Attorney Michelle Cross is the founder of Atlanta’s Law Firm. While she hasn’t been practicing law very long, Michelle has already established herself in Atlanta, Georgia as an excellent criminal defense lawyer. In fact, she was named to Atlanta’s Jezebel magazine (published by Modern Luxury) 40 under 40 this past year, in addition to a cover featu…

Attorney Erik Clark is a highly respected consumer bankruptcy attorney based in California. He, and his longtime law partner, Barry Borowitz, run the law firm of Borowitz and Clark. I have known Erik and Barry for probably 20 years or so, as both are nationwide leaders in this practice area. It was good to catch up with Erik on this episode of the …

I first learned about attorney Bruce Wolf through WLUP, the preeminent Chicago radio station back in the day. WLUP was very important to a lot of us growing up in the Chicago area when we did and there is a great new book out about this radio station. Here is the link to “The Loop Files” by long time WLUP employee Rick Kaempfer. Rick’s book discuss…

Attorney Martin Conway, founder of Conway Legal, is a highly respected consumer bankruptcy lawyer who practices law throughout Virgina. I first got to know Martin as a colleague with the American Consumer Bankruptcy College (ACBC). Since Martin is in Virginia, he has many clients who have security clearances. Invariably, when people with clearances…

If you are a lawyer who practices in the area of immigration law, then you undoubtedly know the name of attorney Kevin A. Gregg. Kevin is a partner with the law firm of Kurzban, Kurzban Tetzeli & Pratt and he practices immigration law nationwide. Additionally, he is the host of the Immigration Review Podcast which is a “must listen” if you practice…

There are two Mark Zuckerberg’s in the country and this podcast features the one who is a bankruptcy lawyer practicing in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can imagine how often the name confusion comes up for Mark over the last several years! Mark is the de facto “Dean” of the American Consumer Bankruptcy College (ACBC), which is how I got to know him. M…

I have known Scott Lawrence since 1996. I can pretty much guess the exact date since he and his family moved into the same neighborhood at the same time that my family did and we all became immediate fast friends. In fact, our builder told us that Scott, Mary Carol, Jackson and Mary Kathryn were moving in at about the same time as us and predicted …

Attorney Sam Givhan is very well known in Huntsville and, really, throughout the state of Alabama. A highly respected attorney, Sam is currently a law partner at Lanier Ford which is based in Huntsville. By the way, you can listen to my podcasts with other Lanier Ford partners Andy Sieja, Laura Harper, and former law partner and now full time autho…

This 150th episode of the Next Lawyer Up podcast is quite personal to me. As I readily tell people, I was an 18-year-old first generation (and somewhat aimless!) college student who ventured from Chicago to the University of Arizona. There, very quickly, I fell in with Sigma Chi fraternity and pledged immediately. Philip "Flip" May was our pledge c…

Colonel (R) Greg Gunter is a 30-year Army veteran and we were both commissioned as U.S. Army Second Lieutenants on the same day in May 1984 from the University of Arizona. My Sigma Chi fraternity brothers liked Greg so much that we offered him a bid late in his college career. Greg went through pledgeship in the spring of his junior year so that we…

Luke Homen is a bankruptcy attorney and Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee who practices throughout the state of Oklahoma. He runs the law firm of Convenient Bankruptcy. Luke is a colleague of mine with the American Consumer Bankruptcy College. As you’ll hear, originally from California, Luke made his way to Cleveland, Ohio and, finally, he ended up in O…

William Messervy is a highly respected personal injury attorney with the Huntsville firm of Timberlake, League and Brooks. You can also listen to previous podcast episodes with Michael Timberlake here and Will League here. In addition, this law firm sponsors the popular LawCall show on WAAY/ABC 31 on Sunday nights at 10:30pm. As you’ll hear, Willia…

Michael Harrison is one of the preeminent creditor’s attorneys in the state of Alabama. I know Michael’s skill level from first-hand knowledge, since he initially worked with Bond and Botes here in Huntsville many years ago, right after he graduated from law school. He subsequently moved back to Birmingham and has been with his law firm, Key, Greer…

Attorney Andrew Walker is a colleague of mine in the American Consumer Bankruptcy College. Andrew is an expert in bankruptcy law and he manages Walker and Walker, a law firm based in Minnesota that was started by his father, Curt Walker, decades ago. Born and raised in Minnesota, Andrew made a couple of pit stops along the way to full time law prac…

I have known Morgan Stangle for probably 25 years or so. He is a close friend and a great guy! I have always observed that people like being around Morgan. As he mentions on the podcast, he is a “glass half full” kind of guy, and he has an easy-going nature. Morgan is the one person that I know where his work life always interfered with his various…

Attorney Will Pylant is the owner and founder of Pylant Estate Law located in Huntsville, Alabama. Will is a well-known Huntsville native who attended Huntsville City Schools. He then went on to excel at the University of Alabama and Cumberland School of Law. Will subsequently returned back to Huntsville to begin his law practice. For long term est…

