From Public Defender to Criminal Defense Firm Owner | Scott Simmons | Legally Exhausted Ep. 61

From Public Defender to Criminal Defense Firm Owner | Scott Simmons | Legally Exhausted Ep. 61

Attorney Scott Simmons joins Abe Ovadia on Episode 61 of Legally Exhausted for an honest conversation about criminal defense, the justice system, and what it takes to stand beside clients when everything is on the line. Scott shares his journey from growing up in South Florida to becoming a public defender and eventually founding Lawson & Simmons. Throughout the episode, he discusses how his experience in the courtroom shaped his approach to defending clients facing some of the most serious criminal allegations in Florida. Abe and Scott dive into the realities of criminal defense work, the challenges attorneys face when fighting the government, the importance of trial experience, and the pressure that comes with defending someone's freedom and reputation. They also discuss DUI cases, jury trials, stand-your-ground laws, plea negotiations, public defenders, criminal investigations, and why every person deserves a strong defense regardless of the accusations against them. The conversation explores the emotional side of criminal defense, including the cases that keep attorneys awake at night, the responsibility of representing innocent clients, and the difficult decisions that can impact a person's future for years to come. Whether you're interested in criminal law, courtroom strategy, constitutional rights, or simply want a behind-the-scenes look at what criminal defense attorneys deal with every day, this episode provides valuable insight from a lawyer who has spent his career fighting for his clients. About Scott Simmons: Scott Simmons is a founding attorney at Lawson & Simmons, P.A., a Florida criminal defense law firm serving clients throughout South Florida. The firm represents individuals facing a wide range of criminal charges, including DUI, drug offenses, violent crimes, theft crimes, domestic violence allegations, white-collar offenses, and other felony and misdemeanor matters. With extensive courtroom and trial experience, Scott and his team are dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals accused of crimes and helping clients navigate the criminal justice system. Learn more about Scott Simmons and Lawson & Simmons: https://lawsonandsimmons.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with attorneys, business leaders, medical professionals, and industry experts on Legally Exhausted.

Why Bankruptcy Isn’t the End — It’s a Second Chance | Cristina Ortiz, Esq. | EP. 60

In this episode of Legally Exhausted, Abe sits down with bilingual Florida attorney Cristina M. Ortiz to talk about the journey that shaped her legal career, the economic crash of 2008, bankruptcy law, entrepreneurship, AI in the legal field, and the realities of building a successful law practice during uncertain times. Cristina shares how both she and Abe attended the same law school and reflects on graduating during one of the most difficult financial periods in modern history. As the 2008 economic crisis unfolded, she admits she was scared about what the future would look like for young attorneys entering the profession. Shortly after graduating, she landed a position at a foreclosure and bankruptcy law firm, where she was suddenly thrown into the middle of one of the busiest foreclosure crises Florida had ever seen. That experience ultimately introduced her to the areas of law she still practices today. Today, Cristina leads a respected bilingual law practice serving clients throughout Florida in bankruptcy, foreclosure, real estate transactions, title services, escrow, and property-related legal matters. Through her firm, she has helped individuals, families, investors, and business owners navigate financial hardship while protecting their future and their assets. One of the most interesting conversations in this episode centers around Artificial Intelligence and how Cristina embraces technology instead of fearing it. She discusses how she uses AI to help her team streamline repetitive questions, improve efficiency, assist with marketing research, and help launch successful marketing campaigns. Abe and Cristina also discuss how the legal industry is evolving and why attorneys who adapt to technology may have a major advantage moving forward. Cristina also shares the story behind her book, “Salvavidas Financiero,” and explains how her husband encouraged her to write it. She speaks openly about the support he has given her behind the scenes while helping her grow her business and balance entrepreneurship with family life. One of the strongest moments of the podcast comes when Cristina explains why bankruptcy should not always carry the negative stigma many people associate with it. She shares a powerful perspective on how bankruptcy laws were designed to help people rebuild their lives and start over during difficult times — and why, without those protections, many families and businesses would never recover financially. Her perspective on how bankruptcy actually helps the economy and creates second chances is something listeners will not want to miss. This episode is filled with honest conversations about resilience, adapting during economic uncertainty, entrepreneurship, technology, law, and personal growth. Learn more about Cristina M. Ortiz and her firm here: CristinaLaw.com Social Media: IG: @cristinaortiz_attorney FB: https://www.facebook.com/cristina.law.3 youtube  @abogadacristinaortiz [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCZ1yfufNSy-ioaYWgn3wN5g]

