.jpg)
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
Cross-Examination: Where Cases Win or Implode | Lawyers Without Billboards S2 - Ep13
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Cross-Examination: Where Cases Win or Implode
Cross-examination is often the most critical moment in any case—and the most dangerous.
In this episode, the attorneys at Shewmaker & Lewis break down how they prepare clients for cross-examination, what can go wrong on the stand, and why credibility is everything in front of a judge.
They discuss the importance of identifying weaknesses early, understanding the opposing side’s perspective, and having honest, sometimes uncomfortable conversations with clients before trial.
The key takeaway: there are no perfect clients—but owning your mistakes and preparing properly can make the difference between winning and losing.
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – Intro: What Is Cross-Examination?
01:14 – Why Cross-Examination Can Make or Break Your Case
02:36 – Finding Weak Spots in Your Own Case
03:38 – Practicing Cross-Examination with Clients
04:46 – How Attorneys “Box You In” on the Stand
06:23 – When Evidence Backfires
07:06 – How Clients Should Handle Tough Questions
08:01 – Rule #1: Tell the Truth (Even When It Hurts)
09:22 – Get Ahead of Weaknesses Before Cross
10:04 – Military Lessons on Seeing the Other Side
12:20 – If You Can’t Explain Your Case Simply, You’re Not Ready
14:53 – Owning Your Mistakes Builds Credibility
17:21 – Why Judges Care More About Honesty Than Perfection
20:24 – Mock Cross-Examinations & Real Preparation
22:39 – “I Don’t Know” vs. Losing Credibility
25:51 – Why Some Lawyers Don’t Prepare (And Why That’s Risky)
27:17 – Final Takeaways: Preparation + Perspective + Ownership
🔔 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/Rr8GEwRTFcg 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