In Episode 2 of Beyond the Bar, attorney and filmmaker Alex Kannan joins me to break down criminal defense, how preparation and storytelling can change legal outcomes, and how he uses film to humanize clients and amplify voices that get ignored. We also talk about his upcoming film, "35", why he made it, and what he’s seeing right now in immigration, including what’s happening with ICE in San Diego.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:14 Meet Alex Kannan, immigration + criminal defense + PI attorney
02:09 How he got into film and music
04:19 Why law: therapist vs attorney
04:48 What criminal defense really means
05:17 Working on a murder trial
06:09 Case story: multi-car crash, tragic outcome, and negotiations
10:03 His films: "La Cita", "El Mago", and creating "35"
13:23 Why "35" focuses on transgender immigrant sex workers
18:17 Why perpetrators justify violence
19:16 Making movies + the art of storytelling
21:52 Balancing law and art (forms of therapy)
24:06 First trials, co-counseling, and client expectations
26:48 Building a “neighborhood” practice vs scaling
29:53 Personal injury cases tips
31:50 Advice to younger Alex and attorneys with creative dreams
35:00 Immigration: fear, USCIS, ICE in San Diego
38:34 Final message and closing advice
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