The NC DWI Guy

On today’s episode, Jake reflects on his last 9 episodes with young leaders of the criminal defense in North Carolina. After drilling down on the repeated indicators of success based on his conversation with the lawyers in this Warriors series, Jake has discovered the unanimous greatest weapon that a legal warrior can possess and develop: relationships. As Robin Sharma remarked, “The business of business is relationships; the business of life is human connection.” Highlights: · Listen to Jake talk about how fascinating it was to hear the emphasis on relationships be repeatedly discussed by the guests in this legal leaders series. · Follow Jake through a guided thought experiment on the opportunity to access business leaders in the criminal defense world. · Discover how to find a group of curious criminal defense practitioners voraciously committed to self-improvement.

On today’s episode, Robert DiDomenico joins Jake as we continue the Warriors on the Battlefield series highlighting young leaders in criminal defense. Rob is an associate attorney at Hiltzheimer Law Office in Durham, North Carolina. Rob describes how he was able to land a job working with the incredible Ben Hiltzheimer straight out of law school and his perspective on how to add value both in the courtroom and in relation to your firm’s bottom line as an associate attorney. Highlights: · Rob describes his background in theater and how those skills have shaped his lawyering and why his career as an actor led him to law school. · Listen to Rob’s advice for young lawyers trying to advance the business development of their firms. · Uncover the culture of Hiltzheimer Law.

On today’s episode, Leah Shellberg joins Jake as we continue the Courtroom Warriors series highlighting young leaders in criminal defense. Leah is a Managing Partner at the Law Office of Tony Huynh, PLLC. Leah believes in practical and dynamic legal representation and sees herself as the ferry her clients can ride through the court system as she provides them with the legal knowledge they need to make empowered choices along the journey. Leah’s love of her clients and work is contagious and you are going to relish Leah’s take on the practice of criminal defense! Highlights: · Leah develops the theme we have heard on a number of the Warriors episodes about the importance of relationships in growing your practice. · Listen to some of the amazing advice that Leah offers on how to take care of your mental health during your commute. · Discover the practical steps that Leah’s firm has utilized to create a culture of work-life balance for its employees.

On today’s episode, Daniel Donahue joins Jake as we continue the Courtroom Warriors series highlighting young leaders in criminal defense. Donahue Defense is located in Nags Head and Daniel handles DWI and other criminal cases in Dare and Currituck Counties. This episode is chalk full of practical advice for young lawyers starting their own law firm or who have recently hung their shingle. Bring your notepad to today’s episode! Highlights: · This is truly one of the best episodes of the podcast in showcasing how to build your law firm from the ground up. · Listen as Jake and Daniel discuss why lawyers from small towns should consider setting up shop in their hometowns after law school. · Uncover some of Daniels best customer service lessons learned while he worked in his family’s small business growing up.

On today’s episode, Jennifer Chandler joins Jake as we continue the Courtroom Warriors series highlighting young leaders in criminal defense. Jennifer is the epitome of a criminal defense lawyer, passionate about her work: fighting in the courtroom and building an emotional connection with her clients. Chandler Law is located in Mooresville and Jennifer handles a variety of traffic and criminal cases in Charlotte, Huntersville, and Mooresville. Highlights: · Discover what led to Jennifer’s journey into criminal defense. · Hear the passion of a true warrior as Jennifer describes why she loves practicing criminal defense. · Uncover some the hurdles that Jennifer identifies for criminal defense lawyers in the current criminal justice system.

On today’s episode, Jake continues the Courtroom Warriors series highlighting young leaders in criminal defense by diving into conversation with his good friend, Josh Nielsen. Josh’s firm, Nielsen Legal handles a variety of practice areas including all levels of criminal representation throughout Western North Carolina. This episode is packed with practical advice on building a successful criminal law practice one relationship at a time. Highlights: · Discover some of the keys Josh has used in designing a practice that provides personal fulfillment. · Learn how Josh has built his practice through relationships and why this is particularly critical due to the wide geographic territory he covers. · Listen to Josh’s advice on building a better local bar and why the local bar and judiciary make such a difference in the quality of life of local practitioners. · Uncover how Josh taught Jake one of the most valuable lessons in their brief time working together on the importance of providing your team with the correct tools and systems.

