Let's Brief It

D.C. Bar Law Student Community

A podcast made for Law Students, by Law Students. Produced by the D.C. Bar Law Student Community. Learn more about the D.C. Bar Law Student Community and the podcast at dcbar.org. This Season's Hosts: Andrew Nettels, George Washington University Law School, Class of 2025 DaJonna Richardson, University of Colorado Law, Class of 2024 Furaha Joy Saungweme, Georgetown University Law Center, Class of 2025 Fabiola Uwera, Georgetown University Law Center, Class of 2026 Presented by the D.C. Bar Communities Podcast Network. Theme Music: "Something Elated" by Broke for Free read less
EducationEducation
Civil Conflict, Women in Politics and Human Rights
Today
Civil Conflict, Women in Politics and Human Rights
Liberia has a complex relationship with women, human rights and international law; purportedly this nation which was intended to be the safe haven for freed slaves demonstrated the worst examples of civil armed conflict and yet produced the first female African president and an example of the power and resilience of women to stand for justice, and equality in political spaces. Hosts Furaha Joy Sekai Saungweme and DaJonna Richardson learn the strength of women survivors of war through the deeply touching experience of Dr Veronica Fynn Bruey. Additional Resources: Books: ⁠Political and Legal History of Liberia ⁠| ⁠Historical Dictionary of Liberia ⁠| ⁠This Child Will Be Great ⁠| ⁠Mighty Be Our Powers ⁠   Documentaries: ⁠Liberia: America’s Stepchild ⁠| ⁠Firestone and the Warlords ⁠| ⁠Liberia the Uncivil War ⁠ Links: Kissi and Gola: First Peoples of Liberia | Paul Cuffee Back to Africa Movement | Marcus Garvet Black Star Line | American Colonization Society | The Mayflower of Liberia | African American Mosaic: Library of Congress | Liberia Declaration of Independence | Joseph Jenkins Roberts: First Governor/President of Liberia | Angie Elisabeth Brooks Randolph | Sanniquellie: The Birth Place of the Organisation of African Unity now the African Union | You kill my Ma, you kill my pa, I’ll vote for you | George Bush: Taylor Must Leave Now | George Bush Dancing in Liberia | Charles Taylor Trial | Travel Embargo on Prince Yormie Johnson | UNSC Resolution 2288: Terminating 13 Years Embargo on Liberia | Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: First Democratically Elected Female President in Africa | Leymah Gbowee: Pray the Devil Back To Hell | Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Leymah Gbowee: Nobel Peace Prize Laureates | Gender Quota for Elections  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 organizations. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, ⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠.
There Are No Dumb Questions: Making the Most of Your Law School Experience
May 12 2023
There Are No Dumb Questions: Making the Most of Your Law School Experience
In the final episode of this season, Sydney Taylor, Niranjan Seshadri, Andrew Nettels, and Eric Tarosky come together to chat about their law school experiences, including favorite assignments, extracurriculars, and balancing a job and school. They also share tips on networking, taking chances, and asking questions, even if they may have "obvious" answers. Interested in applying to be a host on the next season of Let's Brief It? Learn more here! 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 organizations. Thank you to our Sponsor! The George Washington University Paralegal Studies Program: As Washington D.C.’s only academic-credit bearing paralegal studies program, the master’s degree in Paralegal Studies is more than a powerful credential: it’s a signal to the best employers that you withstood the academic rigor of one of the nation’s best paralegal programs. George Washington University’s Paralegal Studies program has met the approval of the American Bar Association for the excellence of its curriculum, faculty and administration, the only such program granted the designation in Washington, D.C. GW joins 260 programs nationally that have met the organization’s requirements. Visit https://www.cps.gwu.edu/paralegal-studies-master-professional-studies to learn more.
Old McDonald had a Lawsuit
Mar 24 2023
Old McDonald had a Lawsuit
Andrew and Sydney discuss the developing area of Animal law with Kelly Davis, a legal extern at ALDF, and Dean Kathy Hessler, assistant dean for animal legal education at George Washington Law and the director of the Animal Legal Education Initiative. To learn more or register for World Aquatic Animal Day on April 3 at the George Washington University Law School, click HERE.  As we will discuss in today’s episode – Animal law is a developing area of jurisprudence (both domestically and internationally). It is difficult to conceptualize the institutional barriers faced by those developing the field. How can we begin to reform a legal system that recognizes the personhood of multi-billion-dollar corporations while also treating chimpanzees capable of learning sign-language as property? 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 organizations. Thank you to our Sponsor! The George Washington University Paralegal Studies Program: As Washington D.C.’s only academic-credit bearing paralegal studies program, the master’s degree in Paralegal Studies is more than a powerful credential: it’s a signal to the best employers that you withstood the academic rigor of one of the nation’s best paralegal programs. George Washington University’s Paralegal Studies program has met the approval of the American Bar Association for the excellence of its curriculum, faculty and administration, the only such program granted the designation in Washington, D.C. GW joins 260 programs nationally that have met the organization’s requirements. Visit https://www.cps.gwu.edu/paralegal-studies-master-professional-studies to learn more.
