Host Jamie Jones Walsworth sits down with John Wilkerson, General Counsel and Legislative Director for the Arkansas Municipal League, to unpack the recent amendments to Rule 702. Together, they explore the rule’s implications for Arkansas municipalities, how the changes may affect expert testimony in litigation, and what attorneys need to know to navigate the updated standards.

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Need a quick reset between hearings, deadlines, or difficult conversations? In this special standalone bonus episode, attorney and mindfulness teacher Claire Parsons guides listeners through a calming body scan meditation designed to be reused anytime—at your desk, at home, or wherever you can take a few quiet minutes.

Claire begins by helping you set up a safe, comfortable environment, then leads you step-by-step through noticing physical sensations from head to toe—releasing tension in common stress-holding areas like the jaw, shoulders, chest, and belly. The practice is gentle and flexible: you’re encouraged to move past any area that feels uncomfortable and return to the breath whenever needed.

This episode is meant to be a practical, repeatable tool for lawyers looking to slow down, reconnect with the body, and support steadier focus and emotional regulation—without needing to “clear your mind” or do anything perfectly.

(For additional guided practices and resources, visit BrilliantLegalMind.com or connect with Claire Parsons.)

Arkansas Bar Association President Jamie Jones Walsworth welcomes attorney, author, and wellness advocate Claire Parsons—licensed in Ohio and Kentucky—to talk candidly about stress in legal practice and why mindfulness and meditation are practical tools (even for skeptics). Claire shares her personal path into meditation during early motherhood, postpartum depression recovery, and the pressure of an intense litigation schedule—and how a simple “one minute a day” start helped her build resilience, self-compassion, and focus over time.

Together, they break down what mindfulness is (and isn’t), why meditation doesn’t require “shutting your mind off,” and how stress management can actually improve performance, decision-making, and professional confidence—especially through big transitions like firm growth and mergers. Claire also introduces the concept of a body scan meditation, explains how it helps lawyers reconnect with the body, recognize emotions before they escalate, and create space for calmer, more skillful responses.

Listeners will also hear where to find Claire’s resources—including her blog, guided meditations, her book How to Be a Badass Lawyer, and opportunities to practice with other attorneys through the Mindfulness in Law Society—plus a reminder to check out the standalone body scan episode for an on-demand mindfulness reset.

https://brilliantlegalmind.com/

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