Valerie Hawkins joined Widener Law Commonwealth in June 2024 as our new communications Manager. She will serve as the new host of Widener Law Commonwealth's podcast. In her first episode, Val talks to Matthew Kerns, associate dean of admissions, and Matthew Brown, associate director of financial aid, to help guide prospective law students through the often overwhelming process of applying to law school and applying for financial aid.

Learn insider tips from our law school admissions and financial aid experts!

Episode Transcript (PDF)

Mentioned in this episode:

WLC Admissions Webpage: https://commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/prospective-students/admissions/

WLC Financial Aid Webpage: https://commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/prospective-students/affording-law-school/

Book recommendation: Painless American Government

Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital's only law school, with four specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, Business Advising Program, and Center for Equity & Justice. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.

Music Credit: LeChuckz

Cafecito with LALSA (Latin American Law Student Association) is a student run podcast where traditional and non-traditional law students come together to share their unique journeys through law school. Hear the voices of minority students as they discuss their challenges and triumphs, and listen to diverse perspectives on a wide range of topics. Tune in for a dynamic conversation that reflects the rich tapestry of the Widener Law Commonwealth student experience.

Watch the video version on WLC's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYaACpVlzQs.

Cafecito with LALSA Episode 7: This episode features guest speaker Professor Steven A. Ramirez from Loyola University Chicago who discusses "The Stakes of Election 2024 for Latino/a voters".

Find the audio version of the podcast on your favorite podcast app.

Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital's only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.

Music Credit: "Latin Groove" by Vogel Audio https://www.pond5.com/artist/vogelaudio

Cafecito with LALSA (Latin American Law Student Association) is a student run podcast where traditional and non-traditional law students come together to share their unique journeys through law school. Hear the voices of minority students as they discuss their challenges and triumphs, and listen to diverse perspectives on a wide range of topics. Tune in for a dynamic conversation that reflects the rich tapestry of the Widener Law Commonwealth student experience.

Watch the video version on WLC's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRVKVR_r-X4.

Timestamps:

00:30 Episode Start 00:46 Introductions 01:30 Year in Review and Law School Reflections 09:35 First Vacation Spot After the Bar Exam 10:10 Love in Harrisburg 12:28 Mental Health During Bar Prep 19:06 What's One Thing You'll Miss Most 22:38 Advice for Current and Future Law Students 32:07 Bar Coaches and General Classroom/Exam Experiences 38:30 What Type of Law Do You Want to Practice 42:42 Regrets 45:05 Would You Come Back to Visit in 10 Years 47:33 Student Org Leadership Transition Meetings 54:47 Favorite Class 59:19 Goodbye 59:40 How Would You Like to Be Remembered

Episode Transcript (PDF)

Cafecito with LALSA Episode 6: This episode features Giselle Barragan (LALSA President), Kevin Ezeuzoh (BLSA President) and Ashley Varughese (APALSA President). Tune in to hear about their experiences and struggles as Widener Law Commonwealth students.

Find the audio version of the podcast on your favorite podcast app.

Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital's only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.

Music Credit: "Latin Groove" by Vogel Audio https://www.pond5.com/artist/vogelaudio

Cafecito with LALSA (Latin American Law Student Association) is a student run podcast where traditional and non-traditional law students come together to share their unique journeys through law school. Hear the voices of minority students as they discuss their challenges and triumphs, and listen to diverse perspectives on a wide range of topics. Tune in for a dynamic conversation that reflects the rich tapestry of the Widener Law Commonwealth student experience.

Watch the video version on WLC's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMC_ZljFyTU.

Cafecito with LALSA Episode 5 featuring Law School Moms: This episode features Giselle Barragan (LALSA President) having a conversation with Gabrielle Spisak and Helene Hess. Tune in to hear about their experiences and struggles as Widener Law Commonwealth students who became first time moms during law school.

Timestamps

00:34 Episode Start

01:28 Experience Having a Baby in Law School

04:18 Stress Levels Being Pregnant During Law School

06:40 Cravings While Pregnant

07:59 Would You Change Anything

11:35 Kids' Activities

12:50 It Takes a Village

15:30 Motivation

16:30 Mental Health, Changing Identities, and Coping Strategies

30:04 Bar Exam

38:00 Social Media as Moms

41:00 No Regrets

43:00 Balancing Work and Family

47:57 Maternal Instincts

48:22 Advice for Other Law School Parents

50:36 Babies' Sleep Issues

52:48 More Advice

1:01:39 Shoutout to Don

1:02:35 Other Moms at Widener Law Commonwealth

Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital's only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.

Music Credit: "Latin Groove" by Vogel Audio https://www.pond5.com/artist/vogelaudio

Cafecito with LALSA (Latin American Law Student Association) is a student run podcast where traditional and non-traditional law students come together to share their unique journeys through law school. Hear the voices of minority students as they discuss their challenges and triumphs, and listen to diverse perspectives on a wide range of topics. Tune in for a dynamic conversation that reflects the rich tapestry of the Widener Law Commonwealth student experience.

