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
Finding the Right Lawyer: Questions You Should Be Asking | Lawyers Without Billboards - Ep 37
How do you actually pick the right lawyer without getting misled by billboards, online noise, or empty promises?
In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa walk through the smartest (and safest) ways to find an attorney who genuinely fits your case.
From why “phone a friend” still works better than Google, to the danger signs of attorneys who guarantee outcomes, to what intake calls should sound like, this episode breaks down the real-world process of hiring a lawyer the right way.
You’ll hear insider insights on referrals, reviews, pricing models, red flags, and the questions clients rarely ask - but absolutely should.
🕒 Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
00:42 – How Most People Start the Attorney Search
02:12 – Why “Phone a Friend” Still Works
04:02 – Google vs. Real Referrals
06:15 – Billboards & Advertising: Does It Matter?
08:05 – Using the State Bar to Find Lawyers
09:46 – What Happens When You First Call a Law Firm
11:34 – Red Flags: Promises, Guarantees & “I Never Lose”
14:58 – Flat Fees vs. Hourly Billing
17:15 – Professionalism: Talking Trash About Other Lawyers
19:50 – Fit Matters: Hiring the Attorney You Actually Connect With
22:30 – Online Reviews: What They Really Mean
25:00 – Great Questions Clients Should Be Asking
27:45 – The Strangest Intake Questions Attorneys Have Heard
30:40 – Final Thoughts: Hire Smart, Not Fast
📌 Key Takeaways:
- Referrals from trusted people are still the most reliable way to find good counsel.
- Be wary of attorneys who guarantee results—they can’t.
- Flat fees in family law often create conflicts of interest; hourly billing is usually fairer.
- Reviews matter, but extremes (great or terrible) need context.
- Hiring a lawyer is personal—fit and communication style matter more than marketing.
- Smart clients ask about process, expectations, experience, and who will actually handle the case.
Lawyers Without Billboards is hosted by Steve Shewmaker, Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy Lewis, and Alexa Lewis, partners at Shewmaker & Lewis — a family law firm based in Atlanta, Georgia.
📺 Episode also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XcgYdFvusws
📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com
🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com
🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards
📺 Subscribe for new episodes and candid conversations about family law, custody, and criminal defense.
🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez at Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.
🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner
📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA