Litigation attorney Dan Small unexpectedly took the lead in prosecuting the high-profile case of the Farmers Export grain elevator explosion, a major incident in Galveston, Texas, that resulted in the deaths of 18 people in 1977. In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook," he shares this extraordinary anecdote that threw him into a panic just two years out of law school. The case's lead counsel, who was the chief of the Criminal Division at the Houston U.S. Attorney's Office, had a scheduling conflict, and Mr. Small was told the judge would not grant a continuance. The chief informed Mr. Small that another experienced trial attorney already in the area would step in, but Mr. Small soon realized this attorney was there not to lead, only to assist. So, he prepared for trial.

"Ready for Trial?"

In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small reflects on the wisdom of juries demonstrated in the complex drug smuggling Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) case in Appling County, Georgia. He recounts the dramatic trial of Larry Jackson and his family, who were charged with money laundering and tax evasion. A key moment came when AZ Jackson, Larry's father, took the stand with a seemingly implausible story denying involvement despite overwhelming evidence supporting the opposite. Mr. Small's intense cross-examination exposed the truth, helping the jury deliver a verdict convicting all defendants – notably except AZ – on tax charges. Mr. Small's post-trial conversations with jurors about AZ gave him an opportunity to reflect on the profound insights they can bring, reminding lawyers how important it is to present clear, compelling cases while also focusing on what truly matters.

A Good Lickin'

En el episodio 50 de "A Lo Legal En Par Minutos", el socio Edwin Cortés conversa con Lorena Martínez, abogada de litigios y derecho inmobiliario, sobre el cobro ejecutivo de facturas electrónicas. Lorena explica que las facturas electrónicas son documentos digitales que reemplazan las facturas tradicionales en papel y sirven como respaldo de las transacciones. También destaca la importancia de cumplir con ciertos requisitos legales para que estas facturas tengan mérito ejecutivo en los procesos de cobro. El episodio aborda las dificultades comunes para acreditar dichos requisitos y explora alternativas que incluyen la conciliación, la transacción o el interrogatorio anticipado. Se recuerda a la audiencia la relevancia de contar con una asesoría legal adecuada para manejar eficazmente las complejidades del cobro de facturas electrónicas.

Ejecución de facturas electrónicas

In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook," litigation attorney Dan Small examines the challenges of preparing witnesses for trial, emphasizing the importance of honesty and addressing unfavorable facts in advance. Mr. Small shares his experience working with Billy Breen, a former drug trafficker turned government informant in the Appling County, Georgia, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act case. He details the process of building trust with witnesses, explains how financial incentives and personal history can impact testimony, and highlights the strategy of bringing out damaging information on direct examination. The episode offers practical insights into effective witness preparation and underscores the value of transparency and credibility in the courtroom.

Bring Out the Bad Stuff

In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small highlights the critical role voice recordings can play in court. He details three primary ways to obtain recordings: wiretaps, undercover agents and cooperators. Drawing on his experience investigating drugs and corruption in Appling County, Georgia, Mr. Small shares how he enlisted a trusted cooperator to capture incriminating conversations — an approach that proved highly effective. This insightful episode explores why and how this strategy can lead to success.

Just Press "Play"

In this episode of "Counsel That Cares," Public Policy & Regulation attorney John Vaughan, Healthcare attorney Dan Silverboard and Public Affairs Advisor Sarah Starling Crossan discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) regulation in the healthcare industry. They explore the complex interplay between federal initiatives, such as executive orders and agency rules, and the surge of state-level legislation shaping AI use in clinical practice, insurance and patient care. The conversation highlights key compliance challenges, including the need for AI governance programs, bias audits, data quality assurance and transparency with patients. Listeners will gain valuable insights into navigating disparate regulations across jurisdictions and the importance of staying informed to responsibly implement AI technologies in the healthcare sector.

Regulating AI in Healthcare: The Road Ahead

In this episode of "Clearly Conspicuous," consumer protection attorney Anthony DiResta reviews recent trends in state-level consumer protection enforcement. He highlights notable actions by state attorneys general (AGs) across the U.S., from Florida's investigations into Roblox and Google's advertising practices, to multistate efforts against illegal electronic cigarettes, multimillion-dollar settlements in Illinois and California, and New Hampshire's lawsuit against Meta for addictive design features that allegedly harm teens. The discussion underscores how states are actively policing deceptive marketing, false advertising and emerging digital issues, often filling gaps left by waning federal enforcement. With investigations intensifying and priorities varying by state, businesses are advised to maintain high compliance standards and pursue transparent, ethical marketing to avoid legal risks and foster consumer trust in an evolving regulatory landscape.

Tracking Trends in State-Level Consumer Protection Enforcement

En este episodio de "A Lo Legal En Par Minutos", Edwin Cortés, socio, y Rossi Cruz, abogada que se desempeña en la Corte Constitucional, conversan sobre la consulta popular, un mecanismo de participación ciudadana en Colombia donde los ciudadanos son consultados sobre decisiones de trascendencia nacional. En este episodio, los abogados hablan sobre los diferentes escenarios de aprobación y recuerdan la consulta popular más reciente, la Consulta Popular Anticorrupción, que se realizó en 2018, así como el proceso que se agotó en el Congreso de Colombia este año para adelantar una nueva consulta popular, misma que fue rechazada en este órgano legislativo.

La Consulta Popular

In this episode of "Clearly Conspicuous," consumer protection attorney Anthony DiResta discusses recent actions taken by state attorneys general (AGs) in the enforcement of consumer protection laws and regulations. His overview covers enforcement actions regarding deceptive advertising and fees in industries including Big Tech, social media, health and consumer products. Mr. DiResta reminds his listeners that state-level protection laws help provide a foundation for regulatory oversight, despite the shifts in federal enforcement priorities that can occur during the transition to new political administrations, meaning companies still need to stay aware of changes in compliance requirements that may affect their operations. 

An Overview of State Attorney General Consumer Protection Enforcement

In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small talks about his experience prosecuting the Cammarata Organization while serving with the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Organized Crime Strike Force. Mr. Small explains how traditional organized crime groups struggled with the transition into drug trafficking, a business they once saw as off-limits. He details how the Cammarata group's excessive ambition and reliance on violence undermined their criminal enterprises, including failed international deals and brutal tactics that ultimately led to their downfall. This episode explores the realities of investigating organized crime, the economic principles underlying illegal enterprises and how prosecutors use evidence of violence to portray criminal organizations in court.

Too Dirty for Dirty Crime

In the 100th episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small introduces his listeners to Sam Cammarata, a career criminal who tried to follow his dreams and become the "Godfather of Houston." After brief stints in the Boston and New Orleans mafia, Cammarata decided to start his own criminal empire in Houston, Texas. With a nightclub as a legal front and a second-in-command with a love of violence, the Cammarata organization quickly grew more prominent and more profitable as it engaged in illegal activities such as bookmaking, loansharking, prostitution and extortion. As a prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice's Organized Crime Strike Force, Mr. Small was sent to Texas to help the Texas Rangers indict members of the criminal enterprise. 

"Ready for Trial?"

Holland & Knight Legal Podcast

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