RVA Trial Lawyers: Virginia's Trial Lawyer Podcast

Trial lawyers do not become great overnight. It takes persistence, a relentless work ethic, a willingness to learn from mistakes, a burning passion for the craft, an authentic self, and the courage and vulnerability to enter the arena time and again.

Those who become great trial lawyers also become great people. Through their work, they grapple with the realities of the human condition and in the process cultivate character, principle, integrity, leadership, strength, compassion, and perseverance.
RVA Trial Lawyers exists for Richmond’s trial lawyers. Through this podcast, we hope to learn from them, support them, connect them, inspire them, and preserve their work for future trial lawyers.

RVA Trial Lawyers: Richmond's Trial Lawyer Podcast

"I think it's wonderful work. I'm grateful every day that I get to do, for money, something that I find incredibly interesting. I think personal injury is the best kept secret—the brightest young attorneys should want to do this kind of work."

Maureen Farrell joined us this week on RVA Trial Lawyers. We discuss her work as a personal injury trial lawyer, her willingness to take on challenging disputed liability cases, and how she loves helping her clients through incredibly difficult and stressful times in their lives.

Maureen has more than 15 years of experience in civil litigation, including business disputes, fraud and fiduciary duty cases, and complex personal injury claims. She has tried cases to jury verdict, including the largest fiduciary duty jury verdict in Texas in 2023.

It was a privilege having Maureen join us.

RVA Trial Lawyers: Virginia's Trial Lawyer Podcast
Trial lawyers do not become great overnight. It takes persistence, a relentless work ethic, a willingness to learn from mistakes, a burning passion for the craft, an authentic self, and the courage and vulnerability to enter the arena time and again.

Those who become great trial lawyers also become great people. Through their work, they grapple with the realities of the human condition and in the process cultivate character, principle, integrity, leadership, strength, compassion, and perseverance.

Based out of Richmond, RVA Trial Lawyers exists for Virginia’s trial lawyers. Through our podcast, we hope to learn from them, support them, connect them, inspire them, and preserve their work for future trial lawyers.
If you are willing, we would greatly appreciate it if you left us a 5-Star Google Review by clicking here. Your review will help people find us.

Also, if you would like to subscribe to the RVA Trial Lawyers Newsletter, you can do so here.

Thank you!

Sharif Gray and Nael Abouzaki
RVA Trial Lawyers: Virginia's Trial Lawyer Podcast

"All you can do is guide and arm your good jurors to go in there and fight for you."

Michael Cowen is one of the most respected voices in the personal injury practice area. Over nearly 30 years, he has tried more than 100 cases and built a reputation for being both a skilled trial lawyer and a generous teacher.
Michael started his career in corporate law in New York but chose to return home to Texas and fight for injured people—and he’s never looked back. His work gives him purpose, and he’s driven by a commitment to growth, integrity, and justice.
In this episode of RVA Trial Lawyers, Michael and Sharif dive into:

• The role of psychodrama for personal growth and trial preparation.
• The value of being intentional about having a positive mindset.
• The responsibility to keep learning—and to help others do the same.

Michael also shares his reflections as host of Trial Lawyer Nation and what he’s learned from the hundreds of conversations he’s had with trial lawyers across the country.

It was a privilege having Michael join us.

RVA Trial Lawyers: Virginia's Trial Lawyer Podcast
Trial lawyers do not become great overnight. It takes persistence, a relentless work ethic, a willingness to learn from mistakes, a burning passion for the craft, an authentic self, and the courage and vulnerability to enter the arena time and again.

Those who become great trial lawyers also become great people. Through their work, they grapple with the realities of the human condition and in the process cultivate character, principle, integrity, leadership, strength, compassion, and perseverance.

Based out of Richmond, RVA Trial Lawyers exists for Virginia’s trial lawyers. Through our podcast, we hope to learn from them, support them, connect them, inspire them, and preserve their work for future trial lawyers.
If you are willing, we would greatly appreciate it if you left us a 5-Star Google Review by clicking here. Your review will help people find us.

Also, if you would like to subscribe to the RVA Trial Lawyers Newsletter, you can do so here.

Thank you!

Sharif Gray and Nael Abouzaki
RVA Trial Lawyers: Virginia's Trial Lawyer Podcast

"If not you, who?"
Craig Cooley joined us on RVA Trial Lawyers. We discuss his long career as a criminal defense lawyer, his representation of DC Sniper Lee Boyd Malvo, and his work in the courtroom.
It was a privilege having Craig join us.
"To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest to follow that star
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march
Into hell for a heavenly cause
And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest
And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star
The fight the unbeatable foe
To dream the impossible dream
And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star
To fight the unbeatable foe
To dream the impossible dream"
The Impossible Dream
By Diana Ross, The Supremes, and The Temptations

RVA Trial Lawyers: Virginia's Trial Lawyer Podcast
Trial lawyers do not become great overnight. It takes persistence, a relentless work ethic, a willingness to learn from mistakes, a burning passion for the craft, an authentic self, and the courage and vulnerability to enter the arena time and again.

Those who become great trial lawyers also become great people. Through their work, they grapple with the realities of the human condition and in the process cultivate character, principle, integrity, leadership, strength, compassion, and perseverance.

Based out of Richmond, RVA Trial Lawyers exists for Virginia’s trial lawyers. Through our podcast, we hope to learn from them, support them, connect them, inspire them, and preserve their work for future trial lawyers.
If you are willing, we would greatly appreciate it if you left us a 5-Star Google Review by clicking here. Your review will help people find us.

Also, if you would like to subscribe to the RVA Trial Lawyers Newsletter, you can do so here.

Thank you!

Sharif Gray and Nael Abouzaki
RVA Trial Lawyers: Virginia's Trial Lawyer Podcast

"The toughness and resilience of clients of mine, to see those people pick themselves up off the mat and carry on with life as best they can, is inspiring."

Rand Robins joined us on RVA Trial Lawyers. Rand initially studied journalism but found the investigative skills lent themselves well to gathering evidence. He steadily compiled a notebook of contacts and networks, through phone calls, lunch meetings and quick chats over coffee, that led him to the medical malpractice field, where he has gained extensive jury trial experience.

In today's episode, we reference a well-known video from the Cleveland Clinic called "Empathy: The Human Connection to Patient Care." We highly encourage you to check

Born and raised in Richmond, Rand graduated from the University of North Carolina and earned his law degree from the Washington College of Law at American University. He is dedicated to mentoring middle and high school kids from tough backgrounds and is a board member of UP RVA, an organization that provides support to motivated young people seeking to better themselves through hard work and discipline.

It was a privilege having Rand join us.

RVA Trial Lawyers: Virginia's Trial Lawyer Podcast
Trial lawyers do not become great overnight. It takes persistence, a relentless work ethic, a willingness to learn from mistakes, a burning passion for the craft, an authentic self, and the courage and vulnerability to enter the arena time and again.

Those who become great trial lawyers also become great people. Through their work, they grapple with the realities of the human condition and in the process cultivate character, principle, integrity, leadership, strength, compassion, and perseverance.

Based out of Richmond, RVA Trial Lawyers exists for Virginia’s trial lawyers. Through our podcast, we hope to learn from them, support them, connect them, inspire them, and preserve their work for future trial lawyers.
If you are willing, we would greatly appreciate it if you left us a 5-Star Google Review by clicking here. Your review will help people find us.

Also, if you would like to subscribe to the RVA Trial Lawyers Newsletter, you can do so here.

Thank you!

Sharif Gray and Nael Abouzaki
RVA Trial Lawyers: Virginia's Trial Lawyer Podcast