Episodes

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.

Judge Ruben Sundeen's career spans various roles, including his current position as a Superior Court Judge in Alameda County. Prior to this, he served as a Commissioner. Before entering the judiciary, he held the role of managing partner in an Oakland -based general civil litigation practice. This practice encompassed a wide range of legal areas, such as commercial transactions, litigation under state and federal law, trust and estates, fair employment and housing. In addition to his legal career, Judge Sundeen has an extensive history of community service, actively participating in organizations like La Raza, Rotary International, and the Alameda County Bar Association. In this interview he answers questions from the audience and shares what he thinks is the best part of being a judge, as well as the most challenging aspects of it.

lovethylawyer.com I went to Maui. This is what I saw, what I did, why I went, and what I think. I hope you'll take a listen. Louis Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you’d like us to cover. Louis Goodman www.louisgoodman.com https://www.lovethylawyer.com/ 510.582.9090 Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland Audiograms: Paul Roberts louis@lovethylawyer.com

Emilie Raguso is a journalist and the founder of The Berkeley Scanner, an independent online news outlet that covers public safety in Berkeley as well as the District Attorney’s Office. Prior to founding The Berkeley Scanner, Emilie worked at The Berkeleyside, The Albany Patch, and The Modesto Bee. In this interview, she talks about her passion for journalism, being a stickler for accuracy in her stories, as well as managing work-life balance while being the sole reporter at the Berkeley Scanner. Tune in to discover the fascinating profession of a journalist and learn why the community should support its local newsroom. The Berkeley Scanner https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/

Joe Penrod is a career Public Defender. He has been at the Alameda County Public Defender’s Office since passing the bar in 2005. He is currently part of the Civil Commitment Unit, handling NGRI, MDO, and SVP commitments. Prior to juggling an alphabet soup of assignments, he was on the Homicide Team for 3 years, but also has experience with misdemeanors and other types of felonies. Joe is also a skilled sailor, skier, and one of the best kiteboarders in Alameda County. In this interview, he talks about his involvement with the L.Y.R.I.C. program (Learn Your Rights In California), where he visits schools to teach kids about the justice system, constitutional rights, consent searches, how to ask for a lawyer, and other topics. Tune in to learn why having the right attitude as a lawyer is essential for defending clients and to hear about the time he almost got eaten by a mountain lion on a trip to British Columbia.

Emily Dahm is a partner at Bonjour, Thorman, Burns, and Dahm, a Bay Area criminal defense and personal injury firm. Prior to entering private practice, she gained extensive experience with felony and misdemeanor trials as a San Francisco Public Defender. Furthermore, Emily is well-versed in civil litigation, state and federal contract law, and corporate legal matters. In this interview, Emily shares an amusing anecdote about having to reenact a lewd scene in court to prove a client's innocence. She also discusses her years of studying and working in China, including the secretive routine she and her friends underwent to avoid drawing the attention of the CCP. Additionally, she reflects on her eight and a half years as a Public Defender, highlighting how she "got paid by the government to mess with the government." Tune in to the interview as Emily answers questions, offers tips for the courtroom, and provides insights into what qualities make a great criminal defense attorney, as well…

Dale Minami has had a fascinating career as a lawyer. He is currently one of the top personal injury lawyers in the Bay Area. He was involved in the creation of the Asian Law Caucus and served as its first director. Dale was also part of the legal team that successfully overturned Fred Korematsu’s conviction in the famous case of Korematsu versus the United States. In this interview, he discusses attending Berkeley during the growth of the civil rights movement and explains how the Asian Law Caucus came to be. Additionally, Dale explains why he is regarded as critical to so many judicial appointments in the Bay Area and shares behind-the-scenes details of overturning the Fred Korematsu conviction. Minami Tamaki LLP https://www.minamitamaki.com/

Marco Brown runs a successful family law firm in Utah. He is the managing partner of Brown Family Law in Salt Lake City and oversees the business administration of the company. His firm handles divorce and child custody cases and has been operating since 2010. In this interview, Marco talks about why he decided to become a lawyer, finding his passion for family law, and helping people in the worst situations of their lives. Tune in to hear about the details of Marco’s transformative 2-year mission to Italy and learn some key insights about the possible consequences of deregulation of ethics in the legal community in the next 10 to 15 years, and how that can deeply affect the legal industry. Brown Family Law https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/ Marco Brown https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcocbrown/

