In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert sit down with returning guests Matt Greenberg and Mike Streich to talk about launching their new firm and what it really looks like to build a modern plaintiff's practice from the ground up. From leaving a successful firm and betting on themselves, to handling overhead, referrals, office space, and admin headaches, Matt and Mike Streich share the honest realities of starting fresh in today's legal market.

The conversation also dives into how lawyers are using LinkedIn as a real business development and networking tool, why it matters more than ever for younger lawyers, and how online engagement can actually lead to cases and meaningful professional relationships. Beyond firm ownership, the episode gets into bigger-picture issues in litigation, including deposition conduct, objection gamesmanship, confidentiality clauses in settlements, and why more transparency could help level the playing field for plaintiffs' lawyers.

It's a smart, funny, and practical conversation about law practice, entrepreneurship, and the changing business of being a trial lawyer.

Important Highlights

• Matt Greenberg and Mike Streich launch their new firm
  The guys discuss leaving their former firm, opening their own practice in late 2025, and what pushed them to make the leap.
• What it's really like to start a law firm in 2026
  They break down the practical side of launching a firm today, including office space, software, legal research tools, admin work, and managing overhead.
• Why betting on yourself matters
  Matt and Mike talk about timing, building a bridge before making the jump, and why the fear of regret can be greater than the fear of failure.
• How LinkedIn is changing legal networking and referrals
  The episode explores how LinkedIn has become a real platform for lawyers to build relationships, share ideas, attract referrals, and even generate cases.
• Thought leadership and improving law practice culture
  They discuss using public conversations to challenge common frustrations in litigation and push for better practices across the profession.
• Deposition pet peeves and objection abuse
  Mike and Matt get into sloppy "non-responsive" objections, witness coaching, waiver issues, and the kinds of deposition tactics that frustrate trial lawyers.
• Confidentiality clauses in settlements
  The group talks about why confidentiality provisions often benefit defendants, when they should actually be negotiated, and why plaintiffs' lawyers should push back.
• Plaintiff resources and the Texas venue map
  Matt and Mike explain a resource they built for plaintiff lawyers to compare Texas venues and make more informed filing decisions.