What If You Don’t Know the Whole Story? White Collar Defense, Confirmation Bias, and the Courage to Listen to Listen (with A
"Can you leave some space for the possibility that you don't know everything, that there could be another side to it?" - Aaron Clark
Most of us think we know exactly what a "white collar criminal" looks like. Aaron Clark wants us to question that assumption.
In this episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast For People, Megan Senese and Jennifer Ramsey are joined by Aaron Clark, white collar defense attorney and former federal prosecutor, for a conversation about justice, confirmation bias, and what it's like to stand beside people during the hardest moments of their lives.
Aaron shares why he left the U.S. Attorney's Office for private practice, what surprised him most about defending people accused of federal crimes, and why listening is often the most powerful skill a lawyer can have.
Along the way, the conversation explores reputation, second chances, business development, and why doing the brave thing every day often starts with something much smaller than you think.
Whether you're a lawyer, legal marketer, or simply someone who wants to think more critically before rushing to judgment, this episode offers a thoughtful reminder that every story has more than one side.
You'll hear about:
Why Aaron transitioned from federal prosecutor to white collar defense attorney
The misconceptions people have about white collar crime
How confirmation bias shapes investigations and everyday life
Why listening is one of the most valuable skills any lawyer can develop
The human cost of criminal accusations, even before a verdict is reached
What it's like to help clients navigate the most difficult moments of their lives
Building a book of business after leaving government practice
Why relationships, not sales tactics, drive long-term business development
The courage it takes to do something that scares you every day
How baking cookies became one of Aaron's favorite ways to connect with clients
About Aaron Clark: Aaron Clark is a white collar criminal defense attorney and former Assistant U.S. Attorney who spent years prosecuting federal cases before moving into private practice. Today, he represents individuals facing government investigations and high-stakes criminal matters, combining his experience on both sides of the courtroom with a thoughtful, people-first approach to advocacy.
***************************************************************
This episode is brought to you by Lateral Hub: Lateral Hub is the premier job board for top large, midsize, and boutique firms. Over 75 firms use their flat-fee membership to promote openings to laterals and judicial clerks as a transparent, targeted, affordable alternative to headhunters or LinkedIn. No hassle. No placement fees. Hiring in 2026? Don’t recruit like it’s the Stone Age.
***************************************************************
Bring these types of conversations to your law firm. These podcast conversations are the same ones happening quietly inside law firms.
Through stage, we work with lawyers at every level and with legal marketing teams on client service, business development, and growth built on real relationships. If these themes are coming up inside your firm, let’s chat.
