The Podvocate

In this series, Marcus explores what Academic Freedom is through interviews with Dean Sacha Coupet, Associate Dean of Mission Innovation with the Loyola Chicago School of Law, and Zach Greenberg, Senior Program Manager for the Foundation of Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). In Part 1, we speak with Dean Coupet. In Part 2, we speak with Mr. Greenberg.

“Move at the speed of trust” - Adrienne Maree Brown. In this episode, Nneka sits down with Bridget Snow, Civil Rights Investigator, who works in the Civil Rights Division of the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office.

This week Marisa dives into intentional privacy and privacy in the medical device space with Maggie Hanjani, Medtronic’s Data and Privacy Global Senior Advisor, Sr. Principal Legal Counsel and Privacy by Design Lead.

In today’s episode, Andy sits down with Francisco Borrayo where they first discuss his work as president of Loyola University Chicago School of Law’s Latinx Law Student Association and they jump into the history of Citizens United v. The Federal Election Commission.

Casey is joined by Jack Saletta, a Loyola Chicago School of Law alum and current Equal Justice Works Fellow, to discuss the role of the Restorative Justice Community Courts within Cook County.

The bar exam has existed in one form or another since 1763. Since then, millions of people have taken the bar, yet each year the process challenges a new group of students. Marcus speaks with Dean Ellen Douglas, Assistant Dean of Academic Success and Bar Preparation, to get some answers to questions many people have.

In today’s episode, Andy sits down with compliance manager Ryan Stillion. Andy and Ryan explore how a JD can be used in a field outside of court rooms and general counsel positions. In their discussion, they walk through Ryan’s journey into law, some law experience, how he ended up in healthcare, and ways in which he still uses law skills he learned in school in his work each day. Please note, all...

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...

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...

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...

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 expe...

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...

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 membe...

In his inaugural episode, Marcus sits down with members of Loyola Chicago Law School's administration to discuss their path to the Deans' Suite. In Part 1, Marcus interviews Dean Walter, Assistant Dean of the Weekend JD Program; Dean Faught, Associate Dean for Administration; and Dean Rushin, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. Listen to learn why the administrators went to law school and how they...

In her inaugural episode, Nneka sits down with Jackie Ross, staff attorney at Loyola University of Chicago’s Civitas ChildLaw Clinic. They are both former special education teachers with similar philosophies of learning. Their discussion centers on the role of legislation in dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline - specifically Illinois Senate Bill 100. Nneka and Jackie reflect on “full court p...

In their inaugural episode, Casey talks to Helen Kim Skinner (she/her) about her experience in the law and social work arenas surrounding criminal defense. Specifically, they dive into her experience starting the James B. Moran Second Chance Program (a reentry court) for the Northern District of Illinois and her pivot from practicing law as a criminal defense attorney to working as a full-time mit...

In his inaugural episode, Andy sits down with Weekend JD 3L Arti Walker-Peddakotla to review and discuss Lawrence v. Texas, a landmark decision from the Supreme Court in 2003 that overturned a Texas anti-sodomy law, as well as overturned the decision of Bowers v. Hardwick. But instead of discussing the “briefness” of the case, Andy and Arti explore the intersectionality of systemic issues in Ameri...

In today’s episode, Christy sits down with Professor Waller to discuss what future 1Ls can expect in Civil Procedure. Please note this episode was recorded in the fall semester of 2021.

In the next installment of her series exploring data privacy and cybersecurity, Marisa sits down with Aaron Charfoos, Global Chair of Paul Hastings LLC’s Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Workgroup, to discuss private practice in this rapidly growing field. They dive into what it looks like to work in privacy and security at a law firm, what he loves about it, and getting an edge on breaking into the...

Welcome back to the Podvocate! Please join us in welcoming our new team members Nneka Ugwu, Marcus McNeal, Andy Vanden Busch, and Casey Callahan.

In this two-part roundtable, the team comes together to discuss sex, gender, and the law. Part 1 is an interview between Olivia and attorney Kara Dansky, and Part 2 is the team's reflection on the interview and on the topic. This episode was recorded before news broke on May 2, 2022 of the Supreme Court's deliberations on overturning Roe v. Wade, so that is not discussed in the episode. Please not...