Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

Beverly Hills Bar Association
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Courses

On Direct Examination, hosts Dan Bemel and Lauren Youngman interview leading Family Law practitioners, judicial officers, and mediators to unpack the technical realities of practice: building a case from the ground up, navigating client relationships, crafting arguments that resonate with the bench, and avoiding common procedural and strategic missteps. They also explore how to work productively with opposing counsel, especially when personalities or litigation styles add complexity—an area closely tied to civility in the legal profession.

Episodes

  1. Apr 23

    Judy Poller | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

    On Direct Examination, hosts Dan Bemel and Lauren Youngman interview leading Family Law practitioners, judicial officers, and mediators to unpack the technical realities of practice: building a case from the ground up, navigating client relationships, crafting arguments that resonate with the bench, and avoiding common procedural and strategic missteps. They also explore how to work productively with opposing counsel, especially when personalities or litigation styles add complexity—an area closely tied to civility in the legal profession. In this episode, New York family law attorney Judy Poller joins Direct Examination, presented by UBS Wealth Management, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to practice family law at a high level. A Band 1 Chambers-ranked partner at Pryor Cashman and co-chair of its Family Law Group, Judy brings over 25 years of experience representing executives, entrepreneurs, and celebrities through some of the most complex and emotionally charged cases imaginable. She and host Dan Bemel dig into how attorneys manage difficult clients and opposing counsel, the growing problem of incivility in the courtroom, and why staying calm and strategic almost always beats going in guns blazing. Judy also opens up about her own divorce, how it reshaped her empathy for clients, and the unexpected path that led her from a Wall Street firm to building one of New York's most respected matrimonial practices. Plus, her take on what younger lawyers are getting wrong about networking and what the legal system actually needs to move cases forward. Presented by UBS

    56 min

  2. Feb 18

    Jill Hersh | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

    In this episode, San Francisco family law attorney Jill Hersh joins Direct Examination for a candid conversation about real-world lawyering, professional judgment, and the human dynamics that shape legal outcomes. Drawing on practical experience, the conversation explores how attorneys navigate client expectations, strategy decisions, and the realities of practice beyond the textbooks. On Direct Examination, hosts Dan Bemel and Lauren Youngman interview leading Family Law practitioners, judicial officers, and mediators to unpack the technical realities of practice: building a case from the ground up, navigating client relationships, crafting arguments that resonate with the bench, and avoiding common procedural and strategic missteps. They also explore how to work productively with opposing counsel, especially when personalities or litigation styles add complexity—an area closely tied to civility in the legal profession. Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lVZU_uk7w_FNTbBWBAtcBLo1H54gCEOc/view?usp=sharing No CLE is provided for this program.

    1h 7m

  3. 11/19/2025

    Direct Examination: Legends of Family Law — Larry Ginsberg, Neal Hersh, & Alexandra Leichter

    This special episode of Direct Examination brings together three giants of California Family Law—Larry Ginsberg, Neal Hersh, and Alexandra Leichter—for an in-depth, candid conversation about the practice, the profession, and the evolution of the field. On Direct Examination, hosts Dan Bemel and Lauren Youngman interview leading Family Law practitioners, judicial officers, and mediators to unpack the technical realities of practice. This episode goes further—delving into the personal and professional histories of three legendary attorneys. Together, they reflect on pivotal career moments, landmark cases, and legislative developments that have shaped their work and the broader Family Law landscape. The result is a rare roundtable with some of the field’s most influential voices, offering both practical insight and a living history of the profession. 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wn47CZvb0eIbS0AHOdqL_Nms2dGS-MQH/view?usp=sharing No CLE is provided for this program.

    1h 15m
  • 3 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

On Direct Examination, hosts Dan Bemel and Lauren Youngman interview leading Family Law practitioners, judicial officers, and mediators to unpack the technical realities of practice: building a case from the ground up, navigating client relationships, crafting arguments that resonate with the bench, and avoiding common procedural and strategic missteps. They also explore how to work productively with opposing counsel, especially when personalities or litigation styles add complexity—an area closely tied to civility in the legal profession.

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