Trial Tested

Judge Barbara Lynn, recipient of the Samuel E. Gates Litigation Award and the first female chief judge in Texas history, shares wisdom from her experience as a trial lawyer and judge in this interview with host Renee Rothauge. Judge Lynn emphasizes the importance of speaking up for what you want and taking opportunities to learn and practice while discussing topics ranging from jury trials during the pandemic to the use of AI in the courtroom.

Marc Mukasey is known for managing high-profile cases such as the defense of Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher in a widely publicized trial and Halliburton in the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Mukasey joins host Vince Citro to discuss the importance of authenticity, connecting with a jury, and maintaining the fight for the pursuit of justice.

Ambassador Kevin O'Malley's career spans from prosecuting organized crime for the Department of Justice to private practice to serving as Ambassador to Ireland. After his tenure as Ambassador, he returned to St. Louis University Law School where is now a professor and ambassador in residence. Host Amy Gunn discusses Ambassador O'Malley's journey from being the descendant of Irish Immigrants to his nomination as ambassador, and how it instilled a deep appreciation for empathy and understanding diverse perspectives.

On Juneteenth 2018, ACTL Fellow Jeffery Robinson stood before a packed house at the Historic Town Hall Theater on Broadway in Manhattan to present his closing argument on racism in America. Five years later, on Juneteenth 2023, Jeffery joins host Terri Mascherin to discuss his documentary film titled, “Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America,” and his nonprofit organization, The Who We Are Project.

The conversation with attorneys Bob Trout, Josh Treem and Bill Jeffries continues as they recount how a criminal defense attorney came to be accused of obstruction for simply doing his job. Listen as they discuss the issues resulting from government overreach, cooperating criminal defendants and false testimony – among other things – with host Amy Gunn.

When you’re a criminal defense attorney facing government accusations, what do you do? In Part One of this captivating case study, attorneys Bob Trout, Josh Treem and Bill Jeffries discuss with host Amy Gunn how the defender of one criminal defense attorney came to need his own criminal defender and what happened next.

Sandra Day O’Connor Jurist Award recipient Barbara Pariente became just the second woman to be appointed to Florida’s Supreme court in 1997. Six years later, and just one year before becoming Chief Justice, Pariente was diagnosed with – and later beat – breast cancer. Host Dave Paul uncovers the stories behind this trailblazer in the justice system as they discuss strength, integrity and enjoying life after serving 21 years on Florida’s highest court.

He has prosecuted a serial killer and represented a mass murderer, but Houston Gordon’s greatest joy as a trial lawyer is representing catastrophically injured children. Listen as host Mike Herring uncovers the natural storyteller in Tennessee litigator Houston Gordon as they discuss Lt. William Calley and the My Lai Massacre, the clemency of Cyntoia Brown and the lessons learned from a 50-year career in the courtroom.

Attorney Benjamin Brafman has represented some of the highest-profile white collar criminal defendants in New York. From Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein to NFL wide receiver Plaxico Burress to Executive Martin Shkreli, Brafman never wavers from his number one rule: Be the best-prepared person in the courtroom. Enjoy a discussion spanning Brafman’s 50-year career with host Dave Paul.

Historian Dr. Heather Ann Thompson always starts with the facts. Host Amy Gunn talks with Dr. Thompson about what happens when history gets it wrong, and her decades-long research into finding out the truth about what really happened at Attica Prison. Listen as they discuss Dr. Thompson’s book – Blood in the Water, The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971, and Its Legacy.