Episode 196 - Next Lawyer Up with Ron Sykstus featuring Tony Graffeo

It is hard for me to believe that I have reached the milestone of 200 podcasts with many highly respected lawyers throughout Alabama and across the country over the past ten years. Fittingly, Doug Jones is the first lawyer that I have spoken with for a second time in the last decade of the podcast. I initially spoke with Doug nine years ago, right before his election as United States Senator for the State of Alabama. If you get a chance, please listen to episode 18 with Doug where you will learn about all that he has done and given in service for the state of Alabama and the country.  Doug has continued to work for our state and country in various capacities and is now the Democratic nominee for Governor of the State of Alabama in the upcoming November, 2026 election.  As you'll hear on this episode of the podcast, at his core, Doug is a really good guy who has long roots in Alabama and he is someone who cares very deeply about this state. I was honored to have Doug as the 200th episode guest on the Next Lawyer Up podcast.

Attorney Rick Check is a Hoosier who grew up in Indiana and then made his way to Wisconsin where he has been practicing law for many years. Rick is a highly respected bankruptcy lawyer who practices throughout Wisconsin along with his son, Attorney Sam Check, who has been working with him for a long time. I know Rick as a colleague from the American Consumer Bankruptcy College (ACBC).  In fact, I did not know that Rick first got his start and thorough introduction to bankruptcy law from the de facto dean of the ACBC, Indiana Attorney Mark Zuckerberg.  Rick has developed a unique legal sub-specialty of helping small business owners with personal debt while, at the same time, either helping the business shed debt in order to continue operating in a positive manner or shutting it down in an expedient way, short of a chapter 11 business bankruptcy filing. l enjoyed getting to know Rick's story on this episode of the podcast.

Attorney Jimmy Sandlin is a highly experienced family law attorney practicing throughout North Alabama. An expert in this area of law, Jimmy also previously served as the presiding judge of the  Lauderdale County Family Law Court for 6 years.  Jimmy was part of the 1980's University of North Alabama crew that went on to become prominent lawyers throughout the state.  This group included Brad Botes, Stuart Maples, Dan Aldridge, Rick Hall, Jeff McKinney and Robert Smith, among others.  I enjoyed getting to know Jimmy on this episode of the podcast.

Attorney Whit Slagsvol practices law in Charleston, South Carolina.  He has been selected by Super Lawyers as a South Carolina Rising Star for the past 6 years.  He also has founded a tech company which occupies a good bit of his time.  Whit and I also discuss his close relationship with his late uncle, the revered and admired Jimmy Buffett. You may also recognize Whit as one of the stars of season 11 on Bravo's Southern Charm with season 12 on the way!  I enjoyed getting to know Whit's story on this episode of the podcast.    

Attorney Tony Graffeo is a talented personal injury lawyer who has been practicing this type of law for a long time.  Originally from Birmingham, Tony has been working in Huntsville as a trial lawyer with Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys for many years. In fact, here is a podcast I did with Alexander Shunnarah five years ago.  By the way, in a full circle moment for Tony, he is also fortunate enough to have his daughter, Carol Graffeo, also practicing law with him.  Both have Notre Dame in their respective pedigrees and, of course, I am a big ND fan!  I enjoyed getting to know Tony on this episode of the podcast. 

David Block is a long established and highly respected "big law" attorney, and he is a partner with Butler Snow's office located here in Huntsville, Alabama.  An expert in employment matters and litigation, among other areas of practice, David is as affable as he is smart. It is no wonder that businesses flock to him for representation of their legal matters! He, of course, has all of the legal accolades and awards that someone would expect of a lawyer of his caliber.  I have known David by reputation and through his daughter, Rachel, who grew up with my son Tom.  This is the first time I have had a chance to sit down and talk to him. I enjoyed getting to know David's story on this episode of the podcast.   

Talk about longevity in a legal career!  Sam Rumore has been practicing law in Alabama since 1974 and he is still at it!  Sam is very well known and respected in Alabama.  He served the lawyers throughout our state as a previous past president of the Alabama State Bar.  He also wrote a regular feature for 14 years that appeared in the Alabama Lawyer magazine about every courthouse and county seat in the state.  In addition, he found time to serve our country, rising to the rank of Colonel as a JAG officer with the U. S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps.  A proud Notre Dame graduate and then the University of Alabama for law school, Sam also earned a Master's Degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Alabama.  Sam is a credit to the bar and our profession.

Pat Lamar is a highly respected personal injury lawyer who has been practicing law in North Alabama for a long time. He is now with the esteemed law firm of Conchin, Cole, Jordan and Sherrod located in Huntsville, Alabama.  I have known Pat for many years, and I first learned of him through my law partner, Brad Botes.  Brad and Pat met right out of law school when both served in federal clerkships here in Huntsville with U.S. District Court Judge E.B. Haltom, Jr.  I almost forgot until late in the podcast that Pat is a talented golfer who has been a fixture at Valley Hill Country Club for many years, including serving as past president of the club.  I enjoyed getting to know Pat's story on this episode of the podcast.

When you listen to this podcast with Dee Miles, it is no wonder why he has had the successful and admired career that he has.  Also, as you'll hear, he has no plans on slowing down, which is something he has taken to heart from his mentor and law partner, Jere Beasley.  In fact, Dee and I talk a good bit about Jere Beasley on this episode and here is the podcast I did with Jere several years ago.  Dee is described as a cornerstone of the Beasley Allen Law Firm since 1991.  He oversees the firms' Consumer Fraud and Commercial Litigation Section.  This is a quote from Dee from the 2013 Super Lawyer magazine:  "People will find a way to cheat."  Because of this blunt fact of human nature, Dee has built a thriving law practice over the years.  This is a lawyer who is at the top of his profession, and I think you'll like hearing his story on this episode of the podcast.     

Attorney Lauren Clark has an upbeat personality and a positive outlook so it is no wonder that she has all of the clients that she can handle!  Lauren has been practicing consumer bankruptcy law since she graduated from law school at the University of South Carolina.  She lives in the Charleston area and remotely serves debtors across the state of South Carolina. In addition to her law practice and her family, Lauren also finds time to host a couple of podcasts, Remote Reality and a new one that she has recently started as well, The Bankruptcy Files.  I enjoyed getting to know Lauren on this episode of the podcast.