Please enjoy a recording of The Podvocate's first-ever live event held on April 22, 2025, titled "Resistance: A Panel on Practice-Based Activism." The panel was moderated by editors-in-chief Casey Callahan and Ben Recht and featured guests Rachel Cohen, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and Senior Counsel at Lambda Legal Ken Upton.
This podcast episode explores the question “Is law school worth it?” from a personal perspective as a part-time student balancing work, tuition costs, and home responsibilities. The host shares their experience funding school through their salary and scholarships, while acknowledging the emotional and practical impact on their spouse, who has taken on more household duties. They weigh the financial burden, the time investment, and the sacrifices against the long-term career benefits and personal...
Sovereign Citizens are a group without a central authoritative ideology; but a throughline that holds that US law does not apply to them. The most common idea ius that the passage of the 14th Amendment after the Civil War created a second class of citizen, and that only by reading up on your rights as a “living person” can one avail themselves of the blessings of “Common Law”. In this episode, I examined some of the consequences of this utterly fake ideology, and what happens when it is argued b...
Please enjoy this episode from the archive with former Editor-in-Chief, Marisa Polowitz. This episode features a portion of the 2022 Symposium presented by Loyola's Journal of Regulatory Compliance, "Demystifying Data Privacy," specifically the panel conversation, "Paving the Way for Privacy."
Please enjoy this episode from the archive with former Editor-in-Chief, Marisa Polowitz. This episode features a portion of the 2022 Symposium presented by Loyola's Journal of Regulatory Compliance, "Demystifying Data Privacy."
Please enjoy this episode from the archive with former Editor-in-Chief, Marisa Polowitz. This episode features a portion of the 2022 Symposium presented by Loyola's Journal of Regulatory Compliance, specifically the panel entitled "Developments in Healthcare Data Regulation," moderated by Marisa Polowitz.
This episode confronts the “Trifecta of Violence” as it relates to escalating violence against transgender people, particularly Black transwomen, and the systemic forces enabling it. From Orwellian laws targeting trans existence to unchecked citizen brutality, the legal system and societal apathy lead to state-sanctioned and judicially-approved violence against Black trans bodies. The violent policy enacted against trans people does not, and will not end with transpeople—exemplified by the story...
In this episode, we talk with a former lawyer, Greyson “Grey” Fitzgerald, who made the leap from Big Law to tattooing. They share what pushed them to leave the legal world, the challenges of starting fresh in a creative industry, and how their background in law still plays a role in their new career. Whether you're interested in career transitions or just curious about the path from courtrooms to tattoo studios, this conversation offers a look into making big changes.
Andrea Lyon is a criminal defense lawyer, author, speaker, professor and former law school dean. Dubbed “The Angel of Death Row” by the Chicago Tribune, she was the first woman to serve as lead attorney in a death penalty case, and she holds an unparalleled 19 wins in 19 capital cases. Andrea’s publications include over fifty law review articles, over ten practice manuals and books focused on her career and social justice in America. Katie sat down with Andrea to talk about her remarkable career...
This episode of the Podvocate will explore the often overlooked and underdiscussed pressures of law school, focusing on what shapes students’ mental health and well-being. From the pervasive culture of perfectionism and the relentless grind mentality to the emotional toll of legal education, we dive into how law students can be impacted by unspoken expectations. This episode also discusses the stigma surrounding mental health in law school and how some schools are already taking steps to help th...
In this episode, I sit down with Samantha Reed, Esq., of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois to discuss the case of Kevin T. Singer, a convicted murderer who used Dungeons and Dragons to escape the gloom inherent to life in prison. Ms. Reed and I discuss the history of prisoner’s rights, the current landscape of prisoner’s rights, the Satanic Panic surrounding DnD, and the arguments proffered in Singer v. Raemisch. The case was heard before the 7th Circuit, and it was ultimately decid...
This episode explores the evolving landscape of U.S. tariffs and their wide-reaching legal effects. It starts with a refresher on tariffs, who imposes them, and how maritime law—particularly the Jones Act—intersects with trade policy. Then we examine recent tariff developments and how these moves are impacting global trade, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical relations. It delves into the legal foundations of tariff authority, related litigation trends, and the business risks that come wi...
In the fourth and likely final episode of the series on NIL, associate editors Davey and Chris discuss new issues within the NIL space since their last episode. We break down the major points and discuss the issues of the House v NCAA proposed settlement, which is set to be ruled on, on April 7th, 2025. Additionally, we give updates on two smaller legal disputes. One is Diego Pavia’s lawsuit against the NCAA on eligibility and the other is Dartmouth Men’s Basketball team seeking to unionize. Tha...
In this episode, Associate Editor Isabella Lund explores the differences between the legal systems in Germany and the United States. Our guest Matthias Baehre works as a judge in Stade, Germany. He walks us through his career, starting with law school in Germany and finishing with the trial process in Germany. Our discussion focuses on the use of lay judges versus a jury to deliver a verdict, as well as the pros and cons of being a judge in the United States versus Germany. Ask yourself, would y...
I think I’ve seen this film before, and I didn’t like the ending. In the first three months of his second term President Trump has embarked on an unprecedented campaign against the American justice system. Working through the history of the legal profession and its roots in the United States, Associate Editor Alyssa Pacheco draws parallels between the political climate of today and that of Germany during the fall of the Weimar Republic and the rise of Adolf Hitler hoping to implore listeners to ...
Fictional legal shows are just fiction. Right? Let’s dive into the world of legal dramas and analyze three stories from the shows Suits and The Good Wife and the 1996 movie, Primal Fear. Together we will apply real legal principles, like contract law and the comparative negligence standard, to the fictional cases. Please note there are spoilers for the shows and movie! Research & Sources: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/073500050K2-1116.htm https://law.justia.com/cases/illino...
