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Listen in as performers, teachers and corporate workshop facilitators from The Improv Shop in St. Louis explain how improv skills map directly into the courtroom, deposition room and any high-stakes conversation where the unexpected is guaranteed to happen. Hosts Erich Veith and Tim Cronin reflect with Ashley Rube and Ryan Myers on one of the most common failure modes they observe in young trial lawyers: rigid adherence to a prepared outline even when a witness hands them something better. The instinct to follow the script, they argue, is trained into law students from day one and it takes real effort to unlearn. Full disclosure: nobody is here to turn lawyers into comedians, but rather how to apply the discipline of presence, collaboration and responsive decision-making of improve to the legal profession.

The hosts explore how other companies are engaging in Amazon’s Delivery Service Provider or DSP model to skirt liability for the actions of workers in the gig economy. Guest Johnny Simon tells host Tim Cronin Amazon is facing an existential question because these types of cases require attorneys to uncover unflattering evidence, including information about their profits and how they treat drivers. Cronin says the trend is spreading to the healthcare industry, especially in rural hospitals.

The Courts are starting to recognize Amazon and other massive companies should be held liable for the actions of their agents or employees while they’re on the clock, despite their attempts at creating corporate structures to avoid liability in the gig economy. Simon Law Attorney Johnny Simon discusses the strategies he’s used to hold Amazon and other companies accountable with host Tim Cronin, who also has had success in these types of cases. The hosts break down how Amazon’s Delivery Service Provider or DSP model is marketed as independent small businesses but operates under extensive control from Amazon including training on package handling, uniforms, real-time driver monitoring. Despite that control, Amazon claims DSP drivers are not its employees, shifting liability onto smaller contractors that typically carry limited insurance.

From starting with clear, reasonable requests and meticulously documenting every interaction, to setting firm deadlines and escalating strategically, The Jury is Out outlines how to maintain control of the process. John Simon, Eric Veith and Tim Cronin highlight how persistent obstruction from opposing counsel can be turned into a powerful advantage in your case.

The Jury is Out explores the growing problem of discovery obstruction in litigation, where routine requests are increasingly met with blanket objections. John Simon, Erich Veith and Tim Cronin discuss how this trend impacts day-to-day legal work, and practical strategies attorneys can use to push through resistance and keep cases moving forward.

The Jury is Out hands this week’s episode over to The Case Doctors, John Simon and Alvin Wolff. With more than 80 years of combined legal experience, Simon and Wolff have seen it all—and now, they’re sharing their insights into real-world legal questions submitted by fellow attorneys. In this episode, the veteran plaintiff’s attorneys break down practical issues litigators face every day—especially the two most common case-killers: unprepared clients and unprepared experts.

In this episode of The Jury Is Out, John Simon and co-host Erich Vieth explore what it really takes to survive—and thrive—in one of the most demanding professions there is: the practice of a trial lawyer. The conversation centers on practical, hard-earned wisdom for building a long, fulfilling legal career without losing your sanity or sense of humor. Whether you’re a young attorney just starting out or a seasoned trial lawyer navigating year 30, this conversation offers timeless insights on how to endure the pressures of the profession—and still love what you do.

The Jury is Out hands this week’s episode over to The Case Doctors, John Simon, and Alvin Wolff. With more than 80 years of combined legal experience, Simon and Wolff have seen it all—and now, they’re sharing their insights into real-world legal questions submitted by fellow attorneys. News of a corndog recall sparks hilarious memories for Wolff of a case he once handled. And attorneys ask the Case Doctors how they keep their sanity and ethics intact when a client has a history of suing and firing previous attorneys.

In this episode of The Jury is Out, Tim Cronin and John Simon pick the brain of Thomas R. Conner, a fourth-generation retired trail lawyer who spent 45 years fighting high stakes litigation in Houston. Tom shares practical trial preparation tips and what he believes young lawyers aren’t taught in law school about resilience, long-term career satisfaction, and emotional endurance. In his upcoming book, From Cotton Fields to Courtrooms: A Texas Lawyer’s Memoir, Tom reflects on his journey from a childhood in rural West Texas to the emotionally charged world of courtroom litigation.

In Home Alone, young Kevin McCallister tries to protect himself from two bungling burglars. But could Kevin be held liable for their injuries? Join us for a lighthearted legal look at this holiday classic.