Lawyers Without Billboards

Real lawyers, real talk—without the billboards. Lawyers Without Billboards is an unfiltered look at family law, hosted by the partners of Shewmaker & Lewis: Steve and Patty Shewmaker, and Jimmy and Alexa Lewis. With decades of experience in divorce, custody battles, child support, alimony, and criminal law, they break down legal myths, share expert insights, and dive into real cases (sometimes with a side of humor). Expect candid conversations, legal deep dives, and the occasional sidebar on pop culture, legal movies, and life as family law attorneys. Whether you're navigating a family law issue, practicing law yourself, or just enjoy courtroom drama, this podcast offers valuable insights with a dose of levity. New episodes every two weeks Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Lawyers Without Billboards is a education podcast hosted by Shewmaker & Lewis, with 82 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Shewmaker & Lewis hosts Lawyers Without Billboards, a education show with 82 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #40

  Courtroom Objections Part 3: Who’s Telling the Truth? | Lawyers Without Billboards S2-Ep40

  Oct 1, 202632 minS2

  When two people walk into court with completely different versions of what happened, how does a judge decide who to believe? In Part 3 of our courtroom objections series, the Lawyers Without Billboards team tackles character evidence, credibility, relevance, and the rules that determine what a court should and shouldn’t hear. We break down when a witness can testify about someone’s reputation for truthfulness, why specific bad acts usually can’t be used simply to prove bad character, and how cross-examination can sometimes open the door to evidence that otherwise wouldn’t come in. The conversation also covers relevance in family law, including why something that happened years ago may have little bearing on the case today, plus objections involving misstating testimony, assuming facts not in evidence, and questions that aren’t being asked in good faith. Then we get into Rule 403 and the balancing act between evidence that is genuinely probative and evidence that may be unfairly prejudicial, cumulative, confusing, or misleading. Plus, the team shares a few courtroom stories, including gruesome crime-scene evidence, a defendant posing with guns, and why lawyers sometimes need to cross-examine their own clients before anyone ever gets near a c ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Lawyers Without Billboards 00:41 – The New Georgia Family Law Book 03:53 – Courtroom Objections Part 3 04:20 – Improper Character Evidence 07:01 – When It Becomes a “Swearing Contest” 08:43 – Character Witnesses and Truthfulness 10:05 – Cross-Examining a Character Witness 11:59 – Reputation and the Hearsay Exception 13:06 – What Counts as Relevant Evidence? 14:08 – When Old Misconduct Stops Mattering 16:38 – Why Lawyers Cross-Examine Their Own Clients 17:45 – Legal Advice From Family, Friends…and ChatGPT 20:06 – Misquoting Witnesses and Misstating Evidence 23:15 – Rule 403: Probative Value vs. Unfair Prejudice 24:23 – When Evidence Is Too Prejudicial 27:58 – The “Jesse James” Gun Photo 30:28 – Coming Up: Privilege 31:25 – Closing Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards. ️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis Watch here: https://youtu.be/dbctyPG_2m8 or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com (770) 939-1939 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA #LawyersWithoutBillboards #CourtroomObjections #FamilyLaw #GeorgiaLaw #Evidence #CharacterEvidence #LegalPodcast #TrialLaw #ShewmakerAndLewis

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  Episode #39

  When Divorce Meets Bankruptcy with Guest Shayna Steinfeld | LWB S2-Ep39

  Sep 24, 202634 minS2

  What happens when a divorce settlement collides with bankruptcy law? Bankruptcy attorney Shayna Steinfeld joins Steve, Jimmy, and Alexa to unpack the surprisingly complicated intersection between family law, debt, property settlements, support obligations, and bankruptcy. Shayna explains why a divorce decree may determine obligations between former spouses but does not necessarily prevent a bankruptcy trustee or creditors from pursuing assets later. The conversation covers everything from jointly owned homes and business debt to indemnification clauses, Chapter 7 versus Chapter 13, and the difference between a property settlement and an obligation considered “in the nature of support.” They also discuss practical ways family lawyers can better protect clients when drafting settlement agreements, what happens when one spouse files bankruptcy after divorce, and why bankruptcy issues often require specialized counsel. Along the way, Shayna shares her path into bankruptcy law, her experience as one of the relatively few attorneys working at the intersection of bankruptcy and family law, and how her career developed during a time when women were still significantly underrepresented in legal practice. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 00:41 – Meet bankruptcy attorney Shayna Steinfeld 03:28 – World War II history, travel, and books 05:21 – A Family Lawyer’s Guide to Bankruptcy 06:00 – Shayna’s bankruptcy practice and specialties 07:02 – When business debt and divorce collide 09:43 – How bankruptcy courts view divorce settlements 11:05 – Can a trustee claw back property transferred in divorce? 13:38 – Does indemnification protect a spouse? 15:55 – Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 and property settlements 17:18 – A real-world contempt and bankruptcy problem 18:41 – Is “in the nature of support” language enough? 21:35 – Drafting divorce agreements with bankruptcy in mind 22:51 – When family lawyers should call bankruptcy counsel 24:04 – Shayna’s career and professional accomplishments 25:15 – Women entering the legal profession in the 1980s 27:40 – What happens when a former client files bankruptcy? 29:59 – Can attorneys protect their own unpaid fees? 31:05 – Why every lawyer needs trusted referral relationships 31:51 – World War II travel and what’s still on Shayna’s bucket list 32:44 – Closing thoughts Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards. ️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis Watch here: https://youtu.be/s9_on2FKaSc or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com (770) 939-1939 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

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  Episode #38

  From Diaries to Deathbed Statements: The Exceptions to Hearsay | Lawyers Without Billboards S2-Ep38

