The Jury Is Out

エピソード

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  EP 715 - The Jury Is Out: What Jurors Really Care About (A Father-Daughter Conversation, Part 1) 22.07.2026 32分

  This week's episode brings a unique dynamic to the mic as trial attorneys John Simon and Mary Simon—father daughter duo—sit down for an honest conversation about what jurors actually care about. Drawing on more than 41 years and over 100 jury trials, John shares the lessons experience has taught him while Mary asks the questions every trial lawyer eventually wrestles with.
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  EP 714 - Fines, Fees, and Civil Rights Part 2 08.07.2026 29分

  Beyond exploring the civil rights victories attorney and professor Brendan Roediger has scored, the hosts dive into three themes of teaching the next generation in civil practice. Erich Veith, who co-teaches a Civil Practice course at St. Louis University Law with Roediger, walks students through a simulated case from initial client intake all the way to the eve of trial, noting it's where students stop feeling like the law is magic performed only by people smarter than them and start realizing they actually belong. Roediger proposes allowing students to submit AI produced assignments instead of preaching against it, and redline it, and write a memo explaining every change. The conversation ends with an open question none of them can answer: when AI can do the research, draft the brief, and summarize the discovery, what exactly are we training law students to become?
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  EP 713 - Fines, Fees, and Civil Rights Part 1 24.06.2026 35分

  Find out how a defense theory that multiple women fabricated stories of sexual assault out of greed for settlement money collapsed under cross examination in this episode with Brendan Roediger, civil rights attorney and clinical law professor at St. Louis University School of Law. The episode covers a lot of Roediger's career, from the grassroots discovery of illegal warrant fees in St. Louis County municipalities to a $37 million verdict against the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and some of the most difficult civil rights litigation imaginable. What ties it all together is his view that the legal system routinely punishes people not for what they did, but for how little money they have.
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  EP 712 - The Improv Advantage: What Trial Lawyers Can Learn from the Stage Part 2 10.06.2026 37分

  This episode moves from the philosophy of improv into its specific mechanics and direct parallels to the craft of trial law. Guest Ashley Rube breaks down what she actually teaches: starting with being a great teammate, then building active listening, presence, and scene mechanics from there. The principle that your job is to make your scene partner look incredible reframes how Tim Cronin thinks about direct examination: rather than ticking through an outline, the attorney's role is to set up the witness to shine. Ryan Myers draws the same parallel from his years in sales: the best client conversations happen when you stop following a script and start genuinely listening for what the other person needs. Research shows that stress narrows lateral thinking and produces tunnel vision. Improv, the guests argue, doesn't replace a lawyer's skills, it quiets the parts of the nervous system that get in the way of those skills.
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  EP 711: The Improv Advantage: What Trial Lawyers Can Learn from the Stage Part 1 27.05.2026 25分

  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.
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  EP 710: The Amazonization of Liability Part 2 13.05.2026 24分

  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.
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  EP 709: The Amazonization of Liability Part 1 29.04.2026 21分

  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.
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  EP 708: Navigating Discovery Obstruction in Modern Litigation Part 2 15.04.2026 28分

   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.
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  EP 707: Navigating Discovery Obstruction in Modern Litigation Part 1 01.04.2026 21分

  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.
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  EP 706: The Two Things That Can Blow Up Your Case 18.03.2026 23分

  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.
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  EP 705: Secrets to Longevity, Sanity, and Success in Law 04.03.2026 29分

  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.
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  EP 704- Meet the Case Doctors 18.02.2026 18分

  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.
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  EP 703- Trial Wisdom From a Texas Legend 04.02.2026 38分

  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.
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  EP 702- Home Alone: A Personal Injury Quagmire 21.01.2026 28分

  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.
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  EP 701- Peter Dunne Part Two 07.01.2026 25分

  Attorney Peter Dunne shares stories about other legendary St. Louis lawyers and the entertaining ways they handled paper correspondence in the days before email.
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  EP 626- Attorney and Professor Peter Dunne Part One 24.12.2025 34分

  With over 40 years of courtroom experience, attorney Peter Dunne is still learning by teaching. Hear some of his favorite lessons from the classroom and the courtroom.
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  EP 625- Working Up A Big Win Part 2 10.12.2025 38分

  John Simon remarked, “If the jury thinks this case is about rocks, you’re in trouble.”  How we creatively framed the case and presented punitives set our client up for a major win.
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  EP 624- Working Up A Big Win Part 1 26.11.2025 22分

  Dissecting a $109 Million Verdict on a Business Litigation case: Attorneys Kevin Carnie and Pat McPhail join The Jury is Out to discuss how they creatively framed the case and presented punitives to set their client up for a significant win.
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  EP 623- 40 Years of Law with Don Schlapprizzi Part Two 12.11.2025 31分

  Don Schlapprizzi discusses significant changes in the legal practice and how he endured being lead counsel on a 90-day civil jury trial…the longest in Missouri history.
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  EP 622- 40 Years of Law with Don Schlapprizzi 29.10.2025 30分

  One of the most highly respected attorneys in Missouri, Don Schlapprizzi shares personal experiences and lessons learned through more than 350 cases.