The Dirty Verdict

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.

The devastating flash flood at Camp Mystic on July 4th weekend that claimed young lives has left families across Texas asking the same heartbreaking question: “How could this have been prevented?”As a personal injury attorney who has spent over a decade fighting for families devastated by preventable tragedies, I want to help parents understand their… Continue reading Camp Mystic Flood: What Parents Need to Know About Summer Camp Negligence

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, hosts Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert sit down with one of Texas’s most successful trial lawyers, Randy Sorrels. With over four decades of experience, Randy shares the highs, lows, and lessons learned from building his firm, serving the Texas legal community, and securing some of the biggest verdicts in the state. From his early days at Fulbright to leading the Sorrels Law firm to national recognition, this episode dives deep into trial strategy, damages innovation, mentorship, and the importance of giving back to the profession. Episode Highlights: • 🚀 Building a Legacy: How Randy launched his own firm and grew it to 28 lawyers across multiple cities in just five years. • ⚖️ Damages Innovation: The strategies behind his groundbreaking approach to arguing damages and why believing in your client’s story is key. • 🏆 Record-Breaking Verdicts: Inside the $352 million Cruz case and the Casey Clemens trial, plus lessons learned from high-stakes litigation. • 🎓 Mentorship & Service: Randy’s contributions to the State Bar of Texas and South Texas College of Law, including 23 clinics for aspiring lawyers. • 🌎 Diversity in Law: Building one of the most diverse law firms in the country and why it’s critical for connecting with juries. • 💡 Advice for Young Lawyers: Randy’s take on work ethic, branding, and the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone to grow your career. • ⚽ From Soccer Field to Courtroom: How his time playing soccer at Houston Baptist shaped his competitive edge as a trial lawyer. • 🔥 Verdict Stories: Behind-the-scenes tales from legendary Texas cases, unexpected trial twists, and the mentors who shaped his path. This episode is packed with wisdom for trial lawyers, law students, and anyone interested in the art of advocacy.