What if personal tragedy didn’t end your career, but redefined your purpose as a lawyer?

In this episode of Hot Docket, we sit down with Daniel Marco, Arizona personal injury attorney and author, to explore how loss, legacy, and empathy shape meaningful legal practice. Raised in a multigenerational family of lawyers, Dan began his career in criminal defense before a devastating turning point–the murder of his son–redirected his mission toward building a personal injury practice centered on compassion and individualized client care.

Dan shares how Arizona’s personal injury market has become dominated by billboard advertising and high-volume firms, and why he’s chosen a reputation- and referral-driven approach instead. The conversation also dives into ethical legal marketing, the responsible use of AI in law, and why service quality (not price) is the true differentiator for clients.

This episode shines light on how grief can fuel purpose, how empathy builds stronger law firms, and what the future of PI law demands from attorneys who want to make a real impact.

• How personal loss reshaped Dan’s approach to personal injury law
• Why empathy and client experience beat billboard marketing in Arizona’s PI market
• How trust and service drive referrals more than price
• Where AI fits in modern legal work (and where it doesn’t)
• What purpose-driven law firms must do to stand out today

Important Links and Resources:

• Buy “Everywhere Nowhere” by Daniel Marco: https://everywherenowherebook.com
• Website: https://marcoinjurylaw.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-marco-048b0612

If you have guest ideas or questions you would like our hosts to cover, please email info@hotdocketpodcast.com.

Tune in to hear from more the Hot Docket podcast hosted by Bobby Steinbach and Andrew Nasrinpay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Radio Public and more!

What really happens in a criminal defense case and why does “winning” look very different than TV makes it seem?

In this episode of Hot Docket, we’re getting a behind-the-scenes look at modern criminal defense from attorney Shane McKeen of McKeen Law in Atlanta, Georgia. With experience on both sides of the courtroom as a former prosecutor and now a defense attorney, Shane breaks down how criminal cases are actually resolved, why most never reach trial, and what really wins cases in the courtroom.

Our conversation busts common myths about trials, jury selection, police procedure, and legal tech, shining light on how high-volume criminal defense practices really operate.

• Why nearly 99% of criminal cases settle instead of going to trial
• The biggest misconceptions clients have about “winning” a criminal case
• How traffic stop mistakes and procedural errors can decide DUI outcomes
• The truth about Miranda rights and why they rarely make or break a case
• Why “the cop didn’t show up” is almost never a winning defense
• What effective jury selection actually looks like (and which jurors lawyers avoid)
• Shane’s transition from prosecutor to defense attorney and how it changed his mindset
• How to manage difficult client expectations when strategy and emotions collide
• Real-world tech stacks for criminal defense firms (and why simple tools still dominate)

Important Links and Resources:

• Website: https://mckeenlawatlanta.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-mckeen-46b56931

If you have guest ideas or questions you would like our hosts to cover, please email info@hotdocketpodcast.com.

Tune in to hear from more the Hot Docket podcast hosted by Bobby Steinbach and Andrew Nasrinpay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Radio Public and more!

What makes someone leave the Marines, move to Alaska, and become a lawyer? On this episode of Hot Docket, we sit down with Carson Honeycutt, Founder of Honeycutt Law, to explore how his military discipline and sense of duty shaped his path from the Marine Corps to becoming one of Alaska’s go-to attorneys for workers’ compensation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Carson reveals why he believes most cases shouldn’t go to court, how Alaska’s legal landscape is unlike anywhere else in America, and why empathy, adaptability, and technology are now the defining traits of the next generation of lawyers.

Tune in to learn:

• How Marine Corps values translate into modern law practice
• Why Carson chose Alaska—and what it taught him about clients and resilience
• How AI and ADR are transforming the future of legal work
• What every lawyer can do to stay relevant in a tech-driven, client-first world
• The surprising state of Alaska’s workers’ comp system

Important Links and Resources:

• Website: https://alaskaworkerscomp.com
• Upcoming website: www.honeycuttlaw.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carhoney

If you have guest ideas or questions you would like our hosts to cover, please email info@hotdocketpodcast.com.

Tune in to hear from more the Hot Docket podcast hosted by Bobby Steinbach and Andrew Nasrinpay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Radio Public and more!

What happens when your defense attorney has lived on both sides of the law?

In this episode of Hot Docket, criminal defense attorney Joseph Simons of Simons Law Office reveals how personal experience with the justice system shaped his approach to advocacy, client relationships, and courtroom strategy.

From high school dropout and musician to respected Boston trial attorney, Joe shares raw insights into what it really takes to defend the accused in a system built on limited time, tight resources, and human imperfection. Plus, he gives a peek into his TikTok channel (@not.guilty), where he blends legal commentary with humor and education.

Joe’s story is proof that the path to justice isn’t always straight and that the best defenders are often those who’ve fought their own battles first.

• Why lived experience can be a lawyer’s greatest asset in criminal defense
• The truth about public defenders vs. private counsel (and how it affects outcomes)
• The biggest mistakes defendants and lawyers make during criminal investigations
• How to handle difficult clients (and when to walk away)
• Real-world jury selection tips
• What TV gets completely wrong about trials

Important Links and Resources:

• Website: https://jbsimonslaw.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephbsimons
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defenseattorneyma
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@not.guilty
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Not.Guilty

If you have guest ideas or questions you would like our hosts to cover, please email info@hotdocketpodcast.com.

Tune in to hear from more the Hot Docket podcast hosted by Bobby Steinbach and Andrew Nasrinpay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Radio Public and more!

What if the “impossible” cases other lawyers reject are actually your biggest opportunities?

