PODCAST · government
ABOTA Speaks
by American Board of Trial Advocates
ABOTA Speaks is the official podcast of the American Board of Trial Advocates, where history, law, and storytelling meet. Each week, ABOTA members sit down with world-renowned historians, legal experts, and accomplished trial lawyers and judges for insightful conversations about justice, the rule of law, and the art of advocacy. New episodes release every Wednesday.
Episodes
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ABOTA Speaks on Celebrating America’s 250th
As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, what does this historic milestone mean for our system of justice and the work of ABOTA? Host Jill Webb is joined by 2026 ABOTA National President William D. Shapiro and Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter President Nancy K. Raynor to reflect on our Nation's...
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ABOTA Speaks with Jason Barnes and Chris Dominic on Understanding the Next Generation of Jurors
How are today’s jurors changing, and what does that mean for trial lawyers? Host Jill Webb talks with veteran trial consultants Jason Barnes and Chris Dominic about what they are seeing in their work with jurors and how trial lawyers can adapt their communication and courtroom presentations to...
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ABOTA Speaks with Kenneth Padowitz on Turning Pixels into Proof
What happens when a trial lawyer sees technology not as a novelty, but as another way to help jurors understand the evidence? Host Jake Courtney talks with Florida trial attorney Kenneth Padowitz about a career spent pushing the boundaries of visual evidence in the courtroom. Padowitz traces that...
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ABOTA Speaks with H.W. Brands on Political Parties, Jury Trials, and American Democracy
Pulitzer Prize finalist and acclaimed historian H.W. Brands joins host Jill Webb for a fascinating conversation about political parties, democracy, and the American jury system. Drawing from his book Founding Partisans: Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, Adams and the Brawling Birth of American…
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ABOTA Speaks with Amelie Karam on Leading Across Generations
Today's workplace includes more generations working side by side than ever before. How can leaders create an environment where every generation feels valued, engaged, and motivated to succeed? Host Jake Courtney is joined by generational expert Amelie Karam to discuss how law firms and...
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ABOTA Speaks on the Transformative Impact of the ABOTA National Trial College
The ABOTA National Trial College is more than a trial advocacy course—it's an immersive experience designed to help lawyers become more confident, capable, and effective advocates. Host Jake Courtney is joined by our 2026 Co-Chairs, Hon. Patricia Alvarez, Craig Peters, and Rich Schoenberger, to...
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ABOTA Speaks on Celebrating 20 Years of the Journalist Law School
For 20 years, the Journalist Law School has brought lawyers and journalists together in the shared pursuit of truth, justice, and accurate reporting. In this special anniversary episode, host Jill Webb is joined by Donna Melby, Beth Warren, and Dalila-Johari Paul to reflect on the program's...
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Alex Reboso on Leadership and the FLABOTA Annual Convention
Host Jake Courtney speaks with FLABOTA President Alex Reboso about his career, his path to ABOTA leadership, and the upcoming FLABOTA Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida. Alex reflects on the mentors who encouraged him to become more involved in ABOTA and shares how state and regional...
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Bill Shapiro and Cameron Getto on the ABOTA Summer Conference and National Board Meeting in Detroit
Host Jill Webb speaks with 2026 ABOTA National President Bill Shapiro and 2026 Michigan Chapter President Cameron Getto about the upcoming ABOTA Summer Conference and National Board Meeting in Detroit, Michigan. Bill and Cameron share why Detroit was selected as the host city and discuss the...
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ABOTA Speaks with Javier Espinoza on Mentorship, Leadership, and the TEX-ABOTA Santa Fe CLE Roundup
Host Jake Courtney speaks with Javier Espinoza, President of TEX-ABOTA, about his journey from immigrant to trial lawyer, law firm owner, and ABOTA leader. Javier reflects on the teachers, mentors, and role models who helped shape his career and discusses the opportunities and relationships that...
