ABA Law Student Podcast

In this season-finale episode of the ABA Law Student Podcast, hosts Todd Berger, Eve Albert, and Nayeli Diaz pull back the curtain on municipal law with Dave Eberle, a municipal law attorney and partner at Bloom Sluggett, PC in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dave breaks down what it truly means to represent public entities and cities, explaining why local government practice is a dynamic cross-section of corporate transactions, property law, and intense local politics.The conversation explores how to navigate the modern crisis of low institutional trust, the ongoing battle for local control against state interference, and why AI can never replace the personal, human touch required to advise elected officials through legal gray areas. Dave outlines the perfect recipe for thriving in this sector—being hungry, humble, and smart—while sharing invaluable advice on utilizing internships, clerkships, and authentic networking to build a lasting career. Whether you are a 1L researching summer coursework or a recent graduate studying for the bar, this episode offers an inspiring look at how the law can directly shape your own neighborhood.Note: This episode marks a special milestone as the team bids a fond farewell to co-host Nayeli Diaz following her recent law school graduation. Interested in becoming the next co-host of the podcast? Click here to apply!Click here to view the episode transcript. (00:00) - – Intro: Law Student Careers and Bar Exam Reality (03:19) - – What is Municipal Law? Public Service for Local Communities (06:44) - – Public vs. Private Corporations: Understanding the Municipal Lens (09:43) - – Client Communication: Strategic Advocacy and the Limits of AI (13:52) - – Workspace Qualities: Becoming a Hungry, Humble, and Smart Attorney (18:18) - – Gaining Trial Experience through Internships and Judicial Clerkships (23:03) - – Modern Challenges: Building Institutional Trust and Local Control (27:46) - – Essential Law School Coursework for Public Sector Law (33:43) - – Host Debrief: Exploring the Versatility of Local Government Law (40:58) - – Long-Term Marketability, Job Hunting for 3Ls, and Host Auditions

Professor Joshua McDaniel is the director of Harvard’s Religious Freedom Clinic, where he and his students provide pro bono representation to members of minority faiths and vulnerable communities in the fight against discrimination and the defense of their constitutional and statutory rights. Professor McDaniel joins the Law Student Podcast team to discuss civil rights litigation, the value law students can derive from participating in clinics and pro bono work, and why civil litigation is a path each law student should consider. Hear what lawyers are doing today in this ever important segment of the law and how you can get involved in the fight for equality and justice.Click here to view the episode transcript. (00:00) - Why Civil Rights Litigation Matters to Law Students (01:57) - Introducing our Guest, Professor Joshua McDaniel (04:32) - What is Civil Rights Litigation (06:21) - Procedural Nuances in Civil Rights Litigation (08:16) - Section 1983 Explained (09:13) - Case Examples and Client Stories (11:37) - How to Develop Litigation Instincts Through Practical Experience (13:34) - Why It’s Important for Law Students to Consider Becoming Civil Rights Litigators (16:32) - The Emotional and Professional Challenges of the Field (18:05) - How to Stay Grounded and Balanced (19:37) - Advice for Aspiring Civil Rights Litigators (22:01) - What Life Looks Like for an Early Career Civil Rights Litigator (24:21) - The Importance of Mentorship (25:09) - Encouragement for Law Students (26:47) - Host Discussion

Every day, each of us produce more data that ends up in the hands of third parties: browsing data, shopping data, stored images, writings, and communications. And each of us expects a certain degree of privacy and protections. But when that data can play a critical role in criminal justice, our regulations have struggled to balance the need for personal privacy while also serving the fair and equal pursuit of justice.Join us as we explore the intersection of data privacy, evidence law, and criminal defense with Professor Rebecca Wexler. Discover the challenges of accessing digital evidence, the evolving legal landscape, and the potential wide-ranging impacts of Snap v. Pina on data privacy laws. And learn how you, as a law student, can play a role in redefining how our laws manage data in the future.Additional Resources:Snap v. PinaCourt of Appeal DecisionDocket(00:00) - Introduction (04:00) - Why Every Lawyer Needs to Understand Data Privacy (06:24) - How The Law Has Adapted to Digital Evidence (08:54) - Unequal Access to Digital Data in Criminal Cases (12:50) - Understanding Snap v Pina (18:36) - The Intersection of Intellectual Property and Data Privacy (22:47) - How Law Students Can Impact the Law (26:43) - Host Discussion Click here to view the episode transcript.

