In Episode 6 of Case & Cause Hosted by Michael Haggard, recorded in Chicago during the National Center For Victims of Crime's National Training Institute, host Michael Haggard sits down with Guy D’Andrea, a Philadelphia trial lawyer and partner at Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, for a powerful conversation about crime victim representation, institutional accountability and the broader impact of civil justice, and true in trial stories you may never believe!! 

Drawing on his experience as a former Philadelphia prosecutor and his work representing survivors of crime, D’Andrea discusses what led him from the district attorney’s office to civil litigation and why advocating for survivors remains central to his work.

In This Episode

• From prosecutor to civil trial lawyer: How D’Andrea’s experience in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office shaped his approach to representing crime survivors and their families.
• Holding institutions accountable.
• Civil justice as a tool for prevention: 
• Lessons from the courtroom: D’Andrea recounts an unforgettable experience from his days as a homicide prosecutor, illustrating the unexpected challenges lawyers can face when preparing a critical witness for trial.
• How his father's blue collar work inspired his work ethic into law

Finally, D'Andrea shares two stories from his time in the D.A.'s office you may have to listen to a few times

Case & Cause Hosted by Michael Haggard explores the issues that matter to trial lawyers and the ways advocacy inside and outside the courtroom can help create safer communities.

🎙️ Watch Episode 6 on YouTube and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

In Episode 5 of Case & Cause Hosted by Michael Haggard, Michael sits down with two accomplished trial lawyers, Mary Alexander, a legendary California trial attorney, and Kimberly Wald, partner at The Haggard Law Firm, for a candid conversation about the challenges, progress and realities facing women in trial law.

Recorded in Chicago during the National Training Institute, hosted by the National Center for Victims of Crime and the National Crime Victims Bar Association, the conversation explores what it was like to enter a profession where women were often the exception in the courtroom and at the leadership table—and how that landscape is changing.

Mary Alexander reflects on her experience building a career when she was frequently the only woman in the room, the importance of saying “yes” to opportunities, finding mentors and ultimately helping lead some of the nation's largest trial lawyer organizations.

Kimberly Wald shares her own experiences, including being the only female plaintiff's attorney in meetings involving dozens of law firms representing victims of the Parkland school shooting, while also highlighting the growing number of women taking leadership roles in the trial bar.

The conversation goes beyond the challenges. Michael, Mary and Kimberly discuss leadership, mentorship, service and the responsibility trial lawyers have to give back. They also explore how lawyers can help their clients turn devastating experiences into advocacy that can help others.

And, because this is Case & Cause, the episode includes some great trial war stories—including Mary's unforgettable story of a severely injured plaintiff being brought into court to testify, and the lesson she learned when a defense attorney put her expert to the test with an actual bicycle brake.

From women in law and trial advocacy to mentorship, courtroom preparation, leadership and the human stories behind major cases, Episode 5 offers insight for experienced attorneys, young lawyers and anyone interested in the evolution of the trial profession.

What role should short-term rental companies, property owners and lawmakers play in preventing child drownings? And are current regulations doing enough to protect children particularly children with autism who may be at increased risk around water?

In Episode 4 of Case & Cause Hosted by Michael Haggard, Haggard is joined by Stacey Hoagland, a drowning prevention advocate whose work focuses heavily on water safety and the autism community.

Together, they examine the challenges surrounding child drowning prevention, including gaps in short-term rental regulations and the unique water-safety risks children may face when staying in vacation homes and rental properties.

The conversation also explores the role of trial lawyers and advocates in identifying safety gaps, raising public awareness and pushing for changes that can help prevent drownings.

For attorneys, parents, property owners, vacation-rental operators and anyone interested in drowning prevention, autism and water safety, this episode asks an important question:

What can we do, inside and outside the courtroom, to fight the increasing number of childhood drownings?

🎙️ Case & Cause Hosted by Michael Haggard brings together trial lawyers, advocates and experts to examine societal issues and explore how passionate advocacy can help create safer communities.

Topics discussed include: child drowning prevention, short-term rental safety, vacation rental regulations, autism and drowning risk, water safety, property-owner responsibility, public safety advocacy and the role of trial lawyers in preventing future harm.

Episode 4 premieres September 23, 2026. Listen on Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube.

In Episode 3 of Case & Cause Hosted by Michael Haggard, host Michael Haggard sits down with one of his most influential mentors, legendary Miami trial attorney Robert L. Parks.

With more than 60 years of experience in personal injury, product liability and aviation litigation, Parks has spent decades pursuing justice in the courtroom and advocating for safer communities. A longtime leader in Florida's legal community, he was most recently presented the 2026 Equal Justice Leadership Award during the Legal Services of Greater Miami’s Heart of Giving Celebration . It was an honor Haggard was able to present to Parks.

But this episode goes beyond the accolades.

Haggard and Parks look back at the past, present and future of trial law, sharing stories from Parks' years working alongside Michael and his father, Andy Haggard, and reflecting on how those experiences helped shape Michael's career.

They also discuss one of their most meaningful collaborations: working with the Baker family following the drowning death of Virginia Graeme Baker and helping drive the effort that ultimately led to the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act, landmark legislation designed to prevent deadly pool and spa suction-entrapment incidents.

From mentorship and trial advocacy to legislative change and the responsibility lawyers have to make a difference beyond the courtroom, this is a special conversation about where trial lawyers come from, the impact they can make, and the legacy they leave behind.

In Episode 2 of Case & Cause Hosted by Michael Haggard, host Michael Haggard is joined by Kimberly Wald, partner at The Haggard Law Firm, and Amanda Altman, CEO of Kristi House, a nonprofit children’s advocacy center.

Kristi House protects and treats children affected by sexual abuse, human trafficking and other severe childhood trauma, coordinating legal, medical and mental health services in a safe, child-friendly environment.

The conversation examines the unique challenges of litigating sexual abuse cases, representing survivors, supporting victims beyond the courtroom, and the role lawyers and advocates can play in identifying warning signs, preventing child sexual abuse and creating safer communities.

Topics include: child sexual abuse litigation, sexual abuse victims, victim advocacy, child abuse prevention, human trafficking, civil justice, trial lawyers and child safety.

Case & Cause Hosted by Michael Haggard is available on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

In the debut episode of Case & Cause hosted by Michael Haggard, Michael is joined by fellow Haggard Law Firm trial attorney Todd Michaels and Happy Perry, whose son, D’Sean Perry, was killed in the 2022 University of Virginia mass shooting.

Happy shares her deeply personal journey from losing her son to becoming an advocate for gun violence prevention and safer communities. Michael and Todd discuss the unique role trial lawyers can play in supporting advocates, pursuing accountability through civil litigation, and holding responsible parties accountable when gun violence occurs.

The conversation explores an important question for plaintiff attorneys and trial lawyers: How can the civil justice system do more than resolve a case—and help create meaningful change beyond the courtroom?

For attorneys committed to trial advocacy, personal injury law, civil justice, public safety, and social change, this episode examines the intersection of litigation and advocacy—and the responsibility lawyers have to help make communities safer.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Case & Cause Hosted by Michael Haggard is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every legal matter is different and depends on its specific facts and circumstances.