Have you gone through the LSAT prep process, taken the test, and gone through the stressful rodeo of applying to law school? Already accepted and counting down the days? Up your legal knowledge and get in the right frame of mind before hitting campus with these ten legal podcasts:
10. Practicing While Black
Black lawyers are underrepresented in their field. This podcast features interviews with black attorneys in an attempt to increase representation—one story at a time. Black law students and professionals can gain insight from other black attorneys to succeed in their careers. In contrast, non-black listeners can gain insight into the experience of their black classmates and colleagues.
Recent episodes have included a conversation with attorney Rosezena Pierce about her evolution from cosmetologist to beauty industry lawyer, an interview with attorney Johnnie Finch on keys to success for aspiring black lawyers, and a discussion on what Black Panther can teach lawyers.
9. Make No Law: The First Amendment Podcast
In this monthly podcast from the Legal Talk Network, host Ken White explores First Amendment cases, from the originals of the phrase “You can’t yell ‘fire’ in a crowded theatre” to an Asian band’s attempt to trademark a racial slur as their band name and its implications for free speech. In a world where we’ve never had more mediums to express ourselves, free speech is more complicated than our Founding Fathers could have imagined. Listen via the podcast’s website or iTunes.
8. Court Junkie
This true-crime podcast examines often-gruesome criminal cases from crime to the courthouse. Hosted by Jillian Pandav, episodes feature interviews with the principals in each case, relevant recordings or transcripts, and discussion. Most episodes cover murder trials and have recently included the Charleston Church shooter Dylan Roof, the Michelle Carter suicide case, and Ohio’s youngest death row inmate Austin Meyers. Listen via the podcast’s website or iTunes.
7. Modern Law Library
Join host Lee Rawles as she interviews the authors of recently published legal books. Recent episodes of this Legal Talk Network podcast have featured interviews with the authors of To End a Presidency: The Power of Impeachment, Enhancing Justice: Reducing Bias and Beyond Abortion. Listen to the podcast to get ideas for your next book and beef up your understanding of legal issues past and present. Listen via the podcast’s website or iTunes.
6. More Perfect
A spinoff of the popular program Radiolab, More Perfect is hosted by Jad Abumrad and explores the ins and outs of the Supreme Court’s rulings past and present. Episodes have looked at the meaning of “cruel and unusual” punishment, the court’s decision on Citizens United v. FEC, and mansplaining on the Supreme Court. Listen via the podcast’s website or iTunes.
5. The Happy Lawyer Project
In this podcast, host and lawyer Okeoma Moronu interviews lawyers who are happy, balanced individuals to provide listeners with a roadmap to their happiness as lawyers. The podcast is great for future and new lawyers looking for inspiration, advice, and strategies to use their law degrees to promote their personal and professional fulfillment. For example, recent episodes have addressed strategies to use LinkedIn without annoying people, steps to become an essential Associate, and how to find your signature style in the workplace. Listen via the podcast’s website or iTunes.
4. you are Weekly Constitutional
This podcast produced by James Madison’s Montpelier and WETS-FM is a weekly series covering current events and historical topics. Hosted by law professor Stewart Harris, the show features interviews with many lawyers and scholars and the fun Constitutional Quiz segment, which tests listeners’ knowledge of our nation’s founding document. Past episodes have approached topics such as presidential power, police stops, and traffic cameras from a Constitutional point of view. Listen via the podcast’s website or iTunes.
3. Bloomberg Law
In this podcast from Bloomberg, hosts June Grasso, Michael Best, and Greg Stohr interview attorneys and legal experts about the legal issues in the news. Recent episodes have covered the Mueller investigation, the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, and changes to the census. Listen via their website or on iTunes.
2. Lawyer 2 Lawyer
Lawyers Bob Ambrogi and J. Craig Williams discuss their often-opposing views on current legal issues and rulings, inviting expert guests to join their discussions. Williams is a defence attorney and partner at Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold LLP, specializing in civil and business criminal cases that often involve environmental issues. Ambrogi runs his law firm in Massachusetts, where he represents clients in cases that usually include media and technology. Since 2005, the podcast has been produced on the air by the Legal Talk Network. Listen via their website or iTunes.
1. The Legal Geeks
Attorneys Jessica Pederson and Joshua Gilliland take viewers on a legal tour of comic books, superhero movies, and sci-fi shows, discussing Star Wars and Marvel Universe from a legal point of view. From data security issues in Rogue One to civil rights in X-Men, these lawyers make watching your favourite movies a lawful exercise. Recent episodes have included: “Supergirl in the Phantom Zone of Due Process,” “Doctor Strange and the Hippocratic Oath,” and “Monkeying Around with Military Law and King Kong.” Catch the Legal Geeks at various Comic Cons, or listen on their website or iTunes.
Laura B and Jeremiah B have contributed to this article.
