthcare providers in jails and prisons.

7:40 Should you go to medical school or nursing school, and then become a med mal attorney in order to have an understanding of medicine, and then take it to the law?

8:15 Awesome nurse paralegals.

8:44 Learning intricacies of the trucking industry and trucks, and should you take a CDL course?

10:10 Virginia has seen a decline in bar takers – why and what’s being done to fix it? Also, how does this create an even bigger justice gap? How do pro bono services play a role?

12:15 Biggest impediment to pro bono.

13:09 Challenges in finding new lawyers in Virginia – or most anywhere these days.

14:00 What are the differences of taking the Virginia Bar from many others – antiquated rules and more.

15:00 Virginia reciprocity rules

15:20 1% land for contributory negligence Alabama vs Virginia.

17:00 Nuclear verdicts in VA, AL and KS etc. and how the 1% rule plays into that.

19:10 Is there any summary judgment at the state court level in Virginia?

20:10 Runner’s world, “the friendliest marathon,” weight training

21:00 What Taylor’s listening to, and recent tips learned from USLAW Live.

22:20 Family matters – show children and backstage children, parent-teacher conferences.

27:50 Taylor’s favorite venue for Women’s Connection.

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.

USLAW Live is supported by USLAW corporate partners S-E-A, American Legal Records, Arcadia Settlements Group, Immersion Legal Jury, Marshall Investigative Group and MDD Forensic Accountants

2:00 Intro to Nichole Koford from Wicker Smith, Tampa, Florida. 

Florida Man

3:40 Nichole’s background as a litigator

5:30 What does Nichole’s medical malpractice practice look like and why does she do what she does?

6:20 State of medical malpractice cases in Florida. Do they go to trial or not? Who is being sued these days? Doctors mainly or others?

7:40 Top things learned while building med mal practice? 

8:40 Importance of physician databases that are a matter of public record. 

10:30 Hot topic in medical malpractice: doctor shortages. What does this mean for medical practices and the use of nurse practitioners and physician assistants? What might be causing this? How will the graduate loan cap impact the medical landscape? What are the risks associated with that, and how can we mitigate the risks to ensure patients get the healthcare they need? 

12:25 What can the nurse practitioner databank tell us? 

13:20 Where can nurse practitioners have a full practice, reduced practice or restricted practice? What do these license designations mean, and how do they create opportunities that might not otherwise exist for patients? 

Note: The American Association of Nurse Practitioners' color-coded state licensure map is referenced in the podcast and can be accessed here: https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/state/state-practice-environment.

16:00 Was med school ever a career path?

17:25 What makes Nichole squeamish? 

17:50 Trucking accidents

18:40 Use of autopsy photos

19:20 How to present severe images to the jury during trial– to show or not to show really bad images to a jury.

19:50 DISC personality assessment – what is it and how to use it in practice. 

25:45 Summer happenings – color guard, SATs, camps, school uniforms, summer trips, teen drivers, increased insurance 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.

USLAW Live is supported by USLAW corporate partners S-E-A, American Legal Records, Arcadia Settlements Group, Immersion Legal Jury, Marshall Investigative Group and MDD Forensic Accountants

1:20 intro to Alison and her practice

2:15 Florida Supreme Court mandate – are there really no continuances?

3:26 Has tort reform slowed down the tidal wave of litigation? 

4:00 Retail cases, negligence and security, and emergency responses

8:40 Hot topic - going beyond traditional social media and getting creative with discovery and discovery of new technology and related things. Everything is so app-based - don't leave things on the table. Create lists of what you should request and everything you believe should be subpoenaed. What's the timing of the big reveal of evidence?

15:00 Mahjong joy

17:48 First day of school and start of a 2-week docket. 

21:35 Reading and streaming, plus favorite book club books.

26:00 Bravo go-to programming

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.