I Am The Law

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] 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]

From Crime Scene to Courtroom: Justice Through a Gang Prosecutor's Lens

Shannon Struble has spent more than a decade prosecuting gang-related crimes in a county with a lot of violent gang activity. In this episode, she takes us inside the day-to-day life of a prosecutor. Shannon walks through the fast-paced charging process — where prosecutors have just 48 hours to review evidence and decide whether to file charges — negotiating pleas, and navigating the courtroom. She reflects on the vicarious trauma of watching crimes unfold on body cam footage, responding to homicide scenes at 2 a.m., and finding moments of reward when rehabilitation succeeds. Shannon also explores what justice really looks like and the role prosecutors can play in supporting rehabilitation, not just punishment. Shannon is a graduate of Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor 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]

When Families Fight: Financial Elder Abuse, Conservatorships, and Estate Litigation

Families don’t call Matt Talbot when things are going well. They call when grief, money, and long-simmering tensions rise to the surface. He helps clients navigate conservatorships, financial elder abuse, and complex estate litigation. In this episode, Matt discusses the emotional weight of handling kidnapping cases across state lines, the challenge of proving financial abuse when the victim can no longer speak for themselves, and how the Britney Spears case fundamentally changed California conservatorship law. He candidly shares how repeated exposure to family disasters has made him both emotionally hardened to client trauma and deeply committed to preserving his own family relationships. Matt reflects on the importance of getting evidence upfront, managing clients who want to "go nuclear" on family relationships, and why sometimes the best thing for a client isn't indulging their emotions. Matt Talbot is a graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law. This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek.   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]