Texas Appellate Law Podcast

Todd Smith & Jody Sanders
  • 5.0 (46)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Texas Appellate Law Podcast

Welcome to the Texas Appellate Law Podcast—your backstage pass to the Texas and federal appellate systems. Join your hosts, Texas appellate lawyers Todd Smith and Jody Sanders, as they explore the nuances of appellate advocacy with judges, court staff, leading trial and appellate practitioners, academics, and legal innovators. Whether you're immersed in an appeal or building your trial strategy, each episode delivers practical insights to help you enhance your advocacy skills, strengthen your arguments, and stay current with evolving legal trends. Connect with us at texapplawpod.com or on LinkedIn and X (@texapplawpod). Brought to you by Texas Appellate Counsel PLLC, a solo practice dedicated to appellate advocacy, trial support, and consulting for trial lawyers. For more information visit texappcounsel.com. Sponsored by Court Surety Bond Agency and Thomson Reuters. Produced and powered by LawPods, podcast marketing that converts prospects and drives revenue. The views expressed by the participants on this podcast are their own and not those of their law firms, courts, or employers. Nothing you hear on this show establishes an attorney-client relationship or is legal advice.

  1. FEB 20

    Addressing Misconduct and Disability in the Federal Judiciary | Chris Dove

    For Chris Dove, it started when he came upon articles in Above the Law about the saga of then-95-year-old federal Judge Pauline Newman. A giant in IP law, Judge Newman faced allegations of poor health and declining cognitive abilities in 2023. Those allegations led to a council’s recommendation that the judge be suspended and a flurry of litigation. “When I started reading for myself,” Chris recalls to hosts Todd Smith and Jody Sanders, “I realized there is a whole system that goes on for policing and managing federal judges that I was unaware of.” Chris’ investigation into the little-known system eventually led to his paper, “Who Judges The Judges? Judicial Qualification and Recusal,” and CLEs. With Todd and Jody, he discusses broader implications around the independence and accountability of federal judges.  Connect and Learn More☑️ Chris Dove  ☑️ Troutman Pepper Locke on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube ☑️ Todd Smith | LinkedIn | X  ☑️ Jody Sanders | LinkedIn | X  ☑️ Texas Appellate Law Podcast on LinkedIn | X | Instagram ☑️ Texas Appellate Counsel PLLC | LinkedIn  ☑️ Kelly Hart & Hallman, LLP | LinkedIn ☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2BchCJTvUFcxG1iZjP5YOn" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    59 min
  2. Looking Back and Looking Forward | Chief Justice Nathan Hecht

    12/12/2024

    Looking Back and Looking Forward | Chief Justice Nathan Hecht

    Chief Justice Nathan Hecht is retiring after an extraordinary 43 years on the bench. In this special episode, he joins Todd Smith and Jody Sanders to reflect on his remarkable career as Texas's longest-serving Chief Justice. He shares personal stories, pivotal milestones, and the transformative reforms he championed, from modernizing court technology to improving access to justice. Don't miss this candid and inspiring conversation about Chief Justice Hecht's enduring legacy, his vision for the future of Texas courts, and his advice to the next generation of lawyers and judges. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! A special thanks to our sponsors: Court Surety Bond AgencyThomson Reuters Proudly presented by Butler Snow LLP Join the Texas Appellate Law Podcast Community today: texapplawpod.comTwitterLinkedInYouTube

    50 min
  3. Breaking Down the Robert Roberson Case: Criminal Appeals, Reform, and Separation of Powers | Doug Gladden

    11/14/2024

    Breaking Down the Robert Roberson Case: Criminal Appeals, Reform, and Separation of Powers | Doug Gladden

    The highly publicized Robert Roberson case has raised critical questions about the death penalty and separation of powers. In this episode, Todd Smith and Jody Sanders sit down with criminal defense attorney Doug Gladden to tackle this difficult topic. Known for his insightful legal commentary, Doug shares his career journey from serving as a prosecutor to his new role with the Harris County Public Defender's Office and how his views on justice have evolved along the way. The conversation moves into the challenges of criminal appellate practice, focusing on the high-profile Roberson case. Doug offers a unique perspective on the resource disparities between criminal and civil appeals, the nuances of indigent defense, and systemic issues within the criminal justice system. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that will resonate with legal professionals and the public alike. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! A special thanks to our sponsors: Court Surety Bond AgencyThomson Reuters Proudly presented by Butler Snow LLP Join the Texas Appellate Law Podcast Community today: texapplawpod.comTwitterLinkedInYouTube

    1h 28m
  4. A New Approach to Narrowing the Texas Civil Justice Chasm | Justice Brett Busby and Kennon Wooten

    10/24/2024

    A New Approach to Narrowing the Texas Civil Justice Chasm | Justice Brett Busby and Kennon Wooten

    Access to justice remains a pervasive problem in the Texas legal system. In this episode, Todd Smith and Jody Sanders welcome Texas Supreme Court Justice Brett Busby and Kennon Wooten from Austin's Scott Douglass & McConnico to discuss the latest developments on this front. The conversation focuses on new Supreme Court rules for licensing paraprofessionals and court access assistants to help close the justice gap. Justice Busby shares insights on national trends and the Supreme Court's efforts to implement innovative legal solutions. Kennon provides a behind-the-scenes look at the process and the collaborative efforts required to bring these groundbreaking proposals to life. Tune in to hear about the scope of this initiative and how it will serve those who cannot afford traditional legal services. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! A special thanks to our sponsors: Court Surety Bond AgencyThomson Reuters Proudly presented by Butler Snow LLP Join the Texas Appellate Law Podcast Community today: texapplawpod.comTwitterLinkedInYouTube

