Sign In
Sign In
Texas Appellate Law Podcast
Todd Smith & Jody Sanders
Recent Episodes
In this milestone episode, hosts Todd Smith and Jody Sanders celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Texas Appellate Law podcast. Reflecting on 145 episodes of conversations with judges, practitioners, and legal innovators, they discuss how the podcast has evolved alongside major shifts in legal practice—from the pandemic's acceleration of virtual proceedings to the emergence of AI in legal work. The hosts share personal insights about what they've learned from their guests, address listener questions about the 15th Court of Appeals and recent case law developments, and express gratitude for the community that has formed around their "backstage pass" to the appellate world. Their conversation offers both a retrospective and a forward-looking glimpse at the changing landscape of appellate practice.
Looking ahead, Jody will present his paper on Broad-Form Issue Submission at the State Bar of Texas’ Advanced Evidence and Discovery program in April (Houston) and May (San Antonio).
Connect and Learn More
☑️ Todd Smith | LinkedIn | X
☑️ Jody Sanders | LinkedIn | X
☑️ Texas Appellate Law Podcast on LinkedIn | X | Instagram
☑️ Texas Appellate Counsel PLLC
☑️ Kelly Hart & Hallman, LLP | LinkedIn
☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music
Produced and Powered by LawPods
Sponsored by Court Surety Bond Agency and Thomson Reuters
Hosts Todd Smith and Jody Sanders welcome Adam Shniderman of Alexander Dubose & Jefferson to discuss his unique journey through academia, clerkships, and private practice. Adam shares how his academic background in criminology and forensic evidence provided a solid foundation for his legal career. He compares clerking at the Texas Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit, and he suggests that young lawyers should consider clerking as a way to enhance their skills. “It is a bit of drinking from a fire hose and learning a lot that you wouldn't necessarily learn as a first-year associate,” he says.
Adam’s insights about Texas appellate law are available on his Substack, named “14th & Colorado” after the intersection where the Supreme Court of Texas is located. Click here to subscribe.
Connect and Learn More
☑️ Adam Shniderman | LinkedIn | X | 14th & Colorado
☑️ Alexander Dubose & Jefferson | LinkedIn
☑️ Todd Smith | LinkedIn | X
☑️ Jody Sanders | LinkedIn | X
☑️ Texas Appellate Law Podcast on LinkedIn | X | Instagram
☑️ Texas Appellate Counsel PLLC
☑️ Kelly Hart & Hallman, LLP | LinkedIn
☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music
Produced and Powered by LawPods
Sponsored by Court Surety Bond Agency and Thomson Reuters
For Chris Dove, it started when he came upon articles in Above the Law about the saga of then-95-year-old federal Judge Pauline Newman. A giant in IP law, Judge Newman faced allegations of poor health and declining cognitive abilities in 2023. Those allegations led to a council’s recommendation that the judge be suspended and a flurry of litigation. “When I started reading for myself,” Chris recalls to hosts Todd Smith and Jody Sanders, “I realized there is a whole system that goes on for policing and managing federal judges that I was unaware of.” Chris’ investigation into the little-known system eventually led to his paper, “Who Judges The Judges? Judicial Qualification and Recusal,” and CLEs. With Todd and Jody, he discusses broader implications around the independence and accountability of federal judges.
Connect and Learn More
☑️ Chris Dove
☑️ Troutman Pepper Locke on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube
☑️ Todd Smith | LinkedIn | X
☑️ Jody Sanders | LinkedIn | X
☑️ Texas Appellate Law Podcast on LinkedIn | X | Instagram
☑️ Texas Appellate Counsel PLLC | LinkedIn
☑️ Kelly Hart & Hallman, LLP | LinkedIn
☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music
Produced and Powered by LawPods
Sponsored by Court Surety Bond Agency and Thomson Reuters
Chief Justice Nathan Hecht is retiring after an extraordinary 43 years on the bench. In this special episode, he joins Todd Smith and Jody Sanders to reflect on his remarkable career as Texas's longest-serving Chief Justice. He shares personal stories, pivotal milestones, and the transformative reforms he championed, from modernizing court technology to improving access to justice. Don't miss this candid and inspiring conversation about Chief Justice Hecht's enduring legacy, his vision for the future of Texas courts, and his advice to the next generation of lawyers and judges.
Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!
A special thanks to our sponsors:
Proudly presented by Butler Snow LLP
Join the Texas Appellate Law Podcast Community today:
The highly publicized Robert Roberson case has raised critical questions about the death penalty and separation of powers. In this episode, Todd Smith and Jody Sanders sit down with criminal defense attorney Doug Gladden to tackle this difficult topic. Known for his insightful legal commentary, Doug shares his career journey from serving as a prosecutor to his new role with the Harris County Public Defender's Office and how his views on justice have evolved along the way. The conversation moves into the challenges of criminal appellate practice, focusing on the high-profile Roberson case. Doug offers a unique perspective on the resource disparities between criminal and civil appeals, the nuances of indigent defense, and systemic issues within the criminal justice system. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that will resonate with legal professionals and the public alike.
Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!
A special thanks to our sponsors:
Proudly presented by Butler Snow LLP
Join the Texas Appellate Law Podcast Community today: