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Law school, bar prep, and the legal profession in general can be hard on mental health, but there is help through Lawyer Assistance Programs that even law students can access. DeMario Thornton talks with Molly Ranns about the services and support available to help law students and professionals cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. Molly also outlines what signs and symptoms law students should be aware of to help them assess their own mental well-being. Molly Ranns is program director for the Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program at the State Bar of Michigan and a co-host of the State Bar of Michigan’s On Balance Podcast. Find out more about the Michigan Bar’s program: Lawyers & Judges Assistance Program - State Bar of Michigan contactljap@michbar.com Or, search for your state’s LAP program here: ABA Directory of Lawyer Assistance Programs Mentioned in this episode: The Prevalence of Substance Abuse and Other Mental Health Concerns Among American Attorneys  Suffering in Silence: The Survey of Law Student Well-Being and the Reluctance of Law Students to Seek Help for Substance Use and Mental Health Concerns

A lot of us started law school thinking we knew exactly what we would do with a law degree. So what happens when a surprising, but very different opportunity comes along? Jerome Crawford didn’t set out to become a cannabis attorney, but he’s thankful for the goals and pursuits that made him into a good lawyer and led him to the career he enjoys today. DeMario Thornton talks with Jerome about both his law school and professional experiences and why law students should never feel guilty about pivoting to new and different opportunities in law. Jerome Crawford is Chief Legal Officer at Pleasantrees Cannabis Company.

Law school is tough, but you’re not alone! DeMario Thornton welcomes fellow law student Sarah Atkinson to talk through the highs and lows of law school. They share their struggles and discuss the ways they have navigated the stresses and uncertainties of legal education, summer internships, job-hunting, bar prep, and more. Sarah Atkinson is a 3L at the University of Alabama School of Law

DeMario Thornton welcomes Professor Deleso A. Alford to discuss her work at the intersection of legal and medical education, where her scholarship helps students gain a broader understanding of how race, gender, and classism have shaped these two fields of study. Professor Alford shares highlights from her studies of Henrietta Lacks, critical race theory, cultural competency, and other histories (or HER stories) of black women and their experiences in our healthcare systems. Professor Deleso A. Alford is the Rachel Emanuel Endowed Professor at Southern University Law Center.

In the midst of a nightmarish judicial clerkship, Aliza Shatzman found that there was almost no protection for her, a lowly clerk, suffering harassment at the hands of a seemingly all-powerful judge. This experience and its aftermath spurred Aliza on to create The Legal Accountability Project. Host DeMario Thornton talks with Aliza about how the Project’s research and partnerships are bringing much-needed transparency to the judicial clerkship experience to create more resources and ensure better outcomes for future clerks. Aliza Shatzman is the president and co-founder of the Legal Accountability Project.

What can you expect when trying for a spot at one of the much coveted summer associateships? DeMario Thornton talks with Craig Savitzky of Law360 about the insights gleaned from the 2022 Summer Associates Survey. This two-part survey looks at law students’ approaches to the application and interview processes and then revisits students after their associateships to assess their program experiences. Craig Savitzky is a senior data analyst at Law360.

Minority lawyers operating in white-dominated spaces face unique challenges as they navigate careers in the legal profession. As negative stereotypes assault them from without, self-doubt and imposter syndrome can develop within. DeMario Thornton welcomes Michael Nava, a gay, Mexican-American author and attorney, to gain insights from his remarkable career and hear his thoughts on overcoming discrimination and supporting diversity in the legal world. Michael Nava is the author of an acclaimed series of seven crime novels featuring gay, Latino criminal defense lawyer Henry Rios. Michael spent many years working as an attorney in California and retired from the law in July 2016.

Returning guest Omarosa Newman joins Demario Thornton to go into deeper detail about her educational journey through multiple Historically Black Colleges and Universities and why she chose to attend Southern University–also an HBCU–for law school. Since their inception, HBCUs have focused on educating brilliant young minds. Tune in to learn more about the unique experience students find at these institutions. Check out Omarosa’s book, Unhinged: An Insider's Account of the Trump White House. Omarosa Newman is a reality tv star, a communications professional, and a 1L at Southern University Law Center.

You know her from “The Apprentice,” “Big Brother,” Trump’s White House, and more; and now she’s in the middle of law school just like you! Brand-new Law Student Podcast host DeMario Thornton chats with Omarosa about her unusual path to law school, her reality tv experiences, the confidence she feels as a non-traditional student with plenty of life experience to draw from, and what she hopes to do with her law degree.  Omarosa Newman is a reality tv star, a communications professional, and a 1L at Southern University Law Center.

Intellectual property law touches so many corners of law in general, and those interested in pursuing it may take any number of paths in legal practice. To explore the vast world of IP law, Meg Steenburgh welcomes Howard Leib to learn from his exciting career in IP and entertainment law. They dig into the nuances of trademarks, discuss a variety of newsworthy IP matters, and Howard shares insights on how to work toward your own IP law goals. Howard Leib is an entertainment and IP attorney, a law professor, a political and community activist, and hosts a comedy radio show on WRFI-FM in Ithaca, NY.

Arguably, a Supreme Court appointment is the greatest prize in American politics, perhaps more so than the presidency. In consequence, these positions lend themselves to manipulation and tactical moves where possible, in spite of past norms. ABA Law Student Podcast host Meg Steenburgh welcomes Professor Todd Berger to discuss the concept of court packing, its connotations and implications, and how it could actually bring balance to the Supreme Court. They also discuss the report generated by Biden’s Presidential Commission on SCOTUS, and whether their findings offer any clarity on potential reforms in the Court. Professor Todd A. Berger is a Professor of Law and Director of Advocacy Programs at Syracuse University College of Law.

