USLAW Live

USLAW NETWORK

USLAW Live is the official USLAW NETWORK podcast. Each episode provides lighthearted conversations and discussions about prominent legal issues. Join us as we get to know our members, discuss the legal and business issues keeping us up at night and add some fun to your day!

  1. Litigation trends, RICO cases and adopting tech with Dan Gerber and John Jablonski

    JAN 29

    Litigation trends, RICO cases and adopting tech with Dan Gerber and John Jablonski

    ):04 Welcome and weather talk – especially how a foot of snow is just another day when living in Buffalo versus those residing in southern states impacted by Winter Storm Fern. 3:20 About Gerber Ciano, growth, firm culture, excellent client service, and early adoption of AI.  4:45 John shares an overview of his practice, including helping clients negotiate tech contracts with large providers such as Google, Microsoft, and others, and advising C-suite clients on data security, privacy policies, procedures, and disaster recovery. He then delves into the preservation process, why it's important to preserve evidence, litigation hold policies, and more.  10:00 John shares one key issue he sees that clients and lawyers are not prepared for regarding preservation and data security. 13:30 Dan Gerber shares an overview of his practice, which focuses heavily on the insurance space, including work on company structure, setup, risk acquisition, M&A, regulatory matters, and more. 14:15 The firm has a sizeable insurance solutions practice that serves clients across the insurance industry. It also has traditional practices - insurance defense, professional liability, retail, transportation - you name it, and we also have a sizeable products practice.  15:00 Dan tells us what’s fun for him, albeit a bit nerdy: building things from insurance. He also shares his experience as an expert witness in federal and state courts, as well as internationally when called upon. 17:40 What's going on in New York with respect to RICO and these plaintiffs' firms? Dan and John discuss the New York Labor Law (aka the New York Scaffolding Law), how the judiciary is slowly getting involved in these matters, and the new frontier of legal and litigation funding. Many thanks to you for listening to USLAW Live. Stay tuned for more great conversations on USLAW Live.  Be sure to click follow so you don't miss an episode. To learn more about USLAW NETWORK, visit uslaw.org.

    31 min
  2. Legacy building: Origin stories of Carr Allison and USLAW with Tom Oliver

    JAN 15

    Legacy building: Origin stories of Carr Allison and USLAW with Tom Oliver

    0:06 Welcome comments and brief chats about football - University of Alabama, Auburn University and Kansas City Chiefs, in particular. 3:00 Intro to Carr Allison and Tom Oliver's practice:  4:00 Tom shares how his career started, and the launch of Carr Allison, including a meeting at In Cahoots. 5:10 Tom is a founding partner of Carr Allison and was there at the beginning of USLAW NETWORK. He shares how everything started. 6:25 How Carr Allison and USLAW were on a similar trajectory, and the reasons behind it. 7:50 What sets USLAW apart and why relationships matter. 9:05 Tom Oliver shares how Charles Carr and the other co-founders had the right ideas  10:22 Building blocks. Is there a moment that stands out as the goal achieved, mission accomplished? 11:21 Progression to USLAW Chair and rewarding leadership and participation.  13:05 How mentoring has played a critical role in shaping the future of the firm and USLAW. 14:14 What would you tell your younger self about this success?  16:20 What's on the horizon over the next 25? 17:25 Holidays with grandkids and overworked Amex card. 18:53 Upcoming travels  20:00 Favorite USLAW destinations 21:45 Learning mahjong from Pam. 22:30 What's ahead in 2026, including resolutions or goals. 24:55 – Parting wisdom. 25:26 Mike thanks Tom for all he has done for USLAW and how everyone listening can benefit by getting to know Tom.  Many thanks to you for listening to USLAW Live. Stay tuned for more great conversations on USLAW Live.  Be sure to click follow so you don't miss an episode. To learn more about USLAW NETWORK, visit uslaw.org.

