Litigation Radio

5.0 (1)
EDUCATION
EVERY TWO WEEKS

Hosted by Michal Rogson and Jim Reeder, this show features conversations with top litigators, judges, and experts to help litigators develop their careers, win more cases, earn more clients, and build sustainable practices. Stay tuned for the tips segment in every episode with Lauren Williams and ABA Litigation Section’s Mental Health & Wellness Committee! Brought to you by the American Bar Association Litigation Section

2 DAYS AGO

Immigration Law In the Spotlight: “This Is a Different World.”

Over the past year, like no other time in recent memory, immigration law and enforcement has been in the spotlight. Guest William Menard is a longtime immigration attorney and a managing partner at the California immigration law firm Root Law Group. He’s also the host of the immigration-focused podcast “The American Immigrant.” Asylum and deportation cases may get the headlines, but the field of immigration law is broad, including the impact on families, employment, and the needs of American businesses. And the added twist is that while attorneys handle these cases and study the laws, often the earliest hearings are held before a non-lawyer, saddling attorneys with an extra emphasis on clear communication. The Immigration and Nationality Act provides a lot of freedom to administrators making immigration-related decisions, and policies can vary from federal administration to administration, granting the U.S. Attorney General wide latitude. Attorneys litigating immigration cases are constantly challenged to keep up with the latest policies. Often, the old rules don’t apply. Hear how an immigration attorney is navigating shifting policies and working to serve clients. As Menard says, “We’ve got to work harder.” Plus, a quick tip from corporate attorney Lauren Williams on “keeping your poker face” in court. “Your face is an important part of your advocacy because everyone is watching it … Stay composed.” Have a question, comment, or suggestion for an upcoming episode? Get in touch at MRogson@SkywardInsurance.com or JAReederJr@gmail.com. Resources: Immigration and Nationality Act American Bar Association American Bar Association Litigation Section

44 min
24 MAR

Child Protections and the Law

Dawn Post is a litigator, counselor, mediator, and trainer who has spent her life in an area of the law she found largely overlooked: the legal rights and vital protections of children. Her career spans from adoption to parental and grandparental rights to sibling visitation and the darkest corners of child abuse, child trafficking, and the evolving “troubled teen” industry, issues she’s been combatting both in the U.S. and internationally, including the investigation of a troubled teen program in Jamaica that proved to be egregious and abusive, and without oversight or legal examination. Now based in New York City, Dawn is an author and speaker with a single focus on the rights and best interests of children. She says flaws and oversights in the systems designed for child protection are rife, and she’s worked to network like-minded lawyers and organizations to improve systems and develop a child-centric environment. When it comes to children and teens, especially adopted children, who’s looking out for their rights? What happens when adoption and foster services operate without proper guardrails and oversight? Who is looking at a situation from a child’s point of view? This is where attorneys can make a difference. If you’ve thought about putting your litigation skills to work protecting those who need a voice, this episode may inspire you. Have a question, comment, or suggestion for an upcoming episode? Get in touch at MRogson@SkywardInsurance.com and jareederjr@gmail.com. Resources: Children's Rights Litigation Committee American Bar Association Litigation Section ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) American Bar Association

1hr 5min
10 MAR

Successfully Hiring and Managing Your Expert Witness

It seems like every trial today needs an expert. And the experts you choose to learn from and present can make or break your case. So, hear it from the pros. In this episode guests (and experts on experts) Deena Pack and Seth Row share practical tips for successfully hiring and managing an expert for your case. Experts can be some of the most expensive elements of a case. You can’t afford to make a mistake. When it comes to hiring an expert, the rule of thumb is “the earlier the better.” You may not even know if you have a case until you have an expert review of the evidence. But where do you find an expert? One who is not only current and knowledgeable, but also relatable to a judge and jury? Sometimes, even the perception as an “outsider” or a “local” expert matters. How do you make the right choice, vet prior testimony, and review qualifications? And don’t forget the limits of your client’s budget. Plus, a quick tip from Lauren Williams on how to polish your professional reputation by building rapport with courtroom staff. Have a question, comment, or suggestion for an upcoming episode? Get in touch at MRogson@SkywardInsurance.com and jareederjr@gmail.com. Resources: American Bar Association American Bar Association Litigation Section

