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# Herbert Trial Law: Houston Personal Injury Law Firm

> Herbert Trial Law is a team of personal injury attorneys in Houston, TX\. Schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer near you\.

## Pages
- [Our Areas Of Practice](https://www.herberttrial.com/our-areas-of-practice/)
- [Firefighting Foam Cancer Copy](https://www.herberttrial.com/our-areas-of-practice/firefighting-foam-cancer-copy/)
- [Bar and Nightclub Injury](https://www.herberttrial.com/our-areas-of-practice/bar-and-nightclub-injury/)
- [Head Brain Back or Spinal Injuries](https://www.herberttrial.com/our-areas-of-practice/head-brain-back-or-spinal-injuries/)
- [Blog Posts](https://www.herberttrial.com/blog-posts/)

## Posts
- [S3 Eps 27:The Dirty Verdict — Halloween Edition 2025 🎃](https://www.herberttrial.com/s3-eps-27the-dirty-verdict-halloween-edition-2025-🎃/): The Dirty Verdict — Halloween Edition 2025 🎃
Costumes, bourbon, and big\-law war stories collide\. Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden welcome fan\-favorites Mark Thiessen and Mark Metzger for our annual Halloween bash\. It’s part comedy hour, part shop talk: mediation mind games, Stowers tactics, billboard math, PI client\-poaching, charging trends in Harris \& Galveston County, immigration cross\-currents, and why this show is—ironically—a very visual medium\. Watch for the costumes; stay for the legal gems\.

Chapters
00:00 Cold open: “This is a visual medium—watch on YouTube”
00:38 Halloween roll\-call \+ where’s Tally?
02:30 Mediation mindset: deadlines, snacks \& “sweating out” the other side
03:48 Costumes: Pickle Bill, Michael Myers, Teen Wolf, Bandit, Dorothy
05:39 Road\-trip Bandit: Texas to Florida \& the Hyundai Tucson saga
06:52 The eternal bunny suit \& \(soft\-core?\) Donnie Darko jokes
10:00 Catching up: building a PI practice \(marketing, pipeline, burn\)
11:45 Client poaching, runners \& why criminal court culture is different
13:39 Flat fees vs\. hourly; trial dates, Stowers pressure, and the waiting game
15:25 “Letterhead rule,” airtight Stowers ideas \& certified mail gambits
18:48 Billboard economics \(9–15k/mo\), reinvesting vs\. Lambos
20:16 EOS / Fireproof by Mike Morse; visionary vs\. integrator
22:10 Trying cases = better outcomes \(criminal \& PI parallels\)
25:14 Galveston update: new DA appointment \+ local bar dynamics
28:15 Metzger’s bikini\-contest emcee gig \(marketing that isn’t boring\)
33:12 Lone Star Rally crossover? Law Tigers chat
37:08 Harris County pulse: charging trends, DV reasonableness, intox manslaughter offers
41:30 Individualizing justice vs\. one\-size\-fits\-all sentencing
45:10 Immigration ripples: ICE fears, “witness cards,” plea choices
51:20 Lawyers \+ burnout: immigration bar morale \& policy whiplash
54:40 Closing chaos, shout\-outs, and where to find the guests
56:48 Follow/Subscribe \+ platforms

Guests \& Links
• Mark Thiessen — TexasTrialAttorney • WeFightGiants\.com
• Mark Metzger — IslandAttorney\.com • \#IslandAttorney

Watch/Listen
YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Music \(search “The Dirty Verdict”\)

Follow The Dirty Verdict
IG/TikTok/FB: @thedirtyverdict
- [S3 Eps 11 \- “Receivers Gone Wild” – Judgment Collection Gets Real](https://www.herberttrial.com/s3-eps-11-receivers-gone-wild-judgment-collection-gets-real/): This week on The Dirty Verdict, Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert \(filling in while Bill Ogden mourns the loss of his grandfather—our condolences, Bill\) dive into the world of court\-appointed receiverships—where judgments get enforced, zebras get seized, and helicopters in backyards are fair game\.

Peter and Kyle are joined by two of the most notorious \(and effective\) receivers in Texas: Robert Berleth and Derek Loetzerich\. These legal bounty hunters share jaw\-dropping stories of chasing down debtors, collecting everything from luxury cars to exotic animals, and navigating the wild west of fraudulent transfers and business divorces\.

Whether you’ve got a judgment to enforce or just want to hear how someone found nearly $1 million in cash in a closet—this one’s for you\.

