I Am The Law

Duncan Kemp, a state government lawyer, took an unconventional path to environmental law. After working in college athletics fundraising and earning an MFA in Creative Writing, he entered law school part-time with a clear goal: protecting natural resources. But landing that environmental job proved harder than expected. Today, he manages litigation for one of Louisiana's largest landowners—from boundary disputes and coastal erosion cases to pipeline enforcement and exotic animal seizures. Duncan discusses balancing conservation with hunting traditions and economic growth, and coordinating litigation across agencies. Plus, he talks about the satisfying trade-off between lower government pay and a better work-life balance. Duncan is a graduate of Southern University Law Center.This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:Access LawHub today!Colorado Law SchoolLearn more about Colorado LawLoyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law School

Molly Henry represents international ship owners in a practice spanning oil spill response, vessel arrests, cargo disputes, and casualties at sea. She explains how admiralty law—a conglomeration of international treaties and federal common law—treats ships as legal persons that can be arrested and sold to satisfy judgments. Molly describes her crisis management role, boarding vessels to investigate crew deaths and fielding calls at all hours when maritime casualties occur. She reflects on transitioning from task-based associate work to strategic case management, and how an early opportunity to argue before the Ninth Circuit built her confidence. Molly is a graduate of the Ohio State Moritz College of Law.This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:Access LawHub today!Colorado Law SchoolLearn more about Colorado LawLoyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law School

Mia Getlin specializes in the state-legal cannabis industry in Oregon and Washington. She shares insights into the challenges and complexities of navigating the highly-regulated cannabis sector, emphasizing the importance of trust-building with clients coming from diverse backgrounds, including those transitioning from the illicit market. Mia highlights the role of advocacy in shaping industry regulations, issue spotting for compliance, and maintaining a supportive, problem-solving approach as a transactional attorney focused on finding solutions for her clients' needs. Throughout the conversation, she provides valuable perspectives on the legal intricacies and evolving dynamics of the cannabis business, from licensing to corporate structuring, offering a unique window into her role as a dedicated advocate for her clients in this rapidly changing field. Mia is a 2014 graduate of Pepperdine Caruso School of Law.This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:Access LawHub today!Colorado Law SchoolLearn more about Colorado LawLoyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law School

Shannon Struble has spent more than a decade prosecuting gang-related crimes in a county with a lot of violent gang activity. In this episode, she takes us inside the day-to-day life of a prosecutor. Shannon walks through the fast-paced charging process — where prosecutors have just 48 hours to review evidence and decide whether to file charges — negotiating pleas, and navigating the courtroom. She reflects on the vicarious trauma of watching crimes unfold on body cam footage, responding to homicide scenes at 2 a.m., and finding moments of reward when rehabilitation succeeds. Shannon also explores what justice really looks like and the role prosecutors can play in supporting rehabilitation, not just punishment. Shannon is a graduate of Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor School of Law.This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:Colorado Law SchoolLearn more about Colorado LawLoyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law SchoolAccess LawHub today!

Families don’t call Matt Talbot when things are going well. They call when grief, money, and long-simmering tensions rise to the surface. He helps clients navigate conservatorships, financial elder abuse, and complex estate litigation. In this episode, Matt discusses the emotional weight of handling kidnapping cases across state lines, the challenge of proving financial abuse when the victim can no longer speak for themselves, and how the Britney Spears case fundamentally changed California conservatorship law. He candidly shares how repeated exposure to family disasters has made him both emotionally hardened to client trauma and deeply committed to preserving his own family relationships. Matt reflects on the importance of getting evidence upfront, managing clients who want to "go nuclear" on family relationships, and why sometimes the best thing for a client isn't indulging their emotions. Matt Talbot is a graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law. This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek. Mentioned in this episode:Colorado Law SchoolLearn more about Colorado LawLoyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law SchoolAccess LawHub today!

