The Dirty Verdict

In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, hosts Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert welcome back fan-favorite trial lawyer Will (now with The Counsel Table podcast) alongside Ryan Loya, who’s fresh off launching his own firm. After some classic Dirty Verdict banter—college football pain, unexpected fan shoutouts, and law-firm “launch party” flexes—the conversation pivots into a deep dive on one of the most catastrophic industrial incidents Houston has seen in years: a propylene leak and explosion that devastated a neighborhood in January 2020. Will and Ryan break down how the litigation evolved into a massive Texas MDL, why the case became “the gamut” of tort claims (personal injury, property damage, business interruption, subrogation, and more), and how the trial team secured two monster verdicts—$37.8M in the first trial and $118M+ in the second. The group also digs into trial strategy: how MDL “trial tracks” get chosen, how the defense approached (and arguably misplayed) damages, the value of picking the right liability narrative, and why juries—especially younger jurors—are thinking differently about corporate accountability. If you want a real-world masterclass in explosion litigation, MDL mechanics, and trial tactics under pressure, this one’s loaded. Show Highlights (with timestamps) • 00:00:00 – 00:01:00 — Intro • 00:01:00 – 00:02:22 — Will’s return + the running joke about his podcast spinoff era (The Counsel Table / “coaching tree” banter). • 00:03:03 – 00:04:28 — Ryan Loya joins, shares his background, and announces his new firm launch (including the Bentley showroom party). • 00:04:28 – 00:05:33 — Law-firm websites, domain-name chaos, and the “starting a business is just buying URLs” reality. • 00:06:15 – 00:07:52 — College football detour: hostile road environment stories and Texas/Georgia frustration. • 00:07:52 – 00:09:43 — Fan shoutouts, the “who’s your favorite host?” debate, and the crew reacting in real time. • 00:09:43 – 00:12:13 — The incident overview: propylene leak, ~10+ hours of gas accumulation, switch flip → explosion → neighborhood damage. • 00:12:13 – 00:14:00 — Casualties and injuries discussed; why Houston’s lack of zoning can put heavy industry next to homes. • 00:13:42 – 00:15:12 — MDL explained (for non-lawyers): centralized claims, same tort, different damages—how it differs from class actions. • 00:15:12 – 00:17:03 — The case complexity explodes: nuisance, injury, property, insurer subrogation, business interruption; plus bankruptcy complications. • 00:18:05 – 00:21:31 — Defendants and liability focus: gas detection systems, service obligations, corporate handoffs, and the “we didn’t own it anymore” defense. • 00:20:47 – 00:21:31 — The first big number lands: $37.8M (Trial 1), and the second: $118M+ (Trial 2). • 00:21:31 – 00:23:14 — How MDL “trial tracks” are picked: plaintiff picks vs defense picks and the strategy behind each. • 00:23:14 – 00:24:57 — Settlements/non-suits reshaping the lineup right before trial; trial team composition and collaboration across firms. • 00:26:03 – 00:28:00 — Trial strategy critique: defense under-anchoring damages, limited pushback, and why that can backfire. • 00:28:18 – 00:29:31 — Key tactical move: narrowing targets (“ride one horse”) to simplify the liability story for the jury. • 00:31:02 – 00:32:18 — Fault allocation talk + a rare joint enterprise finding discussion and what it means in practical terms. • 00:33:07 – 00:34:36 — The “reptile” angle without gross negligence: internal safety language like “protect the community” becomes trial fuel. • 00:38:06 – 00:39:48 — Appellate counsel mentions + jury selection decisions (including shuffling based on early panel composition). • 00:42:44 – 00:44:14 — Trial 2 injuries: orthopedic workups/surgeries, chemical exposure claims, and the major plaintiff: a 9-year-old with scleroderma. • 00:46:03 – 00:47:25 — Practice pointer: the danger of trial-depo video strategy and how cross-exam choices can haunt you. • 00:46:31 – 00:48:30 — Deliberations lasted days; holdout dynamics; biggest award in Trial 2: $58M to the child plaintiff. • 00:48:30 – 00:49:36 — A Gen Z juror’s accountability mindset: “I’m not signing unless the corporate defendant is 51%+.” • 00:50:18 – 00:52:28 — Will reflects on how the show helped his firm; big shoutouts to the collaborative team that carried the case for years.

