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
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Lawyers Without Billboards
Inside the Guardian ad Litem Process: A Conversation with Jim Holmes | Lawyers Without Billboards - EP 32
What exactly does a Guardian ad Litem do - and how do they shape custody cases in Georgia?
In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, the Shewmaker & Lewis team sits down with longtime mentor, mediator, and guardian ad litem Jim Holmes to pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood roles in family law.
From how guardians are selected to what “best interest of the child” really means, Jim shares decades of insight, humor, and hard-won experience from hundreds of cases. The team dives into what makes a great guardian, why judges trust certain ones over others, and how lawyers should (and shouldn’t) interact with them.
Whether you’re an attorney, a parent, or just curious how custody decisions are made, this conversation sheds light on a crucial—but often unseen—part of the courtroom process.
🎙️ Hosts: Steve Shewmaker, Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy Lewis, Alexa Lewis
👨⚖️ Guest: Jim Holmes, Guardian ad Litem, Mediator, and Of Counsel to Shewmaker & Lewis
Hosted by Shewmaker & Lewis - Atlanta-based attorneys helping families navigate divorce, custody, and criminal defense with zero billboards and zero BS.
📍 Chapters
00:00 — Welcome and introduction
01:00 — Meet guest Jim Holmes
04:00 — What is a Guardian ad Litem?
08:00 — Representing the child’s best interests
10:30 — How guardians are chosen (and who really picks them)
13:00 — Judges, guardians, and credibility
16:00 — Why hearsay rules don’t apply to guardians
18:30 — When you need (and don’t need) a guardian
20:00 — Bias, experience, and collaboration in GAL work
25:00 — How guardians investigate cases
28:00 — When judges disagree with the guardian’s recommendation
30:00 — Tips for attorneys working with guardians
36:00 — Final thoughts from Jim Holmes
👉 Have a question or topic idea? Visit shewmakerandlewis.com
🔗 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards
🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.
📺 Video version on YouTube: https://studio.youtube.com/video/aGUoteDzLUQ/edit
📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com
🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez at Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by Rob Burgner at Bleeding Edge in Atlanta, GA