Button Law - May 2021

LAWYERS, MEET YOUR NEW FAVORITE PODCAST BEHIND THE SCENES OF KENNETH BERGER’S ‘BEST PRACTICES’

Are you a podcast listener? Which genre is your favorite? Some people go for true crime, breaking news, or fictional storytelling. Others — including our team — love to use podcasts as a tool

Kenneth has interviewed trial consultant/lawyer duo David Ball and Nick Rowley about jury trials in a post-COVID-19 world; talked with attorney Karen Koehler about surviving the four-month, $123 million “Duck Boat” jury trial; and even had Russell and Ashley on the show!

for continuing education. There are dozens of legal podcasts we love, but this February, a new one debuted that stands above the rest: Kenneth Berger’s “Best Practices.” Kenneth is a brilliant attorney and one of Russell’s best friends. He runs the personal injury firm Law Offices of Kenneth E. Berger in South Carolina, and he’s always on the hunt for ways to improve as a lawyer. That quest led him to start “Best Practices,” where he interviews the nation’s top lawyers and legal consultants about their personal strengths (aka their best practices) and how listeners can replicate them.

“It was an honor for me and Ashley to be interviewed for ‘Best Practices’ this winter,” Russell says. “I had a great time chatting with Kenny and sharing insights into our cutting-edge processes, our team’s approach to law, and how those strategies tie into our daycare cases.”

Kenneth is used to the back-and-forth of the courtroom, so he’s right at home hosting a podcast.

“It’s not that different from a direct examination,” he jokes, adding, “My job, like that of any good interviewer or lawyer, is to simply create an avenue for my guests to share the truth and dig a little deeper.” Want to add “Best Practices” to your podcast feed? Head to BergerLawSC.com and click “Podcast” under the “Free Info” tab to listen now, or download episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other major platform.

“One lawyer is great when it comes to closing arguments, and another lawyer is fantastic at expert depositions, or focus groups, or appellate work, or advertising, or anything else that pertains to legal practice,” Kenneth says. “[For each area,] we want to get that person on the podcast to talk to them about the thing they’re great at, enjoy, and enjoy teaching others about.”

LAWYER BY DAY, COMEDIAN BY NIGHT How Ashley’s Improv Classes Improve Her Litigation

If you’ve ever seen an episode of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” then you’re familiar with improvisational theater — a category of live theatrical performance where some, if not all, of the content is made up on the spot. Improv is hilarious to watch, but that’s not its only perk. According to BLF trial lawyer Ashley, it’s also the secret weapon of many top attorneys. “I started taking improv classes because I heard that some famous and well-known trial lawyers had all gone through them,” she says. “Improv helps you learn how to think on your feet, listen, and react, while also being aware of your body language and your audience. The skills I’ve gained can be applied to what we do every day at BLF, including everything from depositions to trial work. A lot of what we do requires thinking on the spot and being prepared to speak and present new ideas without a lot of prep time.”

Ashley started looking for an improv class in 2020. She was on the verge of enrolling in a course at CSz Houston when the pandemic lockdowns closed the show. It was disappointing, but she didn’t give up. This March, CSz Houston reopened, and Ashley got into an in-person Level 1 Intro to Improv class. She loves her instructor, Benji, and said the whole experience has been safe and fun. “I really feel like this is something for everybody. I’m the only lawyer in my group of eight. There are people from all walks of life, with different careers, reasons, and motivations for joining the class,” she says. Ashley’s class lasted eight weeks and will wrap up with a showcase this month. (To learn more about all of the shows CSz Houston offers, visit ComedySportzHouston.com.) When it’s over, she’ll enroll in Level 2 to continue

learning more about herself and sharpening her litigation skills for the courtroom.

“At the end of the day, improv is all about vulnerability — being able to put yourself out there and not worry about what people are going to think. It’s the one thing in my life I can’t prepare for, which has been a relief!” she says. We’re proud of Ashley for going after her passion for improv and can’t wait to see her on stage.

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