If you ask environmental protection lawyer Elise Bennett who her clients are, she might joke that some days it’s the frosted flatwood salamander, the gopher tortoise, or Florida panther – but officially, it’s the Center for Biological Diversity. Elise is the Center's Florida and Caribbean Director, leading efforts to protect endangered species and wild places through legal action and advocacy. When developers threaten wetlands or forests, Elise steps in to defend the creatures who can’t speak for themselves.In this episode, she dives into the Endangered Species Act and explains how it safeguards even the smallest living creatures. Elise talks about choosing law as a means to protect the environment she loves, why some cases can stretch on for more than a decade, and what it takes to stay hopeful in the face of ongoing destruction. From the spring pygmy sunfish to the Florida Keys mole skink, her work shows how the law – and persistence – can buy endangered species a fighting chance. Elise is a graduate of Stetson University College of Law.This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek.Mentioned in this episode:Loyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law SchoolAccess LawHub today!Colorado Law SchoolLearn more about Colorado Law

Whitney Lallas is a family law attorney in Maine. She shares her journey into family law, influenced by her interest in psychology and math. The emotional and financial aspects of her work figure prominently into what she likes about her work, as well as what's challenging. She provides insights into handling prenuptial agreements, child-related matters, and dealing with hidden assets. Whitney also explains her eat-what-you-kill compensation structure and emphasizes the significance of maintaining work-life balance. Whitney is a 2019 graduate of the University of Maine School of Law.This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek.Mentioned in this episode:Access LawHub today!Loyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law SchoolColorado Law SchoolLearn more about Colorado Law

Rachel Frank is a senior associate at Quinn Emanuel who focuses on appellate litigation. She discusses the journey from summer associate to working on cases before the Supreme Court. Rachel explains what appellate practice actually involves, from preparing partners for oral arguments through intensive moot courts to crafting persuasive appellate briefs. She discusses how she uses AI as a thinking partner, the value of her federal appellate clerkship, and how her work has evolved over time. Rachel reflects on some of her firm's cultural quirks and why they matter to her. She also candidly discusses managing work-life balance. Rachel is a graduate of Yale Law School.This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:Learn more about BlueprintSeattle LawLearn more about Seattle University School of LawLearn more about Seton HallBU LawLearn more about Boston University School of LawAccess LawHub today!Learn more about Baylor LawLoyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law SchoolWilliam & Mary LawLearn more about William & Mary Law School

Matt Skinner is a public defender with passion. Criminal defense is high-stakes, sometimes chaotic work that can be extremely difficult, but Matt navigates the courts, clients, and his career with genuine sincerity and excitement. As a lawyer for those who are accused of felonies but cannot afford a lawyer, his love for underdogs fuels his advocacy. It was a profound experience in high school, however, that set him on this path. On a high school trip to the local jail, he ran into two of his friends--behind bars. Matt is a 2018 graduate of Seton Hall Law School.This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek.Mentioned in this episode:William & Mary LawLearn more about William & Mary Law SchoolLearn more about Baylor LawLoyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law SchoolAccess LawHub today!Seattle LawLearn more about Seattle University School of LawLearn more about Seton HallBU LawLearn more about Boston University School of LawLearn more about Blueprint

For the government, sanctions and export controls are foreign policy tools. For businesses, they are legal minefields. Audi Syarief is a senior associate who helps clients navigate this high-stakes world of regulatory puzzles and enforcement actions. In this episode, Audi explains how sanctions work, the outsized role of ambiguity in his practice, and his approach to managing risk across diverse client situations. He discusses the collaborative nature of working with deal teams, solving complex sanctions puzzles that can make or break deals, and how lawyers help keep clients compliant while enforcement agencies watch closely. From panicked calls about accidental violations to negotiating licenses with government regulators, Audi works at the intersection of law and foreign policy. Audi is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law.This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:Access LawHub today!William & Mary LawLearn more about William & Mary Law SchoolLearn more about Baylor LawLoyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law SchoolLearn more about BlueprintBU LawLearn more about Boston University School of LawLearn more about Seton HallSeattle LawLearn more about Seattle University School of Law

Jeremy Evans managed to outlast hundreds who started law school hoping to do sports and entertainment law. He talks about the struggle to start his own firm and why he thinks he was among the last standing. Jeremy is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson School of Law. This is a replay of episode #47 that originally aired on June 20, 2020.This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:Learn more about BlueprintBU LawLearn more about Boston University School of LawSeattle LawLearn more about Seattle University School of LawLearn more about Seton HallAccess LawHub today!Loyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law SchoolLearn more about Baylor LawWilliam & Mary LawLearn more about William & Mary Law School

