ABOTA Speaks

In this special Veterans Day episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jake Courtney welcomes Don Jackson, founding partner of Houston-based trial firm Ware Jackson, Lee, O’Neill, Smith & Barrow, LLP, 2014 President of TEX-ABOTA, and 2023 TEX-ABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year, for a conversation about honoring America’s veterans and the longstanding tradition of remembrance at his law firm.Don shares the history of Ware Jackson’s Annual Veterans Day Celebration, which began in 1993 when managing partner Phil Snow gathered firm employees for a playing of taps and a tribute to those who served in the armed forces. The event grew under the leadership of senior partner Lee Ware, a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and 2005 TEX-ABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year, who helped bring distinguished military speakers to the celebration. After a period of inactivity following Ware’s death, the tradition was revived in 2019 with the help of former Marine infantry officer Knox Nunnally, who continues to participate in the event.Among the event’s memorable speakers was Carwood Lipton, a World War II veteran of Easy Company, 101st Airborne Division, whose experiences were chronicled in Stephen Ambrose’s Band of Brothers. Don recalls Lipton’s extraordinary service, from the D-Day invasion through the end of the war in Europe.The conversation also explores the history of Veterans Day and the importance of honoring military service beyond political differences. Don shares a selection of remarks from Presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama, reflecting on gratitude, national unity, and the responsibility Americans share to support those who have served.Don also highlights the firm’s 2026 Veterans Day Celebration, featuring Captain Michael Mansfield, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Reserve Affairs, whose distinguished military career spans 37 years of active-duty and reserve service.Join us for this special Veterans Day conversation about service, sacrifice, remembrance, and the values that unite Americans.Learn more:ABOTA: www.abota.orgWare Jackson: https://www.warejackson.com/Carwood Lipton and Band of Brothers: https://carwoodlipton.com/band-of-brothersThe National WWII Museum — Band of Brothers: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/celebrate-25-years-band-brothers#ABOTA #ABOTASpeaks #VeteransDay #TrialLawyers #HonoringVeterans

Host Jake Courtney welcomes CAL-ABOTA President Robert A. Morgenstern for a conversation about the organization's upcoming Annual Conference in Maui, Hawaii, his years of involvement with ABOTA, and his career as a trial lawyer.Morgenstern previews this year's Annual Conference, including the featured speakers: Hon. Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, Former Chief Justice of California; Bradley “Brad” J. Edwards, Ft. Lauderdale Chapter ABOTA Member & Author of Relentless Pursuit; and Hōkūao Pellegrino, Director of Sustainable Farming for Kamehameha Schools in Maui; and award recipient honorees: Joseph “Joe” P. McMonigle, CAL-ABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year; Judge Peter T. Cahill, CAL-ABOTA Jurist of the Year; and James “Jim” R. Lance, CAL-ABOTA Community Service Award recipient, and plans for next year's gathering. The conversation also highlights the work of CAL-ABOTA members and their contributions to the legal profession and their communities.Morgenstern openly discusses his introduction to ABOTA more than 25 years ago, the colleagues who encouraged him to become involved, and his path from trial lawyer, to chapter leadership, to CAL-ABOTA president.They also discuss the importance of mentoring younger trial lawyers, Morgenstern’s special experience of practicing law alongside his daughter, and why he has no immediate plans to retire.Learn more about ABOTA: www.abota.org#ABOTA #ABOTASpeaks #CALABOTA #TrialLawyers #LegalProfession #Mentorship

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, what does this historic milestone mean for our system of justice and the work of ABOTA?Host Jill Webb is joined by 2026 ABOTA National President William D. Shapiro and Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter President Nancy K. Raynor to reflect on our Nation's founding and the enduring importance of ABOTA's mission.Shapiro discusses the principles embodied in the Declaration of Independence and their relationship to the right to trial by jury, the rule of law and an independent judiciary. Raynor brings the conversation to Philadelphia, where American history is woven throughout the city and where ABOTA will gather for its 2026 National Fall Conference and National Board Meeting.They also explore the importance of civics education, the ABOTA Foundation's longstanding support of the National Constitution Center, and the historical landmarks and attractions that make Philadelphia a fitting destination for this year's gathering.Together, they offer a reminder of why understanding our Nation's history matters and how ABOTA continues to uphold the ideals that have shaped American democracy.In addition, the ABOTA Speaker Series will feature Jeffrey Rosen, CEO Emeritus of the National Constitution Center, who will reflect on his newest book, The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America. Finally, since artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the practice of law, the Speaker Series will conclude the year with the program, “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Trial Practice,” featuring legal technology innovators in a candid panel discussion.Learn more about ABOTA: www.abota.org#ABOTA #ABOTASpeaks #America250 #JuryTrials #RuleOfLaw #JudicialIndependence #CivicsEducation #ArtificialIntelligence

