Cafecito with LALSA (Latin American Law Student Association) is a student run podcast where traditional and non-traditional law students come together to share their unique journeys through law school. Hear the voices of minority students as they discuss their challenges and triumphs, and listen to diverse perspectives on a wide range of topics. Tune in for a dynamic conversation that reflects the rich tapestry of the Widener Law Commonwealth student experience.
Watch the video version on WLC's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYaACpVlzQs.
Cafecito with LALSA Episode 7: This episode features Kimberly Diaz (LALSA President) introducing their guest speaker Professor Steven A. Ramirez from Loyola University Chicago who discusses "The Stakes of Election 2024 for Latino/a voters".
Find the audio version of the podcast on your favorite podcast app.
Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.
Music Credit: "Latin Groove" by Vogel Audio https://www.pond5.com/artist/vogelaudio
Cafecito with LALSA (Latin American Law Student Association) is a student run podcast where traditional and non-traditional law students come together to share their unique journeys through law school. Hear the voices of minority students as they discuss their challenges and triumphs, and listen to diverse perspectives on a wide range of topics. Tune in for a dynamic conversation that reflects the rich tapestry of the Widener Law Commonwealth student experience.
Watch the video version on WLC's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRVKVR_r-X4.
Timestamps:
00:30 Episode Start
00:46 Introductions
01:30 Year in Review and Law School Reflections
09:35 First Vacation Spot After the Bar Exam
10:10 Love in Harrisburg
12:28 Mental Health During Bar Prep
19:06 What's One Thing You'll Miss Most
22:38 Advice for Current and Future Law Students
32:07 Bar Coaches and General Classroom/Exam Experiences
38:30 What Type of Law Do You Want to Practice
42:42 Regrets
45:05 Would You Come Back to Visit in 10 Years
47:33 Student Org Leadership Transition Meetings
54:47 Favorite Class
59:19 Goodbye
59:40 How Would You Like to Be Remembered
Episode Transcript (PDF)
Cafecito with LALSA Episode 6: This episode features Giselle Barragan (LALSA President), Kevin Ezeuzoh (BLSA President) and Ashley Varughese (APALSA President). Tune in to hear about their experiences and struggles as Widener Law Commonwealth students.
Find the audio version of the podcast on your favorite podcast app.
Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.
Music Credit: "Latin Groove" by Vogel Audio https://www.pond5.com/artist/vogelaudio
Cafecito with LALSA (Latin American Law Student Association) is a student run podcast where traditional and non-traditional law students come together to share their unique journeys through law school. Hear the voices of minority students as they discuss their challenges and triumphs, and listen to diverse perspectives on a wide range of topics. Tune in for a dynamic conversation that reflects the rich tapestry of the Widener Law Commonwealth student experience.
Watch the video version on WLC's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMC_ZljFyTU.
Cafecito with LALSA Episode 5 featuring Law School Moms: This episode features Giselle Barragan (LALSA President) having a conversation with Gabrielle Spisak and Helene Hess. Tune in to hear about their experiences and struggles as Widener Law Commonwealth students who became first time moms during law school.
Timestamps
00:34 Episode Start
01:28 Experience Having a Baby in Law School
04:18 Stress Levels Being Pregnant During Law School
06:40 Cravings While Pregnant
07:59 Would You Change Anything
11:35 Kids' Activities
12:50 It Takes a Village
15:30 Motivation
16:30 Mental Health, Changing Identities, and Coping Strategies
30:04 Bar Exam
38:00 Social Media as Moms
41:00 No Regrets
43:00 Balancing Work and Family
47:57 Maternal Instincts
48:22 Advice for Other Law School Parents
50:36 Babies' Sleep Issues
52:48 More Advice
1:01:39 Shoutout to Don
1:02:35 Other Moms at Widener Law Commonwealth
Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.
