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MCCATHERN, SHOKOUHI, EVANS LAUNCHES DEBUT PODCAST, “THE LAW BEHIND THE HEADLINES”

July 20, 2026

McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans (McCathern PLLC) law firm launched its debut podcast “The Law Behind the Headlines.” Hosted by attorneys Levi McCathern, Arnold Shokouhi, and Carl Evans, the podcast breaks down the legal dimensions of the biggest, most talked-about stories in the news cycle. Listen to the first episode of “The Law Behind the Headlines” HERE “The Law Behind the Headlines” showcases a rare glimpse into the mindset behind the world’s most famous legal cases. The podcast isn’t your average legal content – episodes feature hot-topic legal commentary, along with expertise and genuine laughs from the firm’s three equity partners and a mix of future guests who will add their own spin to the conversation. “The law shouldn’t feel like a locked room only lawyers can enter. With ‘The Law Behind the Headlines,’ we’re handing everyone the key — breaking down the cases making news in a way that actually makes sense,” said Levi McCathern. “Our firm has been part of this legal community for 28 years, and since Carl and I joined Levi in 2012, we’ve built a practice — and a friendship — around exactly these kinds of conversations,” said Arnold Shokouhi. “This podcast is our chance to bring people into the discussions we’re already having, minus the legal jargon.” “Some of the biggest headlines start with a legal question nobody’s answering clearly. We wanted to fix that — and have some fun doing it,” said Carl Evans. The first four episodes include an introduction to the three partners — how they met and their years of friendship; a “legal mythbusters” segment tackling common misconceptions (no, those text messages don’t just disappear because you delete them); and a deep dive into the Jeffrey Epstein case and the legal truth behind the headlines. Listeners will also get to know Arnold Shokouhi’s remarkable personal journey — from escaping Iran as a child to becoming an owner of a quickly growing law firm. Future episodes will feature special guests, including criminal law attorneys sharing real examples from cases they’ve worked on, along with leaders in their fields weighing in on today’s hot topics. Each conversation promises to be as exciting as it is informative. For more information on timing of future episodes, visit McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans on Instagram. MEET THE HOSTS: About Levi McCathern: Founding Partner Levi McCathern is a trusted advocate for those confronting some of the most complex and high-stakes legal battles. Known for his ability to correct injustice, Levi has built a reputation as the attorney celebrities, athletes, musicians, and top business leaders turn to when faced with critical challenges. Whether defending high-profile clients or guiding companies through commercial disputes, Levi specializes in partnering with influential individuals and organizations who have been targeted or wronged, using his expertise to restore balance and protect their interests. His strategic insight, combined with an unwavering commitment to his clients, embodies the core mission of McCathern , Shokouhi, Evans: Improving People’s Lives. About Arnold Shokouhi: Arnold Shokouhi is an equity owner, CEO and Partner for McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans. Arnold’s multi-state practice focuses on complex commercial disputes across a broad range of industries, with a particular focus on banking, director and officer liability, health care, and entertainment industries. As Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Arnold has spearheaded the firm’s expansion by opening offices in Houston, Los Angeles, and Frisco. He has worked closely with the management of the firm to expand the vision and brand of McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans by increasing practice sections that have a synergy with the firm’s existing business. About Carl Evans: Carl Evans is an equity owner and Executive Partner in the McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans law firm and he practices in the areas of non-subscriber employer defense, trucking, liquor liability, employment, commercial, construction, subrogation, tort and insurance litigation. He has an extensive litigation and trial background, having tried numerous cases in state and federal courts. Carl has also obtained defense verdicts in arbitrations involving claims of fraud, negligence, breach of contract and breach of warranty. Additionally, he has successfully represented numerous clients in summary judgment motions that have included claims for bad faith, fraud, negligence, premises liability, breach of contract, and breach of warranty.

