In Part 1 of this two-part conversation on Coopers’ Code, Miles Cooper sits down with Todd Schneider for a deep dive into how elite trial lawyers think about preparation, systems, and execution.
Before founding Schneider Wallace Cottrell Kim LLP, Todd supplemented his income during law school as a database programmer. That early exposure to process and systems became a defining advantage when he entered the law as a double threat: a trial lawyer with a programmer’s mindset. That combination shaped not only his litigation practice, but also the development of custom case management software that eventually spun out into Clarra.
This episode focuses on Todd’s approach to trial preparation and organization, including evidence mapping, witness sequencing, jury instructions, and building a single, coherent theory of the case. The conversation explores why great trial outcomes are rarely the product of improvisation, and why disciplined systems matter more than individual heroics.
Part 1 serves as a practical masterclass on how serious trial lawyers prepare long before trial begins, and how process-driven thinking can elevate both advocacy and results.
Subscribe to be notified when Part 2 gets released - a deep dive on trial execution to leadership, culture, and the long-term business of law.
More on Todd:
- Firm bio: https://www.schneiderwallace.com/attorneys/todd-m-schneider/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-schneider-2b89b110/
- Clarra: https://clarra.com/
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We are now on video as well. You can watch the episodes on our Youtube channel!
Produced by Mauro Serra | Kenji Productions
Recorded & Co-produced by Zach Morvant | www.zmorvant.com
Music by The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble
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Questions, comments, feedback and suggestion? Email us at: podcast@coopers.law
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