“Liar, cheat, ambulance-chaser.” If you ask people what they think of lawyers, those pejoratives are often high on the list. When you ask people what they’d like lawyers to be, the answer is almost always “a teacher.” That’s why, if you ask Randi McGinn for her first tip for lawyers, her answer is to be the human in the courtroom, not the lawyer. A partner at McGinn Montoya Love Curry & Sievers in Albuquerque, Randi sits down with host Kevin Morrison to share that tip and two others that she’s learned from trying more than 130 cases over 40-plus years. Tip two is to be the master storyteller and tip three is to be ready to go to your client's home. Tune in as Randi – the first woman president of the Inner Circle of Advocates; member of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers; New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association; American Board of Criminal Lawyers; an author and a teacher – breaks down why these tips can lead to success.

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☑️ Randi McGinn | LinkedIn

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☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn

☑️ Altair Law

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When his dad was diagnosed with cancer at age 53, Rich Schoenberger was unsure about his future. He and his dad had a heart-to-heart. He might want to be a lawyer, he said. “What’s the best place to learn how to be a trial lawyer?” his father asked. “I have no idea.” “Well, why don’t you find out?” Some four decades later, Rich is a leading plaintiffs’ attorney and member of the “big four” invitation-only trial organizations. Reflecting on that formative conversation with his father, he tells host Kevin Morrison that “for me, trial work wasn't what I wanted to do. It's what I need to do.” Fresh from securing a $26 million verdict in a complex products case, Rich shares tips on closing argument, jury selection, and efficiency.

☑️ Rich Schoenberger | LinkedIn

☑️ Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube

☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn

☑️ Altair Law

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The traditional way to study juror behavior is with a focus group of 10 or 12 mock jurors. Multiply that by 25 or 30, and you have big data: a technique that studies how 300 or 400 people would evaluate a case. The idea is that a large sample can reveal what’s likely to occur in a case and why. John Campbell, a pioneer in the field of big data who co-authored the groundbreaking book “JuryBall,” visits host Kevin Morrison to unpack his insights from studying more than 1,300 civil cases. Tune in to hear what big data says about three key factors at trial: credibility, personality, and stereotypes.

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☑️ John Campbell | LinkedIn

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☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn

☑️ Altair Law

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Host Kevin Morrison once tried a case against Jerry Popovich. “I can tell you he is top-notch, among the best I've ever gone against,” Kevin says. But don’t take it only from Kevin. Jerry is also a member of three invitation-only trial lawyer organizations with more than 80 jury trials under his belt. Speaking with Kevin on today’s podcast – not in a courtroom – Jerry shares three key trial tips. Tune in for his insights about focus groups, jury selection, and witness examination.

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☑️ Jerry Popovich | LinkedIn

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☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn

☑️ Altair Law

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Karen Burgess once sang to a jury in closing argument. And she’s not even an accomplished singer. But it reflects her strategy for closing argument, and she reveals why to host Kevin Morrison. A member of the “big four” invitation-only organizations – the American Board of Trial Advocates, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, American College of Trial Lawyers, and International Society of Barristers – Karen also founded her Austin-based boutique firm, Burgess Law. Tune in for her insights on closing argument, direct examination, and “love, logistics, and the law.” And stayed tuned to find out what song she sang and why it mattered.

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☑️ Karen Burgess | LinkedIn

☑️ Burgess Law on LinkedIn

☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn

☑️ Altair Law

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“There's no single solution or single approach for every case,” says Walter "Wally" Yoka, who should know – after a remarkable career spanning 40 years. A nationally recognized defense attorney and member of invitation-only organizations such as the American Board of Trial Advocates, Wally has tried cases involving products liability, commercial disputes, class actions, and catastrophic personal injuries. Tune into this conversation with host Kevin Morrison, where Wally shares gems to inspire younger lawyers, like how he questioned a juror about his affection for used tires, why he keeps “bad” documents up on the screen, and what a mentor revealed to him when he lost a case.

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☑️ Walter "Wally" Yoka

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☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn

☑️ Altair Law

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In four decades of med-mal practice, Jim Bostwick knows that he can’t fix clients who have been failed by the medical system. “But you can really make a difference in their lives.” In this conversation with host Kevin Morrison, Jim explains how he does just that. The difference, says the founder of Bostwick & Associates and member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, often comes down to expert selection, case selection, powerful themes, and confronting bad facts head-on.

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☑️ Jim Bostwick | LinkedIn

☑️ Bostwick & Associates on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn

☑️ Altair Law ☑️

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Today, Gene Brown Jr. is a member of the “Big Four” invitation-only organizations of elite trial lawyers: the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, American College of Trial Lawyers, American Board of Trial Advocates, and International Society of Barristers. But his first trial? “I was so nervous that I sat for my opening. I examined witnesses from counsel table, and I finally garnered enough courage to stand up and do a closing.” Gene won that case, and it sparked a legendary career spanning more than 125 jury trials. Now a senior counsel at Hinshaw & Culbertson, he visits with host Kevin Morrison to share hard-won insights about three critical aspects of defense trial work: overcoming the challenge of going second, mastering jury selection without relying on questionnaires, and preparing thoroughly.

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☑️ Gene Brown Jr. | LinkedIn

☑️ Hinshaw & Culbertson on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube

☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn

☑️ Altair Law

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“Being a defendant,” says leading defense lawyer Chris Beeman, “one of the benefits of getting to trial is that the plaintiffs do go first, so it gives the defense time to continue getting organized.” And being organized is critical, Chris says as he reflects on lessons learned from his 65 jury trials. In this conversation with host Kevin Morrison, Chris also discusses transitioning from liability to damages arguments, using technology effectively, and advancing careers through mentorship. Tune in for more wisdom from this member of the “Big Four” invitation-only trial organizations: American Board of Trial Advocates, International Society of Barristers, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and American College of Trial Lawyers.

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☑️ Chris Beeman

☑️ Clapp Moroney on LinkedIn

☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn

☑️ Altair Law

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Fifty years: same firm, same building, same parking space. “There is something about stability in my background,” Dan Kelly says as he reflects on his legendary career. There is also wisdom to be shared, which Dan does with host Kevin Morrison in the inaugural episode of “Verdict Academy.” A retired partner from Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger and a contributor to “Plaintiff” magazine, Dan discusses three fundamental aspects of trial practice: case selection, handling losses, and working with expert witnesses. Tune in for his insights about stability, resilience, and the human side of trial practice.

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☑️ Dan Kelly

☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn

☑️ Altair Law on LinkedIn | Facebook | X | Instagram

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