Lawyers Without Billboards

Shewmaker & Lewis
  • 5.0 (10)
  • EDUCATION

Real lawyers, real talk—without the billboards. Lawyers Without Billboards is an unfiltered look at family law, hosted by the partners of Shewmaker & Lewis: Steve and Patty Shewmaker, and Jimmy and Alexa Lewis. With decades of experience in divorce, custody battles, child support, alimony, and criminal law, they break down legal myths, share expert insights, and dive into real cases (sometimes with a side of humor). Expect candid conversations, legal deep dives, and the occasional sidebar on pop culture, legal movies, and life as family law attorneys. Whether you're navigating a family law issue, practicing law yourself, or just enjoy courtroom drama, this podcast offers valuable insights with a dose of levity. New episodes every two weeks Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts!

  1. Cross-Examination: Where Cases Win or Implode | Lawyers Without Billboards S2 - Ep13

    2D AGO

    Cross-Examination: Where Cases Win or Implode | Lawyers Without Billboards S2 - Ep13

    Cross-Examination: Where Cases Win or Implode Cross-examination is often the most critical moment in any case—and the most dangerous. In this episode, the attorneys at Shewmaker & Lewis break down how they prepare clients for cross-examination, what can go wrong on the stand, and why credibility is everything in front of a judge. They discuss the importance of identifying weaknesses early, understanding the opposing side’s perspective, and having honest, sometimes uncomfortable conversations with clients before trial. The key takeaway: there are no perfect clients—but owning your mistakes and preparing properly can make the difference between winning and losing. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Intro: What Is Cross-Examination?  01:14 – Why Cross-Examination Can Make or Break Your Case  02:36 – Finding Weak Spots in Your Own Case  03:38 – Practicing Cross-Examination with Clients  04:46 – How Attorneys “Box You In” on the Stand  06:23 – When Evidence Backfires  07:06 – How Clients Should Handle Tough Questions  08:01 – Rule #1: Tell the Truth (Even When It Hurts)  09:22 – Get Ahead of Weaknesses Before Cross  10:04 – Military Lessons on Seeing the Other Side  12:20 – If You Can’t Explain Your Case Simply, You’re Not Ready  14:53 – Owning Your Mistakes Builds Credibility  17:21 – Why Judges Care More About Honesty Than Perfection  20:24 – Mock Cross-Examinations & Real Preparation  22:39 – “I Don’t Know” vs. Losing Credibility  25:51 – Why Some Lawyers Don’t Prepare (And Why That’s Risky)  27:17 – Final Takeaways: Preparation + Perspective + Ownership 🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards. 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis  🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/Rr8GEwRTFcg  or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com | (770) 939-1939 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions 🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

    30 min
  2. Marriage Story: What Hollywood Gets Right (and Wrong) About Divorce | Lawyers Without Billboards S2 - Ep12

    MAR 19

    Marriage Story: What Hollywood Gets Right (and Wrong) About Divorce | Lawyers Without Billboards S2 - Ep12

    Divorce is one of the most common legal experiences in real life… so why does Hollywood almost never portray it? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, we take a closer look at Marriage Story and break down how accurately it reflects the realities of divorce. From courtroom strategy to emotional conflict, we compare the film’s portrayal with what actually happens in family law cases. We also explore why divorce is such a difficult topic for storytelling — and why so few films attempt to tackle it. Whether you're navigating a divorce, supporting someone who is, or just interested in how law and media intersect, this episode offers insight you won’t get from the movies. ⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Intro 01:12 – Why Are There So Few Divorce Movies? 04:30 – Introducing Marriage Story 07:10 – First Impressions from a Legal Perspective 10:25 – What the Movie Gets Right 16:40 – Attorney Dynamics & Strategy 22:15 – Emotional Reality vs. Legal Reality 28:05 – What Hollywood Gets Wrong 34:20 – Custody & Financial Misconceptions 40:10 – Real Divorce vs. Movie Drama 45:30 – Final Thoughts 🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards. 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis  🎧 Watch here:https://youtu.be/vhcboXAoPCs or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com | (770) 939-1939 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions 🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

    28 min
  3. Year One of Lawyers Without Billboards: Divorce, Custody, Courtroom Reality and Chaos

