It's Personal for Christopher Adamson

Marissa Montes, Co-Founder and Director of the Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic, shares her journey from immigrant rights activism at USC to building the first binational law school clinic in the U.S. She reveals how shifting policies under multiple administrations have fueled a rise in “self-deportation,” the challenges of representing mixed-status families, and why community-based lawyering is critical in an era of daily immigrati...

Adamson Ahdoot trial attorney and partner Austin Ward joins Chris to break down the corporate push to limit attorney fees in personal injury cases—and why it could gut access to justice for everyday people. From his early skepticism of PI lawyers to fighting billion-dollar companies, Ward explains how fee caps tilt the system in favor of corporate interests and what’s really at stake.

Questions? Thoughts? Email us at itspersonal...

Daniel Stefanic, now a trial attorney at Adamson Ahdoot, opens up about his battle with addiction and the path that took him from homelessness to the courtroom. He shares how confronting his own demons shaped his approach to criminal defense and later personal injury law, and what it takes to succeed in high-pressure legal work while protecting your own well-being.Questions? Thoughts? Email us at itspersonal@aa.law or visit itspers...

Chris Adamson and producer Lauren Henning unpack the high-profile Lively v. Baldoni case, where harassment allegations, countersuits, and defamation claims collide with Hollywood power dynamics. Drawing on Lauren’s background at SAG-AFTRA, they explore the legal nuances, industry politics, and cultural stakes behind the headlines—and what this case could mean for the future of workplace accountability in entertainment.

Questions...

Peter Iwuh, CEO & founder of Tykoon Sports, breaks down the billion-dollar shift in college athletics—from the Ed O’Bannon case to today’s NIL era where branding, boosters, and big-money deals shape recruiting. He reveals how athletes can turn NIL into long-term success, why the transfer portal is a double-edged sword, and how systemic inequalities still leave smaller programs and women’s sports fighting for their share.

Que...

Former public defenders Saad Sweilem and Daniel Stefanic expose the harsh realities of the U.S. criminal justice system—overcharging to force plea deals, jury bias, limited discovery, and a process stacked against the poor and people of color. From post-9/11 surveillance of Muslim communities to wrongful convictions and life-changing bail decisions, they reveal why “justice” often comes second to winning cases.

Questions? Though...

UCLA soccer players America Frias and Valerie Vargas tackle the biggest questions in college sports right now—should athletes be considered employees, unionize, and get a share of the revenue they generate? From NIL (Name Image Likeness) money and the transfer portal to loyalty, pay equity, and the future of women’s sports, they reveal how the game is changing both on and off the field.

Questions? Thoughts? Email us at itsperson...

Doug Shaffer, Senior Trial Counsel at Adamson Ahdoot, has spent four decades doing what most attorneys won’t—taking on corporate giants in the courtroom. With over 85 catastrophic injury trials under his belt, he reveals why so many lawyers avoid trial, how insurers game the system, and what it really takes to win when the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Questions? Thoughts? Email us at itspersonal@aa.law or visit itspersonalpod.com

Hoste...

Christopher Adamson, host of It’s Personal and co-founder of Adamson Ahdoot, shares his path from aspiring sports agent to trial attorney. He reveals the realities of personal injury law, why the “ambulance chaser” stigma is wrong, and how his parents’ experiences in the Jim Crow South shaped his fight for justice. Expect insights on contingency fees, taking on corporate giants, and the hidden impact of tort reform.

Questions? T...