The Dirty Verdict

S4 Eps 13: Judge Christine Weems Interverview

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:aaaaca19-63da-4272-90f6-1f4689d7c4a5-2" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:aaaaca19-63da-4272-90f6-1f4689d7c4a5-2" data-testid= "conversation-turn-6" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, hosts Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert sit down with Judge Christine Weems of the 281st District Court in Harris County, Texas for a wide-ranging conversation about law, trial work, mock trial, theater, and the unexpected path that shaped her career. Judge Weems shares how she went from an English major at the University of Texas to South Texas College of Law, where mock trial helped her overcome a fear of public speaking and discover her love for advocacy. She talks about early trial experience, mass tort litigation, moving between Houston, Dallas, and New York, working document review while pursuing theater, and eventually returning to Texas to build a litigation career that led to the bench. The conversation also covers what motivated her to run for judge, the importance of trial experience on the bench, and her continued work in the arts through Cone Man Running Productions, including lawyer-cast theater productions that even offer CLE credit. Episode Highlights * Judge Weems' unconventional path from English major to trial lawyer to district court judge * How mock trial helped her overcome fear of public speaking and discover courtroom advocacy * Early lessons from working as a law clerk and being handed real litigation responsibility * The impact of tort reform on asbestos and silica litigation work in Texas * Her time in New York pursuing acting, theater, and entertainment work while still practicing law * Returning to Texas for Hurricane Ike litigation and rebuilding a trial-focused career * Why trial experience matters for judges and how courtroom experience shaped her decision to run * The story behind Cone Man Running Productions and its lawyer-led theater productions * How legal professionals can participate in or attend theater productions while earning CLE credit Chapters / Major Topics 00:00 — Introduction to Judge Christine Weems 01:43 — College background, UT, English major, Spanish minor, and unusual classes 05:26 — Discovering mock trial and meeting Brett Dressler 07:02 — Growing up in Spring and the early pull toward law 07:57 — How mock trial helped her overcome fear of public speaking 08:43 — South Texas College of Law and early work with Robert Clark 09:22 — Choosing litigation over transactional law 10:29 — First jury verdict and early trial experience 11:12 — Moving to Dallas after 9/11 and working in asbestos litigation 12:39 — Missing the courtroom and returning to plaintiff-side trial work 14:08 — Houston theater, acting, and finding a creative outlet outside law 15:12 — Going to New York for acting conservatory 16:06 — Tort reform, asbestos/silica litigation, and a shifting job market 18:51 — Document review, theater work, and extra roles on 30 Rock and Law & Order 21:57 — Meeting her husband, family life, and deciding where to practice law 22:36 — Returning to Texas for Hurricane Ike litigation 23:30 — Personal injury work, board certification, and trying cases 24:12 — Judicial discretion, courtroom experience, and what sparked the idea of running 26:17 — Why she decided to run for judge 26:48 — The 2018 judicial race and life on the bench 29:51 — Founding Cone Man Running Productions 31:07 — Lawyer-cast theater productions and CLE credit 36:18 — Promoting And Then There Were None at Spring Street Studios

S4 Eps 12: Alice Lima Lovchik Interview

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict Podcast, Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert sit down with trial lawyer Alice Lima Lovchik for a wide-ranging conversation about law, trial work, immigration, civility, and heavy metal. Alice shares her story of moving from Brazil to Houston, rebuilding her legal career from the ground up, learning English, working her way from file clerk to paralegal, and eventually passing both the New York and Texas bar exams. She also talks about her work in personal injury, immigration law, and why she feels called to serve Houston's immigrant community through her trial practice. The conversation also gets into Alice's life outside the courtroom as a metal vocalist, her love for grindcore and thrash metal, and how her intense stage presence contrasts with the calm, measured way she handled a highly controversial trial incident involving opposing counsel. The hosts and Alice also discuss courtroom civility, trial nerves, lessons from losses, mentorship, and the kind of wisdom trial lawyers would give their younger selves. Major Topics Discussed: 00:00 — Opening, host introductions, and Peter's son being drafted by the Miami Dolphins 02:19 — Introducing Alice Lima Lovchik and her reputation as both a trial lawyer and metal vocalist 03:01 — Thrash metal, death metal, grindcore, and Alice's former band Evocation 05:09 — Alice's background in Brazil, moving to Houston, and meeting her husband at a rock show 07:49 — Starting over in the U.S., learning English, and entering the legal field as a file clerk 09:42 — Earning her LLM, passing the New York bar, and later passing the Texas bar 11:59 — Alice's early legal career, working with Darrell Barger, and deciding insurance defense was not for her 14:03 — Working with Javier Marcos, moving into immigration law, and later returning to personal injury 16:20 — Marcos & Associates, trying cases frequently, and serving Houston's Hispanic and immigrant communities 18:43 — How Alice evaluates cases, prepares for trial, and manages a large litigation docket 21:06 — Trying 25 cases in 12 months and the rush of being in trial 23:12 — Judges, livestreamed courtrooms, and how public clips can shape perceptions 28:46 — The controversial trial incident involving opposing counsel taking a photo of Alice's notes 32:38 — How Alice handled the incident, why she chose restraint, and what civility looks like under pressure 38:18 — Maintaining professionalism with opposing counsel after serious conflict 43:13 — Houston's metal scene, White Swan, and Alice's next musical chapter 45:32 — Alice's book project collecting stories and lessons from trial lawyers 48:45 — The hosts and Alice answer questions about their best moments as trial lawyers 54:42 — Trial losses, humility, and advice for younger lawyers

