I Am The Law

After the Headlines: Lawsuits in the Wake of Disaster

.Richard Hy is a lawyer who represents people harmed in large-scale incidents, from mass shootings to defective products to public health crises. In this episode, he explains the strategic differences between mass torts and class actions, and uses his work on the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting litigation to highlight how plaintiffs' lawyers think through which court, who to sue, and how to coordinate across dozens of law firms. Richard discusses the economics of contingency-fee practice, how AI is changing document-heavy work, and the secondary trauma that comes with intake after a mass-casualty event. He also reflects on how moving from insurance defense into plaintiff-side work early in his career shaped the way he approaches litigation today, giving him a clearer read on what the other side is likely to do. Richard is a graduate of Gonzaga School of Law. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Access LawHub today! [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lawhub] Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/haynesboone] Learn more about Juno and private student loans [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/juno] Learn more about Juno and private student loans [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/juno]

More Than Legal Advice: Building a Firm for High-Conflict Divorce

Jonathan Merel runs a mid-sized family law firm built around high-conflict divorce. In this episode, he talks about the kinds of cases his firm takes on, how he sets strategy across a team of lawyers, and what shifted when he moved from full-time litigator to running the business. He also reflects on the emotional weight of family law, why it draws certain practitioners and burns out others, and how he separates emotion from legal judgment. We also hear from Kristina Lindsay, the firm's in-house divorce coach. With a background in domestic violence advocacy, she helps clients navigate trauma, safety, and conflict, operating under the firm's attorney-client privilege. Together, they show how legal strategy and emotional support can work side by side and shape the outcome of a case. Jonathan is a graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Juno and private student loans [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/juno] Access LawHub today! [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lawhub] Learn more about Juno and private student loans [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/juno] Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/haynesboone]

Building a Practice Around Delaware's Corporate Code

Mark Purpura thought he might head to Wall Street but found his niche in law instead. Now a Delaware-based attorney, he works on the deals that keep the financial world moving, from forming trust companies to advising on complex transactions. In this episode, Mark breaks down why Delaware has become the center of corporate law, what it’s like to work on fast-moving, high-stakes deals, and how he built a practice that blends business and law. He also shares how his work goes beyond clients, with a hand in shaping state legislation and advancing LGBTQ+ rights. Mark is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law. This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek. Mentioned in this episode: Access LawHub today! [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lawhub] Learn more about Juno and private student loans [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/juno] Learn more about Juno and private student loans [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/juno] Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/haynesboone]

Federal Bankruptcy Judge: Running a Second Chance Court

Judge Elizabeth Stong calls bankruptcy court a "second chance court," a forum where companies in financial distress and individuals buried in debt can find a path forward, even if it's rarely the one they hoped for. She serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York, sitting in Brooklyn. Becoming a judge was never on Judge Stong's radar — she was a happy litigation partner with no bankruptcy background when a job announcement caught her eye. In this episode, Judge Stong describes managing more than 300 active Chapter 11 cases alongside individual filings, the rhythm of case management conferences, and how she works with law clerks to prepare for hundreds of orders each week. She unpacks the structure of Article I bankruptcy judgeships and the Second Circuit's appointment process, and reflects on the weight of decisions that shape whether a family keeps its home or thousands of employees keep their jobs. The Honorable Elizabeth Stong is a graduate of Harvard Law School. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Juno and private student loans [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/juno] Access LawHub today! [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lawhub] Learn more about Juno and private student loans [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/juno] Haynes Boone LLP Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/haynesboone]

An Introvert's Path to Running an Immigration Law Firm

As an international student graduating from a U.S. law school, Jimmy Lai struggled to find employers willing to sponsor him. Rather than leave the U.S., he chose to build something from scratch. In this episode, Jimmy talks about how his visa barriers pushed him to co-found an immigration law firm. Jimmy reflects on failing the bar exam three times before passing, navigating the financial and legal risks of starting a firm, and learning to think like a business owner rather than a lawyer. He also talks about doing all of this as a self-described introvert — someone who once avoided grocery store aisles to dodge small talk — and how he forced himself into networking and sales before eventually delegating those roles to more extroverted team members. Jimmy is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Law. This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/haynesboone] Access LawHub today! [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lawhub] Learn more about Juno and private student loans [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/juno] Learn more about Juno and private student loans [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/juno]