I was very happy to catch up with my Marine Corps’ Officer Candidate School bunk mate on this episode of the podcast. Pete is a great guy and he, along with Brian Sullivan, helped me get through OCS. The three of us remain close friends to this day. After receiving his Marine Corps’ commission, Pete served as a Marine Corps officer for many years b…

Paul “Hypo” DiGioia is the kind of guy whom everyone considers a great friend. He has an engaging and up-tempo personality that immediately attracts a crowd. I have been fortunate enough to know Hypo since about the 6th grade. I couldn’t have been happier to see him show up for this podcast wearing “The Loop” t-shirt. WLUP was important to a lot of…

Brian and I met under very unique and stressful circumstances when we were 20 years old at the US Marine Corps’ Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. This article in the Washington Post made me question my decision to attend OCS. I then ended up watching this movie, Baby Blue Marine, with Jan Michael Vincent, the night before leaving for …

I have known attorney Eron Epstein as a colleague with the American Consumer Bankruptcy College for the past couple of years. Eron, as you’ll hear, has an easygoing and affable personality that makes him very relatable to his clients. On top of that, Eron has been practicing consumer bankruptcy law for many years in Chattanooga, Tennessee. That are…

Sparks Ford is a great guy with a great wife and kids! This is exactly who you want at a party and he holds a room naturally. He has been in sales for his entire career and that is exactly where he needs to be! I have been fortunate enough to have known Sparks for twenty years or so and I am always happy to see him and talk to him. I hope you enjoy…

I have known attorney Todd Farmer as a colleague with the American Consumer Bankruptcy College for the past couple of years. Todd, along with his law partner, Sam Wright, are the co-founders of Farmer and Wright. They have offices throughout Kentucky, hence the phrase “the Kentucky boys!” Both Todd and Sam strike me as very bright, personable, driv…

I always say that I don't know anyone in Huntsville that doesn't know Jim Kaplan and his family. I've known Jim for probably 20 years and he is one of the most extroverted and warm individuals I have ever run across! He and his wife Jennifer have raised a great family and I am fortunate to have them in my world. I hope you enjoy this inaugural podc…

Attorney Eric Artrip is a partner with the law firm of Mastando and Artrip. This firm is highly respected, and you can listen to a podcast I did previously with one of Eric’s law partners, Teri Mastando, here. As you'll hear me say on this podcast, for the past several years, whenever there is notable news of any type in North Alabama that entails …

The Honorable Chris Comer has been on the bench for about the past decade or so, serving as a Circuit Court Judge in Madison County, Alabama. Judge Comer is a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law. After graduating, he served as a judicial clerk for Judge Buddy Little. He then worked for several years as an assistant district attorney…

I know attorney Robert Geller as a fellow member of the American Consumer Bankruptcy College. As you’ll hear, Robert is personable, thoughtful, engaging and intelligent. His main office is located in Tampa, Florida and he practices in the areas of consumer bankruptcy, personal injury, family law and immigration. South Floridians are fortunate to ha…

If there was a NBA Best Players list or a New York Yankees Murderers Row for lawyers, attorney Roy Black would unquestionably be on it. He has been an integral part of American jurisprudence over the last 50 years. His accolades are too numerous to list separately but you can find them here. He even has his own Wikipedia page so that pretty much su…

Attorney Laura Harper is the President of Lanier Ford, a large and well-respected law firm located in Huntsville, Alabama. I have previously done podcasts with Lanier Ford partner, Andy Sieja and former Lanier Ford partner, Bob Bailey. Laura practices in the areas of corporate law and estate planning. Laura left her native Huntsville to attend law …

Brendan Prince is an attorney here in Huntsville, Alabama. He is well-known as a “local product,” first for his athletic achievements (Alabama High School State Wresting Champion and Alabama State Swimming Champion) and, now, for his legal work in government contracting and procurement, in addition to all the work he does for non-profit organizatio…

I did not realize that attorney Jeff McKinney was part of the University of North Alabama crew that made their way to law school, including Brad Botes and Stuart Maples, until we talked on this podcast. I am sure there are several others in that group that I am probably missing. Jeff practices with his long-time law partner, Clint Butler, with the …

This podcast features attorney Jonathan Lusk. Jonathan is a highly respected attorney with offices in both Huntsville and Guntersville, Alabama. As you’ll hear on this episode of the podcast, Jonathan’s firm goes back to 1895 when it was started by his great-grandfather, John Lusk. The law practice was then continued by his grandfather, Marion Lusk…

As you’ll hear on this episode of the podcast, attorney David Hodge has really benefitted from his humble roots working throughout his childhood into his college years on his father’s farm. Interestingly enough, his farm background has greatly benefited his clients with a number of plaintiff’s cases he has brought just because of what he knows and …

David Holt is a founding partner of Loftin Holt, a law firm he started with Bartley Loftin. You can hear Bartley’s episode of the Next Lawyer Up podcast here. David is a highly respected lawyer who gives back to many organizations in our community. He is past president of the Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program and the President-Elect of the H…

