Erica Blume Slater

Erica Blume Slater

Host of Heels in the Courtroom

As a compassionate and dedicated personal injury, medical negligence, and product liability lawyer, Erica Blume Slater provides legal representation to clients throughout the United States from our office in St. Louis. She advocates for those who have been injured or lost a loved one due to dangerous products, medical malpractice, and vehicle accidents.

Host of
Recent Episodes
March 29, 2023

EP707 – Why Do We Have to Carry the Emotional Baggage?!

We recently attended the inspiring Women In The Law symposium sponsored by the Federal Bar Association for the Southern District of Illinois, and several panelists discussed an ongoing issue….why are women still...

March 22, 2023

SPECIAL EPISODE – Trial Tested: The View from the Bench with Justice Marie Deschamps

Inspiring women are at work around the globe and we can learn a lot from their experience. Amy Gunn had the opportunity to speak with former Canadian Supreme Court Justice Marie Deschamps...

March 8, 2023

EP706 – Focus Groups Part Two

You clearly gave your focus group jurors all the facts in your case. Most understood your message, but a few folks went completely off the deep end and jumped to a conclusion...

March 1, 2023

EP705 – Focus Groups Part One

Wouldn’t you love to know what jurors are thinking about your case? Focus groups provide valuable insights into case strategy and potential damages issues. They can also reveal issues you never considered...

February 22, 2023

EP704 – See You in Small Claims Court

Say you go on vacation and your condo reservation gets canceled just before you arrive, but you are promised a full refund. But after a gazillion texts, emails, and phone calls, you...

February 15, 2023

EP703 – Bankruptcy and the Texas Two-Step

The Texas Two-Step isn’t just a country music line dance. It’s a controversial legal maneuver a company can use to avoid exposure to potential legal claims, and it could derail your case....

February 8, 2023

EP702 – What Makes A Good Mediator?

Mediators are supposed to be unbiased but that’s not always the case. What should you do if your mediator appears to be favoring the other side or acts inappropriately? We’ve got some...

February 1, 2023

EP701 – Quiet Masculinity?!

We just heard that if you want to rise to the top, you need to exhibit “quiet masculinity”. What the hell is that? Is it a weird way of saying “don’t be...

January 25, 2023

EP620 – Lawyer Misconceptions

Filed any frivolous lawsuits lately? Of course you haven’t, but sadly, many people think lawyers are just greedy manipulators who lie for a living. Not only does that hurt us personally, but...

January 18, 2023

EP619 – Settlement Releases and Agreements

After years of litigation, the check is literally sitting on your desk.  All you have to do is sign that boilerplate settlement agreement and you’re done, right? Wrong. Pour a cup of...

January 11, 2023

EP618 – New Year’s Resolutions

We’re not talking about eating more veggies or actually using that old gym membership. Our thoughts about New Year’s resolutions for 2023 involve personal challenges to build and defend our boundaries, be...

December 21, 2022

EP617 – 2022 Highs and Lows

We’ve got a great topic to chat about at your next holiday gathering with girlfriends. What were your highs and lows of the year, personally and professionally? Did you overcome an obstacle?...

December 14, 2022

EP616 – Humility

Zig Ziglar once said, “Humility will open more doors than arrogance ever will.” Humility is an essential quality for authentic leaders legal.

December 7, 2022

EP615 – Happy Holidaze!

Office parties. Co-worker gifts. Corporate giving. Hosting events. When do you possibly find time for making holiday feasts, visiting family, and preparing for that upcoming trial? The holidays can be a blur...

November 30, 2022

EP614 – “If the Heels Fit, Wear Them Well: Loving Your Career at Every Stage” Part Three

Female attorneys are still being asked to get the coffee. Will that ever change, and what can we do to make it change? Ladies, we need to find camaraderie and courage to...

November 23, 2022

EP613 – “If the Heels Fit, Wear Them Well: Loving Your Career at Every Stage” Part Two

Even though you are a successful female attorney, do you ever feel like this career is not for you? You’re not alone. Women attorneys are twice as likely to make an early...

November 16, 2022

EP612 – “If the Heels Fit, Wear Them Well: Loving Your Career at Every Stage” Part One

Decades of research tells us why women leave their legal careers; it’s the same story on repeat. So what is the difference between women who love their legal careers and those struggling...

November 9, 2022

EP611 – Compassion Fatigue

Yes, you are a counselor, but does that mean you have to be a therapist too?  Our clients may expect more compassion from us because we are women, but how do we...

November 2, 2022

EP610 – The Waves of Litigation; How to Steady the Boat

You’ve been trial prepping day and night for weeks, totally focused, running on adrenaline and honestly, kinda loving the rush.  Suddenly, the case settles and you’re adrift.  When the waves of litigation...

October 26, 2022

EP609 – Be A Goldfish: Moving On

Trial attorneys win and lose every day, and that roller coaster can be intellectually and emotionally exhausting. Learn how to become more resilient by processing quickly, letting go, and giving yourself permission...

October 19, 2022

EP608 – Corporate Rep Roadblocks

You filed your notice. You defined the topics. And after countless emails and months of waiting, the corporate rep is finally in the chair ready to answer your questions. But wait…..they canceled...

October 12, 2022

EP607 – Preparing Experts for Deposition

Your expert’s role is to teach the facts and science of your case to the jury. To be their most effective, you need to help them help you. Today’s discussion covers whether...

October 5, 2022

EP606 – Our Favorite Legal Movies

“Don’t stomp your little last season Prada shoes at me, honey.” Can you name that movie? It’s one of the top three legal movies on our list, and if you can’t name...

