The Appeal of Appellate Law: Oral Advocacy, Puzzles, and Knowing When to Quit

Andrea Tompkins is a capital markets partner at a global law firm based in London. She started her career at a Magic Circle firm (she'll explain that) after earning her J.D. in the U.S (she'll explain how to do that too). Andrea specializes in advising large companies and international investment banks on U.S. federal securities laws. She describes the intricacies of raising capital through equity and debt, the importance of material disclosures in securities offerings, and the process of guiding clients through IPOs and other public market transactions. While a capital markets practice can be downright volatile, it affords her an interesting role in engines of capitalism. Andrea is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center.This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:Access LawHub today!Learn more about Rutgers LawIdaho LawLearn more about Idaho LawLearn more about Rutgers LawIdaho LawLearn more about Idaho LawLearn more about Vermont Law

Jenifer Slinskey manages the University of Pittsburgh's patent portfolio, a role that bridges the gap between academic research and industry commercialization. While this job does not require a law license, her STEM and patent law background improve the experience for the researchers she interfaces with and the outside patent counsel she manages. From submitting an invention disclosure form to collaborating with outside counsel, Jenifer outlines the rigorous process that transforms an inventor's academic idea into a commercial product. She provides an inside look at the collaborative effort required to protect and promote intellectual property at a leading research institution. Jenifer is a graduate of the University of Dayton School of Law.This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek.Mentioned in this episode:Learn more about Rutgers LawIdaho LawLearn more about Idaho LawLearn more about Rutgers LawIdaho LawLearn more about Idaho LawLearn more about Vermont LawAccess LawHub today!

Ludmilla Kasulke, a seasoned lawyer-lobbyist based in Washington, D.C., amplifies the voices of her clients. Her world is one of competing interests, strategic relationships, legal intricacies, and raw politics. She aims to tip public policy in one direction (or another) through education, a nuanced understanding of political context, and strategies that can evolve on a dime. In the corridors of power, influence stems from access and information.  Ludmilla is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center.This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee.Mentioned in this episode:Learn more about Vermont LawIdaho LawLearn more about Idaho LawAccess LawHub today!Idaho LawLearn more about Idaho LawLearn more about Rutgers LawLearn more about Rutgers Law

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 BlueprintAccess LawHub today!Learn more about Baylor LawLearn more about Vermont LawAlbany LawLearn more about Idaho LawLearn more about Seton Hall

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!Learn more about Idaho LawLearn more about Seton HallLearn more about Vermont LawLearn more about Baylor LawAlbany LawLearn more about Blueprint

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