In this episode, Doreen Riordan sits down with Lee Rudin from New Orleans to talk about his journey into law, building his own firm, and developing a distinctive approach to his legal brand.

Lee shares how he came to New Orleans for college, stayed through law school, studied sports law, and began his career with a mentor who exposed him to different areas of practice, including defense work, plaintiff work, auto cases, and commercial and corporate disputes. After organically growing a plaintiff injury practice for about 10 years, he decided it was time to start his own venture.

Lee also talks about how the “Get Rude” identity came about and why he decided to lean into a name and attitude that matched the clients he wanted to reach. 

The episode explores the realities of growing a plaintiff injury firm, from the financial demands of supporting cases before revenue comes in to the importance of referrals and maintaining good relationships with clients.

In this episode:

• Lee Ruden's journey into law
• Learning different areas of legal practice through mentorship
• Building a plaintiff injury practice
• Starting his own law firm
• The story behind the “Get Rude” brand
• How nurses and attorneys can complement each other in personal injury work
• Practicing law in different parts of Louisiana
• Unique personal injury cases in Louisiana
• The financial realities of growing a plaintiff injury firm
• Marketing, referrals, and building relationships

CONNECT WITH LEE RUDIN

Website: https://www.getrude.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leerudin/

CONNECT WITH DOREEN

Website: https://www.riordanrnexpert.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riordanrnexpert/

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🎙️ About the Show

Hosted by Doreen Riordan, this podcast features conversations with leaders in healthcare, law, business, and entrepreneurship who share practical advice, career insights, and inspiring stories to help professionals grow both personally and professionally.

Subscribe for new episodes featuring industry experts and thought leaders, released Mondays at 9am!

Podcast editing by: https://podcastmagician.com/

In this episode of Vitals & Verdicts, Doreen Riordan speaks with Jason Goodwin, founder of LNC Masterminds, about client acquisition for legal nurse consultants and how his platform has helped launch successful LNC businesses.

Connect with Jason Goodwin:

Email: [email protected]
LNC Masterminds: https://lncmasterminds.com/
RN Home Office: https://www.rnhomeoffice.com/

In Episode 22, Doreen sits down with Deb Strout, Founder/Owner of JuryDat, to talk about her unusual career journey, from creative work and court reporting to jury consulting.

Deb explains how her experience selling legal software eventually led her into jury selection and, during COVID, to developing her own cloud-based software platform for JuryDat. Her platform brings together around 300 potential data points about jurors, giving attorneys a broader view of their jury pool. She also discusses why she recommends bringing a jury consultant into a case as early as possible, the role of focus groups, and how jury data can sometimes influence the timing of a settlement.

The conversation also explores the importance of looking beyond assumptions when evaluating jurors. Deb shares examples of how a person's appearance or the way they present themselves can reveal very little about who they are, and how details discovered during jury selection can provide valuable context. She also talks about case-specific questionnaires, her growing involvement in trial consulting, mentoring people interested in jury work, and the most rewarding part of her work: helping select a fair and unbiased jury.

In this episode:

• Moving from legal software sales into jury selection
• Developing a cloud-based jury data software platform
• When attorneys should consider bringing in a jury consultant
• Focus groups and their role in trial preparation
• Using public data to build juror profiles
• Political, consumer, residential, and other jury data
• The importance of having information about the jury pool early
• Getting started in jury consulting
• The rewarding experience of helping select a fair and unbiased jury

CONNECT WITH DEB STROUT

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debstrout/

CONNECT WITH DOREEN

Website: https://www.riordanrnexpert.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riordanrnexpert/

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🎙️ About the Show

Hosted by Doreen Riordan, this podcast features conversations with leaders in healthcare, law, business, and entrepreneurship who share practical advice, career insights, and inspiring stories to help professionals grow both personally and professionally.

Subscribe for new episodes featuring industry experts and thought leaders, released Mondays at 9am!

Podcast editing by: https://podcastmagician.com/

Join Doreen Riordan and Megan Shore in this insightful episode of The Vitals & Verdicts Podcast as they explore the intersection of law and medicine. Megan shares her unique journey from aspiring doctor to successful attorney, highlighting the challenges she faced in the healthcare system that inspired her to pivot into law.

Discover how Megan's compassionate approach sets her apart in the legal field because she emphasizes the importance of empathy and communication with her clients. She discusses her innovative concierge service model, ensuring that every client feels valued and informed throughout their legal journey.

Megan also opens up about her experiences with imposter syndrome, the significance of mental health, and the balance between her professional and personal life. She shares her passion for educating others through social media and her commitment to helping fellow lawyers succeed.

