When you wear Heels In The Courtroom, life and law are a little bit different. This fresh and insightful new podcast from the female trial attorneys at The Simon Law Firm offers mentoring, community and great girl talk about being the best you can be in every part of your life. So kick off those heels, pour a glass of wine, and get to know Amy Gunn, Erica Slater, Liz Lenivy, Mary Simon, Elizabeth McNulty and Megan Crowe. The Simon Law Firm consists of trial attorneys specializing in medical ...
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Disbursing settlements can be challenging. Today’s discussion covers claims on the settlement, special needs trusts and structured settlement annuities.Di simonlawfirm
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It may feel awkward or uncomfortable to ask for help. But if you try our tips, you may be surprised by how pleased people are to be asked to help you.Di simonlawfirm
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This episode is dedicated to Amy Gunn’s beloved Sun Bun Gunn, who recently crossed the Rainbow Bridge. We’ll talk about the special place pets hold in our lives and why we think every dedicated trial attorney should consider a pet.Di simonlawfirm
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Opposing counsel is telling you all the problems with your case for the 800th time. When he starts up again (yes, we think it’s a guy thing) should you shut it down or lean in?Di simonlawfirm
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Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary R. Russell offers her thoughts on how to conduct yourself in court and why we must retain confidence in the judicial system.Di simonlawfirm
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Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary R. Russell shares her inspiring path from growing up on a Missouri farm to leading the highest court in the state.Di simonlawfirm
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Streamline, clarify and de-clutter your exhibit list by incorporating our top tips for preparing and presenting exhibits for depo and trial. We’ll discuss proper procedure on how to mark, submit and enter exhibits correctly and share an easy acronym to help you remember the important steps.Di simonlawfirm
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Summer is conference season, and whether you love them or dread them, it’s wise to prepare a positive mindset before you go. Learn how to enjoy and benefit from the “forced fun” of these events while protecting yourself and your reputation.Di simonlawfirm
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Listen up, clerks! Today we’re talking about what makes a clerk (or any mentee) stand out in the crowd. We’ll wrap up our discussion with top tips for making mentorship in your firm a positive opportunity for everyone.Di simonlawfirm
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You, your firm and the legal profession will benefit when you make mentorship a meaningful experience in your firm. We offer tips on how you can enhance the mentee’s learning experience, help them provide better work product for you and recharge your enthusiasm in the process.Di simonlawfirm
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Are you dealing with a client who is needy, mean, lies to you or is just plain unrealistic? Boy, we have too. Today we’re talking about how to serve difficult clients while protecting our personal and professional boundaries.Di simonlawfirm
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You want to help that friend of a friend with their minor auto accident settlement, but taking the case is not a good business decision. However, there are things you can do to extend goodwill and validate the referral…tune in for our tips.Di simonlawfirm
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What does success mean to you? Is it a monetary goal? A safe and comfortable home? Or simply the ability to shop at the “fancy” grocery store? Take a moment to re-evaluate your idea of personal success and give yourself some credit for your little successes.Di simonlawfirm
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Checklists help us avoid mistakes and allow our brains to focus on higher thinking. Follow along as we use pro tips from a checklist expert to create a fail-safe prep list for mediations.Di simonlawfirm
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Our goal is to lift you up with every episode, and today we are sharing our mentor’s most valuable life lessons. We hope these ideas help you get through the day with a little more grace, a little less angst and a lot more confidence.Di simonlawfirm
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Mentors help you build skills, gain confidence and are there for you when you need trusted advice on practically anything. Mary brings her mentor (and Dad) Attorney John Simon into the discussion on the power of positive mentorship.Di simonlawfirm
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Frustration. Guilt. Anger. Loss. It’s hard to stay focused when so many powerful emotions come at you in a single day. Listen in as we discuss our recent rides on the emotional roller coaster and learn about the tools we use to keep our sanity and come back for more.Di simonlawfirm
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Many female attorneys agonize over courtroom attire….but does it really matter? Intentional dressing really does communicate an attitude to the jury and imparts a first impression that can impact you and your client. Tune in for a slightly different take on the courtroom clothing conversation.Di simonlawfirm
