Verdict Academy

“Trial Work Wasn’t What I Wanted. It’s What I Need,” with Rich Schoenberger

Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

When his dad was diagnosed with cancer at age 53, Rich Schoenberger was unsure about his future. He and his dad had a heart-to-heart. He might want to be a lawyer, he said. “What’s the best place to learn how to be a trial lawyer?” his father asked. “I have no idea.” “Well, why don’t you find out?” Some four decades later, Rich is a leading plaintiffs’ attorney and member of the “big four” invitation-only trial organizations. Reflecting on that formative conversation with his father, he tells host Kevin Morrison that “for me, trial work wasn't what I wanted to do. It's what I need to do.” Fresh from securing a $26 million verdict in a complex products case, Rich shares tips on closing argument, jury selection, and efficiency.

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☑️ Rich Schoenberger | LinkedIn

☑️ Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube

☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn

☑️ Altair Law

☑️ Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

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You Don’t Need to Guess at Most Trial Questions, with John Campbell

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The traditional way to study juror behavior is with a focus group of 10 or 12 mock jurors. Multiply that by 25 or 30, and you have big data: a technique that studies how 300 or 400 people would evaluate a case. The idea is that a large sample can reveal what’s likely to occur in a case and why. John Campbell, a pioneer in the field of big data who co-authored the groundbreaking book “JuryBall,” visits host Kevin Morrison to unpack his insights from studying more than 1,300 civil cases. Tune in to hear what big data says about three key factors at trial: credibility, personality, and stereotypes.

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☑️ John Campbell | LinkedIn

☑️ Campbell Law on Facebook

☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn

☑️ Altair Law

☑️ Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

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Three Things All Trial Lawyers Need to Know with Jerry Popovich

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Host Kevin Morrison once tried a case against Jerry Popovich. “I can tell you he is top-notch, among the best I've ever gone against,” Kevin says. But don’t take it only from Kevin. Jerry is also a member of three invitation-only trial lawyer organizations with more than 80 jury trials under his belt. Speaking with Kevin on today’s podcast – not in a courtroom – Jerry shares three key trial tips. Tune in for his insights about focus groups, jury selection, and witness examination.

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☑️ Jerry Popovich | LinkedIn

☑️ Hawkins Parnell & Young on LinkedIn | Facebook | X | YouTube

☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn

☑️ Altair Law

☑️ Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

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Sing Your Closing Argument with Texas Trial Titan Karen Burgess

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Karen Burgess once sang to a jury in closing argument. And she’s not even an accomplished singer. But it reflects her strategy for closing argument, and she reveals why to host Kevin Morrison. A member of the “big four” invitation-only organizations – the American Board of Trial Advocates, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, American College of Trial Lawyers, and International Society of Barristers – Karen also founded her Austin-based boutique firm, Burgess Law. Tune in for her insights on closing argument, direct examination, and “love, logistics, and the law.” And stayed tuned to find out what song she sang and why it mattered.

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☑️ Karen Burgess | LinkedIn

☑️ Burgess Law on LinkedIn

☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn

☑️ Altair Law

☑️ Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

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Mastering the Art of Nimble Trial Strategy, with Wally Yoka

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

“There's no single solution or single approach for every case,” says Walter "Wally" Yoka, who should know – after a remarkable career spanning 40 years. A nationally recognized defense attorney and member of invitation-only organizations such as the American Board of Trial Advocates, Wally has tried cases involving products liability, commercial disputes, class actions, and catastrophic personal injuries. Tune into this conversation with host Kevin Morrison, where Wally shares gems to inspire younger lawyers, like how he questioned a juror about his affection for used tires, why he keeps “bad” documents up on the screen, and what a mentor revealed to him when he lost a case.

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☑️ Walter "Wally" Yoka

☑️ Yoka | Smith on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn

☑️ Altair Law

☑️ Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

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The Med-Mal Master’s Playbook, with Jim Bostwick

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0400

In four decades of med-mal practice, Jim Bostwick knows that he can’t fix clients who have been failed by the medical system. “But you can really make a difference in their lives.” In this conversation with host Kevin Morrison, Jim explains how he does just that. The difference, says the founder of Bostwick & Associates and member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, often comes down to expert selection, case selection, powerful themes, and confronting bad facts head-on.