This week Davey and Chris sit down with Lanston Tanyi and Coach Dave McGinnis to discuss payment in college athletics and its collateral effects. Lanston Tanyi is a 4L in the Weekend JD program also works as a marketing director for a national healthcare company. While attending Appalachian State University, Lanston was a four year starter for their football program. Lanston was one of the first members of what we now know as “the transfer portal” eventually leaving as a graduate and finishing h...
In this part 2 episode of the Women in the Law series, Neha Alety sits down with Kelly Greening, associate general counsel at Lurie Children’s Hospital and former DePaul University College of Law graduate. Kelly discusses her experiences as a former lobbyist, fighting for reproductive health rights, and takes us through her career. We expand on the challenges that she faced as each stage of her career as a woman in the historically male dominated legal field and how she navigated those challenge...
This week Davey and Chris sit down with Will Boling and Emily Proud to discuss payment in college athletics and its collateral effects. Will Boling is a sports radio host on 104.5 the Zone in Nashville, TN as well as a play-by-play announcer for professional and collegiate track, women’s college basketball and college baseball. While attending the University of Tennessee, Will was a distance runner with the track team. Emily Proud is a sports reporter for the CBS Sports network. She covers colle...
Associate Editor Mary Bandstra explains the SAFE-T Act, Illinois’ law eliminating cash bail, that went into effect in 2023. Associate Editor Katie Dorsey interviews Assistant Public Defender Debra Cruz to get a boots-on-the-ground perspective on the Act’s practical implications. Illinois SAFE-T Act Full Text: https://ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/101/101-0652.htm Cook County Court – Pretrial Fairness Act Data Dashboards: https://www.cookcountycourt.org/court-reports-statistics Brennan center f...
Does the government owe us, American Citizens, anything? Associate Editor Alyssa Pacheco explores what the relationship between government and its people looks like, the role contract law plays in governing that relationship, and what happens when that contract is broken. Resources: https://www.americanprogress.org/article/americas-broken-criminal-legal-system-contributes-to-wealth-inequality/ https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/hate-crime-statistics#:~:text=On%20September%2023%2C%202024%2C%20the...
In this episode, Rachel Still and Isabella Lund sit down with Aisha Davis, Senior Policy Counsel at the ACLU of Illinois. Aisha shares her journey as a first-generation lawyer, detailing how her lived experiences and time in law school shaped her path to public interest law. We explore her critical insights on addressing systemic injustices affecting Black and LGBTQ+ communities, the interplay of policy and law, and the challenges of advocating for intersectional issues like police brutality and...
In this episode, we explore how the Northwestern Prison Education Program (NPEP) is transforming lives behind bars through access to higher education. What makes this program unique? How does it provide incarcerated individuals with the tools to achieve academic success and personal growth? We’ll discuss NPEP’s mission, its challenges, and the incredible stories of students whose lives have been changed with the director of the program, Professor Jennifer Lackey. Along the way, we’ll dive into t...
n this episode, Neha Alety sits down with Hannah Sweeney, associate attorney at Pavich Law Group and former Loyola Chicago School of Law graduate. Hannah shares her experiences as a female litigator in a male-dominated field. We begin our discussion with her career path and background and her experiences in law school. She then discusses the gender-based challenges she’s faced in her career and how she’s navigated the male-dominated area of litigation. Though challenging, Ms. Sweeney also talks ...
This is the first episode in a new series called Access to Justice, which explores the growing gap of access to legal resources in different areas of the United States. Legal deserts – defined by the American Bar Association as a county with fewer than one lawyer per 1000 people – are spreading across rural areas of the country. Indiana is facing a statewide attorney shortage and has seen rural legal deserts increase significantly in recent years. In 2024, the Indiana Supreme Court convened the ...
Please enjoy this recording of an event held on campus on November 21! "Three years of Taliban rule in Afghanistan has led to the “striking” erasure of women from public life. Join Najia Mahmodi and Juliet Sorensen for a conversation on gender persecution in Afghanistan today and the path forward."
We often hear the term “law of the land,” where a legal framework is based on common or civil law. But what laws apply once we venture off dry land and out to sea? That’s where maritime law (or admiralty law) comes into play. Sometimes called the Law of the Sea, maritime law consists of laws, conventions, and treaties governing business, crime, and international disputes on open waters. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is considered the constitution of the ocean; it p...
Distinguished Professor in Residence Dean Strang sits down with Associate Editor Katie Dorsey to discuss the 1924 Leopold and Loeb trial, Clarence Darrow’s career, and how this “Trial of the Century” created a lasting legacy that is still relevant 100 years later. Research & Sources: To learn more about the Leopold and Loeb crimes and trial, check out The Leopold and Loeb Files: An Intimate Look at One of America's Most Infamous Crimes by Nina Barrett, https://www.bookendsandbeginnings.com/b...
Author Nina Barrett (The Leopold and Loeb Files) and Associate Editor Katie Dorsey tell the story of the Leopold and Loeb murder and trial, which changed the field of criminal defense in America with ramifications that echo even today and the circumstances that make this horrifying crime still shocking and relevant a century later. Research & Sources: To learn more about the Leopold and Loeb crimes and trial, check out The Leopold and Loeb Files: An Intimate Look at One of America's Most Inf...
Until the supreme court case Alton v NCAA in 2021, collegiate athletes could not monetize their athletic ability while in college. This episode explores the history and creation of the NCAA, the regulatory body of college sports. It will cover the early issues the NCAA faced. It then turns to the advent of amateurism and the term “student-athlete” the legal framework the NCAA used to protect itself from wages and workmen’s compensation claims by athletes. Then the episode will finish with a disc...