  Sep 17, 202632 minS2

  Hearsay is one of the most misunderstood concepts in the courtroom, but the rule comes with a long list of exceptions. In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , Alexa, Steve, Patty and Jimmy dig into the hearsay exceptions lawyers actually use, from present sense impressions and excited utterances to medical statements, recorded recollections, property records, ancient documents and even deathbed statements. The team also talks about how these exceptions show up in real family law cases, why admissibility and credibility are two very different things and why good trial lawyers should always assume the other side is going to object. And yes, somehow diaries, light bulbs and 20-year-old emails all make an appearance. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Lawyers Without Billboards 00:59 Hearsay Exceptions: Why They Exist 02:37 Georgia’s Two Hearsay Exception Statutes 03:41 Present Sense Impression 06:20 Present Sense Impression vs. Excited Utterance 08:44 Existing Mental, Emotional or Physical Condition 11:21 Statements for Medical Diagnosis or Treatment 13:15 Recorded Recollection and Diaries 14:13 When a Journal Is Created for Litigation 16:57 Records of Vital Statistics 17:58 Religious Records and Certificates 19:01 Ancient Documents 20:39 Using Old Financial Records in Divorce Cases 22:21 Property Records and Real Estate Documents 22:59 How Trial Lawyers Prepare for Hearsay Objections 26:02 Prior Criminal Convictions 27:40 When the Declarant Is Unavailable 28:59 Former Testimony 29:09 Dying Declarations 29:28 Statements Against Interest 30:33 The Bottom Line: Assume They’ll Object 30:47 Closing Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards. ️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis Watch here: https://youtu.be/bmQSc27RZEQ or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com (770) 939-1939 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

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  Episode #37

  Is Child Support Unconstitutional? Lawyers Debunk the Internet Myth | Lawyers Without Billboards S2-Ep37

  Sep 10, 202626 minS2

  Can child support really be unconstitutional? According to some corners of TikTok, Instagram and the internet, the answer is yes. There’s just one problem: that isn’t what the law says. In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , Steve, Patty, Jimmy and Alexa dig into one of the stranger child support claims circulating online: that a Minnesota Supreme Court case supposedly ruled child support unconstitutional. Patty explains what the case actually decided, why the claim has been badly distorted online and how misinformation can turn into very expensive legal trouble when people try to use it in a real courtroom. The team also takes a look at a $279 “child support discharge” packet complete with courtroom scripts, “living man” language and arguments that sound suspiciously familiar to the sovereign citizen world. They also discuss: • Where child support laws came from • What the Minnesota Supreme Court actually ruled • Why child support itself was not declared unconstitutional • Whether child support can be legally “discharged” • Why internet legal scripts can backfire badly in court • Common misconceptions involving VA disability and child support • Why people often search online for the answer they want instead of the law that actually applies If you’ve ever seen a reel, video or website promising a secret legal loophole that makes child support disappear, this episode is worth a listen. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Lawyers Without Billboards 00:51 Is child support unconstitutional? 02:45 Where did child support come from? 03:52 Child support and English canon law 05:21 The origins of child support enforcement 06:36 Child support enters federal law 07:25 The Minnesota Supreme Court claim 09:05 Holding vs. dicta 10:58 What the Minnesota case actually said 12:36 The internet’s courtroom “magic words” 12:52 The $279 child support discharge packet 15:30 Why the discharge packet won’t work 16:28 Reading the courtroom script 19:04 Child support is constitutional 20:47 The danger of online legal misinformation 21:39 VA disability and child support myths 23:03 Asking ChatGPT if child support is constitutional 24:20 Searching for the answer you want 25:01 Final takeaway Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards. ️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis Watch here: https://youtu.be/bmQSc27RZEQ or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com (770) 939-1939 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

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  Episode #36

  The Lautenberg Amendment: When Domestic Violence Costs You Your Gun Rights | Lawyers Without Billboards S2-Ep36

  Sep 3, 202636 minS2

  A misdemeanor does not always mean minor consequences. In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards , Steve, Patty, Jimmy and Alexa break down the Lautenberg Amendment and how a domestic violence conviction can affect a person’s right to possess firearms under federal law. The conversation starts with the Second Amendment and the broader question of how far the government can go in regulating firearm ownership. From there, the team traces the law from the Gun Control Act of 1968 through the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment, which expanded federal firearm restrictions to certain misdemeanor domestic violence convictions and eliminated exemptions that had previously applied to members of the military and law enforcement. They also discuss constructive possession, why the exact name of the criminal charge may not determine whether federal firearm restrictions apply, and the importance of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Hayes . For military members, law enforcement officers, attorneys and anyone facing a domestic violence charge, the consequences can extend far beyond the courtroom ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Lawyers Without Billboards 00:41 – Meatballs, marriage and a Chick-fil-A burrito 05:52 – Introducing the Second Amendment 07:25 – Does the Second Amendment protect an individual right? 08:47 – Can the government restrict what weapons you own? 13:24 – When can the government take away firearm rights? 13:50 – The Gun Control Act of 1968 15:42 – The original military and law enforcement loophole 18:49 – The Lautenberg Amendment of 1996 21:07 – How Lautenberg changed firearm restrictions 21:40 – 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) and who it applies to 22:19 – Constructive possession explained 23:28 – Felony convictions and firearm possession 25:29 – Misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence 27:22 – Where domestic, criminal and military law intersect 28:19 – Does the charge have to be called “domestic violence”? 29:48 – United States v. Hayes 32:10 – Why the factual basis of a plea matters 33:27 – Key takeaways from the Lautenberg Amendment 33:47 – What future episodes will cover Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards. ️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis Watch here: https://youtu.be/Fzs2MaX01pQ or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com (770) 939-1939 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA

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