    1h 8m
  5. Bridging the Gap Between Law and Technology | Colin Levy

    08/08/2024

    Bridging the Gap Between Law and Technology | Colin Levy

    In this episode, Jody Sanders and Todd Smith chat with Colin Levy, Director of Legal and Evangelist at Malbek, about his journey from being a traditional in-house lawyer to a leading voice in legal technology. Colin shares his insights on the evolving landscape of the legal industry, emphasizing the importance of bridging the gap between technology and law. He discusses his role at Malbek, where he focuses on contract lifecycle management, and highlights the significance of legal tech in enhancing efficiency and client service. Colin also offers advice for lawyers looking to integrate technology into their practices, advocating for experimentation and a problem-solving approach.

    43 min
  6. Jury Charge Practice After Horton v. Kansas City Railway Co.

    07/25/2024

    Jury Charge Practice After Horton v. Kansas City Railway Co.

    Jury charge practice in Texas trials just got a shakeup thanks to the recent Horton v. Kansas City Railway Co. decision. In today’s episode, Todd Smith and Jody Sanders delve into the Texas Supreme Court’s recent pivot on Casteel error in jury charges. They analyze the implications for appellate practice, sparked by the Court’s revised stance in the Horton case. Formerly relied upon for its presumption of harm, Casteel error now requires prevailing parties to rebut a presumption that any error affected the jury's verdict. This nuanced shift, explored in detail by Todd and Jody, marks a significant evolution in Texas appellate law, prompting fresh considerations for trial attorneys and appellate strategists alike.

    44 min
  7. Balancing Tradition and Innovation in Legal Education | Dean Bobby Ahdieh

    06/27/2024

    Balancing Tradition and Innovation in Legal Education | Dean Bobby Ahdieh

    The legal world is undergoing a seismic shift. Technological advancements and a changing social landscape force the legal profession to adapt, but are law schools keeping pace? In this episode, Jody Sanders and Todd Smith visit with Dean Robert B. Ahdieh of Texas A&M Law School about the state of modern legal education and more. Dean Ahdieh shares his journey from New York City to Fort Worth, detailing his fascinating experiences in Russia and his unexpected foray into legal academia. The conversation explores Texas A&M Law's impressive rise in national rankings, the school's innovative approach to legal education, and the influence of Aggie culture. Dean Ahdieh also discusses the future of legal education in the context of rapidly evolving technologies like AI.   Twitter: @Ahdieology Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! A special thanks to our sponsors: Court Surety Bond AgencyThomson Reuters Proudly presented by Butler Snow LLP Join the Texas Appellate Law Podcast Community today: texapplawpod.comTwitterLinkedInYouTube

    59 min
  8. Prelude to the Business Court and 15th Court of Appeals: More Questions Than Answers | Tyler Talbert

    06/13/2024

    Prelude to the Business Court and 15th Court of Appeals: More Questions Than Answers | Tyler Talbert

    The Texas legal landscape will change significantly on September 1, 2024, with the launch of the Business Court and the 15th Court of Appeals. While the start date is set, many details are still uncertain. In this episode, Tyler Talbert, a board-certified civil appellate lawyer from Waco, joins hosts Todd Smith and Jody Sanders to delve into these groundbreaking new courts. Among the topics covered are what practitioners should expect when the courts open, the strategic implications for litigation, and the potential challenges that lie ahead. Tyler shares insights on the specialized jurisdiction of the Business Court, the statewide reach of the 15th Court of Appeals, and how these changes could reshape legal practice in Texas. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! A special thanks to our sponsors: Court Surety Bond AgencyThomson Reuters Proudly presented by Butler Snow LLP Join the Texas Appellate Law Podcast Community today: texapplawpod.comTwitterLinkedInYouTube

    54 min
See All (152)

5
out of 5
46 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Texas Appellate Law Podcast—your backstage pass to the Texas and federal appellate systems. Join your hosts, Texas appellate lawyers Todd Smith and Jody Sanders, as they explore the nuances of appellate advocacy with judges, court staff, leading trial and appellate practitioners, academics, and legal innovators. Whether you're immersed in an appeal or building your trial strategy, each episode delivers practical insights to help you enhance your advocacy skills, strengthen your arguments, and stay current with evolving legal trends. Connect with us at texapplawpod.com or on LinkedIn and X (@texapplawpod). Brought to you by Texas Appellate Counsel PLLC, a solo practice dedicated to appellate advocacy, trial support, and consulting for trial lawyers. For more information visit texappcounsel.com. Sponsored by Court Surety Bond Agency and Thomson Reuters. Produced and powered by LawPods, podcast marketing that converts prospects and drives revenue. The views expressed by the participants on this podcast are their own and not those of their law firms, courts, or employers. Nothing you hear on this show establishes an attorney-client relationship or is legal advice.

Information

  • Creator
    Todd Smith & Jody Sanders
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    152
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Todd Smith & Jody Sanders
  • Show Website
    Texas Appellate Law Podcast

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada