lawyer stories

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 152 features Arique Dross III, Founder & Managing Attorney at The Dross Law Firm focusing on family law matters.  Arique shares his incredible journey with us from growing up in various foster care locations, ending up on the wrong side of the law at Riker’s Island. Arique persevered against all odds and now is the owner of his own law firm in New York City.  Arique is certified by the State of New York, First Department, Appellate Division as a member of the Manhattan Family Court 18B Panel, qualifying him as assigned counsel to represent parents and children in an array of family law matters ranging from custody, visitation, and orders of protection to termination of parental rights, neglect/abuse and more, in both Family Court and Supreme Court.

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 151 features Jessica Nguyen, Chief Legal Officer at Lexion, an AI-powered contract management start-up. Jessica shares her lawyer story with us and the reasons why she is willing to join start-ups and build-out their legal teams and what makes her the right fit for the role.  Jessica tells us that Lexion requires no IT or expensive consultants required to get started or modify workflows, and as an executive team member, will accelerate its growth and serve as the voice of the customer.

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 150 features Emily Witt, dedicated legal recruiter in New York City with almost twenty years of industry experience (on both the firm side at one of the world's preeminent law firms and also on the agency side.) We discuss Emily’s path to legal recruiting and the importance that legal recruiters have in “Match-making,” to assist both law firm and attorney in locating the right fit.  Emily provides helpful advice to the Lawyer Stories Community and tells us to be open for suggestions, and you can receive more insight by tuning into her podcast “Beyond the Legal Lens” which helps open the door to jobs in tech and health law.

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 149 features Nicole Benjamin, Roger Williams University School of Law graduate, and shareholder at Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C., focusing on complex, high-stakes commercial litigation, product liability defense, and appellate law.  Nicole, a Rhode Island native, shares her lawyer story, beginning with selling vacuum cleaners and working at Filene’s, to having the honor of being elected as the President of the Rhode Island Bar Association.  We discuss one of Nicole’s exciting initiatives as President, the launch of the Rhode Island Bar Association’s Leadership Academy.

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 148 features Jay Sarmaz, Co-founder & CEO of Truve, an innovative cloud-based data analytics platform specifically designed for law firms. Jay shares his intriguing journey, beginning with his experience in aiding Fortune 500 companies with AI applications, to consulting for law firms, and eventually spearheading Truve to assist law firms in harnessing the power of their data. We dive deeper into his insights on the evolution of AI in the legal realm and explore the thrilling new advancements in the field. Tune in to uncover how AI and data analytics are revolutionizing legal practices and how platforms like Truve are at the forefront of this change.

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 147 features David Pelligrinelli, President of Active Intel, in Addison, Texas, with locations in Florida and Oregon.  David shares with us about being a licensed private investigator, how he was admitted as an expert witness for document forensics, and a certified civil and family court mediator.  Active Intel provides professional services to assist consumer and business clients to achieve greater results with risky scenarios such as legal conflicts, cyber-attacks, and attempted fraud. We discuss David’s different websites and how they protect consumers.

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 146 features Maria Santi, Founder & Managing Partner at Health and Medicine Law Firm, advocates for patients and physician directed healthcare with offices in Miami and Plantation, Florida. Maria is a Miami native and has always had a strong interest in health and medicine. She shares with us the reasoning behind being an advocate for patients and why she assists patients and consumers with health and medicine related disputes.  We further discuss how artificial intelligence is now playing a role, possibly controversial, in the medical industry.

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 145 features Arya Firoozmand, Co-Founder at Overture Law, located in Los Angeles, California.  During Arya’s undergrad at UC Irvine he spent time with influential and impactful people that co-founded companies with him.  Arya shares with us that he attended law school because it opened up opportunities that no other secondary degree could.  After law school and a couple of other ventures, Arya shares that he co-founded Overture – with a mission to empower independent attorneys to expand the reach of their practices and better serve their clients; a true attorney platform with a purpose.

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 144 features Mengyue Wang, Owner and Online Coach at MW Fitness.  Mengyue is a Fitness and Nutrition Coach for high-performing, career-driven professionals located in Phoenix, Arizona, but assists clients regardless of their location.  Mengyue shares her personal journey & struggle with us, where she began as an Ivy League Executive, but felt she needed to make the shift to help other female professionals transform their health & physiques forever.

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 143 features Mike Jones, Partner at MeanPug Digital, located in Brooklyn, New York, but serving law firms across the United States.  We discuss Mike's time at “The U,” his experience at BC Law and his time in Hong Kong, working as a consultant and in legal tech.  Mike further shares about how he (re)-connected with Andrew & Bobby from MeanPug and why it was a good fit.  MeanPug Digital offers a host of services to law firms including branding, web design & development, SEO, content marketing, and digital advertising.

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 142 features Nancy Grace, American legal commentator, tireless advocate for victims’ rights, and one of television's most respected legal analysts.  Nancy tells us about her time as a prosecutor in Atlanta and how she made her way onto Court TV, CNN Headline News, and Oxygen TV.  We discuss Nancy’s definition of justice, and the purpose of her website Crimeonline.Com.

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 141 features Tyler Joseph, personal injury, civil rights, and employment lawyer at Marko Law in Detroit, Michigan.  Tyler shares his story from his years as a Fisheries & Wildlife undergraduate student, to spending a year in the Middle East studying Arabic, before returning to Detroit to pursue a career in the Law. Tyler graduated from Wayne State University Law School where he was a member of the Moot Court program.

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 140 features Donté B. Grant, Esq., MBA., Founder & Managing Attorney at Brunson Grant Law Firm in Atlanta, Georgia. Donté, is considered by many to be one of the rising stars in the practice of law in the state of Georgia and is also a certified NBA Player Agent.  Donté shares his story with us, from his years playing college basketball, to his time as a Combat Veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.  After serving in the military Donté went on to study law in Miami and continues to make a positive impact in his community.

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 139 features Devon Williamson, Founding Partner at DevonLaw, PLLC, focusing on personal injury cases in Nashville, TN. We discuss Devon’s experience working for the state government and her transition to personal injury law and the exciting launch of DevonLaw.  Devon is “The attorney with heart,” using an empathetic and compassionate approach while always being trial ready. 

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 138 features Marcia Clark, New York Times bestselling author, television correspondent and lead prosecutor of the O.J. Simpson "trial of the century." Marcia shares thoughts about her journey from practicing criminal law since 1979 to pursuing her childhood dream of writing murder mysteries, including advice for women in the courtroom and details from her latest legal thriller, The Fall Girl.

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 137 features Michael Jones, personal injury, civil rights, and employment lawyer at Marko Law in Detroit, Michigan. We discuss Mike’s journey as he went from Grateful Dead listening - California grade school teacher - to having the best Opening Argument in McGeorge’s Mock Trial Competition in 2016.  Mike then went on to join Marko Law in Detroit, Michigan to fight against injustices, trial work, and negotiating large settlements for his clients.

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 136 features Sherlyn “Char” Selassie, Pastor at Law, fighting for families in wisdom, justice and truth in Atlanta, GA. We discuss Char’s incredible lawyer story and unique approach to the practice of family law.  Char shares with us her journey from being pregnant at age fourteen, to being in two different violent relationships, and having the courage and strength to pursue and excel in law school.  Char now uses those experiences in her role as a spiritual and legal counselor for her clients and helping women of faith heal their faith by transforming trauma with the law of love.

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 135 features Frank DiScipio, Founder Founding Partner at DiScipio Law Group, PLLC in New York City, focusing on personal injury litigation.  Frank shares his lawyer story and has extensive experience preparing medical malpractice and high-exposure liability actions for litigation and does not hesitate to take a matter to trial.  Frank tells us that being a lawyer is a logical extension of his skill set and has his mantra is clear - “Caring, dedicated, & responsive.”

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 134 features Alexandra Tosado, Owner & Attorney at ANT Law Firm in Orlando, Florida, focusing on personal injury.  Alexandra shares her lawyer story with us and we learn how she used eight-years of experience as a paralegal, catapulted onto the largest personal injury firm in the country, to working well-known cases, to launching her own firm!  Alexandra tells us that relationships are key and owning her own law firm was her calling.  ANT Law Firm is a modern personal injury law firm created with the most efficient systems, network, and caring legal team to help Floridians in need.

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 133 features Christopher Earley, Founder & CEO of Earley Law Group in Boston, MA, focusing his practice on catastrophic personal injury cases. Chris shares his lawyer story with us, and how right after graduating law school he opened up his own law practice with no clients, or experience, and was handling personal injury cases on day one.  Chris is the author of six books and his most current book is about childhood trauma & dysfunction.