Del Bahner runs his own criminal defense practice in Pleasanton. Working with private as well as indigent clients through the Court Appointed Attorneys Program, he handles everything from DUIs to robberies and murders. After clerking in the Sacramento and San Mateo DA's Offices and working for the Alternate Defenders of Stanislaus County, he experienced both sides of the court and found his passion in helping people stay out of jail. In this episode, Del talks about why it's important for lawyers not to get too caught up in proving their point at the expense of forgetting what is in the best interest of the client. He also shares insights about the differences in collegiality during discovery in civil litigation versus criminal defense. Tune in to learn about Del's experience trying homicide cases with Tony Serra and to discover some appalling incarceration stats for California and the US, and how they compare to other countries. Law Offices of Del Bahner https://www.bahnerlaw.com/

In collaboration with the Alameda County Bar Association, Love Thy Lawyer presents an interview with: Lori Mihalich-Levin Lori Mihalich-Levin helps new parents transition back to the workplace and learn the best practices of being working parents through her special program, Mindful Return, of which she is the founder and CEO. Lori is also a lawyer. After years of working at some of the biggest firms in big law, she now runs the GME Group, a solo practice that collaborates with hospitals, teaching hospitals, and health systems to assist them in obtaining reimbursement for training residents or graduates of medical education through the Medicare program. Listen to this interview to discover Lori's tips for new parents and working mothers on effectively transitioning back to the workplace after having a child. Mindful Return https://www.mindfulreturn.com/ Lori on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorimihalichlevin/ Mindful Return on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/m…

James Cook boasts a diverse professional background spanning various fields. He has excelled as a professional athlete, a college-level teacher, and a writer. Presently, he serves as an attorney, primarily focusing on cases involving police excessive force at the John Burris law firm. James is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Charles Houston Bar Association and the Earl Warren Inns of Court. In this interview, he recounts his fascinating journey, navigating through multiple professions before beginning his legal career. He also shares stories of his adventures as a professional athlete participating in boxing and Muay Thai competitions around the world. Tune in to find out how a competitive spirit as a fighter can help you as a lawyer in the courtroom. Burris Law Firm https://bncllaw.com/ James Cook on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jamescookesq2859

https://www.habbaspilaw.com/attorney/samer-habbas/ Samer Habbas runs his own law firm specializing in all sorts of personal injury cases. He opened his firm fresh out of law school and in the 17 years since it has grown to have more than 55 employees across several offices throughout California. Samer fights for his clients with a passion and is known for never backing down. In this interview he details some of the challenges of running a law firm, which includes not just handling different types of clients and their expectations, but also managing a staff of almost 60 people. Tune into this interview to learn about Samer’s unique definition of success and why it’s so important to give back to the community.

James Rodriguez is a highly accomplished Alameda County Public Defender, boasting an impressive track record of over 20 years. Throughout his extensive career, he has adeptly handled a diverse range of cases, ranging from misdemeanors to high-stakes felony offenses, including assault, attempted murder, and child torture. His remarkable professional journey also encompasses notable stints at esteemed institutions such as the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Berkeley Community Law Center, and the California Appellate Project. Tune in to this compelling interview, where James delves into the intricacies of managing emotions while tackling exceptionally challenging cases and explains why it’s so important for attorneys to cultivate early mentorship in their careers.

Throughout her 34-year career, Laura Robinson has tried over 78 cases, with the majority resulting in jury verdicts. As a Contra Costa County Public Defender for over 15 years, she has handled a considerable number of felony matters, including rape, kidnapping, and murder. Since 2004, she has been practicing privately, specializing in criminal defense and professional license defense matters, while striving to achieve the best possible outcomes for her clients. In this interview, she discusses her initial hesitations in choosing a legal career over becoming a doctor, and how she unexpectedly became a Public Defender, ultimately discovering her passion for criminal defense work. Laura also delves into the concept of justice being seemingly random and sheds light on the significant challenges and opposition faced by Public Defenders within the entire criminal justice system. Laura Robinson Law https://laurarobinsonlaw.com/

Tom Silva is a businessperson who has been in the real estate business since 1980. He owns Eden Realty in San Lorenzo, California, and routinely deals with lawyers and the legal system when developing, rehabilitating, and managing residential and commercial property. In this interview Tom talks about some of the challenges of being a housing operator in Alameda County due to the eviction moratorium for COVID, and he also shares some of his knowledge and experience dealing with attorneys over the course of four decades. Tune in to this episode to learn more about how much law comes into play in the real estate business and learn some of Tom’s tips for attorneys to better serve their clients. Eden Realty http://edenrealty.org/ Tom Silva tom@edenrealty.org