Episodes

Daniel Vaswani is a seasoned attorney and the driving force behind Virtuoso Law, a prominent criminal defense firm based in downtown Hayward. Daniel's extensive legal background encompasses corporate law, public interest initiatives, and consumer protection, but his main focus is on minimizing the impacts of criminal convictions for his clients. In this episode, Daniel talks about the intricacies of managing a successful criminal defense practice, the significance of human connection in legal work, and his experiences handling complex federal and state cases. He also discusses his strategic approach to client relations and community engagement. Additionally, Daniel answers a variety of questions, offering advice on business strategies for law firms, the importance of resilience and empathy in legal practice, and how personal experiences influence professional perspectives. Tune in to learn valuable lessons from Daniel's journey and discover practical advice for both aspiring and exper…

Thuy Thi Nguyen is a partner at Garcia Hernandez & Sawhney LLP and serves as commission counsel for the Oakland Police Commission. She is the former President of Foothill College and has been recognized by the Carnegie Corporation and the New York Times for her contributions to American society. In this episode Thuy discusses her journey from being a refugee from Vietnam to becoming a prominent attorney, her work in education law, and her role in overseeing constitutional reforms within the Oakland Police Department. Tune in to learn about Thuy's inspiring career path and her thoughts on improving legal systems and promoting diversity in the legal profession. Garcia Hernández Sawhney, LLP https://ghslaw.com Thuy Nguyen on Twitter https://twitter.com/ThuyThiTweets

John Teakell is a highly experienced criminal defense attorney who has successfully defended numerous clients charged with both felonies and misdemeanors. Before focusing on criminal defense, he served as an Assistant United States Attorney in both the Northern District of Texas and Puerto Rico and was a Deputy District Attorney in Texas. He has also been recognized as a Super Lawyer and featured in major publications like Forbes and Time. In this episode, John discusses the differences between state and federal criminal defense, highlighting the complexities and challenges of federal cases. He shares intriguing stories from his time as a federal prosecutor, including his experiences in Puerto Rico dealing with large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering cases. He also talks about his transition from prosecution to defense and the realities of running a private practice. Listen to this episode to learn more about the legal system, particularly the intricacies of federal investig…

Stuart Winchester is not a lawyer but a journalist and ski enthusiast who hosts a podcast and journal called The Storm. In this episode, he talks about a health scare that took place while skiing, which was later identified as a severe heart issue known as the 'Widow Maker.' This harrowing experience renewed his sense of gratitude and highlighted the importance of listening to one’s body, also making him appreciate every moment and the choices that shape his lifestyle. He also talks about how his passion for skiing and writing led him to start his podcast, which explores the behind-the-scenes of the ski industry and brings a fresh perspective to skiing enthusiasts. Tune in to this episode for a story of personal change and passion that will inspire anyone who loves skiing or is interested in the stories behind the sport. The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast https://www.stormskiing.com/

lovethylawyer.com A transcript of this podcast is available at lovethylawyer.com. Go to https://www.lovethylawyer.com/blog for transcripts. In collaboration with the Alameda County Bar Association, Love Thy Lawyer presents an interview with: Spojmie Nasiri, the principal attorney at the Law Office of Spojmie Nasiri PC. She is an experienced immigration attorney with a passion for helping immigrants navigate the complex and often intimidating U.S. immigration system. She received her Bachelor ...

lovethylawyer.com A transcript of this podcast is available at lovethylawyer.com. Go to https://www.lovethylawyer.com/blog for transcripts. Nabiel C Ahmed, is the owner and attorney of a solo law practice out of the San Francisco East Bay, mainly representing the rights of the criminally accused in Bay Area courtrooms. While defending his clients, Mr. Ahmed gained notoriety for staunchly defending their constitutional and statutory rights all the way through jury trial if necessary. Mr. Ahmed’...

Travis Hoechlin is the CEO of RizeUp Media, a company specializing in legal marketing. With 15 years of experience, Travis has dedicated his career to helping lawyers enhance their online presence and attract more clients. In this interview, Travis discusses the importance of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for websites and shares insights into the strategies RizeUp Media employs to ensure law firms stand out in a crowded digital landscape. Listen to this interview to learn how targeted, ethical SEO can lead to sustainable growth and success for law firms, and why choosing not to implement SEO on your website can cause your firm to lose out to the competition. RizeUp Media https://www.rizeupmedia.com/

lovethylawyer.com A transcript of this podcast is available at lovethylawyer.com. Go to https://www.lovethylawyer.com/blog for transcripts. In collaboration with the Alameda County Bar Association, Love Thy Lawyer presents an interview with: Amir Adibi https://adibiip.com/amir-adibi/ Amir V. Adibi graduated from Harvey Mudd College with a B.S. in General Engineering and holds a J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law. Amir’s practice focuses on all aspects of patent and trademark ...

