In today’s episode, Andy sits down with compliance manager Ryan Stillion. Andy and Ryan explore how a JD can be used in a field outside of court rooms and general counsel positions. In their discussion, they walk through Ryan’s journey into law, some law experience, how he ended up in healthcare, and ways in which he still uses law skills he learned in school in his work each day. Please note, all opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the individual, and do not express the views or opinions of participants’ employers or Loyola University Chicago.

Law Adjacent: Working in Compliance

The bar exam has existed in one form or another since 1763. Since then, millions of people have taken the bar, yet each year the process challenges a new group of students. Marcus speaks with Dean Ellen Douglas, Assistant Dean of Academic Success and Bar Preparation, to get some answers to questions many people have.

Preparing for the Bar Exam

In today’s episode, Christy sits down with Professor Waldeck to discuss what future 1Ls can expect in Property.

Property 101

Nneka sits down with Dr. Marisela Martinez-Cola, a sociology professor at Morehouse College, to discuss her pathway from law school to earning her PhD in sociology. The two reflect on her law school experience at Loyola, explore her pivot to academia, and engage in discussion about Dr. Martinez-Cola’s book, The Brick Before Brown. In this book, she identifies over 100 cases filed before the famed Brown v. Board of Education and specifically examines the contributions of Chinese Americans, Native Americans, and Mexican Americans to the struggle for educational equality.

The Bricks Before Brown

In today’s episode, Andy gets to talk about law life after a certain age with three current law students over the age of 30. In their discussion, they not only discuss the life events that brought them to the institution of law school, but they have a personal discussion about life, stress, and preparing for the cold-call. Please note, all opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the individual, and do not express the views or opinions of participants’ employers or Loyola University Chicago.

Why Here, Why Now: Law School After 30

In August 2022, the Illinois Supreme Court amended Rule 711 to allow license holders to practice in federal courts in IL. Marcus sits down with Professor Patricia Lee, Randy L. and Melvin R. Berlin Professor of Business Law; Director of the Business Law Clinic; and Executive Director of the Business Law Center, to discuss the amendments to Rule 711. They also discuss experiential learning and the Loyola Business Law Clinic.

Experiential Learning and the 711 License

Casey sits down with Diane Redleaf, a decades-long family defense attorney and advocate, to discuss her work challenging various practices within state child welfare systems. They also discuss her work leading the charge on the case that led to the Norman Consent Decree in Illinois, holding that children should not be separated from their parents for reasons of poverty.

Holding the Family Regulation System Accountable with Diane Redleaf

In this episode, Nneka sits down with Professor Maria Hawilo to explore her path from public defender to professor.  Beginning with a reflection on Professor Hawilo’s time with the Public Defender Service in Washington D.C., they discuss what made that experience unique and her pivot to academia. Lastly, the two explore the professor’s new course offering, Righting Wrongs. How did professional experience impact the vision for this course? How does the unique hybrid model align to the mission of the course? What does this structure teach us as learners and lawyers? To learn more about the Conviction Review Unit, please visit the Minnesota Attorney General’s website.

From the Courtroom to the Classroom: Welcome to Righting Wrongs

In today’s episode, Andy sits down with the assistant dean of Loyola University Chicago’s Weekend JD program–one of only a handful of hybrid, part-time JD programs in the country. In their discussion, Andy and Kirk talk about Kirk’s entrance into the world of law, his passion for higher education, and what exactly makes the Weekend JD program so special. Please note, all opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the individual, and do not express the views or opinions of participants’ employers or Loyola University Chicago.

Everybody’s Working for the Weekend JD

In today's episode, Christy sits down with Professor Sawicki to discuss what future 1Ls can expect in Torts.

Torts 101

Marisa welcomes back pod alum Radhika Sutherland. They discuss life after law school, alternative career paths for JDs, sticking to your values, and what the future holds.

