I Am The Law

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I Am The Law takes a deep dive into the various practice areas and settings of law. We interview law school graduates with thought-provoking questions for an insider look into the realities of a career in law, recipes for success, and the biggest challenges lawyers face today.

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160 episodes
Updated July 29

Episodes160

Newest first

July 29 · 26 min
Regulating Ethics in Politics: Advisory Opinions and Agency Operations
Amanda Arriaga is General Counsel for the Texas Ethics Commission, the state agency that oversees campaign finance, lobbying, and financial disclosure. In this episode, she explains what it means to represent an institution rather than any individual official, and how her office answers questions from the public through an informal helpline and through formal advisory opinions that people can rely on afterward. Amanda also describes why most of her day goes to operations rather than legal research: reviewing agency contracts from initiation through management, training staff on procurement rules, and managing a team. She talks about the scrutiny that comes with spending money that belongs to the public, and why management is a skill more lawyers should build. Amanda is a graduate of the University of Texas. This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek. Mentioned in this episode: Access LawHub today! Learn more about Juno and private student loans Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP
July 23 · 42 min
Fine Print, Big Money: Making Insurers Pay Up
Storm Lineberger is a fourth-year associate at global large firm Haynes Boone who practices insurance coverage litigation on the policyholder side. When an insurer denies a company's claim, he sues to recover what the policy promised. In this episode, Storm separates coverage work from insurance defense, walks through how a denied claim becomes a lawsuit, and explains why the underlying event, a refinery explosion or a hurricane, matters less than the words of the contract. He details the substantive work that falls to mid-level associates on leanly staffed cases, from drafting summary judgment motions to assessing settlement risk. The conversation also covers AI in document review and what changes when a senior associate starts managing other people. Storm is a graduate of Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP Learn more about Juno and private student loans Access LawHub today!
July 15 · 32 min
One Career in Three Acts: Big Law, Contract Work, Plaintiff Firm
Charles Star thought he'd become a union-side labor lawyer but like many law students, he followed the pull of Big Law instead. The prestige and paycheck were there, but the work left him unfulfilled. Charles walked away to pursue stand-up comedy, supporting himself as a hourly contract lawyer. Eventually he landed on the plaintiff side, where he works as a staff attorney on consumer class actions and feels connected to the work. In this episode, Charles reflects on golden handcuffs, career pivots, and what it takes to find a legal path that fits. Charles is a graduate of Columbia Law School. This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Juno and private student loans Access LawHub today! Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP
June 10 · 33 min
Sharpening the Craft of Special Victims Prosecution
Like most prosecutors, Jennifer Long learned on the job. Now she helps train them. After starting her career in a DA's office, Jennifer moved into handling child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault cases. Today, she's the founder and CEO of AEquitas, a nonprofit that supports prosecutors across the country working on those same crimes. Jennifer spends her time writing grants, managing projects, and developing the next generation of experts in the field, while still keeping her hands in the substantive legal work. She explains how she built her advocacy skills in court as a new prosecutor, what it takes to handle deeply sensitive cases, and why strong writing became central to her impact. Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law. This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP Learn more about Juno and private student loans Learn more about Juno and private student loans Access LawHub today!
