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

    2D AGO

    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
  2. From the Bench: Judge Alex Manning on TPOs, Credibility, and Courtroom Reality

    JAN 29

    From the Bench: Judge Alex Manning on TPOs, Credibility, and Courtroom Reality

    What really happens inside Temporary Protective Order (TPO) court, and how do judges separate real danger from strategic filings? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve and Patty Shewmaker and Jimmy and Alexa Lewis sit down with Fulton County Magistrate Judge Alex Manning for an unfiltered conversation about life on the bench, domestic violence hearings, and the realities judges face every day in TPO court. Judge Manning pulls back the curtain on how credibility is evaluated, why volume does not equal truth, and how TPOs can be misused during divorce and custody disputes. She also shares unforgettable courtroom moments, lessons learned during COVID-era virtual hearings, and the emotional weight judges carry long after the courtroom clears. This episode blends humor, hard truth, and professional insight into one of the most misunderstood areas of family law. Topics include: • What really happens in TPO court  • How judges assess credibility and firsthand knowledge  • Common mistakes attorneys make in protective order hearings  • Strategic misuse of TPOs in divorce cases  • Why judges talk and patterns matter  • COVID courtroom chaos and virtual hearing disasters  • The emotional toll of domestic violence cases  • Why in-person hearings matter for credibility  • Lessons lawyers and litigants should take into every courtroom If you practice family law, handle protective orders, or want an honest look at how decisions are made from the bench, this episode delivers rare perspective straight from the judge’s chair. ⏱️ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Podcast introduction and show overview  00:00:40 – Welcome to Lawyers Without Billboards  00:01:15 – Introducing Judge Alex Manning  00:02:45 – What magistrate judges really do  00:04:30 – Inside TPO court and why it’s misunderstood  00:06:10 – Spotting weak and strategic TPO filings  00:08:05 – Credibility, firsthand knowledge, and facts vs. noise  00:10:12 – “I cannot unsee that”: courtroom rules and phone evidence  00:12:10 – COVID-era hearings and virtual courtroom chaos  00:14:40 – Why in-person hearings matter  00:16:20 – Judges talk: strategy, patterns, and consequences  00:18:15 – When TPOs intersect with divorce and custody cases  00:20:30 – The emotional toll of domestic violence cases  00:22:45 – Managing stress, perspective, and burnout on the bench  00:24:40 – Judge Manning’s background and path to the bench  00:27:30 – Final thoughts and closing remarks 🔔 Subscribe for honest conversations about family law and the legal system without the billboards. 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis 🎧 Listen or Watch  Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/qLVEoh0xuaw or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: sshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com or call (770) 939-1939 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards 📺 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, custody, mediation, and courtroom reality. 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez at Dragonsong Productions  🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

    34 min
  3. Military Divorce Pitfalls: The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Explained

    JAN 22

    Military Divorce Pitfalls: The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Explained

    Military Divorce Pitfalls: The Survivor Benefit Plan Explained What happens to a military pension after divorce, and what happens if the service member dies? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve and Patty Shewmaker and Jimmy and Alexa Lewis break down one of the most misunderstood and high-risk issues in military divorce: the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). SBP can determine whether a former spouse continues receiving income after a service member’s death, but it is governed by strict federal statutes, unforgiving deadlines, and complex election rules. Miss one step or one window, and the benefit can be lost permanently. The panel explains how SBP works, when it must be elected, who can receive it, and the common traps that catch both attorneys and families off guard. Topics include: • What the Survivor Benefit Plan is and what it is not  • How SBP differs from private pensions  • Election windows for active duty and reserve service members  • Why SBP can disappear after divorce if deadlines are missed  • The one-year “deemed election” rule and why it matters  • What happens when a former spouse remarries before age 55  • Why SBP is often the biggest malpractice risk in military divorce cases If you or your client is dealing with a military divorce, this episode explains why SBP cannot be treated as an afterthought. ⏱️ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Podcast introduction and show overview  00:00:40 – Welcome to Lawyers Without Billboards  00:01:20 – Introducing the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)  00:03:28 – Why SBP matters in military divorce  00:04:22 – How military pensions differ from private pensions  00:05:44 – What happens to pension benefits after death  00:06:47 – When and how SBP must be elected  00:07:52 – Active duty vs. reserve SBP election windows  00:09:27 – Why SBP is a “unitary benefit”  00:11:04 – Who can and cannot receive SBP  00:13:48 – SBP costs and premium structure  00:15:41 – Common pitfalls and malpractice risks  00:16:34 – The one-year deemed election deadline  00:18:04 – King v. King and real-world consequences  00:19:53 – When SBP is lost forever  00:21:57 – Remarriage before age 55 and SBP termination  00:24:29 – Final thoughts and closing remarks 🔔 Subscribe for honest conversations about family law and the legal system without the billboards. 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis   🎧 Listen or Watch Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/joBxzR8F6pQ or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: jlewis@shewmakerandlewis.com or call (770) 939-1939   🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards 📺 Subscribe for new episodes and candid conversations about family law, custody, mediation, and conflict resolution. 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez at Dragonsong Productions  🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

