On this episode of The Dirty Verdict, hosts Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert welcome attorney and mediator Leigh Lewis to discuss her transition from a successful insurance-defense practice to full-time mediation.
Leigh reflects on growing up in Midland, Texas, studying environmental management at Duke University, attending the University of Texas School of Law, and building a litigation career that included approximately 30 jury trials and 16 years with Walters, Balido & Crain.
The conversation includes some of Leigh's most unusual product-liability cases, the realities of preparing unpredictable clients for trial, and what plaintiff attorneys can do to improve their chances of reaching a favorable settlement at mediation. Leigh also offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on how defense attorneys and insurance carriers evaluate claims, witnesses, medical records, experts, venues, opposing counsel, and potential jury verdicts.
The episode concludes with a discussion about overwhelmed court dockets, Leigh's decision to leave litigation for mediation, and the growing opportunities and privacy concerns surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in legal cases.
00:00 — Introducing Leigh Lewis and Her Move to Mediation
03:34 — Growing Up in Midland and the Path to Law School
10:04 — Building a Career in Insurance-Defense Litigation
12:18 — Leigh's Most Unusual Product-Liability Cases
19:18 — Jury Trials, Client Preparation, and Unpredictable Witnesses
25:21 — How Plaintiff Attorneys Can Prepare for a Successful Mediation
37:01 — How the Plaintiff and Defense Bars Share Information Differently
47:26 — Leaving Litigation, Becoming a Mediator, and the Use of AI in Legal Cases
