EP 711: The Improv Advantage: What Trial Lawyers Can Learn from the Stage Part 1

EP 711: The Improv Advantage: What Trial Lawyers Can Learn from the Stage Part 1

Listen in as performers, teachers and corporate workshop facilitators from The Improv Shop in St. Louis explain how improv skills map directly into the courtroom, deposition room and any high-stakes conversation where the unexpected is guaranteed to happen. Hosts Erich Veith and Tim Cronin reflect with Ashley Rube and Ryan Myers on one of the most common failure modes they observe in young trial lawyers: rigid adherence to a prepared outline even when a witness hands them something better. The instinct to follow the script, they argue, is trained into law students from day one and it takes real effort to unlearn. Full disclosure: nobody is here to turn lawyers into comedians, but rather how to apply the discipline of presence, collaboration and responsive decision-making of improve to the legal profession.

EP 710: The Amazonization of Liability Part 2

The hosts explore how other companies are engaging in Amazon’s Delivery Service Provider or DSP model to skirt liability for the actions of workers in the gig economy. Guest Johnny Simon tells host Tim Cronin Amazon is facing an existential question because these types of cases require attorneys to uncover unflattering evidence, including information about their profits and how they treat drivers. Cronin says the trend is spreading to the healthcare industry, especially in rural hospitals.

EP 709: The Amazonization of Liability Part 1

The Courts are starting to recognize Amazon and other massive companies should be held liable for the actions of their agents or employees while they’re on the clock, despite their attempts at creating corporate structures to avoid liability in the gig economy. Simon Law Attorney Johnny Simon discusses the strategies he’s used to hold Amazon and other companies accountable with host Tim Cronin, who also has had success in these types of cases. The hosts break down how Amazon’s Delivery Service Provider or DSP model is marketed as independent small businesses but operates under extensive control from Amazon including training on package handling, uniforms, real-time driver monitoring. Despite that control, Amazon claims DSP drivers are not its employees, shifting liability onto smaller contractors that typically carry limited insurance.

EP 708: Navigating Discovery Obstruction in Modern Litigation Part 2

From starting with clear, reasonable requests and meticulously documenting every interaction, to setting firm deadlines and escalating strategically, The Jury is Out outlines how to maintain control of the process. John Simon, Eric Veith and Tim Cronin highlight how persistent obstruction from opposing counsel can be turned into a powerful advantage in your case.

EP 707: Navigating Discovery Obstruction in Modern Litigation Part 1

The Jury is Out explores the growing problem of discovery obstruction in litigation, where routine requests are increasingly met with blanket objections. John Simon, Erich Veith and Tim Cronin discuss how this trend impacts day-to-day legal work, and practical strategies attorneys can use to push through resistance and keep cases moving forward.