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Your Lawyer and the Opposition’s Are Friends. Should You Worry? | Lawyers Without Billboards - Ep 17
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Is it a red flag if your lawyer is chummy with opposing counsel? Or could it actually help your case?
In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, the Shewmaker & Lewis team tackles a common client concern: attorney friendships across the aisle. Partners Patty Shewmaker, Steve Shewmaker, Jimmy Lewis, and Alexa Lewis discuss why knowing and even liking the opposing attorney might lead to faster resolutions, fewer court battles, and better outcomes for everyone involved.
They share real-life stories from the courtroom - where friends sometimes fight fiercely, and where being too friendly can raise eyebrows. They also talk about when it’s not okay, how to handle optics in front of a client or jury, and even what happens when a judge is part of the inner circle.
🎧 Whether you’re in the middle of a case or just curious about how law really works, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
👉 Have a question or topic idea? Visit shewmakerandlewis.com
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
01:00 – Is it OK to be friends with opposing counsel?
02:30 – Benefits of good working relationships
04:10 – The “fun” trifecta: good client, judge, and opposing counsel
05:30 – When friendliness crosses a line
07:00 – Balancing professionalism and perception
09:30 – Giving (and receiving) “nastygrams”
11:00 – What if you know the judge?
13:00 – Final takeaways: Don’t be alarmed
🔗 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards
👨⚖️ Hosted by Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta-based attorneys helping families navigate divorce, custody, and criminal defense – with zero billboards and zero BS.
🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more. Search Lawyers Without Billboards.
📺 Video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-0sT77VOX5Q
👉 Visit us at https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com for legal resources, case consultations, and future podcast updates.
📩 Contact: [email protected]
Music by Ben Hernandez at Dragonsong Productions
Produced by Rob Burgner at Bleeding Edge in Atlanta, GA.
18 episodes
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