In this episode of Conversate with Akeem D. Earle, we sit down with Era Kryeziu, a rising personal injury attorney in the DMV area who is redefining what it means to balance a demanding legal career with new motherhood.

Era shares her powerful journey from graduating UDC David A. Clarke School of Law to handling immigration and family law cases at the DC Affordable Law Firm and now thriving in personal injury law. She opens up about the challenges of studying for the bar exam during the COVID-19 pandemic, building her career from the ground up, and what it takes to show up in court and at home with equal excellence.

We talk law, life, and everything in between, from courtroom realities to her experience becoming a mom while building a thriving career. If you're a law student, a young attorney, a working mom, or just someone trying to juggle ambition and real life, this episode is for you.

🔗 Connect with Us:
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ConversatePodcast
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@conversatepodcast
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akeemearle

📌 TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro
01:08 – What Era Would Do If She Wasn’t a Lawyer
02:27 – How She Found Her Way Into the Legal Field
04:13 – UDC Law School Experience: What Set It Apart
05:15 – Taking the Bar Exam During the COVID Pandemic
07:21 – Bar Exam Horror Story You Have to Hear
11:15 – Life as a Personal Injury Lawyer in the DMV
18:20 – Work-Life Balance as a Young Attorney
19:41 – Navigating Motherhood While Building a Legal Career
27:40 – Facing Law School Peers in Court
30:40 – From Mock Trial to Real Courtroom Battles
32:54 – Exploring Other Legal Practice Areas
34:15 – Fun “This or That” Segment
37:50 – Era’s Final Thoughts and Closing Argument

🎙️ Conversate with Akeem D. Earle is the podcast where we explore the real lives of attorneys — beyond the courtroom. We interview lawyers from all practice areas and backgrounds to uncover their personal stories, career lessons, and the human side of law.

In this episode of Conversate with Akeem D. Earle, I sit down with Emily Logan Stedman, a commercial litigation partner at Husch Blackwell LLP. Emily takes us on her journey from teaching 5th grade through Teach For America to making partner at an AmLaw100 firm in Milwaukee.

We dive into the realities of Big Law—beyond the Twitter hot takes. Emily unpacks the highs and lows of trial experience, the truth about billable hours, and how she made the pivot from education to law. She also opens up about her mission to destigmatize mental health in the legal field and how she's using her growing platform to advocate for lawyer wellbeing.

Whether you're a law student, young attorney, or just curious about what it really takes to make it in Big Law, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Timestamps:
00:00 If I Was Not a Lawyer…
05:21 Transition from Teacher to Attorney
11:06 Becoming a Partner At Husch Blackwell
16:04 Big Law and Trial Experience
23:49 Law Twitter and the Big Law Narrative
26:30 Billable Hours Explained
30:00 Prioritizing Mental Health in the Legal Profession
41:11 This or That
46:13 Life of a Content Creator and a Lawyer
59:03 Closing Argument

🔗 Stay connected with Conversate
Website – https://www.conversatepodcast.com/
Instagram – @conversate_w_ade
LinkedIn – Conversate Podcast

What does it really take to be a lawyer and a creative at the highest level? On this episode of Conversate with Akeem D. Earle, I’m joined by London Lewis, an entertainment lawyer, producer, and writer whose fingerprints are on some of the biggest projects in the game — including American Fiction, The Blackening, Self Reliance, and viral shows from The Shade Room.

As the current Head of Business & Legal Affairs for MRC’s Film Group, she’s negotiated deals behind the scenes of Oscar-nominated films and championed diversity as Co-Chair of Black@MRC. We dive into her journey from Netflix and Facebook Watch to building her own creative empire — all while navigating law, production, and storytelling with precision and heart.

At 4:29, we get into the real business of film finance and production, followed by a deep dive at 15:05 on balancing creativity and budget constraints. At 24:37, we discuss why original stories still matter in a world of remakes, and at 27:49, we talk the rise of limited series and how streaming changed the game. Things get fun at 33:03 with her original project concept, “Eight Degrees of the F-Boy.” Then at 45:00, we discuss how to manage time between law and film, and at 50:00 she drops game for aspiring lawyers and creatives. We wrap at 1:00:00 with her experience transitioning from full-time law to full-time creative, and as always, the Closing Argument hits at 1:05:00.

