D.C.’s criminal code has not been significantly reformed since its adoption by the federal Congress in 1901. In 2016, the D.C. City Council began the most comprehensive effort to date to bring the City’s criminal code into the 21st century when it established the Criminal Code Reform Commission. For the past six years, the Commission has endeavored to create a new criminal code for D.C. that is more in step with modern society and modern notions of what it means for a law to be fair and just.

Hosts Eric Tarosky and Niranjan Seshadri, both law students at the Georgetown University Law Center, are joined by Patrice Sulton, Executive Director of DC Justice Lab and former senior attorney advisor to the Criminal Code Reform Commission, to talk about the past, present, and future of the District’s criminal law.

To learn more about the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2021, visit https://revisedcode.org/. 

UPDATE: On November 1, 2022, this bill unanimously passed an initial vote by the D.C. Council. In a few weeks, the council will hold a second and final vote on the bill which, if passed, will then head to Mayor Bowser's desk for her signature.

Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Thank you to our Sponsor!

The George Washington College of Professional Studies, Paralegal Studies Program: As Washington D.C.’s only academic-credit bearing paralegal studies program, the master’s degree in Paralegal Studies is more than a powerful credential: it’s a signal to the best employers that you withstood the academic rigor of one of the nation’s best paralegal programs. George Washington University’s Paralegal Studies program has met the approval of the American Bar Association for the excellence of its curriculum, faculty and administration, the only such program granted the designation in Washington, D.C. GW joins 260 programs nationally that have met the organization’s requirements. Visit https://www.cps.gwu.edu/paralegal-studies-master-professional-studies to learn more.

Hosts Andrew Nettels and Sydney Taylor discuss predatory lending advocacy and the state of student loan forgiveness. They are joined by Courtney Weiner Esq. of the Law Office of Courtney Weiner, PLLC, who focuses on predatory lending and student loans among other concentrations.

Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Thank you to our Sponsor!

The George Washington College of Professional Studies, Paralegal Studies Program: As Washington D.C.’s only academic-credit bearing paralegal studies program, the master’s degree in Paralegal Studies is more than a powerful credential: it’s a signal to the best employers that you withstood the academic rigor of one of the nation’s best paralegal programs. George Washington University’s Paralegal Studies program has met the approval of the American Bar Association for the excellence of its curriculum, faculty and administration, the only such program granted the designation in Washington, D.C. GW joins 260 programs nationally that have met the organization’s requirements. Visit https://www.cps.gwu.edu/paralegal-studies-master-professional-studies to learn more.

When does a work of art qualify for fair use? On October 12, 2022, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Andy Warhol Foundation, Inc. v. Goldsmith. Andy Warhol used celebrity photographer Lynn Goldsmith’s picture of Prince, taken in 1981, for his artwork. Did Andy Warhol violate Lynn Goldsmith’s copyright? Professor Kristelia Garcia Esq., an expert in copyright law, helps shed light on this question that could have far-reaching implications for art and copyright. This episode of “Let’s Brief It” is hosted by Niranjan Seshadri, and Eric Tarosky, both law students at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D.C.

Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Thank you to our Sponsor!

The George Washington College of Professional Studies, Paralegal Studies Program: As Washington D.C.’s only academic-credit bearing paralegal studies program, the master’s degree in Paralegal Studies is more than a powerful credential: it’s a signal to the best employers that you withstood the academic rigor of one of the nation’s best paralegal programs. George Washington University’s Paralegal Studies program has met the approval of the American Bar Association for the excellence of its curriculum, faculty and administration, the only such program granted the designation in Washington, D.C. GW joins 260 programs nationally that have met the organization’s requirements. Visit https://www.cps.gwu.edu/paralegal-studies-master-professional-studies to learn more.

Sienna and Elena discuss substance use, addiction, boundary setting, and how Lawyers Assistance programs can help law students and lawyers dealing with these issues. They are joined by Niki Irish, Outreach and Education Coordinator for the D.C. Bar Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP). For more information, visit the D.C. Bar LAP website at https://www.dcbar.org/for-lawyers/lawyer-assistance-program. You can also listen to the LAP podcast, "Toward Well Being," at https://anchor.fm/DCBarLAP. 

Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Sienna and Delali interview the Honorable Judge Robert Rigsby, Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Superior Court. Judge Rigsby discusses his illustrious military and legal career, eventual trajectory to the bench, and offers advice to law students who dream of one day becoming a judge. 

Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Elena reviews pending antitrust legislation in the House and Senate for Spring 2022- what the bills are and how they could affect the industry- with guest Jeffrey May, Esq., associate managing editor for insights and enrichment at Wolters Kluwer Legal and Regulatory U.S.

Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Delali and Sienna discuss the history, legacy, and current legal push for reparations for descendants of African American slavery. They are joined by Nkechi Taifa, Esq., founder, principal and CEO of the Taifa Group, and Director of the Reparation Education Project. Taifa’s new book  “Reparations on Fire” will be released in June 2022.

Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Sienna and Elena take a deep dive into the various and interconnected aspects of hotel and hospitality law. American University Washington College of Law Professor Steven Shapiro, Esq., who directs the Hospitality & Tourism Law program, guest stars.

Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Delali and Sienna address the Latin phrase memento mori (meaning, “remember you must die”) as it relates to estate planning, a process that inherently confronts and prepares for the necessity of death. Roxy Araghi, Esq., an associate at Pasternak & Fidis, P.C., guest hosts.

Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

In this episode, Elena learns the ins and outs of pro bono, legal services, and public interest work, including important issues related to access to justice an racial equality. She is joined by the Associate Director of Legal Services for Individuals & Families at the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, Vanessa Batters-Thompson, Esq.

Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.