June 3 · 31 min
After the Headlines: Lawsuits in the Wake of Disaster
.Richard Hy is a lawyer who represents people harmed in large-scale incidents, from mass shootings to defective products to public health crises. In this episode, he explains the strategic differences between mass torts and class actions, and uses his work on the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting litigation to highlight how plaintiffs' lawyers think through which court, who to sue, and how to coordinate across dozens of law firms. Richard discusses the economics of contingency-fee practice, how AI is changing document-heavy work, and the secondary trauma that comes with intake after a mass-casualty event. He also reflects on how moving from insurance defense into plaintiff-side work early in his career shaped the way he approaches litigation today, giving him a clearer read on what the other side is likely to do. Richard is a graduate of Gonzaga School of Law. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Access LawHub today! Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP Learn more about Juno and private student loans Learn more about Juno and private student loans
May 27 · 27 min
More Than Legal Advice: Building a Firm for High-Conflict Divorce
Jonathan Merel runs a mid-sized family law firm built around high-conflict divorce. In this episode, he talks about the kinds of cases his firm takes on, how he sets strategy across a team of lawyers, and what shifted when he moved from full-time litigator to running the business. He also reflects on the emotional weight of family law, why it draws certain practitioners and burns out others, and how he separates emotion from legal judgment. We also hear from Kristina Lindsay, the firm's in-house divorce coach. With a background in domestic violence advocacy, she helps clients navigate trauma, safety, and conflict, operating under the firm's attorney-client privilege. Together, they show how legal strategy and emotional support can work side by side and shape the outcome of a case. Jonathan is a graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Juno and private student loans Access LawHub today! Learn more about Juno and private student loans Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP
May 13 · 29 min
Building a Practice Around Delaware's Corporate Code
Mark Purpura thought he might head to Wall Street but found his niche in law instead. Now a Delaware-based attorney, he works on the deals that keep the financial world moving, from forming trust companies to advising on complex transactions. In this episode, Mark breaks down why Delaware has become the center of corporate law, what it’s like to work on fast-moving, high-stakes deals, and how he built a practice that blends business and law. He also shares how his work goes beyond clients, with a hand in shaping state legislation and advancing LGBTQ+ rights. Mark is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law. This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek. Mentioned in this episode: Access LawHub today! Learn more about Oklahoma City University School of Law Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP Learn more about Blueprint Learn more about Boston University School of Law Learn more about Seton Hall Learn more about Juno and private student loans
April 29 · 33 min
Federal Bankruptcy Judge: Running a Second Chance Court
Judge Elizabeth Stong calls bankruptcy court a "second chance court," a forum where companies in financial distress and individuals buried in debt can find a path forward, even if it's rarely the one they hoped for. She serves on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York, sitting in Brooklyn. Becoming a judge was never on Judge Stong's radar — she was a happy litigation partner with no bankruptcy background when a job announcement caught her eye. In this episode, Judge Stong describes managing more than 300 active Chapter 11 cases alongside individual filings, the rhythm of case management conferences, and how she works with law clerks to prepare for hundreds of orders each week. She unpacks the structure of Article I bankruptcy judgeships and the Second Circuit's appointment process, and reflects on the weight of decisions that shape whether a family keeps its home or thousands of employees keep their jobs. The Honorable Elizabeth Stong is a graduate of Harvard Law School. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Oklahoma City University School of Law Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP Access LawHub today! Learn more about Blueprint Learn more about Seton Hall Learn more about Juno and private student loans Learn more about Boston University School of Law
April 22 · 33 min
An Introvert's Path to Running an Immigration Law Firm
As an international student graduating from a U.S. law school, Jimmy Lai struggled to find employers willing to sponsor him. Rather than leave the U.S., he chose to build something from scratch. In this episode, Jimmy talks about how his visa barriers pushed him to co-found an immigration law firm. Jimmy reflects on failing the bar exam three times before passing, navigating the financial and legal risks of starting a firm, and learning to think like a business owner rather than a lawyer. He also talks about doing all of this as a self-described introvert — someone who once avoided grocery store aisles to dodge small talk — and how he forced himself into networking and sales before eventually delegating those roles to more extroverted team members. Jimmy is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Law. This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Juno and private student loans Learn more about Seton Hall Learn more about Boston University School of Law Access LawHub today! Learn more about Blueprint Learn more about Oklahoma City University School of Law Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP Learn more about Oklahoma City University School of Law
April 15 · 24 min
IRS Tax Lawyer: From Tax Strategist to the Government (replay)
Deepan Patel explains his role at the IRS. While the IRS has many types of lawyers, he focuses on business taxpayer guidance, which ensures certainty for businesses making major decisions. He describes how he got into tax, where his career might go, and trade-offs between government and private practice. Deepan is a graduate of Florida State University College of Law. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Access LawHub today! Learn more about Oklahoma City University School of Law Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP Learn more about Seton Hall Learn more about Juno and private student loans Learn more about Boston University School of Law Learn more about Blueprint
April 8 · 26 min
Space Law: The Work Behind an Emerging Practice
