Baylor Law Criminal Law Society Podcast

Executive Director of the McLennan County CASA Program, Anna Futral, joins hosts Garrett Farrel and Nick Gadowski to discuss the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA). Anna Futral tells us what CASA does for children, how to handle trauma-informed reasoning and questioning, and how law students or anyone else can volunteer to be a CASA advocate. The link to apply is becomeacasa.org.

Professor Counseller joins hosts Emma Catlett and Garrett Farrel to discuss the St. Andrews Academy of the Advocate Program. Professor Counseller tells us about the history of the program, the different courses a student can participate in, and some of the fun activities students can participate in while at St. Andrews. For more information about the Academy of the Advocate Program, Professor Coun...

Judge Manske, Federal Magistrate Judge, joins hosts Garrett Farrel and Emma Catlett to discuss his career and his time on the bench. Judge Manske tells us about his varied docket and his responsibility presiding over the Veteran's Court out of Fort Hood. He gives great advice for law students interested in practicing Criminal Law in the future. Join us for this episode to learn more about what a F...

Waco Defense Attorney, Rob Goble, joins host Garrett Farrel to discuss his over four decade long career in criminal law. Mr. Goble tells us about his time at the DA's office and his many years in private practice as a defense attorney. He also shares his experience as a Magistrate Judge in Woodway. Also, Mr. Goble tells us all about a celebrity encounter he had through an old law school friend! Jo...

This special bonus episode of the Baylor Law Criminal Law Society Podcast is the recorded audio from the November 16, 2022 discussion between Professor Paul Yanowitch of Baylor Law School, a couple of current FBI agents, a former Secret Service agent, and a former ICE agent. All of the speakers raise and address important interactions with attorneys and how they interact with attorneys. A few name...

Former Baylor Law student, Peyton Maddox, joins hosts Steve Lowry, Garrett Farrel, and Emma Catlett to discuss her time in law school and her career since graduating in April of 2022. Peyton is currently a law clerk for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and plans to work for a DA's office when her clerkship ends. Peyton gives us an inside look at the work she does day to day as a clerk and gives...

Judge Coley, Baylor Law professor and presiding judge of the 74th District Court, joins hosts Steve Lowrey, Garrett Farrel, and Emma Catlett to discuss his career and his time on the bench. Judge Coley shares his experience working in the field of juvenile law, both as a defense attorney and as a judge. He also shares his experience teaching the juvenile justice course at Baylor Law and running Ba...

TDCAA Research Attorney Kane Handford joins host Chris Spendlove at the TDCAA headquarters for another on-the-road episode.  Kane discusses his journey from small-town Canada to the world of Texas criminal prosecution.  He explains some differences and similarities between the Canadian, British, and US criminal justice system.  Kane also discusses his role as a research attorney for...

We're on the road this week with Diane Beckham, Senior Staff Counsel for the Texas District & County Attorney's Association! Host Chris Spendlove sits down with Diane at the TDCAA office in Austin to discuss Diane's work publishing the TDCAA books and manuals.  Diane walks us through how she tackles the huge project of updating the criminal laws book every two years and what the process o...

Judge Vik Deivanayagam, Baylor Lawyer and sitting judge of the McLennan County Court at Law, joins hosts Chris Spendlove and Steve Lowry to discuss his career and approach to criminal law.  Having gone to work as a criminal defense attorney right out of law school, Judge Vik shares valuable insights for anyone wanting to practice criminal defense.  He also provides practical advice for p...

This special bonus episode of the Baylor Law Criminal Law Society Podcast is the recorded audio from the November 9, 2022 discussion between Professor Rachel Kincaid and Marc Levin from the Texas Public Policy Foundation about criminal justice reform.  Both speakers raise and address many important questions regarding the current state and future of the criminal justice system in America and...

Baylor Lawyer and award-winning criminal defense attorney Robert Callahan joins host Chris Spendlove and special guest host Scarlet Petrucci to discuss insights from his career.  Robert addresses a wide range of topics including lessons from working both as a prosecutor and defense attorney, the process of plea bargaining on the defense side, the importance of taking care of your mental healt...

Fellow Baylor Law Student and soon-to-be graduate Michael Morin makes Baylor Law Criminal Law Society Podcast history as our first three-peat guest!  Michael joins hosts Steve Lowry and Garrett Farrel to discuss his journey to law school, what it's like taking nine quarters straight, and his work in the juvenile justice and veterans clinics.  Michael shares insights from behind the PC cu...

