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Welcome to the Insider TIPS Podcast Hub, home of the Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice Section's premiere podcast, where you can find episodes on a variety of topics to help you better serve your clients, accelerate your career, and improve your well-being. Start listening today!

  1. 5d ago

    Leverage for Plaintiffs, Ep. 6 - Alinor Sterling & Relentless Optimism - 11/2026

    In this ABA Series we ask experienced plaintiff lawyers how they “gain leverage” for trial or settlement. In this episode we hear from Connecticut-based ⁠Alinor Sterling⁠ about “relentless optimism” and “fear-based” negotiating. Alinor is a trial and appellate lawyer, having won a $73M verdict against Remington for families of victims in the Sandy Hook shooting, and a $1.5B verdict against Alex Jones for defamation. She is also former President of the ⁠Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association⁠. In this episode, Alinor discusses how she’s changed her mindset in handling cases. Most importantly, she practices “relentless optimism,” in considering her facts, preparing her case, and most importantly, making her arguments. That doesn’t mean she ignores weaknesses, or strengths in the defendant’s arguments. It means that she fully prepares and believes that her facts, her case, and her arguments, will carry the day. “I believe in my case, and everything comes from that belief.”  She also focused on avoiding “fear-based” negotiating. Don’t concern yourself with the defense counsel’s threat to “pull the offer.” Unless you’re in the middle of trial, and something went wrong, it’ll be on the table. “You have a lot of freedom to see if you can get the number higher. Patience and confidence will really help.” Questions by host ⁠Jeremy Babener⁠, tax and settlement counsel to plaintiffs and plaintiff firms, and member of the ABA TIPS Plaintiff Practice Committee.

  2. Oct 20

    Leverage for Plaintiffs, Ep. 5 - Matt Long & Befriending Adjusters - 10/2026

    In this ABA Series we ask experienced plaintiff lawyers how they “gain leverage” for trial or settlement. In this episode we hear from Virginia-based ⁠Matt Long⁠ about negotiating auto cases with adjusters. Matt prides himself on consistently settling for policy limits without litigating. He also serves on the Board of the ⁠Virginia Trial Lawyers Association⁠. In this episode, Matt describes his approach to auto. “While growing up I got a PhD in how this works on the insurance side from my mother, a Senior Adjuster at Allstate.” He focuses on personally connecting with the adjuster - don’t ask your paralegal or assistant to contact them. You want the adjuster to see your client as a person. “I want them to feel morally obligated to help my client.” And as he describes it, they do.  When it comes down to it, Matt says, you want the adjuster to be ready to tell their boss why this case deserves more. “There’s always more money.” It all starts with making sure you understand what the adjuster needs to close this case. “I guarantee that they have more cases on their desk than you do.” Know what they need, and give it to them: CPT Codes, ICD Codes, everything itemized, a chronological summary, police report, pictures, subjective analysis. If that’s what they need, why not give it to them? Questions by host ⁠Jeremy Babener⁠, tax and settlement counsel to plaintiffs and plaintiff firms, and member of the ABA TIPS Plaintiff Practice Committee.

  3. Oct 20

    TIPS Animal Law Legacy Series: David Favre - 09/2026

    David is yet another attorney who was there in the early days of the field of animal law. For 20 years starting in the early 1980's, David served as treasurer of the Animal Legal Defense Fund board, helping ALDF grow to the organization it is today. In 2002, David created the Animal Legal and Historical Center, which continues to serve as a critical resource for law students, attorneys, and members of the public. After nearly 50 years as a dedicated law professor, David recently retired. ~Interview conducted by Emily Torres

