Lawyers Without Billboards

The Art of the Opening Statement | Lawyers Without Billboards S2-Ep21

What makes a great opening statement? Is it storytelling? Strategy? Psychology? Or knowing exactly when to bend the rules without breaking them? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, the team at Shewmaker & Lewis dives deep into one of the most important — and misunderstood — parts of any trial: the opening statement. Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa break down: *  Why opening statements may matter more than closing arguments  *  How jurors and judges form impressions early  *  The importance of themes, roadmaps, and courtroom storytelling  *  Why lawyers should address bad facts head-on  *  The difference between arguing and “advocating”  *  How broken promises in opening statements can destroy credibility  *  Real courtroom war stories, including jury objections, snap decisions, and Steve’s unforgettable “first-person opening statement” technique  Whether you're fascinated by courtroom strategy, jury psychology, or just love hearing experienced trial lawyers swap stories, this episode pulls back the curtain on how cases are framed before the first witness ever testifies. 🎙️ No gimmicks. No billboards. Just real lawyers talking about what really happens in court. ⏱️ Chapters  00:00 – Welcome to Lawyers Without Billboards  00:55 – What is the purpose of an opening statement?  03:30 – Why themes matter in trial strategy  05:20 – Opening statements vs. closing arguments  07:30 – Why jurors make up their minds early  11:05 – Can lawyers “open the door” in opening statements?  12:20 – How to craft a compelling opening  15:55 – How much argument is too much?  16:50 – How long should an opening statement be?  18:20 – Addressing bad facts before the other side does  20:55 – Promises lawyers should never make  22:20 – DUI example: facts vs. argument  25:20 – Why lawyers take notes during openings  26:20 – Turning an opening statement into evidence  27:40 – Art vs. science in courtroom storytelling  28:20 – Favorite courtroom opening statement stories  31:15 – Steve’s unforgettable “first-person opening”  36:20 – Final thoughts on courtroom advocacy  🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards. 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis  🎧 Watch here: The Art of the Opening Statement or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com [pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com] | (770) 939-1939 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com [https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com/] 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards [https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards] 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions 🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. [https://www.bleedingedge.tv/] 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

Closing Arguments: The Most Important Part of a Trial? | Lawyers Without Billboards S2-Ep20

What actually happens during closing arguments in court? And are they really the most important part of a trial? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, the attorneys at Shewmaker & Lewis break down the strategy behind effective closing arguments, including how attorneys persuade juries, simplify complicated evidence, and tailor arguments differently for judges versus jurors. The team shares real courtroom experiences involving difficult judges, dramatic jury trials, objections during closing arguments, visual presentations, and memorable courtroom moments that shaped how they practice law today. Topics include: *  The purpose of closing arguments  *  Why openings may matter more than closings  *  Bench trial vs. jury trial strategy  *  Using exhibits and demonstrative evidence effectively  *  Objections during closing arguments  *  Storytelling techniques in litigation  *  When attorneys decide not to give a closing at all  Whether you’re interested in family law, courtroom strategy, or behind-the-scenes legal stories, this episode offers an entertaining and informative look at trial advocacy from experienced litigators. ⏱️ Chapters  00:00 Intro  00:36 What Is a Closing Argument?  01:51 Are Closing Arguments Important?  03:09 When Judges Don’t Want to Hear Closings  05:07 Do Jurors Decide Before Closing Arguments?  06:07 Explaining Your Case to the Judge  07:04 Effective Closing Argument Techniques  08:33 Should You Script a Closing Argument?  09:35 Learning the Hard Way in Court  10:32 Using PowerPoint and Visual Aids  11:27 When Less Is More in Closing Arguments  13:13 Favorite Courtroom Closing Stories  15:04 Bench Trials vs. Jury Trials  16:24 Visual Demonstratives and Jury Persuasion  17:26 The “Black Hole” Theory of Circumstantial Evidence  19:01 High-Conflict Divorce Trial Stories  20:55 Ethics and Objections During Closing Arguments  23:36 Final Thoughts on Effective Closings  24:20 Outro  🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards. 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis  🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/V9M0Cl-uh1o or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com [pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com] | (770) 939-1939 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com [https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com/] 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards [https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards] 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions 🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. [https://www.bleedingedge.tv/] 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