We're on the road this week! Rockwall County District Attorney Kenda Culpepper joins host Chris Spendlove at the Rockwall County Courthouse to talk about her work as a prosecutor, defense attorney, prosecutor (again!), and now as an elected DA.  Kenda discusses the impact good criminal law attorneys can have on individuals and their communities, some of the programs and initiatives she's spea...

This is a special one, folks.  Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Hall of Fame trial legend (and fellow Baylor Lawyer!) Jeff Kearney joins hosts Chris Spendlove, Conagher Jones, Steve Lowry, and special guest host Ryan Calvert to discuss his remarkable and storied career as a criminal defense attorney.  Mr. Kearney shares wit and wisdom from over 35 years of trying criminal cases...

Baylor Law Professor, gentleman cowboy, and all-around great guy Greg White joins host Chris Spendlove and special guest host Sarah Cureton to discuss his work on criminal defense cases.  Professor White shares a number of excellent stories about trying criminal trials and appeals and offers advice to young attorneys seeking to fold criminal defense into their practice.  So pull up a bea...

Fellow Baylor Law student Scarlet Petrucci joins host Chris Spendlove to discuss her interest in serial criminal defense, considerable cross-examination skills, and legitimate enjoyment of Practice Court.  Scarlet and Chris also discuss at length their experiences in the Advanced School of the Trial at the Academy of the Advocate in St Andrews, Scotland.  Verdict: 10/10, would recommend...

Kaufman County prosecutor and Baylor Lawyer Conner Sheets joins hosts Chris Spendlove and Steve Lowry to talk about the work he's done in his first year and a half out of law school.  Conner shares his philosophy and approach to plea bargaining, discusses voir dire strategies, and provides insight on the hiring and promotion process he's gone through.  This is a great episode for anyone...

Baylor Law student Jean-Marie Anderson and SMU Law student Gwendolyn Johnson join FOUR(!) of our hosts to discuss their summer internship experiences in Collin County, TX.  They share their experiences working in the crimes against children and domestic violence divisions and offer glowing recommendations for working at that office (including a specific and emphatic shout-out to the *checks n...

Baylor Law Professor and Director of Advocacy Programs Robert Little joins hosts Chris Spendlove and Conagher Jones to discuss trial advocacy training at Baylor.  Professor Little shares insights on the rigors of Practice Court, becoming trial-ready attorneys, and the power of storytelling in trial practice.  He also discusses the Academy of the Advocate program in St. Andrews, Scotland,...

Recent PC alums Holly Shockey, Riley Waters, and Michael Morin join host Chris Spendlove to discuss their experiences at the brand-new PC Voir Dire Bootcamp.  They discuss their takeaways and offer feedback on the Bootcamp and shed light on some of the other criminal law opportunities in PC.  Mike clears up a critical misconception regarding the late Lieutenant Nick "Goose" Bradshaw, and...

Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney Mike Holley joins hosts Steve Lowry and Ethan Scroggins and guest-host Victor Jarvis to discuss his career.  From MP in the First Cavalry Division to Army JAG, prosecutor, military defense attorney overseas, and now a Texas State prosecutor, Mike has a wealth of experience in law enforcement and criminal law.  He shares insights and exp...

Baylor Lawyer Brad Heilman and soon-to-be Baylor Lawyer Mike Brunger join hosts Steve Lowry, Ethan Scroggins, and Conagher Jones to discuss their journeys from the military to law school and beyond.  Brad and Mike share stories from their time together in the Army and how those experiences led them to careers in the law.  Brad divulges valuable Practice Court tips, including how to liter...

Baylor Law Professor Jeremy Counseller joins hosts Chris Spendlove and Ethan Scroggins in the studio for a discussion on a variety of topics. From the power of storytelling and the importance of authenticity to the philosophies behind Practice Court, Professor Counseller shares insights and wisdom on the art of trial advocacy, Baylor Law style. 

Kathleen Coffey, Baylor Lawyer and Assistant County-District Attorney in Limestone County, joins hosts Chris Spendlove and Steve Lowry to discuss her transition from Baylor Law to practice.  Kathleen shares advice and insights on Practice Court, criminal law classes, internships, and more.  She also discusses some of the realities of being a non-traditional student, including going to sc...