I Am The Law

How Lawyers Are Using AI and Where They Draw the Line

Artificial intelligence has arrived in the legal profession. In this special episode, Kyle and Katya examine AI's growing role in the world of law from criminal defense to M&A and much in between. Over the past few months, they've asked every guest a simple bonus question: How has AI affected your practice? The answers offer a window into a profession in transition—curious, conflicted, and actively determining AI's proper role in law. Practitioners share how AI streamlines document review and accelerates research, while candidly discussing serious limitations and risks. This highlights how lawyers are still learning to navigate the technology. Feature voices: 1. Eric Bernheim, Episode 120, Behind the Lease: Supporting Restaurant Expansion Through Real Estate Law 2. Alexis Taitel, Episode 121, From Clerkship to Private Practice: Research, Writing, and Challenging Assumptions 3. Venetia Mayhew, Episode 122, Second Chances: Rewriting Life Through Clemency 4. Joe Stephens, Episode 126, Trial by Algorithm: Helping Lawyers Navigate the AI Revolution 5. Asha Sharma, Episode 127, Administrative Hearings and Human Stories: Social Security Disability on the Frontlines 6. Audi Syarief, Episode 129, Trading in Gray Areas: How Sanctions Shape International Business 7. Rachel Frank, Episode 131, Understanding the Appeal: Supreme Litigation from First Draft to Oral Argument 8. Elise Bennett, Episode 133, Cool Little Dudes and Legal Battles: Environmental Protection from the Courtroom to the Community 9. Molly Henry, Episode 137, Navigating International Waters: Arresting Ships and Managing Crises on the Seas 10. Michael Kohagen, Episode 139, At the Center of the Transaction: Coordinating Business Deals from Start to Finish This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee and Katya Valasek. Mentioned in this episode: Colorado Law School Learn more about Colorado Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/colorado] Access LawHub today! [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lawhub] Loyola Law School Learn more about Loyola Law School [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lls]

At the Center of the Transaction: Coordinating Business Deals from Start to Finish

Michael Kohagen structures mergers and acquisitions for clients across the deal spectrum, from family businesses selling for $5 million to headline-grabbing deals. He explains how smaller deals offer closer client relationships—often working directly with owners who lack M&A experience but know their business intimately. Michael walks through the deal process from confidentiality agreements and letters of intent through due diligence and purchase agreements, emphasizing his role coordinating specialists while drafting core transaction documents. He discusses how AI is beginning to change document review, why most M&A deals fail (time drag and initial misalignment), and how his central role creates both pressure and satisfaction. Michael is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Colorado Law School Learn more about Colorado Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/colorado] Loyola Law School Learn more about Loyola Law School [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lls] Access LawHub today! [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lawhub]

Environmental Law in Government: Managing Competing Interests and Natural Resources

Duncan Kemp, a state government lawyer, took an unconventional path to environmental law. After working in college athletics fundraising and earning an MFA in Creative Writing, he entered law school part-time with a clear goal: protecting natural resources. But landing that environmental job proved harder than expected. Today, he manages litigation for one of Louisiana's largest landowners—from boundary disputes and coastal erosion cases to pipeline enforcement and exotic animal seizures. Duncan discusses balancing conservation with hunting traditions and economic growth, and coordinating litigation across agencies. Plus, he talks about the satisfying trade-off between lower government pay and a better work-life balance. Duncan is a graduate of Southern University Law Center. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Access LawHub today! [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lawhub] Colorado Law School Learn more about Colorado Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/colorado] Loyola Law School Learn more about Loyola Law School [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lls]

Navigating International Waters: Arresting Ships and Managing Crises on the Seas

Molly Henry represents international ship owners in a practice spanning oil spill response, vessel arrests, cargo disputes, and casualties at sea. She explains how admiralty law—a conglomeration of international treaties and federal common law—treats ships as legal persons that can be arrested and sold to satisfy judgments. Molly describes her crisis management role, boarding vessels to investigate crew deaths and fielding calls at all hours when maritime casualties occur. She reflects on transitioning from task-based associate work to strategic case management, and how an early opportunity to argue before the Ninth Circuit built her confidence. Molly is a graduate of the Ohio State Moritz College of Law. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Access LawHub today! [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lawhub] Colorado Law School Learn more about Colorado Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/colorado] Loyola Law School Learn more about Loyola Law School [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lls]

Elevating Businesses to New Highs: Corporate Cannabis Practice (replay)

Mia Getlin specializes in the state-legal cannabis industry in Oregon and Washington. She shares insights into the challenges and complexities of navigating the highly-regulated cannabis sector, emphasizing the importance of trust-building with clients coming from diverse backgrounds, including those transitioning from the illicit market. Mia highlights the role of advocacy in shaping industry regulations, issue spotting for compliance, and maintaining a supportive, problem-solving approach as a transactional attorney focused on finding solutions for her clients' needs. Throughout the conversation, she provides valuable perspectives on the legal intricacies and evolving dynamics of the cannabis business, from licensing to corporate structuring, offering a unique window into her role as a dedicated advocate for her clients in this rapidly changing field. Mia is a 2014 graduate of Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Access LawHub today! [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lawhub] Learn more about Seton Hall [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/setonhall] BU Law Learn more about Boston University School of Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/bu] Loyola Law School Learn more about Loyola Law School [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lls] Learn more about Baylor Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/baylor] Learn more about Blueprint [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/blueprint]