The host of "Dan Abrams Live" and "On Patrol: Live" who visits Greensboro on November 2 for Elon Law's Distinguished Leadership Lecture Series spoke with Vanessa Garcia L'22 and Todd Bowyer L'23 about law school, the interaction between journalists and lawyers, and more.
The first speaker in Elon Law’s 2022-2023 Distinguished Leadership Lecture Series offered a preview of his upcoming appearance in Greensboro when he recently answered questions via Zoom from two Elon Law Leadership Fellows.
Dan Abrams joined Vanessa Garcia L’22 and Todd Bowyer L’23 less than a week before his scheduled visit for a short conversation about his career in journalism, the value of law school, and the interaction between journalists and attorneys.
“An Evening with Dan Abrams”
Abrams will talk more about his career and about the legal profession on Wednesday, November 2, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Carolina Theatre (310 S. Greene Street, Greensboro).
Elon Law Professor Enrique Armijo will moderate the evening conversation before opening up questions from audience members.
The program is free and open to the public. While no tickets are required, attendees are encouraged to RSVP to Elon Law for timely updates and other important information.
Excerpts from the Interview
Abrams on the value of law school:
“The thing about law school is that it teaches you how to think. It’s not just learning about statutes and ‘what does the law say?’ It ingrains in you a way of looking at problems, at looking at – in my world – the media. It helped me enormously in focusing on critical questions and critical issues.”
Abrams on prominent cases that have influenced his career:
“The O.J. Simpson case is probably the case that put me on the map, to some degree. From a career perspective, living that case – it wasn’t just covering it, I literally lived in Los Angeles for a couple of years during the civil and criminal cases – was certainly impactful. The one that will always stay with me was the Bush v. Gore post-election legal battles after the 2000 election … because the impact was so monumental, and because there were so many legal issues coming at us every day.”
Abrams on the way attorneys today work with media:
“Lawyers recognize the significance of media coverage. Put aside the highest profile cases. Even a case getting attention in a niche area can impact a client’s decision to settle a case, or the opponent’s decision to settle. It can impact the government’s decision on whether to indict. Lawyers are now recognizing that.”
About Dan Abrams
Abrams is the CEO and Founder of Abrams Media, host of “Dan Abrams Live” on NewsNation and “On Patrol: Live” on Reelz, Chief Legal Affairs Correspondent for ABC News, host of SiriusXM radio’s “The Dan Abrams Show: Where Politics Meets The Law,” and host and executive producer of “Court Cam” and “Taking the Stand” on A&E Network.
He previously co-anchored ABC’s Nightline, hosted “The Abrams Report” and the acclaimed “Verdict with Dan Abrams” on MSNBC, hosted the top-rated series “Live PD” on A&E Network, and served as chief legal correspondent for NBC News. Abrams also served as general manager of MSNBC, where he presided over a period of unprecedented growth, with ratings and profits each increasing well over 50% during his tenure.
The Abrams Media properties now welcome more than 15 million unique visitors per month and include the nationally recognized Mediaite.com, which covers the intersection of media and politics; Law&Crime.com and the now widely watched Law&Crime network, which live streams trials with anchors and in-studio analysis; and TheMarySue.com, covering “geek culture” from a female perspective (among others).
A graduate of Columbia Law School, Abrams has published numerous articles in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, in addition to The Yale Law and Policy Review, ABCNews.com, and Mediaite.com.
His first book, “Man Down: Proof Beyond A Reasonable Doubt That Women Are Better Cops, Drivers, Gamblers, Spies, World Leaders, Beer Tasters, Hedge Fund Managers, and Just About Everything Else,” was a Washington Post bestseller.
Abrams also joined with David Fisher to author “Lincoln’s Last Trial: The Murder Case That Propelled Him to The Presidency,” “Theodore Roosevelt for the Defense: The Courtroom Battle to Save His Legacy,” John Adams Under Fire: The Founding Father’s Fight for Justice in the Boston Massacre Murder Trial,” Kennedy’s Avenger: Assassination, Conspiracy, and the Forgotten Trial of Jack Ruby,” and
“Alabama v. King: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Criminal Trial That Launched the Civil Rights Movement.”