    26 min
  4. Inside the Solicitor’s Office: A Conversation with Gwinnett County Solicitor Lisa Marie Bristol

    JAN 15

    Inside the Solicitor’s Office: A Conversation with Gwinnett County Solicitor Lisa Marie Bristol

    What does a County Solicitor actually do, and why does it matter if you’re charged with a misdemeanor? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve Shewmaker and Alexa  & Jimmy Lewis talk with Gwinnett County Solicitor Lisa Marie Bristol about her role, her office, and how misdemeanor cases are handled in Georgia courts. From traffic offenses to more serious misdemeanor charges, the Solicitor’s Office is often the first and most important stop in the criminal justice system. Lisa Marie Bristol explains how charging decisions are made, what discretion prosecutors have, and what defendants often misunderstand about misdemeanor cases. Topics include: The difference between a Solicitor and a District AttorneyWhat types of cases the Solicitor’s Office handlesHow prosecutors evaluate cases and negotiate resolutionsThe realities of high caseloads and courtroom decision-makingWhat people should know before walking into misdemeanor courtIf you want a clearer understanding of how misdemeanor prosecution works in Gwinnett County and beyond, this episode delivers real insight straight from the source. ⏱️ Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Podcast introduction and show overview 00:00:40 – Welcome to Lawyers Without Billboards 00:01:12 – Introducing a new podcast series: elected officials 00:01:46 – Introducing Gwinnett County Solicitor General Lisa Marie Bristol 00:02:10 – Gwinnett County background and scope of the Solicitor’s role 00:03:14 – How Lisa Marie Bristol prefers to be addressed 00:03:21 – Career lineage and Gwinnett Solicitor’s Office history 00:04:18 – When Lisa Marie Bristol took office as Solicitor General 00:04:33 – Her early career and full-circle moment in prosecution 00:07:10 – What the Gwinnett County Solicitor’s Office prosecutes 00:11:05 – Difference between the Solicitor and the District Attorney 00:15:40 – Prosecutorial discretion and charging decisions 00:20:10 – Common misconceptions about misdemeanor cases 00:24:55 – What defendants should understand before court 00:29:20 – Balancing fairness, accountability, and public safety 00:33:45 – Advice for attorneys and defendants navigating misdemeanor court 00:37:10 – Final thoughts and closing remarks 🔔 Subscribe for honest conversations about law, courts, and the legal system without the billboards. 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis Shewmaker & Lewis – Atlanta, GA 🎧 Listen or Watch Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/HEDdKvLpXlw or listen on your favorite podcast platform – Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: sshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com or call (770) 939-1939 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards 📺 Subscribe for new episodes and candid conversations about family law, custody, mediation, and conflict resolution. 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez at Dragonsong Productions  🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

    41 min
  5. Holiday Parenting Time: Why the Holidays Cause So Many Fights

    JAN 8

    Holiday Parenting Time: Why the Holidays Cause So Many Fights

    The holidays are supposed to be joyful - but in family law, they’re often a flashpoint for conflict. In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa break down why holiday parenting time creates so many disputes, how courts actually divide holiday schedules, and the drafting mistakes that turn manageable situations into annual blowups. From Christmas and New Year’s to birthdays and school breaks, the team explains what judges expect, why overly complicated schedules fail, and how clear parenting plans can prevent years of unnecessary conflict. If you’ve ever wondered why “we’ll just figure it out” almost never works - this episode explains exactly why. ⏱️ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Welcome to Lawyers Without Billboards 01:45 – Why Christmas (and holidays) cause the biggest parenting fights 04:30 – How courts usually divide holiday parenting time 07:10 – Why vague or “flexible” holiday plans backfire 09:45 – The problem with splitting Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 12:30 – Why travel and future plans matter more than you think 15:10 – Real-world examples of holiday parenting disputes 18:30 – Defining “release of school” and other drafting pitfalls 21:40 – When parents agree… until they don’t 24:15 – Birthdays, parent birthdays, and why kids don’t care 27:10 – Final thoughts on preventing holiday conflict 28:00 – Closing and New Year's wishes 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis Shewmaker & Lewis – Atlanta, GA 🔔 Subscribe for real talk about law, courts, and culture. 🎧 Listen or Watch Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/WL6KDAJ8JaU or listen on your favorite podcast platform – Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards 📺 Subscribe for new episodes and candid conversations about family law, custody, mediation, and conflict resolution. 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez at Dragonsong Productions  🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

    29 min

  6. JAN 1

    Alienation of Affection: When Cheating Becomes a Lawsuit | Lawyers Without Billboards - Ep 43

