On this episode of The Dirty Verdict, hosts Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert welcome attorney and mediator Leigh Lewis to discuss her transition from a successful insurance-defense practice to full-time mediation.
Leigh reflects on growing up in Midland, Texas, studying environmental management at Duke University, attending the University of Texas School of Law, and building a litigation career that included approximately 30 jury trials and 16 years with Walters, Balido & Crain.
The conversation includes some of Leigh’s most unusual product-liability cases, the realities of preparing unpredictable clients for trial, and what plaintiff attorneys can do to improve their chances of reaching a favorable settlement at mediation. Leigh also offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on how defense attorneys and insurance carriers evaluate claims, witnesses, medical records, experts, venues, opposing counsel, and potential jury verdicts.
The episode concludes with a discussion about overwhelmed court dockets, Leigh’s decision to leave litigation for mediation, and the growing opportunities and privacy concerns surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in legal cases.
Major Topics Discussed
00:00 — Introducing Leigh Lewis and Her Move to Mediation
03:34 — Growing Up in Midland and the Path to Law School
10:04 — Building a Career in Insurance-Defense Litigation
12:18 — Leigh’s Most Unusual Product-Liability Cases
19:18 — Jury Trials, Client Preparation, and Unpredictable Witnesses
25:21 — How Plaintiff Attorneys Can Prepare for a Successful Mediation
37:01 — How the Plaintiff and Defense Bars Share Information Differently
47:26 — Leaving Litigation, Becoming a Mediator, and the Use of AI in Legal Cases