Shifting the Law: Recent Episodes
Johnny Merritt
Shifting the Law is a podcast that hosts discussions about innovative attorney-client partnerships. Join host Johnny Merritt, an attorney with over three decades of experience, as he interviews top business leaders and sheds light on how we can work towards shifting the legal paradigm.
On this week's episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by his client Bernie Calcote, President & CEO at Melde Construction. Listen as Bernie & Johnny discuss the leadership mindset that helps him to continually try to find his purpose in the "quiet places" in life. They both discern that in life it is entirely about relationships and that instead of existing to improve one's own life, we exist to improve other people's.
On this week's episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny takes the time to celebrate one full year since the creation of the Shifting the Law podcast. Throughout this journey, Johnny has had the pleasure of speaking with incredible colleagues, friends, and thought-leaders. Listen as Johnny shares his key favorite moments and lessons from the past year.
On this week’s Shifting the Law episode, Johnny is joined by Cindi Barela Graham, an experienced family law attorney with recognition as a Texas Super lawyer. As Cindi says, family law is one of the most challenging divisions of law and requires someone to be knowledgeable in an incredible breadth of areas. Listen as Johnny and Cindi discuss women in family law, challenges of zoom in court, work/life balance, mentoring young attorneys, and her overall philosophies on family law.
On this week’s episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by his friend and marketing expert Rusty Shelton. Rusty is the founder and chairman of Austin-based Zilker Media, a highly sought-after keynote speaker and thought leader, and the author of two must-read books: “Mastering the New Media Landscape” and “Authority Marketing.” During their discussion, Rusty and Johnny talk about the strategies behind people-driven business models, how Rusty helped Johnny find and capitalize on his own personal brand as an attorney, and the importance of culture in leadership. Finally, Rusty shares some unique advice for young folks looking to make professional connections and land that dream job.
On this week's episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by his Director of Operations, Kiera Slater and Attorney, Zoe Fedde. Listen as the team discuss their journey together in creating Merritt Law, how critical relationships are to their overall success and the impact they hope to continue to create.
On this week's episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny reflects on 2021's challenges and celebrations, while also sharing his vision for Merritt Law and more in 2022. Listen as he shares lessons learned and provides some food for thought for us all to think on as we look towards the future.
On this week's episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny sits down with lifelong friend Byron Gossett, long-time private consultant, conflict resolution expert and author of “Expand The Frame." Listen as the old friends discuss how to work through internal conflicts, the power of storytelling and how to build integrity in all aspects of life.
On this week's episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny sits down with Joel Trammell, CEO expert, leadership coach, serial entrepreneur and author of The CEO Tightrope. Listen as the pair discuss the importance of CEO leadership training, the power of self awareness and the qualities all attorneys should strive to have to ensure a successful relationship with their business clients.
On this week's episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny meets with Marcos Cordova, seasoned operations expert, entrepreneur, project manager and now Claims Associate for Billd. The two discuss the importance of listening both to clients and colleagues, Marcos' "Button Theory", necessary skills to be successful within a new business, and more.
On this week’s episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny sits down with Charlene Wheeless, renowned communications pro, author, speaker, and equity champion to discuss navigating the workforce as a woman of color. Listen to hear Johnny and Charlene discuss breaking the concrete wall, changing company culture, and dismantling a system that seeks to keep minorities out by encouraging more diversity in the workplace.
On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by fellow attorney, local-Austinite, and author of The Daily Practice of Life: Practical Reflections Toward Meaningful Living, Walt Shelton. Walt discusses his desire for lawyers to become more intentional in their work, implementing a practice-oriented approach in life, and what inspires him to write. Additionally, Johnny and Walt discuss the intersectionality of law and religion and the role religion plays in and out of the office.
On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by his good friend Brenda McDearmon, author of “The Big Hunker Down: 7 Take-Cover Strategies to Weather the Storm of Job Loss and Keep Your Destiny Out of the Bar Ditch.” The pair discuss Brenda’s 30+ year career as a legal assistant, her initial attraction to the legal field, and her belief that a little bit of hope can go a long way. Later, Johnny and Brenda take a chapter-by-chapter look at her book and discuss some of the best steps and strategies to successfully navigate job loss.
On this week's special episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny shares an important update and decision that has been years in the making. Tune in to hear more about this new endeavor and his vision for the coming years.