48 min
10 FEB

The Art of Case Budgeting

The process of “case budgeting” is increasingly common in complex litigation, it’s the science and art of laying out the potential time and cost of trying a case. Daniel Dowd is the managing partner and the president of the Phoenix law firm Cohen Dowd Quigley. He explains how to estimate: “How much will this cost to get to the finish line?” But how do you do it? How do you react when a client brings up costs? Dowd details the labor-intensive process of understanding each aspect of the case and calculating costs, including discovery, expert witnesses, the potential for a mediated settlement, and even the nature of the court and opposing law firm. There are many variables, and as the timeline stretches out, projections can become less accurate. But if a client asks, a “best estimate” can help them understand the true cost of a case. “You build a skeleton … and then you have to estimate with your team how much time they’re going to spend,” Dowd explains. “Then you get your calculator out.” Plus, a quick tip from attorney and co-chair of the ABA Mental Health & Wellness committee Maritza Rodriguez of the firm Rodriguez Family Law as she discusses “the great commitment reset.” Get a fresh start on a new year by making fewer commitments, auditing your life, and cutting back on self-scheduling. Have a question, comment, or suggestion for an upcoming episode? Get in touch at MRogson@SkywardInsurance.com and jareederjr@gmail.com. Resources: 2026 Women in Litigation CLE Conference American Bar Association American Bar Association Litigation Section

38 min
27 JAN

Can We Make the Profession Better? Leaders of the ABA House of Delegates Speak Out

In this episode, host Mic Rogson leads an in-depth conversation with leading representatives of the American Bar Association House of Delegates, Jonathan Cole and Laura Farber. Why do busy lawyers get involved in these demanding roles? The rewards are countless. Hear how you can get involved and make a real difference both in the law and in society. Hear how (and why) you can get involved. It’s your association, and every member can make a difference. Plus, involvement helps you meet and network with attorneys from across the country, even outside your area of focus. The House of Delegates wants your input, and includes tips on its website for getting involved and even drafting resolutions. If you’ve ever wondered how ABA policies, rules, and opinions are crafted, you’ll hear it all on this episode of Litigation Radio. You don’t need to be an experienced attorney with a long resume to get involved. All are welcome. Why not start today? Plus, a quick tip from Elizabeth Kelley, a criminal defense lawyer with a nationwide practice focused on representing people with mental disabilities. She shares the importance of “lowering the temperature,” how to maintain civility and professionalism even if you feel you’ve been disrespected. Grace under pressure will serve you well. Have a question, comment, or suggestion for an upcoming episode? Get in touch at MRogson@SkywardInsurance.com and jareederjr@gmail.com. Resources: Previous appearance on the Legal Talk Network, “NCBP 2021: Shaping the Future in the Legal Profession” American Bar Association House of Delegates “ABA Passes Strong Resolutions on Enforceable Ethics, Judge-Shopping,” Fix the Court Attorney Elizabeth Kelley 2026 Women in Litigation CLE Conference American Bar Association American Bar Association Litigation Section

59 min
02/12/2025

Strategies for Mindful Business Development

In this episode, we discuss the topic every litigator must deal with at some point: effective business development strategies. Guests Maureen Cruz, Ph.D., and Tracey Salmon-Smith, both with the firm of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, share tips for new business development. Waiting for the phone to ring and a client to drop into your lap isn’t a strategy. Running a practice and serving current needs take up a lot of your time. But if you can, try to carve out at least 10 to 15 percent of your time to network, follow up with clients, and put yourself in front of new clients and new environments. Client and business development is a deliberate process. Start by setting some time aside on your calendar. Keep up with those touchpoints and connections. Talk with colleagues across your firm. Read something that might impact a client’s interests? Pass it along. Whether it’s through publishing, speaking, networking, ABA involvement, or pro bono work, listen to two experienced professionals describe how to mindfully build your business. Have a question, comment, or suggestion for an upcoming episode? Get in touch at MRogson@SkywardInsurance.com and jareederjr@gmail.com. Resources: 2026 Women in Litigation CLE Conference American Bar Association American Bar Association Litigation Section

