Craig Mastantuono didn't leave public defense just to be his own boss. He left because he had a vision for what a great law firm could actually look like.

Today, his firm is less a practice and more a culture. It’s built around a philosophy that truly defending someone is setting them up for success both in the courtroom and out. Craig walks us through how his team uses the ACE questionnaire to uncover clients’ stories, why holistic client services are a necessary backbone to defense, and how he helps his clients flourish beyond the requirements of the court.

Whether you're thinking about starting your own firm, have your own already, or want to learn how to improve client services in any practice, this episode is for you.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
01:15 Welcome & Guest Background
29:05 Why start your own firm?
39:35 Why are client services so important?
48:19 What is the ACE Questionnaire?
1:07:03 Motivations & Why Defense

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So you've learned how to be comfortable in cross examination. Now what?

Jim McComas has spent decades redefining what's possible in the courtroom. Between leading the trial division at the Washington D.C. Public Defender Service to becoming a legendary homicide defense lawyer in Alaska, Jim didn't just master cross-examination. He reimagined it.

Building on the fundamentals explored in our previous episode with Matt Dodd, Jim introduces his next steps: dynamic cross-examination. Forget rigid scripts and predictable patterns. Jim argues that the lawyers who win hard cases are the ones willing to take calculated risks — turning witnesses into active participants in cross.

Drawing from his book Dynamic Cross Examination, Jim reveals how to gather your own facts, pull them out with precision, and stay fluid when the unexpected happens. If you've ever wondered what separates a good cross from a great one, this episode is your answer.

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Joining us this week is an expert in cross examination, Attorney Matt Dodd. In this episode, he lays the groundwork for telling a story through facts, breaking down the how-tos and whys behind the art of asking questions. It’s a great listen for lawyers and non-lawyers alike looking to improve their communication and persuasion skills.

While cross examination, or questioning adverse witnesses, is often thought of as a time for poking holes in the government’s theory, Matt tell us we should see cross as another chance to illustrate your theory and speak on your client’s behalf. It’s a chance to paint your client’s story by establishing facts and empowering the jury to agree with your conclusions. If you’re interested in diving deeper into these techniques, be sure to check out Matt’s book Cross Examination for Depositions.

Whether it's using constructive cross methods or showing appreciation to court staff, Matt reminds us we should always lead with decency and kindness. We hope you enjoy.

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Despite knowing she wanted to be a public defender from the age of ten, Colette shares that even when you know where you want to go, finding who you are on the way there is the most rewarding part.

Colette’s career has taken her through public and private defense work in DC, Massachusetts, Seattle, Denver, and more. Along with practicing, she has also served as Director of Public Defense Training and Reform at the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL). Through all of these experiences, Colette not only continues to discover her own voice but has helped create spaces for other defense attorneys to find their own.

At its core, criminal defense work is about belonging: helping our clients feel seen and heard starts with an attorney who can stand confidently in who they are. This is a conversation about growth, identity, and the lifelong process of becoming the advocate your clients need.

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Today’s conversation sits at the heart of what we do as defenders: story. I’m joined by my friend Keith Belzer, a master of courtroom storytelling who has spent years studying not just what makes a story persuasive, but why it moves people.

If you’ve been with us since episode one, you’ll know story is a frequent topic. We’ve explored finding our clients’ stories with Michele Lavigne and using story to build empathy with Matt Hefti — today, we go even deeper. Keith unpacks the roots of storytelling, the power of archetypes, and the fine line between authentic connection and empty acting. With a background in theater, he brings a rare blend of heart, attention to detail, and an understanding of performance.

Because while law school trained us to think logically, the courtroom is still a human space — and people are persuaded by emotion and meaning, not just mechanics.

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Welcome back to Sanctuary in the Jungle, a podcast for criminal defense attorneys about the importance of humanity and reason in the criminal legal system.

In this episode, host Aaron A. Nelson sits down with Texas criminal defense attorney and writer Matthew Hefti. Matt’s path to becoming a defense lawyer is deeply personal. While deployed overseas, he was involved in a tragic incident and charged with homicide in the military justice system. Matt shares how his various experiences—from writing a novel, to dismantling bombs to parenting and religion—informs how he stands with his clients and how he works to make the system more just. Drawing from his own case, he discusses how change often comes from recognizing where discretion exists—even when the system insists “there’s no other option.”

This episode is a powerful listen for criminal defense attorneys, public defenders, and trial lawyers seeking deeper insight into how we can better tell clients’ stories, demand accountability, and bring more healing into defense work.

—---

Matt is also the author of A Hard and Heavy Thing, a novel about friendship, sacrifice, and the weight of it all. In 2016, it was named Top Ten Books of the Year by Military times, Top Ten First Novels of the Year by Booklist and Great Group Reads pick by the Women’s National book Association.

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Sanctuary is back with a true Wisconsin criminal defense legend—Attorney Deja Vishny. A longtime public defender, Deja has handled more than 125 homicide cases, earning much recognition for her work. Deja is the recipient of NACDL's 2023 Champion of Justice award, two lifetime achievements from WACDL, the Wisconsin Law Journal's "Women in the Law" award, and many more.

She brings that depth of experience to a powerful conversation about what it means to build sanctuary in cases defined by loss. She'll tell us about how she brings humanity and healing to the courtroom, including how she has conversations with families of the deceased.

Beyond trial work, Deja teaches defense and trial advocacy across the country, serves on the faculty of the National Criminal Defense College, has held leadership roles with the NACDL, and authored a book on suppressing criminal evidence.

So tune in! Deja Vishny has much to offer.

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In this episode of Sanctuary in the Jungle, host Aaron Nelson sits down with Attorney Joe Bugni for an honest conversation about the craft — and the cost — of good advocacy. Together, they explore the clearest ways to communicate with judges, why flashy arguments aren't always the best choices for a client, and what it means to give yourself fully to the people you represent.

Joe also opens up about the harder side of that calling: the moments when giving too much pushes you to your breaking point, and how you find your way back.

It’s a vulnerable, grounded look at the heart of defense work — the clarity, the sacrifice, and the humanity behind it.

Read more from Joe Bugni:

Post Mortem of a Breakdown: A New Approach to Work

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