The Dirty Verdict

Houston PI attorney Anthony Pusch joins Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden for a wild, wide-open conversation about building a law brand that actually cuts through the noise—plus boxing gyms, tasers, and… cobras. Anthony traces the path from seven high schools and a hot-headed teen to launching Pusch Nguyen, shares the hard lessons behind PPC, TV, radio, and those viral billboards (including the infamous Step Brothers and “Brokeback” creatives), and gets candid about ethics complaints, attribution, and why authentic social content beats canned “10 things after an accident” posts every time. We also detour into tort reform, San Antonio expansion, trial wins, and the surprising stress relief of… a tortoise sanctuary. Highlights • Growing up in Houston, seven high schools and a near-fight with a drill instructor • Parents, aunts, uncles all lawyers—swore he’d never practice, then found his lane • Early years grinding cases, learning PPC vs. brand the hard way • The origin of “Pusch Nguyen,” why the name became the brand, and billboard repetition that works • Step Brothers shoot, the “Brokeback” billboard, going viral, and handling Puschback without crossing the line • Bar/ethics dust-ups over the word “win,” and how they navigated it • Tracking ROI: billboard + radio/TV + referrals = top-of-mind math • Why most lawyer content flops and what genuine, useful posts could look like (dash-cam breakdowns, real rehab tips) • Boxing/Jiu-Jitsu at the office, the COVID gym era, and a (hilarious) taser story • Snakes & tortoises: from gaboon vipers and cobras to a calmer sanctuary • On tort reform and why capping liability makes roads less safe • Trial talk: recent seven-figure verdicts, hiring hungry lawyers, and avoiding predatory financing Follow/Subscribe: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram & TikTok (@DirtyVerdict).Guest: Anthony Pusch — Pusch Nguyen.

Defense trial lawyer Jeff Davis joins Peter, Kyle, and Bill for a fast-moving hour that hops from a wild “mosh pit” case at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion to the nuts and bolts of catastrophic oilfield litigation. Jeff shares early-career war stories with Peter, breaks down indemnity and Chapter 95 fights, and explains why stipulating to liability can defang a jury’s anger. You’ll hear candid takes on focus groups, witness prep disasters, New Mexico’s hedonic damages, and how juries “send a message” without blowing up numbers. We wrap on golf: Bandon trips, Pebble magic, Muirfield Village perfection, Big Cedar surprises—and a Houston muni tale you won’t forget. Highlights • Throwback trial: The Pavilion “mosh pit” case, early use of responsible third party, and a conservative jury’s $20k punitive “message.” • Oilfield 101: Catastrophic injury (≈80%) vs. commercial down-hole disputes; indemnity/knock-for-knock dynamics; Chapter 95 control issues. • From rig to courtroom: Day-one callouts, OSHA interactions, Permian & New Mexico venues, and why site visits matter. • Strategy that moves numbers: How stipulating liability and smart focus groups cool juror anger—and when plaintiffs’ detailed demand letters help resolution. • Witness prep—good, bad, ugly: The peril of over-coaching, “I don’t know” discipline, and the depo pause heard ’round the mediation. • Venue quirks: New Mexico wrongful-death hedonic damages and RTP practice to get all actors on the form. • Verdicts & lessons: A seven-figure Oklahoma verdict, why “ask” matters, and the anti-reptile effect of accountability. • Golf cooldown: Bandon plans, Pebble as #1 played, Muirfield Village conditions, Big Cedar/Payne’s Valley cabins, and the Lions/Hermann Park debate. 🎧 Follow and watch: Spotify • YouTube • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Music • TikTok • LinkedIn • Instagram • Facebook.

