The Non-Billable Hour

Episode 16: In the second half of the NBH Team’s exploration into CTE and the litigation resulting therefrom, Dan, Beth, and Joe follow their game plan by beginning with a discussion focused on the lawsuit that started it all – Maxwell v. NFL. Throughout the episode, Beth shows off her knowledge and legal prowess by, essentially, reading Dan’s mind before he discusses the relevant points. Joe forgets the definition of almost every legal term except for “discovery” (figures). And Dan does a great job of ensuring that Beth and Joe stay on task (a commendable and thankless job). He also teaches them how to pronounce “Tinnitus” (tin-uh-tis). The NBH team goes through the “X’s and O’s” of the NFL players’ core offensive onslaught against the NFL, while discussing the NFL’s defense(s) against those claims, and the fact that over 4,000+ former NFL players joined the litigation, as well as the billion dollar, uncapped settlement fund set aside to pay out CTE-related claims (basically the price of a one-minute ad during the Superbowl). The team gets into whether or not the NFL honored the terms of the settlement agreement (Uhm, kinda? Was there a system in place that may have chosen not to connect former players’ cognitive deficits with their playing days in order to avoid making settlement payments? Maaaaybe). As they make their way to the endzone, the team also discuss their views on the NFL (generally positive; some not as much) and whether or not the NFL will survive as more parents become aware of the dangers associated with playing football.  Check us out at www.nonbillablehourpodcast.com. Intro Track: "Liquid Sky"Music provided by https://Slip.streamFree Download/Stream: https://get.slip.stream/IXedqX Outro Track: "At The End Of It All"Music provided by https://slip.streamDownload / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/brypjx

Episode 15: Nothing says November like daylight savings time (boo!), crisp weather (yay!), Thanksgiving (woo!), and American football ('Murica!). What do we think of when we talk about good ol' American football? That's right - concussions! Uhm, no, we mean, touchdowns! Well, it's both. Nowadays you can't watch any sport without asking, at least once per game, if someone suffered a concussion (chronic traumatic encephalopathy (“CTE”) (yes, we typed that without checking. Please clap)). In the first half of this two-part episode, Dan, Beth, and Joe learned why CTE is only diagnosed after someone dies (isn't that nuts!?). They also talk about Steelers great Mike Webster, Dave Duerson (member of the '85 Bears (GO BEARS!)), and legend Junior Seau, how CTE affected their lives, and the sacrifices they made to increase CTE awareness. Then Dan talks about the Aaron Hernandez (catch American Sports Story on FX now! (that's cross-marketing, folks)) and how CTE probably (see: definitely) played a part in his tragic downfall. Then, the team stops just short of a touchdown as they tease what's to come in next week's episode.Check us out at www.nonbillablehourpodcast.com. Intro Track: "Liquid Sky"Music provided by https://Slip.streamFree Download/Stream: https://get.slip.stream/IXedqX Outro Track: "At The End Of It All"Music provided by https://slip.streamDownload / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/brypjx

Episode 14: This week, the NBH Team does their best John Grisham impression by taking you on a journey into the best legal thriller you'll ever hear about (but that was never made into a film). (In the voice of Bill Hader's iconic Stefan): This episode has everything: corrupt judges, undercover FBI agents, Chicago, Chicago corruption, bribes, back alley deals, and potential (hypothetical) organized crime hits! As you'll learn, there's so much to uncover and, surprisingly, not too much information. Operation Greylord remains cryptic for reasons that Dan, Beth, and Joe still can’t figure out. However, you can rest assured! We not only tell you everything you want to know about this absolutely insane corruption story, we cast the movie that should, nay, MUST be made! With Ryan Gosling playing the main character, Terry Hake. Until then, you’ll have to rely on the Non-Billable Hour Podcast to get the full story. This is the story...of Operation Greylord. *Insert John Williams Thriller Theme Music Here*The NBH team wants to give a huge shoutout to the FBI Retired Case File Review Podcast with Jerri Williams. The information we learned from her interveiw with Terry Hake was invaluable. You can check out the FBI Retired Case File Review Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FBICaseReview.Check us out at www.nonbillablehourpodcast.com. Intro Track: "Liquid Sky"Music provided by https://Slip.streamFree Download/Stream: https://get.slip.stream/IXedqX Outro Track: "At The End Of It All"Music provided by https://slip.streamDownload / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/brypjx

Episode 13: For our THIRTEENTH EPISODE (cue ultra ominous music and, to a lesser extent, Taylor Swift), we present, for the approval of the Non-Billable Hour Podcast, the stories of the Haunting of Ackley House and the Watcher of Westfield – some extra creepy stories in honor of Beth’s second-favorite holiday, Halloween. The gang tries (but probably fails) at explaining the difference between poltergeists, demons, and ghosts. Then Joe decides that the podcast is where he should give his hot (and absolutely wrong) take on Beetlejuice after watching it for the first time (it’s been out for over 36 years, guy). Dan and Beth then delve into the world of property and contract law, both of which are terrifying enough on their own; moreso when dealing with haunted houses and straight-up crazy stalkers (or maybe someone, or something…otherworldly). Throw in some sexy ghosts and Halloween soundtracks, and take a listen to the spookiest episode of the Non-Billable Hour Podcast yet. Listener, beware…Check us out at www.nonbillablehourpodcast.com.

