This episode features Sharon Appelbaum, owner of AppelbaumLaw PC, a specialized criminal defense firm. Sharon shares her unique career path, from being a Beasley scholar and a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney's prestigious cybercrime unit to becoming a top-rated defense attorney in California. She explains her proactive defense strategy, emphasizing the critical importance of pre-charge investigations to protect her clients. Sharon unpacks her approach to building a custom legal team for every case, her method for finding obscure subject-matter experts, and how her prosecutor background gives her an invaluable edge. This conversation is a masterclass in managing client expectations, the art of strategic defense, and building a referral-based practice that thrives on reputation rather than SEO.(0:26) Introduction: Sharon’s background as a prosecutor and her move to defense.(1:55) The strategy of pre-charge investigations and getting ahead of the case.(3:49) The initial decision to become a prosecutor and work with victims.(4:25) The transition to California and the surprising story of how criminal law "clawed her back in."(6:16) The defense attorney’s edge: How a prosecutor’s background helps anticipate the other side’s strategy.(8:20) The business of law: Why 95% of her referrals come from other lawyers, not SEO.(9:44) The hardest lesson of going solo: Learning you can’t do everything yourself.(12:20) The modern firm structure: Operating as a solo/small firm while building a powerful team for each case.(17:16) Case study: How acting as a buffer for a client derailed an SEC investigation before it started.(18:41) How to find the perfect expert for any case, no matter how obscure.(22:32) The story of the "educational expert" who charmed a jury in a real estate fraud trial.(25:01) The art of managing client expectations when they’re in legal limbo.(28:14) Why making the client part of the process is a key defense strategy.(30:03) The X-Factor: Getting to know a client's entire life story to build a stronger defense.(33:02) Sharon’s take on the Amber Heard trial and the overwhelming influence of social media.Contact Sharon: [email protected] to join the show as a guest? Email us: [email protected] our ⁠⁠⁠Facebook community⁠⁠⁠ to connect with other founding attorneys.This podcast was brought to you by: Legion: Actually reliable litigation drafting — at AI speed. Turn case files into polished work product in 30 minutes or less: court-ready pleadings, serve-ready discovery, and battle-ready motions. Visit legion.lawMusic: lofi type beat "flower market" by snoozy beats.

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