If you watch CNN at all, you have undoubtedly seen attorney Elie Honig, CNN Senior Legal Analyst, especially over the past several months. Elie always comes off very knowledgeable about any legal matter that he is asked about and he has an easy going and affable manner about him that allows him to help explain complicated and nuanced legal situatio…

I have known of attorney Mark Zaid by reputation for many years, given my own security clearance practice. I recently ran across Mark’s name again in the July/August 2023 issue of the Washington Lawyer Magazine which gets distributed to all DC bar members. The article was titled “Keeping Up with Pioneers in Evolving Practices” and it discussed Mark…

Robert Lockwood is a well-known and highly respected attorney in Alabama. He practiced with a large Huntsville law firm for over 25 years before deciding to go out on his own earlier this year. You can find Robert’s information at his two websites, LockwoodLawyers.com and EmployingAlabama.com As I mentioned to Robert on the podcast, I don't know wh…

Joe Milowic is the director of well-being and serves as of counsel for Quinn Emanuel. He has previously been selected as a New York Super Lawyer in Intellectual Property and he was also chosen as a Global Fellow by the Federal Circuit Bar Association in recognition of his commitment to leadership and cooperation in the global legal community. I fir…

This podcast features attorney Laura Terrell. Laura has a broad legal background to include attending the University of Virginia Law School, “big law” partnerships, and stints serving at the White House and Department of Justice. Interestingly, she has now turned her focus and work into serving as an executive coach. Oftentimes, lawyers, like all p…

Attorney Mac Martinson is a partner with the Huntsville law firm of Martinson and Beason. I say this a lot on this episode of the podcast and here I go again…Mac and his law firm are highly respected as lawyers and as people who give back to our community. This law firm was founded by Mac’s grandfather back in 1937 and has been in existence ever si…

As I say on the introduction of this podcast, I have never seen the arc of a career like this – from a longtime professional magician to law school to a successful law firm he founded and now a coach for lawyers and an author on how to start and grow a successful law firm. Those are quite a few accomplishments and transition packed into one career!…

After a long and distinguished career serving our country, DOD Administrative Judge Michael (Mike) Leonard recently retired. Mike served for the last twenty years as an Administrative Judge with the Department of Defense (DOD) Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) where he heard and decided hundreds of security clearance cases over his tenu…

Angie Robertson is a talented and highly respected consumer lawyer based out of Chicago, Illinois. Angie is a partner with the consumer law firm of Philipps and Philipps, Ltd. As an aside, Episode 4 of the Next Lawyer Up podcast features an interview with the founder of Philipps and Philipps, Ltd., attorney Dave Philipps. Angie is an exceptional le…

Attorney Michael Timberlake is a partner with the long-standing and highly regarded law firm of Timberlake and League. Michael is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell and he is also consistently selected for Best Lawyers. His law firm has very well-known and respected lawyers and they have been practicing personal injury law for many years. The law firm …

Attorney Kenny Cole is a founding partner with the highly regarded personal injury law firm of Conchin, Cole, Jordan and Sherrod. There are many talented people at his firm and, in fact, you can listen to previous Next Lawyer Up podcasts with Gary Conchin and Judge (Ret.) Lynn Sherrod. Kenny has an impressive pedigree, getting both his undergraduat…

Carl Cole is a highly respected lawyer throughout Alabama and his office is located in Decatur, Alabama. Carl and his firm handle a variety of cases and he is a well-regarded litigator in the state of Alabama. He has handled several high-profile cases over the course of his legal career. A graduate of Troy University, Carl went to the University of…

teve Heninger is a very well-known trial lawyer and he handles complex litigation cases throughout the country. Steve is a founding partner of Heninger, Garrison & Davis, LLC, with offices in Alabama, Georgia and New York. Steve is also one of the preeminent plaintiffs’ medical malpractice attorneys in Alabama along with his son and law partner, Er…

Bart Siniard is a bright, talented and compassionate lawyer who has already received many accolades in his young career to include selection as a Super Lawyer Rising Star, a National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40 and a Top 10 Nursing Home attorney for the State of Alabama. Bart now practices with his father, Tommy Siniard, with the Siniard Law Firm…

Ali Katz has had an interesting career path as a lawyer since she graduated first in her class at Georgetown Law. She started out working in “big law” in California after clerking for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals until she figured out a better way for her to practice law and still enjoy a good quality of life which, as any lawyer knows, is oft…

Attorney Morgan King has a specialized law practice in bankruptcy and tax law. Morgan is a prolific author and considered an expert in his field,. He produces a ton of content on both taxes and bankruptcy. He also speaks on these topics nationwide on a frequent basis. I have known of him by reputation for years and I was happy to get to know his st…

I don’t think I have met anyone more passionate about the work that they do than attorney Michael Forton. Michael is the statewide Director of Advocacy for Legal Services Alabama. He was named as Legal Services of Alabama Advocate of the Year in 2008. Prior to his work with Legal Services, Michael worked as a staff attorney for Florida Rural Legal …