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
Closing Arguments: The Most Important Part of a Trial? | Lawyers Without Billboards S2-Ep20
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What actually happens during closing arguments in court? And are they really the most important part of a trial?
In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, the attorneys at Shewmaker & Lewis break down the strategy behind effective closing arguments, including how attorneys persuade juries, simplify complicated evidence, and tailor arguments differently for judges versus jurors.
The team shares real courtroom experiences involving difficult judges, dramatic jury trials, objections during closing arguments, visual presentations, and memorable courtroom moments that shaped how they practice law today.
Topics include:
- The purpose of closing arguments
- Why openings may matter more than closings
- Bench trial vs. jury trial strategy
- Using exhibits and demonstrative evidence effectively
- Objections during closing arguments
- Storytelling techniques in litigation
- When attorneys decide not to give a closing at all
Whether you’re interested in family law, courtroom strategy, or behind-the-scenes legal stories, this episode offers an entertaining and informative look at trial advocacy from experienced litigators.
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:36 What Is a Closing Argument?
01:51 Are Closing Arguments Important?
03:09 When Judges Don’t Want to Hear Closings
05:07 Do Jurors Decide Before Closing Arguments?
06:07 Explaining Your Case to the Judge
07:04 Effective Closing Argument Techniques
08:33 Should You Script a Closing Argument?
09:35 Learning the Hard Way in Court
10:32 Using PowerPoint and Visual Aids
11:27 When Less Is More in Closing Arguments
13:13 Favorite Courtroom Closing Stories
15:04 Bench Trials vs. Jury Trials
16:24 Visual Demonstratives and Jury Persuasion
17:26 The “Black Hole” Theory of Circumstantial Evidence
19:01 High-Conflict Divorce Trial Stories
20:55 Ethics and Objections During Closing Arguments
23:36 Final Thoughts on Effective Closings
24:20 Outro
🔔 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/V9M0Cl-uh1o 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