Careers Combatting Corruption
Feb 24 2023
Careers Combatting Corruption
Andrew and Sydney are joined by Dean Jessica Tillipman from The George Washington University Law School to explore various career paths under the expansive umbrella of government ethics, procurement, contracting and anti-corruption. Last year, Dean Tillipman testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on conflicts of interest in a large corporation’s work for the FDA and opioid companies. She frequently organizes and presents at domestic and international government procurement and anti-corruption conferences and colloquia, and her legal commentary has been featured in numerous domestic and international media outlets. Regardless of if you are currently in Washington D.C. – or over 1,500 miles therefrom ---  If you are a law student interested in practice areas such as government ethics, contracting, and anti-corruption --- this episode is designed for you! 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 organizations. Thank you to our Sponsor! The George Washington University Paralegal Studies Program: As Washington D.C.’s only academic-credit bearing paralegal studies program, the master’s degree in Paralegal Studies is more than a powerful credential: it’s a signal to the best employers that you withstood the academic rigor of one of the nation’s best paralegal programs. George Washington University’s Paralegal Studies program has met the approval of the American Bar Association for the excellence of its curriculum, faculty and administration, the only such program granted the designation in Washington, D.C. GW joins 260 programs nationally that have met the organization’s requirements. Visit https://www.cps.gwu.edu/paralegal-studies-master-professional-studies to learn more.
Opportunities and Challenges of a Solo Legal Career
Jan 13 2023
Opportunities and Challenges of a Solo Legal Career
Running a solo legal practice is challenging. But the rewards are great. Shannon Taylor founded Taylor Law in 2017 after fifteen years of private and government practice to provide clients with superior yet attainable legal counsel with a personalized approach. Shannon shares her experiences as a solo attorney and helpful tips for law students and attorneys considering opening their independent law practice. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here. 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 organizations. Thank you to our Sponsor! The George Washington University Paralegal Studies Program: As Washington D.C.’s only academic-credit bearing paralegal studies program, the master’s degree in Paralegal Studies is more than a powerful credential: it’s a signal to the best employers that you withstood the academic rigor of one of the nation’s best paralegal programs. George Washington University’s Paralegal Studies program has met the approval of the American Bar Association for the excellence of its curriculum, faculty and administration, the only such program granted the designation in Washington, D.C. GW joins 260 programs nationally that have met the organization’s requirements. Visit https://www.cps.gwu.edu/paralegal-studies-master-professional-studies to learn more.
Filling the Justice Gap: Pro Bono At Large Firms
Dec 16 2022
Filling the Justice Gap: Pro Bono At Large Firms
Hosts Andrew Nettels and Sydney Taylor are joined by Kate Barry, Pro Bono director at the D.C. office of Kirkland Ellis, for a robust discussion about one of the country's largest providers of pro-bono legal counsel to those who need it most. If you're interested in pro-bono work but perhaps hesitant to join big-law, this episode will provide you with new insights into the important contributions that large firms, such as Kirkland & Ellis, are making to our society. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here. 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 organizations. Thank you to our Sponsor! The George Washington University Paralegal Studies Program: As Washington D.C.’s only academic-credit bearing paralegal studies program, the master’s degree in Paralegal Studies is more than a powerful credential: it’s a signal to the best employers that you withstood the academic rigor of one of the nation’s best paralegal programs. George Washington University’s Paralegal Studies program has met the approval of the American Bar Association for the excellence of its curriculum, faculty and administration, the only such program granted the designation in Washington, D.C. GW joins 260 programs nationally that have met the organization’s requirements. Visit https://www.cps.gwu.edu/paralegal-studies-master-professional-studies to learn more.
Understanding Policymaking
Dec 2 2022
Understanding Policymaking
Hosts Niranjan Seshadri and Eric Tarosky discuss the process and challenges in crafting public policies. They are joined by Professor Jeffrey Crowley, a health policy expert at the O’Neill Institute at the Georgetown University Law Center. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here. 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 organizations. Thank you to our Sponsor! The George Washington University Paralegal Studies Program: As Washington D.C.’s only academic-credit bearing paralegal studies program, the master’s degree in Paralegal Studies is more than a powerful credential: it’s a signal to the best employers that you withstood the academic rigor of one of the nation’s best paralegal programs. George Washington University’s Paralegal Studies program has met the approval of the American Bar Association for the excellence of its curriculum, faculty and administration, the only such program granted the designation in Washington, D.C. GW joins 260 programs nationally that have met the organization’s requirements. Visit https://www.cps.gwu.edu/paralegal-studies-master-professional-studies to learn more.
