Shewmaker & Lewis

09/03/2026

A misdemeanor domestic violence conviction can carry consequences far beyond the courtroom, including the loss of fi***rm rights under federal law.

In the latest episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve, Patty, Jimmy and Alexa break down the Lautenberg Amendment, how it changed federal fi***rms law, why it applies to military members and law enforcement, and why the exact charge someone pleads to may not tell the whole story.

They also dig into United States v. Hayes, constructive possession and why the factual basis of a plea can matter years later.

🎥 Watch here: https://youtu.be/Fzs2MaX01pQ
🎧 Or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Can a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction cause you to lose yo...

09/02/2026

“It’s not always a fair system.”

Judge Robert Walker explains that while the legal system is designed to be fair “in the aggregate,” individual cases do not always feel fair to the people living through them.

That reality can be especially difficult in family law, where emotions run high and the outcomes directly affect families and communities.

🎙️ The full episode with Judge Walker is available on *Lawyers Without Billboards*.

08/31/2026

What does a judge want to see before a dispute reaches the courtroom?

Judge Robert Walker says the parties should have already made a genuine effort to work through their disagreements and narrow the issues that actually require a judge’s decision.

Once in court, the goal should be problem-solving, not personal attacks. Emotions may run high, but professionalism and courtesy help ensure that everyone has a chance to be heard.

Watch or listen the full episode on Lawyers Without Billboards.

08/27/2026

What does a judge really want to see when a family law case reaches the courtroom?

In this week’s episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Judge Robert Walker of Gwinnett County joins Steve Shewmaker, Jimmy Lewis and Alexa Lewis for a candid conversation about family law, fairness and life on the bench.

Judge Walker talks about his path from Air Force JAG officer to prosecutor, private practice and ultimately the Gwinnett County bench. He also shares his thoughts on mediation, courtroom professionalism and why attorneys should narrow the issues before asking a judge to step in.

And yes, there are a few courtroom stories along the way. 😄

🎙️ Judge Robert Walker on Family Law, Fairness and Life on the Bench

Watch or listen now: https://youtu.be/urYUOzeIlv4

What does a judge really want to see when attorneys and litigants w...

08/26/2026

You divide the assets. You divide the debts. You sign the settlement agreement.

Then one person files for bankruptcy. 😬

Can they wipe out the debts they agreed to pay in the divorce?

The answer can depend on what the obligation actually is and how the settlement was structured. Ian Falcone and the Lawyers Without Billboards crew digs into the intersection of divorce and bankruptcy.

Full episode on Lawyers on Billboards.

08/24/2026

Can divorce debt be protected from bankruptcy? The wording matters.

When attorneys are trying to structure an obligation so it is more likely to be treated as non-dischargeable in bankruptcy, the language in the order can be critical.

In this clip, the Lawyers Without Billboards team and guest Ian Falcone discuss why tying an obligation to support, alimony and the financial circumstances of the parties can help give the bankruptcy court a clearer roadmap.

🎙️ From Bankruptcy During Divorce: What Happens to Support, Property and Debt?

Links in Bio.

08/20/2026

What happens if your spouse files for bankruptcy in the middle of a divorce? Can it stop the case? Can they wipe out support, joint debt or obligations under a divorce settlement?

The answers can get complicated fast.

Bankruptcy attorney Ian Falcone joins Steve, Patty and Alexa on Lawyers Without Billboards to explain where bankruptcy and family law collide.

They discuss:

• What the automatic stay can put on hold
• What parts of a divorce may still move forward
• Whether child support, alimony and other obligations can be discharged
• What happens to joint credit card debt
• Why indemnification language matters
• How Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 can produce very different results
• A critical step that can help protect your interest in a home during divorce

🎙️ Watch here or listen on your favorite podcast channel:
https://youtu.be/BNnEoXfG-58

08/17/2026

A parenting plan landed on a desk recently: 24 pages, regular font. Not exaggerating. 😳

The irony is real. The longer and more complicated the plan, the less likely anyone actually follows it. Simple plans get used. Complicated ones get skimmed once and forgotten.

🎧 Catch the full conversation on Lawyers Without Billboards, wherever you get your podcasts.

08/15/2026

Writing your own parenting plan feels simple until you realize you've never lived under one.

You and your ex agree on paper. Great. But neither of you knows how it plays out when someone's running late, plans change last minute, or one of you moves across town. 🏡

Courts see plans fall apart constantly, not because people didn't agree, but because they agreed on something they'd never actually tested.

Looks good on paper is not the same as works in real life.

08/13/2026

What does 50/50 custody actually look like?

Week-on/week-off? A 2-2-5-5 schedule? A 2-2-3? And is equal parenting time always the best arrangement for the child?

In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, the Shewmaker & Lewis team breaks down parenting plans, custody schedules and some of the practical issues parents need to think about when creating a plan that actually works. They discuss:

✅ Legal custody and decision-making authority
✅ Traditional and changing parenting-time schedules
✅ Different approaches to 50/50 custody
✅ Work schedules, school and Atlanta-area commutes
✅ Why overly complicated plans can create new problems
✅ Why the focus should ultimately be on what works best for the child

🎧 Parenting Plans Explained: Custody Schedules, 50/50 and What Works | LWB S2-Ep33
Watch here or listen on your favorite podcast channel: https://youtu.be/w-0pd0MJ_ko

What does a parenting plan actually include, and how do parents dec...