As technology continues to impact our personal and professional lives in new and often exciting ways, the law plays a vital role in ensuring a proper balance between advancement and societal protection. As litigators, advocates, and even possibly legislators, law students are preparing to be in a position to help define the role technology plays in our society. Franklin Pierce School of Law Professor Daniel Pi joins host Manny Fernandez to discuss the intersection of law and technology and how law students can be ready to play their part in influencing our tech future.(00:00) - Opening (01:27) - Introduction of Topic and Guest (04:28) - The Role of Lawyers In Regulating Tech (06:29) - The Law as Creator of Incentives for Tech Innovation (07:58) - The Historical Influence of Lawyers Over Tech Innovation (10:49) - Finding the Balance Between Innovation and the Greater Good (12:45) - The Modern Challenges Of Keeping Pace with Tech (14:44) - Cryptocurrency Today Compared to the Internet of the Early 90s (16:24) - Autonomous Vehicles: Innovation vs Public Safety (21:01) - How Law Students can Prepare to Engage in the Law and Technology Intersection (24:36) - Reflections and Takeaways by the Hosts Click here to view the episode transcript.

Harvard Law Professor Nicholas Stephanopoulos, a leading authority on gerrymandering and election law, explores the pivotal role that legal professionals play in safeguarding our democratic processes. Professor Stephanopoulos shares his insights on the current state of election law, the impact of recent Supreme Court decisions, and the ongoing challenges in campaign finance. By the end of the episode, you’ll understand why every election is crucial and how the legal community can uphold the integrity of our democracy.(00:00) - Introduction (00:56) - Introducing Prof. Nicholas Stephanopoulos (01:53) - Why Election Law is So Important (07:51) - How We Can Deal With Partisan Gerrymandering (13:00) - Insights Into The Upcoming Election (15:00) - Host Takeaways From Part 1 (19:59) - Recent Developments in Election Law (23:53) - Campaign Finance is Broken: How Do We Fix It? (26:34) - How Election Law Intersects Areas of the Law (31:54) - Hosts Takeaways From Part 2 + Final Thoughts Click here to view the episode transcript.

School’s out for the summer, and the ABA Law Student podcast is wrapping up for the season. Faculty host Todd Berger and student hosts Leah Haberman and Chay Rodriguez get together one last time to reflect on this year’s podcast and discuss the many possibilities that await both law students and recent graduates during the summer season. They discuss future plans, summer internships and classes, bar prep, employment opportunities, and much more. Stay cool, kids! We’ll be back before you know it. Subscribe to this podcast so you won’t miss a beat when we return this fall.

Many young law students begin their studies with high hopes of generating change by becoming a lawyer and advocate, but what does this lofty dream look like in the real world? Leah Haberman talks with Professor Dorothy Roberts about her career as a lawyer, professor, author, and activist. Professor Roberts shares how her unique skills led her to leverage her curiosity and passions to become an expert on racial interconnections and tensions in many legal issues, particularly those involving reproductive injustices and child welfare. She shares many tips for law students on how to bring focus to their strengths and interests, embrace collaboration, and make small but meaningful changes in the world; one day at a time. Dorothy Roberts is the 14th Penn Integrates Knowledge Professor, the George A. Weiss University Professor of Law & Sociology, and the Raymond Pace & Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Professor of Civil Rights at University of Pennsylvania.

Becoming a specialist in a niche area of the law is often touted as the most effective path for attorneys, but there’s definitely much to be said for having a more dynamic approach to your future legal career. As an attorney, you may end up with a client whose needs stretch across multiple areas of the law, and being willing to learn and develop new areas of expertise are essential in those situations. Leah Haberman interviews Michael Quinn about his experiences representing clients in the fight against the Sackler Family and Purdue Pharma—which both bore heavy responsibility for the opioid crisis. Michael, an arts lawyer, discusses his involvement in this highly publicized case and how his flexible approach to his own legal practice led him to navigate multiple areas of the law to fight for his clients. Michael Quinn is a partner at Eisenberg & Baum, LLP, where he heads the firm’s Arts & Culture Practice Group.