In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Donn Christensen, plaintiff trial attorney and civil rights advocate based in California.

Donn shares how a wrongful arrest and police brutality shifted your path from broadcasting into law and shaped your focus on representing people harmed by institutional power. He explains how storytelling, authenticity, and clear communication influence your success in court, from jury selection to high stakes medical malpractice trials. You will hear practical insight into evaluating real cases, choosing expert witnesses, and why passion, preparation, and respect for your client remain central to effective legal practice.

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Carlos Stecco, medical malpractice attorney, who now represents patients and families across Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Carlos explains why he moved from defense to plaintiff work, how he evaluates cases with a defense lawyer’s eye, and why early expert screening and clear communication sit at the heart of sound case selection. He also shares lessons on managing emotion, building honest relationships with hospitals and insurers, and keeping respect for both clinicians and clients at the center of high stakes healthcare litigation.

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, the host speaks with Richard Edwards, founder of Richard Edwards & Co, catastrophic injury specialist, deputy district judge, and board member of the Expert Witness Institute.

Richard explains why he left large corporate firms, how judging has sharpened his advocacy, and what courts truly expect from lawyers and experts. From using AI sensibly to running difficult cases other firms reject, he offers clear, practical advice for serious personal injury and expert witness practice.

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Leo Lachs, Director of INNEG, on how technology and data-driven systems are reshaping clinical negligence and serious injury practice. Leo explains how INNEG integrates structured expert databases, AI-assisted workflows, and rigorous quality control to enhance accuracy and cut costs. He highlights the value of mentoring, continuous training, and feedback in maintaining high standards of expert evidence. The discussion also explores how law firms can scale responsibly, strengthen financial management, and build sustainable growth models. This episode offers clear, actionable insight into the future of expert management and legal operations.

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Ben Townsend, Partner at Stewarts and leading claimant personal injury lawyer. With over 30 years in catastrophic injury cases, Ben shares how preparation and credibility win cases before day one. He explains the importance of building trust with experts, managing relationships with the defense, and being trial-ready even when most claims settle. From joint statements to mediation, Ben offers clear, practical insights for achieving the best outcomes in high-stakes personal injury practice.

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton talks with Michaela Guthrie, a partner at Balfour+Manson and one of Scotland’s leading claimant solicitors in clinical negligence. Michaela shares her path from early interests in justice and medicine to her role in complex medical negligence cases, including obstetric claims. She and Rodney discuss the landmark Montgomery case and how it reshaped patient consent, the challenges of recent legal pushback, and the balance between full disclosure and therapeutic reassurance. This episode offers practical insight into patient autonomy, case screening, and the communication skills that shape medical negligence work.

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Dr. Herschel Lessin, a pediatrician with 40 years in the clinic and 30 years as a medical expert witness. Trained at Stanford and Yale, Dr. Lessin pairs frontline care with national policy work through the American Academy of Pediatrics and leadership across New York’s Hudson Valley. The conversation covers the emotional toll of litigation on clinicians, rigorous case screening, standards versus guidelines, and the meaning of “reasonable medical certainty” in court. He shares practical lessons on running a practice, building an effective front desk, working with experts, and explaining hard truths to clients.

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Geoff Simpson-Scott, equity partner at Hodge Jones & Allen and a leading authority in clinical negligence law. Geoff reflects on his early career in the Royal Courts of Justice, his path into claimant work, and how relationships shaped his opportunities. The discussion covers professional values, the ethics and risks of AI in litigation, the importance of case screening and risk assessment, and the pressures facing the next generation of lawyers. Geoff also shares practical lessons on working with experts, understanding the defense perspective, and mentoring juniors to combine independence with discipline in a demanding field.