In this episode of the Goldberg and Rosen Podcast, hosts Judd and Brett Rosen sit down with the legendary Judge Ronald Dresnik to discuss his extraordinary career spanning three distinct roles: public defender, trial lawyer, and judge.

Key Topics Covered:

1. The O.J. Simpson Trial: Judge Dresnik shares behind-the-scenes insights into his partnership with F. Lee Bailey and the cross-examination of Mark Fuhrman.
2. Life on the Bench: Why he never used a gavel and how he learned to identify when someone was lying in his courtroom.
3. Transitioning Careers: From the "modern-day pirates" of the early Miami marijuana practice to becoming a mediator and arbitrator.
4. The Power of Credibility: Why a lawyer's word is everything in the legal profession.

About Our Guest: Ronald Dresnik is a former judge and renowned trial lawyer who has worked alongside legal legends like Roy Black and Richard Gerstein. He currently focuses on high-level civil trial practice and mediation.

In this second episode of the Goldberg and Rosen Podcast, hosts Judd and Brett Rosen welcome back a former member of their legal family, Tyson Kutner of Kutner Personal Injury Law. They discuss the legacy of Tyson's father, the legendary Maurice Kutner, and dive deep into a high-stakes litigation case involving a dangerous design flaw in the Sea-Doo Switch.

Key Topics Covered:

Legacy and Mentorship: Tyson reflects on the "tutelage" he received from the Rosen family and the enduring footprint his father, Maurice Kutner, left on the family law courts.

The "Gladiator" of Family Law: Stories of Maurice Kutner’s unique courtroom presence, his high-profile clients like Shaquille O'Neal, and his philosophy of "killing with kindness".

From Banking to Law: Tyson shares his non-traditional path to becoming a lawyer at age 33 and his passion for helping people.

The Sea-Doo Switch Litigation: A detailed look at a tragic accident in Jacksonville involving a 14-month-old girl and the alleged design defects that led to a massive product recall.

Winning the Battle of Public Opinion: How a strategic press conference in Jacksonville helped force a manufacturer recall.

About Our Guest: Tyson Kutner is the founder of Kutner Personal Injury Law. After beginning his career at Goldberg and Rosen, Tyson launched his own practice where he continues to advocate for victims of catastrophic injuries and product defects.

The National Championship dust has settled, but the stories from "The U" never stop.

In this episode, we are joined by a special member of the Goldberg & Rosen family: former Miami Hurricanes and NFL running back, Mike James. Before he was rushing for 150+ yards against the Seahawks, Mike was actually a summer intern at our law firm—battling us in 6:00 AM spin classes and learning the corporate ropes.

Mike takes us inside the intense world of college football practice (including a hilarious story about a teammate getting "jumped" by one person), breaks down the physical toll of the NFL, and opens up about the injury that changed his life forever.

We also dive deep into the serious side of sports law and medicine. Mike shares his journey from opioid dependency to becoming the first NFL player to file for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for cannabis. We discuss the current state of NFL drug policies, his work with the Lion Order movement, and the research being done right here at the University of Miami on psychedelics and holistic pain management.

In this episode, we cover:

1. [00:00] Intro: From the G&R mailroom to the NFL backfield.
2. [05:30] "Inside Run" & War Stories: Why practice at The U was harder than the games.
3. [12:15] The Injury: Breaking an ankle and the "dark side" of painkillers.
4. [22:40] The Lawsuit: Challenging the NFL's drug policy and filing for a TUE.
5. [35:00] Opioids vs. Cannabis: The science, the stigma, and the future of athlete recovery.
6. [48:00] Life after the League: Entrepreneurship and advocacy.

Links & Resources:

1. Follow Mike James on Instagram: @mikejames | @lionorder
2. Goldberg & Rosen: goldbergandrosen.com
3. Follow us on Instagram: @goldbergandrosen

In this episode of the Goldberg & Rosen Podcast, we sit down with Peter Sotolongo, a powerhouse in maritime and personal injury law. Peter’s story is the absolute definition of the American Dream, but it starts in a place you would never expect.

Peter recounts his arrival in the U.S. during the Mariel Boatlift and his time being processed at a refugee camp in the middle of the Arkansas woods. One night, the KKK arrived in white robes and hoods to intimidate the refugees. But instead of fear, the Cubans reacted with confusion and amusement.

As Peter tells it: "The Cubans got excited... hey, they brought us clowns!".

Peter shares the incredible true story of how that night ended not with violence against the refugees, but with the Klan abandoning their golf carts and running into the woods to escape a crowd of Cubans armed with sticks.

Beyond this legendary story, we dive deep into Peter’s legal career and his philosophy on justice, including:

1. The "Sun and Moon" Strategy: How he blindsides the defense with arguments they can't predict.
2. The Unwinnable Cases: Why he bet it all on the Engle tobacco cases and complex maritime injuries.
3. The "Chicken Wire" Surgery: The medical malpractice case that defined his commitment to his clients.
4. Caring for the Client: The story of Mr. Tirtayasa and the fight for an injured crew member’s dignity.

In this episode:

1. 00:00 - Introduction: The Legend of Peter Sotolongo
2. 05:30 - The Mariel Boatlift & Arriving in America
3. 12:15 - Fort Chaffee, Arkansas: "Bored to death" in the woods
4. 15:00 - The KKK Arrives: "They're dressed in white outfits with the hood"
5. 18:45 - "Nos trajeron los payasos": Mistaking the Klan for a circus
6. 22:00 - The Counter-Attack: Chasing the KKK into the woods
7. 30:00 - Becoming a Lawyer: From picking oranges to law school
8. 45:00 - Trial Strategy & The "Ambush"

Quotes from the Episode:

"The clown showed up in the circus, riding around in circus... doing stupid stuff."