    MAR 12

    Year One of Lawyers Without Billboards: Divorce, Custody, Courtroom Reality and Chaos

    After a full year of Lawyers Without Billboards, the team takes a moment to look back at the topics, lessons, and surprising realities they’ve covered since launching the podcast. In this anniversary episode, attorneys Steve Shewmaker, Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy Lewis, and Alexa Lewis reflect on some of the biggest themes from their first year behind the microphones. From divorce myths to custody disputes and the realities of family law litigation, they discuss what people often misunderstand about the legal system and what actually happens inside the courtroom. It’s an honest conversation about the cases, misconceptions, and legal realities that come up again and again in family law. ⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Introduction to Lawyers Without Billboards  00:41 – Meet the hosts  01:55 – Celebrating one year of the podcast  02:30 – Why the team started the show  05:10 – Looking back at the first episodes  08:20 – Divorce myths people still believe  11:45 – Custody battles and what really matters in court  15:20 – What surprises clients the most about family law  18:40 – The reality of courtroom litigation  22:10 – Lessons learned after a year of podcasting  25:05 – Favorite topics and memorable moments  27:40 – Final thoughts and looking ahead to year two 🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards. 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis  🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/vhcboXAoPCs  or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com | (770) 939-1939 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions 🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

    30 min
  4. ROTC Disenrollment Part 2: The Trial Where Your Lawyer Can’t Speak | LWB S2 Ep10

    MAR 5

    ROTC Disenrollment Part 2: The Trial Where Your Lawyer Can’t Speak | LWB S2 Ep10

    In Part 2 of our ROTC disenrollment series, we examine the hearing process itself — and why it shocks so many families. Yes, you can hire an attorney.  No, your attorney cannot speak during the hearing. Instead, the cadet must conduct their own examination of witnesses, cross-examine accusers, introduce evidence, and make arguments — often in cases involving serious allegations. We break down:  • The structure of ROTC disenrollment hearings  • Why post-hearing review can take over a year  • What happens if command overrides the board  • The financial consequences if disenrollment stands  • Why preparation can cost more than trial representation If you’re facing ROTC disenrollment, this episode explains the reality of the process — and why strategic preparation is critical. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Part 2 Begins: Why This System Is So Frustrating  01:04 – Should You Hire an Attorney Who Can’t Speak?  02:43 – Why “Winning” Doesn’t End the Process  03:05 – The Army’s Multi-Level Review Process  04:48 – A Year in Limbo After Victory  05:59 – Sexual Assault Allegations in ROTC Hearings  08:40 – The Proof Chart Strategy  09:02 – Training a Cadet to Act as Their Own Lawyer  11:38 – The Real Cost of Preparation  13:46 – False Allegations & Military Culture  17:24 – Is There Any Appeal After ROTC Command?  18:11 – Repayment: $25,000 to $200,000+  19:21 – Enlistment vs. Repayment  20:09 – Final Takeaways 🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards. 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis  🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/4p0HMzJgMuQ or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com | (770) 939-1939 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions 🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

    22 min
  5. ROTC Disenrollment Part 1: When a Scholarship Becomes a Six-Figure Debt | Lawyers Without Billboards - S2 -Ep9

    FEB 26

    ROTC Disenrollment Part 1: When a Scholarship Becomes a Six-Figure Debt | Lawyers Without Billboards - S2 -Ep9

