In this episode of Soul-Centered Attorney, Favian Valencia sits down with Judge Andre Peñalver of the Pierce County Superior Court for a thoughtful conversation about the rule of law, the human side of the courtroom, and what judges are seeing as technology begins to change the practice of law.

Judge Peñalver shares how his father’s experience as a Cuban refugee shaped his understanding of due process and justice, and how that path eventually led him from private practice and federal prosecution to the superior court bench. The conversation covers court funding, jury trials, access to justice, ICE arrests near courthouses, Zoom hearings, AI tools, expert witnesses, and the importance of keeping people—not procedures—at the center of the legal system.

They also discuss what makes trial lawyers effective, why storytelling matters in front of juries, how judges balance law and science, and what “soul-centered law” means from the perspective of the bench.

In this episode of Soul-Centered Attorney, I sit down with Eduardo Morfin, a Tri-Cities-based attorney and law firm owner, to talk about what it really looks like to take the leap into owning your own practice.

We get into the realities most attorneys don’t talk about—uncertainty, financial risk, hiring decisions, and the pressure of building something from the ground up. Eduardo shares how betting on himself changed everything, and how staying grounded in community and purpose continues to guide his firm today.

We cover:

• The moment he decided to go out on his own
• The risks (and sacrifices) behind starting a firm
• What actually matters when building and managing a team
• How to stay connected to your purpose while growing a business
• Lessons learned that every solo or small firm attorney should hear

This is a real conversation about ownership, responsibility, and building a law practice that aligns with who you are—not just what you do.

Trial lawyer and former Washington State Bar Association President Bill Pickett joins Favian Valencia for a candid conversation about trial law, artificial intelligence, jury trials, and the future of justice.

Bill shares his unconventional path to becoming a lawyer—from commercial fishing and deep-sea diving in Alaska to founding a solo law practice and eventually co-founding LGP Law. Today, his practice focuses on catastrophic injury, police misconduct, and medical malpractice, representing clients against well-resourced institutions and insurance companies.

The conversation explores:

• How AI is changing legal research, litigation strategy, and trial preparation
• Why AI can enhance—but never replace—human judgment and empathy
• The ethical duty for lawyers to stay competent with legal technology and AI tools
• Why jury trials still matter in an increasingly automated world
• The critical difference between rule of law vs. rule by law
• Collaboration, contingency-fee practice, and surviving long-term as a trial lawyer
• Burnout, secondary trauma, faith, and sustaining a meaningful legal career

Bill also discusses his current work as a Rule of Law Ambassador, his multi-state practice (Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Arizona), and his international efforts through Building Bridges Cambodia–USA, working with judges and lawyers to strengthen legal institutions abroad.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 06:08 Starting a Solo Practice
• 11:58 AI Tools in Law Practice
• 17:54 AI as an Equalizer
• 24:03 Case Management Software and AI
• 31:57 AI Tools for Lawyers
• 43:37 The Role of AI in Legal Practice
• 59:10 The Power of the Heart in Trial Law
• 01:08:11 Understanding Rule of Law
• 01:34:42 The Importance of Self-Care
• 01:44:13 Investing in Peaceful Retreats
• 01:50:23 Book Recommendations and Lessons
• 01:59:15 Considerations for Starting a Law Firm