Through her social security disability practice, Asha Sharma represents clients who are often struggling with poverty, homelessness, and complex medical conditions. In this episode, she discusses the realities of building a practice around contingency fees from federal back pay, the challenge of working with vulnerable clients who lack proper medical documentation, and the extensive medical knowledge required to effectively advocate for people with conditions ranging from chronic pain to severe mental illness. Asha reflects on preparing for administrative hearings before federal judges, the impact of fraud cases that have tightened evidentiary standards, and why she finds meaning in work that helps society's most marginalized individuals navigate a complex federal system. Asha Sharma is a graduate of University of Minnesota Law School. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:Learn more about BlueprintBU LawLearn more about Boston University School of LawSeattle LawLearn more about Seattle University School of LawLearn more about Seton HallLearn more about Baylor LawLoyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law SchoolWilliam & Mary LawLearn more about William & Mary Law SchoolAccess LawHub today!

Joe Stephens operates at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and traditional legal practice. As both a trial consultant and public defender, he helps lawyers harness AI to transform their litigation strategies and case preparation. Joe discusses how he guides other attorneys through AI integration, from analyzing mountains of depositions to crafting more effective motions. In his own public defender work, Joe has implemented AI tools to efficiently process vast amounts of digital discovery and pinpoint crucial moments in hours of police camera footage, allowing him to provide more thorough representation to indigent clients with limited resources. Joe Stephens is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law.This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek.Mentioned in this episode:Access LawHub today!Seattle LawLearn more about Seattle University School of LawBU LawLearn more about Boston University School of LawLearn more about Seton HallLearn more about BlueprintLearn more about Baylor LawLoyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law SchoolWilliam & Mary LawLearn more about William & Mary Law School

Sudha Setty entered legal academia on a path less traveled—without a clerkship or teaching fellowship. While working as a litigation associate at an elite New York City firm, she prepared for the academic job market and charted her course into teaching and scholarship. In this episode, Sudha reflects on how she built a scholarly agenda, developed an engaging classroom presence, and relied on mentorship to guide pivotal career decisions.This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:BU LawLearn more about Boston University School of LawLearn more about Seton HallSeattle LawLearn more about Seattle University School of LawAccess LawHub today!Loyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law SchoolLearn more about Baylor LawWilliam & Mary LawLearn more about William & Mary Law SchoolLearn more about Blueprint

Margeaux Thomas is the definition of lawyer meets entrepreneur. She specializes in business partnership disputes, landlord-tenant conflicts, and contract law. In this episode, Margeaux shares her journey from law school to working at a large firm, the challenges she faced navigating firm dynamics, and the personal experiences that led her to start her own practice. She dives into the realities of running a boutique law firm, building a client base from the ground up, and designing a business for efficiency. Margeaux also reflects on building a work-life balance and what it means to define success on your own terms. Margeaux is a graduate of the Catholic University, Columbus School of Law. This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek.Mentioned in this episode:Access LawHub today!Learn more about BlueprintLearn more about Vermont LawSeattle LawLearn more about Seattle University School of LawBU LawLearn more about Boston University School of LawWilliam & Mary LawLearn more about William & Mary Law SchoolLoyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law SchoolLearn more about Baylor Law

Before becoming a judge, Alex Manning served in the military, worked undercover as a cop, and defended people in complex criminal cases. She was also a key spokesperson advocating against the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. In this episode, Judge Manning talks about what drew her from law enforcement to the law, the challenges of presiding over a courtroom, and the mental and emotional toll of making high-stakes decisions as a day job. She talks about how her investigative experience informs her judge-instincts and gets real about the mental health challenges judges face. Judge Manning is a graduate of Vermont Law and Graduate School.This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:BU LawLearn more about Boston University School of LawSeattle LawLearn more about Seattle University School of LawLearn more about Seton HallWilliam & Mary LawLearn more about William & Mary Law SchoolLoyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law SchoolLearn more about Baylor LawLearn more about BlueprintAccess LawHub today!

