In Season 3, Podcast #21 of Trial Alchemy™, I interviewed ABOTA member and outstanding plaintiff attorney Craig M. Peters, Esq.  

Click on the video above to hear Craig discuss how, in his experience, attorney credibility is more important in persuading a jury than trial themes. 

Click here to listen to complete podcast.
To listen to the podcast on Spotify, click here.
To listen to the podcast on Apple, click here.
To watch and listen to the podcast on YouTube, click here.

Civil Trial Services

Monty handles a few select civil cases where he represent plaintiffs or defendants in business, insurance bad faith, personal injury, real property and wrongful death actions. Using his experience as a California civil trial lawyer since 1980, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates since 1995, Monty's goal is to get each client the best possible result. Clients get the benefit of big firm experience with small firm attention and reasonable rates. To discuss a potential case, emai...

In the newest episode of Trial Alchemy™, I interview ABOTA member and outstanding plaintiff trial lawyer Craig M. Peters, Esq. about what works, and what doesn't work in civil jury trials. Listen today to learn from a civil jury trial expert!   
 

Click here to listen to complete podcast.
To listen to this episode and earlier episodes on Spotify, click here.
To listen to this episode and earlier episodes on Apple Podcasts, click here.
To watch and listen to this episode and earlier episodes on YouTube, click here. 

Civil Trial Services

I handle a few select civil cases where I represent plaintiffs or defendants in business, insurance bad faith, personal injury, real property and wrongful death actions. Using my experience as a California civil trial lawyer since 1980, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates since 1995, my goal is to get each client the best possible result. My clients get the benefit of big firm experience with small firm attention and reasonable rate...

n Season 3, Podcast #20 of Trial Alchemy™, I interviewed ABOTA member and outstanding defense attorney Walter M. Yoka, Esq.  

Click on the video above to hear Wally discuss how defense lawyers can cross-examine the plaintiff's expert in the defense opening statement. The defense opening is the only time in a trial that the defense gets the last word.

Click here to listen to complete podcast.
To listen to the podcast on Spotify, click here.
To listen to the podcast on Apple, click here.
To watch and listen to the podcast on YouTube, click here.

Civil Trial Services

I handle a few select civil cases where I represent plaintiffs or defendants in business, insurance bad faith, personal injury, real property and wrongful death actions. Using my experience as a California civil trial lawyer since 1980, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates since 1995, my goal is to get each client the best possible result. My clients get the benefit of big firm experience with small firm atten...

New CA Meal Break Case

Is a written prospective waiver of a meal break effective for shifts between five and six hours?

Last month, the California Court of Appeal decided this issue of first impression. Below is my one-paragraph summary of this new decision:

Bradsbery v. Vicar Operating, Inc. (2025) __ Cal.App.5th __, 2025 WL 1155812: The Court of Appeal ruled on an issue of first impression regarding meal breaks. Can an effective mutual waiver by an employer and employee of the 30-minute meal period after five hours of work, occur prospectively and in writing pursuant to Labor Code Section 512, which provides that for shifts between five and six hours the first meal period may be waived by mutual consent of both the employer and employee? The Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s order granting defendant’s motion for summary judgment in plaintiffs’ wage and hour action alleging that defendant failed to provide employees with the meal periods required by section 512 and IWC Wage ...

In the newest episode of Trial Alchemy™, I interview ABOTA member and outstanding defense trial lawyer Walter M. Yoka, Esq. about what works, and what doesn't work in civil jury trials. Listen today to learn from a civil jury trial expert!   
 

Click here to listen to complete podcast.
To listen to or watch this episode and earlier episodes on Spotify, click here.
To listen to this episode and earlier episodes on Apple Podcasts, click here.
To watch and listen to this episode and earlier episodes on YouTube, click here. 

Civil Trial Services

I handle a few select civil cases where I represent plaintiffs or defendants in business, insurance bad faith, personal injury, real property and wrongful death actions. Using my experience as a California civil trial lawyer since 1980, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates since 1995, my goal is to get each client the best possible result. My clients get the benefit of big firm experience with small firm attention and reasonable r...

