Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren | Podcast on RSS.com

Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

by Beverly Hills Bar Association

Season 2

Judy Poller | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

On Direct Examination, hosts Dan Bemel and Lauren Youngman interview leading Family Law practitioners, judicial officers, and mediators to unpack the technical realities of practice: building a case from the ground up, navigating client relationships, crafting arguments that resonate with the bench, and avoiding common procedural and strategic missteps. They also explore how to work productively with opposing counsel, especially when personalities or litigation styles add complexity—an area closely tied to civility in the legal profession. In this episode, New York family law attorney Judy Poller joins Direct Examination, presented by UBS Wealth Management, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to practice family law at a high level. A Band 1 Chambers-ranked partner at Pryor Cashman and co-chair of its Family Law Group, Judy brings over 25 years of experience representing executives, entrepreneurs, and celebrities through some of the most complex and emotionally charged cases imaginable. She and host Dan Bemel dig into how attorneys manage difficult clients and opposing counsel, the growing problem of incivility in the courtroom, and why staying calm and strategic almost always beats going in guns blazing. Judy also opens up about her own divorce, how it reshaped her empathy for clients, and the unexpected path that led her from a Wall Street firm to building one of New York's most respected matrimonial practices. Plus, her take on what younger lawyers are getting wrong about networking and what the legal system actually needs to move cases forward. Presented by UBS

Jill Hersh | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

In this episode, San Francisco family law attorney Jill Hersh joins Direct Examination for a candid conversation about real-world lawyering, professional judgment, and the human dynamics that shape legal outcomes. Drawing on practical experience, the conversation explores how attorneys navigate client expectations, strategy decisions, and the realities of practice beyond the textbooks. On Direct Examination, hosts Dan Bemel and Lauren Youngman interview leading Family Law practitioners, judicial officers, and mediators to unpack the technical realities of practice: building a case from the ground up, navigating client relationships, crafting arguments that resonate with the bench, and avoiding common procedural and strategic missteps. They also explore how to work productively with opposing counsel, especially when personalities or litigation styles add complexity—an area closely tied to civility in the legal profession. Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lVZU_uk7w_FNTbBWBAtcBLo1H54gCEOc/view?usp=sharing No CLE is provided for this program.

Direct Examination: Legends of Family Law — Larry Ginsberg, Neal Hersh, & Alexandra Leichter

This special episode of Direct Examination brings together three giants of California Family Law—Larry Ginsberg, Neal Hersh, and Alexandra Leichter—for an in-depth, candid conversation about the practice, the profession, and the evolution of the field. On Direct Examination, hosts Dan Bemel and Lauren Youngman interview leading Family Law practitioners, judicial officers, and mediators to unpack the technical realities of practice. This episode goes further—delving into the personal and professional histories of three legendary attorneys. Together, they reflect on pivotal career moments, landmark cases, and legislative developments that have shaped their work and the broader Family Law landscape. The result is a rare roundtable with some of the field’s most influential voices, offering both practical insight and a living history of the profession. 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wn47CZvb0eIbS0AHOdqL_Nms2dGS-MQH/view?usp=sharing No CLE is provided for this program.

Season 1

Hon. Thomas Trent Lewis | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

From 2016 until his retirement, Judge Lewis served as the supervising judge for the Los Angeles County Family Law Division where he oversaw the operations of nearly 70 family law departments in the county. From 2014 to 2016 he served in a long cause family law trial department in Los Angeles; he was Assistant Supervising Judge of the Family Law Division from 2011 to 2014. Judge Lewis served in a regular family law department from 2006 until 2014. He became a Certified Family Law Specialist in 1985, was inducted into the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) in 1987, and was inducted as a fellow of the International Academy of Family Law in 2016. Judge Lewis is a past president of the California Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. He is also a contributing author of The Rutter Group's California Practice Guide: Family Law and serves as Program Director for CFLR for the update program, the advanced family law program, the basic training program, the evidence programs, and the expert series programs. Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ut7RvlfRXS9l77U2zQrrN3rdPCRrWmzz/view?usp=sharing No CLE is provided for this program.

Betty Nordwind | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HBv9zKVtfqoCXRHYtJUVOKpBfknptKY4/view?usp=sharing No CLE is provided for this program.

Judge Lawrence P. Riff | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TlKfcq57iM72aGP5WpZ9FYAobpFgiY70/view?usp=sharing No CLE is provided for this program.

Evan Itzkowitz | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

Evan C. Itzkowitz has dedicated his career to the practice of family law, exclusively focusing on this area since 2001. As a partner at Blevans Itzkowitz Cantrell LLP, Mr. Itzkowitz provides his clients with a deep well of knowledge and experience, guiding them through some of the most challenging times in their lives. Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BloH_P5SwbNtMZ9YDawxR2H8LI_VwicW/view?usp=sharing No CLE is provided for this program.

Kimia Klein | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

Kimia Klein is a distinguished professional renowned for her unwavering dedication to navigating the complexities of family law. With a focus on high net worth clients, including athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, and professionals, Kimia has consistently achieved favorable results in resolving intricate family law issues. Specializing in complex marital property matters, she brings a wealth of experience to the forefront, regularly demonstrating her proficiency in drafting prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements, and cohabitation agreements. Beyond traditional dispute resolution methods, Kimia's commitment extends to both trial advocacy and discreet settlement strategies. Her comprehensive approach ensures that clients receive the best possible outcomes, solidifying her reputation as a trusted ally for those navigating the intricate landscape of high-stakes legal matters. Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O_P3tSmnaPrsgG7MqNanppwJAYX79Ls_/view?usp=sharing No CLE is provided for this program.

Steven Yoda | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

Presented by UBS No CLE is provided for this program.

Joesph Mannis | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

Joseph Mannis acts as of counsel to Summers Levine Lipsic & Hersh, LLP (SLLH) and was formerly a Founding Partner in the firm of Hersh Mannis LLP (one of the predecessors to SLLH). His life and work span many facets of the artistic and legal community. Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BloH_P5SwbNtMZ9YDawxR2H8LI_VwicW/view?usp=sharing No CLE is provided for this program.

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