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Arthur Bryant is a public interest lawyer based in Oakland, California, and the former chairman and executive director of Public Justice. He now runs his own firm, focusing on cases that aim to advance civil rights, consumer protection, workers’ rights, and equal access to justice. He has practiced law since 1979 and has spent more than three decades in nonprofit public interest work. Early in his career, he clerked for federal judge Gabrielle McDonald in Texas and later handled First Amendment cases for newspapers and magazines in Philadelphia. Over the years, he has led major Title IX cases across the country and has built a reputation for taking on large institutions on behalf of people who have been treated unfairly. In this episode, he talks about why he chose public interest law at a young age and why he believes lawyers should fight for what they believe in. He also discusses the current state of the Supreme Court, the fairness of the legal system, and his long history of Title IX litigation, including a recent case involving women’s sports at Stephen F. Austin University. Tune in to hear how one lawyer built a career around trying to make real change.

Arthur Bryant Law
https://www.arthurbryantlaw.com/

Louis Goodman
www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert

louis@lovethylawyer.com

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This episode features Ursula Jones Dickson, the current District Attorney of Alameda County, and Emilie Raguso, a journalist who runs The Berkeley Scanner, an independent public safety news outlet covering Berkeley and the DA’s office. Both work closely with the criminal justice system from different sides, one inside government and one reporting on it. Ursula talks about leading a large District Attorney’s office after a period of instability, rebuilding staff, fixing budget problems, and clearing a major case backlog. Emilie shares her experience covering crime, courts, and prosecutors over many years, including how public attention on the DA’s office changed after a high-profile recall. Together, they reflect on how policy shifts, staffing changes, and public trust affect how justice is delivered day to day. The conversation covers how the DA’s office works in practice, victims’ rights in California, gun and violence related charging decisions, and the challenges of running a major public office under public and political pressure. Emilie also discusses the role of journalists in verifying claims, slowing down reporting, and explaining complex legal systems to the public. Tune in to hear an inside look at how a major prosecutor’s office is rebuilt, how journalists track accountability in real time, and what both sides see as the biggest challenges facing criminal justice right now. Plus, they offer a practical view of how law, media, and public trust intersect when decisions affect an entire community.

Ursula Jones Dickson for DA
https://www.ursulajonesdicksonforda.com/

The Berkeley Scanner
https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/

Louis Goodman
www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert

louis@lovethylawyer.com

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Fatima Silva is a Bay Area criminal defense attorney who focuses exclusively on representing people accused of crimes. She runs her own practice and also collaborates with other defense attorneys in the region. She has spent over a decade working primarily in criminal law, after earlier experience handling a wider range of cases. She also reached a national audience as a featured attorney on the HBO series Reasonable Doubt, which examined claims of wrongful convictions. In this episode, she talks about the realities of criminal defense work, including the emotional toll of working with clients and their families. She also shares what it was like traveling across the country for Reasonable Doubt and seeing how differently the justice system operates from state to state. Fatima also offers insight into the justice system, the challenges of running a legal practice, and the resilience needed to stay in the work long term. Tune in for a clear and honest look at life as a criminal defense lawyer, both inside and outside the courtroom.

Silva Law
https://www.silvalawsf.com/

Louis Goodman
www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert

louis@lovethylawyer.com

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Scott Kriens is a technology entrepreneur and investor best known for co-founding Juniper Networks, a company that builds the core systems that move data safely and quickly across the internet. Today, his work focuses on investing, philanthropy, and supporting projects that help people improve how they relate to themselves and others. He helped grow Juniper from an early startup into a major global company with billions in revenue and played a key role in shaping how large-scale internet traffic is handled. After stepping away from day-to-day executive roles, he shifted his time toward board work, long-term investing, and co-founding the 1440 Foundation, which supports mindfulness, presence, and relationship-focused initiatives. In the episode, he talks about building trust inside companies, the role of relationships in long-term success, and how technology, leadership, and artificial intelligence are changing what skills really matter. He also shares personal reflections on gratitude, listening, and being fully present in daily life. Tune in to hear a grounded take on success that goes beyond money and titles, and to learn why deep listening and strong relationships may matter more than technical skill alone.

