Lawyer 2 Lawyer

As part of a new feature on Lawyer 2 Lawyer, we are releasing something a little different. While we will be maintaining our regular practice of providing you high-quality commentary on the biggest subjects in the law today, every other episode for the next few months, we’ll be running a series we call “The Life of a Lawyer, Start to Finish”. This series will explore the experience of becoming and being an attorney, from applying to law schools through retirement and everything in between. We’re excited to use this series to offer some great advice for lawyers at all stages of their careers.In our first episode, we will start, logically enough, with “How to Get into Law School.”  Host Craig Williams is joined by Miriam Ingber, Associate Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid at Yale Law School, and Kristi Jobson, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Chief Admissions Officer at Harvard Law School, to cover their popular podcast for future law students, Navigating Law School Admissions, the admissions process, standing out in the crowd, and preparing for your first year.Special thanks to our sponsor, Posh Virtual Receptionists.

It’s no coincidence that this week, as we honored the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., the Democrats had hoped to make progress on passing the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. However, the Democrats’ efforts have been stymied by a Republican filibuster, resulting in a strategic shift from voting rights legislation to filibuster rule reform. Yet, with the rule change on the table, the Democrats failed to even secure sufficient party support, let alone the additional Republican support necessary to pass the change.So why is there so much controversy over the filibuster? How is it impacting legislation? And is reform the answer? On Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by professor Michael J. Gerhardt, from UNC School of Law, as we spotlight the past, present, and possible future of the filibuster, and its impact on voting rights legislation. 

A year has passed since Pro-Trump protestors attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2o21. So, one year later, what has resulted from that dark day in 2021? And what progress have we made? On Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by Gregory P. Magarian, professor of law at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, to reflect on the January 6th Capitol insurrection. Craig and Greg will take a look at the investigation by the January 6th committee, the impact of the insurrection, the people involved, and where we go from here.

The holidays can be tough for so many, and after a divorce or separation, it can be very hard on children. So how can divorcing or divorced couples better manage the holiday season? On Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by attorney Kelly Chang Rickert to discuss divorce and the holidays. They take a look at co-parenting, putting children first, and how to make your child’s holiday the best one yet.

In many recent high profile cases, the courtroom conduct of judges has been in the spotlight. In 2020, Reuters journalists Michael Berens and John Shiffman did an investigative series on judicial misconduct titled The Teflon Robe. In this series, Berens and Shiffman reviewed 1,509 cases from 2008 through 2019 in which judges resigned, retired or were publicly disciplined following accusations of misconduct.In Tennessee, juvenile court Judge Donna Scott Davenport has come under fire after a ProPublica and Nashville Public Radio investigation revealed that she allegedly oversaw a juvenile justice system which disproportionately and illegally jailed Black children for the crime of “criminal responsibility,” a crime that doesn't exist. Judge Donna Scott Davenport remains on the bench. On Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by Dean James J. Alfini, professor of law from South Texas College of Law Houston to discuss the ethical guidelines judges need to abide by, what should happen to these judges if these guidelines are violated, and whether there should be some type of reform to prevent future misconduct. 

Has the topic of vaccines become the new “no talk of politics, sex, or religion at the dinner table?” As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, the topic of who is or is not vaccinated is sure to come up ahead of the big day. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 58.5% of the United States is currently fully vaccinated against Covid-19. So, if you’re faced with a conflict with your family and friends this holiday season, how do you avoid a squabble of epic proportions?On Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by psychologist and therapist Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge to discuss hosting Thanksgiving and how to peacefully broach the controversial topic of vaccines with your family members. Craig and Dr. Roseann take a look at the reality of COVID during the holidays, public health, conflict resolution, negotiation, and the best approach to ensure safety at your home.

In Glynn County, Georgia, the trial of three white men charged in the death of Ahmaud Arbery has selected a jury, however the makeup of that jury has raised some controversy. With eleven White members and only one Black member, the prosecution has accused the defense of eliminating qualified Black jurors from serving.In response to a motion filed by the State, presiding Judge Timothy Walmsley said, “This court has found that there appears to be intentional discrimination.” However, after hearing arguments by the defense, the judge ultimately denied the state’s motion, and gave the greenlight to move forward, ruling that there were in fact valid reasons that went beyond race for why the jurors were dismissed. On Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by Christopher Slobogin, director of the Criminal Justice Program at Vanderbilt Law School, as they spotlight the trial in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery. Craig and Chris discuss the racial breakdown of the jury, the "intentional discrimination" in jury selection, the citizen's arrest law, and the potential impact all of this this could have on the case.

In honor of Conrad Saam's recent appearance on this program, we're sharing an episode of his show Lunch Hour Legal Marketing for you to hear. If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe for more Conrad and Gyi Tsakalakis.-----------Conrad and Gyi take on the elephant in the courtroom. Clio’s Legal Trend Report shows us potential clients are interested in both pricing and payment plans, but as lawyers, we’re reluctant to go there. Why? Explore options on how you can better position yourself. Are you less expensive than the competition? More efficient? A better value? Dig into the marketing opportunities that make you special based, in part, on your pricing model. Hey, the other guy is doing it. If it’s something you’ve never considered, it’s probably time you did. And in the news (maybe related, just a bit!) we’re seeing a spike in inflation, even if the Fed wants to call it transitory. Look around, everything seems to be going up … except legal fees? Plus, Facebook (and its global apps) go down. In legal tech, what’s up with Smokeball legal matter management? Changes in Google marketing? Let’s talk. 

Many attorneys have received an offer of an award recognizing them as a distinguished lawyer in your city or state. Perhaps the message, coming as an email or a message on Facebook, offers a custom plaque, an inscribed crystal, and/or an appearance in a publication, and all for the low, low price of the membership fees to the awarding organization. Who would ever pass up such a rare opportunity?So are we looking at a pay-to-play here? A scam? What is the application process? And should lawyers beware?! On Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by Conrad Saam, founder of Mockingbird Marketing, to talk about the award industry, the constraints for legal marketing, and what lawyers should do if they receive a solicitation promising an award for a price.Watch this channel next week for a special bonus Lunch Hour Legal Marketing episode. But there’s no need to wait! Click here to find all the great content from Lunch Hour Legal Marketing.

A New York arbitrator recently ruled against former President Trump and his campaign in favor of former White House adviser Omarosa Manigault Newman in a matter regarding the enforceability of an NDA and Omarosa’s tell-all book, Unhinged. According to an article in the Daily Beast, the arbitrator found that the NDA went too far when Omarosa was forced “to never say anything remotely critical of Mr. Trump, his family or his or his family members’ businesses for the rest of her life.”On Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by Mark Fenster, the Stephen C. O’Connell Chair at the Levin College of Law, to talk about non-disclosure agreements. We will take a look at former President Trump's use of NDAs, this recent ruling, the constitutionality of NDAs, and the future of these types of agreements.Mentioned in this Episode:Trump’s Sprawling Use of NDAs Now Threatens to Humiliate HimTrump NDAs can’t silence ex-White House officials: legal expertsTrump Organization Standard Non-Disclosure Agreement