The Advocate's Key J. Scott Key

Self-described "recovering attorney" Katheryn Burmeister joins Scott Key for a candid conversation about her journey in law, from starting her own firm to abandoning the status quo in search of happiness and fulfillment. She shares how her battle with burnout and the sudden, tragic loss of a mentor caused her to reevaluate her career path, and cautions fellow legal professionals to avoid becoming addicted to success.

Originalist textualism is a way of interpreting the law that can often feel a bit like stepping into a time machine. In this episode, former Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, Keith Blackwell, guides us through originalist methodology and gives important context to the legal debates happening today and in the future. Blackwell breaks down the fundamentals of the practice in a way that can make you a more effective advocate.

When Elissa Haynes first moved from insurance defense work to trial work, the Atlanta partner knew she’d need a solid framework to build each case. In this episode, Haynes shares how she organizes everything from the discovery stage to the closing statement. She also explains how preparation can lead to an engaging case.

As a legal malpractice attorney, David Lefkowitz knows all the common pitfalls and administrative errors that lawyers need to avoid. In this episode, Lefkowitz breaks down how a casual conversation with a friend to a failure to meet a deadline could potentially place an attorney in hot water. He’ll also explain how communication and documentation can be your antidote to legal missteps.

An opera aficionado and legal history fanatic, William Maselli goes into each trial with the same care and passion as an artist. In this episode, the Maine-based criminal defense attorney breaks down broad legal principles and how these fundamentals can help shape the work you do in the courtroom. He also dives into the importance of collaboration and what his work as a composer has taught him about the practice of law.

Every lawyer prepares for trial in their own way, but what matters to Savannah-based attorney Tom Withers is the level of organization that he can bring to a case. Withers explains how he outlines his case from start to finish by creating a road map for everything from deposition to demonstratives. He also shares how he manages high profile cases, client expectations, and what to do with unexpected surprises.