Diego Ortiz runs a criminal law practice focused on misdemeanors, felonies, federal, and state cases. He’s been practicing since 1991. In this interview, he talks about the cultural clash of growing up in New Jersey and moving to California, especially regarding the people, the weather, and the pizza. Diego also gives an overview of his life as a surfer and the many injuries and near-death experiences he’s had over the years – including almost losing a nipple. However, there’s also a bright side – he’s saved a dozen people from drowning. Listen to this episode to hear Diego’s tips for attorneys in court and how a friend helped convince him to pursue a career in law instead of becoming a diving instructor. Diego Ortiz https://www.diegoeortiz.com/

Harlan Simon is a Deputy District Attorney in Alameda County with a unique background. He has worked on both sides of the courtroom, as a Public Defender and as a prosecutor, trying over 75 cases to a jury verdict. Outside of law, Harlan is also a skilled glassmaker and teacher. His journey has taken him from defending people in Los Angeles as a Public Defender to helping streamline court cases in Alameda County after COVID. Harlan's story is not just about law; it's about how he combines his love for art with his legal career. This episode will give you a look into how Harlan uses his experiences in court and in art to make a difference. Tune in to discover the parallels between working as an artisan and as a lawyer, and to learn why Harlan thinks Louis is the Studs Turkel of the law world. HarlanGlass https://www.facebook.com/harlanglass/ Flamework Glass Beadmaking https://www.featherriverartcamp.com/glass-beadmaking/

lovethylawyer.com Ben Bartlett https://www.ben2024.vote/ “Everyone deserves to feel safe. Every family deserves a home. Every person deserves to age with dignity. Everyone is welcome and included.” These principles guide my life and have led me to public service. My story is that of delivering results for our community, imagining a better tomorrow, and seeing it through. I'm Ben Bartlett. I’m an environmental attorney, husband, and father, and for the past seven years, I’ve served as a Berkel...

Byron Toma has been working as an attorney for BART for over 16 years. He's an ACBA board member and has a wealth of experience working for different cities and counties, including the City of Alameda, the County of Marin, the County of Sonoma, the City of San Jose, and Clark County, Nevada. In this interview, Byron answers questions about his career, shares details about the inner workings of BART, and lists several useful professional associations for city attorneys. Listen to this episode to hear an amazing story about how Byron’s Japanese father avoided the camps in America during World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and why he considers working at BART to be the easiest and most pleasant job he’s ever had.

Charles Woodson runs his own private practice focusing on criminal defense, state and federal work, and he’s part of the ACBA’s Court Appointed Attorneys program. Charles is a former Marin County Public Defender who also has experience working at a public defender clinic in Maricopa County. In this interview, he talks about the culture clash of attending Cal after growing up in Sonoma County, gives an overview of his career and what motivated his choices, and discusses some of the challenges of running a private law practice. Tune in to the interview to learn about why it’s important to talk about failed cases and to hear about one of Louis’ most memorable cases and the lessons he learned from it.

Jocelyn Burton is the founder and principal of Burton Employment Law. Before establishing her own firm, she worked in civil litigation and served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of California. Jocelyn also possesses extensive experience working with prominent names in private practice. In this interview, she provides an overview of her life and career history, sharing an inspiring ancestral story about her great uncle who earned his medical degree in the early 1900s. Additionally, she addresses guest questions, offers tips to young attorneys, and explains why it’s beneficial to get involved with organizations early on in your legal career. Burton Employment Law http://burtonemploymentlaw.com/

Katy Van Sant is a bilingual forensic linguist, expert witness, and certified Spanish interpreter with 22 years of experience. In this episode, she explains what forensic linguists do and discusses the applications of forensic linguistics in court. Katy also talks about her passion for language, reading, and writing, and she lists some of her experiences writing articles and working as a ghostwriter. Additionally, she reveals the technical difficulties and emotional challenges that court interpreters face on the job, especially in intense and violent cases. Katy shares tips on how lawyers can better accommodate interpreters in their cases and why they should use interpreters more often. Tune in to learn more about the fascinating aspects of court interpreting and hear about Katy’s admiration for George Orwell. Katy Van Sant krvansant@yahoo.com

In collaboration with the Alameda County Bar Association, Love Thy Lawyer presents an interview with: Hon. Tara Desautels Judge Tara Desautels has served as a Superior Court Judge for over 13 years. During this time, she presided over a thousand civil matters at all stages of proceedings, both as a presiding judge and a supervising judge. She also served as an associate appellate justice on a temporary basis. Before taking the bench, Judge Desautels worked as an Alameda County Deputy District Attorney and as a civil litigator in private practice. In this interview, she shares details about her distinct and varied career trajectory and answers questions on various topics, including how to better prepare for court, which types of cases are most challenging for jurors to understand, and what it's like to serve as a temporary associate appellate justice.