September 28, 2022

EP605 – Self-Awareness

Self-awareness in the courtroom can make a real difference. Should you intervene or just sit back and let the awkwardness linger when someone misses cues from the judge or jury? Can you...

September 21, 2022

EP211 Encore – The Power of Sanctions

Respected attorneys play by the rules. But when opposing counsel won’t produce evidence or plays dirty….sanctions are the last resort. In this encore episode,  Amy, Liz, Erica, Mary, and Elizabeth share true-life...

September 14, 2022

EP604 – What Makes You Proud?

When was the last time you stopped and recognized what’s good about you?  Today, we put the deadlines on pause and reflect upon our biggest life successes.  There’s plenty of emotion and...

September 7, 2022

EP603 – What Do You Hate Doing?

Be honest. There’s plenty of stuff you hate doing. We probably hate the same stuff you do. Today’s roundtable offers every Heels in the Courtroom attorney the chance to share what she...

August 31, 2022

EP602 – Impeaching Experts with Prior Testimony

You did your homework and discovered the opposing counsel’s expert contradicted himself in previous depositions. Once you get your excitement in check, you need to make a strategic decision; Do you drop...

August 24, 2022

EP601 – What Have We Learned?

Congrats! The female trial attorneys at Heels in the Courtroom have recorded 100 episodes of wit and wisdom, and we hope you’ve learned something that helps you in your life and career. But...

August 17, 2022

EP520 – Re-Lighting the Fire After Burnout

Back-to-back trials and trial prep take their toll on your time. How can you make room for the rest of your life? Take a moment to focus on knowing what you need...

August 10, 2022

EP519 – Trial Story from Rural Missouri

It’s an auto accident case in a small town where everybody knows everybody and the injured wife is suing another driver and her husband. How do you approach voir dire and take...

August 3, 2022

EP518 – Learning From Losing Part Two

This hard-fought birth injury case didn’t turn out as we hoped, but we learned a few valuable lessons and you can too. Tune in to hear the trial story and how asking...

July 27, 2022

EP517 – Learning From Losing Part One

To continue to grow and develop as lawyers, we must learn from our losses. When the trial attorneys from Heels in the Courtroom experience a loss, they take a deep breath and...

July 20, 2022

EP103 Encore – Professional Building Blocks: Rapport

Tips to Help Lawyers Build Rapport with New Clients. Managing the client relationship is a core issue and challenge facing all lawyers and law firms. How can you establish immediate rapport with...

July 13, 2022

EP110 Encore – Thread the Needle: Aggressive v Assertive

Women attorneys walk a fine line between being perceived as being powerful and assertive or aggressive and not-very-nice. Knowing when to channel each is a delicate balance that can enhance or adversely...

July 6, 2022

EP203 Encore – “We Need to Talk.” Directing Difficult Discussions

Have you ever avoided talking to a co-worker who is not performing up to expectations, or put off telling a client you can’t take their case just because you don’t want to...

June 29, 2022

EP516 – Communication Goalsetting

7 Tips for More Effective Communication

June 22, 2022

EP515 – Working While On Vacation

You’re out of the office, but the clients and the cases never stop. Do you send an email at the Washington Monument, or wait until you get home? What will happen if...

June 15, 2022

EP514 – Investing Time With Your Client

How can you successfully advocate for your client if you haven’t walked a mile in their shoes? Going beyond a five-minute intake phone call will help you better understand your client’s needs,...

June 8, 2022

EP513 – Interpersonal Conflict?!!

Women often back down from conflict. It’s in our nature, but is it in our best interest? Today’s episode offers insight on when to stand down and when to stand your ground...

June 1, 2022

EP512 – Handling Media Requests

A reporter requests information on your case. Do you have an ethical responsibility to respond to their inquiry? Are there benefits to be gained from pre- or post-trial publicity? Or is “no...

May 25, 2022

EP511 – Trial Preparation

File the motions. Schedule the depos. Read the records. Prep the exhibits. When should you write your open, directs, crosses, and close? Who is getting the hotel for the expert? And why...

May 18, 2022

EP510 – Can You Please Stop Comparing?

Her house is bigger. He did an expert depo and you haven’t. She’s got four trials in the next two months and you only have one. Does it really matter? Will attaining that...

May 11, 2022

EP509 – Jurisdiction and Venue

Location, Location, Location: The Importance of Venue Selection.

May 4, 2022

EP202 Encore – Mediation: Don’t Settle In Your Settlement

Pro Tips on preparing your Client and your Case for Mediation

April 27, 2022

EP508 – Appeals Part Two, Oral Arguments

There are three key concepts to keep in mind during oral arguments. Do you know what they are? Should you hope for a hot bench or a cold bench? And what do...

April 20, 2022

EP507 – Appeals Part One, Rules Rule

Preserving the Record for Appeal: A Trial Lawyer's Checklist

April 13, 2022

EP506 – Don’t Take It Personally

“It’s business, don’t take it personally.” How many times have you heard that? And how do you react? Is there a middle ground that allows tough skin and a tender heart? Today’s...

April 6, 2022

EP505 – Daubert Motions

Opposing counsel’s expert’s report raises doubts in your mind about scientific methodology or adherence to industry-standard practices….do you file a Daubert motion to seek to exclude the presentation of that expert’s testimony...

March 30, 2022

EP504 – Listen Up! Being a Good Listener

As a lawyer, you may think you are a good listener. But could you listen more effectively, and in turn, be heard more clearly? With tips from the Heels in the Courtroom...