S4 Eps 10: Robert Swafford on Voir Dire
The Dirty Verdict
This week on The Dirty Verdict Podcast, Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden sit down with renowned jury consultant Robert Swafford for a deep dive into the strategy behind jury selection, witness preparation, and trial storytelling. Robert explains how he helps lawyers maximize strikes for cause, sharpen voir dire, and prepare witnesses for high-stakes moments in court. The episode also explores Robert’s work on major cases like the Alex Jones trial, his thoughts on why most lawyers misuse voir dire, and what separates effective trial prep from wasted effort. Along the way, the...
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S4 Eps 9: John Zavitsanos and Monica Uddin of AZA
The Dirty Verdict
On this episode of The Dirty Verdict, hosts Peter Taaffe and Bill Ogden sit down with powerhouse trial lawyers John Zavitsanos and Monica Uddin of AZA to talk about what makes Houston such a legendary trial-lawyer city, how elite trial teams are built, and why the best courtroom lawyers know how to find the human story in any case. The conversation covers everything from headline-making defamation matters and health care litigation to the future of Texas business courts and what young lawyers actually need to succeed in trial work. John shares his path from an immigrant upbringing to becoming...
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S4 Eps 8: Dan Cogdell and Epic City
The Dirty Verdict
In this wild and wide-ranging episode of Dirty Verdict, the hosts sit down with legendary criminal defense attorney Dan Cogdell for an unfiltered conversation that moves from legal commentary to cultural criticism and back again. Dan talks about the unexpected rise of his own podcast and social media presence, then dives into his sharp perspective on the steep decline in white collar prosecutions, shifting federal priorities, and what that means for defense work today. The conversation also explores Dan’s representation of the EPIC Muslim community development in Plano, including the...
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S4 Eps 7: Matt Greenberg and Mike Streich
The Dirty Verdict
In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert sit down with returning guests Matt Greenberg and Mike Streich to talk about launching their new firm and what it really looks like to build a modern plaintiff’s practice from the ground up. From leaving a successful firm and betting on themselves, to handling overhead, referrals, office space, and admin headaches, Matt and Mike Streich share the honest realities of starting fresh in today’s legal market. The conversation also dives into how lawyers are using LinkedIn as a real business development and networking tool, why...
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S4 Eps 6: Judge Mike Engelhart Interview
The Dirty Verdict
In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden sit down with former Judge Mike Engelhart for a lively conversation that mixes courtroom insight, legal war stories, and a look at life on and off the bench. Judge Engelhart shares how he approached judging with patience, preparation, and practicality, while also reflecting on some of the memorable moments that defined his time in Harris County. The conversation touches on his path from New Jersey to Michigan to Houston, his legal beginnings working for John O’Quinn, and the decision to leave private practice...
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S4 Eps 5: Cordt Akers Interview
The Dirty Verdict
Hosts Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden sit down with Houston trial lawyer Cordt Akers, who lives at the intersection of criminal defense, white collar, and a bit of PI—all while carrying one of the more unusual origin stories you’ll hear on the show. Cordt walks through growing up in Houston, heading to Tulane (where Hurricane Katrina hit on his first day), and spending his early years as a working musician—until a brutal moment of “natural talent vs. hard work” forced a career pivot. That pivot led to South Texas College of Law, mock trial, and a fast, intense run through...
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S4 Eps 4: Andrew Cobos Interview
The Dirty Verdict
The crew kicks off the holiday episode in peak Dirty Verdict fashion: festive sweaters, friendly roasting, and a proposed “punishment” that somehow turns into high-stakes Trivial Pursuit. Then repeat guest Andrew Cobos jumps in and the conversation shifts from jokes to jaw-dropping: Ironman distances, brutal open-water swims, and why Andrew’s next “goal” is somehow even crazier—climbing Mount Everest. From there, the episode turns serious as Andrew breaks down his firm’s work in major mass tort litigation, including PFAS “forever chemical” exposure, firefighting foam, and...
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S4 Eps 3: Chi Nguyen Interview
The Dirty Verdict
In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert sit down with Houston branding powerhouse Chi Nguyen to unpack the real story behind one of the most recognizable legal marketing campaigns in the city: “We Push. You Win.” Chi shares his Houston roots, the wild origin story that pushed him toward law (yes—he got hit with a Nike cease & desist as a teenager), and how a marketing brain + personal injury law became the foundation for a firm built to scale. Then the conversation turns into a full-blown masterclass on billboards, repetition, commuter psychology,...
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S4 Eps 2: Stephen Boutros Interview
The Dirty Verdict
Welcome back to The Dirty Verdict—and this week, Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert are coming to you Tuesday after Thanksgiving with two things on the agenda: a little post-game storytelling from a wild weekend in Austin, and a masterclass in building a real law practice the right way. Their featured guest is Stephen Boutros, a board-certified personal injury trial lawyer and proud Texas Aggie, who joins the show for an honest conversation about what it takes to sustain a long, successful career without chasing hype. Stephen walks through his path from South Texas College of Law to plaintiff’s...
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S4 Eps 1: Will Moye and Ryan Loya Share Major Verdicts
The Dirty Verdict
In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, hosts Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert welcome back fan-favorite trial lawyer Will (now with The Counsel Table podcast) alongside Ryan Loya, who’s fresh off launching his own firm. After some classic Dirty Verdict banter—college football pain, unexpected fan shoutouts, and law-firm “launch party” flexes—the conversation pivots into a deep dive on one of the most catastrophic industrial incidents Houston has seen in years: a propylene leak and explosion that devastated a neighborhood in January 2020. Will and Ryan break down how the...
info_outlineIn 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 market. Steeves also walks us through three recent trials, including a tough Texas Tort Claims Act case, a bench trial against a shady defendant, and a dog bite trial with pro se opponents—proving that even “impossible” cases can be worth fighting.
This episode is packed with practical advice for young lawyers, candid stories from the courtroom, and insight into what it really takes to make the leap into running your own firm.
Show Notes
- Steeves Hopson’s Background – From Laredo roots to a family of lawyers, including his mother’s career in big law and his uncle’s time as DA in Webb County.
- Early Legal Career – Stint in employment law, shift to the Webb County DA’s office, and work in the Special Victims Unit during COVID.
- Transition to Personal Injury – Moves to Houston, working at respected PI firms before deciding to go solo.
- Why Start Your Own Firm? – Independence, entrepreneurial family influence, and the ability to attract clients.
- Practical Advice for Going Solo –
- Save 9–12 months of expenses.
- Have a clear client acquisition plan.
- Define your unique brand and niche.
- Build strong mentorship relationships.
- Lean Startup Approach – Using co-working spaces, low overhead, and free tools like social media to compete with larger firms.
- Grassroots Marketing – Authenticity, LinkedIn networking, community engagement, and becoming the “go-to lawyer” for everyone you meet.
- Case 1: TCA Car Crash Verdict – $265k jury award (capped at $100k), retried after a mistrial due to interpreter issue, strategic use of jury selection themes.
- Case 2: Bench Trial Negligence Case – $625k judgment for a client blinded by unlicensed stem cell treatments; challenges with judgment-proof defendants.
- Case 3: Dog Bite Trial in Austin – $198k verdict against pro se defendants; courtroom theater, controlling narrative, and thematic storytelling (“series of bad choices”).
- Why Try Hard Cases – Even with caps or no insurance, cases can have value for the client and the lawyer’s reputation.
- Giving Back – Donating a portion of every fee to nonprofit causes as part of the firm’s mission.