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Lauren Varnado has carved a name for herself as an influential energy attorney, navigating some of the most complex legal challenges in the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries. Initially a managing partner at Michelman & Robinson during the recording of The Attorney Post, Lauren has since transitioned to Brown Rudnick LLP. As a partner in their Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group, she continues to specialize in high-stakes disputes involving the energy sector, focusing on complex contractual issues and climate change litigation.

During the podcast, Lauren delved into the intricacies of her energy litigation practice. She described her niche as a lawyer focused on upstream and midstream operations in the oil and gas sector, where she handles everything from disputes over leases to the intricacies of gas transportation contracts. Her cases often involve high-value legal conflicts between operators and disputes over royalties—cases that require both industry knowledge and courtroom expertise.

Lauren shared that while she is an industry lawyer first, her role as a trial lawyer has also become integral to her practice. Her passion for legal advocacy shines through her ability to dive deep into the nuances of energy contracts and business disputes, making her a trusted legal advisor for large-scale energy companies.

Lauren’s career trajectory was not always set in the energy sector. Initially drawn to criminal law, she once considered a career as a prosecutor. However, as her law school studies progressed, Lauren’s interests shifted toward more complex legal fields, eventually landing her in energy litigation. This shift was pivotal, as she now occupies a prominent space in one of the most legally challenging industries.

One of the standout moments from the podcast was Lauren recounting a harrowing experience in which a judge threatened her with a firearm during a private hearing. This shocking display of judicial misconduct did not deter Lauren; instead, she fought back, exposing the judge’s inappropriate behavior and ultimately ensuring his resignation and loss of his law license. This moment exemplifies Lauren’s courage and dedication to upholding justice, even when faced with extraordinary intimidation.

In addition to her work on oil and gas disputes, Lauren has increasingly focused on climate-related litigation. She spoke about the rise of lawsuits filed by youth climate groups, which are bringing constitutional claims against fossil fuel companies. These cases, along with new SEC climate disclosure rules, are likely to drive an increase in litigation involving energy companies and their compliance with environmental regulations.

Lauren is particularly keen on helping her clients navigate these emerging trends in climate change litigation, drawing on her vast experience in the energy industry. At Brown Rudnick, Lauren is positioned to take on a wider range of cases, thanks to the firm’s global litigation capabilities and multidisciplinary expertise. She continues to lead the charge in energy disputes while also being at the forefront of legal battles involving climate change and regulatory compliance.

Her fearless advocacy for her clients, combined with her expertise in handling highly complex litigation, makes Lauren Varnado a key player in the legal world. As she takes on her new role at Brown Rudnick, she is well-positioned to continue shaping the future of energy litigation and climate-related legal action.

Lauren’s career exemplifies the resilience and determination needed to succeed in today’s legal landscape. With her move to Brown Rudnick, her influence will only continue to grow, making her a name to watch in the field of energy litigation and beyond.

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In this The Attorney Post episode, the spotlight is on family law attorney Debra Whitson, who shares insights from her personal and professional journey. Debra opens by discussing her life outside the courtroom, emphasizing the strong bond with her husband of 34 years and their shared love for the natural beauty of the Adirondack Park. Living in such a serene environment has allowed Debra to recharge through activities like hiking and kayaking. Her personal interests and her passion for helping women and children have been guiding forces throughout her legal career.

In her early legal career, Debra worked as a prosecutor, but after years of litigation, she became frustrated with the adversarial nature of the courtroom. Her desire to help people, especially families, led her to transition to family law. This shift was deeply influenced by a personal experience that sparked her desire to focus on mediation and finding peaceful resolutions to family disputes. Debra is particularly passionate about creating better outcomes for children caught in the middle of contentious divorces.

The COVID-19 pandemic added a new layer of complexity to family law, and Debra’s firm faced numerous challenges. With courts closed and guidance from judges sparse, many separated parents struggled with co-parenting, resulting in a surge of inquiries at her firm. Debra’s solution was to create Mediated Online Solutions, a virtual mediation service that allowed her to assist families across different jurisdictions.

The conversation also touches on the pandemic’s impact on children, with Debra highlighting a study that found a significant drop in intelligence among infants raised during lockdown. The lack of social interaction and visual stimuli due to isolation is thought to be a contributing factor, and Debra underscores the long-term effects of the pandemic on child development.

