Why Trials Are Won Before the Courtroom ft. Gerardo “Jerry” Alcazar

October 22, 2026 Adrian Cea

Real trial work starts long before anyone stands in front of a jury.

In this episode of Between the Briefs, Adrian Cea and Joe Stephens sit down with Gerardo “Jerry” Alcazar, trial lawyer at Norton Rose Fulbright, for a practical and candid conversation on high-stakes litigation, trial preparation, team leadership, client management, courtroom presence, and the future of associate development in the tricky age of AI.

The big question you’ll have at the end of this episode is: “Was the lawyer grind actually helpful all this time?”

Want to watch this episode of Between the Briefs instead? Get the full video on YouTube.

About the Contributors

Adrian Cea

Adrian Cea is Steno's Social Media Manager, leading content strategy, audience engagement, and digital brand-building across platforms. He also produces and co-hosts Between the Briefs, Steno's podcast covering the intersection of legal technology, court reporting, and the future of litigation. With a background spanning content creation, field marketing, and sales at companies like Sell Better and Chili Piper, Adrian brings a multi-disciplined lens to making complex legal tech topics accessible and engaging.

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Joe Stephens

Joe Stephens, J.D., is Steno's Director of Legal Solutions as well as a Clinical Lecturer at Texas Tech University School of Law. With over 15 years of experience in criminal defense and public service, he founded and led Texas' largest rural public defender office, which serves a 12-county area. A graduate of The University of Texas School of Law (cum laude) and Vanderbilt University (B.A.), Stephens currently serves as a Board Member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association (TCDLA) and sits on multiple State Bar of Texas committees. His expertise spans the intersection of legal practice and technological innovation in the justice system.

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