Northwestern Undergraduate Law Journal Speaker Series
In the Summer of 2020, the NULJ staff started an interview series initiative to engage with legal experts across the county. Our staff members discuss the legal ramifications and constitutional dilemmas surrounding contemporary issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the George Floyd protests, and U.S. immigrant detainment. Tune in, share, and subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Click the picture below to access the podcast.
Season 1
Episode 01: Constitutional LAW with Timothy Zick
by Jamie Miller
In this episode, we speak to Professor Timothy Zick. Professor Zick is an expert in constitutional law with a specialization in the first amendment. He is also a professor of Government and Citizenship at William & Mary Law School. We discuss the first amendment as it applies to protests, the internet, and hate speech.
Episode 02: China Policy with Samuel Ide
By Grace Gay
In the episode, we speak with Samuel Ide, a Director in the China Practice at the Albright Stonebridge Group. We discuss how China's recent Hong Kong legislation and relations with the United States impact businesses practicing in Asia and how COVID-19 has changed approaches to international affairs.
Episode 03: Immigration Law with Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia
By Kelly Miller and Jamie Miller
In this episode, we speak about immigration law with Professor Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, a Samuel Weiss Faculty Scholar, Clinical Professor of Law, and Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Penn State Law in University Park. We discuss the recent Supreme Court cases surrounding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and expedited removal. We also examine the role of prosecutorial discretion in immigration policy and how it has changed during the Trump administration.
Episode 04: Criminal Justice with Paul Prestia
By Jamie Miller
In this episode, we speak to Paul Prestia. Mr. Prestia is a civil rights and criminal defense attorney from New York. He is most recognized for his work in exposing the shortcomings of the criminal justice system and Rikers Island jail during his representation of Kalief Browder. We discuss Kalief's story, the Black Lives Matter protests, and the rights of defendants in the United States justice system.
Episode 05: Wrongful Convictions with Andrea Lewis
By Jamie Miller and Josh Jacobs
In this episode, we speak to attorney Andrea Lewis. Andrea Lewis is a a Clinical Assistant Professor of Law and permanent staff member at the Northwestern Center on Wrongful Convictions. In this episode, we discuss the causes of wrongful conviction, the effects on exonerated people, and a few of the reforms needed to repair the system.
Episode 06: Law and Justice and the Polish Judiciary
By Kelly Miller and Jamie Miller
In this episode, we speak with Konstanty Gebert, an international reporter and columnist for Gazeta Wyborcza. We discuss the Law and Justice Party (PiS) in Poland and changes they have made to the judicial system. We also speak about the influence of the media, the European Union, and the church on PiS policy and public opinion.
Episode 07: Presidential Power with Saikrishna Prakash
By Jamie Miller
In this episode, we speak with Professor Saikrishna Prakash, a James Monroe Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Virginia Law School. He is the author of Imperial from the Beginning: the Constitution of the Original Executive and The Living Presidency: an Originalist Argument Against its Ever-Expanding Powers. Here is the link to check out The Living Presidency on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Presidency-Originalist-Argument-Ever-Expanding/dp/0674987985/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GY24VAXTBHX5&dchild=1&keywords=the+living+presidency&qid=1598458551&sprefix=the+living+%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1.
Episode 08: Press and the Law with Joe Mathewson
By Kirsten Huh
In this episode, we speak with Professor Joe Mathewson from Northwestern University about press freedom and the relationship between the Supreme Court and the press. Professor Mathewson is a former Supreme Court correspondent for The Wall Street Journal and a lawyer in Chicago. He is also the author of several books including, “The Supreme Court and the Press: The Indispensable Conflict” and “Up Against Daley”.
Episode 09: The 2020 Election with Richard Pildes
By Jamie Miller
In this episode, we speak with NYU Law School Sudler Family Professor of Constitutional Law, Richard Pildes. We discuss the relationship between the courts and election law, mail-in-voting, and the importance of voting in person. We also speak about the importance for young people to be poll workers. If you are interested in becoming a poll worker, check out the American Bar Organization's website: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/election_law/poll-worker-esq/
Episode 10: Incarceration with Margo Schlanger
By Jamie Miller
In this episode, we speak with Professor Margo Schlanger, the Wade H. and Dores M. McCree Collegiate Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School. She is the lead author of a leading casebook, Incarceration and the Law (2020), which can be found at Incarcerationlaw.com. In the episode, we discuss prisoners rights in the time of COVID and Professor Schlanger's recent article in the Northwestern University Law Review (https://northwesternlawreview.org/issues/incrementalist-vs-maximalist-reform-solitary-confinement-case-studies/).
Episode 11: Disaster Law with Kathleen BergIn
By Jamie Miller
In this episode, we speak with Kathleen Bergin, an Adjunct Professor of Law at Cornell Law School. We discuss the role of international organizations in Disaster Law advocacy, legal resilience measures, and the role of FEMA In disaster recovery.
Episode 12: The Criminal Justice System with Joseph Margulies
By Jamie Miller
In this episode, we speak with Professor Joseph Margulies, a Professor of Law and Government at Cornell University. We discuss Breonna Taylor's case and possible reforms to the criminal justice system.
