Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with the Partner of Wood Smith Henning & Berman, Frances OMeara. Frances' path to law was as dynamic as the cases she handled. With a background in sports, particularly basketball, she earned a scholarship to play at Stanford. However, her trajectory took a turn toward law school, leading her to specialize in insurance defense. Her story is a testament to how diverse experiences can shape a successful legal career.

To learn more about Frances' work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Chris' work at SecondLook? Check out his website at https://secondlook.net/.

Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with the Founding Partner of Cruser & Mitchell, Bill Mitchell. Bill's story is a testament to the power of vision and determination. Growing up as a blue-collar kid in Detroit, his future was shaped early on by his father's aspirations for his children. Despite not having a high school diploma, Bill's father envisioned successful careers for his kids: an accountant and lawyer for his brother, a doctor for his sister, and a lawyer for Bill. This early direction set Bill on a path that leads him to law school and beyond.

After graduating from law school in Detroit, Bill found himself in Atlanta, working for a law firm that represented police and sheriff departments through insurance companies. This was his unexpected entry into the insurance world. He spent a decade handling civil rights cases, which were as challenging as they were thrilling, dealing with issues like excessive force and jail class actions.

Bill's career took a pivotal turn when he challenged the status quo in litigation management. He shared a story about handling a case for Hartford, where he managed to get a case dismissed with prejudice voluntarily, billing only $3000 compared to the usual $80,000 to $100,000. This success demonstrated the value of early evaluation and efficient execution, principles that would become the cornerstone of his approach to law.

Bill's passion for negotiation led him to author "The Disruptive Lawyers: The Little Black Book of Litigation Management" and "The Disruptive Lawyers: Little Black Book of Negotiation." These books are based on his extensive experience and discussions with claims executives, focusing on the importance of strategic planning and execution in litigation and negotiation.

To learn more about Bill's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Chris' work at SecondLook? Check out his website at https://secondlook.net/.

Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with the Litigation Specialist of SECURA Insurance Companies, Taylor Rawal, and the Attorney of DunbarMonroe, Chris Dunnells. Taylor has carved a niche for herself at SECURA Insurance Companies, climbing the ranks from the call center to handling litigation files. Her expertise spans personal lines, commercial lines, and specialty lines, though she candidly admits that work comp is not within her purview. On the other hand, Chris Dunnells brings a wealth of experience as a civil litigation defense attorney, with a focus on insurance defense, particularly in trucking litigation and general liability cases. Like Taylor, work comp cases fall outside his domain.

The conversation naturally gravitated towards the negotiation workshop that Taylor and Chris had conducted. The workshop was designed to arm attorneys and claims adjusters with advanced tools for negotiating both litigated and pre-litigated claims. Chris underscored the fact that while these professionals may possess basic negotiation training, the workshop was tailored to refine those skills with a laser focus on claims defense and litigation management.

Taylor shed light on the psychological aspects of negotiation, emphasizing the significance of understanding claimants' needs and managing emotions. She pointed out that gathering information and conducting discovery must be balanced with an appreciation for the human element involved. Chris chimed in, noting that a common hurdle for many is the discomfort with negotiation and a reluctance to adapt their negotiation style.

The million-dollar question that was tackled was how to negotiate a claim to achieve the best outcome. Taylor and Chris explored the notion of creating win-win situations, where both parties walk away satisfied. They debunked the myth that the best deals leave both sides unhappy, advocating instead for settlements where all parties feel justly compensated for the injuries sustained.

To learn more about Taylor and Chris' work, click HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Chris' work at SecondLook? Check out his website at https://secondlook.net/.