S4 Eps 11: Dan Horowitz Interview

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, hosts Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden sit down with trial lawyer and settlement planner Dan Horowitz for a conversation that starts with classic Dirty Verdict chaos and eventually lands on some genuinely valuable guidance for lawyers handling serious personal injury cases. Dan walks through his path from Bay City, Texas, to the University of Texas, South Texas College of Law, Abraham Watkins, and eventually opening his own firm. Along the way, the group covers law school networking, the realities of partnership points, going out on your own, and why relationships matter just as much as legal skill. The second half of the episode shifts into Dan's current work in settlement planning, structured settlements, trusts, tax-free growth, fee deferrals, and how lawyers can better protect clients after a major recovery. Dan explains why settlement planning should not be treated as an afterthought, especially in cases involving minors, catastrophic injuries, long-term care needs, or clients receiving life-changing sums of money. 00:00 – Introduction / Meet Dan Horowitz 01:20 – Growing Up in Bay City, Texas 02:20 – Getting Expelled Senior Year 05:30 – Getting Into UT and Coasting Through the End of High School 07:00 – Driving Buses at UT / Early Work Stories 13:20 – Studying Business at UT 15:10 – Law School Path 16:20 – Biggest Law School Regret: Not Networking More 22:10 – Dan's Professional Background and Recognition 23:20 – Early Legal Career and Firm Progression 25:45 – Becoming an Equity Partner 28:45 – Leaving to Start His Own Firm 31:25 – Transitioning Into Settlement Planning 33:00 – Getting His Insurance License 35:30 – Getting His Securities License 37:15 – Structured Settlements Explained 38:40 – Downsides of Structured Settlements 40:30 – Inflation Risk and Long-Term Planning 42:00 – Planning for Minors and Catastrophic Injury Cases 46:00 – When Lawyers Should Bring in a Settlement Planner 48:30 – Deferring Attorney Fees 51:00 – Structures as Protection From Bad Decisions or Pressure 52:40 – Customizing the Plan for Each Client

2026 Day of Civility

The Dirty Verdict Hosts sit down with legendary lawyers, Dan Cogdell, Rusty Hardin and Erica Harris to discuss civility in the legal space.

S4 Eps 10: Robert Swafford on Voir Dire

This week on The Dirty Verdict Podcast, Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden sit down with renowned jury consultant Robert Swafford for a deep dive into the strategy behind jury selection, witness preparation, and trial storytelling. Robert explains how he helps lawyers maximize strikes for cause, sharpen voir dire, and prepare witnesses for high-stakes moments in court. The episode also explores Robert's work on major cases like the Alex Jones trial, his thoughts on why most lawyers misuse voir dire, and what separates effective trial prep from wasted effort. Along the way, the conversation mixes practical courtroom insight with memorable stories about legendary trial lawyers like Joe Jamail and Warren Burnett. Main topics discussed: * 0:00 – Robert Swafford joins the show and explains his background as a jury consultant, along with the types of services he offers to trial lawyers. * 5:00 – What jury consultants actually do, from writing voir dire scripts to courtroom coaching, witness prep, focus groups, and settlement videos. * 13:00 – How to maximize strikes for cause and why jury selection is really about removing the worst jurors rather than finding the "perfect" panel. * 25:00 – The language of voir dire, including why wording matters, how to ask better questions, and why most lawyers make it harder than it needs to be. * 39:00 – Lessons from the Alex Jones trial, including written juror questionnaires, identifying problem jurors early, and navigating a highly charged panel. * 47:00 – Legendary courtroom stories, featuring Joe Jamail and Warren Burnett, plus what those stories reveal about advocacy and jury work. * 59:00 – Witness preparation in high-stakes cases, including Robert's work preparing Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis for powerful testimony in the Alex Jones case.