The Heirs' Property Project

The Laws of the Dead

Death in the US can be one of the most complex aspects of modern life, and caring for the dead takes many forms that are regulated by some of the most complicated laws on the books. In this episode, we explore the history, nuances, and quirks of funeral and cemetery law in the US and talk to students and professors at Wake Forest Law who helped legalize human composting as a new method of disposition.

The Heirs' Property Project

For many minority and low-income families, the land that has been in their families for generations is a part of their identity. So what happens when that land is taken away because it's considered "heirs' property," a complex form of joint ownership? In this episode, we explore the intricacies and inequities around heirs' property, and how students involved in Wake Forest Law's Heirs' Property Project work to get justice for these North Carolinian families.

Stephen Hawthornthwaite (JD '96)

Stephen Hawthornthwaite (JD '96), the co-founder, CEO, and chairman of Rothy's shares his journey from law student to leading a direct-to-consumer footwear and apparel company that's shaping the future of sustainability in the fashion industry. Professor John Knox joins to bring his human rights and international environmental law expertise to bear on the conversation, probing the ways that businesses like Rothy's can help address the environmental challenges of our time.

Chris Swecker (JD '81)

Chris Swecker (JD '81) talks about his career at the FBI and how the skills he learned there led to his work as the chair of the civilian committee that investigated the events at Fort Hood. The committee issued 70 recommendations to the Secretary of the Army, all of which were adopted.