On this episode, host Paul W. Grimm continues his discussion with Professor Maura R. Grossman, focusing on the legal system’s evolving challenges with generative AI and deepfakes.

In this episode, host Paul W. Grimm and Professor Maura R. Grossman explore the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and its expanding role in the legal system.

On this episode, host Paul W. Grimm speaks with retired U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth P. Gesner about settlement of civil cases in federal court, and in particular, the magistrate judge’s role in facilitating settlement discussions. They also discuss several strategies judges can utilize to more effectively manage settlement of their cases, such as maintaining a calendar, holding everyone accountable to deadlines, memorializing agreements that are made between parties, and ensuring that key decision makers are always part of settlement discussions.

On this episode, host Paul W. Grimm speaks with Senior U.S. District Court Judge David G. Campbell about changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure concerning discovery practices, and in particular the effects of the “2015 Amendments” to the rules. These amendments include narrowing the scope of discovery to relevant and proportional information, reintroducing proportionality as a primary limitation to the scope of discovery, and emphasizing judicial case management to streamline litigation. Their discussion highlights how better discovery practices can lead attorneys to faster, better, and cheaper results for their clients.

On this episode, host Paul W. Grimm speaks with Judges Carolyn B. Kuhl and William F. Highberger of the Superior Court of California about the challenges of managing increasingly complex civil caseloads in state and federal courts. The judges introduce their concept of a “Unified Theory of Case Management,” which aims to streamline court procedures through a set of core, case-neutral goals, strategies, and toolkits. Their discussion emphasizes the importance of efficient, fair, and cost-effective resolution of cases, aiming to ensure the judicial process is perceived as fair by all parties involved.

On this episode, host Paul W. Grimm talks with retired U.S. Magistrate Judge John Facciola about his ongoing work as a special master in complex litigation cases. They discuss the origins of the term “special master,” why certain complex cases (especially mass tort MDLs) warrant special masters, their role in these cases, and how they can serve as effective resources to counsel and the district court judge. Their conversation emphasizes that, when used effectively and creatively, special masters can reduce the cost of federal litigation to expand access to justice.

On this episode, host Paul W. Grimm talks with his former colleague at the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, George Hazel, who entered private practice at Gibson Dunn in 2023 after nearly ten years serving as a judge of that court. Their wide-ranging discussion offers practical tips and advice for attorneys handling both civil and criminal cases.

On this episode, host Paul W. Grimm, a retired federal judge and director of the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law, and Professor Dan Capra, the Reed Professor of Law at Fordham University and a reporter for the Advisory Committee of the Federal Rules of Evidence, continue their conversation about amendments to the Federal Rules of Evidence. This episode focuses on amendments to Rules 613, 801, 804, 1006, and a new Rule, 107, which are slated to take effect on December 1, 2024. Their discussion offers context for why new rules and amendments are necessary to ensure uniform application across the federal courts.

On this episode, host Paul W. Grimm, a retired federal judge and director of the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law, and Professor Dan Capra, the Reed Professor of Law at Fordham University and a reporter for the Advisory Committee of the Federal Rules of Evidence, discuss the 2023 amendments to the Federal Rules of Evidence 106, 615, and 702. Their conversation highlights how even subtle revisions to the rules can significantly improve the fairness of court proceedings.

In the inaugural episode, host Paul W. Grimm, a retired federal judge and director of the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law, and U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg discuss the federal rules of civil procedure and the rulemaking process. They break down how the rules are made and how they work in order to help attorneys, judges, and the general public better understand this essential aspect of the United States court system.