Today, Venetia Mayhew is one of Oregon’s most well-known clemency and post-conviction lawyers, but her path to the law was anything but typical. She started college at 39 and law school at 43. Her prior experience? Working in film, catering, and truck driving. In this episode, she explains how her unconventional path shaped her work as a criminal defense attorney. She reflects on years spent leading clemency efforts at a law clinic and what it’s meant to her to help clients receive a second chance. Now in private practice, she works on complex criminal cases after her clients are already incarcerated. As she puts it, it’s a field where “you get a lot of losses, but the wins are just very, very sweet.” Venetia is a graduate of Lewis and Clarke Law School.This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek.Mentioned in this episode:Access LawHub today!Learn more about BlueprintLoyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law SchoolWilliam & Mary LawLearn more about William & Mary Law SchoolLearn more about Baylor LawBU LawLearn more about Boston University School of LawSeattle LawLearn more about Seattle University School of LawLearn more about Seton Hall

Alexis Taitel, a commercial litigator and fourth-year associate at a large firm, spent her first two years after law school clerking in federal district court. She explains what a federal clerkship really involves and how that experience helped her launch a litigation career in private practice. Alexis offers a window into her work on breach of contract cases as a mid-level associate, from pre-litigation strategy and writing compelling motions to learning how to advocate effectively from behind the scenes. She shares her love for legal writing and research, comparing research to a scavenger hunt and writing to storytelling. Alexis also reflects on the steep learning curve and pressures of the billable hour, the mentorship she’s received, and how the reality of being a lawyer differs from what she once imagined. Alexis is a graduate of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, William S. Boyd School of Law.This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:Seattle LawLearn more about Seattle University School of LawLearn more about Seton HallBU LawLearn more about Boston University School of LawLearn more about BlueprintAccess LawHub today!Learn more about Baylor LawWilliam & Mary LawLearn more about William & Mary Law SchoolLoyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law School

Eric Bernheim works at the intersection of real estate transactions and land use law—two areas that are often siloed but deeply interconnected in his practice. We focus on his commercial real estate practice, highlighting how he supports restaurant clients through lease negotiations, why standardized provisions matter for growth and sale, and how seemingly small terms can affect a company’s long-term strategy. Eric also discusses how he built his leasing practice by working closely with clients over time, how he navigates common points of friction arise with landlords, and what led him and two colleagues to leave a larger firm and start their own during the pandemic. Eric is a graduate of Roger Williams School of Law.This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek.Mentioned in this episode:Seattle LawLearn more about Seattle University School of LawLearn more about Seton HallBU LawLearn more about Boston University School of LawLearn more about Baylor LawWilliam & Mary LawLearn more about William & Mary Law SchoolLoyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law SchoolAccess LawHub today!Learn more about Blueprint

What really draws people to become lawyers? In this special bonus episode, we draw on previously unpublished clips with recent guests. You'll hear from lawyers inspired by family members in the profession, those who found their calling through student government or workplace experiences, and others who were motivated by iconic legal dramas like Legally Blonde and A Few Good Men.But inspiration is just the beginning. Our guests also reveal what pop culture gets dramatically wrong about legal practice. Spoiler alert: it's far less glamorous and much more tedious than TV suggests. From the reality of billable hours to the emotional weight of client relationships, these lawyers share what truly surprised them when they first started practicing.Featured voices include:Adam Deutsch, personal injury lawyer following in his father's footstepsTijana Brien, securities litigator who promised her refugee father she'd become the lawyer he never got to beSamm Tillotson, commercial litigator inspired by her student government experienceKatie King, who discovered her legal calling through workplace advocacyEzra Lintner, legal aid lawyer using law as a tool for their community serviceAnd many more sharing their honest takes on expectation vs. realityThis episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:Seattle LawLearn more about Seattle University School of LawLearn more about Seton HallBU LawLearn more about Boston University School of LawAccess LawHub today!Learn more about BlueprintLoyola Law SchoolLearn more about Loyola Law SchoolWilliam & Mary LawLearn more about William & Mary Law SchoolLearn more about Baylor Law