In the follow up to Guilding pt. 1, Ben sits down with People’s Law Office Attorney Brad Thompson, to further discuss the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) and it’s work in Chicago. In doing so, we discussed the history of the guild, some of the key movements it has helped support, as well as some of the influential projects and programs it takes part in now. Specifically, we explored the work of the Chicago Chapter’s Mass Defense Committee as well as the NLG’s Legal Observer Program.

In an episode recorded last semester (Spring of 2024), Ben sits down with fellow Podvocate Co-Editor in Chief, Casey Callahan, to talk about the history of the National Lawyers Guild both nationally and internationally over the course of the 20th and early 21st century. In doing so, they discuss what brought them both to the guild while students at Loyola as well as key historical events that led to the Guild’s founding in the late 1930s. They further explore key social movements that the Guild was a part of throughout the decades with the help of future guest, People’s Law Office attorney Brad Thompson.

Casey sat down in May to talk with the Executive Director of Cabrini Green Legal Aid, Aisha Cornelius Edwards, and the Director of Legal Programs at Cabrini Green Legal Aid, Breanna Kantor about how criminal and civil law are siloed. They discuss the importance of both criminal and civil attorneys being versed in the criminal and civil consequences of what legal actions they take on behalf of their clients.

The incoming editorial board members for The Podvocate introduce themselves. We are looking forward to a great year!

Podvocate Associate Editor, Johannes Alvarez-Rivero, sits down to give the listeners a primer on the field of antitrust within the United States of America. First, Johannes discusses what antitrust laws are and what they are meant to protect. Johannes briefly discusses the governmental regulatory bodies that enforce antitrust laws, then turns to discussing the history of antitrust laws in the nation, taking time to discuss some of the most seminal case rulings in this field's history. Finally, Johannes touches on the state of antitrust law today and some of the hot topic areas of interest being discussed by legal scholars pertaining to antitrust laws.

Ben sits down with Chief Defender of the Orleans Public Defenders Office (OPD), Danny Engelberg, to discuss the founding of the office as it is today as well as the events that led to the office’s remodeling after the destruction brought on by Hurricane Katrina. In doing so, they discuss OPD’s commitment to a community-centered defense model and the offices’ wholistic approach to advocacy and representation in New Orleans.

In this episode, Maris chats with Jamie Cernek, a Legislative Aide at the Chicago City Council Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight. Jamie is an attorney and organizer with years of experience in policy and advocacy, coalition-building, and campaign management. Even before law school, Jamie knew that policy was the path for her. In this episode, she reflects on this vision and how it carried her through her time at Georgetown Law. She also imparts wisdom for students exploring non-traditional legal paths and the role of policy experts in crafting tangible solutions for their communities.

In this solo episode, Casey dives into the web of collateral consequences of a criminal conviction, and how both attorneys and judges can better inform people charged with crimes of the consequences beyond a sentence.

Associate Editor Karan Kaushal and Co-Editor-in-Chief Nneka Ugwu invited Professor Neil Williams for a very unique and special episode of the Pod. In this storytelling forward format, Professor Williams leads listeners on a journey from Jim Crow South to Chicago big law. Listen and learn about how his upbringing informs his views on lawyering for racial justice (inspired by his legal idols Norman Amaker and Charles Hamilton Houston), the importance of mentorship, and advice he has for law students and young professionals.

In this episode, Karan and Nneka have a discussion with Loyola University Chicago professor, Neil Williams. In this energizing discussion, Karan, Nneka, and Professor Williams talk about his journey to law school, best practices when in law school, and his thoughts for the future.