Over the past five years, we’ve had the privilege of featuring distinguished attorneys, legislators, academics, nonprofit leaders, and other changemakers whose work shapes the law, influences public policy, and impacts our daily lives. Thank you to all of our incredible guests and contributors for helping make this journey possible.

To commemorate this special anniversary, we welcomed back our very first guest, Attorney Alyson Messenger, Managing Staff Attorney at the Jenesse Center, a leading Los Angeles nonprofit organization that provides critical support to survivors of domestic violence through shelter, advocacy, and legal services. Joining us on that first show was Karen Earl, the organization’s visionary Executive Director.

During this anniversary episode, Alyson shares insights into the Jenesse Center’s vital work and discusses the current legal landscape for protecting survivors of domestic violence.

As October is Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, one of the most inspiring takeaways from our conversation was hearing that the Jenesse Center’s ultimate goal is to put itself out of business. They are working toward that vision by educating youth and students about domestic violence prevention and the importance of building healthy, positive relationships.

📌 Episode timestamps:
00:10 – Welcome and Introduction to this special episode & Attorney Alyson Messenger
03:20 – Alyson’s “Why”: Family, Safety, and Stability
05:35 – The History of the Jenesse Center
8:40 – How Many Survivors and Youth Does Jenesse Serve?
9:20 – Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Continuing Prevalence
12:00 – What Is Domestic Violence? Understanding Power and Control
14:08 – Recognizing Abuse Beyond Physical Violence
15:10 – How California Law Has Evolved to Protect Survivors and Children
17:54 – Barriers to Accessing Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
19:14 – Jenesse Center’s Legal Services for Survivors
21:49 – The Domestic Violence Clinic at Inglewood Courthouse
24:00 – Volunteering and Career Opportunities at Jenesse
24:28 – Shelter and Housing Support for All Genders and Families
26:26 – Unite for Families Pro Bono Family Law Clinic
29:29 – The DART Program: Community-Based Crisis Response
30:58 – Looking Ahead: The Jenesse Justice Center
34:23 – How to Connect with the Jenesse Center and 24/7 Hotline

Make sure to subscribe to the Legal Lens Podcast for more expert commentary on the legal & policy issues shaping our world today!

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2mxJxJVwwVPm2yQuBF7WIe?si=kh5aIKEPSHq571gBosJroA
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-does-the-law-actually-say-about-domestic/id1774764488?i=1000796273102

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Learn more about the work of Great Lakes Legal Group: https://gllegalgroup.com/

*The Legal Lens Radio Show airs every Saturday and Sunday on ‪@KBLA1580‬. You can tune in on the KBLA TALK 1580 app or your AM dial. More details on https://kbla1580.com/saturday-line-up… Read More

On October 4, 2026, Angela joined CTV News to discuss the Cornell University Title IX case and the critical importance of neutrality and thoroughness in campus sexual assault investigations. She examined the challenges schools face when balancing institutional reputation with victim safety and due process.

In this interview:
00:15 Overview of the Cornell University Title IX allegations
01:22 The standard for neutrality in university investigations
02:45 Role of campus administration versus external law enforcement
04:10 Evaluating disciplinary actions and sanctions for students
05:35 Next steps and accountability as the legal process unfolds

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On September 30, 2026, Angela joined Scripps News to discuss a Title IX case involving alleged gang rape at Cornell University. She broke down the role and definition of Title IX, how campus investigations differ from criminal proceedings, and the questions surrounding the university’s handling of the case.

In this interview:

00:41 What is a Title IX complaint
01:31 University’s investigation vs. justice
02:50 Adequacy of campus police investigations
03:55 District Attorney’s involvement and interviews
04:24 Appropriateness of university sanctions
05:19 Remaining questions and next steps in the case
06:03 Future evidence and civil litigation outlook

Follow Angela on:
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamangelareddockwright
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelareddock/… Read More

When an employment case settles, which party is responsible for legal fees and costs?

That question often surprises people, because the answer is not always as simple as “the losing side pays.”

In many employment disputes, attorney fees and costs are negotiated as part of the overall settlement, alongside the legal claims, risk exposure, and practical realities of resolving the matter.

In my @Forbes conversation with Brittany Lewis, we explored how settlement is rarely just about the headline number. It can also include fees, costs, confidentiality terms, timing, and other provisions that shape the final resolution.

That is one reason settlements can be so strategic. They allow the parties to resolve not only the dispute itself, but also the financial and procedural pieces that come with it.