    What happens when an ROTC cadet is accused of misconduct, academic failure, or a serious violation of military standards? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, the team breaks down the high-stakes world of ROTC disenrollment hearings — where a scholarship can suddenly transform into a six-figure debt or even mandatory enlisted service. ROTC contracts are not symbolic. They are binding agreements with the United States government. And when issues arise — whether involving grades, conduct, DUIs, drugs, or allegations of sexual misconduct — cadets can find themselves facing a formal disenrollment process that feels more like a military tribunal than a campus disciplinary hearing. In Part 1, the panel explains: What ROTC disenrollment actually meansHow the process beginsThe types of allegations that trigger hearingsWhat rights cadets haveHow scholarship repayment is calculatedWhy early legal strategy mattersIf you or your student is contracted in ROTC, this is information you need before a problem arises. Part 2 will dive deeper into hearings, outcomes, and appeals. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Intro 00:41 – Welcome & Today’s Topic: ROTC Disenrollments 02:00 – What Does ROTC Stand For? 02:14 – The Three Paths to Becoming an Officer 04:30 – How ROTC Works on College Campuses 06:18 – ROTC vs Academies: Who Produces Better Officers? 09:25 – ROTC Contracts & Giving Up Civil Liberties 10:19 – What Is a Contracted Cadet? 11:53 – What Gets You Kicked Out of ROTC? 14:12 – “Back in the 80s”: ROTC Then vs Now 16:24 – Contracted vs Non-Contracted Cadets 18:31 – Notice of Disenrollment: What Happens First? 20:33 – When Title IX & Criminal Charges Complicate Things 22:47 – Requesting a Hearing (Or Waiving It) 23:21 – Air Force vs Other Branches: Key Differences 24:12 – What the Hearing Looks Like 27:38 – Winning the Board Isn’t the End 29:57 – Repayment vs Enlisted Service 30:28 – Part 2 Preview 🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards. 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis  🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/p2Tfy5Ntv_U or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com | (770) 939-1939 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions 🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

    32 min
  6. Military Pensions Explained: The 10-10 Rule, DFAS & High-36 | Lawyers Without Billboards S2 - Ep8

    FEB 19

    Military Pensions Explained: The 10-10 Rule, DFAS & High-36 | Lawyers Without Billboards S2 - Ep8

    Military retirement benefits can be one of the most valuable — and most misunderstood — assets in a divorce. In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa break down the fundamentals of military pensions, including the often-confused 10-10 Rule, how DFAS works, and what “High-36” really means. They explain how military retirement differs from private-sector pensions, why the 20-year “cliff vesting” rule matters, and what can go wrong when attorneys draft unclear or incorrect pension language in settlement agreements. Whether you're a service member, spouse, or attorney handling a military divorce, this episode provides practical insight into: • How military pensions are calculated  • The difference between the old retirement system and the blended retirement system  • What the 10-10 Rule actually does (and doesn’t do)  • When DFAS will pay a former spouse directly  • Common drafting mistakes that create major problems later  • Why “pay me now or pay me later” applies to military pension division Military pension division is nuanced, technical, and full of traps for the unwary. Getting it right matters. ⏱ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Introduction  01:00 – What Is a Military Pension?  02:30 – Cliff Vesting: The 20-Year Rule  04:30 – Active Duty vs. Reserve Retirement  07:00 – How Military Pensions Are Calculated (High-36 Explained)  10:00 – The Blended Retirement System vs. the Old System  13:30 – The 10-10 Rule: What It Actually Means  17:30 – When DFAS Pays the Former Spouse Directly  20:00 – Common Drafting Mistakes in Military Divorce  24:00 – Offsetting the Pension Instead of Dividing It  27:00 – Why Military Pension Language Must Be Precise  28:30 – Closing Thoughts 🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards. 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis  🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/qMYIukopyrc or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com | (770) 939-1939 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions 🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

    29 min
  7. Preparing Witnesses for Trial: What Good Lawyers Actually Do | Lawyers Without Billboards - S2 Ep7

    FEB 12

    Preparing Witnesses for Trial: What Good Lawyers Actually Do | Lawyers Without Billboards - S2 Ep7