When Does Your Lawyer’s Representation End? | Lawyers Without Billboards S2-Ep19

In this episode, the attorneys at Shewmaker & Lewis discuss two recent Georgia Court of Appeals decisions that could significantly impact how lawyers handle appeals and post-trial representation. The conversation focuses on situations where parties attempted to file appeals on their own while their attorneys were still technically counsel of record, and why those filings were treated as legal nullities. Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa break down: *  The dangers surrounding the 30-day appeal window  *  Why attorney withdrawal orders matter  *  The distinction between civil and criminal appeal procedures  *  How these rulings may affect family law and civil litigation practice  *  Practical steps lawyers may need to take to protect clients and themselves  This episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how procedural appellate rules can dramatically affect real cases. ⏱️ Chapters  00:00 Introduction  01:18 “When Does Representation End?”  02:45 The Muhammad v. Clayton County Case  06:50 What Is Summary Judgment?  08:30 The Pro Se Appeal Problem  11:55 Why the Appeal Was Dismissed  13:00 Why Internal Emails Weren’t Enough  16:30 Criminal vs. Civil Appeals  18:35 Why These Cases Scare Lawyers  21:00 How Law Firms May Need to Change Contracts  24:00 Filing Motions for New Trial  26:15 Real-World Examples From Practice  28:15 Will Lawyers Actually Adapt?  29:35 Final Thoughts  🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards. 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis  🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/iu_cxY1J9CM or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com [pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com] | (770) 939-1939 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com [https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com/] 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards [https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards] 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions 🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. [https://www.bleedingedge.tv/] 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

QDROs, Pensions, and Divorce: Don’t Make This Expensive Mistake | Lawyers Without Billboards S2-Ep18

Retirement accounts are often one of the largest assets in a divorce — and one of the easiest to mishandle. In this episode, we break down QDROs (Qualified Domestic Relations Orders), how they work, and why failing to handle them correctly can lead to tax consequences, penalties, and costly disputes years later. We cover: *  How retirement accounts are divided in divorce  *  When a QDRO is required—and when it isn’t  *  Why pensions and government plans can be tricky  *  Common drafting mistakes that create problems down the road  *  What to do if a QDRO wasn’t done at the time of divorce  If you’re going through a divorce, or advising someone who is, this episode will help you avoid one of the most expensive mistakes people make. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Intro 01:10 – What is a QDRO (and why it matters) 03:30 – Avoiding taxes and penalties in divorce 04:40 – When a QDRO is required… and when it’s not 05:50 – IRAs vs 401(k)s vs pensions 08:00 – What happens when one party doesn’t cooperate 10:00 – Why waiting years can cause major problems 11:50 – Retirement accounts that can’t be divided (TRS pitfalls) 13:20 – Common mistakes in settlement agreements 15:30 – Why pensions are more complicated than you think 18:00 – The challenge of drafting QDROs after the fact 20:00 – Key takeaways: how to protect yourself 🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards. 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis  🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/_rw_DWMQeVg or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com [pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com] | (770) 939-1939 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com [https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com/] 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards [https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards] 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions 🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. [https://www.bleedingedge.tv/] 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

Crossing Borders, Crossing Lines: International Child Abduction and the Hague Convention | Lawyers Without Billboards S2-Ep17

Crossing borders can change everything—especially in family law. In this episode, we dive into the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, a treaty that governs what happens when a child is taken from one country to another by a parent. We break down how these cases actually work, including: *  What “habitual residence” means and why it matters  *  The legal process for returning a child to another country  *  The key defenses that can stop a return—even when removal was wrongful  *  Why these cases are not custody battles, despite how they feel  You’ll also hear real-world examples, strategic considerations for attorneys, and why timing can make or break a case. If you think custody law is complicated, wait until it crosses borders. ⏱️ Chapters  00:00 – Intro: International Law Meets Family Law  01:10 – What Is the Hague Convention?  02:30 – Real-World Example of International Child Abduction  04:00 – “Habitual Residence” Explained  05:10 – Where Attorneys Get Involved  06:15 – How Common Are These Cases?  07:30 – Why Some Children Are Never Returned  09:00 – Building a Case: Legal Standards  12:00 – The Burden Shifts: Defenses Begin  12:30 – The One-Year “Well-Settled” Rule  15:15 – Mature Child Objection  17:30 – Human Rights & Rare Defenses  19:30 – Grave Risk of Harm Standard  23:00 – Why “Best Interest of the Child” Doesn’t Apply  24:30 – Federal vs. State Court Strategy  27:00 – When the Law and the “Right Outcome” Clash  31:00 – Timing Matters: Why These Cases Move Fast  32:00 – Preventing International Child Abduction  34:00 – Game Time (Because… of course)  🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards. 🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis  🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/Zdcx5lIcvGI or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. 📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com [pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com] | (770) 939-1939 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com [https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com/] 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards [https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards] 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions 🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. [https://www.bleedingedge.tv/] 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA