"The community at the time was just furious with me for charging any of the counter-protestors with anything. And I was very sympathetic to the ideology of the counter-protestors, and was mortified by some of the viewpoints of the alt-right individuals. But I said, 'I have to prosecute conduct, not content,' and if you start picking sides, that's a scary thing."

Joe Platania, the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Charlottesville, joined us for a candid conversation about what it truly means to serve as a prosecutor.

From starting as a public defender to leading the prosecution of high-profile cases—most notably those arising from the 2017 Unite the Right rally—we explored the immense power and responsibility of prosecutorial discretion, the balance between victim advocacy and fairness to the accused, and the importance of proactive engagement with the communities prosecutors serve.

It was a privilege having Joe join us.

Courtroom Stories & Tactics | RVA Trial Lawyers
Available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and at RVATrialLawyers.com

Based out of Richmond, Virginia, Courtroom Stories & Tactics by RVA Trial Lawyers exists for lawyers who try cases to juries on behalf of people. 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

"The number one takeaway is trust yourself. Because we know our stuff. We are better than them. They are inundated with so much work, and they're doing the same old stuff. We're going to conferences and learning cutting edge technology. So believe in yourself."

Tarun Rana of Rana Law Group in St. Louis, MO joined us for a conversation about learning, improving, and working alongside other trial lawyers. Tarun shared his approach to trial preparation, his insight on building a successful practice, and his experience in utilizing big data and focus groups.

Tarun and Sharif met in the first place thanks to our common friend Chris Finney ("Trying Cases the Right Way," Episode 21, April 2025), further proof of the power of networking and sharing knowledge and resources.

It was a privilege having Tarun join us.

Courtroom Stories & Tactics | RVA Trial Lawyers
Available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and at RVATrialLawyers.com

Based out of Richmond, Virginia, Courtroom Stories & Tactics by RVA Trial Lawyers exists for lawyers who try cases to juries on behalf of people. 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

"So in listening to this, whomever wants Syria to be unified, maybe the solution is to listen to this petition, to consider it, and to work really, genuinely, on reaching a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis." - Firas Alchoufi

In this special episode, international lawyer, arbitrator and humanitarian Firas Alchoufi joins us to bring awareness to the humanitarian crisis that is impacting his home province of Suwayda, in the southern part of Syria.

The recent regime change in that country has brought about a targeted campaign that aims to irradicate the Druze people, whose presence in the Levant dates back over 1,000 years. Brutal atrocities are not only being documented but seemingly celebrated on social media.

Firas is a leading voice bringing a petition before the United Nations, asking it to supervise a referendum in Suwayda, where the questions would be:

1) Suwayda to stay within unified Syria without any change,
2) Suwayda to seek a form of self-governing autonomy, or
3) Suwayda to declare its full independence.

Lawyers have been the catalyst for change when change has been the vehicle for justice. And justice isn't just in the courtroom. It's also a commitment for doing what's right as a human being.

We are deeply appreciative of this platform that allows us to shed light on this humanitarian crisis, and it was a privilege having Firas join us.

To learn more:

People of Suwayda collect signatures demanding the right to self-determination

Syria: Sweida Counters Roadmap with Self-Determination Petition Campaign

Bin Sevan Advocates & Legal Consultants

Courtroom Stories & Tactics | RVA Trial Lawyers
Available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and at RVATrialLawyers.com

Based out of Richmond, Virginia, Courtroom Stories & Tactics by RVA Trial Lawyers exists for lawyers who try cases to juries on behalf of people. 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

"This concept called the ethic of care: we've all heard this term 'care' before. And most of us who have had any type of training, a lot of times we are taught ethics from a formal or practical standpoint. But it doesn't always uplift the care side of things. So how do you do that? How do you adhere to the rules, the order, the law, and also balance that with the needs of all the people that we are talking about here?"

Dr. Brad Lehman from Virginia Commonwealth University joins us for a fascinating conversation on the importance of caring in trial work, the impact of the justice system on various stakeholders, and the complexities of sentencing.

Dr. Lehman has had a fascinating journey from police officer in Henrico County to criminal justice professor, giving him a deep understanding of both academia and life on the front lines. We look in particular at systemic issues like mental health, substance abuse, housing and socio-economic status to frame how broader social responsibilities often fall on the shoulders of the justice system.

It was a privilege having Dr. Lehmann join us.