On today’s episode, Jake continues the Courtroom Warriors series highlighting young leaders in criminal defense with this week’s spotlight on Rowan County attorney Marlowe Rary. Marlowe is a former teacher turned lawyer and shares the moment in his youth that sent him on a trajectory towards criminal defense. Marlowe is a partner at Whitley, Jordan, Inge & Rary, a powerhouse of criminal defense experience and expertise. Highlights: · Discover why joining a longstanding criminal defense firm may be the quickest way to success in both the courtroom and business. · Learn how Marlowe’s background as a teacher has helped in his development as a lawyer and why education is such a huge part of his firm’s culture. · Uncover some of the biggest challenges facing criminal defense lawyers according to Marlowe and his forecast of legal developments coming our way.

On today’s episode, Jake continues the Courtroom Warriors series highlighting young leaders in criminal defense by interviewing his good friend Kevin Marcilliat. Kevin is a criminal defense warrior that has handled cases in more than 80 counties across North Carolina. Kevin’s journey into criminal defense is inspiring, as is his rapid ascent into partnership status at one of the leading criminal defense firms in the state, Marcilliat & Mills. Highlights: · Discover some of the takeaways that Kevin experienced at his recent first off-site partnership meeting. · Learn how Marcilliat and Mills has employed a strategy of acquiring other law firms as part of its growth model. · Find out how Kevin was able to move into a partner role so quickly at his current firm. · Uncover what sets Marcilliat and Mills apart when it comes to attracting and retaining A-Players.

On today’s episode Jake speaks with his friend Ryan Stowe to kick off the Warriors on the Battlefield series, which will highlight young leaders in criminal defense in North Carolina. Ryan is the owner of the Stowe Law Firm, PLLC in Salisbury, NC and is a passionate counselor to his clients in the office and a furious fighter in the courtroom. Highlights: · Learn how Ryan has uniquely leveraged social media to grow his firm’s online presence and brand. · Discover how Ryan has fostered a spirit of education with his team and why they have a monthly book club. · Hear why the Stowe Law Firm is highly selective when bringing on new clients and why this has been so powerful to the firm’s growth. · Listen to Ryan talk about how his team gives candid intra-office feedback to each other and the impact this has had on the firm’s culture.

Today Jake celebrates episode 200 of the NC DWI Guy! To commemorate this two hundredth episode, Jake offers a reflection on the importance of envisioning your firm in 10 years. One of Jake’s favorite movie quotes is “Brothers, what we do in life, echoes in eternity,” from General Maximus to his troops in Gladiator. However, the beginning of that quote voiced by Russell Crowe offers its own wisdom and fits perfectly in line with today’s topic: “Three weeks from now, I will be harvesting my crops. Imagine where you will be, and it will be so. Hold the line!” Imagine where your law firm will be in 10 years, and it will be so.

On today’s episode Jake explains the purpose behind Minick Law’s quarterly mock trial days and why practicing and developing your arguments in a real time setting is so helpful for criminal defense lawyers. Highlights: · Discover the powerful feedback available in a mock trial setting. · Find out why mock trials are so helpful for preparing young lawyers to deal with the nerves associated with a criminal trial. · Learn the educational advantage of arguing a case in the practice courtroom setting versus simply bouncing your case off another lawyer for trial strategy. · Uncover the creativity of argument that is unleashed during a mock trial and why novel arguments are more likely to flow from attorneys engaging in a regular mock trial practice.