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☑️ Jim Bostwick | LinkedIn

☑️ Bostwick & Associates on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn

☑️ Altair Law ☑️

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

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Legendary Trial Attorney Gene Brown Shares His Top Three Keys to Success

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0400

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K_1ql_Un5Q&t=59s Today, Gene Brown Jr. is a member of the “Big Four” invitation-only organizations of elite trial lawyers: the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, American College of Trial Lawyers, American Board of Trial Advocates, and International Society of Barristers. But his first trial? “I was so nervous that I sat for my opening. I examined witnesses from counsel table, and I finally garnered enough courage to stand up and do a closing.” Gene won that case, and it sparked a legendary career spanning more than 125 jury trials. Now a senior counsel at Hinshaw & Culbertson, he visits with host Kevin Morrison to share hard-won insights about three critical aspects of defense trial work: overcoming the challenge of going second, mastering jury selection without relying on questionnaires, and preparing thoroughly. Learn More and Connect ☑️ Gene Brown Jr. | LinkedIn ☑️ Hinshaw & Culbertson on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube ☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn ☑️ Altair Law ☑️ Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Produced and Powered by LawPods

Defense Tactics a Plaintiff’s Attorney Needs to Know, by Stellar Defense Attorney Chris Beeman

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0400

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7khcOikMS5w&t=1s “Being a defendant,” says leading defense lawyer Chris Beeman, “one of the benefits of getting to trial is that the plaintiffs do go first, so it gives the defense time to continue getting organized.” And being organized is critical, Chris says as he reflects on lessons learned from his 65 jury trials. In this conversation with host Kevin Morrison, Chris also discusses transitioning from liability to damages arguments, using technology effectively, and advancing careers through mentorship. Tune in for more wisdom from this member of the “Big Four” invitation-only trial organizations: American Board of Trial Advocates, International Society of Barristers, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and American College of Trial Lawyers. Learn More and Connect ☑️ Chris Beeman ☑️ Clapp Moroney on LinkedIn ☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn ☑️ Altair Law ☑️ Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Produced and Powered by LawPods

Five Decades of Trial Lawyer Wisdom, with Dan Kelly

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0400

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQu2Ub6jLRo Fifty years: same firm, same building, same parking space. “There is something about stability in my background,” Dan Kelly says as he reflects on his legendary career. There is also wisdom to be shared, which Dan does with host Kevin Morrison in the inaugural episode of “Verdict Academy.” A retired partner from Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger and a contributor to “Plaintiff” magazine, Dan discusses three fundamental aspects of trial practice: case selection, handling losses, and working with expert witnesses. Tune in for his insights about stability, resilience, and the human side of trial practice. Learn More and Connect ☑️ Dan Kelly ☑️ Kevin Morrison | LinkedIn ☑️ Altair Law on LinkedIn | Facebook | X | Instagram ☑️ Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Produced and Powered by LawPods

Welcome to Verdict Academy!

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0400

What separates trial lawyers who consistently win from those who do not?

The answer is not in casebooks—it is in the conversations that happen spontaneously in the office, in quiet moments after a tough trial, and in the mentorship that used to define our profession.

Verdict Academy captures these disappearing moments. Host Kevin Morrison, a nationally recognized top trial attorney, sits down with America's most accomplished trial lawyers to extract the insights you did not learn in law school, and find it tough to learn when you are working by yourself at home, but can be the determining factor in the courtroom.

Each episode delivers the kind of practical wisdom that transforms careers. These are not academic theories—they are trial-tested strategies from the country’s best trial lawyers.

Remote work has disrupted our hallway conversations. Verdict Academy brings them back, preserving the trial wisdom that makes legends out of trial lawyers.

Great trial lawyers are made, not born. Your education continues here.

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