Is it deal making, or vote trading?
In this podcast, I explore a question that is often discussed by Capitol observers: Are legislative negotiations considered deal making – and lawful – or vote trading – which would be improper at best, or illegal at worst? We’ll take a look at the relevant constitutional
The Difference Between Motion and Action
In this podcast, I talk about my fourth rule for being an effective lobbyist, which is knowing the difference between motion and action. Every advocate can probably relate a painful experience of how they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by giving in to their – or
Protecting Free Speech with Shelby Emmett
I recently sat down with Shelby Emmett, the Director of the Center to Protect Free Speech at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC, for short). Shelby, and the Center to Protect Free speech are based in Arlington, VA.
When it comes to
Welcome to Misconception Monday. This is the first in a series of podcasts that will go up on Mondays about common misconceptions about the California lawmaking process.
Each week, I will dispel misconceptions around one aspect of that process. Today, in my first podcast in the series, I will go
Not Letting the Perfect Become the Enemy of the Good
In this podcast, I talk about my third rule for being an effective lobbyist, which is not letting the perfect become the enemy of the good. While you or your client may love your bill, it is important to remember that most of the
Advocacy in Practice with Justice Andrea Lynn Hoch
I sat down with Associate Justice Andrea Lynn Hoch from the California Third District Court of Appeal. We discussed the many facets of her work at the Court as well as her insights, observations, and tips for attorneys appearing before her, and
In this In Practice podcast, I talk about my second rule for being an effective lobbyist, which is to always be honest. There are many reasons why it is important to always be honest, but perhaps the best reason is that it is easier to remember
Effectively using imagery, simile, and metaphor
In this In Practice podcast, I discuss how telling a compelling story can help an advocate clarify points and simplify complex topics. To be able to tell these stories, an advocate’s skills are greatly enhanced by a solid grasp of how to effectively use
In this In Practice podcast, I talk about my first rule for being an effective lobbyist, which is to be a sponge. It might sound fairly common sense, but this rule has served me well throughout my career as an advocate. These are not just helpful for
In this In Practice podcast, I talk about the components of a trial, with a special focus on how to judge how well an attorney is performing in any given segment of the trial. Similarly, for attorneys tuning in, you could use the information in this