Music Credit: "Latin Groove" by Vogel Audio https://www.pond5.com/artist/vogelaudio
Cafecito with LALSA (Latin American Law Student Association) is a student run podcast where traditional and non-traditional law students come together to share their unique journeys through law school. Hear the voices of minority students as they discuss their challenges and triumphs, and listen to diverse perspectives on a wide range of topics. Tune in for a dynamic conversation that reflects the rich tapestry of the Widener Law Commonwealth student experience.
Watch the video version on WLC's YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/57QoUWs0PDY
Timestamps
1:43 OUTLaw Overiew
6:17 LGBTQ+ Experiences at WLC
8:37 Reese's Backstory
16:11 Molly's Backstory
22:43 Pronouns Discussion
27:26 Mental Health in Law School
38:00 American Constitution Society
42:09 Controversial Topics Within the LGBTQ+ Community
1:05:45 Favorite Professors
Episode Transcript (PDF)
Cafecito with LALSA Episode 4 featuring OUTLaw: This episode features Giselle Barragan (LALSA President) and Tommy Begley (LALSA Treasurer) having a conversation with Reese Rosso (OUTLaw President) and Molly Sanders (OUTLaw Vice-President). Tune in to hear about their experiences and struggles as Widener Law Commonwealth students.
Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.
Music Credit: "Latin Groove" by Vogel Audio https://www.pond5.com/artist/vogelaudio
Cafecito with LALSA (Latin American Law Student Association) is a student run podcast where traditional and non-traditional law students come together to share their unique journeys through law school. Hear the voices of minority students as they discuss their challenges and triumphs, and listen to diverse perspectives on a wide range of topics. Tune in for a dynamic conversation that reflects the rich tapestry of the Widener Law Commonwealth student experience.
Watch the video version of this episode on WLC's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/4yYzlzPhBQw
Timestamps
0:00 Episode Teaser
0:33 Episode Start
1:25 APALSA Generally
7:32 Struggles as First Generation Law Students
10:32 Managing Stress and Mental Health Issues
17:25 Changes in How Older Generations View and Approach Mental Health Awareness
22:48 Why Law School and How Female Lawyers are Viewed by Certain People
29:33 What Type of Law Do You Want to Practice?
31:54 Internship Obstacles as a Person of Color
33:55 Lost in Translation: Language Quirks
37:00 Finding Your Community in Law School: Fears and Experiences
40:00 APALSA Events and its Future
Cafecito with LALSA Episode 3 featuring APALSA (Asian-Pacific American Law Student Association): This episode features Angelica Alonso (LALSA member) and Katrina Perea (LALSA member) having a conversation with Ashley Varughese (APALSA President) and Sneha Henry (APALSA Treasurer). Tune in to hear about their experiences and struggles as minority Widener Law Commonwealth students.
Audio Transcript (PDF)
Find the audio version of the podcast on your favorite podcast app.
Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.
Music Credit: "Latin Groove" by Vogel Audio https://www.pond5.com/artist/vogelaudio
Cafecito with LALSA (Latin American Law Student Association) is a student run podcast where traditional and non-traditional law students come together to share their unique journeys through law school. Hear the voices of minority students as they discuss their challenges and triumphs, and listen to diverse perspectives on a wide range of topics. Tune in for a dynamic conversation that reflects the rich tapestry of the Widener Law Commonwealth student experience.
Watch the video version of this episode on WLC's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/TUi4VDdnltw.
Timestamps
0:00 Episode Teaser
0:38 Episode Start
1:11 BLSA Generally
3:56 Mentorship and Struggles Finding a Community in Law School
10:18 Managing Mental Health
13:42 What Made You Come to Law School
16:22 Working from Home v Going to the Office
18:54 Topics Impacting the Black Community
26:44 Using Social Media In Law School
30:27 Bear Hunting
32:22 Video Games
36:09 Willie the Dog
37:06 Briefing a Case in Law School
39:12 Favorite Professors
41:52 What Doesn't Kill you Makes You Stronger Mentality
45:09 For 250K, would you become a 1L again?
