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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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?...
Zig Ziglar once said, “Humility will open more doors than arrogance ever will.” Humility is an essential quality for authentic leaders legal.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
“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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Location, Location, Location: The Importance of Venue Selection.
Pro Tips on preparing your Client and your Case for Mediation
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...
Preserving the Record for Appeal: A Trial Lawyer's Checklist
“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...
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...
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...
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