 

🔍 Show Notes:

00:00–01:12 – Opening tributes to Bill Ogden’s grandfather and legendary lawyer Darryl Barger
01:12–02:46 – What is a court\-appointed receiver? Legal context and real\-world impact
02:46–06:13 – Meet Robert and Derek: how they got into receivership work
06:13–10:34 – From paramedic to collections attorney and the case of the zebras 🦓
10:34–14:11 – How they get paid: contingency fees, judgment stacking, and more
14:11–18:20 – When should lawyers call a receiver? \(Spoiler: before it’s too late\)
18:20–22:28 – Chapter 64 receiverships explained \(aka legal hitmen with court orders\)
22:28–27:05 – Powers of a receiver and why they’re way better than garnishment
27:05–30:00 – Yes, they’ve been shot at\. Here’s what not to do when you owe money
30:00–34:35 – Famous debtors: Vince Young, Moses Malone Jr\., and Adrian Peterson
34:35–38:09 – Liquidating jewelry, boats, and classic cars \(some worth far less than expected\)
38:09–42:00 – Offshore asset chases and international enforcement
42:00–46:00 – Cold hard cash: $983,000 in a duffel bag \+ COVID fraud
46:00–50:00 – Why receivers don’t publish addresses and how they protect themselves
50:00–55:00 – The psychology of judgment enforcement: fear, fraud, and fast settlements
55:00–57:12 – Acting as unofficial mediators to help resolve impossible cases
57:12–End – Final thoughts, shoutouts to Suriname, and why you don’t want these guys showing up at your door
 

💼 Takeaway: If you’re a lawyer with a tough judgment to collect, skip the paperwork and call a receiver\. These guys get it done\.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts\. And if you’re in Suriname… we’re sorry\.
- [S3 Eps 21: Inside the Ryan Smith Murder Trial: Insanity, Defense, and the Fight for Justice](https://www.herberttrial.com/s3-eps-21-inside-the-ryan-smith-murder-trial-insanity-defense-and-the-fight-for-justice/): 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\.
- [S3 Eps 26: Marty Lancton Enters the Race: A Firefighter’s Bid for Harris County Judge](https://www.herberttrial.com/s3-eps-26-marty-lancton-enters-the-race-a-firefighters-bid-for-harris-county-judge/): In this episode of Dirty Verdict, hosts Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert sit down with returning guest Marty Lancton, president of the Houston firefighters’ union and now an announced 2026 candidate for Harris County Judge\.
Marty opens up about why he’s running, what he’s learned from decades of front\-line public service, and how his experience leading Houston’s firefighters has shaped his vision for Harris County’s future\. The conversation covers everything from public safety, disaster response, and infrastructure to transparency, county budgets, and rebuilding public trust\.
With a firefighter’s candor and a mediator’s mindset, Marty explains why leadership starts with listening—and why local government should focus less on politics and more on solving real problems\. Of course, this wouldn’t be Dirty Verdict without humor, sidebars about the Astrodome, Harris County Toll Road Authority, and Taylor Swift, and a few good\-natured lawyer jabs along the way\.

Marty’s Big Announcement – Houston Firefighters Union President Marty Lancton officially announces his 2026 run for Harris County Judge\.

Why He’s Running – Marty shares what inspired his decision to enter the race, focusing on leadership, accountability, and rebuilding trust in county government\.

Inside Harris County Government – A clear explanation of how the county judge and commissioners court operate—and why that structure matters for taxpayers\.

Public Safety First – Marty outlines his top priorities: emergency response, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, and infrastructure\.

Fixing the Budget Mess – A deep dive into deficits, hidden funds, and the lack of transparency in Harris County’s multibillion\-dollar budget\.

Fighting Corruption and Waste – Marty discusses how small lapses in oversight can snowball into serious integrity problems—and how he plans to restore accountability\.

Crossing Party Lines – Why local leadership shouldn’t be partisan, and how collaboration leads to better results for residents\.

Lessons from the Firehouse – How decades of firefighting shaped Marty’s leadership style: stay calm, adapt quickly, and always put people first\.

Disaster Management Reality Check – How emergency agencies really coordinate in a crisis, and why trust and teamwork save lives\.

The Astrodome Debate – The hosts pitch tongue\-in\-cheek ideas for repurposing Houston’s landmark—from a Rainforest Café to a football showdown on concrete\.

Government Red Tape – How lawsuits, politics, and delay tactics keep Harris County from solving real problems efficiently\.

The Dirty Verdict Banter – Plenty of laughs as Peter Taaff, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert keep things lively with jokes about waivers, Taylor Swift, smoking bans, and local politics\.

Closing Thoughts – Marty ends on a note of service, transparency, and trust: “If you can’t tell the truth, you can’t lead\.”
It’s an episode packed with insight, laughs, and a genuine look at one of the most consequential local races ahead\.
- [S3 Eps 24: Jeff Davis on Oilfield Trials, Mentors, and Moshing Gone Wrong](https://www.herberttrial.com/s3-eps-24-jeff-davis-on-oilfield-trials-mentors-and-moshing-gone-wrong/): 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\.

## YouTube Imports
- [\- Cannot find channel name](https://www.herberttrial.com/secondline_import_yt/cannot-find-channel-name/)

## Practice
- [Hit and Run](https://www.herberttrial.com/practice/hit-and-run/)
- [Personal Injury](https://www.herberttrial.com/practice/personal-injury/)
- [Firefighting Foam \& Cancer](https://www.herberttrial.com/practice/firefighting-foam-cancer/)
- [Premises Liability Claims](https://www.herberttrial.com/practice/premises-liability-claims/)
- [Rear End](https://www.herberttrial.com/practice/rear-end/)