Vitals & Verdicts with Doreen Riordan

In this episode of Vitals and Verdicts, Doreen Riordan sits down with Dan Petroskey, Esq., a Connecticut personal injury attorney, to talk about his unexpected journey into law, building his own practice, community involvement, AI in legal practice, and the importance of finding balance in a demanding career.

Dan shares how he initially planned to attend medical school before a difficult experience with organic chemistry led him to change direction. After earning a history degree and attending law school, he began his career in criminal defense before transitioning into personal injury law, where he has practiced for nearly two decades.

The conversation explores Dan’s experience taking over his longtime firm, DeFranzo & Petroskey, P.C., in 2024 and the challenges of going from practicing law to managing the business side of a firm. He discusses learning about marketing, payroll, vendors, Google search, and other responsibilities that law school doesn't necessarily prepare attorneys for.

Doreen and Dan also discuss the role of AI in personal injury law, particularly its potential to help attorneys and staff process large volumes of medical records. Dan shares why he is taking a gradual approach to adopting AI and emphasizes the importance of verifying information rather than relying on AI as a primary source of legal knowledge.

Dan also talks about his commitment to giving back to his community through college scholarships for local high school seniors, his work with youth programs, and his involvement with the local Chamber of Commerce. He shares how supporting young people and helping others has become an important part of his professional and personal life.

The episode also touches on work-life balance, hobbies, mentoring younger professionals, growing his law firm, and Dan’s advice to new attorneys: always be honest, never cut corners, protect your reputation, and don't be afraid to make a change when something isn't the right fit.

In this episode:

• Dan Petroskey’s journey from pre-med to personal injury law

• Taking over and growing an established law firm

• The business side of running a law practice

• AI and medical record review in personal injury cases

• The importance of verifying AI-generated information

• Community involvement, scholarships, and mentoring

• Work-life balance and maintaining interests outside of work

• Advice for new attorneys on honesty, reputation, and career growth

CONNECT WITH DAN PETROSKEY, ESQ.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-petroskey-b877b090/

CONNECT WITH DOREEN

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

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

🎙️ 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 this episode of Vitals and Verdicts, Doreen Riordan sits down with Alex Settle, Esq., a Certified Criminal Defense Attorney from New Jersey, to talk about his journey into criminal law, trial experience, client advocacy, teaching, and the realities of practicing criminal defense.

Alex shares how a childhood interest in trial advocacy eventually led him to criminal law during his final year of law school. After working as a solo attorney and serving as a prosecutor, he moved to the public defender’s office, where he now handles a wide range of criminal cases, from lower-level offenses to first-degree murder cases.

The conversation explores what it takes to be an effective criminal defense attorney, including the importance of preparation, presentation, respect, and genuinely caring about clients. Alex also shares lessons from his first criminal trial, why there is no such thing as a “slam dunk” case, and how trial experience has shaped the way he approaches his work.

Doreen and Alex also discuss the role of AI in legal practice, including how AI can be a useful tool when properly reviewed and why attorneys need to verify citations and information before relying on AI-generated legal work.

The episode also touches on Alex’s experience teaching at Rowan University, recognizing patterns and “tells” during trial, balancing a demanding legal career with family life, and the importance of being present for the people who matter most.

In this episode:

• Alex Settle’s journey into criminal defense

• From prosecutor to public defender

• Lessons from his first criminal trial

• Why there is no such thing as a “slam dunk” case

• The importance of preparation, presentation, and respect

• Caring for clients and protecting their rights

• Common misconceptions about criminal defense attorneys

• Understanding the presumption of innocence

• What makes prosecutor-defense attorney relationships work

• Learning from trial mistakes

• How AI is being used in legal practice

• The importance of verifying AI-generated legal research

• Teaching criminal law and bringing real-world experience into the classroom

• Recognizing patterns and witness behavior during trial

• Balancing law, teaching, exercise, and family life

• Building supportive professional relationships through LinkedIn

• Advice for attorneys starting their careers

CONNECT WITH ALEX SETTLE, ESQ.

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

CONNECT WITH DOREEN

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

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

🎙️ 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!

Join Doreen Riordan in this exciting episode of The Vitals & Verdicts Podcast as she sits down with Texas MedMal attorney Andy Jones. With a unique background as both a lawyer and an EMT, Andy shares his fascinating journey from aspiring foreign service officer to a passionate trial lawyer specializing in medical malpractice.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• Andy's unexpected path to law and how his experiences in a state legislator's office shaped his career.
• The challenges and rewards of balancing his legal practice with his role as an EMT during the pandemic.
• Insights into the differences between managing clients as a lawyer versus patients as an EMT.
• The impact of Texas culture on legal practice and the importance of understanding local laws.
• Humorous anecdotes from the courtroom and the ambulance, including the quirks of human nature he’s encountered in both fields.

Whether you're interested in the legal world, healthcare, or just love a good story, this episode is packed with valuable insights and plenty of laughs. Don't miss out!

CONNECT WITH ANDY JONES

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

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 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/