Even though much has been said about the prematurely leaked draft decision of Dobbs, there’s a great deal to unpack now that the final opinion has been issued. Law Student Podcast host Meg Steenburgh welcomes back Syracuse University College of Law Vice Dean Keith Bybee to explore the reasoning of the opinion as well as the newly released concurring and dissenting opinions. Get a handle on this landmark decision that has raised many questions for law students and professors alike. Professor Keith Bybee is Vice Dean and Paul E. and Hon. Joanne F. Alper ’72 Judiciary Studies Professor at Syracuse University College of Law.

In the wake of the Supreme Court draft leak, many are questioning what ramifications its language could have on a number of past court decisions, as well as Americans’ rights in a variety of other areas. Law Student Podcast host Meg Steenburgh gets perspective on these issues from Vice Dean Keith Bybee. They examine the interplay of courts, politics, and the media, and discuss our nation’s legal processes throughout history. Professor Keith Bybee is Vice Dean and Paul E. and Hon. Joanne F. Alper ’72 Judiciary Studies Professor at Syracuse University College of Law.

Major General John Altenburg was instrumental in transforming the practice of law in the military through his leadership and immersive approaches for military lawyer training. Meg Steenburgh talks with General Altenburg about the legal infrastructure of the United States Military, his thoughts on the law of war and its implications in the Ukraine conflict, and what advice he has to offer for today’s law students.  Major General John D. Altenburg Jr. (USA, Retired) is Of Counsel at Greenberg Traurig, LLC, where he focuses his practice on corporate governance and sensitive, internal investigations in the defense, homeland security sector, and the multilateral development bank sector.

Information and disinformation campaigns are centuries old, but our social media era has given new and rapid thrust to the sharing of ideas, both for good and ill intent. Meg Steenburgh and Peter W. Singer discuss his book, LikeWar: The Weaponization of Social Media, which analyzes the poisonous effects of disinformation on politics, war, and social issues worldwide. They look at the role of governments, laws, and individuals; and our collective responsibility to support digital literacy and engage in positive digital citizenship.  Peter Warren Singer is strategist at New America, a Professor of Practice at Arizona State University, and founder and managing partner at Useful Fiction LLC. Thank you to our sponsor NBI.

In the conflict instigated by Russia in Ukraine, we have already seen numerous and outrageous Russian violations of the Laws of Armed Conflict, but what legal recourse is there against these acts? Meg Steenburgh of the ABA Law Student Podcast interviews Judge James E. Baker to learn about the interplay of law and war on the international stage. Judge Baker examines Russia’s actions to date and offers insights on how the U.S. and other international players can and/or should respond as they follow the rule of law. They also discuss new uses of AI in war, historical examples that compare to Ukraine’s struggle against its aggressor, and why law matters even if a wartime opponent refuses to adhere to it.  Judge James E. Baker is director of the Syracuse University Institute for Security Policy and Law, a professor at the Syracuse College of Law and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and a Distinguished Fellow at the Georgetown Center for Security and Emerging Technology, Georgetown University. He previously served as a Judge and Chief Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.   Thank you to our sponsor NBI.

Recent bar exam criticisms have left many in the legal sphere questioning whether the test really does what it claims. Is it still an essential step in legal licensure, or is it just a tired tradition? To help law students understand the many facets of this issue, Meg Steenburgh welcomes Josh Block and Adam Allington to discuss arguments for and against the bar exam that were recently aired in a three-part series from the UnCommon Law podcast.  Josh Block is the executive producer for video and audio at Bloomberg Industry Group. Adam Allington is a senior audio producer for podcasts at Bloomberg Industry Group and host of the UnCommon Law podcast.   Thank you to our sponsor NBI.

Podcast host Meg Steenburgh welcomes recent grad Shannon Knapp and fellow law students Sarah Roberts and Tiffany Love to get their perspectives on law school, legal practice, and life! They each discuss their unique student and real-world experiences—sharing the paths they’ve chosen to pursue, tips for self-care and motivation, and what has helped them handle the rigors of law school and entrance into the profession. Shannon Knapp is a recent graduate of Syracuse University School of Law and an Associate Attorney at Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC in central New York.  Sarah Roberts is an entrepreneur based in eastern Texas and a 2L at Syracuse University School of Law. Tiffany Love is an Air Force spouse, civilian paralegal, and 3L at Syracuse University School of Law. Thank you to our sponsor NBI.

Meg Steenburgh of the ABA Law Student Podcast welcomes Adam Liptak to learn about his career as a legal journalist. Adam explains his typical work cycle as Supreme Court correspondent for The New York Times and offers insights on how a law degree translates into the world of journalism. They also discuss some of the Supreme Court’s upcoming cases and Adam shares his top advice for today’s law students.  Adam Liptak covers the Supreme Court for The New York Times.    Thank you to our sponsor NBI.

Intellectual property is most often understood in terms of its economic value, but how do our current laws affect everyday creators and innovators? Meg Steenburgh welcomes Professor Jessica Silbey to discuss current issues in IP law and how the mindsets and expectations of younger generations seem to be at odds with the broad scope of many of these laws. They also discuss Professor Silbey’s expertise in film and its evolving uses as a legal tool. Professor Jessica Silbey is a Professor of Law at Boston University School of Law where she teaches and writes in the areas of intellectual property, constitutional law, and law and the humanities.   Thank you to our sponsor NBI.