Episode 13: The Second Amendment with Joseph Blocher
By Sally Hong and Jamie Miller
In this episode, we speak with Professor Joseph Blocher, the Lanty L. Smith ’67 Professor of Law at Duke Law School and Co-Director of the Duke Center for Firearms Law. We discuss the history of the Second Amendment and the implications of Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court appointment on future Second Amendment cases. We also speak about questions regarding the interpretation of the Constitution.
Episode 14: the future of the Supreme Court with Geoffrey Stone
By Kirsten Huh and Jamie Miller
In this episode, we speak with Professor Geoffrey R. Stone, the Edward H. Levi Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago Law School. We discuss the politicalization of the judiciary, Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination, and the future of the Supreme Court.
Note: This podcast was recorded prior to the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett on 10/26/2020
Episode 15: The Importance of Public Service with Louis Rulli
By Jamie Miller
In this episode, we speak with Professor Louis Rulli. the Director of the Civil Practice and Legislative Clinics at the University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law. Professor Rulli is only the second person to receive the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to an individual who has demonstrated substantial leadership in the creation and continuation of pro bono programs. During our conversation, we discussed Professor Rulli's views on public service, how law clinics operate, and structural changes needed in the legal system.
Episode 16: Incitement to Insurrection with Kermit Roosevelt
By Jamie Miller
In this episode, we speak with Professor Kermit Roosevelt of the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. We discuss the ins and outs of the impeachment process and how it differs from a criminal process.
Episode 17: Life as a Lawyer with Jeffrey Miller
By Jamie Miller
In this episode, we speak with the Chairman of the Litigation Department of Westerman Ball Ederer Miller Zucker and Sharfstein, LLP, Jeffrey Miller, about his career. We discuss the path to becoming a lawyer, what makes you hirable in a legal career, and how to explore your interest in the law as an undergraduate.
Episode 18: Climate Change and the Law with Alexandra (Xander) Meise
By Dheven Unni and Jamie Miller
In this episode, we speak with Xander Meise, Senior Fellow at the Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law at University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, Political Partner of the Truman National Security Project, and Adjust Professor at Georgetown University Law Center. We discuss the future of climate policy in the U.S. and abroad and explore the best possible methods of negotiating international climate agreements, ethical government actions, and potential pitfalls awaiting current efforts.
Episode 19: Law School and beyond with Kori Cooper and Marta Ricardo
By Allison Rhee and Jamie Miller
In this episode, we speak with Columbia 3L and former Northwestern wildcat, Kori Cooper, and Dean of the Office of Career Services at Columbia Law. We discuss the law school application process, how to excel in law school, and the career search for New York firms.
Episode 20: Transforming Juvenile Justice with Jane Spinak
By Hannah Cheves and Jamie Miller
In this episode, we speak with Columbia Law School Professor Jane Spinak, who specializes in juvenile justice and child advocacy. We discuss her thoughts on family court and the juvenile justice system, as well as advice on applying to law school, career paths in family law, and more!
Season 2
Episode 1: Professor kang — voting rights in politics
by haley lawson and kaden evans-shaw
In this episode, we speak with Professor Michael S. Kang of Northwestern Pritzker School of Law on voting rights, redistricting, and judicial elections. We discuss election law, voting restrictions and the role of media in the upcoming 2022 and 2024 elections, campaign finance, and Professor Kang’s next research project.
episode 2: Professor Paul a. gowder
by john perales Jr. and kaden evans-shaw
In this episode, we speak with Professor Paul A. Gowder of Northwestern Pritzker School of Law on his recently released book, The Rule of Law in the United States: An Unfinished Project of Black Liberation. We discuss how power affects politics and law, critical race theory, how the government is constrained by its own laws, and his next book in 2022 on platform governance of social media.
Episode 3: Professor Curtis A. Bradley
by maia smith and sally kim
In this episode, we speak with Professor Curtis A. Bradley, a law professor at the University of Chicago. Professor Bradley speaks on his time working in the Washington, D.C. law world, specializing in foreign law. We discuss the American Journal of International Law, the importance of diplomacy, and break down some international law conflicts we are seeing in headlines today.
Episode 4: Professor Hughes
by john perales Jr. and kaden evans-shaw
On this podcast, we spoke with Professor Hughes, and we discussed a variety of topics with her such as how her work, background, and experience relate to Black History Month. We also discussed her professional interests such as the 14th Amendment, how she became a lawyer, and more.
Episode 5: Professor Schwartz
by john perales Jr. and Maia Smith
In this episode, we speak with Professor Regina Schwartz, Law and English professor at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, respectively. Professor Schwartz speaks about her publications combining the field of law, literature, and religion. We discuss how the three fields are interrelated in broadening the definition of justice, as well as the debate surrounding religion’s role in law.
Episode 6: Professor Weber
by kaden evans-shaw
In this episode, we speak with Professor Weber, a professor at DePaul College of Law. Professor Weber speaks about his work focused on disability law, and he describes where the inspiration for his professional work came from. In addition, Professor Weber breaks down specific aspects of disability law such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and then describes how disability law interacts with other areas of the law.
Episode 7: Professor Speta
by Haley lawson and sally kim
In this episode, we speak with Professor Speta, who has held numerous, impressive roles at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. We start this episode with a brief overview of what antitrust law is, breaking it down to three main points. Professor Speta is also a Professor of Law, so we discuss both his classes and his previous professional experience at a large law firm. Finally, we conclude this podcast with a lively discussion about a few of Professor Speta's publications.