If you're into entertainment law, film production, The Blackening, American Fiction, The Shade Room, diversity in Hollywood, or you're a lawyer with a creative dream, this episode is for you.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more real conversations with attorneys breaking the mold.

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Let’s connect:

Website – https://www.conversatepodcast.com

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/conversate_w_adeigsh=ODA1NTc5OTg5Nw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

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#AmericanFiction #TheBlackening #TheShadeRoom #EntertainmentLawyer #FilmProducer #CreativeLawyer #LawAndFilm #NetflixProducer #MRCFilms #FacebookWatch #BlackCreators #MoreThanALawyer #ConversateWithAkeemDEarle #LegalPodcast #DiversityInHollywood

In this heartfelt episode, Akeem and Tonee take a trip down memory lane to share their law school love story — from meeting during 1L to navigating the challenges of legal education together. They get candid about the highs, the lows, and whether they’d do it all over again. Tune in for laughs, deep reflections, and some real talk about the law school grind.

⏱ Episode Breakdown:

00:00 – Intro

02:00 – How We Met: A Law School Love Story

12:02 – Reflections on Law School Experience

16:40 – Choosing Law School: The Journey to UDC

22:47 – Tonee’s Encounter with Law Enforcement

29:32 – Would You Go to Law School Again?

SUBSCRIBE TO YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@conversate2510?sub_confirmation=1

Website – https://www.conversatepodcast.com/

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LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/conversate-podcast-234867252/

In this episode, we sit down with Gary Kohlman , former General Counsel for the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), to dive into his illustrious legal career. With over 40 years of experience as a trial attorney, defense lawyer, and sports law expert, Gary has been at the forefront of high-stakes negotiations and landmark legal cases involving NBA superstars like LeBron James, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, and Michael Jordan.

Gary shares stories from his time representing NBA players in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which secured $90 billion in compensation for athletes. He reflects on how NBA legends, including Michael Jordan, influenced player compensation and labor rights. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at negotiating NIL deals for college athletes and his departure from the NBA to return to his roots as a public defender.

📌 **Timestamps:**

00:00 – If I Was Not a Lawyer...  

01:22 – General Counsel for the NBPA  

05:40 – Compensating NBA Players  

08:57 – The Power of Michael Jordan  

10:33 – Negotiating NIL Deals for College Players  

16:25 – Leaving the NBA and Reflecting on the Public Defender Service  

22:59 – Attributes of a Great Trial Attorney  

24:53 – Expanding Opportunities and Making Decisions  

27:47 – Defending Edward Tickle  

35:56 – Learning from Mistakes and Vowing Never to be Unprepared  

40:18 – Arguing in front of the United States Supreme Court  

43:42 – Why Gary Isn’t a Judge Yet  

46:45 – Challenges and Complexities of Death Penalty Cases  

52:15 – Defending Individuals Who Appear Guilty  

1:00:50 – Closing Argument

Gary also opens up about his time as a  public defender at the D.C. Public Defender Service , where he developed unmatched skills as a trial attorney and successfully defended individuals in death penalty cases. He shares what it takes to become a great defense lawyer, recounts arguing in front of the United States Supreme Court, and reflects on why he isn’t a judge today.

If you're interested in sports law, criminal defense, or what it takes to be a top-tier attorney, this episode is for you! Whether you're a fan of the NBA or the legal world, Gary’s insights will leave you inspired.

#NBA #LeBronJames #ChrisPaul #CarmeloAnthony #MichaelJordan #NBPA #CollectiveBargaining #DefenseAttorney #TrialAttorney #PublicDefender #SportsLaw #NILDeals #SupremeCourt #GaryKohlman #DeathPenaltyCases

Welcome to another captivating episode of Conversate with Akeem D. Earle! In this installment, I am thrilled to introduce the delightful Tonee Earle as the official co-host of the podcast. Together, we delve into our professional lives, offering insights into the intricacies of courtroom dynamics and sharing anecdotes from our mock trial experiences during law school. Join us as we uncover invaluable gems to empower you in navigating the world of trial law and exceeding expectations in the courtroom. Tune in now for an engaging discussion that promises to enlighten and inspire!

