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. Susan Lopez-Giss (Ret.) | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

Hon. Susan Lopez-Giss (Ret.) served 15 years as a Judge for the Los Angeles Superior Court, with the entirety of her time on the bench devoted to Family Law. Judge Lopez-Giss presided over thousands of cases involving all types of contested and complex Family Law matters, including parentage cases, custody and visitation issues, child and spousal support, business valuation, and property division. In addition to issuing thousands of rulings, Judge Lopez-Giss became known for actively and successfully settling her cases. Her strong legal mind, coupled with an emphasis on collaboration to resolve family disputes, has resulted in her reputation as an effective problem solver and adjudicator. Prior to her judicial career, Judge Lopez-Giss served 30 years in the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office, where she developed a groundbreaking domestic violence diversion and counseling program that was implemented statewide — only one of such programs in the country at the time. She was instrumental in drafting a domestic violence prosecution manual, filing guidelines, and restraining order statutes, and helped train law enforcement and medical personnel across the country. Judge Lopez-Giss also developed guidelines for the handling of child abuse and child sexual abuse and served on interagency councils that addressed child abuse and neglect. For her pioneering work developing these programs, Judge Lopez-Giss was presented with a Resolution by the Mayor and the Los Angeles City Council. Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AKaZ3WlDH06yUk1xtmW36_VL5N4159BG/view?usp=share_link No CLE is provided for this program.

Raymond Hekmat | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

Raymond Hekmat's practice of law has been devoted exclusively to areas of family law, including divorce, paternity, custody, support issues as well as prenuptial agreements, since earning his Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School in 2009. Since 2018, Raymond's practice shifted from divorce litigation to specializing in marital agreements, divorce consulting, and divorce mediation, where he educates and empowers people on the financial and legal implications of entering or dissolving a marriage and advises his clients based on their rights, priorities and best options. He is admitted to practice law in California and is a member of the Los Angeles County and Beverly Hills Bar Associations. Raymond received his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies, with honors, and a minor in Business Management from the University of California at Irvine, with study at the London School of Economics. He graduated from Loyola Law School in 2009. Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1biX6aHYIDc99HmnEpeCoTheYL0UGwWpC/view?usp=sharing No CLE is provided for this program.

Ron Brot | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

With four decades of trial and appellate experience, Ronald F. Brot, Founding and Senior Partner at Brot Gross Fishbein LLP, has successfully handled high conflict and complex cases from inception through settlement or trial involving all aspects of family law, including child custody, relocation, domestic violence, support, property, complex financial issues, and paternity. As a highly experienced family law attorney with a strong litigation background, he is tenacious in the representation of clients both in the courtroom and at the negotiating table. Mr. Brot has held a variety of leadership positions within the organized Bar, including President of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Chair of the Trial Lawyers Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and Chair of the Family Law Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has served as a Trustee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association since 2016, and as a member of the LACBA Counsel for Justice Board of Directors. Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ra-plFxAKnjISBxniIdithLwZwyyxgbv/view No CLE is provided for this program.

David Glass | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

David J. Glass is an exceptional high-stakes family law litigator with a unique background. Not only is he well-versed in law, but he also holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology, making him one of the few attorneys with this dual expertise. His focus is on divorce, child custody litigation, and complex asset division, providing his clients with an invaluable inside look into the procedures utilized by court-appointed mental health and psychological professionals. He serves as Chair of the Firm's Family Law Department. While child custody litigation is his specialty, Glass's practice extends to cover a wide range of family law and probate matters, including dissolution/divorce, separation, asset characterization, valuation and division, child and spousal support, relocations, attorneys fees and costs, parentage actions, same-sex marriages, and pre- and post-nuptial agreements. Glass is particularly skilled in handling the affairs of affluent clients and working with their management teams. Certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Family Law Specialist, Glass maintains a perfect "10" rating on Avvo.com, based on reviews from both peers and clients. He has been recognized as a Rising Star or Super Lawyer in Los Angeles magazine on fifteen occasions between 2004 and 2020, and has dedicated 24 years exclusively to family law practice. Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LWhTSbP6StB7ABqCOqoDi1BxHYYYthNIFIDqKd/view?usp=sharing No CLE is provided for this program.

Robert C. Brandt | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

Robert C. Brandt, Certified Family Law Specialist, was named the head of Feinberg Mindel Brandt & Klein LLP’s Family Law Department nearly 20 years ago. Through his dedication to mentorship, integrity, and education, internally amongst team members and externally in the family law community, Mr. Brandt ensured the excellence and steady growth of FMBK’s family law department. Today, FMBK stands as one of the nation’s largest and most esteemed family law firms. Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GpTRS46pXtvG9rfK8Hw4yRupj0VCGOLk/view?usp=sharing No CLE is provided for this program.

Judge Elizabeth Scully | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GpTRS46pXtvG9rfK8Hw4yRupj0VCGOLk/view?usp=sharing No CLE is provided for this program.

Peter Walzer | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

Peter represents people in complex divorce cases. He skillfully negotiates marital agreements. His cases involve people with "out of the ordinary" personal and financial issues. He handles international issues from premarital agreements to custody disputes. His clients include entertainers, business owners, inventors, entrepreneurs, real estate investors, athletes, and financiers. Peter has written numerous articles on family law issues and he is a sought after speaker. Peter was Chair of the State Bar Family Law Section and the Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section. He was president of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists. He was president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, as well as the Southern California Chapter of the AAML. He served on the Elkins Task Force, a statewide panel whose charge is to propose measures to improve efficiency and fairness in family law proceedings and ensure access to justice for family law litigants. Peter was named Family Law Person of the Year in 2009 by the Southern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Fellow of the Year by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in 2010. He received the Hall of Fame award from the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists in 2020 and the Southwestern Law School Max A. Goodman Family Law Legacy Award in 2017. He is listed in Chambers & Partners Tier 1 for their individually ranked attorneys, 2018–2022. Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VyOT3JFffjhO691FHDIAGzZN9_FmObGX/view?usp=share_link No CLE is provided for this program.

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