Let's Brief It

Andrew and Sydney discuss unorthodox legal careers and the path to a fulfilling legal career with Christy Kane, pro bono team lead of the first pro bono legal services program spearheaded by a major corporation. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Boar...

Running a solo legal practice is challenging. But the rewards are great. Shannon Taylor founded Taylor Law in 2017 after fifteen years of private and government practice to provide clients with superior yet attainable legal counsel with a personalized approach. Shannon shares her experiences as a solo attorney and helpful tips for law students and attorneys considering opening their independent la...

Hosts Andrew Nettels and Sydney Taylor are joined by Kate Barry, Pro Bono director at the D.C. office of Kirkland Ellis, for a robust discussion about one of the country's largest providers of pro-bono legal counsel to those who need it most. If you're interested in pro-bono work but perhaps hesitant to join big-law, this episode will provide you with new insights into the important contributions...

Hosts Niranjan Seshadri and Eric Tarosky discuss the process and challenges in crafting public policies. They are joined by Professor Jeffrey Crowley, a health policy expert at the O’Neill Institute at the Georgetown University Law Center. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting o...

Hosts Andrew Nettels and Sydney Taylor explore Louisiana’s unique legal structure and history under the Napoleonic Code. They are joined by Ryan Stoa Esq., professor of law at Southern University Law Center and author of Craft Weed: Family Farming and the Future of the Marijuana Industry (MIT Press, 2018) as well as numerous scholarly articles that address cannabis regulation and agricultural poli...

D.C.’s criminal code has not been significantly reformed since its adoption by the federal Congress in 1901. In 2016, the D.C. City Council began the most comprehensive effort to date to bring the City’s criminal code into the 21st century when it established the Criminal Code Reform Commission. For the past six years, the Commission has endeavored to create a new criminal code for D.C. that is mo...

Hosts Andrew Nettels and Sydney Taylor discuss predatory lending advocacy and the state of student loan forgiveness. They are joined by Courtney Weiner Esq. of the Law Office of Courtney Weiner, PLLC, who focuses on predatory lending and student loans among other concentrations. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership w...

When does a work of art qualify for fair use? On October 12, 2022, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Andy Warhol Foundation, Inc. v. Goldsmith. Andy Warhol used celebrity photographer Lynn Goldsmith’s picture of Prince, taken in 1981, for his artwork. Did Andy Warhol violate Lynn Goldsmith’s copyright? Professor Kristelia Garcia Esq., an expert in copyright law, helps shed light on thi...

Sienna and Elena discuss substance use, addiction, boundary setting, and how Lawyers Assistance programs can help law students and lawyers dealing with these issues. They are joined by Niki Irish, Outreach and Education Coordinator for the D.C. Bar Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP). For more information, visit the D.C. Bar LAP website at https://www.dcbar.org/for-lawyers/lawyer-assistance-progr...

Sienna and Delali interview the Honorable Judge Robert Rigsby, Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Superior Court. Judge Rigsby discusses his illustrious military and legal career, eventual trajectory to the bench, and offers advice to law students who dream of one day becoming a judge.  Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there....

Elena reviews pending antitrust legislation in the House and Senate for Spring 2022- what the bills are and how they could affect the industry- with guest Jeffrey May, Esq., associate managing editor for insights and enrichment at Wolters Kluwer Legal and Regulatory U.S. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will prov...

Delali and Sienna discuss the history, legacy, and current legal push for reparations for descendants of African American slavery. They are joined by Nkechi Taifa, Esq., founder, principal and CEO of the Taifa Group, and Director of the Reparation Education Project. Taifa’s new book  “Reparations on Fire” will be released in June 2022. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law S...

Sienna and Elena take a deep dive into the various and interconnected aspects of hotel and hospitality law. American University Washington College of Law Professor Steven Shapiro, Esq., who directs the Hospitality & Tourism Law program, guest stars. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and ski...

Delali and Sienna address the Latin phrase memento mori (meaning, “remember you must die”) as it relates to estate planning, a process that inherently confronts and prepares for the necessity of death. Roxy Araghi, Esq., an associate at Pasternak & Fidis, P.C., guest hosts. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership wi...

In this episode, Elena learns the ins and outs of pro bono, legal services, and public interest work, including important issues related to access to justice an racial equality. She is joined by the Associate Director of Legal Services for Individuals & Families at the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, Vanessa Batters-Thompson, Esq. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Commu...

Delali discusses current D.C. rules governing service of process in domestic violence cases including the challenges imposed on low income and pro se litigants, and ways to improve the process to serve and protect the rights of petitioners. University of District of Columbia professor Andrew Budzinski, Esq. guest hosts.  To learn more about service of process, read Prof. Budzinski’s article a...

To celebrate the D.C. Bar’s 50th anniversary, Sienna, Elena, and Delali interview current D.C. Bar president Chad Sarchio for this special episode. They discuss a wide range of topics including integrity in the law; the continued need for pro bono; the importance of attorney wellness; and what Shakespeare really meant by “Kill all the lawyers.” Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar L...

Elena and Delali are joined by Bob Loeb, Esq., a partner at Orrick and member of their Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation practice. They discuss all aspects of appellate litigation including what it is like to prepare and appear in front of the highest court in the land. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will...

Blockchain technologies and cryptocurrency now intersects almost every aspect of the law, although many people still know little to nothing about it. The environmental law impacts in particular are important to consider. In this insightful episode, Elena and Sienna are joined by the bestselling author of “Blockchain or Die” Eric Guthrie, Esq. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law...

Sienna and Delali break down the realities of various types of jobs within the legal profession. From big law, public interest, solo practice, or in-house, our hosts discuss it all so that law students can be prepared for what to expect after graduation. Special guests Michal Shinnar, Esq. and Sarah Horowitz, Esq. share their personal experiences and advice. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining...

Elena and Delali delve into various legal issues related to space exploration and endeavors with NASA’s Associate General Counsel for International Law, Brian Israel, Esq. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To...

Sienna Heard discusses the shifting landscape within labor and employment law- including COVID vaccine policies and exemptions, the #MeToo movement, and more, with special guest Mike Volpe, Esq. from Venable LLP. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one...

Season Three of “Let’s Brief It” kicks off with a discussion about the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) provision within the 2019 NDAA. Our newest cohost Delali Dagadu delves into immigration issues related to LRIF with Breanne Palmer, Esq., interim policy and community advocacy director at the UndocuBlack Network. Learn more at http://www.undocublack.org/lrif Want to get ahead of the...

In the final episode of Season 2, Elena and Renata dive into the history of Washington D.C.’s fight for statehood and discuss how the COVID 19 pandemic shed light on the impact that lack of statehood had on District residents and businesses. They are joined by guest stars Jim Bubar, Esq. and Ann Wilcox, Esq, from the D.C. Bar Communities Committee and D.C. Affairs Community steering committee, res...

Renata and Elena get a primer on antitrust law with Antitrust and Consumer Law Community steering committee member John Ingrassia, Esq. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here . Please not...