In Season 3, Podcast #19 of Trial Alchemy™, I interviewed ABOTA member and outstanding plaintiff attorney David J. Munoz, Esq.  

Click on the video above to hear David discuss how younger attorneys can get civil jury trial experience today. 

Click here to listen to complete podcast.
To listen to the podcast on Spotify, click here.
To listen to the podcast on Apple, click here.
To watch and listen to the podcast on YouTube, click here.

Civil Trial Services

I handle a few select civil cases where I represent plaintiffs or defendants in business, insurance bad faith, personal injury, real property and wrongful death actions. Using my experience as a California civil trial lawyer since 1980, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates since 1995, my goal is to get each client the best possible result. My clients get the benefit of big firm experience with small firm attention and reasonable rates. To discuss a potential case, email me at [email protected], or call me at (...

New CA Torts Case

Is an injured school district volunteer limited to workers’ compensation damages?

Last month, the California Court of Appeal addressed this issue. Below is my one-paragraph summary of this new decision:

Kuo v. Dublin Unified School Dist. (2025) _ Cal.App.5th _, 2025 WL 783206: The Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s order granting defendant’s motion for summary judgment in plaintiffs’ action alleging the wrongful death of decedent Catherine Kuo after she was crushed between two vehicles while volunteering for a middle school program called the “Farmers to Families Food Box Program.” The trial court properly granted the motion for summary judgment. The Court of Appeal concluded that fatal injuries unambiguously fell into the category of “any injury” according to the plain meaning of Labor Code section 3364.5. Moreover, decedent was deemed an employee entitled to workers’ compensation benefits because defendant adopted a resolution stating, “in accordance with S...

In the newest episode of Trial Alchemy™, I interview ABOTA member and outstanding plaintiff trial lawyer David J. Munoz, Esq. about what works, and what doesn't work in civil jury trials. Listen today to learn from a civil jury trial expert!   
 

Click here to listen to complete podcast.
To listen to or watch this episode and earlier episodes on Spotify, click here.
To listen to this episode and earlier episodes on Apple Podcasts, click here.
To watch and listen to this episode and earlier episodes on YouTube, click here. 

Civil Trial Services

I handle a few select civil cases where I represent plaintiffs or defendants in business, insurance bad faith, personal injury, real property and wrongful death actions. Using my experience as a California civil trial lawyer since 1980, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates since 1995, my goal is to get each client the best possible result. My clients get the benefit of big firm experience with small firm attention and reasona...

When I interviewed 2023 ABOTA National President and outstanding defense attorney Steven W. Quattlebaum, Esq., he shared his advice for how to become an excellent trial lawyer. 

Click on the video above to hear Steve's advice.   

Click here to listen to complete podcast.
To listen to the podcast on Spotify, click here.
To listen to the podcast on Apple, click here.
To watch and listen to the podcast on YouTube, click here.

Civil Trial Services

I handle a few select civil cases where I represent plaintiffs or defendants in business, insurance bad faith, personal injury, real property and wrongful death actions. Using my experience as a California civil trial lawyer since 1980, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates since 1995, my goal is to get each client the best possible result. My clients get the benefit of big firm experience with small firm attention and reasonable rates. To discuss a potential case, email me at [email protected], or call me at (619) 990-431...

New CA Arbitration Case

Which Party Had the Obligation to Start the Arbitration Proceeding?  

Last month, the California Court of Appeal addressed this issue. Below is my one-paragraph summary of this new decision:

Arzate v. ACE American Insurance Company (2025) _ Cal.App.5th _, 2025 WL 309326: The Court of Appeal reversed the trial court’s order that reversed its earlier order granting defendant’s motion to compel and lifted the stay of litigation after neither of the parties took any action to initiate arbitration. The underlying action was a wage and hour action by employees against defendant employer. The arbitration agreements at issue required any person having employment related legal claims to submit them to arbitration. They also required the party who wanted to start the arbitration procedure to begin the process by filing a demand for arbitration. The trial court concluded that the defendant had the  obligation to commence arbitration, which is why it lifted the litigation ...