Standing on Their Shoulders: Black Legal Pioneers and Our Responsibility Today

February 18, 2026

Author: Attorney Chelsey L. Watts Black History Month is more than reflection; it is recognition of the legal architects who reshaped our Constitution, our courts, and our profession. For Black attorneys in particular, the law has represented more than a career, it has been a vehicle for structural change, civic participation, and the pursuit of equality under the Constitution. I still remember the first time I walked into a courtroom as a young attorney. I paused for a moment before taking my seat at the counsel table. I thought about how, not long ago, someone who looked like me would not have been permitted in that room, except perhaps as a defendant. That realization was both humbling and motivating. Among the most influential was Thurgood Marshall, whose litigation strategy dismantled legalized segregation and culminated in his appointment as the first Black Justice of the United States Supreme Court. His work, including his role in Brown v. Board of Education, reshaped constitutional law and redefined equal protection for generations. As a graduate of the law school named for Thurgood Marshall, I felt a profound sense of history, and the weight of that legacy was never lost on me. Each time I entered the law library to study, I was reminded that I was walking in the footsteps of a jurist whose work reshaped the Constitution. Before Marshall, trailblazers like Charlotte E. Ray broke both racial and gender barriers when she became the first Black woman admitted to the bar in the United States in 1872. Equally foundational was Charles Hamilton Houston, often referred to as “The Man Who Killed Jim Crow.” As a legal strategist and educator, Houston trained a generation of civil rights lawyers and engineered the constitutional framework that would later dismantle segregation. His belief that the law could be used as an instrument of social engineering continues to influence modern advocacy. Before becoming the 44th President of the United States, President Barack Obama was a constitutional law scholar and civil rights attorney. His legal training deeply influenced his approach to governance, policy, and judicial appointments. The career of Vice President Kamala Harris, a former prosecutor and state attorney general, reflects the expanding presence of Black women in positions historically closed to them within the legal and executive branches. For me, entering the legal profession was driven by a belief that the law is one of the most powerful tools for shaping opportunity. I was drawn to the discipline not only because of its intellectual rigor, but because of its capacity to shape outcomes that affect families, businesses, and communities. Over the course of my career, I have worked to build not only a record of professional accomplishment but also a platform for leadership and mentorship beyond the firm. My commitment to leadership is not about individual advancement, but about stewardship. This belief in stewardship extends to my work with the JL Turner Legal Association, a historical organization dedicated to advancing Black attorneys and strengthening professional development across the Dallas metroplex. The JL Turner Legal Association serves as both a professional network and a platform for service. Through continuing legal education initiatives, mentorship programming, and community outreach efforts, the organization seeks to strengthen the pipeline of diverse legal talent while supporting attorneys at every stage of their careers. As the current President-Elect of this Association, I am reminded that institutional progress requires both vision and action. The gains secured by Marshall, Ray, and Houston were not abstract ideals; they were the result of strategic litigation, disciplined scholarship, and courageous leadership. Our work today builds upon that same foundation. To honor the legacy of Black legal pioneers is to pursue excellence in our craft. It is to mentor intentionally. It is to advocate ethically. It is to lead with integrity. And it is to ensure that the profession continues to evolve toward greater inclusion and equity. Standing on the shoulders of those who came before us, we are called not only to remember but to build. When I stood in that courtroom years ago, I felt the weight of history. Today, I feel the responsibility of leadership. Black History Month reminds us that representation in law is not symbolic, it is structural. It shapes who is mentored, who is heard, and how justice is delivered. The pioneers opened the doors. It is our responsibility to keep them open, and to widen them for those coming behind us.

Tag: Fourteenth Amendment violation

McCATHERN, SHOKOUHI, EVANS SECURES $13 MILLION CIVIL RIGHTS VERDICT AGAINST CITY OF HOUSTON IN DEATH OF CHARLES PAYNE, SR.

MCCATHERN, SHOKOUHI, EVANS LAUNCHES DEBUT PODCAST, “THE LAW BEHIND THE HEADLINES”

Standing on Their Shoulders: Black Legal Pioneers and Our Responsibility Today

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