48:28 Barbri Coach Kevin kcezeuzoh@widener.edu
49:21 "Final" Remarks
51:23 Halloween
54:57 Episode End
Cafecito with LALSA Episode 2: This episode features Giselle Barragan (LALSA President) and Tommy Begley (LALSA Treasurer) having a conversation with Kevin Ezeuzoh (BLSA President) and Richard Dixon (BLSA Social Media Rep). Tune in to hear about their experiences and struggles as black Widener Law Commonwealth students.
Audio Transcript (PDF)
Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.
Music Credit: "Latin Groove" by Vogel Audio
It's something law students know is in their future — the Bar. In this podcast, host Tara Mead checks in with Widener Law Commonwealth's Director of Bar Success Jamie Zadra and discusses the ways she helps students prepare for one of the most important exams of their career.
Episode Transcript (PDF)
Metioned in this Episode
Jamie Zadra's Contact Informatoin
717-541-3919
jlzadra@widener.edu
Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.
Music Credit: LeChuckz
Cafecito with LALSA (Latin American Law Student Association) is a student run podcast where traditional and non-traditional law students come together to share their unique journeys through law school. Hear the voices of minority students as they discuss their challenges and triumphs, and listen to diverse perspectives on a wide range of topics. Tune in for a dynamic conversation that reflects the rich tapestry of the Widener Law Commonwealth student experience.
Episode 1: This introduction episode features Giselle Barragan (LALSA President), Lilianel Mullenex (LALSA Vice President) and Tommy Begley (LALSA Treasurer). Tune in to hear about their experiences and struggles as first generation, Latin-American, Widener Commonwealth Law students.
Watch the video version of this episode on WLC's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/wgFYEs9THz0.
Timestamps
0:00 Episode Teaser
0:45 Episode Start
7:16 Learn about LALSA
14:50 First Generation Law Students
23:02 Mental Health in Law School
30:48 What's Coming Up
Audio Transcript (PDF)
Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.
Music Credit: "Latin Groove" by Vogel Audio
Externships are a great way for our law students to gain experience and make vital connections to help them navigate their future legal careers.
On this edition of our podcast, host Tara Mead talks with Air Force First Lt. Julia Harrelson, who discusses externship opportunities through the Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps, including what criteria must be met before applying, and the benefits of completing this type of externship while in law school.
Episode Transcript (PDF)
Metioned in this Episode
Air Force JAG Recruiting Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USAFJAG/
Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.
Music Credit: LeChuckz
Classroom learning is certainly important during law school, but having practical experience in the field is also vital. In this Widener Law Commonwealth podcast episode, host Tara Mead talks with two students, Kimberly Marrera and Emily LaGreca, who share their own externship and internship opportunities and how valuable they've been to them.
Episode Transcript (PDF)
Mentioned in this episode:
WLC Externships Webpage: https://commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/academics/practical-learning-opportunities/externships/
WLC Clinic Webpage: https://commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/academics/practical-learning-opportunities/civil-law-clinic/
Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.
Music Credit: LeChuckz
Widener Law Commonwealth prides itself on having nationally and internationally recognized experts in a variety of legal fields, including environmental law. In our latest podcast, host Tara Mead talks with Professor John Dernbach, director of the law school's Environmental Law and Sustainability Center about his work, including his role in the recent COP27 international conference, a new book, and his future plans as he looks toward retirement next year.
Episode Transcript (PDF)
Mentioned in this Episode:
Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.
Music Credit: LeChuckz
Widener Law Commonwealth's Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic offers students an opportunity to use and develop their legal skills to help people in need in our community. Podcast host Tara Mead talks with Professor Mary Catherine Scott, director of the clinic, on her work with the students, including their newest endeavor regarding legal issues impacting the elderly.
Episode Transcript (PDF)
Mentioned in this Episode:
Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic
717-541-0320
https://commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/academics/practical-learning-opportunities/civil-law-clinic/
Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging
https://www.dauphincounty.org/government/departments/area_agency_on_aging/services/legal.php
MidPenn Legal Services
https://www.midpenn.org/
YWCA Domestic Violence Legal Center
https://www.ywcahbg.org/programs/domestic-violence-legal-center
Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.
