From Youthful Missteps to Elderly Client Service: Building an Unexpected Practice

Many people enter law school or practice with one ambition, only to find it's not quite what they envisioned. For Raffi Melkonian, his initial fascination with corporate law faded quickly while he was at Cravath, a global law firm that allowed him to pivot to litigation. Today, Raffi is an appellate lawyer in the U.S Fifth Circuit and Texas. He provides an overview of what appellate work entails, from writing briefs to presenting oral arguments -- and his meticulous preparation for both. While corporate takeovers that make the front page of the Wall Street Journal may be some lawyers' best fit, the legal puzzles he gets to solve with each new case appeal to him. Raffi is a graduate of Harvard Law School.This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek.Mentioned in this episode:Learn more about Rutgers LawIdaho LawLearn more about Idaho LawLearn more about Rutgers LawLearn more about Vermont LawIdaho LawLearn more about Idaho LawAccess LawHub today!

Sometimes it's a tough transition to law school - so tough you fail out. But what comes next depends on a willingness to reflect and seek support. In this episode, Asha Paulose opens up about her academic setbacks, winding career, and personal and professional growth. Today, she's doing something she never expected: running her own law firm. Asha helps elderly clients navigate change in their own lives. She discusses how she finds clients, tailors legal and non-legal advice for their diverse circumstances, and can finally openly empathize. Asha is a graduate of Albany Law School.This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek.Mentioned in this episode:Idaho LawLearn more about Idaho LawLearn more about Rutgers LawLearn more about Vermont LawIdaho LawLearn more about Idaho LawAccess LawHub today!Learn more about Rutgers Law

As a legal engineer at a legal technology company, Donata Stroink-Skillrud uses her knowledge and skills as a lawyer to scale privacy policies -- an essential element of any company's website. She also happens to be a co-founder and the president of the company, Termageddon. There's no attorney-client relationship with Donata's clients today, but they still depend on her ability to understand, organize, and explain the law. This broad conversation ranges from legal ethics and legal engineering to keeping up with privacy law changes across the world. It can be lonely in this sort of role, but find community is both possible and helpful. Donata is a 2015 graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:Learn more about Vermont LawIdaho LawLearn more about Idaho LawLearn more about Rutgers LawLearn more about William & Mary Law SchoolIdaho LawLearn more about Idaho LawLearn more about Rutgers LawAccess LawHub today!

Veronique Richardson, a partner specializing in water rights and economic development at a small firm, serves tribal entities and tribal members exclusively. According to Veronique, "water is life." Not only is it significant as a natural resource, but it's significant culturally in Indian country. She helps tribal governments and their people navigate a deliberate balance between economic growth and preserving natural resources for future generations. Veronique discusses the challenges and complexities of representing tribes in water rights settlements, emphasizing the importance of advocacy, policy-making, and coalition-building. Additionally, she explains her role in economic development projects, including her role in bringing a Tesla dealership to tribal land. Veronique is a 2011 graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law.This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek.Mentioned in this episode:Learn more about Vermont LawIdaho LawLearn more about Idaho LawAccess LawHub today!Learn more about William & Mary Law SchoolIdaho LawLearn more about Idaho LawLearn more about Rutgers LawLearn more about Rutgers Law

JR Thomas, a client attorney at a community services nonprofit, Birmingham AIDS Outreach (BAO), that provides multifaceted services to individuals living with HIV and AIDS. Beyond healthcare and social work, BAO provides vital pro bono legal services that cover a broad spectrum of issues. JR specializes in domestic relations legal work, but because all of his time is pro bono, he can spend time helping clients with ancillary matters such as finding housing. Despite the emotional weight of his work, JR loves it because he never knows what's coming next. As long as his clients feel comfortable and supported throughout their legal journey, he's confident he'll find a way to serve them. JR Thomas is a 2019 graduate of Samford University's Cumberland School of Law.This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:Learn more about Rutgers LawAccess LawHub today!Idaho LawLearn more about Idaho LawLearn more about Rutgers LawLearn more about William & Mary Law SchoolIdaho LawLearn more about Idaho LawLearn more about Vermont Law