Napoleon Complex: The Civil Code in Modern Louisiana
Nov 18 2022
Napoleon Complex: The Civil Code in Modern Louisiana
Hosts Andrew Nettels and Sydney Taylor explore Louisiana’s unique legal structure and history under the Napoleonic Code. They are joined by Ryan Stoa Esq., professor of law at Southern University Law Center and author of Craft Weed: Family Farming and the Future of the Marijuana Industry (MIT Press, 2018) as well as numerous scholarly articles that address cannabis regulation and agricultural policy, natural resources management, and international development. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here. 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 organizations. Thank you to our Sponsor! The George Washington College of Professional Studies, Paralegal Studies Program: As Washington D.C.’s only academic-credit bearing paralegal studies program, the master’s degree in Paralegal Studies is more than a powerful credential: it’s a signal to the best employers that you withstood the academic rigor of one of the nation’s best paralegal programs. George Washington University’s Paralegal Studies program has met the approval of the American Bar Association for the excellence of its curriculum, faculty and administration, the only such program granted the designation in Washington, D.C. GW joins 260 programs nationally that have met the organization’s requirements. Visit https://www.cps.gwu.edu/paralegal-studies-master-professional-studies to learn more.
The Past, Present, and Future of D.C.’s Criminal Law
Nov 4 2022
The Past, Present, and Future of D.C.’s Criminal Law
D.C.’s criminal code has not been significantly reformed since its adoption by the federal Congress in 1901. In 2016, the D.C. City Council began the most comprehensive effort to date to bring the City’s criminal code into the 21st century when it established the Criminal Code Reform Commission. For the past six years, the Commission has endeavored to create a new criminal code for D.C. that is more in step with modern society and modern notions of what it means for a law to be fair and just. Hosts Eric Tarosky and Niranjan Seshadri, both law students at the Georgetown University Law Center, are joined by Patrice Sulton, Executive Director of DC Justice Lab and former senior attorney advisor to the Criminal Code Reform Commission, to talk about the past, present, and future of the District’s criminal law. To learn more about the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2021, visit https://revisedcode.org/.  UPDATE: On November 1, 2022, this bill unanimously passed an initial vote by the D.C. Council. In a few weeks, the council will hold a second and final vote on the bill which, if passed, will then head to Mayor Bowser's desk for her signature. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here. 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 organizations. Thank you to our Sponsor! The George Washington College of Professional Studies, Paralegal Studies Program: As Washington D.C.’s only academic-credit bearing paralegal studies program, the master’s degree in Paralegal Studies is more than a powerful credential: it’s a signal to the best employers that you withstood the academic rigor of one of the nation’s best paralegal programs. George Washington University’s Paralegal Studies program has met the approval of the American Bar Association for the excellence of its curriculum, faculty and administration, the only such program granted the designation in Washington, D.C. GW joins 260 programs nationally that have met the organization’s requirements. Visit https://www.cps.gwu.edu/paralegal-studies-master-professional-studies to learn more.
Neither a Borrower nor a Lender: A Glimpse at Student Loan Advocacy
Oct 21 2022
Neither a Borrower nor a Lender: A Glimpse at Student Loan Advocacy
Hosts Andrew Nettels and Sydney Taylor discuss predatory lending advocacy and the state of student loan forgiveness. They are joined by Courtney Weiner Esq. of the Law Office of Courtney Weiner, PLLC, who focuses on predatory lending and student loans among other concentrations. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here. 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 organizations. Thank you to our Sponsor! The George Washington College of Professional Studies, Paralegal Studies Program: As Washington D.C.’s only academic-credit bearing paralegal studies program, the master’s degree in Paralegal Studies is more than a powerful credential: it’s a signal to the best employers that you withstood the academic rigor of one of the nation’s best paralegal programs. George Washington University’s Paralegal Studies program has met the approval of the American Bar Association for the excellence of its curriculum, faculty and administration, the only such program granted the designation in Washington, D.C. GW joins 260 programs nationally that have met the organization’s requirements. Visit https://www.cps.gwu.edu/paralegal-studies-master-professional-studies to learn more.
Andy Warhol, Prince and Transformative Fair Use
Oct 7 2022
Andy Warhol, Prince and Transformative Fair Use
When does a work of art qualify for fair use? On October 12, 2022, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Andy Warhol Foundation, Inc. v. Goldsmith. Andy Warhol used celebrity photographer Lynn Goldsmith’s picture of Prince, taken in 1981, for his artwork. Did Andy Warhol violate Lynn Goldsmith’s copyright? Professor Kristelia Garcia Esq., an expert in copyright law, helps shed light on this question that could have far-reaching implications for art and copyright. This episode of “Let’s Brief It” is hosted by Niranjan Seshadri, and Eric Tarosky, both law students at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D.C. Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here. 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 organizations. Thank you to our Sponsor! The George Washington College of Professional Studies, Paralegal Studies Program: As Washington D.C.’s only academic-credit bearing paralegal studies program, the master’s degree in Paralegal Studies is more than a powerful credential: it’s a signal to the best employers that you withstood the academic rigor of one of the nation’s best paralegal programs. George Washington University’s Paralegal Studies program has met the approval of the American Bar Association for the excellence of its curriculum, faculty and administration, the only such program granted the designation in Washington, D.C. GW joins 260 programs nationally that have met the organization’s requirements. Visit https://www.cps.gwu.edu/paralegal-studies-master-professional-studies to learn more.