The Jury Is Out

Episode: 422

Wanna Learn? Teach! with Attorney Tom Stewart

April 12, 2023

This podcast was founded upon the idea that the best trial attorneys never stop learning. John Simon, Erich Veith, and St. Louis attorney Tom Stewart teach at St. Louis University School of Law not only to instill proper practices in law students but to keep their own skills sharp. Tune in to hear great stories from the classroom and the courtroom, and you too might be inspired to go back to class to share your experience with the next generation and make yourself a better lawyer. 

Episode: 421

Praring for A Civil Trial Part Two

April 5, 2023

Think you know your case so well you don’t need to write down your game plan? Think again. Part Two of our discussion on pretrial prep covers tips on preparing an order of proof, organizing evidence for each witness, thoughts on the most impactful way to order your presentations, when to send witness subpoenas, and ideas for preparing clients and experts for testimony. And if you are truly dedicated to total trial preparation, try John Simon’s method of creating an issues digest.

Episode: 420

Praring for A Civil Trial Part One

March 29, 2023

Preparing for trial can be a nerve-wracking experience for a young attorney. Today’s episode offers tried and true tips on when to request a pretrial conference and what matters to discuss, how to organize depos and evidence for quick reference, which hard copies you should and should not bring to the courtroom, how to prepare and use an exhibit checklist and much more.

Episode: 419

Selecting Experts Part Two

March 22, 2023

Your trial team determines you need an expert to explain a vehicle’s structural defects. Do you need a metallurgist, a mechanical engineer, or both? How do you know and where do you find them? Part Two of our conversation on selecting experts includes expert research services, questions to ask when interviewing experts, and how you should examine your own expert before they take the stand.

Episode: 418

Selecting Experts Part One

March 15, 2023

Don’t assume that an impressive CV from a prestigious university means you’ve found the perfect expert for your case. We think someone with down-to-earth communication skills and real-life experience may be a better choice. Tune in for our discussion of what to look for when hiring an expert witness, strategies to defend your expert’s testimony when your opponent presents multiple experts against you, and tips on expert prep so your best asset doesn’t become your worst nightmare.

Episode: 417

Sunshine Laws Part Four: Settlements

March 8, 2023

Getting the documents your client requests is the primary reward of Sunshine Law litigation, but can you also be reimbursed for your time? In our final episode on Sunshine Laws, we discuss settlements, misconceptions about attorney/client privilege, and our personal observations that judges are becoming more eager to rule on these cases to ensure government entities are transparent and act to serve people, not politics.

Episode: 416

Sunshine Laws Part Three: Violations

March 1, 2023

You’ve made a timely request for public governmental records but all you get are excuses. Under the law, you have to prove the delay is knowing and purposeful. How do you prove it and whom do you sue? Find out in our in-depth conversation about handling violations of your state’s Sunshine Laws.

Episode: 415

Sunshine Laws Part Two: Meetings

February 22, 2023

Do you know when and why a public governmental meeting can close its doors to you? What recourse do you have to find out what they are discussing out of the public presence? Part Two of our continuing discussion on Sunshine Laws addresses the laws covering attending and recording meetings, redactions to meeting minutes, deleted text messages, and ways to get around roadblocks designed to keep you from obtaining the records you have a right to see.

Episode: 414

Sunshine Laws Part One: Documents

February 15, 2023

It’s one thing both sides can agree upon...government transparency is a good thing. But getting access to government information isn’t easy. In Part One of our in-depth discussion on Sunshine Laws, Attorneys Mark Pedroli and Joseph Martineau explain the basics of Sunshine Law and Freedom of Information Act requests and why they should be part of your discovery if your case involves a government entity.