Solo-hosting this week, Peter Taaffe welcomes trial lawyer Thomas Frashier of ACA Law to unpack a first-of-its-kind lawsuit between two Austin influencers—the viral “sad beige” copyright/trade dress case. Thomas explains how the Amazon Influencer/Associates ecosystem really works, why “stealing a vibe” isn’t the same as stealing IP, and how his team defended creator Alyssa Scheele to a decisive win. From pleading standards and the DMCA to likeness rights, PR strategy (yes, including a Beyoncé-quoting answer), and the three-month copyright registration rule, this is a masterclass in modern IP litigation for the social media era. The case ended with the plaintiff dropping all claims—no payment, no gag clauses—and Alyssa preserving her right to tell the story. If you care about creators, brands, and the law colliding online, you’ll love this one. Episode Highlights What the “sad beige” aesthetic is—and what IP law actually protects Inside the Amazon Influencer Program: links, commissions, and Prime Day playbooks The claims: copyright (direct/vicarious), DMCA CMI, trade dress, likeness, and the “kitchen-sink” torts Why “you copied my style” ≠ protectable IP (and where trade dress does apply) The Twombly/Iqbal plausibility bar and why early dismissal is tough in social media cases The three-month rule for statutory damages—and how late registrations undercut the case Damages theories vs. reality: statutory vs. actual and the proof plaintiffs need PR as strategy: a speaking answer, media outreach, and reframing the narrative Deepfakes, NIL, celebrity voice rights, and where likeness law is heading Trial culture at ACA: early responsibility, nationwide cases, and learning from the courtroom Why the case ended: non-suit, no payment, no non-disparagement, and a clean defense win Takeaways for creators: document timing/metadata, avoid monopoly-style demands, and know the ecosystem you’re in

The Dirty Verdict is back after a long summer with a football-packed edition! Hosts Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden are joined by special guest Drew Shirley, who brings a unique journey from Duke basketball glory days to the world of law and sportscasting. From college rivalries and memorable interviews to his transition back into personal injury law, Drew shares stories that are equal parts entertaining and inspiring. Plus, the crew dives into college football kickoff week with predictions, banter, and plenty of laughs. Highlights from this episode: Kicking off the fall season with a college football–themed episode. Drew Shirley’s Duke basketball days during the Christian Laettner, Bobby Hurley, and Grant Hill era. The wild life of a small-market sportscaster: from $18k salaries to hauling cameras solo. Drew’s career pivots from law → sportscasting → law again. His best interview (Roger Clemens and President George H.W. Bush) and worst (awkward kids’ ice skating team). The hosts debate Arch Manning vs. Quinn Ewers and the future of Texas football. Predictions and hot takes on the Texas vs. Ohio State showdown. Notre Dame fandom (by marriage), Duke hoops, and adjusting to rooting for OU. A breakdown of the top 10 college football teams heading into the season.

In this gripping episode of The Dirty Verdict Podcast, hosts Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert take a deep dive into one of Houston’s most shocking criminal cases—the trial of Ryan Smith, accused and convicted of murdering his father. Joining the discussion are seasoned criminal defense attorneys Todd DuPont and Gianpaolo “GP” Macerola, who served as Smith’s defense team. Together, they unpack the twists and turns of the case—from Ryan’s sudden mental breakdown and bizarre behavior, to the role of Zoloft, conflicting psychiatric evaluations, and the legal battle over whether Smith was insane at the time of the killing. The conversation sheds light on the complexities of mental health in criminal law, the strategies behind defending high-stakes cases, and the challenges of presenting insanity defenses in Texas courts. With candid insight, Todd and GP reveal how they built their case, the uphill battle they faced against the prosecution, and what this trial says about the justice system. Whether you’re fascinated by true crime, mental health issues, or the inner workings of criminal defense, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, host Peter Taaffe sits down with attorney Steeves Hopson, founder of Hopson Injury Attorneys, to talk about his bold move from working at top firms to launching his own law practice. Steeves shares his path from growing up in a family full of lawyers, to prosecuting serious cases in Webb County, to landing multiple impressive verdicts just before and after starting his firm. They cover the realities of going solo—from financial preparation and building a personal brand, to grassroots marketing, mentorship, and standing out in a crowded personal injury market. Steeves also walks us through three recent trials, including a tough Texas Tort Claims Act case, a bench trial against a shady defendant, and a dog bite trial with pro se opponents—proving that even “impossible” cases can be worth fighting.