In this episode of Hot Docket, trial lawyer Donald Smolen of Smolen Law reveals how he built a powerhouse personal injury and medical malpractice firm by taking on the hardest, most complex cases in Oklahoma—from catastrophic injury and wrongful death to nursing home abuse and prison death lawsuits.

Find out how Don gets 85% of his cases from attorney referrals, the real reasons why for-profit nursing homes are failing clients, and what it really takes to win “unwinnable” cases. You’ll also learn proven strategies for jury selection, referral relationships, case evaluation, and law firm growth that every plaintiff’s attorney can use to scale their practice with integrity.

• How to win complex personal injury cases other firms turn down
• The secrets to building a referral-driven law practice
• Inside the world of nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, and wrongful death litigation
• Practical strategies for handling uninsured or “judgment-proof” defendants
• Jury selection insights that give trial lawyers a real competitive edge
• The business model behind scaling a mission-driven personal injury law firm

Important Links and Resources:

• Website: https://smolen.law
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/donald-smolen-99402128

If you have guest ideas or questions you would like our hosts to cover, please email info@hotdocketpodcast.com.

Tune in to hear from more the Hot Docket podcast hosted by Bobby Steinbach and Andrew Nasrinpay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Radio Public and more!

What really makes a criminal defense attorney effective—empathy, objectivity, or something in between?

On this episode of Hot Docket, we sit down with Colorado defense attorney Richard B. Huttner to unpack his secrets to success from three decades of courtroom experience. From advertising in the TV Guide to navigating today’s cutthroat digital marketing, Richard has seen and done it all… and he’s here to tell the tale.

With a career built on defending “street crimes” like DUIs, assaults, and child abuse allegations, Richard shares candid takes on jury selection, client relationships, and the business of running a criminal law practice.

Tune in to learn:

• How criminal defense marketing evolved from phone book ads to Google Ads
• Why Richard chose DUI and assault cases over white-collar defense
• Jury selection strategies with surprising psychological insights
• Balancing empathy and objectivity when defending serious criminal charges
• Courtroom strategies that WIN through storytelling and likability

Important Links and Resources:

• Website: https://criminallawyerdenver.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/richard-b-huttner-ba889612

If you have guest ideas or questions you would like our hosts to cover, please email info@hotdocketpodcast.com.

Tune in to hear from more the Hot Docket podcast hosted by Bobby Steinbach and Andrew Nasrinpay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Radio Public and more!

How do you truly pick the right lawyer when every website sounds the same and everyone claims they're the best? On this episode of Hot Docket, we chat with David Craig, Founder of Craig, Kelley & Faultless, to uncover what clients should really look for in a law firm.

With 40 years’ experience and one of the most unforgettable firm names in the industry (yes, his partner’s real last name is Faultless), David shares the surprising ways personal injury firms can rise above the noise—and how clients can spot the difference between flashy promises and genuine advocacy.

From his early days relying on referrals to writing bestselling guides that clients actually use, David has built a reputation for trust, empathy, and expertise—qualities that have made him one of the only board-certified trucking attorneys in the United States. Today, he shares why empathy, intake, and client care are the real keys to law firm growth, client trust, and long-term success.

Tune in to learn:

• Why a law firm’s name and brand identity can leave a lasting impression
• How educational resources like eBooks convert curious website visitors into loyal clients
• Red flags to avoid when choosing a personal injury lawyer (and what to look for instead)
• How empathetic intake systems with social work and psychology expertise transform client experience
• Proven strategies for scaling a boutique law firm without sacrificing quality or culture
• Why hiring for fit beats hiring for skill—and how the wrong team member can cost far more than money
• How technology and AI are reshaping workflows, freeing lawyers to focus on high-value client care

Important Links and Resources:

• Website: https://www.ckflaw.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-w-craig-78bb4a9
• Ethical Business - Micha Star Liberty on Hot Docket: https://www.meanpug.com/podcasts/hot-docket-podcast/ethical-business-micha-star-liberty-talks-equity-trauma-informed-training-and-leadership

If you have guest ideas or questions you would like our hosts to cover, please email info@hotdocketpodcast.com.

Tune in to hear from more the Hot Docket podcast hosted by Bobby Steinbach and Andrew Nasrinpay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Radio Public and more!

How do you scale a high-volume traffic ticket and DUI defense law firm in today’s tech-driven world? On this episode of the Hot Docket Podcast, we sit down with Adam Cohen, Founding Partner at Ticket Crushers, to find out.

Adam reveals how his firm went from a Bay Area startup to a statewide operation, handling thousands of traffic and DUI cases while keeping clients informed every step of the way. The secret? Smart automation tools that cut out repetitive tasks, streamline case management, and improve communication—without falling for the hype of “AI solves everything.”

We also dig into Adam’s unique journey, from being a Florida Marlins mascot to running one of California’s fastest-growing firms, and his unfiltered take on red light cameras, due process, and the real role of tech in the justice system.

Tune in to learn:

• How automation and AI tools are really being used in modern law firms
• Why over-communicating with clients creates loyalty and drives referrals
• The pros and cons of traffic ticket defense and DUI practice at scale
• The truth about legal AI hype vs. reality
• Why red light cameras raise serious justice concerns
• Adam’s unconventional backstory—from Florida Marlins mascot to law firm founder

Important Links and Resources:

• Website: https://www.ticketcrusherslaw.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamcohen-ticketcrushers
• How to Build a Scalable Firm That Runs Itself | Kyle Robbins on Hot Docket: https://www.meanpug.com/podcasts/hot-docket-podcast/episode-34-kyle-robbins

If you have guest ideas or questions you would like our hosts to cover, please email info@hotdocketpodcast.com.

Tune in to hear from more the Hot Docket podcast hosted by Bobby Steinbach and Andrew Nasrinpay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Radio Public and more!