Commercial Litigation
Mastering General Counsel Partnerships for Legal Success
In this Litigator’s Lounge episode, Anders Sleight and Niall McMillan discuss the role of a company’s general counsel (GC) and how GC works with outside litigators. They explain that GCs handle internal corporate matters, manage multiple legal issues, and often retain outside counsel for litigation while serving as the main point of contact. Niall emphasizes that effective representation requires understanding of the GC’s priorities. They also cover best practices for scoping a matter, discussing goals and budget, and providing honest, solution-oriented advice to clients.
September 17, 2026
Commercial Litigation
Legal Implications of Data Center Projects
In this Litigators Lounge episode, Niall McMillan speaks with Anders Sleight about how rapid data center development has sparked increasing community and government pushback over impacts. They discuss the federal case Newsome v. Amazon Data Services Inc., where an adjoining landowner and a commercial occupant alleged private nuisance and successfully overcame a motion to dismiss. Anders highlights that developers should take a holistic approach by working with permitting authorities and neighboring landowners to mitigate construction impacts, as nuisance suits can delay projects and may become more common as attitudes and litigation trends evolve.
August 18, 2026
Commercial Litigation
Understanding Corporate Designee Depositions
In this episode of The Litigator’s Lounge, Anders Sleight and Offit Kurman partner Niall McMillan explain how depositions work when the witness is a company, focusing on corporate designee depositions. They discuss how the noticing party must list specific topics. The company must produce one or more prepared representatives who have conducted a reasonable investigation. This is different from an individual’s deposition limited to personal knowledge. Niall covers how to draft and review topic notices, when and how to object to overly broad or privacy-invading topics, and the obligation to meet and confer to reach reasonable topics.
July 6, 2026
Commercial Litigation
Handling State and Federal Subpoenas in Business
On Litigator’s Lounge, Offit Kurman’s Niall McMillan and partner Anders Sleight discuss how businesses should respond to government investigatory or administrative subpoenas from federal, state, or local authorities. Sleight outlines three common subpoena categories—civil investigative demands, administrative subpoenas, and grand jury subpoenas—and emphasizes not panicking but acting quickly due to response deadlines. They recommend pausing to analyze what records are sought, identifying internal decision-makers and custodians, preserving relevant documents, and having counsel contact the issuing office to understand the investigation and potentially narrow an overly broad scope to reduce response burden and cost. They also note that while parties can object or file a motion to quash, negotiating a narrowed subpoena is often more practical. The episode closes with Offit Kurman’s litigation service offerings and an invitation to contact the hosts.
June 10, 2026
Commercial Litigation
Exploring Legal Trends in Social Media Liability
In this Litigators Lounge episode, Anders Sleight and Niall McMillan of Offit Kurman discuss recent jury verdicts in California and New Mexico holding Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and Alphabet/Google (YouTube) liable for alleged harms tied to social media platform design, including algorithm-driven, “never-ending” feeds and resulting emotional distress and mental health injuries, especially to children. They note thousands of similar cases pending, including roughly 1,300 in California, and explain key legal issues likely to shape appeals. Anders and Niall also highlight broader implications for consumer-facing internet companies, including emerging concerns around AI and chatbot use.
April 22, 2026
Commercial Litigation
Recent Shifts in Non-Compete Regulations
In this episode of Litigators Lounge, Offit Kurman commercial litigators Niall McMillan and Anders Slight discuss recent developments affecting non-compete agreements, including a Virginia Court of Appeals decision in Sentry Force Security v. Barrera. They explain that while non-competes commonly restrict employees from competing, states are increasingly regulating or prohibiting them. In Virginia, the court held employers may prohibit a former employee from soliciting customers but may not bar that employee from soliciting coworkers to join a new competing venture. Anders advises employers to closely review restrictive covenants across jurisdictions, considering varying state laws and factors.
March 11, 2026
Commercial Litigation
The Role of an Expert Witness
Join Anders Sleight and Niall McMillan from Offit Kurman as they explore the significance of expert witnesses in commercial litigation. This episode of Litigators Lounge explains the difference between fact witnesses and expert witnesses, highlights when expert witnesses are essential, and outlines their impact on shaping the case. The discussion also covers who bears the cost of expert witnesses and the strategic importance of choosing the right expert for your case. Whether you’re dealing with construction defects, contract disputes, or shareholder disputes, this episode provides key insights into leveraging expert witnesses effectively in court.
February 12, 2026
Commercial Litigation
AI's Impact on Litigation
Welcome back to Litigator's Lounge! In this episode, Niall McMillan and Anders Sleight from Offit Kurman discuss how AI is reshaping the legal landscape. They explore several key areas of concern, including AI-driven hiring tools leading to discrimination lawsuits, intellectual property disputes from AI content scraping, and data privacy violations. Anders also provides practical guidance on cautious AI usage for business operations. Tune in for a comprehensive look at the legal challenges AI presents and how to navigate them.
December 17, 2025
Commercial Litigation
Overcoming Missed Deadlines
Join Anders Sleight and Niall McMillan in the Litigators Lounge as they discuss how to handle missed deadlines in commercial litigation. They break down the process of addressing default entries and judgments, offer guidance for plaintiffs and defendants, and emphasize the importance of acting quickly and consulting with an attorney to improve chances of a favorable outcome.
November 3, 2025
Commercial Litigation
How to Handle Service of Process Effectively
Learn the essential steps for completing service of process in legal proceedings. This video explains what service of process is, why it matters, and how to ensure it is done correctly. Whether you are new to legal procedures or need a refresher, you’ll gain practical tips and clear guidance to help you navigate this important process with confidence.
