Keep It Legal

What does it take to challenge powerful public institutions and keep going for seven years?In this episode of Keep It Legal, host Mark Annick sits down with Dallas trial lawyer Laura Benitez Geisler, a name partner at Sommerman, McCaffity, Quesada & Geisler and the first Hispanic lawyer to serve as president of the Dallas Bar Association. Ms. Geisler reflects on the family values, mentors and early experiences that shaped her career representing plaintiffs. She also takes listeners inside the civil rights case of former East Texas police captain Terry Bevill, whose seven-year fight for justice resulted in a $21.35 million federal jury verdict after jurors found that public officials retaliated against him for exercising his First Amendment rights.In this episode:Why Ms. Geisler chose plaintiffs’ workHow mentorship shaped her career and leadershipHow Terry Bevill’s fight for justice unfolded over seven yearsWhy lawyers have a responsibility to hold public institutions accountableRecorded in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, this conversation explores courage, conviction and the power of helping clients reclaim their voices.Learn more about Laura Benitez Geisler: https://www.textrial.com/attorneys/laura-benitez-geisler/

Artificial intelligence is already changing the practice of law. The question is no longer whether lawyers should use AI, but how to use it responsibly.In this episode of Keep It Legal, trial lawyer Chris Schwegmann of Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann joins host Mark Annick to discuss how AI is reshaping litigation, from legal research and trial preparation to discovery strategy and client expectations. They also explore the risks of AI hallucinations, the evolving law around ChatGPT conversations as evidence, and why judgment—not technology—remains a lawyer's greatest asset.In this episode:How AI is transforming litigation and trial preparationWhy AI should enhance—not replace—lawyer judgmentThe risks of AI hallucinations and court sanctionsWhether AI conversations can become discoverable evidenceWhy clients increasingly expect their lawyers to use AIWhether you practice law or simply want to understand how AI is changing the legal industry, this conversation offers practical insights into one of the profession's fastest-moving developments.

In recognition of Women’s History Month, this episode of Keep It Legal features a conversation with four associate attorneys from Burns Charest — Hannah Crowe, Natalie Earles, Claire Bosarge Curwick and Laura Soundy Seggerman.Together, they discuss their paths into litigation, the realities of practicing law early in their careers, and the responsibility of representing clients in complex, high-stakes cases. The conversation also explores what it means to advocate for women in the courtroom, from preparing witnesses to presenting deeply personal stories to a jury.The group reflects on mentorship, firm culture and the evolving role of women in the legal profession, along with the challenges and opportunities that come with building a career in trial law.https://burnscharest.com/

In this special anniversary episode of Keep It Legal, host Mark Annick is joined by Androvett Legal Media & Marketing leadership to look back on 30 years of legal marketing, from Yellow Pages ads to today’s world of video, AI and evolving search. The discussion covers how technology has changed law firm marketing, why trust and storytelling still matter and how firms can adapt to new tools without losing what sets them apart.

In honor of Women's History Month, host Mark Annick sits down with Heather Hilgers, founder of Hilgers Graben, the largest women-owned law firm in the country. The two discuss the firm’s growth, its unique culture, and what it takes to lead a nationwide team of top-tier attorneys.The conversation explores:Women in leadership – Breaking barriers and building a law firm with national impactBalancing law and life – Leading a firm while raising four kidsGrowth and innovation – Scaling beyond a personality-driven model to create lasting successAnd not to mention the firm's “No Jerks” policy.Ms. Hilgers also shares insights on recruiting top talent, empowering women in law, and why vulnerability is a strength in leadership. More about Heather Hilgers: https://hilgersgraben.com/professionals/heather-hilgers/More about Hilgers Graben: https://hilgersgraben.com/

In this episode of Keep It Legal, we sat down with Jake Pollack, wealth transfer planning attorney at Shackleford, McKinley & Norton in Dallas. We dive into the critical, yet often overlooked, topic of business succession planning. Mr. Pollack shares insights on why nearly 70% of family businesses lack a formal succession plan, the challenges of transferring ownership, and how proactive planning can prevent disputes and protect a company’s legacy. Learn about Jake Pollack here: https://shackelford.law/profiles/jake-n-pollack/

In 2024, Texas was once again at the forefront of some of the biggest legal stories of the year. Androvett Legal Media & Marketing takes a look at the Top 10 Texas Legal Stories that shaped the legal landscape for the year.  To view the full list, visit https://androvett.com/media-coverage/top-10-legal-news-for-2024

In this episode, we sit down with Winston & Strawn attorney Ashley Wright and her mother, Judge Derbha Jones in Denton County, to discuss diversity in the legal industry, second-career lawyers, and the power of letting your work speak for itself. The duo shares personal stories of breaking barriers, navigating new careers as mothers, and leading by example, offering inspiring insights for anyone pursuing a path in law. Learn more about Ashley Wright here: https://www.winston.com/en/professionals/wright-ashley-j

Keep It Legal sits down with Katie Anderson, who provides legal solutions for public and private educational institutions. In this episode, we discuss the biggest issues facing schools and educators, including book bans, cell phones, AI, teacher retention and more.   "Schools come to me when something went wrong... My legal advice is based on the best interest of the student."  Katie also represents governmental entities, including housing authorities and cities, through counseling and litigation.  Learn more about her here: https://www.ccsb.com/professionals/katie-anderson/

PART 2: This episode, the PR professionals at Androvett gathered around the mic (again!) to talk Crisis Communications. This time, we break down American Airlines' and Scottie Scheffler's legal woes, plus what went wrong with Houston's weather response.Like we mentioned in Part 1, you can’t plan for everything. However, creating a strong framework will ensure that your response is measured, your message is credible and that you’re able to put your stakeholders at ease, even when the unexpected happens.Learn more: https://www.androvett.com/services/crisis-communications