What separates truly exceptional trial lawyers from the rest? It's rarely what they teach in law school.

Six accomplished courtroom veterans—Brian Panish, Sean Flaherty, Keith Mitnick, Jason Leonard, John Ustall, and Joshua Koskoff—share candid insights drawn from decades of high-stakes litigation. Their collective wisdom forms a practical roadmap for attorneys at any stage, but especially those working to establish themselves in the challenging world of trial advocacy.

The journey begins earlier than many realize. These attorneys emphasize the transformative power of immersing yourself in legal practice during law school, absorbing the unwritten rules and developing intuitive skills through proximity and observation. Yet they remain refreshingly honest about the timeline—expect to "tread water" for several years before hitting your stride. Even veterans with decades of experience admit to experiencing pre-trial anxiety. The difference? They've learned to function effectively despite it.

For new lawyers preparing for their first courtroom experiences, the advice challenges conventional wisdom. Perfection isn't necessary—authenticity is. When you thoroughly prepare and genuinely believe in your case, minor technical imperfections actually make you more relatable to jurors. This permission to be human while maintaining high professional standards liberates attorneys to focus on what truly matters: thorough preparation, strategic case framing, and passionate advocacy.

Beyond the courtroom, success requires intentional networking, exceptional client service, and embracing collaborative approaches. The strongest advocates recognize that mentorship and knowledge-sharing create collective strength against well-resourced opponents. Through every challenge, maintaining your authentic voice while incorporating lessons from those who came before creates a sustainable foundation for a meaningful career in trial law.

Ready to transform your approach to trial advocacy? Subscribe now for more practical insights from the profession's most accomplished practitioners.

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When high-stakes trials involve punitive damages, the real battle often begins long before opening statements. In this episode, we unpack the overlooked art of selecting a jury that’s equipped—not just to assess liability—but to deliver meaningful punishment when it's warranted. From religious objections to financial bias, from voir dire blind spots to strategic pretrial motions, we explore how trial lawyers can avoid critical mistakes and build a jury prepared for both phases of trial.

Featuring insights from guest expert Sean Simpson, author of Punitive Damages: The Lawyer’s Tool for Shaping Society, this episode reveals why jury selection is never just about liability—it’s about everything that comes after.

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The first words in a trial can make or break your case. This Best of episode analyzes some of the top litigators' most compelling opening statements. Learn how expert trial lawyers use storytelling, framing, and strategic pacing to build trust, dismantle defenses, and ensure jurors see the case from their perspective from the very start. Listen to some of the greats as they talk to Panish about it all.

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This podcast episode discusses California wildfire litigation, focusing on the legal claims, evidence, and challenges in proving liability against utility companies. Plaintiff attorneys describe common claims (negligence and inverse condemnation), damages (property destruction, landscaping, economic and non-economic losses), and the difficulties of proving liability due to destroyed evidence. The bankruptcy of PG&E is examined as a case study, highlighting the unfairness of the bankruptcy system for wildfire victims. Finally, watch a preview replay(Prior to the 2025 LA Wildfires) of a full interview with plaintiff attorneys Mike Kelly and Gerry Singleton, who have extensive backgrounds in fire litigation.

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Unlock courtroom success with our latest podcast episode, where we explore the innovative Jury Simulator tool transforming trial preparation. Learn how machine intelligence creates virtual focus groups with AI-powered jurors, enabling attorneys to test and refine their strategies in a sophisticated and cost-effective manner. Hear firsthand from lawyers who use this technology to anticipate juror reactions and uncover case weaknesses, while AI analyzes demographic data, social media activity, and cognitive biases to provide a realistic glimpse into jury behavior. Discover how the Jury Simulator blends human insight with machine intelligence to enhance legal strategies, from virtual focus groups to real-time feedback during depositions, revolutionizing legal practice and paving the way for a future where technology and tradition work together to ensure fairer, more informed judicial decisions.

For a deeper dive into these groundbreaking advancements and their impact on the legal field, listen to the full story on our sister podcast station, Science of Justice. Gain exclusive insights, expert interviews, and comprehensive analyses that will enrich your understanding of how technology is reshaping justice.

Learn more @ https://scienceofjustice.com/

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At the SoJ, we believe in simplifying legal proceedings while prioritizing unbiased examination of evidence and human experience. Through our expert interviews, we provide valuable insight into juror perception, enabling informed decision-making. Our focus on Real Science, Real Data, in Real-Time ensures accuracy and timeliness.

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In this monumental episode join Brian, Dr.Chris, and the real-life Moneyball stars as they discuss how the advanced strategy used in professional sports can also be applied in the courtroom. Learn how to optimize your case for maximum value by using analytics to identify the strongest arguments, evidence, and even team members. So if you’re looking to take your courtroom strategy to the next level, don’t miss this episode! Tune in now to get an inside look at how the "teams" use data-driven litigation strategies. Hear stories of success and failures, tips and tricks to help you succeed, and gain insight into how analytics are critical tools for today's practitioners.

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Brian Beckcom is a trial lawyer with years of experience under his belt. Specializing in Maritime law, he made headlines for representing the interests of Richard Phillips in Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse - the trial made famous by Tom Hanks' portrayal of 'Captain Phillips'. As a result, companies began to employ independent security contractors to protect their vessels and crews and saw their safety & profit margins improve. In our exclusive interview, trial lawyer Brian Beckcom will share his insights into Maritime law and discuss the implications of applying data science to trial preparation.

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