Good In Practice

About Good In Practice

Good in Practice tells the powerful stories of the good pro bono can achieve, highlighting the work of Greenberg Traurig attorneys, staff, and clients. The goal is to encourage all practitioners to assist undeserved and vulnerable communities by providing much-needed legal counsel on a volunteer basis. Caroline Heller, chair of Greenberg Traurig's Global Pro Bono Practice, is the host.

Publisher

Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Category

business · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Oct 2020

Latest episode

8 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

28 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Sept 2026

   From the Courtroom to the Coast: How One Attorney Turned a Passion for Sharks into Pro Bono Impact

   In this episode of the Good In Practice podcast, host Caroline Heller, Chair of Greenberg Traurig's Global Pro Bono Program, sits down with Colin Kennedy, a litigation associate in the firm's Boston office, to discuss one of the more unexpected intersections of law and passion: sharks. A self-described "shark nerd" since childhood and a certified scuba diver, Colin has channeled his lifelong interest in great white sharks into a pro bono relationship with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, a Cape Cod-based nonprofit dedicated to shark research, public safety, and community education. Colin shares how a law school internship with the organization eventually led to him becoming their outside pro bono counsel at Greenberg Traurig, handling a wide range of matters. Beyond the shark stories, Colin reflects on the professional development benefits of pro bono work, explaining how serving as a primary point of contact for an organizational client has sharpened his judgment, expanded his legal knowledge across multiple practice areas, and built skills that now translate directly to his practice. He also offers encouragement to fellow associates, emphasizing that pro bono work is most rewarding when it is connected to something personally meaningful.

2. 

   10 Jun 2026

   Fighting for the Truth: The Wrongful Conviction Case of Pierre Rushing

   In this episode of Greenberg Traurig's Good In Practice podcast, host Caroline Heller, Chair of the firm's Global Pro Bono Program, sits down with Jordan Grotzinger, Co-Chair of the firm's Los Angeles Litigation Practice, to discuss one of the most compelling pro bono cases in GT's recent history: the wrongful conviction case of Pierre Rushing. Pierre Rushing was convicted of murder at age 22, sentenced to 50 years to life, has now spent 15 years incarcerated for a crime that mounting evidence suggests he did not commit. Pierre has maintained his innocence since the beginning. Jordan, whose day-to-day practice focuses on trade secrets and commercial litigation, explains how a podcast he listened to during the pandemic sparked his interest in wrongful conviction work and ultimately led him to Pierre's case. He walks listeners through the significant evidentiary problems with the original conviction, including the testimony of an eyewitness whose description of the perpetrator changed dramatically over time. Their conversation traces the long and winding post-conviction road, including two prior habeas proceedings, a federal appeal to the Ninth Circuit, and the eventual emergence of critical new evidence. That evidence includes a recantation by the original eyewitness, declarations from two individuals who were present at the scene stating that Pierre was not there, and - most strikingly - 464 pages of police reports produced by the prosecution 13 years after the conviction, which may have violated the Brady disclosure rules of evidence. Beyond the legal details, the episode offers a look at Pierre as a person - a young man from a difficult background in Oakland who was going to school and building a future as a rapper when his life was upended. Jordan reflects on Pierre's resilience and on the extraordinary contributions of GT associate Andrea Carmona, whose work he credits as essential to getting the case to its current stage. The episode closes with a broader call to action. With over 3,800 documented exonerations in the United States since 1989, and far more individuals claiming wrongful conviction without access to legal representation, Jordan and Caroline urge lawyers to consider taking on innocence cases pro bono. A hearing in Pierre's case is forthcoming. For more, watch this CNN interview with Jordan Grotzinger and Andrea Carmona, visit: https://www.gtlaw.com/en/news/2026/05/media-coverage/injustice-system-re-examining-the-murder-case-of-pierre-rushing.

3. 

   1 May 2026

   Mercy for Survivors: How Pro Bono Lobbying Helped Pass Landmark Human Trafficking Legislation in Texas

   In this episode of Good in Practice, host Caroline Heller sits down with Elizabeth Hadley, a Greenberg Traurig shareholder in the firm's Austin office, to discuss a years-long pro bono legislative effort that culminated in a landmark victory for human trafficking survivors in Texas. As the pro bono lobbyist for the Lone Star Justice Alliance, Elizabeth worked across multiple legislative sessions to pass a law establishing duress as a defense for victims of human trafficking who were forced to commit crimes by their abusers. The legislation, which was ultimately signed into law following a regular session, a gubernatorial veto, and a rare special session fix, allows survivors to introduce evidence of their history of trauma and exploitation at trial. Elizabeth and Caroline discuss the coalition-building and bipartisan cooperation that made the bill possible, the story of one survivor whose experience helped drive the effort, and what this work means to Elizabeth personally. They also reflect on how pro bono legislative work represents an often overlooked but powerful way for lawyers to give back to their communities.

Reach and audience

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.