Next Lawyer Up Podcast with Attorney Ron Sykstus

Hosted by Ron Sykstus

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Lawyers talk to lawyers about lawyering and how they got into law.

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60 recent

August 23, 2026Episode 19946 min

Episode 199 - Next Lawyer Up with Ron Sykstus featuring Richard Check

Attorney Rick Check is a Hoosier who grew up in Indiana and then made his way to Wisconsin where he has been practicing law for many years. Rick is a highly respected bankruptcy lawyer who practices throughout Wisconsin along with his son, Attorney Sam Check , who has been working with him for a long time. I know Rick as a colleague from the American Consumer Bankruptcy College (ACBC). In fact, I did not know that Rick first got his start and thorough introduction to bankruptcy law from the de facto dean of the ACBC, Indiana Attorney Mark Zuckerberg. Rick has developed a unique legal sub-specialty of helping small business owners with personal debt while, at the same time, either helping the business shed debt in order to continue operating in a positive manner or shutting it down in an expedient way, short of a chapter 11 business bankruptcy filing. l enjoyed getting to know Rick's story on this episode of the podcast.

August 16, 2026Episode 19833 min

Episode 198 - Next Lawyer Up with Ron Sykstus featuring Jimmy Sandlin

Attorney Jimmy Sandlin is a highly experienced family law attorney practicing throughout North Alabama. An expert in this area of law, Jimmy also previously served as the presiding judge of the Lauderdale County Family Law Court for 6 years. Jimmy was part of the 1980's University of North Alabama crew that went on to become prominent lawyers throughout the state. This group included Brad Botes , Stuart Maples , Dan Aldridge , Rick Hall , Jeff McKinney and Robert Smith , among others. I enjoyed getting to know Jimmy on this episode of the podcast.

August 7, 2026Episode 19745 min

Episode 197 - Next Lawyer Up Podcast with Ron Sykstus featuring Edwin Whitner (Whit) Slagsvol

Attorney Whit Slagsvol practices law in Charleston, South Carolina. He has been selected by Super Lawyers as a South Carolina Rising Star for the past 6 years. He also has founded a tech company which occupies a good bit of his time. Whit and I also discuss his close relationship with his late uncle, the revered and admired Jimmy Buffett . You may also recognize Whit as one of the stars of season 11 on Bravo's Southern Charm with season 12 on the way! I enjoyed getting to know Whit's story on this episode of the podcast.

July 28, 2026Episode 19655 min

Episode 196 - Next Lawyer Up with Ron Sykstus featuring Tony Graffeo

Attorney Tony Graffeo is a talented personal injury lawyer who has been practicing this type of law for a long time. Originally from Birmingham, Tony has been working in Huntsville as a trial lawyer with Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys for many years. In fact, here is a podcast I did with Alexander Shunnarah five years ago. By the way, in a full circle moment for Tony, he is also fortunate enough to have his daughter, Carol Graffeo , also practicing law with him. Both have Notre Dame in their respective pedigrees and, of course, I am a big ND fan! I enjoyed getting to know Tony on this episode of the podcast.

July 14, 2026Episode 1951 hr 0 min

Episode 195 - Next Lawyer Up with Ron Sykstus featuring David Block

David Block is a long established and highly respected "big law" attorney, and he is a partner with Butler Snow's office located here in Huntsville, Alabama. An expert in employment matters and litigation, among other areas of practice, David is as affable as he is smart. It is no wonder that businesses flock to him for representation of their legal matters! He, of course, has all of the legal accolades and awards that someone would expect of a lawyer of his caliber. I have known David by reputation and through his daughter, Rachel, who grew up with my son Tom. This is the first time I have had a chance to sit down and talk to him. I enjoyed getting to know David's story on this episode of the podcast.

July 6, 2026Episode 19450 min

Episode 194 - Next Lawyer Up with Ron Sykstus featuring Sam Rumore

Talk about longevity in a legal career! Sam Rumore has been practicing law in Alabama since 1974 and he is still at it! Sam is very well known and respected in Alabama. He served the lawyers throughout our state as a previous past president of the Alabama State Bar. He also wrote a regular feature for 14 years that appeared in the Alabama Lawyer magazine about every courthouse and county seat in the state . In addition, he found time to serve our country, rising to the rank of Colonel as a JAG officer with the U. S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps. A proud Notre Dame graduate and then the University of Alabama for law school, Sam also earned a Master's Degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Alabama. Sam is a credit to the bar and our profession.

June 17, 2026Episode 19351 min

Episode 193 - Next Lawyer Up with Ron Sykstus featuring Pat Lamar

Pat Lamar is a highly respected personal injury lawyer who has been practicing law in North Alabama for a long time. He is now with the esteemed law firm of Conchin, Cole, Jordan and Sherrod located in Huntsville, Alabama. I have known Pat for many years, and I first learned of him through my law partner, Brad Botes . Brad and Pat met right out of law school when both served in federal clerkships here in Huntsville with U.S. District Court Judge E.B. Haltom, Jr. I almost forgot until late in the podcast that Pat is a talented golfer who has been a fixture at Valley Hill Country Club for many years, including serving as past president of the club. I enjoyed getting to know Pat's story on this episode of the podcast.

June 9, 2026Episode 19242 min

Episode 192 - Next Lawyer Up with Ron Sykstus featuring Dee Miles

When you listen to this podcast with Dee Miles , it is no wonder why he has had the successful and admired career that he has. Also, as you'll hear, he has no plans on slowing down, which is something he has taken to heart from his mentor and law partner, Jere Beasley. In fact, Dee and I talk a good bit about Jere Beasley on this episode and here is the podcast I did with Jere several years ago. Dee is described as a cornerstone of the Beasley Allen Law Firm since 1991. He oversees the firms' Consumer Fraud and Commercial Litigation Section. This is a quote from Dee from the 2013 Super Lawyer magazine: "People will find a way to cheat." Because of this blunt fact of human nature, Dee has built a thriving law practice over the years. This is a lawyer who is at the top of his profession, and I think you'll like hearing his story on this episode of the podcast.

May 15, 2026Episode 19151 min

Episode 191 - Next Lawyer Up with Ron Sykstus featuring Lauren Clark

Attorney Lauren Clark has an upbeat personality and a positive outlook so it is no wonder that she has all of the clients that she can handle! Lauren has been practicing consumer bankruptcy law since she graduated from law school at the University of South Carolina. She lives in the Charleston area and remotely serves debtors across the state of South Carolina. In addition to her law practice and her family, Lauren also finds time to host a couple of podcasts, Remote Reality and a new one that she has recently started as well, The Bankruptcy Files . I enjoyed getting to know Lauren on this episode of the podcast.

May 13, 2026Episode 19040 min

Episode 190 - Next Lawyer Up with Ron Sykstus featuring Bill Hall

Attorney Bill Hall is the founder and principal of Bill Hall and Associates, located in Huntsville, Alabama. Bill has focused his law practice exclusively on domestic relations cases since he founded his law firm in 2009. Prior to that, Bill was a long-time partner with an old, established firm in Huntsville. Bill is highly respected for the work that he does and, as we discuss on the podcast, his main focus these days is on contested domestic matters. You also might like my podcast with Bill's wife, retired Madison County Circuit Court Judge Karen Hall , that we did together a day or two after her retirement from the bench. I enjoyed getting to know Bill's story on this episode of the podcast.