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The one fact that will convince the jury your client is telling the truth is right there in the records….you just have to find it and present it in the most impactful way possible. Tune in to hear how our courtroom strategy helped the jury get justice for a brave woman who was determined to fight for what is right.…
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Our latest trial win involved a sexual assault case between a woman, her supervisor, and what really happened after he knocked on her hotel room door. We’ll share the facts of the case in part one and take you to trial in part two.Di simonlawfirm
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In the heat of trial, your mind is on the moment, not always on the potential for appeal. Failing to preserve the record can be a costly mistake. Get in the weeds with us as we discuss what you need to preserve, how to do it efficiently and why you may want to ask for help on this front in major litigation.…
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Jurors need legal guidance when deliberating a case because, duh, they aren’t lawyers. Jury instructions are their roadmap, and it’s definitely in your client’s best interest to be sure those instructions are as clear and concise as possible. In this episode, we discuss verdict directors, clean and dirty instructions, roving commissions, potential …
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The New Year is a good time for reflection even if you don’t do resolutions. To kick off 2024, we checked in on last year’s silly and serious resolutions and made some new goals to guide us in the coming year. Take a moment to reflect on your accomplishments and resolve to “do you” even better this year.…
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The holidays can be stressful but sharing the joy of traditions like making memory books, traveling home and tying the hugest tree you can find on the mini-Cooper make it all worthwhile. Join our holiday party as we share our family traditions and plans to make this holiday season our best yet. Wishing you the happiest of holidays from all of us at…
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Seriously, opposing counsel is making faces during a tragic trucking case that involves the death of a child?! Erica Slater managed to overcome eye rolls, shoulder shrugs, claims of phantom vehicles and last-minute discovery issues to win a significant verdict for her client. Hear the whole story, and some interesting legal insights on suing family…
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Not every cross examination has to be adversarial. If you come on too strong with a witness who is trying hard to be helpful, you may prove your point but lose your case. We’ll talk about how to pivot your attitude and watch your nonverbals when cross examining a nice person so you win the facts without losing the jury.…
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Bing. Another email. Bing. Update on disturbing international unrest. Your heart hurts but…. Bing. Your exercise app interrupts with a workout nudge. Bing. Meeting reminder, and you realize you forgot to send that text. Bing. Another email. Bing. It’s just…too…much. We’re suffering from information overload. If you are too, join us as we talk throu…
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Most of us get so caught up in our hectic day-to-day world that we forget to appreciate our achievements and the people who bring us joy. So slow down and share a moment with us as we reflect on our greatest gifts and let gratitude be your attitude this week. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Heels in the Courtroom.…
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In Part Two of our winning case analysis, Amy Gunn and Liz Lenivy discuss witness prep, damages and dubious defense tactics. Win or lose, big cases can take a toll on attorneys, and Amy candidly shares how she will recharge her resolve and routine after celebrating one of the biggest verdicts in her career.…
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An inspired approach and darn good discovery skills led to a big med mal win for our client. In this encore episode, Amy Gunn and Liz Lenivy discuss their pre-trial and courtroom strategies and share some good-to-know facts about medical records in this real-life legal drama episode.Di simonlawfirm
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Is your client considering taking out a lawsuit loan to pay medical bills or other expenses? How can these loans impact the case, the settlement or even you as the attorney? We’ll discuss a new Missouri law that offers guidance on the issue and re-learn the proper use of the word “champerty.”Di simonlawfirm
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Got room in your hectic schedule for another “obligation”? Think “opportunity” instead. Taking on a leadership role in a professional or community organization offers connections and insights you won’t find anyplace else. Learn more about how we serve and why you should too.Di simonlawfirm
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Being polite when opposing counsel goes low doesn’t mean you’re a pushover. It’s a savvy strategy both professionally and personally. You know somebody’s gonna get snarky sometime soon, so tune in for this reminder on why it’s always smart to mind your manners when you stand your ground.Di simonlawfirm
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Prepping your next slip and fall on ice case? The Heels in the Courtroom trial team just won a significant verdict for our client, and we share tips on outlining a winning strategy, presenting witnesses and the importance of carefully crafted jury instructions. Get the scoop on Eizabeth’s first time in court and a quick primer on the all-important …
