Courtroom Stories & Tactics | RVA Trial Lawyers

How do you set the value for a case?

Are you holding your case back from getting what it's really worth? And who makes that determination?

Robert Hirschhorn's advice: "Don't put caps on yourself. You want to choose the biggest number that you could ever imagine a jury would award [in a case such as yours], and whatever that number is, multiply it times two."

But to be successful, you need to get the jury to sy...

Over two and a half years ago, our firm was approached by a father in Winchester, VA, with a case that had been rejected by at least three other law firms. 

We knew it would be a very challenging case, with very limited evidence. It was not a "typical" case with clear-cut medical or economic damages. Others would ask us over time why we said yes to taking it on, despite the odds and obstacles.

The short answer, of course, i...

You are the most powerful person you know.

Whether you're a trial lawyer, working in corporate America, or in any walk of life, nothing can change this simple fact.

You have the ability to make the choices and decisions that are healthy and positive, for you and those around you.

And yes, these are real choices. They may be challenging, they may shake things up, but there's a reason why you're considering them in the fi...

For years, you've been building your law career: head down, focused, years of commitment and perseverance.

But are you sure you're where you need to be?

Perhaps you know already: 'This is the best place, the best people and the best work for me, right now.' Which is a wonderful feeling, and something we're all striving for.

But if you find yourself trying to fit in, to stay true to yourself and your values, to...

Losing a trial case can feel like a crushing gut punch, an emotional hit, burdened with the weight of disappointing your client. It stings, and it's hard to shake off.

You can't control the outcome, but you can control your reaction to it.

Matt Nakajima is an accomplished trial lawyer who has secured more than forty verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more. Since 2025 alone, he has recovered over $100 million for his ...

How would the FBI approach jury selection?

Imagine applying these same tools and trainings to your own jury selection and investigations, and having the ability to uncover evidence that changes the outcome of cases.

Jim Melia is a retired FBI special agent turned professional investigator, here in Richmond, VA. Today he shares his insight into the skills required for effective interviewing, how to build rapport with someone, and why ...

Civil Defense Lawyer Jason Boone shares his personal experience of making sure he maintains the right work/life balance for him and his family.

In a conversation of frankness and authenticity, Jason talks about how lawyers of all stripes can, and should, find a balance that works for them.

There are the years when you need to put in the time to learn the profession, and get the reps. But then there's knowing when and how to scal...

Virginia's appellate landscape changed a lot in 2022, to where, similar to many other states, virtually everyone has an automatic right to go to the Court of Appeals.

Yes, it can feel complicated and overwhelming. But the appellate process is a vital part of the legal system that deserves attention from trial lawyers. If you have a client who desperately wants to appeal, or the other side is not happy and wants to appeal, you n...

When is being "reasonable," patient and compromising in fact just a strategy of the other side to delay, frustrate and ultimately to avoid trial?

We should be respectful. We should be professional. But at no point should we ever compromise the duty to our client for the sake of getting along.

Samantha Cohn talks about the moral and ethical motivations behind her career shift to becoming a personal injury lawyer, her techniq...

Dog bite cases are rarely about just one victim—they’re about public safety, accountability, and preventing the next attack. 

"You have to show that this could happen to pretty much anyone. This could happen anytime, anywhere. You have to get the jury's mind ticking, and get them to see that it's not just that person who got bit on the face, it's anybody."

Ashley Strandjord describes her approach to prosecuti...

You've completed law school, taken the bar exam, have built a network of contacts and are ready to start practicing. 

And then, your entire law school's results are thrown out. 

You're faced with the choice: walk away completely for a new career, or go back to law school and do it all over again.

"I graduated the first time, took the bar, and I had to ask myself then before I was even a licensed lawyer, will I do i...

If you want more high-value cases without giving more money to Google, this episode is for you.

"Understanding referral generation is crucial for business growth, and a law practice must be a business first. "

Today we look at the importance of referrals in law firms, focusing on who is responsible for generating these referrals and how to effectively manage this process. 

In keeping with this theme, please share this episod...

If you want to learn how to live a full, sustainable life as a lawyer, this episode is for you. Matt Long breaks down how to build a healthy firm culture, communicate effectively, and avoid burnout as a lawyer.

Please consider sharing this episode with someone who could benefit from it.

Matt is the President of Bowen Ten Long & Bal in Richmond, Virginia. Over his 17+ year career, he has led with a simple philo...

"It gives me so much purpose and meaning: we are helping educate people in a place where they don't know anything. And they need the help."

Michele Lewane is runs the Injured Workers Law Firm in Richmond, VA, which since 2006 has been advocating to get the benefits injured workers deserve for their worker's compensation claims.

Worker's compensation is a complex and bureaucratic field that requires tremendous...

"What helps motivate us in part is institutional or organizational betrayal: where the bond between the institution and the person is strong, but there's a big power differential due to the size and strength of the institution." - Peter Everett

Peter Everett and Barkley Horn from Blankenship & Keith joined us to talk about their firm's approach to personal injury law. They focus on catastrophic injury cases w...

AI is not perfect yet, you still have to babysit it, but it's scary. Because two years ago I used AI and thought, "Well that was kind of like using a high school senior." Now when I'm using AI, it's like, "I'm using a second year associate."

Penn Crawford joined us for a wide-ranging discussion. We talked about the realities of running a small, boutique law firm and what makes firms of this si...

"My thought when I go into a courtroom, and I feel this way throughout the trial, is I just am welcoming people into my house. I go in, I talk to my jury, I make eye contact with them, and I try to talk to them the way that I would talk to anybody: a clerk at the grocery store or you guys - us sitting in this room doing this podcast. "

The way we interact with a jury, particularly in voir dire, sets the tone for the trial ...

"The community at the time was just furious with me for charging any of the counter-protestors with anything. And I was very sympathetic to the ideology of the counter-protestors, and was mortified by some of the viewpoints of the alt-right individuals. But I said, 'I have to prosecute conduct, not content,' and if you start picking sides, that's a scary thing."

Joe Platania, the Commonwealth’s Attorney for ...

"The number one takeaway is trust yourself. Because we know our stuff. We are better than them. They are inundated with so much work, and they're doing the same old stuff. We're going to conferences and learning cutting edge technology. So believe in yourself."

Tarun Rana of Rana Law Group in St. Louis, MO joined us for a conversation about learning, improving, and working alongside other trial lawyers. Tarun sha...