    In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa kick off a new series on national cases of note with a deceptively simple question: Can you sue the person your spouse cheated with? The answer depends entirely on where you live. The team breaks down the rarely used - but very real - tort of alienation of affection, a law that still exists in only a handful of states and has produced some eye-popping jury verdicts. They unpack: What alienation of affection actually is and where it still appliesThe recent North Carolina case involving a social media influencer and a $1.75 million verdictWhy Georgia (and most states) abolished this claim decades agoWhether it makes sense to blame the third party instead of the cheating spouseHow damages are calculated - including the role of social media and monetizationWhy judges generally hate this cause of actionAlong the way, the episode delivers the usual Lawyers Without Billboards mix of legal insight, history, sarcasm, and brutal honesty. If you’re curious how an affair can turn into a full-blown lawsuit - or why most states decided this law should die - this episode explains it all. 👇 CHAPTERS 👇 00:00 – Intro: Lawyers Without Billboards 00:45 – New series: National cases of note 01:25 – Pop quiz: “If you’re defending, you’re spending” 03:00 – Can you sue the person your spouse cheated with? 04:00 – What is alienation of affection? 05:00 – Which states still allow these lawsuits 06:15 – Is alienation of affection old law or new trend? 07:10 – The North Carolina influencer case explained 10:45 – What must be proven to win an alienation claim 12:30 – The $1.75 million verdict and damage breakdown 14:45 – Should the third party really be blamed? 16:30 – Why most states abolished alienation of affection 18:15 – Massive verdicts and jury behavior 19:45 – Final takeaways and lessons learned ? 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis Shewmaker & Lewis – Atlanta, GA 🔔 Subscribe for real talk about law, courts, and culture. 🎧 Listen or Watch Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/uEv-U-ZbT64 or listen on your favorite podcast platform – Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: sshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards 📺 Subscribe for new episodes and candid conversations about family law, custody, mediation, and conflict resolution. 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez at Dragonsong Productions  🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

    21 min
  7. Legally Blonde vs Real Law: Lawyers Without Billboards Movie Review | Lawyers Without Billboards - Ep 42

    12/25/2025

    Legally Blonde vs Real Law: Lawyers Without Billboards Movie Review | Lawyers Without Billboards - Ep 42

    Is Legally Blonde a feminist legal masterpiece… or courtroom fiction? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, real attorneys Steve Shewmaker and Alexa Lewis review Legally Blonde, breaking down what the movie gets right, what it gets wrong, and why it still resonates more than 20 years later. From law school stereotypes to courtroom theatrics, this episode blends legal insight with humor and honesty. 👇 CHAPTERS 👇 00:00 – Intro: Why Legally Blonde Still Matters 02:15 – Elle Woods: Law School Myth vs Reality 06:40 – Courtroom Drama vs Real Litigation 12:05 – Confidence, Competence, and Credibility 17:30 – What Hollywood Gets Right (Surprisingly) 22:10 – What Would Never Happen in Real Court 28:45 – Final Verdict: Is Legally Blonde Good Law? 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis Shewmaker & Lewis – Atlanta, GA 🔔 Subscribe for real talk about law, courts, and culture. 🌐 https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com 🎧 Listen or Watch Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/rj3djV1CbpI or listen on your favorite podcast platform – Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: jlewis@shewmakerandlewis.com 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards 📺 Subscribe for new episodes and candid conversations about family law, custody, mediation, and conflict resolution. 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez at Dragonsong Productions  🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

    43 min
  8. Phil McCurdy on Au Pairs, Divorce, and 37 Years of Family Law | Lawyers Without Billboards - Ep 41

    12/18/2025

    Phil McCurdy on Au Pairs, Divorce, and 37 Years of Family Law | Lawyers Without Billboards - Ep 41

    Phil McCurdy on Au Pairs, Divorce, and 37 Years of Family Law In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa sit down with longtime Georgia family law attorney Phil McCurdy, bringing more than 37 years of courtroom experience to one deceptively simple question: Is hiring a live-in au pair ever a good idea? From real divorce cases to power imbalances, courtroom consequences, and judgment calls that unravel marriages, Phil breaks down what actually happens when help at home becomes a legal nightmare. Along the way, the conversation takes its usual unscripted turns, blending sharp legal insight with humor, war stories, and a brand-new game. In this episode, we cover: Why au pairs are rarely the solution people think they areHow live-in help can accelerate divorce, custody fights, and financial disputesPower imbalance issues when employment, housing, and immigration overlapWhat courts actually care about when au pairs become part of the caseReal-world cases involving au pairs from the U.S. and abroadWhen poor judgment matters more than infidelityA new recurring segmentEpisode Chapters: 00:00 - Welcome to Lawyers Without Billboards  02:29 - Introducing Phil McCurdy and 37 years of family law  08:58 - The au pair question and why it keeps showing up in divorce cases  12:36 - Power dynamics, employment, and legal risk  17:14 - When judgment matters more than adultery  20:26 - So should you ever hire an au pair?  22:52 - **** Jimmy Doesn’t Know (new segment debut)  26:41 - Final takeaways and closing thoughts 🎧 Subscribe for more real-world family law conversations with no gimmicks, no legal jargon, and no billboards. 🎧 Listen or Watch Watch on YouTube here; https://youtu.be/AhyULGK9keE or listen on your favorite podcast platform – Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: sshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards 📺 Subscribe for new episodes and candid conversations about family law, custody, mediation, and conflict resolution. 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez at Dragonsong Productions  🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

    28 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
    48
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Lawyers Without Billboards
  • Show Website
    Lawyers Without Billboards