"Kill us? We want to kill them."

"They literally left the golf carts behind and ran into the woods and disappeared."

About the Guest: Peter Sotolongo is the founder of Sotolongo Law, specializing in Admiralty and Maritime Law, Personal Injury, and Medical Malpractice. He is known for his relentless trial advocacy and his ability to win complex cases against major corporations.

Connect with Goldberg & Rosen:

1. Website: goldbergandrosen.com
2. Instagram: @GoldbergandRosen
3. Facebook: Goldberg & Rosen, P.A.

Summary: In this episode, we sit down with Fred Cunningham, a man widely considered a legend in the field of insurance bad faith law. With 37 years of experience, Fred shares how he holds insurance companies accountable and protects families from being "choked" out of their rightful settlements.

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Key Discussion Points:

1. The Origins of a Career: Meeting Judd in a "deathtrap limo" in 2006 and Fred’s uncanny memory for case law citations.
2. The Vegas Gamble: Why Fred tells adjusters that if they want to gamble at mediation, they have to pay off when they lose—just like a casino.
3. The Landmark Harvey Case: The 12-year journey of Geico v. Harvey, from a $100k policy to a $12 million Supreme Court victory.
4. The Human Side of Law: Why treating adjusters and defense lawyers like human beings is Fred’s secret weapon for success.
5. Navigating Tort Reform: Fred’s take on the 2023 Florida law changes and why the "best lawyers" will always find a way to protect their clients.

Notable Quote: "I don't represent trees, bro." — Fred Cunningham on a memorable deposition involving a claimant who allegedly hit a tree.

In this adrenaline-fueled episode of the Goldberg & Rosen podcast, we sit down with legendary Fijian spearfishing guide, Jaga. Known for guiding the world's best divers to the world's biggest fish, Jaga shares the incredible story behind "the fish that broke the internet"—a massive Wahoo that stunned the spearfishing community.

We dive deep into the dangers and thrills of hunting in the remote South Pacific, from the "pinnacle" challenge of landing a Dogtooth Tuna to surviving the chaotic feeding frenzies known as "Sharknados." Jaga also opens up about the devastating impact of commercial overfishing on local waters and shares lighter moments guiding celebrities like Zac Brown, Christian Bale, and Snoop Dogg.

In this episode, we cover:

1. The Viral Catch: The full story behind the 120+ lb Wahoo that went viral online.
2. Surviving the "Sharknado": What it’s really like to be in the water with 50–500 feeding sharks—and how to stay safe.
3. The Dogtooth Tuna: Why this "badass" fish is considered the ultimate trophy in the spearfishing world.
4. Conservation: The stark reality of commercial longlining vs. sustainable spearfishing in Fiji.
5. Celebrity Encounters: Stories from the boat with Zac Brown, Christian Bale, and Snoop Dogg.
6. The Thrill of the Hunt: The mental and physical discipline required to hold your breath and hunt monsters at 90 feet.

Guest:

1. Jaga: Professional Spearfishing Guide & Waterman, based in Fiji.

Spearfishing, Fiji, Wahoo, Dogtooth Tuna, Sharknado, Ocean Conservation, Free Diving, Adventure, South Pacific, Goldberg and Rosen, Jaga, Fishing Stories, Zac Brown, Christian Bale

It is impossible to tell the story of Miami’s legal history without mentioning Judge Jose Rodriguez. Known for "holding court" with a cigar in hand across the street from the courthouse , Judge Rodriguez has been a fixture of the community for over three decades.

In this episode, we celebrate his "transition" (don't call it retirement!) as he moves from the bench to the world of mediation with JAMS. Judge Rodriguez opens up about his humble beginnings as a Cuban immigrant who worked as a welder making garbage containers in Hialeah before applying to law school on a whim during a dinner conversation.

We also dive deep into the cases that defined his career, including the agonizing decision behind a life sentence in a tragic domestic murder trial and the marathon 8-month trial that resulted in a historic $521 million auditing malpractice verdict.

In this episode, we cover:

1. The "Transition": Why Judge Rodriguez refuses to "fade away" and his move to JAMS.
2. The Hialeah Years: His early life working as a welder and learning to work with aluminum.
3. Judicial Philosophy: Why he believes you must "know your judge" and why credibility is the one thing a lawyer can never lose.
4. The Big Cases: Inside the $521 million verdict and the emotional toll of high-stakes criminal sentencing.
5. Life Advice: Why opposing counsel should become your best friends.

1. "It's not retiring. It's transitioning."
2. "One thing you never lose when you become a lawyer is your credibility with the court. Do not ever do that... Clients come and go, you stay."
3. "I've been on a 32-year vacation... It wasn't work to me."

The Honorable Jose Rodriguez (Retired) Former Circuit Court Judge (11th Judicial Circuit of Florida) Mediator/Arbitrator at JAMS

Judge Jose Rodriguez, Miami Law, Goldberg & Rosen, JAMS, Mediation, Legal Career, Hialeah, Civil Litigation, Criminal Defense, Florida Bar, Legal Legends, $521 Million Verdict.