Michelle Hanlon spent 25 years as a cross-border M&A lawyer before earning an LLM in space law and reinventing her practice around an environment that nobody quite controls but many want to. Space law is barely developed, but much of the daily work looks like any other industry: contracts, regulatory compliance, and drafting provisions that account for risks nobody else is thinking about yet. Michelle holds a permanent observer seat at the UN committee where international space law is written, and in this episode she breaks down the craft of persuading legislators and diplomats, why industries often write the standards Congress later codifies, and how deep subject-matter fluency reshapes even conventional legal work. Michelle Hanlon is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Access LawHub today! Learn more about Blueprint Learn more about Seton Hall Learn more about Juno and private student loans Learn more about Boston University School of Law Learn more about Oklahoma City University School of Law Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP
April 1 · 34 min
Concierge Outside Counsel: Compliance, Contracts, and Keeping Clients Deal-Ready
Yuliya Flynn is a partner at a small business law firm where she acts as concierge legal counsel for small and mid-size companies — handling the kind and breadth of work an in-house lawyer would, but for multiple clients at once. In this episode, she walks through what that role looks like day to day, from drafting employment agreements and reviewing leases to fielding emergency calls about severance. Yuliya explains how she audits new clients for compliance gaps, why she treats compliance as preventative medicine, and how those gaps can tank a purchase when it's time to sell. She also digs into the complexity of structuring employee compensation and retention plans, where equity participation sounds simple but quickly intersects with succession planning and corporate governance. Yuliya Flynn is a graduate of Kostanay State University in Kazakhstan and also earned her Master of Laws from American University with a specialization in International Business and Trade Law. This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Juno and private student loans Learn more about Boston University School of Law Learn more about Seton Hall Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP Learn more about Oklahoma City University School of Law Access LawHub today! Learn more about Blueprint
March 25 · 35 min
Small Firm, Big Mountain: Ski Injury Law in Colorado
Evan Banker didn't plan to become a ski lawyer, but a chance opportunity led him to a niche practice handling collisions on the slopes. He explains how skiing accidents become legal cases, from right-of-way rules and Colorado's Skier Safety Act to evidence like witness accounts, video footage, GPS tracking data, and damage patterns on the skis themselves. Evan discusses why injured skiers hesitate to pursue claims and how personal injury lawyers navigate the profession's stigma. He also talks about leveling the playing field against deep pockets with his firms contingency fee model. The conversation also offers a behind-the-scenes look at small firm life and succession planning. Evan is a graduate of the University of Denver College of Law. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Boston University School of Law Learn more about Seton Hall Learn more about Juno and private student loans Access LawHub today! Learn more about Oklahoma City University School of Law Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP Learn more about Blueprint
March 18 · 31 min
Poisoned Goods: Suing to Clean Up Consumer Products
Vineet Dubey is an environmental litigator in California who sues companies selling consumer products tainted with toxic chemicals. His primary legal vehicle is California's Proposition 65, a ballot-initiative statute requiring companies to either warn consumers about chemical exposure or remove offending products from shelves. In this episode, Vineet explains how cases come to him through environmental testing groups, how toxicologists help establish whether a violation exists, and why he pushes companies to reformulate products rather than simply slap on a warning label. He also walks through his case against Gerber over lead in baby food, the realities of contingency work against corporate giants, and what it takes to learn hard science as a political science major. Vineet Dubey is a graduate of UCLA Law. This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Juno and private student loans Learn more about Seton Hall Learn more about Boston University School of Law Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP Learn more about Oklahoma City University School of Law Learn more about Blueprint Access LawHub today!
March 11 · 22 min
Outside In-House Counsel: Small Business Lawyer (replay)
Philip Selio, a solo practitioner, helps small businesses and entrepreneurs with their corporate law needs. He discusses managing all aspects of a solo shop -- and how it helps him better serve his clients who face similar challenges. Philip discusses client relationships, research processes, and social media as a tool to further build his client roster. He also shares how he thinks about his firm's potential growth. Philip is a 2019 graduate of California Western School of Law. This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek. Mentioned in this episode: Access LawHub today! Learn more about Blueprint Learn more about Juno and private student loans Learn more about Boston University School of Law Learn more about Seton Hall Learn more about Oklahoma City University School of Law Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP
March 4 · 40 min
Public Defender to Private Practice: Criminal Defense From Scratch
Devin Morse is a criminal defense attorney in Alaska, specializing in the state's most serious charges. In this episode, Devin explains the distinction between factual and legal guilt, her intensive intake process, and why she deliberately delays hearing a client's version of events. She also discusses what it means to review a "phone dump" — an entire digital life — and how that shapes the attorney-client relationship. After a decade as a public defender, Devin and two colleagues spent a year plotting the launch of their own firm. She walks through the realities of billing, compensation conversations, and what it feels like to know a family sold their home to fund the defense. Devin Morse is a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Oklahoma City University School of Law Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP Learn more about Blueprint Learn more about Seton Hall Learn more about Boston University School of Law Learn more about Juno and private student loans Access LawHub today!
February 11 · 38 min
The Therapist Who Left Law: Treating Perfectionism in Lawyers
Doron Gold spent roughly a decade practicing law before realizing the profession was slowly crushing him. In this episode, Doron shares the experiences that led him to leave law for good. Doron discusses his transition to therapy and his current practice helping lawyers navigate burnout, perfectionism, and career dissatisfaction. Drawing on his own experience, Doron highlights how perfectionism, external validation, and misaligned values can undermine personal and career satisfaction. He also reflects on professional boundaries he learned as a family lawyer — maintaining objectivity while caring deeply — and how those skills transferred to therapy. Doron is a graduate of the York University Osgoode Hall Law School (JD) and the University of Windsor (Master of Social Work). This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Seton Hall Learn more about Juno and private student loans Learn more about Boston University School of Law Learn more about Blueprint Access LawHub today! Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP Learn more about Oklahoma City University School of Law
February 4 · 34 min
Scientist to Regulatory Lawyer: Getting Medical Devices to Market
What does it take to bring medical devices to the market? It’s a question lawyer Randy Prebula thinks about every day. Randy is a partner at a global law firm who specializes in the regulatory world of medical devices and technology. In this episode, he shares how he transitioned from a more than 20-year career as a scientist into the world of law and how that informs his legal work. He breaks down FDA’s emergency use authorization, what qualifies as a device versus a drug, how products navigate FDA approval pathways, and why risk-benefit analysis drives every FDA decision. He also reflects on what it was like working in this field during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to bring one of the first at home COVID-19 tests to market. Randy is a graduate of the Catholic University of America. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Oklahoma City University School of Law Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP Learn more about Juno and private student loans Learn more about Boston University School of Law Learn more about Seton Hall Learn more about Blueprint Access LawHub today!
January 28 · 28 min
Early Career Clarity: From Immigration to Financial Litigation (replay)
Nathania Reyes litigates commercial disputes on behalf of financial services organizations like banks. Nathania recounts her journey from uncertain law student to finding her place in civil litigation. She describes her diverse experiences, including immigration and in-house internships, a judicial clerkship, and her transition to private practice. She emphasizes the importance of work-life balance at her current firm, how the Hispanic Bar Association has shaped her career to date, and how she's expanding her expertise in various commercial litigation areas. Nathania touches on networking and business development, highlighting the value of persistence in the face of rejection. Nathania is a 2017 graduate of Rutgers University School of Law. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Boston University School of Law Learn more about Juno and private student loans Learn more about Seton Hall Learn more about Blueprint Learn more about Oklahoma City University School of Law Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP Access LawHub today!
January 14 · 21 min
How Lawyers Are Using AI and Where They Draw the Line
Artificial intelligence has arrived in the legal profession. In this special episode, Kyle and Katya examine AI's growing role in the world of law from criminal defense to M&A and much in between. Over the past few months, they've asked every guest a simple bonus question: How has AI affected your practice? The answers offer a window into a profession in transition—curious, conflicted, and actively determining AI's proper role in law. Practitioners share how AI streamlines document review and accelerates research, while candidly discussing serious limitations and risks. This highlights how lawyers are still learning to navigate the technology. Feature voices: Eric Bernheim, Episode 120, Behind the Lease: Supporting Restaurant Expansion Through Real Estate Law Alexis Taitel, Episode 121, From Clerkship to Private Practice: Research, Writing, and Challenging Assumptions Venetia Mayhew, Episode 122, Second Chances: Rewriting Life Through Clemency Joe Stephens, Episode 126, Trial by Algorithm: Helping Lawyers Navigate the AI Revolution Asha Sharma, Episode 127, Administrative Hearings and Human Stories: Social Security Disability on the Frontlines Audi Syarief, Episode 129, Trading in Gray Areas: How Sanctions Shape International Business Rachel Frank, Episode 131, Understanding the Appeal: Supreme Litigation from First Draft to Oral Argument Elise Bennett, Episode 133, Cool Little Dudes and Legal Battles: Environmental Protection from the Courtroom to the Community Molly Henry, Episode 137, Navigating International Waters: Arresting Ships and Managing Crises on the Seas Michael Kohagen, Episode 139, At the Center of the Transaction: Coordinating Business Deals from Start to Finish This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee and Katya Valasek. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Blueprint Learn more about Oklahoma City University School of Law Learn more about Haynes Boone LLP Learn more about Juno and private student loans Learn more about Boston University School of Law Learn more about Seton Hall Access LawHub today!