    27 min
  3. Texas transportation litigation, data insights and case valuations with Trey Sandoval

    12/04/2025

    Texas transportation litigation, data insights and case valuations with Trey Sandoval

    group.  3:20 Trey’s intro to and rise within USLAW.  4:30 Recognizing early on the value of USLAW. 6:16 State-level defense association for years – Trey understands the importance of a network within the state of Texas. This model is essentially what the firm did with USLAW. Being nationwide has taken the firm to the next level since joining USLAW. Clients benefit via referrals. 8:11 That is in and off it else is why this network works. 8:30 Making connections helps your practice and your clients’ legal matters. 9:43 Building relationships starts with attorneys in the firm. 10:10 What’s going on in Texas - boots on the ground. Rise in verdicts in the transportation arena.  10:51 What makes Texas unique is a convergence of 3 factors. 13:17 Texas has a highly plaintiff-oriented environment that generates many cases.  15:22 Generational aspects of growing a practice; having mentors from year one is critical. 17: 24 Mentality, instilling in others - “we're not fighting to keep these cases, we're fighting to do the best job that we can, and that will take care of the rest of it.” 18:45 Are there things you see that could come forth from the legislature that could help other states? 19:38 Very involved through the local and state defense bar in getting involved as an advocate for changes in law. 20:05 Why is Texas a litigation-heavy state? 20:15 Dealing with runaway verdicts and the significance of why there are states without caps and the need to deal with that through the legislature, since the courts are not going to do that, especially when they are so plaintiff-oriented throughout the state. 23:43 Data points on verdicts - to be able to advise clients on true value, and which ones we can pick to try and tell our story. 24:30 Genesis of verdict data points and how they are used today to tell a story to clients to evaluate cases. Many thanks to you for listening to USLAW Live. Stay tuned for more great conversations on USLAW Live.  Be sure to click follow so you don't miss an episode. To learn more about USLAW NETWORK, visit uslaw.org.

    35 min
  4. Wisconsin laws, mega verdicts and classic rock with Jack Laffey

    11/21/2025

    Wisconsin laws, mega verdicts and classic rock with Jack Laffey

    0:05 Welcome to USLAW Live, Bravocon, missing out on Andy Cohen 1:57 Introduction to Jack Laffey 3:50 Reality programming is a great antidote to high-stress life and jobs - the unreality of reality. Team Andy Cohen. 5:15 Jack tells us more about what he does, reflecting on his four-decade legal career. 6:50 Career journey – and how working on the plaintiff’s side early in his career helps him today when defending his clients.  9:30 Opened this shop (Laffey Leitner & Goode) 9 years ago - best decision he made to go out with two of his friends to open up this law firm. The firm’s motto is We don’t know how to run a law firm, but we know how not to. 10:00 Biggest lesson learned from being on the plaintiff side that he’s brought over to the defense practice.  13:00 Jack as a storyteller. 14:10 Jack is Chair of the USLAW Complex Tort and Product Liability Practice Group, and he talks about the recent forum in Charleston. 15:45 Forum content | How it works and why it works for attorneys and clients alike, plus the two key things clients are really concerned about. 18:10 Pam Hallford shares how her firm has evolved with AI and the changing impact on business and education. Plus, have you heard of Harvey, AI for law firms? 19:15 AI is happening in real time, in contrast to nuclear or unconscious verdicts. 20:00 More about Harvey. 20:30 Verdict discussion continues - nuclear/unconscious and large verdicts in general.  30:10 What is Jack listening to? TV and music.  Many thanks to you for listening to USLAW Live. Stay tuned for more great conversations on USLAW Live.  Be sure to click follow so you don't miss an episode. To learn more about USLAW NETWORK, visit uslaw.org.

    34 min
  5. South Carolina retail law and dram shop litigation with Ryan Holt

    11/13/2025

    South Carolina retail law and dram shop litigation with Ryan Holt

    0:05 General welcome and intro remarks, Kansas City Chiefs and being an eternal optimist. 1:54 Welcome, Ryan Holt from Sweeney, Wingate & Barrow in South Carolina. Shout out to Dean Nickas of Wicker Smith in South Florida, plus college football season highlights. 3:44 Ryan provides a history of his USLAW engagement and connections and how his firm’s support enabled him to start rising into leadership roles within USLAW.  5:25 USLAW bus breakdowns stories - silver lining is the quality time together, including with many senior USLAW leaders, but no liquid courage (adult beverages) on board. Friendship by fire. 7:00 North Georgia vineyard tour, and we had a similar situation with a tour bus breakdown. But this time, we had wine on board. 7:45 Ryan shares his areas of practice and his recent appointment to the USLAW retail law practice group leadership team. He also talks about how many retail businesses are expanding into the Palmetto State and that premises and retail claims are still going really strong. South Carolina has become a target for dram shop litigation. 9:50 Dram shop claims and how things changed in South Carolina after a tragic car accident on New Year's Day 2012.  13:45 Biggest uphill battle from a defense perspective in dram shop cases: it starts with the law, including South Carolina's joint and several liability. 15:15 How much time is spent on litigation? 16:22 Family time and holiday plans. 19:26 The 5 weeks of the year that we can breathe as defense lawyers –  21:00 Recent trial reflections, why he went to law school, training up, human side of litigation. 24:50 Litigation compared to running. 26:14 Stress relief 101 27:57 More competitive at trial or being the first one down for USLAW breakfast? Many thanks to you for listening to USLAW Live. Stay tuned for more great conversations on USLAW Live.  Be sure to click follow so you don't miss an episode. To learn more about USLAW NETWORK, visit uslaw.org.

