As an immigration lawyer, Jennifer Quezada builds trust within local communities that need legal help to bring families together. She works primarily with Spanish-speaking clients in their native language, and uses her own background as an immigrant to offer advice and counsel that creates a sense of security amidst a complex and lengthy legal process. Beyond her legal work, Jennifer discusses marketing, fee transparency, and her firm's strategy to serve additional underserved communities....

Big change requires massive action. That's true whether we're talking about Carney Anne Nasser's career path or her work as an animal protection lawyer. She shifted to animal law five years after earning her law license, first as an unpaid intern (while working as a full-time lawyer) and then for several nonprofits that specialize in strategic advocacy and impact litigation. Carney Anne discusses what fueled her efforts to bring about significant legal outcomes. including delivering...

In our 100th episode, hosts Kyle McEntee and Katya Valasek reflect on their legal backgrounds and how their journeys to, through, and after law school shape this podcast's discussions. Kyle talks about his journey, beginning with the founding of Law School Transparency (LST), a nonprofit focused on consumer advocacy, and leading to his role at LSAC. He explores the challenges of enacting meaningful change in the face of opposition, emphasizing how crucial it is for advocates to grasp their...

Lana and Nick Kuchinski have done a lot together, from chemical engineering to law school to getting married. Though the episode features their unique journey as a couple, their insights are valuable for anyone considering or currently navigating law school. The conversation touches on competition, jealousy, factoring family into decision-making, support, and the varied ways individual paths shape legal careers. One partner faced more challenges in the job market, while the other had greater...

Alexia Bedat is a U.K.-trained entertainment lawyer in New York City who predominately represents production companies in content deals, from podcasts to documentaries and a lot in between. With a bird's eye view of the entertainment industry, she's able to provide legal and business advice to forge deals that let the creative process blossom. Through careful listening and strategic questioning, Alexia can rein in clients who could blow up a deal over a misunderstanding. The episode also...

Taking on high-profile cases is never easy, especially when you're suing fellow lawyers for legal malpractice. Ronnie Richter and Eric Bland have found success not in spite of their differences, but because of them. Ronnie, with his measured speech and precise actions, is the steady hand, while Eric, known for bringing intensity and disruption, shakes things up. Despite their contrasting styles, they are united by a shared purpose: righting wrongs and holding others accountable, all while...

Bola Adeniran is a theater kid turned mid-level associate at a large Dallas law firm. She practices complex litigation and it's a more natural progression than you might expect. Bola discusses what she loves about document review, her early courtroom experiences, the differences between mentorship and sponsorship, and how she thinks about work-life balance. Bola graduated from St. Louis University School of Law. This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek. Mentioned in this episode: Access LawHub...

Seret Gonzalez is in human resources with a startup after years of practicing law and legal recruiting. Her legal background has proven helpful in HR, even if it's not required to fulfill her job duties. Seret discusses the challenges and rewards of her current role, including the legal intricacies of managing HR across multiple states, the importance of building trust with employees and leadership alike, and how changing laws keep her on her toes. Seret Gonzalez is a graduate of the...

Kiran Vakamudi is a senior associate at an elite law firm who specializes in corporate restructuring for companies in financial trouble. When a company can't repay debts and files for bankruptcy, some creditors get left with nothing. Kiran's job is to negotiate with creditors, develop a plan to reorganize the company's finances, and do what he can to ensure the company can continue operating -- perhaps with different owners. Kiran discusses how his job has changed from junior to senior...

Joe Richardson is a labor law lawyer with union clients, a seemingly significant pivot from his military service and defense contracting after college. He discusses his motivations for leaving the defense sector and how his upbringing influences his current work in labor relations. Joe shares insights into the intricacies of union representation and union dynamics, collective bargaining, contract negotiations, and the day-to-day challenges and rewards of advocating for workers' rights. Joe is...

As Chief Disciplinary Counsel at the U.S. Virgin Islands Supreme Court, Tanisha Bailey-Roka protects legal consumers and the rule of law. She details her multifaceted role in investigating, evaluating, prosecuting, and adjudicating lawyer and judicial misconduct. Tanisha explains the three core principles guiding her work: reprimand, restitution, and rehabilitation, and discusses the broad jurisdiction of her office over anyone attempting to practice law in the territory. Tanisha also shares...

After being abruptly fired from his first lawyer job, Mike Morse quickly pivoted to start his own solo practice focused exclusively on personal injury cases. He doesn’t practice much law these days because his firm has grown to more than 50 lawyers and 200 employees, so this episode concentrates on the business side of law. Mike discusses risk related to a contingency fee business model, overcoming fear of financial instability to pursue growth, and how important exceptional customer service...