How are today’s jurors changing, and what does that mean for trial lawyers?Host Jill Webb talks with veteran trial consultants Jason Barnes and Chris Dominic about what they are seeing in their work with jurors and how trial lawyers can adapt their communication and courtroom presentations to better connect with a changing audience.Barnes and Dominic discuss shorter attention spans, the expectations created by digital media, and why effective courtroom communication increasingly requires more than a strong logical argument. They explain the importance of storytelling, credibility, authenticity and human values, and why the way an attorney delivers a message can be just as important—or more important—as the content itself.The conversation also explores the importance of giving younger lawyers opportunities to develop their courtroom and public-speaking skills, as well as how the composition of a trial team can affect its ability to connect with a younger and more diverse jury.Their advice for trial lawyers: don’t assume that what worked 10 years ago will work the same way today. Understand your audience, practice your delivery, and keep adapting.Learn more about ABOTA: www.abota.orgLearn more about IMS Legal Strategies: http://imslegal.comABOTA Speaks releases new episodes every two weeks.#ABOTA #ABOTASpeaks #JuryTrials #TrialAdvocacy #JuryConsulting #TrialLawyers #NextGenJurors

What happens when a trial lawyer sees technology not as a novelty, but as another way to help jurors understand the evidence?Host Jake Courtney talks with Florida trial attorney Kenneth Padowitz about a career spent pushing the boundaries of visual evidence in the courtroom. Padowitz traces that interest back to one of his earliest jury trials, when a simple hand-drawn diagram taught him a lasting lesson about the power of giving jurors something they could see.That lesson eventually led him to be the first to successfully introduce computer animation in the courtroom in 1992, an approach later upheld on appeal. Decades later, he took another step forward by successfully introducing virtual reality (“VR”) during a Florida court hearing. His creative approach to two-dimensional animations and immersive VR depicting the opinion of experts is inspirational. Padowitz and Courtney discuss how animations and VR can help fact finders visualize an expert’s opinion, the legal and practical challenges of introducing new technology into evidence, and why careful preparation and verification remain essential. They also look ahead to artificial intelligence and the growing role technology will play in trial practice.Learn more about Kenneth Padowitz and his firm: www.lauderdalecriminaldefense.com.Learn more about ABOTA: www.abota.org.ABOTA Speaks releases new episodes every two weeks.#ABOTA #ABOTASpeaks #TrialLaw #VirtualReality #LegalTechnology #CourtroomTechnology #JuryTrials

Pulitzer Prize finalist and acclaimed historian H.W. Brands joins host Jill Webb for a fascinating conversation about political parties, democracy, and the American jury system.Drawing from his book Founding Partisans: Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, Adams and the Brawling Birth of American Politics and his own recent experience serving on a civil jury, Brands explores the parallels between jury trials and democratic self-government—and the trust both place in ordinary citizens to listen to competing arguments, weigh the information before them, and make important decisions together.Brands reflects on what jury service taught him about deliberation and the importance of hearing all sides before forming an opinion. He considers what the jury room might teach us about political discourse and shares how the experience gave him a deeper appreciation for judges, trial lawyers, judicial independence, and the American justice system.The conversation offers a thought-provoking look at political parties, civic responsibility, and what the jury system can teach us about making decisions together in a democracy.Learn more about H.W. Brands and his books: H.W. Brands author pageLearn more about ABOTA: www.abota.orgABOTA Speaks releases new episodes every two weeks.#ABOTA #ABOTASpeaks #JuryTrials #Democracy #JudicialIndependence #RuleOfLaw

Today's workplace includes more generations working side by side than ever before. How can leaders create an environment where every generation feels valued, engaged, and motivated to succeed?Host Jake Courtney is joined by generational expert Amelie Karam to discuss how law firms and organizations can build stronger multigenerational workplaces through intentional leadership, better communication, and meaningful connection. Amelie explains why successful firms move beyond generational stereotypes and instead create cultures where everyone feels heard, needed, and relevant.The conversation explores practical ways to strengthen workplace relationships, provide meaningful feedback, reduce burnout, and retain talented professionals. Jake and Amelie also discuss how these leadership principles apply not only to law firms, but to families, juries, and organizations of every kind.Whether you lead a law firm, mentor young attorneys, or simply want to better understand today's workplace, this episode offers practical insights for leading a multigenerational workforce.Learn more about Amelie: https://ameliekaram.com/ Learn more about ABOTA: www.abota.orgABOTA Speaks releases new episodes every two weeks.#ABOTA #ABOTASpeaks #Leadership #Mentorship #TrialLaw #WorkplaceCulture

