Ilya Lerma, a 1999 graduate of the University of Arizona, runs a small solo practice where she takes on insurance companies in complicated brain injury cases. She discusses the difficulty of running a contingency-fee practice, litigating as a woman of color, and how she manages the stress of being a lawyer. This episode is hosted by Kimber Russell. It's sponsored by LSAC, the Law School Admission Council.

LST's I Am The Law

Litigating Brain Injuries Against Huge Insurance Companies as a Solo [AZ]

Dan Drake, a 1995 graduate of Stetson College of Law, is a real estate attorney at a small firm in Florida. This episode is hosted by Kimber Russell. It's sponsored by LSAC, the Law School Admission Council.

Real Estate Litigation and Transactions (FL): Times Are Changing [Law Firm]

Jon Holscher, a 2011 graduate of Drake Law School, is assistant county attorney in Iowa. This episode is hosted by Derek Tokaz. It's sponsored by LSAC, the Law School Admission Council.

County Prosecutor (Iowa): How Prosecution Can Be Like a Mathematical Formula

At the bottom of the legal profession hierarchy lays the opaque world of short-term contract work, also known as document review. Known to some as the circuit, it's filled with new graduates trying to break into the profession, older graduates trying to on-ramp back in, and others who need the money to get by as they start their own practice, balance a family, or try to start fresh after a grueling job. In this special episode, we dive into this world through a roundtable discussion with three law school graduates. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. It's sponsored by LSAC, the Law School Admission Council.  

Doc Review Hell: A Culture of Fear But Not Totally Awful

Zoe Sharp, a 2003 graduate of Stanford Law School, is assistant general counsel at Optoro, a software company that keeps her busy in many areas of law. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. It's sponsored by LSAC, the Law School Admission Council.

In-House Counsel at a Software Company (DC)

Jeremy Evans, a 2011 graduate of Thomas Jefferson School of Law, runs his own sports and entertainment law firm in southern California. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee. It's sponsored by LSAC, the Law School Admission Council.

Sports & Entertainment Law (CA): Making a Solo Firm Work Against the Odds

Choi Portis, a 2011 graduate of Thomas Cooley Law School, is a lawyer for the water and sewerage department in Detroit. She handles litigation for the department, develops policies and procedures, and reviews contracts—so one day is rarely the same as the next. This episode is hosted by Kimber Russell. It's sponsored by LSAC, the Law School Admission Council.

In-House Counsel at the City of Detroit [Government] (Michigan)

Alan Fowler, a 2006 graduate of Mercer University School of Law, primarily represents tourists who got in trouble while on vacation. He talks about finding clients, their urgency in resolving their legal trouble, and how he learns about what they really want. Alan reminds us that solo practitioners are small business owners who happen to provide legal services.  This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee, executive director of Law School Transparency. It's sponsored by LSAC, the Law School Admission Council.

Criminal Defense: A Lawyer for Tourists Who Got Out of Hand (FL)

Matt Hoisington, a 2009 graduate of Boston College Law School, explains his path to and through the United Nations. He talks about how he managed to obtain one of the most sought after jobs in the law as an international human rights lawyer. He discusses his time doing law and policy at UN headquarters in New York City, and time abroad in Abyei and Darfur, Sudan. This episode is hosted by Debby Merritt, a law professor at Ohio State University. It's sponsored by LSAC, the Law School Admission Council.

International Human Rights Lawyer at the United Nations (NYC)

Alisha Backus, a 2014 graduate of Barry University School of Law, has an inspiring passion for her work representing people accused of crimes. When she was younger, she experienced the ugly side of our justice system as a victim of domestic violence. While this understandably causes others choose a different path, it helps her suss out reliable information from not only victims, but her clients too. This episode is hosted by Kimber Russell. It's sponsored by LSAC, the Law School Admission Council.