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As trial approaches, most clients are scared and vulnerable. How can you help? You might have to take off your attorney armor and be vulnerable too. This emotional episode offers ideas on how to help your clients center their thoughts and ways you can strategize your case to let their most authentic story shine through.…
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No matter where you are in your career, your time and experience can benefit a younger attorney. But if you think mentorship is all about giving, hear how a recent mentorship experience inspired us, and why reaching out and giving back will reinvigorate you too.Di simonlawfirm
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Are you tempted to use AI to write a brief or do your research? You should know what happened to some attorneys who tried to save time and got sanctioned instead. We have our own ideas on how AI should be used in our profession, but just for fun, we asked Chat GPT to join the discussion too.Di simonlawfirm
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Whether you are in college or considering a mid-life career change, choosing to go to law school is a big decision. We’ll share some of the pros and cons of our profession and offer a few questions you should ask yourself before you decide to join us in this noble and sometimes gnarly career.Di simonlawfirm
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It’s infuriating when opposing counsel refuses to pick depo dates, makes excuses to delay proceedings or just plain ghosts you. We believe justice delayed is justice denied, and hope today’s tips can help you push your case forward when the other side digs in with common delay tactics.Di simonlawfirm
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Do you apologize for moving a meeting or asking a legitimate question? Apologizing can be a knee jerk reaction that implies a weak position, or it can be a powerful tool to get what you want. We’ll discuss when it’s appropriate to apologize and how to do it without diminishing your self-worth.Di simonlawfirm
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According to the Humane Society, 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year in the United States. Today we take a look at the laws regarding responsible pet ownership, including what constitutes vicious propensity and what your insurance may or may not cover if you or your dog is injured by another person’s pet.…
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Liability waivers appear all around us…..on amusement park tickets, at ax throwing establishments, prior to medical procedures and maybe even as a requirement from your son’s friend’s parents before that weekend party at their lake house. Are these documents really enforceable, or are they just toothless deterrents? And should you sign them?…
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We’re done with opposing counsel’s snarky emails, loud yawners, attorneys who think their years of experience means the law should be bent for them and people who creep out our kids. Laugh along as we vent about everyday annoyances and share the good stuff that makes up for all that crap.Di simonlawfirm
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Under what circumstances should you consider calling an adverse witness? Today’s discussion examines the risks involved and offers tips on how to be successful if adverse witness testimony is critical to your case.Di simonlawfirm
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Can the attributes of a good trial attorney run in the family? Part Two of our Father’s Day discussion about practicing law with your Dad talks about the decision to follow your father’s footsteps and live up to the family reputation.Di simonlawfirm
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If given the opportunity, would you say yes to working with your Dad? In recognition of Father’s Day, father-daughter trial lawyer duos John Simon and Mary Simon, and Judge Jack Garvey and Colleen Garvey discuss the joys and frustrations of going to work every day with Dad.Di simonlawfirm
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Erica has “thunder tears.” Liz becomes “hot garbage.” We’ve all had days where life is a big hot mess. In this encore episode, Amy, Mary, Erica and Liz talk about how they re-center when everything goes sideways, and how to downplay the guilt that goes with it.Di simonlawfirm
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Our Heels in the Courtroom community has grown to thousands of downloads since our first episode. Tune in to hear a reprise of EP101 and get a little background on who we are and why we started this empowering podcast for female trial attorneys.Di simonlawfirm
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The judge says “mistrial” and Poof! Your half-argued case just became a do-over. What now? It recently happened to us and we want to supply some insight into what can cause a mistrial and how we handled it. We also had a big win which included punitive damages and a unique argument….tune in for the dish on our latest trials and tribulations.…
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Which attorney has jumped out of an airplane? Had an invisible friend? Or was required to wash rocks as a child? We went around the table using a fun life experiences questionnaire that prompted revelations and introspection from four Heels in the Courtroom attorneys. Get to know us by learning who did what…then try it with your own friend group an…
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