Lawful Good

Luke W Russell

Welcome to Lawful Good, a show about lawyers and the trials they face inside and outside the courtroom. Our show elicits the beautiful humanity of each guest, which is so much more than the cases they’ve won. We explore everything from their childhoods to their darkest moments to the things that bring them meaning in life. Join our host, Luke W Russell, as you get to know these attorneys in ways you've never experienced before. read less
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Episodes

S3 E18 | Elizabeth Paige White
Apr 19 2023
S3 E18 | Elizabeth Paige White
My guest today is Paige White, trial attorney for DiCello Levitt and Of Counsel for Ben Crump Law.Before entering Temple University, Paige aspired to a glamorous life of singing, modeling, and dancing.  The childhood strain of her parents’ divorce instilled a rebellious spirit in Paige, but it was nevertheless her mother that would reveal her true path — in a rather unusual way.After serving as a congressional intern in law school, Paige began her career as a public defender in Harlem, taking on a large workload of emotionally heavy cases.  The work held lessons of compassion, but also nurtured a sense that something is fundamentally wrong with the way law is enforced. Paige continued her public defender service in D.C., and was inspired by Ben Crump to begin work as a plaintiff's attorney.  In 2022, she was named Young Lawyer of the Year by the D.C. Bar Association.In this episode, we discuss what it feels like to free a man after years of imprisonment, why she believes the justice system is in dire need of an overhaul, and whether Paige is a future Supreme Court Justice.Check out our sponsors!Hennessey DigitalMilestone FoundationTrial School7 Figure CasesLooking for other great shows? Check out the Society of Women Trial Lawyers and Trusted Legal Partners podcasts.Law Firm SEO by Jason HennesseyGet it on AmazonDownload on AudibleSupport the showLaw Firm SEO by Jason HennesseyLaw Firm SEO by Jason HennesseyGet it on AmazonDownload on AudibleSupport the show
S3 Special | Human Trafficking
Apr 5 2023
S3 Special | Human Trafficking
My guests today are Carissa Phelps and Kim Adams.  Working with the support of Levin, Papantonio and Rafferty, Carissa and Kim are leaders in the fight against human trafficking in the realms of both policy and litigation.A survivor of trafficking herself, Carissa Phelps went from being a so-called runaway teen to earning a Masters of Business Administration from UCLA Anderson and a JD from UCLA School of Law.  Since then she has become a sought after speaker on human trafficking, and has been force in the development of new policies around the issue.  She has devoted significant time to bringing knowledge and awareness to local communities and non-profits, and her memoir, Runaway Girl, is often used as an educational tool.Kim Adams has been working hand in hand with Carissa on human trafficking litigation for several years.  Her passion and focus is on demanding legal accountability for those who have profited from the abuse and exploitation of children.  To that end, she has filed lawsuits against hotel chains, technology companies, and others that she believes are culpable for looking the other way.In today's lengthy conversation, Carissa and Kim talk about how they came to work on issues of human trafficking, common misconceptions that can prevent us from fully addressing the problem, and their lawsuits that are currently making their way through the courts.Check out our sponsors!Hennessey DigitalMilestone FoundationTrial School7 Figure CasesLooking for other great shows? Check out the Society of Women Trial Lawyers and Trusted Legal Partners podcasts.Law Firm SEO by Jason HennesseyGet it on AmazonDownload on AudibleSupport the showLaw Firm SEO by Jason HennesseyGet it on AmazonDownload on AudibleSupport the show
S3 Special | You Gotta Believe
Mar 15 2023
S3 Special | You Gotta Believe
In my recent interview with Regina Calcaterra she explained the drastic differences between children who are adopted from the foster care system and those who simply age out of the system.  Adopted children are 50% less likely to be arrested or become homeless, and 50% more likely to graduate college, among many other emotional and practical benefits.  In that interview, Regina recommended that anyone interested in becoming foster parents or forever parents contact an organization called You Gotta Believe.  The nonprofit helps foster children find families, provides certification and licensing for foster parents, and provides a framework for helping those parents learn to care for youth dealing with trauma and abandonment.In this episode, I’m having a conversation with three people involved with You Gotta Believe — executive director Jennifer Pinder, director of the Nobody Ages Out Youth Movement Anni Keane, and advisory board member and returning Lawful Good guest, Regina Calcaterra.  Join us as we delve into the importance of the work the organization does, how it's making positive, long-term changes in the lives of foster kids, and how you can get involved.Check out our sponsors!Hennessey DigitalMilestone FoundationTrial School7 Figure CasesLooking for other great shows? Check out the Society of Women Trial Lawyers and Trusted Legal Partners podcasts.Law Firm SEO by Jason HennesseyGet it on AmazonDownload on AudibleSupport the show
S3 E12 | James Helm
Aug 10 2022
S3 E12 | James Helm
Our guest today is James Helm, founding attorney of Top Dog Law.James grew up as an only child with boundless energy. He always wanted to know what was next and he spent most of his time playing sports with the neighborhood kids. A curious mind is one of the hallmarks of James’ personality; even as a young kid, he was always asking “why,” sometimes to the chagrin of his teachers. His desire to get to the root of an issue is a characteristic that makes him a diligent attorney and businessman.James started wrestling at a young age, and he discovered he was pretty good at it. He continued wrestling throughout grade school, where he tore his rotator cuff. While recovering from his injury, a doctor prescribed Percocet. Although James didn’t abuse the opiate at the time, he would later end up taking opioids recreationally at parties as a way to “fit in.” Before he knew it, he developed a full dependency that followed him through the remainder of high school and higher education.James graduated from Penn State and later went to Rutgers for his law degree. Even with his success at school, he hit a breaking point with his addiction and entered rehab in August 2016.In today’s episode, James and I talk about the start of his opioid addiction, why he chose the name Top Dog Law, and the power of wearing your heart on your sleeve. Check out our sponsors!Hennessey DigitalMilestone FoundationTrial School7 Figure CasesLooking for other great shows? Check out the Society of Women Trial Lawyers and Trusted Legal Partners podcasts.Join our Better Together LinkedIn Group📚 Enter to win a full set of books from Lawful Good guests!Support the show