State Public Defender: The Complexities of Criminal Defense (Montana)

Deepan Patel, a 2013 graduate of FSU College of Law, explains his role at the IRS. While the IRS has many types of lawyers, he focuses on business taxpayer guidance, which ensures certainty for businesses making major decisions. He describes how he got into tax, where his career might go, and trade-offs between government and private practice. This episode is hosted by Derek Tokaz, a former lawyer and academic writing instructor at American University. It's sponsored by LSAC, the Law School Admission Council.

IRS Tax Lawyer (DC): From Tax Strategist to the Government

When most people are injured in car wrecks or at work, they can't afford to pay a lawyer an hourly fee out of pocket to win their case against a large corporation or their insurance company. That's why attorneys for the plaintiffs in these lawsuits use a contingency fee, which pays the lawyer about a third of the total settlement or verdict -- but only if the plaintiff wins. That amount covers the work done by the lawyers, and compensates them for the risk of no payout. In this episode, Dan Minc, a 1977 graduate of Seton Hall School of Law, discusses how he managed to rise up to his firm's managing partner after starting there as a first-year lawyer. He also talks about how he builds his book of business and what he assesses when determining whether to take a client. After all, he's only paid if his client wins. This episode is hosted by Derek Tokaz, an academic writing teacher at American University. It is sponsored by ShouldIBeALawyer.com and Top-Law-Schools.com. Episode Links Contingency Fee Alternative: Legal Expenses Insurance Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff Daniel Minc Profile 

Plaintiff's Personal Injury (NYC): A Radically Changed Business [Small Firm]

The right to counsel for criminal charges is essential to our system of justice. The federal and state governments must provide you a lawyer if you can't afford one. As such, underfunded public defender offices raise serious constitutional -- not to mention moral -- questions. In this episode, Candace Hom, a 2001 graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, explains her role in the criminal justice system. She also talks about how she builds trust between her and clients, the various legal job roles within the federal public defender office, and the challenges of dealing with prosecutors -- even the good ones. This episode is hosted by Debby Merritt a law professor at The Ohio State University. It is sponsored by ShouldIBeALawyer.com and Top-Law-Schools.com. Episode Links Federal Public Defender's Office - District of New Jersey Federal Defender Third Circuit Blog Federal Worker Pay Scale 

Federal Criminal Defense: Representing Indigent Clients as a [Public Defender] (NJ)

After graduating from Lewis & Clark Law School in 2010, Melina LaMorticella began her career at a local immigration boutique. Several years later she joined Tonkon Torp, a mid-size firm in Portland, OR. Business immigration law, however, is Melina's third career. In the 15 years before starting law school, she worked in publishing and as a paralegal. In this episode, Melina explains how the U.S. considers immigration applications from professional workers. She also talks about the charged political atmosphere she operates in, as well as what her typical day looks like. This episode is hosted by Debby Merritt a law professor at The Ohio State University. It is sponsored by ShouldIBeALawyer.com and Top-Law-Schools.com. Episode Links Tonkon Torp: Melina LaMorticella's Firm Profile U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 

Business Immigration (OR): Helping Companies Bring Foreign Nationals To The U.S. [Mid-Size Firm]

Kathryn Cockrill is a 2009 graduate of Touro Law School. Despite going to law school in the Northeast, she moved south to Charleston following law school. While she started her career at a small firm, she recently went out on her own to reap the rewards of building a business in estate planning and probate. In this episode, Kathryn explains the ins and outs of probate, for both the living and the deceased. She also talks about how she avoids bill collection pitfalls, why she plans to hire help once her firm is on more stable financial footing, and why her practice keeps her interested and invested. This episode is hosted by Kyle McEntee, LST's executive director. It is sponsored by ShouldIBeALawyer.com and Top-Law-Schools.com. Episode Links The Law Office of Kathryn Cockrill Overview of Estate Settlements in South Carolina Law Practice Management: Wealth Counsel 

Estate Planning and Probate (SC): Counseling on Legal Services and Otherwise [Solo Practice]

I Am The Law is a show about law jobs. We profile recent and seasoned law school graduates in different jobs to help listeners learn about the legal profession.