Let's Brief It

David Fathi, Director of the National Prison Project at the ACLU, joins co-host Tamya Anderson to discuss his work on protecting the rights of incarcerated persons in the U.S. With the U.S. having the highest incarceration rate in the world, the conditions in U.S. prisons are a pressing issue for the Project. David shares his perspective on the biggest problems in this system, his passion for social justice, and the ways that law s...

In this exciting episode, host Prisila Otazo sits down with Vesna Harasic, a distinguished partner at Wiley law, to dive deep into the importance of gender diversity in the legal profession. With a wealth of experience and a passion for inclusivity, Vesna shares her journey to leadership, discusses the hurdles women face in law, and offers actionable insights on how the legal community can evolve to be more diverse and equitable. D...

Julia Porter, Deputy Disciplinary Council at the D.C. Office of Disciplinary Counsel, joins Andrew Nettels to discuss the ethical obligations of attorneys licensed in the District of Columbia.
Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and org...

Kelsi Corkran, Supreme Court Director for the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection and decorated civil rights advocate joins co-host Tamya Anderson to discuss the ins and outs of effective oral advocacy. From how to prepare for argument to the importance of effective legal writing, Kelsi shares essential tips for all future litigators.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are stric...

In this powerful episode of Let’s Brief It, co-hosts Prisila Otazo and Tamya Anderson sit down with Marlene Otero, a licensed mental health therapist and attorney, to explore the intersection of mental health and the legal profession.

Together, they unpack the stigma surrounding mental health, discuss the role of policy advocacy in driving meaningful change, and share insights on maintaining overall mental well-being in high-press...

In today's episode, Dietrich Knauth, Business Reporter at Thomson Reuters, joins Andrew Nettels to discuss the controversial use of the Texas Two Step in bankruptcy to avoid hundreds of billions in product liability payouts.
Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sp...

In today's episode, Dr. Adam Feldman, founder of the EmpiricalSCOTUS blog, joins Andrew Nettels to discuss litigation and the Supreme Court through a statistical lens. For more on Dr. Feldman's work: https://www.scotusblog.com/.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or...

Host Prisila Ngang Otazo chats with Apollo Yong, a litigation associate in Washington D.C., about how the legal profession is adapting to the needs and expectations of a new generation of lawyers. From starting out in litigation to finding balance in a demanding practice, we explore what it takes for young lawyers to thrive in today’s evolving legal landscape. Join us for practical advice, candid insights, and a relatable perspecti...

Hosts Tamya Anderson and Prisila Otazo are joined by Angel and Samanta of the Sisters in Law Youtube Channel to discuss the phenomenon of lawyers on social media. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a content creator and an attorney? Are you interested in embarking on that path yourself? Listen in as we discuss these questions and many more with our guests.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speaker...

Let’s Brief It returns for season six with new host for a shallow dive on Antitrust. Host Tamya Anderson is joined by Charles Moore on what the Antitrust/Competition practice area is, the governing law of the practice, and what he loves about his work.

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, i...

Let's Brief It wraps up its fifth season with reflections from hosts Andrew Nettels, DaJonna Richardson, Furaha Joy Saungweme, and Fabiola Uwera. They share insights on balancing academic rigor with self-care, emphasizing the importance of planning ahead, and finding creative outlets outside of law school demands. The hosts also encourage listeners to embrace opportunities for personal and professional development through the D...

Ryan McCarl, author of “Elegant Legal Writing,” joins Andrew and Fabiola for a discussion of modern legal writing trends and their application to law students.

Elegant Legal Writing Book: http://bit.ly/elw-book

Ryan's Blog: elegantlegalwriting.com

Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar...

In this episode, we explore the dynamic relationship between lawyers and artificial intelligence, a topic gaining significant attention both in the U.S. and internationally. Our focus is on understanding whether AI is collaboratively working with lawyers or posing challenges to the legal profession (or perhaps it is doing both). Additionally, we explore a fascinating case dealing with ChatGPT: Mata v. Avianca, adding a real-world d...

In this episode, hosts Andrew Nettels and Fabiola Uwera discuss law and culture with Aarash Darroodi, the General Counsel of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, the most famous and largest Guitar manufacturer in the world. 

Aarash shares how his cultural background and global perspective have profoundly shaped him and his professional trajectory. He recounts how he has been leveraging his cultural and linguistic skills to ...

Hosts DaJonna Richardson and Furaha Joy Sekai Saungweme interview Commissioner Immaculate Kassait, Kenya's first Data Commissioner and recognized amongst the top 25 Women in Digital in Kenya. Commissioner Kassait is serves in the Office of Data Protection, an office which has a mission to protect the personal data of Kenyans. 

Also joining us is Cynthia Chepkemoi, a legal practitioner licensed to practice in Kenya and one of t...

Fabiola Uwera and Andrew Nettels explore legal investigation with Seana Holland. Seana discusses the responsibilities of a legal investigator, some of the most impactful cases she has been involved in, and shares advice to students on classes and clinics to consider.

Seana Holland teaches Investigation and served as the Director of Investigations at Georgetown University Law Center, where she oversaw investigations in adult a...

Host DaJonna Richardson interviews Matthew Skeen Jr., an expert in bankruptcy law. Matthew has been a partner in Skeen & Skeen, P.C. a boutique bankruptcy law firm in Denver, Colorado. Today he is a Managing Attorney of the Pro Se Clinic at the US District Court for the District of Colorado, a program run by the CO Bar Association, which has offered representation to clients in issues arising in the context of chapter 7, chapte...

Are you a creative law student hoping to one day match your passion with your legal career? This episode is for you. 

Hardeep Grover joins Andrew and Fabiola to discuss his work with creative entrepreneurs and StartUps and how it has been fulfilling to support artists and members of the creative community in D.C. through Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts (WALA). 

Hardeep works with creative entrepreneurs in the technology, e...

Hosts Furaha Joy Sekai Saungweme and DaJonna Richardson interview Bridgette Stumpf, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC), a local nonprofit dedicated to providing free, holistic, and trauma-informed advocacy, legal, and therapeutic services to survivors of all types of crime in the District of Columbia. Bridgette shares her experience working as a crime victims’ rights attorney and the ...