In this episode:

• Imposter syndrome and success
• The importance of compassion in law
• Client communication and education
• Social media and personal branding
• Conquering imposter syndrome
• The role of mental health in law
• Working with legal nurse consultants
• Marketing strategies in the legal field
• Communication skills for trial lawyers

Tune in to hear about her recent awards, her vision for the future of her law firm, and the impactful cases that have shaped her career. Whether you're in the legal field or simply interested in personal growth and advocacy, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiration.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more episodes!

CONNECT WITH MEGAN SHORE

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-m-shore-56a00814a/

Website: https://www.shoreinjurylaw.com/ 

CONNECT WITH DOREEN

Website: https://www.riordanrnexpert.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riordanrnexpert/ 

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🎙️ About the Show

Hosted by Doreen Riordan, this podcast features conversations with leaders in healthcare, law, business, and entrepreneurship who share practical advice, career insights, and inspiring stories to help professionals grow both personally and professionally.

Subscribe for new episodes featuring industry experts and thought leaders, released Mondays at 9am!

Podcast editing by: https://podcastmagician.com/

Join Doreen Riordan in this exciting episode of The Vitals & Verdicts Podcast as she sits down with Kristopher Burgess, a personal injury attorney from Ohio. Kristopher shares his unique journey from being a math teacher to exploring his passion for music in Japan, and ultimately finding his calling in law.

A significant part of the discussion revolved around the personal touch he brings to his practice. Kristopher believes that every case is a story, and he prioritizes getting to know his clients on a personal level.

In discussing the challenges he faces, Kristopher pointed out the difficulties in collaborating with medical professionals, particularly when it comes to securing expert testimony.

In this episode:

• Playing music in Japan and how it shaped his worldview
• The transition from general practice to specializing in personal injury law
• The importance of storytelling in legal cases and how understanding a client's background can impact their case
• The role of AI in modern legal practice and how it has transformed Kristopher's approach to law
• Challenges faced when working with medical professionals and the intricacies of personal injury cases in Ohio

Kristopher also offers valuable advice for new attorneys and legal nurses on how to stand out in a competitive field. 

Whether you're a legal professional or just curious about the intersection of law and personal stories, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more episodes of The Vitals & Verdicts Podcast!

CONNECT WITH KRISTOPHER BURGESS

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristopher-burgess-burg3ssfirm/ 

CONNECT WITH DOREEN

Website: https://www.riordanrnexpert.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riordanrnexpert/ 

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🎙️ About the Show

Hosted by Doreen Riordan, this podcast features conversations with leaders in healthcare, law, business, and entrepreneurship who share practical advice, career insights, and inspiring stories to help professionals grow both personally and professionally.

Subscribe for new episodes featuring industry experts and thought leaders, released Mondays at 9am!

Podcast editing by: https://podcastmagician.com/

In this episode, Doreen Riordan sits down with Kristen Lojewski, founder of Lojewski and Jury Law, to discuss her journey into law and her focus on nursing home abuse and neglect, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases. Kristen shares how her childhood and close relationship with her grandfather influenced the work she does today, and how those experiences shaped the empathy and grit she brings to her clients.

Doreen and Kristen explore the realities of nursing home abuse litigation, from supporting grieving families to investigating medical records, proving causation, working with expert witnesses, and navigating cases that can take years to resolve. They also discuss why these cases require specialized knowledge and why accountability—not simply financial compensation—is often what families are seeking.

In this episode:

• Kristen's journey from a difficult childhood to becoming an attorney
• Balancing compassion for clients with objectivity in litigation
• The emotional challenges families face after a nursing home injury or wrongful death
• How attorneys investigate potential nursing home neglect
• The importance of medical records, expert witnesses, and proving causation
• What legal nurse consultants should look for when reviewing medical charts
• Educating families about long-term care facilities and making informed decisions

  
  

CONNECT WITH KRISTEN LOJEWSKI

Website: https://www.lojewskilaw.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenlojewski/ 

CONNECT WITH DOREEN

Website: https://www.riordanrnexpert.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riordanrnexpert/ 

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🎙️ About the Show

Hosted by Doreen Riordan, this podcast features conversations with leaders in healthcare, law, business, and entrepreneurship who share practical advice, career insights, and inspiring stories to help professionals grow both personally and professionally.

Subscribe for new episodes featuring industry experts and thought leaders, released Mondays at 9am!

Podcast editing by: https://podcastmagician.com/

In this episode of the Vitals & Verdicts Podcast, Doreen Riordan sits down with Harshita Ganesh, an attorney at CMBG3 who is developing the firm's AI practice in products liability and risk management. 

Harshita's path to law is anything but traditional—she began her career as a chemical engineer, studied biochemical engineering in Belgium, and eventually made the transition to law after discovering her passion for litigation through mock trial.

Doreen and Harshita dive into the rapidly changing world of artificial intelligence and what it means for the legal profession. They also discuss the hidden value in traditional legal work, the importance of human judgment and oversight, and why automating everything simply for the sake of efficiency can create problems in the long run. 

