State Bar of Texas Podcast

Historical events have shaped culture and the law, and learning about them can make you a stronger and much more aware attorney. From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to Doug Brinkley and Talmage Boston about what made 1968 a tumultuous year in American history and what lawyers can learn from this time period. They discuss the Vietnam war, the murders of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, and the unexpectedly uniting aspects of the space race.

We may be biased but podcasts are a great tool for lawyers whether you’re looking for tips or need a little encouragement. From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to John Strohmeyer and Teresa Waldrop about the benefits of podcasts and how you can effectively use them to improve your practice. They discuss some of the tips and tricks they’ve learned in their own listening and how they’ve found time to listen as busy lawyers.

Before technology is accepted and used within the legal industry, it faces periods of doubt and skepticism from nervous lawyers. From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to Jason Smith about the different phases of a typical innovation cycle that new technology faces when it emerges into the legal industry. They also share why lawyers should aim to understand and embrace technology like artificial intelligence rather than fear it.

Technology has become so deeply embedded in our lives that we don’t even notice how much we rely on our phones, tablets, and computers, but how could technology like artificial intelligence (AI) affect the current job market? From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to Ron Chichester How computers have become an integral part of our lives and what this means for the law of computers. They also discuss how lawyers should handle the quick advancement of AI and automation.

Lawyers know in general what paralegals are, but are you utilizing the full potential of your paralegal? From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to Tiffany Haas and Johanna Schroeder about how paralegals can be invaluable to attorneys. They discuss how you can find the right paralegal for you, what paralegals are looking for in attorneys, and how you can retain good paralegals in your practice.

For those who think textbooks are too expensive or don't fit the course material well enough, the solution may be to create your own textbook. From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to Matt Crockett about his experience writing his own textbook and how it has helped both him and his students. For lawyers who aren't professors, he also discusses how explaining his process and collecting textbooks in an easy-to-read format also helped him more effectively communicate with clients.

Social media is a great tool for lawyers but it also comes with its own set of cautionary tales. From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to John Browning about the pitfalls of using social media and how lawyers can avoid them. They share social media horror stories and discuss what is actually safe for lawyers to post.

While it’s important for lawyers to be professional, it’s also important to have a sense of humor. From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to lawyer and bon vivant Pamela Buchmeyer about the role of humor in the legal profession. They discuss her late father, Jerry Buchmeyer, and his column that has turned into her column featuring funny stories sent to her by lawyers.

If you want your LinkedIn profile to work for you, you can’t just upload your resume and hope for the best. A solid LinkedIn profile takes work. From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to Donna Serdula about how she became the LinkedIn queen and how attorneys can use the platform to build their brand. Tune in for tips that will help you strengthen your LinkedIn profile.

Atticus Finch, the character from “To Kill A Mockingbird,” has influenced and inspired lawyers since the novel’s release in 1960. From the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, host Rocky Dhir talks to Joseph Crespino about his book, “Atticus Finch: The Biography,” and the time period that inspired it. They discuss Harper Lee’s background, her other novel “Go Set a Watchman,” and the complexity of looking back on a history we think is black and white.

Bryan Garner is a lawyer, a lexicographer, and an award-winning author of more than 20 books. He was also close friends with Justice Antonin Scalia, with whom he wrote two books: Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges and Reading Law: The Interpretation of Legal Texts. Rocky Dhir interviews Garner about his path to becoming a lawyer and his infatuation with the minutia of legal writing. Garner also dives deep into stories of his close friendship with Justice Scalia and their collaboration.

Have you or someone you know been suffering from depression or addiction? Rocky Dhir is joined by Bree Buchanan and Brian Cuban to talk about addressing addiction and depression, how to recognize warning signs, and how to reach out to those in need of your support. Brian also discusses dealing with Body Dysmorphic Disorder and how we can encourage lawyers, law students, and judges to pick up the phone and ask for help. For the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program, call 1-800-343-8527 or go to tlaphelps.org.

After spending nearly two decades in prison—12 of those years on death row—for multiple homicides he didn’t commit, Anthony Graves was finally exonerated and released in 2010. Rocky Dhir talks to Graves about the details of the crime, his experience in the courtroom, and what should have been done differently, including properly informing the jury about their role and the case background. Does Graves think his case initiated positive change in the criminal justice system?

Welcome to this newly relaunched show, in which we traverse the law, legal trends and analysis, current events, and stories, and accounts that affect all of us, lawyers and non-lawyers alike. Host Rocky Dhir, attorney and CEO of Dallas-based Atlas Legal Research, will talk to thought leaders and innovators about their insight and knowledge on what matters to practitioners. Tune in to learn more about this explorative and engaging new legal podcast.

2017 Pro Bono Coordinators Retreat Episode 1: Erin Russell