Join us for a compelling episode as we sit down with defense attorney Camille Wagner for an in-depth exploration of her journey in the legal profession. Camille, a native of France fluent in three languages – French, Spanish, and English, brings a unique perspective to her practice.With a background that spans continents, Camille's career trajectory is fascinating. Graduating from the University of D.C. David A. Clarke School of Law, she initially served as an Assistant Attorney General in the District before transitioning to private practice. Drawing from her experience as a former prosecutor, Camille sheds light on the nuances of both sides of the legal spectrum.In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of Camille's work as a defense attorney, discussing her transition from prosecution, her hardest cases, and the ethical complexities of defending the guilty. From sharing her law school experiences to navigating the challenges of starting her own firm, Camille offers invaluable insights into the legal profession.Throughout the conversation, Camille provides invaluable nuggets of wisdom, from networking gems to handling failures and mistakes. We also hear about her coaching experiences in mock trial and her transition from France to the U.S., offering a glimpse into the global nature of legal practice.Whether you're a legal enthusiast or simply curious about the world of criminal defense, this episode promises to be both enlightening and thought-provoking. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the legal field through the eyes of an experienced practitioner.00:00 If I Was Not a Lawyer…00:57 Camille’s tennis Career Cut Short03:46 Camille’s Work as An Defense Attorney05:23 Going from a Prosecutor to a Defense Attorney07:10 What It Takes to Start Your Own Firm09:23 Camille’s Hardest Case11:18 How Can You Defend A Guilty Person?14:06 The Difficulty of Trial17:57 Work-Life Balance As a Defense Attorney19:23 Camille’s Law School Experience21:53 Networking Gems24:05 Bar Exam Horror Story19:23 Camille’s Law School Experience26:53 Transitioning from France to the U.S.31:39 Coaching Mock Trial36:56 Handling Mistakes and Failures43:00 Legal Field Hot Takes45:25 Closing Argument

Tonée Earle serves as a bar exam tutor and coach, specializing in helping retakers conquer their exams. Her own success story speaks volumes; passing the D.C. bar on her first attempt with an exceptional score and subsequently acing the Virginia bar exam illustrate her mastery of legal concepts and exam strategies.

When she is not coaching students, Tonée, an accomplished lawyer with a passion for family law and estate planning, brings a fresh perspective to the legal landscape. With a Juris Doctorate from the University of D.C. David A Clarke School of Law and an LL.M. in advocacy from Georgetown Law, Tonée has solidified her reputation as a dedicated advocate for those in need.

With her extensive knowledge and empathetic approach, Tonée is committed to assisting individuals and families navigate complex legal matters. Her expertise in family law and estate planning, coupled with her exceptional communication skills, ensures that clients receive personalized attention and effective solutions tailored to their needs.

Throughout this episode, Tonée shares invaluable insights, including her top five strategies for bar exam success and her experiences in practicing law. Additionally, she provides a unique perspective on the dynamics of being married to both an outstanding lawyer and podcast host.

Join us for a compelling discussion as Tonée Earle shares her wisdom, strategies, and personal anecdotes, offering invaluable guidance for aspiring lawyers and legal professionals alike. Tune in now to gain exclusive access to Tonée's expertise and embark on a journey towards legal excellence!

Keith Morgan, a seasoned attorney with a diverse background

As an Assistant United States Attorney in D.C., Keith Morgan

Currently serving as the Deputy Bureau Chief in the

Join us for a captivating conversation that spans Keith

Join us for a captivating live interview with the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, hosted at my very own Alma Mater, the University of D.C. David A. Clarke School of Law. In this special episode, we delve into the remarkable work and responsibilities of the District's top legal officer, gaining insights into the impact his office has on our nation's capital.

Discover the legal origin story of our esteemed guest, the Attorney General, as he shares his journey from law school to becoming the chief legal advocate for the District. Gain valuable perspective on the challenges and triumphs that shaped his remarkable career.

During our conversation, we explore the Attorney General's vision for the future of Washington, D.C. Uncover the ambitious plans, policies, and initiatives that he envisions to make our city a better place for all its residents.

This is a unique opportunity to get an inside look at the legal world of the District of Columbia and to understand the dedication and passion behind the office of the Attorney General. Don't miss this enlightening discussion that brings the law and our city to life. Tune in and be inspired!