Brothers in Law Podcast

On this episode, Imani interviews Adem Bunkeddeko who is running for New York State Comptroller. He breaks down in simple terms the role of the comptroller and explains why it is important. Adem shares his story and discusses what led him to pursue a career in politics. Adem explains how he believes that solving the housing crisis is integral to bettering the economy. He talks about how his family immigrated to Queens as Ugandan refugees who fled the country’s civil war. Imani and Adem talk about what voters should look for when determine who they want to vote for. Adems shares his vision for New York in the event he was elected as comptroller. Hopefully, after listening to this episode, you will have better insight into who Adem is, and be more informed about the role of a state comptroller.

On this live episode, Conrad, Imani, and Eli are joined by Mayoral Zohran Mamdani for a town hall in Harlem. Zohran is a New York State Assemblymember and democratic socialist running for Mayor. He shares his experience as an immigrant born in Uganda and raised in New York City. He talks about how he has fought for the working class in and outside the legislature. Zohran explains how the cost of living is crushing working people but he believes that the government can lower costs and make life easier in our city. He promises that he’ll use every tool available to bring down the rent, create world class public transit, and make it easier to raise a family. This live episode was a moderated conversation between Zohran and the community he wants to lead. They had an unfiltered conversation about what it means to run New York City. Zohran shared his values and his vision for the city. They touched on the difficult topics like how communities of color are distrusting of local government, how to rethink what safety looks like, and much more. Hopefully, after this episode you will be encouraged to engage in local elections, interested in learning more about the 2025 New York City mayoral candidates, and empowered to use your voice.

On this episode, Conrad and Imani are joined by Professor Steven Zeidman. Steven Zeidman is a Professor at CUNY School of Law and Director of their Criminal Defense Clinic. In this episode, Professor Zeidman shares his story from working as a public defender to pursuing his work seeking clemency. He explains that clemency is the process of a governor or other executive officer reducing or pardoning the punishment of someone convicted of a crime.. He describes it as an act of mercy, which is something the American legal system seems to lack entirely. Professor Zeidman acknowledges that there are many factors that contribute to the United States incarceration problem, which includes racism, capitalism, the war on drugs, the government's campaign to “get tough on crime”. However, he adds that what may be more salient is that the United States is uniquely overly punitive that any other country in the world. Hopefully after this episode, you will have a better understanding of the importance of clemency and how it can be used as a tool to combat mass incarceration.

On this episode, Conrad and Imani are joined by Hawk Newsome. Hawk is an activist in pursuit of Black liberation. Haw is a Bronx Native and has dedicated his life to fighting on behalf of vulnerable and marginalized communities. Hawk is a co-founder of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York alongside his sister Chivona Newsome. Hawk believes in empowering people to know more about the law than the police. Initially, Hawk planned on becoming a lawyer, but following the killing of Trayvon Martin, he chose a different path. In this episode, Hawk shares his story. They discuss the power of the media to convey the harms plaguing the Black community. They reflect on the numerous lives lost due to police brutality. Hopefully, after this episode you will understand the reasoning and passion behind those of us who dedicate our lives fighting for Black liberation.

On this episode, Conrad and Imani are joined by their fellow Brother In Law Phillip Hamilton. Phil is a Managing Partner at Hamilton Clarke, LLP and Adjunct Professor at Cardozo School of Law. He is an experienced trial attorney and litigator whose practice includes a broad range of high-stakes civil and criminal matters throughout the nation’s state and federal courts. Phil tells his story of how his childhood led him to starting his career as a public defender at the Bronx Defenders, and he shares the reasons why he left to start his own firm. Phil encourages Imani and Conrad to believe that their abilities and expertise can take them places. They talk about how many Black male lawyers navigate imposter syndrome and feeling unworthy or unqualified to be in certain spaces. Hopefully, after this episode you will leave understanding the experiences and considerations that many Black lawyers are faced with when pursuing careers.

On this episode, Conrad and Imani are joined by Jeffrey. In 1990, at the age of 17, he was wrongfully convicted of raping, beating, and strangling his high school classmate. Jeffrey made a false confession that was immediately withdrawn, but became the basis for his conviction. He served 16 years, some in an adult "super max" as a minor, while maintaining his innocence. He requested post-conviction DNA testing, but the DA's office who refused to accept his request. In 2006, crime scene DNA testing led to proving that he was innocent, and the led to the man who was actually responsible for the murder. In 2014. Jeffrey won a federal civil suit against the county for wrongful imprisonment. He went on to become an attorney and an advocate for reform of the criminal justice system. He educates the public through public speaking, published articles, and the Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation for Justice, which he established. Hopefully after this episode, you will have a better understanding of just how flawed our criminal legal system is, particularly with respect to how police routinely coerce false confessions.

On this episode, Conrad and Imani talk about the law of police encounters as it pertains to New York. Are the police allowed to approach you and ask for your ID? Are the police allowed to ask you for your name, where are you going, and where are you coming from? What happens if the police violate your rights? What should you do if the police engage with you in an unlawful manner? The answers to those questions are complicated and nuanced. Imani and Conrad provide surface level answers and guidance to these circumstances. The information provided in this episode is not legal advice. Rather, it’s an introduction to some of the laws that address police conduct. Hopefully after this episode, you will have a better understanding of what the police are allowed to do, how you should respond, and how it plays out in court.

In this episode, Imani and Conrad are joined by their fellow Sister in Law, Janae. Janae works as a supervising attorney in the Family Defense Practice. They discuss some of the collateral consequences as it pertains to your family that arise when someone is arrested. Janae explains how certain arrests can trigger the involvement of child protective services. She also shares how an arrest can result in family court proceedings that can lead to losing custody of your child. Hopefully, after this episode you will know a little more about how your family can be affected by an arrest.

In this episode, Imani and Conrad are joined by their fellow Brothers in Law, Tyriek and Jamaal. They discuss the stereotypes of public defenders and share the ways in which they are sometimes valid and other times unwarranted. They talk about their experiences with racism and discrimination as Black male public defenders. Hopefully, after this episode you will better understand some of the challenges and rewards of this work.

In this episode, Imani and Conrad are joined by their fellow Sister in Law, Porsha. Porsha works as a supervising attorney in the Criminal Defense Practice. They discuss the value and importance of Black and Brown people participating in jury duty. Porsha explains what “Jury Nullification” is and shares how it should be used as a tool for abolishing the prison industrial complex. Porsha breaks down the difference between accountability and punishment as it pertains to our criminal legal system. Hopefully, after this episode you will be empowered to be on a jury and nullify the law. In other words…FREE THEM ALL!

In this episode, Imani and Conrad are joined by their fellow Sisters in Law, Gina and Falon. They discuss the challenges that black women face as public defenders. Gina explains the importance of impact litigation. Falon talks about her work in the early defense practice. They explore some of the ins and outs of being arrested and encourage people to be aware of some of the tactics police use. Hopefully, after this episode you will know a little more about the Black woman experience when it pertains to being a public defender and will have a deeper understanding of what to look out for if you are ever arrested.

In this episode, Imani and Conrad discuss orders of protection. They break down the different modifications of orders of protection which include: limited orders of protection, orders of protections subject to incidental contact, and full orders of protection. They briefly explain what a Crawford Hearing is, which is an opportunity to have a judge change or remove an order of protection. Hopefully, after this episode you will be a little more knowledgeable about orders of protection and if you ever encounter one, you will have the language necessary to understand it fully.