Courtroom Stories & Tactics | RVA Trial Lawyers
Available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and at RVATrialLawyers.com

Based out of Richmond, Virginia, Courtroom Stories & Tactics by RVA Trial Lawyers exists for lawyers who try cases to juries on behalf of people. 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

"Whether it's a $50,000 case or a $50 million case, it's ultimately helping people preserve their settlement funds, make sure that they are being smart financially, and protecting the financial security of their settlement."

Jenny Sciadini is a Settlement Consultant who partners with attorneys and their clients to maximize the value of settlements while safeguarding government benefits and long-term financial stability. Driven by a passion for helping people, she ensures clients not only protect what they’ve recovered but also build confidence in their financial future.

In this episode, we explore the nuances of settlement planning—from special needs trusts to structured settlements—and how these tools can protect clients’ futures. Jenny also reflects on her background as a criminal prosecutor and explains how her current role helps lawyers navigate financial conversations, manage client expectations, and ensure lasting financial security.

It was a privilege having Jenny join us.

Courtroom Stories & Tactics | RVA Trial Lawyers
Available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and at RVATrialLawyers.com

Based out of Richmond, Virginia, Courtroom Stories & Tactics by RVA Trial Lawyers exists for lawyers who try cases to juries on behalf of people. 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

"I tell my prosecutors that being a public defender was one of the most important things for my career as a prosecutor, even though I only did it briefly. And it's a reason why I have a strong preference for hiring former public defenders and defense lawyers in my office."

We sat down with Ramin Fatehi, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Norfolk, Virginia. From growing up in Iran to serving as a public defender in Richmond, Ramin now leads one of Virginia’s largest prosecutor’s offices.

In our conversation, we talk about:

• How socio-economic conditions like poverty and education shape crime
• Why empathy and reform matter in prosecution
• The importance of community-based prosecution and data-driven decision making
• How he trains his staff and balances the duty to enforce laws with addressing root causes of crime

Ramin shares candid insights into the policies and values that guide his office, and why he believes the future of prosecution must move beyond punishment to also include prevention and community trust.

It was a privilege having Ramin join us.

Courtroom Stories & Tactics | RVA Trial Lawyers
Available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and at RVATrialLawyers.com

Based out of Richmond, Virginia, Courtroom Stories & Tactics by RVA Trial Lawyers exists for lawyers who try cases to juries on behalf of people. 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

"You often think, if someone's going through a hard time, what is the way that you can help them? And here was something I had to offer. I felt like this is something I can do. This is something I can give to them." - Gray Broughton

In this special episode, Nael interviews the team at Broughton Injury Law Firm, including founder Gray Broughton, attorney Zac Grubaugh, and our own Sharif Gray.

We explore their career paths, the firm's origin and mission, and the importance of stepping out of comfort zones to grow as attorneys. Gray shares the story about the case that inspired him to start the firm, while all three discuss their transitions from military legal roles to personal injury trial work.

We also cover trial strategies, emphasizing the need to connect emotionally with juries and the importance of genuine connection in the courtroom.

It was a privilege having Gray and Zac join us.

Courtroom Stories & Tactics | RVA Trial Lawyers
Available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and at RVATrialLawyers.com

Based out of Richmond, Virginia, Courtroom Stories & Tactics by RVA Trial Lawyers exists for lawyers who try cases to juries on behalf of people. 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

"I just owned the bad facts. I talked about them, I mentioned them to the jury. I'm making eye contact with the jury, they're making eye contact with me. And I just had this feeling like, 'I think we've got a good shot here.' It was like this osmosis going on."

Personal Injury Lawyer Dillon Hobbs of Birmingham, Alabama joined us to discuss his trial experience, the nuances of truly understanding and communicating with clients, and how putting yourself in their shoes is in fact a skill to be developed.

We explore questions of confidence, risk, choosing cases, living with the results - even when they don't go your way - and how to lean into the "bad facts" to turn them around to your advantage.

Dillon also emphasizes the importance of getting early career trial experience, and talks about the evolving landscape of personal injury law in Alabama, as we discuss some of the differences between Alabama and Virginia.

It was a privilege having Dillon join us.

Courtroom Stories & Tactics | RVA Trial Lawyers
Available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and at RVATrialLawyers.com

Based out of Richmond, Virginia, Courtroom Stories & Tactics by RVA Trial Lawyers exists for lawyers who try cases to juries on behalf of people. 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