The Dirty Verdict crew is back with Houston mediator Peter Taaffe and co-host Kyle Herbert—plus producer Amanda—welcoming back Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare for a wide-ranging, candid conversation. Teare breaks down what he’s learned in his first months in office, how he’s rebuilding morale by bringing veteran prosecutors back, and why he’s personally getting back into the courtroom. The discussion also dives into criminal justice priorities, jail population trends, a new diversion concept partnering with trade unions, and how today’s immigration enforcement climate is impacting witnesses, prosecutions, and public safety in Harris County. Main Highlights (with time stamps) • 00:00:38 – Peter and Kyle kick off the show, explain Bill Ogden’s absence, and bring in producer Amanda • 00:01:44 – DA Sean Teare returns: recap of his election win and what he’s focused on now • 00:04:41 – Rebuilding the DA’s office: Teare shares how experienced prosecutors and leaders are coming back • 00:05:39 – Teare talks trying cases himself—including a major intoxication manslaughter conviction—and why it matters • 00:07:11 – Leadership style shift: “rolling up sleeves,” working dockets, and boosting office morale • 00:13:02 – Key jail and crime stats: shifting focus away from low-level drug cases toward violent crime priorities • 00:17:21 – Big opportunity: diversion programs + an innovative partnership with unions/apprenticeships to cut recidivism • 00:31:04 – Immigration enforcement’s real-world courtroom impact: witnesses too afraid (or unable) to testify • 01:03:42 – “Serial killer?” rumor addressed: Teare explains why the cases point to homelessness/addiction issues instead • 01:07:51 – Wrap-up: where to follow the show + Teare hints at branding the union diversion initiative

On this episode of The Dirty Verdict, Peter Taaffe, Bill Ogden, and Kyle Herbert sit down with Houston trial lawyer Sammy Ford of AZA Law Firm for a wide-ranging conversation about big cases, career pivots, and what it really takes to build a life in the courtroom. Sammy walks us through his journey from growing up in Houston’s Third Ward and dreaming of Wall Street, to Harvard, UT Law, a Fifth Circuit clerkship, and stints at powerhouse firms Sussman Godfrey and Abraham Watkins—before landing at AZA. Along the way, he shares war stories from Enron-era work, hedge fund blow-ups, MDLs, and trying complex commercial and injury cases in front of some of Texas’s most memorable judges. From buying his first Bitcoin at an ATM “as a joke” to taking on billion-dollar trading companies after Winter Storm Uri, Sammy breaks down how high-stakes litigation actually works, how big verdicts happen, and why relationships, bar work, and smart marketing still matter. The episode closes with practical, no-nonsense advice for young lawyers who want to carve out a serious trial career in a chaotic legal landscape. Segment Highlights (with timestamps) [00:00:38] Opening banter & Halloween costume chatterPeter welcomes listeners back, introduces Bill and Kyle, and the crew roasts Bill’s “athletic fit” shirt and his Halloween costume plans. [00:01:16] Introducing guest trial lawyer Sammy Ford (AZA Law Firm)The hosts welcome returning guest Sammy Ford of AZA, joke about going in “totally cold,” and tease hot-button topics from Garza to politics. [00:02:14] Politics, Garza, and why Peter refuses to go full punditLight sparring over politics, “woke” jokes, and Peter’s insistence on mostly avoiding political rabbit holes in a polarized world. [00:02:34] Peter vs. Sammy’s résumé (and a call to Jennifer Pinkerton)Peter admits Sammy’s bio is so stacked he had to stop reading, call friend Jennifer Pinkerton for emotional support, and regroup before finishing it. [00:03:12] Growing up in Houston’s Third Ward & inner-city Catholic schoolSammy shares his roots in Third Ward / Riverside Terrace, inner-city Catholic school, and the transition to St. Thomas High School. [00:03:38] “Absolutely not”: Why law was not the first planIn high school, Sammy wanted away from Texas—chasing finance or computer science in California or New York and aiming for Wall Street or Silicon Valley. [00:04:02] Choosing Harvard & the dot-com bust / Enron era pivotSammy picks Harvard, then watches the dot-com bubble burst, markets slide, and Enron collapse back home—pressure that nudges him toward law. [00:05:20] Government major, hated econ, and the “study what you like” lesson [00:07:13] Early Houston litigation work during the Enron fallout [00:09:30] UT Law, the infamous Buda apartment & early big-firm life [00:15:19] Fifth Circuit clerkship with Judge Jerry Smith [00:17:27] Sussman Godfrey & the $500M hedge fund blow-up case [00:20:01] The first Bitcoin buy: $20 at a bar ATM [00:23:24] Moving to Abraham Watkins for real trial experience [00:29:03] First lead trial: Handwritten appearance at the holiday party [00:37:00] Landing at AZA: A blend of Sussman and Abraham Watkins [00:41:07] Winter Storm Uri & the $123M “force majeure” showdown [00:47:37] Port of Houston vs. Louis Dreyfus & Judge Lynn Hughes [00:52:09] How AZA gets its cases & being the “trial-only” hire [00:53:47] Lessons from clerkships, Sussman, Abraham Watkins & AZA [00:58:11] Closing, Greek Festival talk & where to find Sammy

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