1440 Multiversity
https://www.1440.org/

Louis Goodman
www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert

louis@lovethylawyer.com

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Elizabeth Larrick is a trial lawyer who works as a plaintiff personal injury attorney and also helps other lawyers prepare cases for court, mediations, and depositions. She focuses on understanding how juries think and helping lawyers communicate more clearly and effectively. Over the course of her career, she has handled personal injury cases, gone to trial regularly, and built her own practice. She later expanded her work into consulting, teaching lawyers through focus groups, speaking events, and hands-on preparation for real courtroom situations. In this episode, she talks about how lawyers can use focus groups, witness prep, and visual tools to test ideas and strengthen cases before trial. She also shares honest insights about running a law practice, building a book of business, and learning skills that law school does not teach. Tune in to hear practical advice about trial strategy, communication, the business side of practicing law, and how to prepare cases and connect with juries and clients.

Elizabeth Larrick
https://larricklawfirm.com/

Louis Goodman
www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert

louis@lovethylawyer.com

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Henry Cox is a longtime legal professional who now works mainly as a neutral mediator, arbitrator, and hearing officer, while also writing fiction. Over the years, his work has shifted from active litigation to helping parties resolve disputes outside the courtroom. Over his career, Henry Cox practiced law in dozens of states, handled complex civil and civil rights cases, and represented everyone from local governments to major companies. He also argued appeals in higher courts and later played a key role in early training and adoption of mediation and arbitration programs. Along the way, he moved through government work, in-house corporate roles, large firms, and solo practice before focusing fully on neutral work. In this episode, he talks about how the legal profession has changed, the difference between practicing law and running the business side of it, and why most lawyers never become trial lawyers. He also shares how his interest in research and storytelling led him to write novels alongside his legal work. Listeners should tune in to hear a clear, honest look at what a long legal career can really look like, including its tradeoffs and surprises. The conversation offers practical perspective on career paths in law, problem-solving skills, and how those skills can carry into completely different creative work.

Henry Cox
https://www.henry-cox.com/

Louis Goodman
www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert

louis@lovethylawyer.com

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Gordon Firemark is an entertainment and media attorney who works with creators, producers, and businesses in television, film, publishing, and digital media. He focuses on helping creative professionals share their work while protecting their interests. Over his long career, he has built a solo practice that serves clients across the entertainment world and has become a well-known presence online through his teaching, writing, and podcasting. He was one of the earliest lawyers to market through internet content, starting with newsletters, websites, and later podcasts. He has also developed courses and speaks at events to guide creators and new lawyers in the media space. In this conversation he talks about building a lifestyle driven law practice, the realities of starting out on your own, and the business lessons lawyers rarely learn in school. He also shares insights about creativity, content production, professional growth, and the challenges of the legal system. In this episode Gordon gives honest advice about finding clients, staying motivated when work is difficult, and shaping a legal career around personal values. Tune in to learn how he built a long-lasting practice, why creative industries matter to him, and what he believes lawyers should focus on to thrive.

Gordon Firemark
https://gordonfiremark.com/

Law Offices of Gordon P. Firemark
https://firemark.com/

Louis Goodman
www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert

louis@lovethylawyer.com

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In collaboration with theAlameda County Bar Association, Love Thy Lawyer presents an interview with:

Helen Hoeffel

Helen Hoeffel is a staff attorney who works with Legal Assistance for Seniors, helping older adults in Alameda County with housing, consumer issues, conservatorships, guardianships, benefits, and elder abuse cases. She also serves on the Alameda County Bar Association board and chairs its business section. Her career includes civil litigation work at a small San Francisco firm, years handling personal injury cases as outside counsel for an insurance company, extensive real estate title litigation, and published appellate cases in both civil and criminal matters. She later moved into criminal appeals for indigent clients before joining LAS, where her work combines litigation, advocacy, and direct service. The episode covers her hands-on work with seniors facing housing and consumer problems, her perspective from serving as a pro tem judge, the emotional challenges of clients in crisis, and the rewards of meaningful wins. She also talks about the role of community, outdoor life, and learning new skills like horseback riding. Listeners will hear a candid look at what it is like to practice law in high-pressure fields while still staying grounded, curious, and connected to the community. Tune in to learn how legal services, appellate work, and real-world problem solving come together in her career and what younger lawyers can learn from her approach.

Legal Assistance for Seniors
https://www.lashicap.org/

Louis Goodman
www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert

louis@lovethylawyer.com