Music Credit: LeChuckz
While gaining legal knowledge is first and foremost the focus of law students, it's also vital students have the right strategies in place to help them gain employment when they graduate. In this podcast, host Tara Mead talks with Eden Mandrell, assistant dean of Widener Law Commonwealth's Career Development Office, who discusses her role in helping current students and alumni in their job search and beyond
Episode Transcript (PDF)
Music Credit: LeChuckz
Episode Transcript (PDF)
Music Credit: LeChuckz
Episode Transcript (PDF)
Mentioned in This Episode
Music Credit: LeChuckz
In this episode, host Tara Mead talks with Legal Methods professors Amanda Sholtis and Anna Hemingway on how they help first year students with the challenges of law school, notably in the areas of communication and analysis of the law.
Episode Transcript (PDF)
Music Credit: LeChuckz
Thank you for listening to the Widener Law Commonwealth podcast. We have been on hiatus since May. Although our subseries Things I Wish I Knew has concluded, we are delighted to welcome our new host Tara Mead.
Tara joined Widener Law Commonwealth this semester as the new marketing and communications manager. Her first episode will be released tomorrow and covers the struggles first year law students face and ideas about how to overcome them.
If you have any podcast episode suggestions, please email them to webcwlaw@widener.edu. We look forward to sharing new content with you soon.
One of the joys of being a Widener Law Commonwealth student is meeting alumni. Gabriella Romeo ’21, Student Bar Association President, interviewed alumna Niki Carter ’08. In-person restrictions did not keep them from a fun and engaging interview. Niki currently works at TE Connectivity, a company that designs and manufactures connectivity and sensors products for harsh environments. In her position at TE, Niki counsels the Aerospace, Defense & Marine business unit, and more specifically serves as North American regional commercial counsel for the Aerospace & Defense business and lead counsel for the Marine, Oil & Gas, business. Niki is an experienced business legal advisor, with extensive expertise with U.S. Government, Department of Defense contracts and acquisition regulations. As a trusted business advisor, Niki counsels internal clients on a variety of matters, including contract negotiation and interpretation, customer claims, risk and liability issues, and emerging issues in relevant regulatory frameworks. She also regularly evaluates government acquisition compliance, leading to the drafting and updating internal policies and procedures, and development and deployment of internal training programs. Although Niki currently practices in a traditional in-house role, her career path has taken many twists and turns. As a result, she advocates for and encourages law students to consider non-traditional legal-adjacent career paths. Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information. #lawschool #lawstudents #alumni #WidenerLawCW #WidenerPride
One of the joys of being a Widener Law Commonwealth student is meeting alumni. Gabriella Romeo ’21, Student Bar Association President, interviewed alumnus Steve Ryan ’07. In-person restrictions did not keep them from a fun and engaging interview. Steve, a Brooklyn, NY native turned Central Pennsylvanian, shared his legal journey beginning from his first days at Widener to his well-established career in Workers’ Compensation Law. Keeps your eyes out for a special appearance of Gabriella’s cat Mia and your ears open for Steve’s favorite Harrisburg Pizza joint.
Steve Ryan is an associate with Martin Law LLC who practices workers’ compensation law. The primary focus of his practice is on injured workers. He found a passion for this area of the law after observing the difficulties that many workers faced in the workers’ compensation system. In the Spring of 2015, Mr. Ryan became a certified specialist in Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation by the PA Bar Association’s Section on Workers’ Compensation Law as authorized by the PA Supreme Court.
Mr. Ryan is an active member of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice (PAJ), Dauphin County Bar Association, and the Pennsylvania Bar Association. He is an avid writer and has written on numerous topics from workers’ compensation in newspapers to fictional short stories.
