HDYGH, Kevin?

We talk growing up with a strong sense of justice, being thrown into a murder case at 18, when rejection is redirection, night court in NYC, coming back to California, and how social media reshaped the legal landscape.

Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Kevin Rooney’s background in criminal justice01:03 - Kevin's childhood aspirations and early interest in fairness and justice02:19 - First internship at age 18 and a formative case involving a young shooting victim03:36 - Transition from prosecutor to defense attorney and lessons learned04:37 - The importance of understanding clients' backgrounds and building trust05:50 - Kevin’s first big job clerking for a U.S. District Court judge07:51 - Experiences in New York’s night court and high case volume09:17 - Building trust with clients through consistent, empathetic communication10:56 - The significance of understanding the systemic influences on defendants’ lives12:39 - The importance of knowing clients beyond the police reports13:36 - Kevin’s switch from prosecution to defense and insights into systemic issues15:11 - Community dialogue between inmates, victims' families, and prosecutors17:00 - Lessons from transformative courtroom and community experiences18:44 - Kevin’s move to New York, adapting to the fast-paced legal environment19:37 - Navigating social media as a defense attorney and authentic branding22:31 - Impact of social media on the legal profession and public perception27:10 - The importance of due diligence and evidence review in criminal defense32:20 - Common misconceptions about defense attorneys34:00 - The role of credibility and honesty in courtroom success35:50 - Bryan Stevenson’s influence and the importance of seeing clients as humans41:08 - How social media can be a tool for connection and transparency46:40 - Kevin’s most memorable courtroom success and profound client moments52:43 - Telling stories of clients' journeys from incarceration to freedom55:02 - Closing thoughts: the importance of authenticity, empathy, and continuous learning