September 11, 2025
Quick Guide to Administrative Hearings
Join the Litigators Lounge with Offit Kurman’s Anders Sleight and Niall McMillan as they dive into the nuances of administrative proceedings versus typical civil court cases, focusing on the process, discovery limitations, appeal rights, and the importance of having legal counsel. Learn what to expect when facing actions from regulatory agencies and how to best navigate these hearings for a favorable outcome.
July 24, 2025
Commercial Litigation
Understanding Discovery in Commercial Litigation
Join Niall McMillan and Anders Sleight from Offit Kurman in this episode of Litigators Lounge as they delve into the discovery process in commercial litigation. They discuss various tools such as interrogatories, requests for production of documents, and depositions, explaining their importance and how they are utilized to gather evidence for a case. The episode also covers the implications of failing to comply with discovery requests and the role of subpoenas in obtaining information from third parties. For more insights on navigating the intricacies of commercial litigation, tune in now.
June 5, 2025
Commercial Litigation
Eviction Essentials and Lease Management
In this episode of Litigators Lounge, hosts Anders Sleight and Niall McMillan discuss the current challenges in the commercial real estate market. They explore essential steps for landlords and property managers to protect themselves, such as using notice provisions, pursuing eviction proceedings, and arranging for a surrender of possession. The importance of personal guarantors and legal considerations related to cannabis dispensaries are also discussed. Tune in for critical insights to navigate these turbulent times in commercial real estate.
May 8, 2025
Commercial Litigation
The Subpoena Playbook
Join Niall McMillan and Anders Sleight from Offit Kurman as they delve into the complexities of handling subpoenas in commercial litigation. They discuss the importance of reviewing subpoenas carefully, understanding their scope, and the various options available for responding—whether it’s raising objections, filing motions, or simply complying. They also stress the need to consult with legal counsel to navigate these critical aspects effectively.
April 8, 2025
Commercial Litigation
Ways Organizations Can Pursue Legal Collections
Join Anders Sleight and Niall McMillan from Offit Kurman in this episode of the Litigators Lounge as they delve into the intricacies of legal collections. Discover essential tips for pursuing past due accounts, enforcing judgments, and securing obligations in commercial contracts. Learn the importance of thorough documentation, strong contracts, and personal guarantees to ensure successful collection. Whether you’re dealing with account receivables or looking for advice on judgment recovery, this episode provides valuable insights for effective legal collections.
March 5, 2025
Commercial Litigation
Preparing for Deposition Success
On this episode of Litigator's Lounge, Niall McMillan and Anders Sleight discuss crucial tips for answering questions during depositions. Anders shares valuable advice, highlighting the importance of truthfulness, careful listening, and thorough preparation with your attorney. Whether you're a plaintiff, defendant, or non-party witness, these insights are essential for ensuring your deposition testimony aligns accurately with your trial testimony.
February 3, 2025
Commercial Litigation
Litigator's Lounge: Legal Company Registration
In this episode of "Litigators Lounge," Anders Sleight and Niall McMillan discuss the importance of registering a company in the state where it operates, regardless of its incorporation origin, to ensure the ability to conduct business, file lawsuits, and defend claims. Additionally, they discuss the severe legal repercussions of failing to maintain good standing, including the inability to initiate, counterclaim, or appeal suits, underscoring the necessity of consulting an attorney for registration questions.
December 12, 2024
Commercial Litigation
Litigator's Lounge: First Five Things to do When You Receive a Lawsuit
Did your organization just receive a lawsuit? Start acting quickly and follow these best practices to help you and your attorney after you receive a complaint.
November 6, 2024
Commercial Litigation
Litigator's Lounge: What is a Lis Pendens?
In this episode of Litigator's Lounge, Anders Sleight and Niall McMillan discuss lis pendens, a notice that a lawsuit was filed and a property has a claim against it.
September 12, 2024
Commercial Litigation
Litigator's Lounge: What to Know When Including an Arbitration Clause in Your Agreements
On this episode of Litigator's Lounge, Anders Sleight is joined by Niall McMillan to discuss arbitration and what companies should think about when considering including an arbitration clause to agreements.
July 30, 2024
Commercial Litigation
Litigator's Lounge: Keys Things Clients Should Know When Preparing For Trial
In this episode, Anders Sleight and Caroline Callahan discuss how clients should prepare for trial.
April 11, 2024
Litigator's Lounge
Vlog Overview
Litigator’s Lounge, hosted by Offit Kurman attorneys Niall McMillan and Anders Sleight, is a video series that delivers practical litigation insights for business owners, property managers, and professionals navigating legal disputes. The series breaks down key aspects of the litigation process, from initiating lawsuits and enforcing judgments to responding to subpoenas, handling depositions, and preparing for trial. The series emphasizes real-world strategy, offering guidance on avoiding litigation pitfalls, preserving evidence, managing arbitration clauses, and using procedural tools like lis pendens and mechanic’s liens to protect clients’ interests. With a particular focus on commercial, real estate, and construction disputes, complex legal processes are explained in a clear, accessible way, helping viewers better understand how litigation unfolds and what steps can lead to successful outcomes.
Disclaimer
The content presented in this video series is for general understanding and informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice, nor should it be construed as legal advice. The information provided is based on general legal principles and may not reflect the current state of the law or specific details of your case. Laws vary by jurisdiction, and legal outcomes can be highly dependent on the specific facts and circumstances involved. Listening to or using this video series does not create an attorney-client relationship between the hosts, guests, or participants and any listener. It is your responsibility to seek professional legal advice for your specific situation from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