Jeremy Pisca is a state lobbyist working out of a law firm in a rural state capital. He discusses the personal and professional angles of relationship development, an especially difficult task in a state that sees a lot of turnover among state legislators. Since the legislature is only in session for three months, it's a really intense time for him and his team. They spend it tracking bills from committee to the floor, keeping their own whip count, educating elected officials, and staying...

Andrea Tompkins is a capital markets partner at a global law firm based in London. She started her career at a Magic Circle firm (she'll explain that) after earning her J.D. in the U.S (she'll explain how to do that too). Andrea specializes in advising large companies and international investment banks on U.S. federal securities laws. She describes the intricacies of raising capital through equity and debt, the importance of material disclosures in securities offerings, and the process of...

Jenifer Slinskey manages the University of Pittsburgh's patent portfolio, a role that bridges the gap between academic research and industry commercialization. While this job does not require a law license, her STEM and patent law background improve the experience for the researchers she interfaces with and the outside patent counsel she manages. From submitting an invention disclosure form to collaborating with outside counsel, Jenifer outlines the rigorous process that transforms an...

Ludmilla Kasulke, a seasoned lawyer-lobbyist based in Washington, D.C., amplifies the voices of her clients. Her world is one of competing interests, strategic relationships, legal intricacies, and raw politics. She aims to tip public policy in one direction (or another) through education, a nuanced understanding of political context, and strategies that can evolve on a dime. In the corridors of power, influence stems from access and information.  Ludmilla is a graduate of Georgetown...

Many people enter law school or practice with one ambition, only to find it's not quite what they envisioned. For Raffi Melkonian, his initial fascination with corporate law faded quickly while he was at Cravath, a global law firm that allowed him to pivot to litigation. Today, Raffi is an appellate lawyer in the U.S Fifth Circuit and Texas. He provides an overview of what appellate work entails, from writing briefs to presenting oral arguments -- and his meticulous preparation for both....

Sometimes it's a tough transition to law school - so tough you fail out. But what comes next depends on a willingness to reflect and seek support. In this episode, Asha Paulose opens up about her academic setbacks, winding career, and personal and professional growth. Today, she's doing something she never expected: running her own law firm. Asha helps elderly clients navigate change in their own lives. She discusses how she finds clients, tailors legal and non-legal advice for their diverse...

As a legal engineer at a legal technology company, Donata Stroink-Skillrud uses her knowledge and skills as a lawyer to scale privacy policies -- an essential element of any company's website. She also happens to be a co-founder and the president of the company, Termageddon. There's no attorney-client relationship with Donata's clients today, but they still depend on her ability to understand, organize, and explain the law. This broad conversation ranges from legal ethics and legal...

Veronique Richardson, a partner specializing in water rights and economic development at a small firm, serves tribal entities and tribal members exclusively. According to Veronique, "water is life." Not only is it significant as a natural resource, but it's significant culturally in Indian country. She helps tribal governments and their people navigate a deliberate balance between economic growth and preserving natural resources for future generations. Veronique discusses the challenges and...

JR Thomas, a client attorney at a community services nonprofit, Birmingham AIDS Outreach (BAO), that provides multifaceted services to individuals living with HIV and AIDS. Beyond healthcare and social work, BAO provides vital pro bono legal services that cover a broad spectrum of issues. JR specializes in domestic relations legal work, but because all of his time is pro bono, he can spend time helping clients with ancillary matters such as finding housing. Despite the emotional weight of his...

Jenn Russoniello is a family lawyer who started as a social worker disappointed in the system. Jenn highlights the emotional and practical challenges of divorce litigation, which often intertwine personal and legal complexities. She emphasizes the significance of client-centered representation, especially as it relates to the nuances of settlement negotiations, the decision to go to trial, and navigating the complexities of post-judgment issues. Throughout the conversation, Jenn emphasizes...

People need legal representation, regardless of financial means. Non-profits throughout the country, often called legal aid, play a crucial role in offering civil representation to individuals who lack the means to hire a lawyer. Hannah Wagner serves as a staff attorney at Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio, where she addresses various legal needs within the community. Her practice spans education cases for students with special needs, restraining orders for individuals facing...

When the opportunity arises, seize it. That's one lesson from Judge Elizabeth Rohl, a trial court judge in a one-judge county who knew it was now or never when the position opened up during Covid. But despite her taking her shot and succeeding, Judge Rohl had her doubts. In this episode, she discusses overcoming impostor syndrome, the day-to-day operations of the courtroom, saying "I don't know," and having a profound impact on her community. Judge Rohl is a 2008 graduate of Michigan State...