    Should lawyers prepare their clients for testimony? Absolutely. But preparation does not mean telling someone what to say. In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa break down what real trial preparation looks like — and why it starts long before you ever step into a courtroom. From correcting language habits in the very first consultation to organizing emails months before trial, the team shares practical strategies that separate prepared attorneys from those who simply “wing it.” They also discuss: Why clients revert to their “lowest level of training” under stressThe dangers of waiting until the courthouse steps to preparePreparing witnesses remotely vs. in personHow to structure testimony in clear, logical chaptersWhy you should always practice cross-examination with your own clientAnd what happens when lawyers call witnesses they’ve never spoken toIf you’re a client heading toward court — or a younger attorney learning the ropes — this episode offers real insight into how strong trial preparation wins cases. Because surprises in court are expensive. ⏱️ Chapter Markers  00:00 – Introduction  01:41 – Should Lawyers Prepare Witnesses?  03:00 – When Trial Preparation Really Begins  04:08 – Breaking Bad Language Habits Early  06:00 – Reverting to Your Lowest Level of Training  09:05 – Organizing Emails & Building Trial Strategy Early  12:46 – In-Person vs Remote Witness Preparation  17:00 – Zoom Hearings & Technology Pitfalls  21:47 – Why You Must Prepare Every Witness  24:25 – How to Structure Direct Examination (Chapters & Topics)  29:02 – Repetition, Drilling & Reducing Surprises  31:59 – Preparing Clients for Cross-Examination  🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards. 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis  🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/RZbNPK0NvSA or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: sshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com | (770) 939-1939 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions 🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

    34 min
  8. The Roses on Trial: Marriage, Power, and the Cost of Winning

    FEB 5

    The Roses on Trial: Marriage, Power, and the Cost of Winning

    What happens when a marriage becomes a zero-sum game - and what does it really cost to “win”? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve and Patty Shewmaker and Jimmy and Alexa Lewis put the 2025 remake The Roses on trial, comparing it to the original War of the Roses and examining what both films reveal about marriage, power, identity, and conflict. Unlike the original, which focused heavily on divorce and courtroom warfare, The Roses reframes the story as a study of marriage itself - career imbalance, resentment, sacrifice, and the quiet ways couples lose each other long before lawyers get involved. The panel explores how modern dynamics—dual careers, public humiliation, social media, and shifting power - reshape the story, and why the most revealing moments don’t happen in court at all. Topics include: How The Roses differs from War of the Roses in focus and messageWhy this remake is about marriage more than divorcePower shifts when one spouse’s career collapses as the other’s explodesThe role of resentment, sacrifice, and unspoken expectationsWhat Amy and Barry reveal about “surviving” marriageWhy the house becomes the ultimate battlegroundHow social media accelerates marital destructionThe lone legal scene—and what it gets right and wrongWhy “winning” often leaves everyone worse offWhether you’re married, divorced, or advising clients in conflict, this episode offers a surprisingly sharp lens on how relationships unravel—and why the most dangerous fights are rarely about the law. ⏱️ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Podcast introduction and show overview  00:00:40 – Welcome to Lawyers Without Billboards  00:01:15 – Introducing The Roses and its connection to War of the Roses 00:03:02 – Why remakes often fail—and why this one works 00:05:10 – Divorce movie vs. marriage movie: the key distinction 00:06:57 – Career collapse, career explosion, and shifting power 00:09:14 – Resentment, sacrifice, and the “altar of marriage” 00:11:32 – Amy and Barry: the most honest take on marriage in the film 00:14:02 – When friends see the cracks before the couple does 00:15:48 – The house as leverage, identity, and weapon 00:18:06 – Social media, public humiliation, and modern conflict 00:20:11 – The dinner party scene and performative cruelty 00:22:34 – Destruction as communication: escalation without brakes 00:24:41 – The lone legal scene: mediation, lawyers, and realism 00:27:03 – Why “winning” becomes the real loss 00:28:52 – Final thoughts: marriage, mortality, and what the ending means 🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards. 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis  🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/RZbNPK0NvSA  or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com | (770) 939-1939 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions  🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.  🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner  📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

    31 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Real lawyers, real talk—without the billboards. Lawyers Without Billboards is an unfiltered look at family law, hosted by the partners of Shewmaker & Lewis: Steve and Patty Shewmaker, and Jimmy and Alexa Lewis. With decades of experience in divorce, custody battles, child support, alimony, and criminal law, they break down legal myths, share expert insights, and dive into real cases (sometimes with a side of humor). Expect candid conversations, legal deep dives, and the occasional sidebar on pop culture, legal movies, and life as family law attorneys. Whether you're navigating a family law issue, practicing law yourself, or just enjoy courtroom drama, this podcast offers valuable insights with a dose of levity. New episodes every two weeks Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Information

  • Creator
    Shewmaker & Lewis
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Lawyers Without Billboards
  • Show Website
    Lawyers Without Billboards

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