I Am The Law

What really draws people to become lawyers? In this special bonus episode, we draw on previously unpublished clips with recent guests. You'll hear from lawyers inspired by family members in the profession, those who found their calling through student government or workplace experiences, and others who were motivated by iconic legal dramas like Legally Blonde and A Few Good Men. But inspiration is just the beginning. Our guests also reveal what pop culture gets dramatically wrong about legal practice. Spoiler alert: it's far less glamorous and much more tedious than TV suggests. From the reality of billable hours to the emotional weight of client relationships, these lawyers share what truly surprised them when they first started practicing. Featured voices include: * Adam Deutsch, personal injury lawyer following in his father's footsteps * Tijana Brien, securities litigator who promised her refugee father she'd become the lawyer he never got to be * Samm Tillotson, commercial litigator inspired by her student government experience * Katie King, who discovered her legal calling through workplace advocacy * Ezra Lintner, legal aid lawyer using law as a tool for their community service * And many more sharing their honest takes on expectation vs. reality This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Rutgers Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/rutgers] Access LawHub today! [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lawhub] Learn more about Rutgers Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/rutgers] Learn more about Vermont Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/vlgs]

Jaimie Nawaday is a former federal prosecutor and current white-collar defense and government investigations litigator. In this episode, she reflects on the skills and insights she brought from her time as a prosecutor, switching sides, and how real-world experience shapes confidence in the courtroom and at the negotiating table. Jamie also offers candid thoughts on the drinking culture within the legal profession and the personal decision she made to step away and speak out. She is a partner and head of her firm’s Government Enforcement and Internal Investigations practice and a graduate of Cornell Law School.  This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Rutgers Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/rutgers] Learn more about Rutgers Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/rutgers] Access LawHub today! [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lawhub] Learn more about Vermont Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/vlgs]

In this episode, Ezra Lintner (they/she), a legal aid lawyer in San Francisco, discusses defending evicted tenants in a city on the forefront of a civil right to counsel. The conversation highlights the high-stakes reality of eviction defense work, the nuances of habitability, and the emotional challenge of helping clients through a fundamentally disruptive experience. Ezra also reflects on the personal toll of their work, the value of strong support networks, and how the work has only deepened their commitment to housing justice. This episode offers an unflinching look at what it means to defend the right to stay housed in one of the country’s most expensive cities. Ezra Lintner is a graduate of DePaul University College of Law. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Rutgers Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/rutgers] Learn more about Vermont Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/vlgs] Access LawHub today! [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lawhub] Learn more about Rutgers Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/rutgers]

Mergers, acquisitions, hostile takeovers...if you've ever watched television lawyers arguing on the big screen, you’ll know these terms. For transactional lawyer Stephanie Hurst, these words are part of her daily diction. As an income partner at Mayer Brown, Stephanie has been negotiating cross-border transactions for years. In this episode, she highlights the complexities of structuring deals, the role of an M&A lawyer on a larger expert team, and her development from a junior lawyer into a partner. She also talks about the realities of finding balance as a Biglaw attorney managing matters on tight deadlines. Stephanie is a graduate of the University of Southern California School of Law.  This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek. 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] Utah Law Learn more about Utah Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/utah] Learn more about Blueprint [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/blueprint] Learn more about Vermont Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/vlgs] Learn more about Baylor Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/baylor]

Samm Tillotson is a commercial litigator at an elite law firm, where she spends a lot of time defending class action lawsuits for insurance clients. While she doesn't go to trial often, she spends a lot of time in court, preparing for court, and negotiating. Despite the firm's size, Samm's cases are leanly staffed, which means she works a case from beginning to end. She talks a bit about her love of discovery, work-life balance, and partnership. Samm is a graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. This episode is hosted by Katya Valasek. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about Vermont Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/vlgs] 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] Access LawHub today! [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/lawhub] Learn more about Seton Hall [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/setonhall] Utah Law Learn more about Utah Law [https://i-am-the-law.captivate.fm/utah]