The ABOTA National Trial College is more than a trial advocacy course—it's an immersive experience designed to help lawyers become more confident, capable, and effective advocates.Host Jake Courtney is joined by our 2026 Co-Chairs, Hon. Patricia Alvarez, Craig Peters, and Rich Schoenberger, to discuss what makes the ABOTA National Trial College one of the Nation’s premier educational programs for trial lawyers. They share how students spend the week learning by doing, receiving hands-on instruction from accomplished trial lawyers and judges, while developing the practical skills needed to succeed in the courtroom.The conversation explores the program's emphasis on professionalism, mentorship, and constructive feedback, along with the supportive environment that allows participants to build confidence by getting on their feet and trying new approaches in a safe setting. They also discuss the lasting friendships and professional relationships that continue long after the week concludes.Whether you are an experienced trial lawyer or an attorney looking to strengthen your trial advocacy skills, this episode offers an inside look at why the ABOTA National Trial College continues to have a lasting impact on the next generation of trial advocates.Learn more about the ABOTA National Trial College: www.abota.orgABOTA Speaks releases new episodes every two weeks.#ABOTA #ABOTASpeaks #TrialAdvocacy #NationalTrialCollege #RuleOfLaw

For 20 years, the Journalist Law School has brought lawyers and journalists together in the shared pursuit of truth, justice, and accurate reporting. In this special anniversary episode, host Jill Webb is joined by Donna Melby, Beth Warren, and Dalila-Johari Paul to reflect on the program's remarkable legacy and its continued importance today.Donna Melby, ABOTA's first female National President and one of the founders of the Journalist Law School, shares how a simple conversation grew into a nationally recognized program dedicated to improving public understanding of the legal system. She reflects on the vision behind the program and ABOTA's longstanding commitment to judicial independence and the civil jury trial.Journalists Beth Warren and Dalila-Johari Paul discuss how attending the Journalist Law School transformed their careers. Beth, a former reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, was a Fellow for the inaugural Journalist Law School in 2006. She is currently a health care reporter for The Tennessean. Dalila, a former senior editor for CNN, is a 2022 Fellow of the Journalist Law School and currently serves as the National Editor for Capital B. They describe gaining a deeper understanding of the law, greater confidence in reporting complex legal issues, and lasting professional relationships that continue to strengthen their work today.Together, they explore why accurate legal reporting matters, how lawyers and journalists can learn from one another, and why the Journalist Law School remains as relevant today as it was 20 years ago.Learn more about ABOTALearn more about the Journalist Law SchoolABOTA Speaks releases new episodes every two weeks.#ABOTA #ABOTASpeaks #Journalism #RuleOfLaw #JournalistLawSchool

Host Jake Courtney speaks with FLABOTA President Alex Reboso about his career, his path to ABOTA leadership, and the upcoming FLABOTA Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida.Alex reflects on the mentors who encouraged him to become more involved in ABOTA and shares how state and regional organizations help develop leaders while strengthening professionalism, civility, and lasting friendships throughout the association.Jake and Alex preview this year's FLABOTA Speaker Series, featuring timely discussions on judicial independence, artificial intelligence, and emerging issues facing today's legal profession. Alex explains why AI has become one of the profession's fastest-growing educational topics and discusses how ABOTA continues to respond to current challenges affecting lawyers and the courts.They also discuss what makes the FLABOTA Annual Convention unique. Designed as a family-friendly event, the convention combines outstanding educational programming with opportunities for members to reconnect with friends, spend time with family, and enjoy everything Orlando has to offer.Whether you are a longtime ABOTA member or attending a regional convention for the first time, this episode offers an inside look at why FLABOTA has become one of ABOTA's premier regional gatherings.Register for the FLABOTA Annual Convention.Learn more about ABOTA: www.abota.orgABOTA Speaks releases new episodes every two weeks.#ABOTA #ABOTASpeaks #TrialLaw #FLABOTA #RuleOfLaw