The Jon & Marc Podcast

Jon & Marc
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Legal growth insights from Jon, Marc, and the industry's top tier legal & marketing professionals. Two veteran legal marketers, Jon Robinson and Marc Rioux, dive into the business of law, mass torts, and the future of plaintiff-side firms. From marketing strategy and technology to candid conversations with top trial lawyers, marketers, and industry leaders, this podcast unpacks what’s really driving growth and change in the legal world. Honest, practical, and a little irreverent—perfect for attorneys, marketers, and anyone curious about where the business of law is headed.

  1. 3D AGO

    Daubert Deadlines: The Make-or-Break Month for Weight Loss and Hair Relaxer

    This week on Tort Talk, Jon and Marc are live from the Vanderbilt Hotel in Puerto Rico, joined by Joseph Fantini of Rosen Injury Lawyers to break down a high-stakes month in mass tort litigation. While the industry gathers for Mass Torts Puerto Rico, the legal calendar is moving faster than ever with billion-dollar claims and critical "make-or-break" deadlines. In this episode, we dive into: The Meta $3.7 Billion Showdown: New Mexico is entering Phase 2 of its trial against Meta, seeking $3.7 billion under a "public nuisance" theory. We discuss Meta's defense strategy, comparing social media to the alcohol industry, and their threat to pull out of the state entirely. The "Dirty" Roundup Settlement: We analyze the MDL judge’s recent comments regarding the Missouri class action settlement, which he described as "dirty" and "bizarre". With the June 4th opt-out deadline fast approaching, we explain why "wet signatures" are a non-negotiable requirement for your clients. Suboxone’s June 1st Crunch: Firms are scrambling to meet the bundled complaint deadline. We cover the necessary proof of usage and medical records required to keep your cases from being dismissed, and provide an updated outlook for Bellwether trials in 2028. Weight Loss & Hair Relaxer Daubert Hearings: With hearings scheduled for May 12th and 15th, the science is about to be put to the test. We break down which injuries, like gastroparesis or specific cancers, are likely to survive and how these rulings will shift the next Mass Tort Power Rankings. Whether you are managing a massive docket or just starting to scale your firm, this episode provides the tactical updates you need to protect your inventory and refine your strategy. Connect with us at rrdigitalmedia.com to learn how we build acquisition systems for the country’s leading law firms.

    12 min

  2. 5D AGO

    How Mark Lanier Beat Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (And What Happens Next)

    Holding Big Tech Accountable: Mark discusses the legal battles surrounding social media addiction and why corporations must face the consequences of their product. Leveling the Playing Field: AI allows smaller firms to sift through millions of discovery documents that were once used by large corporations to hide the truth. The Limit of Technology: While AI is a powerful assistant for data, it cannot replace the empathy or the human connection required for a closing argument. Authenticity in Trial: Mark explains why trying to copy someone else's style is a mistake and why juries value real communication over a performance. Staying a Student: A top trial lawyer must look beyond the law and study history, communication, and human nature to truly excel.

    17 min

  3. APR 30

    Mass Tort Showdown: The Roundup Settlement Fight and Talc’s Post-Bankruptcy Momentum

    Key Takeaways: The Supreme Court is weighing Roundup preemption: The Justices heard oral arguments on April 27th regarding whether FIFRA preempts state law failure-to-warn claims, a decision that could impact labeling litigation across the country.Internal conflict in Roundup MDL: Leading MDL firms have filed a motion to intervene in the Missouri class action settlement, arguing that the settlement was reached too quickly and seeking to halt the current proceedings.Plaintiff momentum in Talc litigation: Following the collapse of J&J’s bankruptcy attempts, the litigation has entered court-ordered mediation, with plaintiffs gaining leverage from recent successful trials outside the MDL.Weight loss drug "Science Day" is set for May 14th: A critical Daubert hearing is approaching for the gastroparesis (GI) track of the GLP-1 litigation, which will define the scientific standards for the docket moving forward.State AGs are forcing platform changes at Roblox: Beyond monetary settlements, State Attorney Generals are securing agreements that require structural changes to the Roblox platform to better protect minors from predators.

    16 min

  4. APR 28

    From Section 230 to OpenAI: The New Frontier of Plaintiff Law

    Matthew Bergman returns to The Jon & Marc Podcast to discuss the latest developments in social media addiction cases and the groundbreaking litigation against OpenAI. Key Takeaways Social media addiction litigation has reached a turning point where the first major trial results are beginning to shape the future of the industry.The legal strategy against OpenAI includes claims that specific software updates contributed to severe mental health declines and loss of life.Section 230 is no longer an absolute shield for tech companies as lawyers find new ways to challenge platform immunity.Internal testimony from tech executives is providing a clearer picture of how these platforms prioritize engagement over user safety.Litigation is being used as a primary tool to force societal changes that legislation has so far failed to address.The transition from suing social media companies to addressing AI-generated harm represents the next massive shift for plaintiff firms.