In addition to the serious issues of family law, Debra shares some of the more absurd cases she has encountered. From playground fights between parents to protracted legal battles over trivial items like a porcelain elephant, she illustrates how emotions can sometimes lead to irrational behaviors in legal disputes. These stories offer a glimpse into the unique challenges family law attorneys face.

Debra also reflects on her political ambitions, recalling her unsuccessful run for district attorney. While the loss was disappointing, it ultimately reinforced her commitment to client-centered work, where she feels she can make the most impact.

Looking ahead, Debra discusses the evolution of divorce laws in New York, particularly the shift from fault-based divorce to the concept of irretrievable breakdown of a marriage. This change has made divorces less combative and more focused on solutions, which aligns with Debra’s mediation-first approach. She also discusses changes in how pets are treated in divorce cases, with courts now considering what’s best for the pet rather than treating them as property. This reflects a broader trend towards recognizing pets as integral members of the family.

As Debra nears the next chapter of her life, she expresses a desire to pursue new ventures, including teaching classes on cruise ships. She’s even toying with the idea of hosting a “smart divorce boot camp” aboard a cruise, combining her legal expertise with her love for travel.

Through it all, Debra remains deeply committed to helping families navigate the challenges of divorce and co-parenting. Her innovative approach to mediation and her dedication to her clients shine through in this episode, offering valuable insights into the evolving world of family law.

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In this The Attorney Post episode, Blaise Patzkowski joins host Justin West to share insights into his work as a personal injury lawyer and discuss the values that guide his professional and personal life. Blaise’s top priorities—being a great husband, father, and lawyer—form the foundation of his success. He emphasizes that his focus on family directly influences his ability to provide attentive and compassionate representation to his clients.

Blaise’s journey to law began with a passion for politics. He explains that his early involvement in political science and youth government led him to consider law school. However, after experiencing the realities of politics, Blaise decided to shift focus and pursue a legal career. This decision allowed him to find a path where he could directly impact the lives of individuals, particularly in personal injury law, where he now helps accident victims navigate insurance claims and secure necessary medical treatment.

Blaise's decision to establish his own law firm marked a turning point in his career. He shares how working at various law firms taught him the importance of personal involvement in cases. Running his own practice has allowed him to manage a smaller caseload—about 30 to 35 cases at any given time—ensuring that each client receives the personalized attention they deserve. Blaise also envisions expanding his firm while maintaining the flexibility to choose cases and balance his professional and personal life.

One of the standout moments in the episode is Blaise’s recounting of a seven-figure settlement that had a life-changing impact on a family. He contrasts this with another case involving an uninsured defendant, where he waived his fee to ensure the client still received representation. This duality reflects Blaise’s deep sense of justice and commitment to serving his clients, regardless of financial barriers.

Blaise also emphasizes the importance of customer service in his practice. He draws a parallel between legal work and everyday service experiences, such as resolving an issue at a restaurant. For Blaise, it’s not about the mistake itself but how it’s handled that leaves a lasting impression. He believes in being transparent with clients and going above and beyond to rectify issues, ensuring that trust is maintained throughout the legal process.

The conversation also explores the emotional challenges of personal injury law. Blaise talks candidly about how difficult it can be to see gruesome images and hear tragic stories, but he finds balance in his personal life, especially through his family.

Looking toward the future, Blaise advocates for reforms in California’s minimum insurance requirements, which haven’t been adjusted since the 1970s. He argues that the current limits are inadequate to compensate accident victims properly. While legislation in 2025 will increase the limits, Blaise believes further adjustments are necessary to keep up with the cost of living and ensure victims receive fair compensation.

In the final portion of the episode, Blaise encourages listeners to take risks and start their own businesses or side hustles. Drawing from his own experiences, he emphasizes that entrepreneurship offers greater control over one's life and career. He also highlights the importance of sharing what you do with others, noting that many of his clients come from referrals and recommendations, which build trust from the outset.

Blaise Patzkowski’s appearance on The Attorney Post showcases a lawyer dedicated to both his clients and his personal values. His commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal involvement in his cases makes him a standout figure in personal injury law, offering both legal expertise and compassionate client care.

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