Jenn Russoniello is a family lawyer who started as a social worker disappointed in the system. Jenn highlights the emotional and practical challenges of divorce litigation, which often intertwine personal and legal complexities. She emphasizes the significance of client-centered representation, especially as it relates to the nuances of settlement negotiations, the decision to go to trial, and navigating the complexities of post-judgment issues. Throughout the conversation, Jenn emphasizes the role of empathy, practicality, and adaptability in providing effective legal assistance to families navigating challenging circumstances. Jenn Russoniello is a 2010 graduate of the University of Rutgers - Newark.This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek.Mentioned in this episode:Access LawHub today!Idaho LawLearn more about Idaho LawLearn more about Vermont LawLearn more about Rutgers LawIdaho LawLearn more about Idaho LawLearn more about William & Mary Law SchoolLearn more about Rutgers Law

People need legal representation, regardless of financial means. Non-profits throughout the country, often called legal aid, play a crucial role in offering civil representation to individuals who lack the means to hire a lawyer. Hannah Wagner serves as a staff attorney at Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio, where she addresses various legal needs within the community. Her practice spans education cases for students with special needs, restraining orders for individuals facing life-threatening situations, and child advocacy within domestic disputes as a guardian ad litem. This episode delves into the intricacies of providing legal support to children navigating challenging environments, highlighting the importance of creative advocacy. Hannah is a 2020 graduate of the University of Toledo College of Law.This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:Access LawHub today!Learn more about Seton HallLearn more about Idaho LawLearn more about BlueprintLearn more about Baylor LawAlbany LawLearn more about Vermont Law

When the opportunity arises, seize it. That's one lesson from Judge Elizabeth Rohl, a trial court judge in a one-judge county who knew it was now or never when the position opened up during Covid. But despite her taking her shot and succeeding, Judge Rohl had her doubts. In this episode, she discusses overcoming impostor syndrome, the day-to-day operations of the courtroom, saying "I don't know," and having a profound impact on her community. Judge Rohl is a 2008 graduate of Michigan State University College of Law.This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:Learn more about BlueprintLearn more about Seton HallLearn more about Idaho LawAccess LawHub today!Learn more about Vermont LawAlbany LawLearn more about Baylor Law

Christian Menefee was elected as Harris County Attorney in 2020 at 32, the youngest ever and the first African-American in this role. Harris County, home of Houston, is such a large county that its legal department functions like a large law firm. As the county's chief civil lawyer, Christian oversees the entire department and sets the direction for the county's legal affairs, wielding authority in a role that is both figurehead and decision-maker. As an elected official, he does so while navigating the political landscape.Christian gets sued, sues others, and otherwise represents the county as its officials and staff go about the business of local government. He candidly shares his journey from private law practice to public service, reflecting on the risks and rewards of challenging established norms within his own political party. Christian is a 2013 graduate of Washington University in St. Louis School of Law.This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:Albany LawLearn more about Vermont LawLearn more about Baylor LawLearn more about Seton HallLearn more about Idaho LawLearn more about BlueprintAccess LawHub today!

If you've ever been on a casino floor, it's a maze by design. The legal corridors are just as challenging to navigate. In this episode, Ed Winkofsky, a partner at a multinational law firm who specializes in the gaming industry, discusses the goals of both gaming companies and regulatory agencies in state and tribal governments. Ed talks about managing clients, organized crime, and regulator relationships. The gaming landscape is rapidly and in some ways unpredictably evolving. But what doesn't change is that corporate gaming lawyers need to help their clients react to regulators trying to strike a delicate balance between fostering business growth and safeguarding consumer interests. Ed is a 2005 graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law.This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:Learn more about BlueprintAlbany LawLearn more about Baylor LawLearn more about Vermont LawLearn more about Seton HallLearn more about Idaho LawAccess LawHub today!