On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by Sky Streety, a successful entrepreneur, executive leadership coach, and author of “You’re Not Just Another Face in the Crowd: 31 Short Stories That Will Revolutionize Your Life.” Sky discusses his path to professional coaching and leadership development, explains the “Law of the Pit Stop,” and talks about the power of relationships and communication in business. Plus, the two connect over Batman.
On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by his friend and colleague Ron Satija, a bankruptcy attorney and U.S. Department of Justice appointed bankruptcy trustee. The two discuss the importance of balance and harmony in life and the law, the role that compassion plays in bankruptcy court, and how to stay calm in high-paced, deadline-driven environments. Plus, Ron details exactly what it means to be a bankruptcy trustee.
On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by his friend Bobby Braxton, an intellectual property attorney and partner at BRAXTON PERRONE, PLLC. Bobby discusses his passion for patent and trademark law, gives his advice and philosophy on leadership, and talks about when and why individuals and businesses should reach out to an IP attorney. Plus, Johnny and Bobby review the pros and cons of giving out their cell phone number to clients.
On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by Dennis Broughton, a chemical engineer with over 40 years of combined experience working for DuPont and Charles Koch, and a man who is deeply dedicated to his family and his faith. Dennis shares the importance of implementing well-defined principles within any type of organization, gives advice for managing relationships with bosses, peers, and subordinates, and discusses best practices for navigating professional conflict. Finally, Dennis shares his thoughts on Johnny’s fractional general counsel approach and suggests ways for lawyers to better partner with their clients.
On this very special Father’s Day edition of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by his son, John David Merritt, who is finishing his third year of law school at Baylor University and preparing to sit for the bar exam. John David discusses the ups and downs of his time in law school, how studying the law has changed his view of the world, and what he’s most looking forward to as a practicing attorney. Then John David flips the script on his dad and interviews Johnny about his experiences as a lawyer and the lessons he’s learned from his long career in the legal profession.
On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by his long-time friend and top-notch employment attorney, Janice Parker. The two discuss what fuels her passion for employment law, why she believes legal services should be affordable for small and mid-sized businesses, and how she was able to successfully navigate the COVID-19 pandemic for herself and her clients.
On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by David Clark, a former healthcare executive and current instructor of accounting and healthcare management at West Texas A&M University. David shares insights from his career managing the finances of physicians, discusses his love of teaching and his belief in higher education, and shares his inside perspective on the positives and negatives of the U.S. healthcare system.
On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by his friend and mentor of over 40 years, Kent Hance. Kent is a former United States Congressman and served as Chancellor of Texas Tech University. The two pals discuss Kent's proudest accomplishment from his celebrated career, the problems plaguing politics today, and the power of storytelling in communication and leadership. Plus, Kent gives his advice to young attorneys.
On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by Mark Few, Senior Vice President at First State Bank of Burnet. They discuss the strengths of doing business with a community bank, the benefits of relation-driven leadership, and strategies for improving attorney-client communications.
On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by Clint Greenleaf, a well-versed entrepreneur, founder of over five organizations, and author of multiple published books. They discuss the distinct value of lawyers who utilize the fractional general counsel model, why leaders should focus on cultivating top talent for the future of their business, how innovation is key to any industry, including legal representation, for long-term success, and more.
On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by Ginger Nelson, Mayor of Amarillo, Texas, and practicing lawyer for over 20 years. They discuss the foundations of leadership, how to navigate obstacles through a secured mindset, the importance of relationships, and more.
On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny Merritt is joined by Parker Carroll, CEO of TREK Investment Group. Tune in for their conversation about how business leaders can keep their teams aligned during times of change, how businesses can adapt by planning for the future and more.
On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by Judd Porter. Judd is the owner and CEO of Porter’s, a Texas-based, family-owned company that has been serving communities since 1945.
Tune in for their conversation about leadership, family enterprise, adapting during COVID-19 and more.
On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny is joined by Austin-based entrepreneur and business leader, Ben Broughton. They talk lawyer compensation, what to look for in a great attorney, how aspiring leaders can stand out at work and more.
On this episode of Shifting the Law, Johnny Merritt is joined by Four Price. Four is a long-time attorney and current member of the Texas House of Representatives. Tune in for their enlightening discussion about why “shifting the legal paradigm” starts with building strong business relationships and more.
Shifting the Law is a podcast hosted by Johnny Merritt with discussions about innovative attorney-client partnerships and how industry leaders can work towards shifting the legal paradigm.