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Chief Judge Jennifer W. Elrod on Civility, Jury Trials, and Judicial Independence
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jill Webb speaks with Chief Judge Jennifer W. Elrod of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit about civility in the legal profession, the importance of jury trials, and protecting public confidence in the judiciary. Drawing from her…
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Professor Elizabeth Fraley on Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and the Future of Trial Practice
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jake Courtney speaks with Professor Elizabeth Fraley of Baylor University School of Law about the growing role of artificial intelligence in legal practice and why lawyers should be learning how to use it now. A full-time trial lawyer, law professor, and…
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Preserving Judicial Independence and Public Trust in our Courts
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, we feature an extended conversation with Chief Judges Dori Contreras, Mark Green and Mark Pfeiffer of the Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeals (CCJSCA) – a strong partner of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Together, they explore…
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Preview of the SEABOTA Annual Conference in Charleston
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jake Courtney converses with SEABOTA President, Christy Crow, about the upcoming SEABOTA Annual Conference, taking place in Charleston, South Carolina, April 23–26, 2026. SEABOTA brings together trial lawyers from across the southeastern United States for a...
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Inside ABOTA’s National Women’s Leadership Summit
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jill Webb converses with Stacy Garcia and Christa Ramey about the upcoming National Women’s Leadership Summit, taking place in Savannah, Georgia, April 9-12, 2026. Now in its second year, the Summit brings together women trial lawyers from across the country...
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Scott Costantino on Leadership, Service, and the Future of the Trial Bar
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jake Courtney sits down with Scott Costantino, a trial lawyer from Jacksonville, Florida, ABOTA leader, and current President of the International Society of Barristers, for a conversation about leadership, service, and involvement in the trial bar. Scott...
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Inside the American Civil Trial Bar Roundtable: Protecting the Right to Trial by Jury
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jill Webb sits down with John Cuttino and Sean Domnick, co-facilitators of the American Civil Trial Bar Roundtable, to discuss the unique role this organization plays in protecting the civil justice system. The American Civil Trial Bar Roundtable brings...
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Camille Vasquez on Preparation, Professionalism, and Changing the Narrative in a Jury Trial
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jake Courtney sits down with trial attorney Camille Vasquez, widely known for her cross-examination of Amber Heard in the jury trial where she represented Johnny Depp, for a conversation about preparation, credibility, and the realities of practicing law in...
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Judges on Civility, Credibility, and the Future of the Jury Trial
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jill Webb is joined by U.S. Judge Robert L. Pitman of the Western District of Texas, U.S. Chief Judge Amos L. Mazzant III, of the Eastern District of Texas, and Justice Chari L. Kelly for the Texas Third Court of Appeals for a candid conversation about jury...
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Talmage Boston on Law, Leadership, and Lessons from History
Season 2 of ABOTA Speaks continues with a thoughtful conversation that reflects on leadership, discipline, and the value of historical perspective. Host Jake Courtney is joined by Talmage Boston, a trial lawyer, historian, and author, for a discussion about how studying the past can inform the…
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A Year of Connection: Bill Shapiro on Leading ABOTA in 2026
Season 2 of ABOTA Speaks begins with a conversation that sets the tone for the year ahead and introduces a new rhythm for the podcast. Host Jake Courtney sits down with Bill Shapiro, who will be sworn in as ABOTA’s National President for 2026, to talk about leadership, connection, and the future…
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Judge Clifton B. Newman on Civility in the Courtroom
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jill Webb talks with the Honorable Clifton B. Newman, ABOTA Honorary Diplomate and one of the Nation’s most respected judicial voices. Known internationally for presiding over the Alex Murdaugh trial, Judge Newman brings decades of experience, insight, and...
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John Sweeney on Fighting for Justice in the Toughest Cases
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jake Courtney talks with John Sweeney, the 2025 CAL-ABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year, whose landmark civil rights cases in Los Angeles have shaped national conversations about policing, accountability, and justice. Sweeney has tried some of the most emotionally...
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Kevin Frazier on AI and the Future of Trial Advocacy
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jill Webb talks with Kevin Frazier, the AI Innovation and Law Fellow at the University of Texas School of Law and a leading voice on how technology is changing the legal profession. Frazier teaches AI courses, leads Texas Law’s AI Innovation and Law Program,...