    30 min
  6. Personal journey shapes learning and legal path with Obrian Rosario

    11/05/2025

    Personal journey shapes learning and legal path with Obrian Rosario

    :01 Welcome remarks. 1:41 Obrian Rosario, introduction, USLAW NETWORK Foundation scholarship recipient, a 3L at Howard University 2:56 3LOL and senioritis explained, externship and typical week of a 3L. 5:33 Favorite law school course so far and impact of working with a death row client. 6:15 Learning and career path; pass that knowledge on to the next generation. 6:50 First person in family to graduate from college, first to go to law school and how family and a high school major system led him to this path. 7:47 Family influences  8:49 Reflections on the USLAW NETWORK Client Conference  10:25 Connecting with other scholarship recipients. 11:00 How client conference activities helped him see lawyers and leaders who are driving the law forward.  12:35 Favorite seminar - S-E-A VR demonstration training. The technology behind the law was impressive. 15:10 Why and how S-E-A helps litigators and clients alike.  15:55 USLAW is a connected network of lawyers, corporate partners and clients - very lucky to do it. 17:41 How Obrian found the USLAW NETWORK Scholarship opportunity, and its impact on his legal education. 20:26 How the scholarship recipients stay connected after the client conference and share lessons learned and useful resources. 21:55 It’s all about developing and maintaining relationships. 22:40 When not living his best 3LOL life, here’s how Obrian enjoys his downtime with his favorite people and places around him, plus his predictions for the New York Knicks this season. Many thanks to you for listening to USLAW Live. Stay tuned for more great conversations on USLAW Live.  Be sure to click follow so you don't miss an episode. To learn more about USLAW NETWORK, visit uslaw.org.

    28 min
  7. What goes on in Vegas, stays in Vegas with Meghan Goodwin

    10/30/2025

    What goes on in Vegas, stays in Vegas with Meghan Goodwin

    :01 General podcast welcome 3:10 Snapshot of Meghan Goodwin’s career and practice. 5:15 Looking ahead to 2026 USLAW events. 6:15 Meghan shares her career path and involvement with USLAW. 8:30 Women’s Connection connects. 9:07 Inclusive culture and helping people find their lanes. 9:40 Great tips for anyone looking to get involved with USLAW or, more generally, at work, in conferences, and via networks. 12:30 Publishing opportunities with USLAW Magazine – why these matters. 13:45 Wild, wild west of Nevada legal landscape, including the role of the Nevada Supreme Court, state courts (and elections every 6 years) and letting “cases be tried on merits.” 17:10 Volume of cases from out-of-towners and the requirement to return to Vegas for depositions; No Zoom for you! 19:15 Vegas isn’t all Ocean’s Eleven, and why that matters for surveillance and spoliation. 20:17 Big billboards, plaintiffs' tactics, increased advertising - especially around nuclear verdicts - and the nature of Vegas mean no shortage of legal work. 25:06 Example of Uber lobbying the Nevada legislature and the ultimate outcome, and what it means for the legal landscape in Nevada. 26:45 Thoughts on Taylor Swift’s Life of a Showgirl. 28:20 Favorite travel destination. 30:15 Dream destination. 31:00 Vegas highlights from a local. Many thanks to you for listening to USLAW Live. Stay tuned for more great conversations on USLAW Live.  Be sure to click follow so you don't miss an episode. To learn more about USLAW NETWORK, visit uslaw.org.

    34 min
4.3
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

USLAW Live is the official USLAW NETWORK podcast. Each episode provides lighthearted conversations and discussions about prominent legal issues. Join us as we get to know our members, discuss the legal and business issues keeping us up at night and add some fun to your day!