The Evolution of Attorney Imani Williams | Confidence, Social Media & Slip & Fall Law | EP. 59

Three years after her first appearance on the podcast, attorney Imani Williams returns to catch up with Abraham Ovadia on how much her career — and confidence — have evolved. In this episode of Legally Exhausted, Imani reflects on the early days of speaking in front of doctors at the FCPA and how nervous she was the very first time Abe pushed her to do it. Years later, she talks about becoming far more confident in public speaking, networking, and building her professional presence both online and in person. The conversation dives into how her perspective on slip-and-fall cases completely changed over time. What she once disliked has now become one of the practice areas she enjoys most, especially after handling major premises liability and slip-and-fall settlements. Imani explains why these cases are much more complicated than many people realize and what it takes to properly build and litigate them. Abe and Imani also talk about how much the legal industry has changed with social media and how attorneys today are expected to be more visible online. Abe admits that years ago he never imagined posting content as consistently as he does now, while praising Imani for always staying active online and creating informational videos that educate people about the law. They also discuss how networking has played a major role in her growth, how she has become more selective about the organizations she joins, and how working for a larger and more recognizable law firm has helped strengthen her reputation in the legal field. Imani also shares her experience being the only female attorney at her firm and how that has shaped her professionally. This episode is a real conversation about growth, stepping outside your comfort zone, building confidence over time, and evolving both personally and professionally in the legal world.

From Miami to Vermont Law & the Courtroom | Chloe Castro, Esq. | Legally Exhausted Ep. 58

In this episode of Legally Exhausted, Attorney Abe Ovadia sits down with Chloe Castro, Esq., founder of CD Law Pro, to break down her unique journey through law, life, and litigation. Chloe shares how growing up in Miami shaped her early ambitions, and how her path took a dramatic turn when she moved to Vermont Law School—trading city life for a small mountain town of just 1,200 people. There, she pursued her passion for environmental law, excelled academically with Dean’s List honors, and developed her courtroom presence through mock trial and national-level advocacy. Before entering private practice, Chloe built a strong litigation foundation as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade, handling thousands of cases ranging from DUIs to serious violent crimes. She later transitioned into civil defense, gaining deep experience in case valuation, negotiation, and trial strategy. In this episode, Abe and Chloe also dive into: The contrast between big-city and small-town law school life Her leadership roles and national debate success at Florida International University Real courtroom experiences and lessons from prosecution and defense Her transition into running her own firm at CD Law Pro Travel, lifestyle, and balancing a demanding legal career From snowboarding across the U.S. to traveling internationally—including her love for Colombia—this episode goes beyond law and into the mindset of a driven attorney building her own path. If you’re interested in criminal defense, civil litigation, or what it really takes to become a trial lawyer, this episode delivers real insight. Follow for more real conversations with top attorneys: 👉 Follow Abraham Ovadia on Instagram @LawyerAbe 👉 Follow Chloe Castro on Instagram @CDLawPro Stay connected with Legally Exhausted for new episodes every week.

How She Built a Solo Law Firm in Family, Real Estate & Probate | Claudia Cobreiro, Esq. EP 57

In this episode of Legally Exhausted Podcast, host Abraham Ovadia sits down with Claudia Cobreiro to talk about the realities of building a solo practice from the ground up. Claudia is the founder of Cobreiro Law, a Coral Gables-based firm serving clients throughout Florida. Her practice focuses on family law, real estate, probate and estate planning, and business law, and her firm proudly represents clients in both English and Spanish. In this conversation, Claudia shares her journey from her early days as a new attorney to running her own firm, and how she’s consistently pushed herself to outperform each previous year—both in cases and revenue. She opens up about the challenges of staying lean while growing, and the pride she takes in building a strong, reliable team. One of the most powerful moments in this episode is Claudia reflecting on one of her first cases working with Abe—a heartbreaking situation involving a child who lost her mother. In that case, Abe made the decision to waive his attorney’s fees so the child could receive more from the settlement. Inspired by that act, Claudia chose to do the same. It’s a story that speaks to the values behind the profession and the impact attorneys can have beyond just legal outcomes. This episode is about growth, integrity, and what it really takes to build something meaningful in the legal field. 👉 Learn more about Claudia: https://cobreirolaw.com/ 👉 Watch more episodes: https://legallyexhausted.com/ 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more real conversations with attorneys and professionals in the legal space.