48 min
25/11/2025

Writing the Perfect Brief: A Deep Dive With Author and Lawyer David Greenwald

Have you ever thought about writing the perfect legal brief? Guest David N. Greenwald has, so much so that the retired Cravath, Swaine & Moore partner wrote a book on the subject: Sentence, Paragraph, Argument, Brief: Meeting the Four Challenges of Legal Writing. The book is the culmination of a 30-year legal career, beginning with a clerkship and the lessons learned under the guidance of the Hon. Richard A. Posner, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Reading, digesting, and understanding everything related to each brief proved to be the foundation of good legal writing, Greenwald says. Throughout his career, Greenwald intentionally honed his skills, from writing briefs to eventually, as a partner, editing them. With each paragraph and edit, he focused on the construction and flow of each argument. Writing, Greenwald explains, is a linear process, putting ideas and sentences in a logical progression. A brief, he says, is a special kind of writing that must be learned. It starts with a statement of fact or history, building a narrative. But it’s also a work focused on clarity, without surprises or suspense. Hear Greenwald’s discussion of the art, and science, of legal writing and the principles of a clear, persuasive argument. Have a question, comment, or suggestion for an upcoming episode? Get in touch at MRogson@SkywardInsurance.com and jareederjr@gmail.com. Resources: Hon. Paul R. Michel, Chief Judge (Retired), U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on C-SPAN 2026 Women in Litigation CLE Conference American Bar Association American Bar Association Litigation Section “Sentence, Paragraph, Argument, Brief: Meeting the Four Challenges of Legal Writing,” by David N. Greenwald

50 min
04/11/2025

The Winding Road to Your Future

This is a fun one. As we know, Litigation Radio said goodbye to longtime host Dave Scriven-Young this summer. But what do we know about our new hosts, Michal “Mic” Rogson and James “Jim” Reeder? Believe it or not, they didn’t know each other well before agreeing to cohost the show. That’s a surprise. But they knew “of” each other professionally through ABA Litigation Section circles. In this episode, they interview each other. Not the resume stuff, but rather: What makes them tick? Who knew both hosts, while successful litigators, shared a passion for entertainment, even Broadway? (Hello, any agents out there!) While those dreams may never be reached, they agree being an attorney provides that creative outlet. Find out how an African American radio station, childhood dreams, and religion shaped the careers of Mic and Jim. Taking a moment to reflect on your own life journey can help shape the future of your career. What did you want to be, and where are you going? Have a question, comment, or suggestion for an upcoming episode? Get in touch at MRogson@SkywardInsurance.com and jareederjr@gmail.com. Resources: The American Leadership Foundation American Bar Association 2026 Women in Litigation CLE Conference American Bar Association Litigation Section

43 min

See All (96)

TRAILER

Trailer

Meet the hosts of Litigation Radio, a brand new podcast from the American Bar Association’s Litigation Section. Dave Scriven-Young and Darryl Wilson tell us about the show’s mission to help litigators develop their careers, win cases, get more clients, and build sustainable practices. Stay tuned for episode one!

S1

•

2 min

Hosted by Michal Rogson and Jim Reeder, this show features conversations with top litigators, judges, and experts to help litigators develop their careers, win more cases, earn more clients, and build sustainable practices. Stay tuned for the tips segment in every episode with Lauren Williams and ABA Litigation Section’s Mental Health & Wellness Committee! Brought to you by the American Bar Association Litigation Section