Jodie Zerega is the founder and managing director of Zerega Consulting, a boutique legal recruiting and consulting company that specializes in placing attorneys in law firms. Jodie founded Zerega Consulting in 2003 and has filled hundreds of attorney positions in law firms, corporations, and non-profit organizations across the United States, Canada, and Asia. In this interview, Jodie talks about how it takes a very special set of talents and a specific personality to be a recruiter. She also gives career tips to new attorneys who want to improve their chances of being recruited. Listen to this episode as Jodie shares her company’s app, Attorney Jobs, which helps attorneys get hired by companies. Zerega Consulting https://www.zeregaconsulting.com/ Attorney Jobs App on Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.attorneyjobs&hl=en&gl=US Attorney Jobs App on the App Store https://apps.apple.com/in/app/attorney-jobs/id1607959572

Peter Goodman (no relation) is a seasoned criminal defense lawyer with decades of experience handling court-appointed cases in both state and federal courts. Before establishing himself in private practice, he spent four years as an Alameda County Public Defender. In this interview, talks about his early involvement in the Lange v. California case, a landmark legal case that reached the Supreme Court. Peter also recounts his experiences as a student at UC Berkeley in the 1960s at the height of the free speech movement. Tune in to this interview as he emphasizes the importance of supporting clients and forging connections with them beyond the confines of the courtroom.

Judge Veronica Rios Reddick is an Alameda County Superior Court judge. Appointed by Governor Newsom in 2022, she is currently assigned to Department 702 in the East County Hall of Justice, where she handles felony arraignments and pretrials. Before taking the bench, she served as an Alameda County Deputy District Attorney for 13 years. In this interview, she discusses what motivated her to become a judge, her transformative experience in the collaborative court before her appointment, and the importance of family and friends' support when raising kids. Judge Rios Reddick also offers tips on how to be better prepared for court and shares her experiences during the nomination process.

Arya Firoozmand is one of the co-founders of Overture.law, an attorney-to-attorney referral platform that enables attorneys to refer matters they cannot handle to one another and facilitates the monetization of these referrals through ethical referral fees. In this interview, he discusses how he and his co-founders leverage their experience from other businesses, such as BizCounsel and LegalZoom, to enhance the Overture platform. He also explains the process for signing up and initiating the monetization of referrals. Overture https://overture.law/ Arya Firoozmand https://www.linkedin.com/in/aryafiroozmand/

Givelle Lamano has been practicing law for 12 years and runs her own law firm focused exclusively on criminal defense. Her philosophy on caring for people has resulted in stellar reviews from clients and helped her become a Super Lawyer Rising Star, and an Avvo Client’s Choice. In this interview she shares the story of how she started out juggling three restaurant jobs while also doing contract work for other attorneys and how that evolved into opening her own law firm. Givelle also talks about some of the challenges of running a law firm and managing its employees. Tune in to learn the idea that people will forget what you did, but they won't forget how you made them feel, and how she applies this idea to her business. Lamano Law https://lamanolaw.com/ Link Tree https://linktr.ee/lamanolaw

This week's guest isn't a lawyer, but rather a private investigator who works with attorneys. Nickolas Montano has plenty of experience in law enforcement and corporate loss prevention, as he was a sworn police officer with the Clayton Police Department and also provided security for Longs Drug Stores to prevent employee theft. Nick has been a private investigator for over 42 years and has collaborated with high-profile attorneys such as Fred Reamer, Tony Serra, and Michael Stepanian. In this interview, he describes in detail the type of work he does for attorneys and explains why it's so beneficial to bring a private investigator on board early in a case rather than at the last minute. Tune in to learn why female private investigators are often more effective than men and how Nick has utilized his daughters as assets to conduct investigations.

Judge JoLynne Lee was the first Asian American female Superior Court judge in Alameda County. She embarked on her career as an Assistant District Attorney in Bronx County, New York, and held various positions, including roles at the San Francisco Office of the National Center for State Courts and the United States Attorney’s Office, where she served as an Assistant United States Attorney. Prior to assuming the bench, Judge Lee also gained valuable experience in civil court as an insurance defense attorney. In this interview, she discusses the differences between the New York and California state court systems and offers advice to young attorneys on how to better prepare to appear before a judge in court.

Daughter of Eritrean refugees and born in San Francisco, Leah Abraham has quite an impressive career both as a Public Defender and as a Prosecutor. She currently works at the Public Accountability Unit of the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, a unit responsible for reviewing officer-involved shootings and handling and prosecuting cases involving public officials and law enforcement officers accused of misconduct. Leah has also had an extensive career as a Public Defender, having worked as an Alameda County Public Defender for almost 7 years. She has also interned at the San Francisco Public Defender's, the Alameda County Public Defender's, and the Marin County Public Defender's offices. In this episode, she discusses her passion for being a Public Defender as well as her reasons for transitioning to prosecution. Tune in to learn about the importance of correcting your mistakes and why it's never wise for lawyers to underestimate their opponents.