Radhika Returns: Life After Law School

Marcus sits down with members of Loyola Chicago Law School's administration to discuss their path to the Dean's Suite. In Part 1, Marcus interviews Dean Alexandre, Dean of Loyola University Chicago; Dean Luma, Assistant Dean for Diversity Equity, and Inclusion;  and Dean Giselle, Assistant Dean for Student Services. Listen to learn why the administrators went to law school and how they became members of the administration.

Path to the Dean’s Suite Pt. 2

In his inaugural episode, Marcus sits down with members of Loyola Chicago Law School's administration to discuss their path to the Deans' Suite. In Part 1, Marcus interviews Dean Walter, Assistant Dean of the Weekend JD Program; Dean Faught, Associate Dean for Administration; and Dean Rushin, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. Listen to learn why the administrators went to law school and how they became members of the administration.

Path to the Dean’s Suite

In her inaugural episode, Nneka sits down with Jackie Ross, staff attorney at Loyola University of Chicago’s Civitas ChildLaw Clinic. They are both former special education teachers with similar philosophies of learning. Their discussion centers on the role of legislation in dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline - specifically Illinois Senate Bill 100. Nneka and Jackie reflect on “full court press advocacy” as it relates to education law. In basketball, a full-court press takes a great deal of effort but can be an effective tactic. Often when teams are behind late in a game, they will apply full-court pressure to the entire length of the court. Nneka and Jackie reference the following two articles: ProPublica’s “The Price Kids Pay” and Eteng Ettah’s “Abbott Elementary and the Promise of Schools without Cops.”

From the Classroom to the Courtroom: Senate Bill 100 and the School-to-Prison Pipeline

In their inaugural episode, Casey talks to Helen Kim Skinner (she/her) about her experience in the law and social work arenas surrounding criminal defense. Specifically, they dive into her experience starting the James B. Moran Second Chance Program (a reentry court) for the  Northern District of Illinois and her pivot from practicing law as a criminal defense attorney to working as a full-time mitigation specialist.

Understanding the Roles of Mitigation and Reentry Courts with Helen Kim Skinner

In his inaugural episode, Andy sits down with Weekend JD 3L Arti Walker-Peddakotla to review and discuss Lawrence v. Texas, a landmark decision from the Supreme Court in 2003 that overturned a Texas anti-sodomy law, as well as overturned the decision of Bowers v. Hardwick. But instead of discussing the “briefness” of the case, Andy and Arti explore the intersectionality of systemic issues in America through the story of Lawrence. Please note, all opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the individual, and do not express the views or opinions of participants’ employers or Loyola University Chicago.

Law School’s Greatest Hits: The Story of Lawrence v. Texas

In today’s episode, Christy sits down with Professor Waller to discuss what future 1Ls can expect in Civil Procedure. Please note this episode was recorded in the fall semester of 2021.

Civ Pro 101

In the next installment of her series exploring data privacy and cybersecurity, Marisa sits down with Aaron Charfoos, Global Chair of Paul Hastings LLC’s Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Workgroup, to discuss private practice in this rapidly growing field. They dive into what it looks like to work in privacy and security at a law firm, what he loves about it, and getting an edge on breaking into the best area of practice!

Law Firm Life: Data Privacy and Cybersecurity in Practice

Welcome back to the Podvocate! Please join us in welcoming our new team members Nneka Ugwu, Marcus McNeal, Andy Vanden Busch, and Casey Callahan.

Meet Our New Team Members

In this two-part roundtable, the team comes together to discuss sex, gender, and the law. Part 1 is an interview between Olivia and attorney Kara Dansky, and Part 2 is the team's reflection on the interview and on the topic.

This episode was recorded before news broke on May 2, 2022 of the Supreme Court's deliberations on overturning Roe v. Wade, so that is not discussed in the episode.

Please note this episode discusses the details of indecent exposure and other sensitive topics, ​​please be mindful of the presence of children and your own needs as you listen to this episode. 

In addition, the opinions expressed on the Podvocate by our guest are not necessarily the opinions of the Podvocate members, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, WLUW, or Loyola University Chicago School of Communications. It is our mission at the Podvocate to explore the boundaries of practicing law in the 21st century and to present diverse opinions on various topics affecting modern law.

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