Becoming Counsel

I kept my six-figure tech career and went to law school part-time at 30. Full-time job. Wife. Kids. No debt.

Three stories led me to this decision. And one framework made it possible.

In this episode, I break down why I decided to go back to law school, how I got a full ride (it wasn't luck), and the lens I use to filter through all the noise and find what actually matters for non-traditional students.

If you're thinking about law school later in life—or just wondering if a major commitment like this is actually possible when you have real responsibilities—this is for you.

Welcome to Becoming Counsel: a podcast about going to law school when life gets complicated.

This Becoming Counsel episode takes an original Criminal Procedure fact pattern — four suspects, four interrogations — and rules on each Miranda motion.

In this episode of Becoming Counsel, we take an Agency & Torts fact pattern.

Quick overview of Civil Procedure and what is tested on Civ Pro essay questions.

Quick overview of Business Associations and what is tested on BA essay questions.

In this episode of Becoming Counsel, we break down a realistic Evidence essay using the IRAC method to show you how professors expect law students to analyze hearsay questions.

You'll learn how to distinguish between hearsay and non-hearsay uses of evidence, identify when questions and non-verbal conduct qualify as statements under the Federal Rules of Evidence, and recognize the importance of analyzing the purpose for which evidence is offered before jumping into hearsay exceptions.

In this episode of Becoming Counsel, we break down one of the foundational doctrines in Agency Law: Actual Authority vs. Apparent Authority.

You'll learn how courts analyze agency relationships, distinguish between actual and apparent authority, and determine when a principal is legally responsible for an agent's actions.

In this episode of Becoming Counsel, we examine one of the most important federalism doctrines in Constitutional Law: the Anti-Commandeering Doctrine.

You'll learn how to analyze when Congress may direct state action, when it must rely on federal officials, and how the Spending Clause allows Congress to encourage—rather than compel—state policy changes.

Standing, substantial step, and voluntary abandonment — one fact pattern, three classic criminal law and procedure issues. In this episode, we work through an original bar-exam-style essay question testing Fourth Amendment standing, attempt, and the abandonment defense, using full IRAC analysis so you can see exactly how a strong answer is built.

If you're a 1L prepping for exams this episode shows you how these doctrines get tested together — and the small fact patterns that decide the outcome.

A single fact pattern, three major torts doctrines. This is exactly the kind of hypothetical you'll see on a 1L torts exam. In this episode, we break down a classic law school hypo: an amusement park accident involving an eight-year-old rider, two unsupervised kids, a broken safety bar, and a mother whose panic leads to tragedy.

Using the IRAC method, we work through all three claims a professor could pull from this one scenario:

• False Imprisonment

• Negligence
• Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress

Perfect for 1L students building exam-writing skills and sharpening torts issue-spotting before finals.