Watch the video version on WLC's YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/57QoUWs0PDY

Timestamps

1:43 OUTLaw Overiew 6:17 LGBTQ+ Experiences at WLC 8:37 Reese's Backstory 16:11 Molly's Backstory 22:43 Pronouns Discussion 27:26 Mental Health in Law School 38:00 American Constitution Society 42:09 Controversial Topics Within the LGBTQ+ Community 1:05:45 Favorite Professors

Episode Transcript (PDF)

Cafecito with LALSA Episode 4 featuring OUTLaw: This episode features Giselle Barragan (LALSA President) and Tommy Begley (LALSA Treasurer) having a conversation with Reese Rosso (OUTLaw President) and Molly Sanders (OUTLaw Vice-President). Tune in to hear about their experiences and struggles as Widener Law Commonwealth students.

Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital's only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.

Music Credit: "Latin Groove" by Vogel Audio https://www.pond5.com/artist/vogelaudio

Cafecito with LALSA (Latin American Law Student Association) is a student run podcast where traditional and non-traditional law students come together to share their unique journeys through law school. Hear the voices of minority students as they discuss their challenges and triumphs, and listen to diverse perspectives on a wide range of topics. Tune in for a dynamic conversation that reflects the rich tapestry of the Widener Law Commonwealth student experience.

Watch the video version of this episode on WLC's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/4yYzlzPhBQw

Timestamps

0:00 Episode Teaser 0:33 Episode Start 1:25 APALSA Generally 7:32 Struggles as First Generation Law Students 10:32 Managing Stress and Mental Health Issues 17:25 Changes in How Older Generations View and Approach Mental Health Awareness 22:48 Why Law School and How Female Lawyers are Viewed by Certain People 29:33 What Type of Law Do You Want to Practice? 31:54 Internship Obstacles as a Person of Color 33:55 Lost in Translation: Language Quirks 37:00 Finding Your Community in Law School: Fears and Experiences 40:00 APALSA Events and its Future

Cafecito with LALSA Episode 3 featuring APALSA (Asian-Pacific American Law Student Association): This episode features Angelica Alonso (LALSA member) and Katrina Perea (LALSA member) having a conversation with Ashley Varughese (APALSA President) and Sneha Henry (APALSA Treasurer). Tune in to hear about their experiences and struggles as minority Widener Law Commonwealth students.

Audio Transcript (PDF)

Find the audio version of the podcast on your favorite podcast app.

Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital's only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.

Music Credit: "Latin Groove" by Vogel Audio https://www.pond5.com/artist/vogelaudio

Host Tara Mead announces her departure and gives a programming update.

Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital's only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.

Music Credit: LeChuckz

Cafecito with LALSA (Latin American Law Student Association) is a student run podcast where traditional and non-traditional law students come together to share their unique journeys through law school. Hear the voices of minority students as they discuss their challenges and triumphs, and listen to diverse perspectives on a wide range of topics. Tune in for a dynamic conversation that reflects the rich tapestry of the Widener Law Commonwealth student experience.

Watch the video version of this episode on WLC's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/TUi4VDdnltw.

Timestamps 0:00 Episode Teaser 0:38 Episode Start 1:11 BLSA Generally 3:56 Mentorship and Struggles Finding a Community in Law School 10:18 Managing Mental Health 13:42 What Made You Come to Law School 16:22 Working from Home v Going to the Office 18:54 Topics Impacting the Black Community 26:44 Using Social Media In Law School 30:27 Bear Hunting 32:22 Video Games 36:09 Willie the Dog 37:06 Briefing a Case in Law School 39:12 Favorite Professors 41:52 What Doesn't Kill you Makes You Stronger Mentality 45:09 For 250K, would you become a 1L again? 48:28 Barbri Coach Kevin [email protected] 49:21 "Final" Remarks 51:23 Halloween 54:57 Episode End

Cafecito with LALSA Episode 2: This episode features Giselle Barragan (LALSA President) and Tommy Begley (LALSA Treasurer) having a conversation with Kevin Ezeuzoh (BLSA President) and Richard Dixon (BLSA Social Media Rep). Tune in to hear about their experiences and struggles as black Widener Law Commonwealth students.

Audio Transcript (PDF)

Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital's only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.

Music Credit: "Latin Groove" by Vogel Audio

https://www.pond5.com/artist/vogelaudio

It's something law students know is in their future — the Bar. In this podcast, host Tara Mead checks in with Widener Law Commonwealth's Director of Bar Success Jamie Zadra and discusses the ways she helps students prepare for one of the most important exams of their career.

Episode Transcript (PDF)

Metioned in this Episode

Jamie Zadra's Contact Informatoin 717-541-3919 [email protected]

Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital's only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.

Music Credit: LeChuckz

Cafecito with LALSA (Latin American Law Student Association) is a student run podcast where traditional and non-traditional law students come together to share their unique journeys through law school. Hear the voices of minority students as they discuss their challenges and triumphs, and listen to diverse perspectives on a wide range of topics. Tune in for a dynamic conversation that reflects the rich tapestry of the Widener Law Commonwealth student experience.

Episode 1: This introduction episode features Giselle Barragan (LALSA President), Lilianel Mullenex (LALSA Vice President) and Tommy Begley (LALSA Treasurer). Tune in to hear about their experiences and struggles as first generation, Latin-American, Widener Commonwealth Law students.

Watch the video version of this episode on WLC's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/wgFYEs9THz0.

Timestamps

0:00 Episode Teaser

0:45 Episode Start

7:16 Learn about LALSA

14:50 First Generation Law Students

23:02 Mental Health in Law School

30:48 What's Coming Up

Audio Transcript (PDF)

Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital's only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.

Music Credit: "Latin Groove" by Vogel Audio

https://www.pond5.com/artist/vogelaudio