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 delves into the debate on using interpreters for witnesses in the courtroom. In some instances there is no choice: A witness who cannot understand English requires an interpreter. But when it's a gray area, some lawyers argue that an interpreter diminishes the connection between the witness and the jury. Mr. Small disagrees and offers a humorous anecdote from the corruption case United States v. Wallen, which he prosecuted, to support his pro-interpreter stance. He closes by reminding the listeners that misunderstandings often hurt your case and that interpreters help minimize them for both sides.

The Benefits of Using an Interpreter

In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small unpacks the prosecution of Ted Anzalone, a top aide to former Boston Mayor Kevin White, through two alleged money laundering schemes: a "birthday gift" check-planting operation that sowed jury confusion and led to acquittal and a clearer $100,000 cash structuring scheme using sub‑$10,000 cashier's checks to evade bank reporting. Despite a compelling trial win on the structuring count, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit reversed, holding that "the law is the law" and Congress hadn't yet criminalized that type of financial activity. Mr. Small reflects on the limits of prosecutorial creativity, a memorable bench rebuke and how the case ultimately spurred lawmakers to close the loophole – too late for Anzalone, whose conviction was vacated, but paving the way for successful prosecutions thereafter.

The Law Is the Law

In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small makes the case for "show and tell" in the courtroom. As he contends, jurors do not learn best by listening alone, so powerful demonstratives are essential, especially in complex financial cases. Drawing on the Anzalone money laundering trial, he explains how a simple poster depicting a web tracing $100,000 in cash split into 12 sub‑$10,000 checks clarified the scheme better than words ever could and kept the jury focused on the issues at play. The takeaway: Keep visuals clear, memorable and ever‑present. Ears to listen, eyes to see, hands to hold.

Show and Tell

En este episodio de "A Lo Legal En Par Minutos", Edwin Cortés, socio, y Tatiana Pérez, abogada de derecho penal, analizan si las conductas de Armando en "Betty la Fea" encajarían hoy en el delito de administración desleal. Tatiana explica que este tipo penal fue introducido por la Ley 1474 de 2011 (Estatuto Anticorrupción) y se configura cuando un administrador, socio, directivo, empleado o asesor, en beneficio propio o de un tercero, abusa de sus funciones y dispone fraudulentamente de los bienes sociales o contrae obligaciones en nombre de la compañía, causando perjuicio económico a los socios. Aunque en la época de la novela el delito no existía, hoy aplicaría a acciones como la manipulación de estados financieros y la creación de "Terra Moda" para mantener el control de Ecomoda. El episodio también detalla las sanciones para este conducto: prisión de cuatro a ocho años y multas de 10 hasta 1.000 salarios mínimos legales mensuales vigentes.

Betty: Armando, ¿un administrador desleal?

En este episodio de "A Lo Legal En Par Minutos", Edwin Cortés, socio, y María Paulina Rendón, abogada de recursos naturales, analizan la Ley 2533 de 2025, que reconoce el Río Aburrá en Antioquia como sujeto de derechos. Como explica la abogada, esto significa que el río tendrá representación legal y que se conformará un comité llamado el Comité de Orientación y Protección del Río Aburrá (COPRA), que ejercerá dicha representación. A partir de ahí, podrá establecer acuerdos para proteger y conservar el río. Los abogados hablan del antecedente de esta figura y de cómo Colombia compara con el resto del mundo en este ámbito.

De orilla a orilla: El Aburrá, un río con derechos

On the second episode of "The Tack Room," Partner Louis Rouleau joins Lisa Lazarus, CEO of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), for a candid conversation about the push to standardize safety and integrity across U.S. thoroughbred racing. Mr. Rouleau and Ms. Lazarus talk about her prior leadership roles at the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and National Football League (NFL) before moving on to explore HISA's racetrack safety and anti-doping programs, its partnership with the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), measurable progress in reducing equine fatalities and why consistent national rules matter for horse welfare, jockey safety and public trust. They also unpack the high-profile constitutional challenges facing HISA, how its Federal Trade Commission (FTC) oversight and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)-style model fit into U.S. regulatory frameworks, and what it will take to secure the sport's long-term viability so future discussions focus on excellence on the track instead of safety concerns.

One Sport, One Rulebook: A Conversation with the CEO of Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority

In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small emphasizes the importance of providing the jury with all relevant facts to help them discern the truth. At times, however, court decisions can hinder a party's ability to tell the whole story. This was true in the United States v. Anzalone case, which Mr. Small prosecuted. Ted Anzalone was charged with extortion and money laundering, but because both charges involved secret cash transactions, it was difficult to present non-circumstantial evidence to the jury. To make matters worse, the defense counsel persuaded the judge to sever the two charges, making it nearly impossible to corroborate the evidence. This episode highlights the importance of always fighting to tell the full narrative.

Telling the Whole Story

In this episode of "Clearly Conspicuous," consumer protection attorney Anthony DiResta examines why board governance is under the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) microscope and what directors must do to meet agency expectations. He begins by categorizing the main themes of regulatory focus: data security, antitrust and board composition, compliance and risk governance, and the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic accountability. He then offers practical steps such as building regulatory literacy, establishing measurable risk reporting, structuring effective governance committees, testing resources and programs, documenting oversight in minutes and embedding ethics into culture—along with a checklist of specific governance risks to monitor.

The FTC's Interest in Governance Matters: Board Oversight, Compliance and Awareness

In this episode of "Real Estate Law Unlocked," Real Estate attorneys Pedro Gassant and Misch Cetoute break down the 2025 amendments to Florida's Live Local Act. They explain how newly added definitions of "commercial," "industrial" and "mixed-use" can unlock eligibility, even on properties historically zoned for agriculture, which enables administrative approvals at maximum local density and height when affordability thresholds are met. This conversation also clarifies what "mixed-use" means for professionals wanting to meet the requirements of the Live Local Act, as well as new provisions such as "YIGBY" (Yes in God's Backyard), which allows for faith-owned sites to seek approval for Live Local if 10 percent of their units are affordable. Mr. Gassant and Mr. Cetoute additionally talk about limits on using height bonuses and improved grandfathering of tax benefits.

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Holland & Knight Legal Podcast

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