Episodes

Big data doesn’t stymie a lawyer’s creativity in the courtroom; it actually informs smart decisions. So argues John Campbell, who co-authored “Jury Ball: The Big Data Revolution Is Here” with his wife, Alicia, and Sean Claggett. Big data is no substitute for creativity; it can't capture the lawyer’s biggest weapon: authenticity and heart. So argues Josh Koskoff, a leading personal injury trial attorney. Tune in to this friendly debate moderated by hosts Ben Gideon and Rahul Ravipudi to hear wh...

“I say the theater is a safe place to be dangerous. I firmly believe that the courtroom is a dangerous place to be safe.” That’s why Jesse Wilson teaches lawyers and witnesses how to be dangerous in the courtroom. A Juilliard-trained actor, he prepares witnesses and helps lawyers with trial strategy through his Tell the Winning Story consultant business. Following a workshop for host Ben Gideon’s team, Jesse joins “Elawvate” to share tips with listeners. Tune in for his lessons about masks, ima...

Frank Fratello used to consider money an “evil secret” in jury selection. Then he got a $2.5 million verdict. Fresh off the red-eye to Florida, Frank told his trial partner David Thompson about a strategy he’d learned days before from consultant Sari de la Motte at Trial Lawyers University in Las Vegas. “He was extremely excited. He’s like, ‘I'm doing it.’ … And he went and did it, and it was actually quite effective,” David recalls. Tune in as Frank and David – “problem-solvers” for Farah & F...

Hosts Ben Gideon and Rahul Ravipudi invite trial lawyer Charla Aldous for a conversation about her distinguished career. Sharing stories that range from amusing to poignant, she recalls making corporate defendants wither and juries giggle. She discusses reinventing herself from a defense lawyer to a plaintiff’s lawyer specializing in medical malpractice. She criticizes med-mal caps in Texas and cherishes taking unpopular cases. The dominant theme is her fearless devotion to clients. If she were ...