Pete shares his journey from growing up in Colorado to serving a mission in Chile, working as a journalist during the 2002 Winter Olympics, and eventually finding his way into law.

After starting in insurance defense, Pete realized early on it wasn’t the right fit — leading him to pursue a career as a prosecutor, where he’s now spent over 18 years handling some of the most serious cases in Las Vegas.

As the team chief of the Special Victims Unit, Pete works on cases involving crimes against children, domestic violence, and sex trafficking — giving him a unique perspective on both the legal system and the realities people don’t often see.

We also talk about his transition toward becoming a judge, what that process looks like, and how his experience in criminal law prepares him for a civil courtroom.

Colleen Baharav, former Chief Deputy District Attorney and future judge here in Las Vegas, joins the show to break down what it actually takes to go from prosecuting cases… to making the decisions that impact people’s lives.

In this episode, we go beyond surface-level legal talk and dive into the real experience of working inside the system — from high-pressure courtroom moments to the responsibility of making life-changing decisions.

We also explore how criminal cases and personal injury cases overlap, what evidence really matters, and the mistakes people make that can cost them everything.

In this episode, the team at MNL breaks down what’s really happening around Las Vegas right now — from increased traffic enforcement to rising insurance costs and the real-world situations turning into personal injury cases.

We’re seeing more traffic stops, harsher penalties, and a bigger push for accident prevention across the city. But is it actually working?

We also dive into the growing debate around insurance premiums, underinsured drivers, and how these trends are affecting people after serious accidents.

And to keep things interesting, we wrap it all up with a “Would You Rather” segment — putting real injury scenarios to the test and breaking down how these cases actually play out.

Each round covers a different personal injury topic, from slip and fall cases to dog bite liability to serious motor vehicle accidents. The rules are simple: first to hit the table answers the legal question. If they’re right, everyone eats. If they’re wrong… they’re facing the hottest wing alone.

As the wings get hotter, the questions get tougher — and the truths about personal injury law get real.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What actually counts as premises liability

Who is responsible in a dog bite case

What to do immediately after a crash

How insurance companies really handle motorcycle claims

What mistakes can cost you compensation

New laws and changes to watch for in 2026

This isn’t just chaos and hot sauce. It’s real legal education delivered in a way you’ll actually remember.

If you’ve been injured, don’t let the insurance companies burn you.
At MNL, we get you fixed — then we get you paid.

Subscribe for more episodes from From The Beach to the Bar.

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From Home Alone to The Grinch, Elf, The Santa Clause, and more, the MNVL team debates whether your favorite holiday characters are guilty, innocent, or protected by a Christmas exception.

We also look back on the year that was — the wins, the chaos, the cases, and the moments that defined 2025 at Matsuda Nadig Van Law.

Funny, honest, and just serious enough to ruin Christmas movies forever.

🎁 Merry Christmas from the MNVL team — and thank you to everyone who trusted us this year.

In this special episode, the team shares:
• What they’re most thankful for this year
• Their proudest client moments
• Roasts & toasts to each other
• Funny “sip if…” confessions
• Behind-the-scenes stories from a packed year

It’s real, heartfelt, and very MNL.
From our family to yours — Happy Thanksgiving. 🦃❤️

In this Thanksgiving Special, the team opens up about:
• What they’re most thankful for
• Personal wins & proud client moments
• The hard lessons behind the grind
• Lighthearted roasts + team traditions
• How MNVL stays grounded through chaos

It’s honest, funny, and full of heart — a true reflection of the people behind Matsuda Nadig Van Law.

From our MNVL family to yours… Happy Thanksgiving. 🦃❤️

In this Halloween Trial Special, Ben and Jess break down whether classic horror characters like Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Ghostface, Michael Myers, Jigsaw, and even Death itself could survive a real courtroom. ⚖️👻

The team reacts, debates, and delivers verdicts in a chaotic mix of law, comedy, and Halloween energy.

If you love horror, true crime, or legal breakdowns — this episode is for you.
Court is in session.

Ben Nadig and Jess Matsuda sit down with host Anthony Mendoza to share how it all began — from what inspired them to become lawyers, to how they met, and what made them decide to build something different in the world of personal injury law.

You’ll hear the funny stories, the wild courtroom moments, and the lessons that shaped who they are — not just as attorneys, but as people who truly care about their clients.

Then, they shift gears into the wild world of personal injury — from life-changing settlements and unbelievable wins, to Final Destination-level accidents and the impossible cases that somehow turned into massive victories.

If you’ve ever wondered what “justice” really looks like behind the headlines, this one’s for you.

We'll touch on hypothetical scenarios where machines are involved in personal injury or criminal law and discuss how current legal frameworks might adapt to a future where humans aren't the only agents responsible for harm or negligence.

Whether you're an experienced driver or just trying to avoid blame, don't miss this straightforward look into accident accountability.