S3 Eps 9 - Burned Into Memory: Inside the $100M CPS Energy Verdict
Release Date: 03/30/2025
S3 Eps 23: Sad Beige Lawsuit Explained w/ Trial Lawyer Thomas Frashier
The Dirty Verdict
Solo-hosting this week, Peter Taaffe welcomes trial lawyer Thomas Frashier of ACA Law to unpack a first-of-its-kind lawsuit between two Austin influencers—the viral “sad beige” copyright/trade dress case. Thomas explains how the Amazon Influencer/Associates ecosystem really works, why “stealing a vibe” isn’t the same as stealing IP, and how his team defended creator Alyssa Scheele to a decisive win. From pleading standards and the DMCA to likeness rights, PR strategy (yes, including a Beyoncé-quoting answer), and the three-month copyright registration rule, this is a masterclass...
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S3 Eps 22: College Football Kickoff w/ Drew Shirley
The Dirty Verdict
The Dirty Verdict is back after a long summer with a football-packed edition! Hosts Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden are joined by special guest Drew Shirley, who brings a unique journey from Duke basketball glory days to the world of law and sportscasting. From college rivalries and memorable interviews to his transition back into personal injury law, Drew shares stories that are equal parts entertaining and inspiring. Plus, the crew dives into college football kickoff week with predictions, banter, and plenty of laughs. Highlights from this episode: Kicking off the fall...
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S3 Eps 21: Inside the Ryan Smith Murder Trial: Insanity, Defense, and the Fight for Justice
The Dirty Verdict
In this gripping episode of The Dirty Verdict Podcast, hosts Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert take a deep dive into one of Houston’s most shocking criminal cases—the trial of Ryan Smith, accused and convicted of murdering his father. Joining the discussion are seasoned criminal defense attorneys Todd DuPont and Gianpaolo “GP” Macerola, who served as Smith’s defense team. Together, they unpack the twists and turns of the case—from Ryan’s sudden mental breakdown and bizarre behavior, to the role of Zoloft, conflicting psychiatric evaluations, and the legal battle over whether Smith...
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S3 Eps 20: Steeves Hopson- Big Verdicts, Bold Moves
The Dirty Verdict
In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, host Peter Taaffe sits down with attorney Steeves Hopson, founder of Hopson Injury Attorneys, to talk about his bold move from working at top firms to launching his own law practice. Steeves shares his path from growing up in a family full of lawyers, to prosecuting serious cases in Webb County, to landing multiple impressive verdicts just before and after starting his firm. They cover the realities of going solo—from financial preparation and building a personal brand, to grassroots marketing, mentorship, and standing out in a crowded personal injury...
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S3 Eps 19: Inside Texas’s Biggest Verdicts with Randy Sorrels
The Dirty Verdict
In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, hosts Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert sit down with one of Texas’s most successful trial lawyers, Randy Sorrels. With over four decades of experience, Randy shares the highs, lows, and lessons learned from building his firm, serving the Texas legal community, and securing some of the biggest verdicts in the state. From his early days at Fulbright to leading the Sorrels Law firm to national recognition, this episode dives deep into trial strategy, damages innovation, mentorship, and the importance of giving back to the profession. Episode...
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S3 Eps 18: Inside the Court of Criminal Appeals with Judge Bert Richardson
The Dirty Verdict
In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert sit down with Judge Bert Richardson of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals—Texas' highest criminal court—for a wide-ranging, insightful, and at times hilarious conversation. From the intricacies of writs and actual innocence rulings to statewide judicial campaigns and aerial photography, Judge Richardson shares a lifetime of experiences both inside and outside the courtroom. We explore the significance of wrongful convictions, the inner workings of Texas’ criminal appellate system, the impact of politicizing the...