  4. Oct 20

    Leverage for Plaintiffs, Ep. 4 - Mike Arias & Finding Weakness - 09/2026

    In this ABA Series we ask experienced plaintiff lawyers how they “gain leverage” for trial or settlement. In this episode we hear from California-based ⁠Mike Arias⁠ about “knowing the defense’s case better than they do.” Mike has handled cases of all types, from single-event to mass tort to class action. Among his many successes, he helped pursue and settle the largest-known sexual abuse case in U.S. history. He has also served as President of the ⁠Consumer Attorneys of California⁠, the ⁠Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles⁠. In this episode, he describes the importance of knowing the defense’s case, and the power of focusing on its weaknesses rather than shifting to your strengths. By looking at the questions and arguments defendants are making, you learn what you need to attack.  For settlement negotiations? Know who on the defense is really in charge of evaluating the risks. What is the business decision and how do you need them to see it? “A lot of lawyers don’t understand insurance, excess insurance, and re-insurance. Knowing that means you can send the right messages to the right people.” And when there’s more players involved? “You play the lawyers against each other. You play the carriers against each other.” Questions by host ⁠Jeremy Babener⁠, tax and settlement counsel to plaintiffs and plaintiff firms, and member of the ABA TIPS Plaintiff Practice Committee.

  5. Aug 13

    TIPS Animal Law Legacy Series: Barbara Gislason - 08/2026

    Barbara spearheaded this very committee back in the early 2000's, recruiting top animal lawyers to join the community and laying the foundation for what the ALC is today. In the last two decades, she has contributed to the field of animal law in numerous ways, including through private practice, authorship, and work with the Union Internationale des Avocats. ~Interview conducted by Emily Torres

  6. Aug 7

    Leverage for Plaintiffs, Ep. 3 - Shahrad Milanfar & Storytelling - 08/2026

    In this ABA Series we ask experienced plaintiff lawyers how they “gain leverage” for trial or settlement. In this episode we hear from California-based ⁠Shahrad Milanfar⁠ about “building the narrative.” He’s secured many millions of dollars in cases of catastrophic injury, product liability, and police brutality. Recently he won a verdict of $32M in a case of nursing home abuse. He also teaches for the ⁠National Institute of Trial Advocacy⁠. In this episode, he describes the need to adapt strategy based on the personalities and law at issue. Especially in negotiating most settlements, remembering that money is coming from insurance is key in the narrative you build. How do you say and do things that resonate? That depends on who you’re negotiating with. “If you’ve practiced Aikido….” Shahrad walks through his focus on what the defense is likely to argue and how he prepares cases to leverage those arguments.  Questions by host @⁠Jeremy Babener⁠, tax and settlement counsel to plaintiffs and plaintiff firms, and member of the ABA TIPS Plaintiff Practice Committee.

  7. Jul 21

    TIPS Animal Law Legacy Series: Elinor Molbegott - 07/2026

    Daina Bray has been an active member and leader of the Animal Law Committee for many years. She is also a former ABA House of Delegates Representative and has worked hard to represent the ALC within TIPS and the ABA as a whole. Daina is currently a Clinical Lecturer in Law, a Senior Research Scholar in Law, and the Legal Director of the Law, Environment & Animals Program (LEAP) at Yale Law School. ~Interview conducted by Emily Torres

  8. Jul 3

    Tax Series Ep. 13 (of 13) - Plaintiffs & GoFundMe - 07/2026

    Some plaintiffs are hugely successful in raising money for their medical expenses. But that money jeopardizes their eligibility for Medicaid. In this episode we discuss the Plaintiff Fund, a charitable option for plaintiffs to raise medical funds from their community without taking that risk. And when plaintiffs use it, they also receive a grant to get them started. tax In this Series, TIPS explores what trial lawyers need to know about tax. Trial lawyer ⁠Shannon Davis⁠ sits down for a multi-part conversation with ⁠Jeremy Babener⁠, tax lawyer to plaintiff firms. He advises on cases across the country, and vets and designs many of the arrangements we use at settlement.

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Welcome to the Insider TIPS Podcast Hub, home of the Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice Section's premiere podcast, where you can find episodes on a variety of topics to help you better serve your clients, accelerate your career, and improve your well-being. Start listening today!

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  • Creator
    ABA TIPS
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
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    © All rights reserved
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    ABA Insider TIPS