Harshita shares her advice for attorneys who feel intimidated by AI and explains why curiosity, asking questions, and taking a cautious approach may be more valuable than rushing to adopt every new technology.

Topics covered:

• Harshita's journey from chemical engineering to litigation
• How mock trial helped her discover her passion for law
• Why she believes AI is different from previous technology trends
• The potential impact of AI on junior attorney development
• How law firms can automate tasks without sacrificing human judgment
• Why creativity and critical thinking can suffer when everything is automated
• Finding the balance between innovation and protecting clients

CONNECT WITH HARSHITA GANESH

Law Firm Website: https://www.cmbg3.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harshita-ganesh-b-s-j-d-443056b2/

CONNECT WITH DOREEN

Website: https://www.riordanrnexpert.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riordanrnexpert/ 

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🎙️ About the Show

Hosted by Doreen Riordan, this podcast features conversations with leaders in healthcare, law, business, and entrepreneurship who share practical advice, career insights, and inspiring stories to help professionals grow both personally and professionally.

Subscribe for new episodes featuring industry experts and thought leaders, released Mondays at 9am!

Podcast editing by: https://podcastmagician.com/

In this episode of Vitals and Verdicts, Doreen Riordan sits down with attorney Asaf Sarno, founder of Sarno Legal, for a conversation that goes far beyond the courtroom.

Asaf shares his inspiring journey from studying philosophy in Florida to becoming a passionate criminal defense attorney in New York and Massachusetts. 

The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Asaf opens up about his daughter Liv's battle with a rare and aggressive pediatric cancer. He candidly discusses the emotional impact of receiving the diagnosis, how his family chose hope over despair, and the mindset that helped them navigate 42 weeks of chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries, and uncertainty. Through their journey, Asaf discovered an even greater purpose—raising funds for pediatric cancer research and pledging to donate 10% of every personal injury attorney fee his firm earns to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Doreen and Asaf also explore the importance of mental health, rehabilitation, racial justice within the legal system, and why serving others remains at the heart of his work. Whether you're an attorney, healthcare professional, legal nurse consultant, or someone looking for an inspiring story of resilience and purpose, this episode offers valuable insights into advocacy, compassion, and finding meaning through life's greatest challenges.

Episode topics:

• How Asaf’s early legal work shaped his career
• What his daughter’s cancer journey taught him about life and purpose
• Why he chose to give back through pediatric cancer research
• How compassion can change the way we approach law and justice

CONNECT WITH ASAF SARNO

Website: https://www.sarnolegal.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asafsarno/ 

Learn more about Asaf's commitment to supporting pediatric cancer research through Dana-Farber Cancer Institute on his website.

CONNECT WITH DOREEN

Website: https://www.riordanrnexpert.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riordanrnexpert/ 

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🎙️ About the Show

Hosted by Doreen Riordan, this podcast features conversations with leaders in healthcare, law, business, and entrepreneurship who share practical advice, career insights, and inspiring stories to help professionals grow both personally and professionally.

Subscribe for new episodes featuring industry experts and thought leaders, released Mondays at 9am!

Podcast editing by: https://podcastmagician.com/

In Episode 16, Doreen sits down with Chris Earley, of Earlley Law Group and author of "Scaling the Wall: One Man's Journey of Healing Childhood Trauma to Find Fullfillment and Success". They dive into how he got involved with personal injury law and the impact it's had on his own self discovery,

CONNECT WITH CHRIS EARLEY
https://www.chrisearley.com/

ORDER "SCALING THE WALL" ON AMAZON

https://a.co/d/0cO3c4Sn

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🎙️ About the Show

Hosted by Doreen Riordan, this podcast features conversations with leaders in healthcare, law, business, and entrepreneurship who share practical advice, career insights, and inspiring stories to help professionals grow both personally and professionally.

Subscribe for new episodes featuring industry experts and thought leaders, released Mondays at 9am!

In Episode 15, Doreen sits down with Jimmy Lai, of Lai Turner Law and author of "Quietly Influential: a Linkedin Guide for Introverted Professionals" - discussing his inspiring story of immigrating for the purposes of starting a business and how a it took a crucial mindset shift to truly grow.

CONNECT WITH JIMMY LAI

Website: https://www.laiturnerlaw.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmylai-jdmba/

PREORDER "QUIETLY INFLUENTIAL" ON AMAZON

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GZ5RM7P5/ref=mp_s_a_1_1

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🎙️ About the Show

Hosted by Doreen Riordan, this podcast features conversations with leaders in healthcare, law, business, and entrepreneurship who share practical advice, career insights, and inspiring stories to help professionals grow both personally and professionally.

Subscribe for new episodes featuring industry experts and thought leaders, released Mondays at 9am!

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