On today’s episode Jake speaks with entrepreneur and managing partner of iTicket.Law, Dan Hatley. Dan describes iTicket as a tech company providing legal services. The innovative technology that provides the foundation for iTicket’s success is truly revolutionizing the practice of criminal defense. If you want a peak behind the curtain at the future of the legal industry this episode is for you! Highlights: · Discover how Dan has built iTicket from a firm of 1 to 75+ team members. · Uncover some of the biggest challenges that Dan and his team at iTicket have overcome along their growth journey. · Listen to Dan describe how he has addressed shortcomings in the client experience through the utilization of technology. · Hear Dan describe how eCourts and an increasing number of Public Defenders office’s are changing the private practice of criminal defense.

On today’s episode Jake goes deep into the psychology of a potential DWI client. Of all the causes for anxiety that a client is facing, one of the deepest but often unspoken causes for concern that a DWI client faces is the thought “what are people going to think about me getting a DWI?” Understanding this friction point is essential to helping put the client’s mind at ease during the initial consultation and delivering a WOW experience to your client over the course of representation. Highlights: · Discover how we know that clients are anxious about what other people think about them receiving a DWI charge. · Learn why protecting your client by defending their character is critical to top level DWI representation. · Hear some of the specific thoughts occupying your client’s mind when it comes to how others view their charge. · Uncover a long list of tips about how to eliminate embarrassing situations for your client and how to showcase your client’s true character in the courtroom.

On today’s episode Jake discusses the recently published NC Court of Appeals opinion of State v. Forney, COA23-338. This case analyses the importance of a proper “observation period” in a breath testing case. Highlights: · Discover why the Court ruled that chewing gum during and immediately prior to breath testing should have resulted in suppression of the breath test. · Listen to Jake discuss the statutory interpretation utilized by the Court to reach its decision.

Jesse Frye is a coach with the Law Firm Mentor, where he has helped solo and small law firm owners achieve their growth goals by building the right systems, hiring the right people, and overcoming obstacles that get in the way. He is also the co-owner of ScaleLegal, a marketing company that is redefining the client journey in the legal industry using innovative Growth Loops, specifically designed to help law firms create Signature Client Experiences. Highlights: · Hear Jesse share the most common roadblocks facing his lawyer clients in growing their law firms. · Find out some of the big picture changes coming for the legal industry due to rapidly improving AI. · Listen to Jake and Jesse discuss how to structure the correct fee for your services. · Discover how Jesse advises clients to prioritize the problems they face as law firm owners.

Is your weekly calendar filled with chaos, mundane tasks, frustrating meetings, or items you didn’t put there? Would you like to create a schedule filled with tasks that bring you energy, fulfillment, and have a lasting impact on those around you? Take control of your calendar with intentionality as you implement the ideas shared by Jake in this week’s episode.

On today’s episode, special guest James Gilchrist shares the recipe for his firm’s success: employee retention. In this episode hear James discuss the family culture that he has created with his team, three of whom have been with him since he started his firm in 2016. If you want to avoid turnover and hire right, this episode is for you. Highlights: · Listen as James shares why he has been so successful at retaining his incredible legal team. · Discover the transparent culture that James has created at the Gilchrist Law Firm. · Learn how James has shared his 2024 Vision with his team in order to get buy in to the direction of the firm.

If you want to get the 2024 marathon started off on the right foot, take a listen to today’s episode for three tips on setting yourself up for success in achieving your Everest-sized Goals.

On today’s episode Jake reviews the recent unpublished North Carolina Court of Appeals decision in State v. C.K.D. In C.K.D. the Court upheld the trial court’s dismissal of a DWI based on State v. Knoll. Highlights: · Hear the very interesting and important facts surrounding the defendant’s detention in this case. · Learn why the magistrate’s Findings of Fact that defendant had “.17 BAC, red glassy eyes, slurred speech, and odor of alcohol” did not amount to clear and convincing evidence that defendant presented a danger to himself or others. · Discover why the Court rejected the State’s argument that defendant had waived his right to have a witness given that he had signed a form indicating that he did not wish anyone to observe him at the jail.