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Tire Trials, Billion-Dollar Wins & Lemurs on the Loose — with Kyle Farrar
The Dirty Verdict
In this high-powered episode of The Dirty Verdict, the guys welcome legal heavyweight Kyle Farrar, two-time National Trial Lawyer of the Year and appellate ace, for an in-depth look at two of the most talked-about product liability verdicts in the country — including a $31 million Miami verdict and a nearly $1 billion seatbelt defect case against Mitsubishi. From starting a boutique plaintiff’s firm with a loan and a tire case they swore they’d never take, to building a national litigation powerhouse, Kyle recounts his journey in candid, hilarious, and jaw-dropping detail. And yes —...
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S3 Eps 16 - Justice of the Peace, Explained (with Judge Steve Duble)
The Dirty Verdict
In this eye-opening episode of The Dirty Verdict, the team welcomes a truly unique guest: Justice of the Peace Judge Steve Duble. With a no-nonsense yet empathetic approach, Judge Duble offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most misunderstood and impactful courts in Texas—JP Court. From eviction cases and consumer debt to animal seizures and mental health dockets, Judge Duble breaks down what really happens in JP court, why it matters, and how he's working to make it more just and accessible for everyone. Whether you're a litigator, a law student, or a curious citizen, this episode...
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S3 Eps 15: A Tale of Design and Dispute with Matt Mussalli
The Dirty Verdict
Join hosts Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert on The Dirty Verdict Podcast as they dive into a riveting Houston courtroom drama with special guest, attorney Matt Mussalli. In this episode, Matt unpacks a fascinating 2024 jury trial involving a homeowners’ dispute with designer Kevin Spearman, where a seemingly straightforward interior design project spiraled into a high-stakes legal battle. From a $374,000 project to a staggering $9.4 million damages claim, this case is a masterclass in courtroom strategy, emotional undercurrents, and the art of the defense. With co-host Bill Ogden absent due to...
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S3 Eps 14: 640M Verdict Crane Collapse Case Ryan Pigg
The Dirty Verdict
In this gripping episode of the Dirty Verdict Podcast, hosts Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert dive into a landmark legal case with returning guest Ryan Pigg of the Buzbee Law Firm. With co-host Bill absent, Peter and Kyle unpack the details of a massive verdict in a crane collapse case at Texas A&M San Antonio, where a tragic accident led to the death of David Loree. Ryan, who played a pivotal role in the trial, shares an insider’s perspective on the case, from legal strategy and courtroom dynamics to the emotional weight of securing justice for the Loree family. The episode covers the...
info_outlineIn this high-stakes, high-impact episode of The Dirty Verdict, Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden sit down with powerhouse Dallas trial lawyers Chris Simmons and Mike Lyons to talk about one of the most jaw-dropping jury verdicts in recent memory: a $109.5 million win against CPS Energy following a devastating natural gas explosion in San Antonio.
From digging through decades-old utility records to overcoming a defense strategy that tried to deny the undeniable, Chris and Mike break down how they built the case, connected with the jury, and ultimately delivered justice for a mother and son with intellectual disabilities who survived the blast.
You’ll also hear stories from their early careers, the cases that pushed them to switch sides from defense to plaintiff, and why juries today are fed up with corporate BS.
👉 Whether you're a trial junkie or just love courtroom drama, this one’s got it all.
🔥 Episode Highlights:
- 00:03:00 – A look at recent big verdicts: Astroworld, crane collapse, Encore
- 00:04:00 – Dallas vs. Houston culture war: Who really runs Texas?
- 00:08:00 – Mike & Chris share how they met and teamed up in Dallas
- 00:14:00 – The moments that made them switch from defense to plaintiff’s work
- 00:17:00 – What’s fueling today’s massive jury verdicts? (Hint: It’s not just gas)
- 00:26:00 – Inside the CPS explosion case: victims, facts, and the gas company’s failing defense
- 00:43:00 – Voir dire strategies that flipped the case
- 00:50:00 – How the $60M settlement was struck while the jury was deliberating
- 00:54:00 – Dallas gas explosions: the next battleground?
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