Podcast
Legal Speak
Hosted by Charles Garnar · EN
Legal Speak is a weekly podcast that makes sense of what's happening in the legal industry. Each episode tackles a subject that's worthy of a deep dive—from law firm profit hacks to Supreme Court showdowns to the most promising plays in legal tech. Hosted by Senior Litigation Reporter of the Daily Report Cedra Mayfield and Senior Staff Writer for the American Lawyer Patrick Smith, Legal Speak offers straight talk from experts, plus an inside-the-newsroom perspective on market-shaping stories.
66episodes
Episodes
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Southbound and Down: How Sidley Austin Is Capitalizing on Miami's Big Law Boom
6d ago00:25:45Tap to summarizeIn this week's episode, Legal Speak hosts Cedra Mayfield and Patrick Smith chat with Law.com business of law reporter Vivviene Serret about her new podcast, "Southbound and Down." In its premiere episode, Serret interviews Beatriz Azcuy, the co-managing partner of Sidley Austin's Miami office. Sidley Austin is one of several Am Law 100 firms that have made moves to South Florida within the last five years. The firm is also part of a greater pipeline of Chicago-founded firms flocking to Miami for more than just its weather. In addition to examining the firm's success since entering the market in 2022, the duo discuss client demand and what comes next in the firm's growth strategy. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield& Patrick Smith Reporter: Vivviene Serret Guest: Beatriz Azcuy Producer: Charles Garnar
Transcribe →Beyond the Deal: HSF Kramer's Justin D'Agostino on Life After a Landmark Merger
2w ago00:36:43Tap to summarizeIn this week's Legal Speak episode, London-based Law.com International reporter Melina Block sits down with global CEO Justin D'Agostino to reflect on HSF Kramer's first year of operation, following its landmark transatlantic merger. In addition discussing the firm's evolution amid rapid change in the legal industry and global economy, D'Agostino reveals how HSF Kramer is navigating geopolitical uncertainty, shifting client demands, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in legal services. The conversation also highlights the firm's approach to innovation, the future of Big Law, and the unexpected role of high-profile legal AI advertising campaigns—including those featuring Jude Law—in shaping the public conversation around the future of legal technology. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Melina Block Guest: Justin D'Agostino Producer: Charles Garnar
Transcribe →From Rankings to Responses: AI Is Changing How Law Firms Get Found
3w ago00:32:29Tap to summarizeIn this week's episode, Legal Speak explores how the rapid rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping law firm marketing and public relations. As AI-powered platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity increasingly influence how people research legal services, firms are rethinking how they build visibility, credibility and authority in an AI-driven search landscape. Centellic Editor-in-Chief Steve Salkin sits down with Edge Marketing CEO Amy Juers and Play4orm PR Founder and Principal Valerie Chan to discuss their firms' new partnership. The trio also examine how law firms can adapt their marketing and communications strategies to remain discoverable and trusted as AI transforms the way prospective clients find legal information. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Steve Salkin Guests: Valerie Chan & Amy Juers Producer: Charles Garnar
Transcribe →Serving China Just Got Harder: The Hague Ruling Shaking Up Schedule A Cases
4w ago00:31:30Tap to summarizeIn this week's Legal Speak episode, Law.com reporter Alex Anteau and Chicago-Kent College of Law professor Sarah Fackrell examine a recent federal appeals court decision that could reshape how intellectual property lawsuits are served on defendants in China. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit joined the Second Circuit in holding that service by email is not permitted under the Hague Service Convention. The May 29, 2026 ruling is expected to have significant implications for the high-volume Schedule A trademark and copyright infringement cases frequently filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. As one of the earliest scholars to study Schedule A litigation, Fackrell breaks down what the decision means for IP practitioners, international service of process, and the future of cross-border enforcement actions in this episode. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Alex Anteau Guest: Sarah Fackrell Producer: Charles Garnar
Transcribe →Capital Calls: Inside the Debate Over Outside Investment in Law Firms
