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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.