Unconventional childhood helps ‘Free Spirit’ author to advocate for domestic-abuse victims (podcast)

In this episode of the Modern Law Library, the ABA Journal's Molly McDonough interviews Safran about the memoir he wrote of his experiences, Free Spirit: Growing Up on the Road and Off the Grid. He shares the breakthrough moment he had with a pro bono client, in which he found himself bonding with her by sharing stories of the domestic abuse he and his mother suffered during his childhood.

Nov 25, 2013 2:30 PM CST

Veteran lawyers share their ‘aha’ trial moments (podcast with transcript)

Litigators usually don’t want trial surprises, but sometimes you can learn from them. In this month's podcast, ABA Journal reporter Stephanie Francis Ward interviews three veteran trial attorneys to glean what "aha" moments they've experienced, in both trial and pre-trial work.

Nov 4, 2013 4:55 PM CST

How law firms can use LPOs to their own advantage (podcast with transcript)

Podcast Transcript Reginald Davis: What should your law firm do to deal with these upstart non-traditional legal service providers? Bill Henderson: If I was a law firm, I would go out and learn what these vendors are doing and ask yourself: What can we do and what should they be…

Sep 30, 2013 1:40 PM CDT

Government surveillance revelations are having a chilling effect on lawyers, says author (podcast)

"Other attorneys–especially young ones who are aware of the history–express frustration and sometimes fear that by taking on high-profile cases or controversial cases in the eyes of the government, they may be exposing themselves to surveillance and sort of be marked in a way as lawyers who represent clients of interest," says Heidi Boghosian, author of Spying on Democracy: Government Surveillance, Corporate Power, and Public Resistance, in her interview with editor Richard Brust.

Sep 16, 2013 2:00 PM CDT

They started their own firm right after law school—and so can you (podcast with transcript)

Unlike fellow graduates in the Class of 2012, Katie Kizer and Amanda Graham weren’t worried about finding jobs after law school--because they had decided a year earlier that they would start their own criminal-defense firm together. It’s been liberating, they tell ABA Journal Podcast moderator Stephanie Francis Ward.

Sep 3, 2013 2:13 PM CDT

Rosa Parks’ attorney: ‘If the story would be told, I’d have to tell it’ (podcast)

Fred D. Gray was 24 years old when he defended Rosa Parks after she was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white person in Montgomery, Ala. But the story you might think you know is not the full story.

Aug 20, 2013 1:30 PM CDT

What you don’t learn about trial work in law school (podcast with transcript)

You're a newly minted lawyer and you're off to the courthouse for your first proceedings–and you have no idea what you're doing. What's a newbie lawyer to do?

Aug 5, 2013 1:29 PM CDT

SCOTUSblog founder shares tips for business development and marketing (podcast with transcript)

If a potential client invites Thomas Goldstein for a meeting, he makes sure he can discuss the issues of their case–without any notes–for at least one hour. That works much better than glossy marketing materials, or focusing the discussion on this firm, says the U.S. Supreme Court lawyer. He speaks with ABA Journal reporter Stephanie Francis Ward in this month's podcast.

Jul 1, 2013 1:30 PM CDT

Author on how ‘tremendously radical’ women blazed trails into the legal profession (podcast)

In the 19th century, women battled for equal rights and began to try to enter many professions, including the law. What drove the first women lawyers? "The critical issue is whether or not they have the personality that makes them ambitious in this tremendously radical and threatening way," says Jill Norgren, author of the new book "Rebels at the Bar: The Fascinating, Forgotten Stories of America’s First Women Lawyers."

Jun 10, 2013 1:45 PM CDT

‘Aggressive’ is not a dirty word for women rainmakers (podcast with transcript)

Should women lawyers be as aggressive–if not more aggressive–as men when it comes to business development? It depends, and much of the answer should be based on what women believe in for themselves, guest tell the ABA Journal’s Stephanie Francis Ward.

Jun 3, 2013 1:45 PM CDT

The life and lovers of legendary Hollywood lawyer (podcast)

“He was the only person I ever knew in Hollywood who was a star without being in a movie,” says Robert Wagner in the foreword of "The Man Who Seduced Hollywood: The Life and Loves of Greg Bautzer, Tinseltown's Most Powerful Lawyer." ABA Journal reporter Rachel Zahorsky speaks with Gladstone about Bautzer's life and legal achievements, including his representation of famous recluse Howard Hughes.

May 13, 2013 1:30 PM CDT

Building business as a new attorney (podcast with transcript)

Business development starts from the ground up, guests tell ABA Podcast moderator Stephanie Francis Ward, and associates have opportunities to make good first impressions today with the decision makers of tomorrow.

May 6, 2013 1:30 PM CDT

‘Lawyer Bubble’ author discusses what the future looks like for today’s new lawyers

Apr 9, 2013 2:05 PM CDT

Road warriors’ tips on keeping up with your cases (podcast with transcript)

Transcript Stephanie Francis Ward: What do you do when in the course of one day, you have an appearance, a deposition and a client meeting, all of which are in different locations? Reid Trautz: My mantra is “the more chargers, the better.” Stephanie Francis Ward: I’m Stephanie Francis Ward, and…

Apr 1, 2013 1:40 PM CDT

Want to protect individual freedom? Have a strong central government, says ‘Rule of the Clan’ author

We live in a society which values individual freedoms, but we come from a place which valued kinship ties above all else. Author Mark S. Weiner has studied ancient and modern-day clan societies in which group responsibility, rather than individual responsibility, is the rule of law.

Mar 11, 2013 1:45 PM CDT