Jun 2600:28:07Tap to summarizeIn this week's Legal Speak episode, business of law reporter Jon Campisi examines the growing interest in outside investment in U.S. law firms and what it could mean for the legal industry. As law firms look for new sources of capital to support growth and manage cash-flow challenges, investors ranging from private equity firms to litigation financiers are exploring opportunities in the legal sector. Campisi sat down with M&A advisers Chris Batz, David Perla, and Howard Rosenberg to discuss the business models that could allow outside investment in law firms. In addition to weighing regulatory hurdles, the group also discusses how increased access to capital could reshape the future of legal practice in the United States. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Jon Campisi Guests: Chris Batz, David Perla & Howard Rosenberg Producer: Charles Garnar
Transcribe →From Billboard Lawyer to Billion-Dollar Brand: John Morgan Reflects
Jun 1800:25:15Tap to summarizeIn this week's episode, Legal Speak examines the notable career of renowned plaintiffs' attorney and Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan through the lens of his new book, "Life Is Luck: John Morgan on Lawyering, Risk and Recognizing Opportunity. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Lisa Willis Guest: John Morgan Producer: Charles Garnar
Transcribe →Family Court's Alternative Route: The Growing Appeal of Private Judging
Jun 1200:14:00Tap to summarizeIn this week's episode, Legal Speak explores the growing use of private judging as an alternative to traditional family court proceedings. As a former Palm Beach County family court judge, James Martz opens up about launching a private judging practice at Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas in Boca Raton. In addition to explaining how private judging works, Martz identifies the types of family law matters best suited for the process. In Martz's one-on-one with discussion with Texas Lawyer and the Daily Business Review Regional Managing Editor Katie Hall, Martz also outlines the benefits and considerations parties should weigh when seeking a faster, more tailored path to resolving sensitive legal disputes outside the public court system. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Katie Hall Guest: James Martz Producer: Charles Garnar
Transcribe →Hinshaw & Culberson Insurance Partner Scott Seaman on his New Book, AI and ESG Under Trump 2.0
Jun 400:32:11Tap to summarizeDaily Business Review and law.com reporter Annie Mayne had a chance to catch up with Scott Seaman and discuss his new book, which he co-authorized with two other Hinshaw partners: "America 250: The History of Insurance and Insurance Coverage Law and Litigation in the United States". Seaman also discussed how AI will alter the insurance litigation landscape and what, if anything, ESG means to the Trump administration. Hosts: Patrick Smith & Cedra Mayfield Reporter: Annie Mayne Guest: Scott Seaman Producer: Charles Garnar
Transcribe →Swipe, Scroll, Sue: Inside the Landmark Social Media Addiction Verdict
May 2900:46:45Tap to summarizeIn this week's Legal Speak episode, litigator W. Mark Lanier of The Lanier Law Firm discusses his landmark $6 million social media addiction verdict against Meta Platforms and Google as Zach Kinzler of BoodleBox explains how the collaborative AI platform aided in trial preparation. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Ross Todd Producer: Charles Garnar
Transcribe →Olympian by Ice, Trial Lawyer by Trade: Team USA Curler Talks Courtroom Competition
May 2100:31:32Tap to summarizeAs Memorial Day weekend arrives far removed from winter sports season, Legal Speak is taking a moment to highlight a guest whose drive for excellence extends well beyond the curling sheet. In March, ALM Rapid Response Reporter Alex Anteau interviewed Rich Ruohonen, a member of Team USA's 2026 Olympic curling squad who made history as the oldest American athlete to compete at the Winter Games at age 54. However, Ruohonen's accomplishments are not limited to international competition. As a founding member of TSR Injury Law in Bloomington, Minnesota, Ruohonen has built a nationally respected plaintiffs' practice, secured multiple million-dollar jury verdicts, and previously served as president of the Minnesota Association for Justice. In this week's Legal Speak episode, Ruohonen discusses how he balances elite athletic competition with the demands of high-stakes litigation, and explains how preparation, teamwork, discipline, and mental toughness shape both his Olympic pursuits and his courtroom strategy. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Alex Anteau Guest: Rich Ruohonen Producer: Charles Garnar
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