    34 min

  5. APR 23

    Proving Liability vs. Proving Damages: Lessons from the Uber MDL

    Key Takeaways: The Uber $5,000 Verdict: While the dollar amount was low, the verdict is seen as a "win-win" because it established Uber’s liability for driver conduct and cleared the "common carrier" hurdle in a defense-picked case. Bard PowerPort Momentum: The first Bellwether trial has begun in Arizona; as a plaintiff pick, this case is crucial for setting the valuation and momentum for the 3,000+ pending cases. SCOTUS & Roundup: The April 27th oral arguments regarding federal preemption could have massive ripple effects for Paraquat, hair relaxers, and any litigation involving "failure to warn" claims. The "Old School" Appeal of Olympus Scopes: There is significant enthusiasm for the Olympus Scopes litigation because it follows a traditional medical device fact pattern with clear signature injuries. Causation is King: The Uber result highlights that even when liability is clear, specific causation and the severity of damages remain the ultimate deciders of a case's global settlement value.

    14 min

  6. APR 21

    The Design Defect That Transmits Superbugs: Inside the Olympus Scopes Case

    Key Takeaways: The "Ick Factor" and Cleaning Failure: The Lanier Law Firm's Kelsey Stokes explains how Olympus, the leading endoscope manufacturer, produces devices used in roughly 30 million procedures annually, yet these reusable scopes are designed in a way that makes them nearly impossible to fully clean. The Scale of the Crisis: Data suggests an unacceptable complication rate of approximately 30,000 cases per year where infections or injuries occur following routine procedures like colonoscopies or bronchoscopies. Gram-Negative Superbugs: The primary injuries involve multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) or "superbugs" that enter the system, leading to sepsis and organ failure; infections typically onset within two to 30 days post-procedure. Polymer Breakdown and Perforation: Beyond infections, the repeated reprocessing of these devices causes the polymer to break down, leading to the device "shedding" plastic or falling apart during use, which can result in bowel perforations. Identifying Potential Cases: Attorneys can identify these cases in existing portfolios, specifically patients who underwent scopes for Zantac-related esophagus issues or hernia mesh-related bowel issues, and found that Olympus accounts for roughly 85% of the market. Hernia Mesh Settlement Update: The litigation against C.R. Bard has reached a global deal, with payments currently being distributed to traditional pay cases and ongoing litigation scheduled for other defendants in July.

    28 min

  7. APR 18

    Roblox, Olympus, and Social Media: The Most Anticipated Trials of 2026

    Key Takeaways: The Energy Shift at MTMP: Unlike the somber mood of previous years, there is a "renewed and refreshed energy" in the market driven by capital reinvestment from settling legacy torts like hernia mesh and Zantac.The Return of the PI Firm: There is a significant influx of single-event personal injury firms entering the space, utilizing their existing "know, like, and trust" client relationships to mine for cases like Olympus and Dupixent.Roblox Litigation Challenges: While sophisticated data scraping tools can now pull user history directly via API, the litigation is expected to be a long battle as Roblox implements age verification changes to shut off future liability.Meta’s Crackdown on Attorney Ads: Meta has begun banning attorney accounts targeting users for social media addiction cases, forcing firms to become "channel agnostic" and look toward SEO, referrals, and cross-pollination of existing dockets.Upcoming Trial Benchmarks: Critical momentum is building with the third Uber bellwether trial in North Carolina and the upcoming Bard PowerPort trial, which features a strong trial team and over 3,000 filed cases.

    23 min

  8. APR 14

    Ironman, Not Terminator: The Reality of AI in Modern Plaintiff Law

    Key Takeaways: The "AI Mailroom" Solution: Foundation AI serves as a bridge between inbound documents and practice management systems, automating the tedious work of capturing, naming, and filing documents. Efficiency Drivers: Plaintiff and contingency-based firms are the primary drivers of AI adoption because they are financially incentivized to be more efficient, unlike the defense side which often relies on billable hours. Context is King: AI systems are only as good as the context they are given; without accessible documents and clean data, AI-generated outputs like automated demands will be ineffective. The "Ironman" Approach: Effective legal AI should act as an "Ironman suit" that enhances human capability rather than a "Terminator" that replaces it, incorporating human review when confidence scores are low. Vetting Vendors: Law firms should treat AI vendor security as "table stakes," looking for SOC 2 Type 2 certification and established references to ensure data security and HIPAA-level compliance. Prioritizing Human Touch: While AI should handle "s****y" administrative tasks, humans remain uniquely suited for high-stakes, emotional interactions like initial intake and phone calls.

    40 min
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Ratings & Reviews

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About

Legal growth insights from Jon, Marc, and the industry's top tier legal & marketing professionals. Two veteran legal marketers, Jon Robinson and Marc Rioux, dive into the business of law, mass torts, and the future of plaintiff-side firms. From marketing strategy and technology to candid conversations with top trial lawyers, marketers, and industry leaders, this podcast unpacks what’s really driving growth and change in the legal world. Honest, practical, and a little irreverent—perfect for attorneys, marketers, and anyone curious about where the business of law is headed.

Information

  • Creator
    Jon & Marc
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    72
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jon & Marc
  • Show Website
    The Jon & Marc Podcast

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