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Barbara A. Kronlund on Gratitude, Service, and Defending Judicial Independence
In this special Thanksgiving episode of ABOTA Speaks, ABOTA National President Jennifer Doan sits down with Judge Barbara A. Kronlund, the 2025 ABOTA Champion of Justice Award winner. After serving for more than 30 years as a commissioner and judge on the Superior Court of California in…
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Jonathan Shapiro on Storytelling in the Courtroom and Hollywood
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jake Courtney talks with Jonathan Shapiro, a former federal prosecutor turned Emmy and Peabody Award-winning television writer and producer. Known for his work on shows like The Practice, Boston Legal, and Goliath, Shapiro shares how his decade as a trial...
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Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison on the Rule of Law and Judicial Independence
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jill Webb sits down with the Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison, former U.S. Senator and U.S. Ambassador to NATO, for a conversation about democracy, judicial independence, and the Rule of Law. Drawing on her extensive experience helping former Soviet republics...
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The Shadow Docket – Understanding the Supreme Court's Stealth Rulings
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jake Courtney sits down with Stephen Vladeck, CNN Supreme Court analyst, Georgetown law professor, and New York Times bestselling author of The Shadow Docket. They explore one of the most consequential yet underreported developments in American law: the…
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Streaming Justice – When Courtrooms Go Live
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks host Jill Webb explores how livestreaming is transforming the American courtroom. She's joined by David Siegel, National Editor at Courtroom View Network, and attorneys Kyle Farrar and Mark Bankston, who represented the Sandy Hook families in the highly publicized,...
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ABOTA Speaks with Dave Dravecky: The Worth of a Man
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, recorded at the 2025 National ABOTA Summer Conference in Banff, Canada, host Jake Courtney sits down with former MLB All-Star pitcher Dave Dravecky for an unforgettable conversation about resilience, identity, and finding purpose after loss. After pitching in the...
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Civility in America: A Conversation with Paul Begala and Karl Rove
In this special episode of ABOTA Speaks, two of America’s most influential political minds come together for a candid and compelling conversation. Paul Begala, a renowned political consultant and commentator who helped shape the presidency of Bill Clinton, joins Karl Rove, former Deputy Chief of...
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ABOTA in Argentina: The Buenos Aires Experience
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, host Jennifer Doan, National President of the American Board of Trial Advocates, sits down with Matt Green, Luis Cardenas, and Judge Edward C. Prado, former U.S. Ambassador to Argentina, to explore "ABOTA in Argentina: The Buenos Aires Experience." Together, they...
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A Conversation with Vince Young
In this episode of ABOTA Speaks, Keith More, an ABOTA member from the Orange County Chapter, sits down with his longtime friend Vince Young—former NFL and University of Texas quarterback. Together, they discuss lessons on perseverance, dedication, and the hard work it takes to succeed both on and...
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Austin Bound – A Conversation with ABOTA National President Jennifer H. Doan
Host Jill M. Webb of the Illinois Chapter sits down with ABOTA National President Jennifer H. Doan for a special preview of the upcoming ABOTA National Conference in Austin, Texas. Together, they discuss what members can look forward to at this year’s gathering—from dynamic programming and...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
ABOTA Speaks is the official podcast of the American Board of Trial Advocates, where history, law, and storytelling meet. Each week, ABOTA members sit down with world-renowned historians, legal experts, and accomplished trial lawyers and judges for insightful conversations about justice, the rule of law, and the art of advocacy. New episodes release every Wednesday.
HOSTED BY
American Board of Trial Advocates
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does ABOTA Speaks have?
ABOTA Speaks currently has 34 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is ABOTA Speaks about?
ABOTA Speaks is the official podcast of the American Board of Trial Advocates, where history, law, and storytelling meet. Each week, ABOTA members sit down with world-renowned historians, legal experts, and accomplished trial lawyers and judges for insightful conversations about justice, the rule...
How often does ABOTA Speaks release new episodes?
ABOTA Speaks has 34 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to ABOTA Speaks?
You can listen to ABOTA Speaks on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts ABOTA Speaks?
ABOTA Speaks is created and hosted by American Board of Trial Advocates.
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