Mr. Ryan received his law degree from Widener University School of Law in 2007. He received his undergraduate degree in English from Brooklyn College in 2002. During law school, he was a Senior Staff Member of the Widener Law Journal and highly involved in the Intensive Trial Advocacy Program (ITAP).
Widener University Commonwealth Law School is the Pennsylvania capital’s only law school, with three specialized centers of legal scholarship through its Law & Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, and Business Advising Program. Widener Law Commonwealth offers an exceptional learning experience that is personal, practical, and professional. Visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu for more information.
You can also view the interview on our YouTube Channel.
#lawschool #lawstudents #alumni #WidenerLawCW #WidenerPride #WidenerInsideTrack
Music Credit: LeChuckz
Welcome to the seventh episode of Things I Wish I Knew (a subseries of the Widener Law Commonwealth Podcast) hosted by students Jonathan Nace along with cohosts Connor Behrend and Mark Uriarte.
In this episode, the three hosts discuss what life has been like for them since the school transitioned to online learning in March 2020.
Things I Wish I Knew podcast subseries is about learning from your mistakes and progressing in your law school careers. The hosts and guests will be having candid discussions about many topics including anxiety, test taking strategies, technical difficulties, and much more.
Subscribe to the Widener Law Commonwealth Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and other third-party podcast players so you don't miss an episode. We hope you enjoy hearing about law school from the people who know best - law students. For more information about the Widener Law Commonwealth Podcast, visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/podcast.
Music: Bob Birthisel (Pond5)
Welcome to episode six of Widener Wordsmith, a subseries of the Widener Law Commonwealth Podcast.
In this episode, Widener Wordsmith host and Adjunct Professor Pam DeMartino sits down with Associate Professor of Legal Methods David Raeker-Jordan to discuss how and why 1L students should construct the counterargument portion of their brief.
Music by runfirestop (Pond5)
Welcome to episode five of Widener Wordsmith, a subseries of the Widener Law Commonwealth Podcast.
In this episode, Widener Wordsmith host and Adjunct Professor Pam DeMartino sits down with two Widener Law Commonwealth students who have published articles. They discuss the benefits to students who choose to pursue having something published.
Appellate Advocacy Blog:
https://lawprofessors.typepad.
Music by runfirestop (Pond5)
Welcome to episode four of Widener Wordsmith, a subseries of the Widener Law Commonwealth Podcast.
In this episode, Widener Wordsmith host and Adjunct Professor Pam DeMartino sits down with Director of Academic Success Professor Amanda Sholtis. The two discuss the legal writing process.
Read the transcript from this episode. (PDF)
Music by runfirestop (Pond5)
Welcome to episode three of Widener Wordsmith, a subseries of the Widener Law Commonwealth Podcast.
In this episode, Widener Wordsmith host and Adjunct Professor Pam DeMartino sits down with Director of Legal Methods Professor Anna Hemingway. The two review what 1L students should have learned in Legal Methods I and what they can expect to learn in Legal Methods II.
Read the transcript for this episode. (PDF)
Music by runfirestop (Pond5)
Welcome to the fourth episode of Things I Wish I Knew (a subseries of the Widener Law Commonwealth Podcast) hosted by students Jonathan Nace along with cohosts Connor Behrend and Mark Uriarte. In this episode, host Jonathan interviews Rebecca Ross, director of student accessibility services at Widener University, and Molly Acri, Assistant Dean of Administration and Registrar at Widener Law Commonwealth. They discuss the process of requesting academic accommodations. All three cohosts discuss their opinions on brief writing in the 5 minutes of unsolicited advice segment.
Things I Wish I Knew podcast subseries is about learning from your mistakes and progressing in your law school careers. The hosts and guests will be having candid discussions about many topics including anxiety, test taking strategies, technical difficulties, and much more.
Subscribe to the Widener Law Commonwealth Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and other third-party podcast players so you don't miss an episode. We hope you enjoy hearing about law school from the people who know best - law students. For more information about the Widener Law Commonwealth Podcast, visit commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/podcast.
Music: Bob Birthisel (Pond5)