Episode 12: Dan, Beth, and Joe continue their journey into what lawyers can and can’t do by exploring the Canons of Judicial Ethics. No, it's not about firing cannons. Yes, it may be slightly drier than diving into the water with orcas or down to the Titanic (or, at least, attempting to...), but a listener requested this topic and, if there's one thing we do best, it's listen to our listeners (or we were contractually bound to cover the topic*). Anyway, Dan explains what judges can and cannot do in their roles on the judiciary. Spoiler alert! It’s nothing and everything! "How can that be?" one might ask? Well, lucky for you, we explain it all while throwing in our thoughts on how much the canons make sense (and how judges can adhere to them) based on our time in practice. We also discuss a local Judge who broke the cardinal rule of remote hearings (yes, it's always recording), whether Dan has a receding hairline (he doesn't), and how old Beth actually looks (hint: not old). Another rousing hour of civil law from the NBH team for your listening pleasure.  *Not actually contractually bound.Check us out at www.nonbillablehourpodcast.com. Intro Track: "Liquid Sky"Music provided by https://Slip.streamFree Download/Stream: https://get.slip.stream/IXedqX Outro Track: "At The End Of It All"Music provided by https://slip.streamDownload / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/brypjx

Episode Ten: This week (and next week) Dan, Beth, and Joe take on the music industry. And by take on, we mean that they focus on how the music industry treats artists poorly (they don’t have the manpower to take on the music industry. Yet). Also, by “poorly” we mean “crappy” but, like, the other word for crappy. In the first of this two-part episode, they take you on a musical journey through the decades, spanning from Elvis to the Beatles and concluding, for now at least, with Prince and the three artists had differing experiences within the music industry. But the thread that connects the three artists is that individuals and entities within the music industry – whether it be their record label(s) or their manager(s) – held the rights to their careers. With Elvis, Joe briefs the group on Elvis’s Hound Dog of a manager and the three of them get All Shook Up when discussing how Elvis essentially sold practically the entirety of his career to said manager for, essentially, nothing. For the Beatles, Dan takes everyone on a detour to Yesterday, where he goes through Paul McCartney’s cries for Help! to Michael Jackson (who, rumor has it, may not have been the best person…), causing McCartney to essentially Let It Be when he tried to get back the Beatles’ masters. To close out the episode, Beth discusses the Artist Formerly Known as Prince (who then changed his name back to Prince, because why not – it’s complicated). Beth’s discussion is like riding around in a Little Red Corvette, makes us wish for 1999, and touches on the Controversy surrounding Prince’s interactions with his record label. No doves cried while recording of this episode. Check us out at www.nonbillablehourpodcast.com. Intro Track: "Liquid Sky"Music provided by https://Slip.streamFree Download/Stream: https://get.slip.stream/IXedqX Outro Track: "At The End Of It All"Music provided by https://slip.streamDownload / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/brypjx

Episode Nine: Beth’s passion, fear, and respect for the ocean stretches far across the distance and the spaces in between. That’s why, this week, she thought it would be the best opportunity to teach Dan and Joe about what’s truly here, in her heart – the ongoing hearings related to the Titan submersible’s fatal journey to the Titanic. Would it be fair to say that, every night in her dreams, Beth’s subconscious thinks about the ocean? We don’t know, but this is her second ocean-based deep dive, so you decide! Anyway, Oceangate, the now-infamous company founded by renowned “Titan of Industry” (lol) Stockton Rush (what a name!), tried to open the door to deep sea sightseeing; he probably failed. In fact, the ramifications of his actions – taking four others with him down to the Titanic in a “build-it-yourself” submersible – may, in fact, last for a lifetime. And not in a good way. Nonetheless, the story of Oceangate will remain here in our hearts, and fresh in our minds, thanks to Beth’s deep dive into this completely foreseeable, and not at all surprising, accident. So take a listen and learn more than you wanted to about a pretty dumb way to die, Joe’s weird obsession with Titanic, and the reason why Titanic won 11 Oscars instead of 12 (way to go James Cameron). Check us out at www.nonbillablehourpodcast.com. Intro Track: "Liquid Sky"Music provided by https://Slip.streamFree Download/Stream: https://get.slip.stream/IXedqX Outro Track: "At The End Of It All"Music provided by https://slip.streamDownload / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/brypjx Please note that any and all clips used from the 1997 film Titanic are copyrighted and trademarked by its respective owner(s) and that any such content used in this episode of the Non-Billable Hour Podcast is minimal and done pursuant to the Fair Use Doctrine. All rights and credits belong directly to the rightful owners of the 1997 film Titanic and there is no copyright infringement intended. The Non-Billable Hour Podcast and A&W Creative, LLC do not own the content in this episode that is taken from the 1997 film Titanic. All credits go to the rightful owner. Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, which states that allowances are made for “Fair Use” for purposes including, but not limited to, comment, parody, reporting, and teaching. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.  

Episode Eight: Dan, Beth, and Joe decided that the eighth episode of the podcast was the best time to share their most mortifying moments in their years of practice as a weird means of endearing themselves to the audience. From courtroom emergencies, networking faux pas, inter-office drama, and social media posts that otherwise shouldn’t have been tweeted out, the three share stories from their past that probably should have stayed behind the bar. Check us out at www.nonbillablehourpodcast.com.Intro Track: "Liquid Sky"Music provided by https://Slip.streamFree Download/Stream: https://get.slip.stream/IXedqXOutro Track: "At The End Of It All"Music provided by https://slip.streamDownload / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/brypjx