Watch the full video on https://youtu.be/8naPmwFv6uQ?si=iqx6i1kHlCkk5Qah… Read More

What happens after a massive, high-profile verdict hits the headlines?

In this interview, leading legal analyst and professional mediator Angela Reddock-Wright joins Forbes Breaking News reporter Brittany Lewis to dissect the recent $59 million San Francisco sexual assault jury verdict against Bill Cosby.

A California jury ordered the former “America’s Dad” to pay nearly $60 million in damages for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman over 50 years ago. While Cosby’s prior criminal conviction was famously overturned on a technicality in 2021, this civil verdict marks a massive new chapter of accountability.

Analytical Breakdown & Timeline

0:00 — Case Introduction: Framing the legal parameters of the $59.25 million San Francisco civil jury verdict against Bill Cosby.

1:41 — Implications for Civil Litigation: An analysis of current trends in high-stakes civil litigation and the broader message record verdicts signal regarding adult survivor claims.

2:21 — Evaluating Historical Testimony: The legal factors that influence jury credibility when weighing decades-old allegations, specifically focusing on evidentiary specificity and pattern-of-behavior arguments.

5:41 — The Mechanics of Damages Assessment: An objective look at how juries calculate compensatory versus punitive damages, and the legal threshold required to establish malice or oppression.

7:00 — The Intersection of Criminal Outcomes and Civil Actions: Analyzing whether a prior, overturned criminal conviction structurally influences a subsequent civil jury’s assessment of liability.

8:13 — Appellate Strategy and Grounding the Defense: A review of the defense’s stated intent to appeal, examining the specific evidentiary elements likely to be challenged.

8:56 — Mitigating Factors vs. Accountability: A legal assessment of how modern juries weigh defense arguments concerning a defendant’s advanced age and physical disabilities against historical liabilities.

10:19 — Post-Verdict Resolution Strategies: A mediator’s perspective on the strategic choice facing both parties: entering a prolonged appellate process versus pursuing structured settlement or mediation.

11:39 — Statutory Frameworks & Lookback Windows (California AB 250): An essential analysis of California’s Assembly Bill 250, the mechanics of temporary lookback windows for expired statutes of limitations, and comparative legislative trends in other states.

13:28 — Precedent and Future Litigation Impact: The systemic effect this verdict may have on the strategic approach and jury dynamics of remaining pending civil cases.

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Who are the “WINNERS” and “LOSERS” when cases settle?

I recently sat down with Forbes Newsroom reporter Brittany Lewis to break down the settlement reached in the Blake Lively v. Justin Baldoni diving into what really happens when high-stakes employment disputes are resolved on the eve of or very close to trial.

The case stems from Lively’s allegations that Baldoni alleged sexually harassed her and retaliated against her stemming from the making of their alleged sexual harassment and retaliation case stemming from their popular Netflix move It Ends with Us,

The Forbes reporter asked me – “Were there any clear winners or losers in the settlement of the case?”

My response: “The great thing about a mediated resolution is that there are no losers, and each of the parties involved are winners because they made the choice to resolve the matter and move forward.”

The truth is, a mediated settlement is far from a sign of weakness. It’s a strategic choice!

It gives both sides the ultimate win: the autonomy to protect their long-term interests, rewrite their own narratives, and move forward with their personal lives and careers on their own terms 🫱🏻‍🫲🏾

I congratulate Lively and Baldoni on the settlement of their case. I wish both them and all involved and impacted by the lawsuit the best as they move forward in their lives and careers.… Read More

On this week’s episode of The Legal Lens podcast, we welcome esteemed civil rights attorneys and policy leaders, Stephen King, 50th President of the California Association of Black Lawyers (CABL), and Carmen‑Nicole Cox, CABL Board Member and recipient of the CABL 2026 Lawyer of the Year Award.

In our discussion, we focus on the United States Supreme Court’s recent decision in Louisiana v. Callais case and its implications for electoral representation and voting‑rights protections under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, particularly for Black voters and voters from other traditionally marginalized communities. 💡

In the conversation, we also dissect the court’s ruling, including the court’s argument and finding that we now live in a “post-raciallized society,” and thus, the question is no longer whether “discriminatory impact” exists, but whether “discriminatory intent” exists.

This clip examines what remains of the Voting Rights Act’s Section 2 framework after Callais, and how changes in legal standards will influence how districts are drawn, how voting procedures are designed, and how different groups are sure to experience challenges with voting and having access to the ballot.

Listen now on all major streaming platforms: linktr.ee/areddock… Read More