Law school teaches you how to brief a case, but it rarely teaches you how to talk to a jury. In this episode of the ABA Law Student Podcast, host Eve Albert sits down with Alicia Hawthorne, known online as The Luncheon Lawyer. Alicia, an immigration and criminal defense attorney, shares how her side hustle as a legal content creator serves as a "global crash course" in understanding the public’s perspective on legal issues.

Alicia also dives deep into the "theater-to-law" pipeline, explaining how improv and community theater skills are the ultimate tools for thinking on your feet in front of a judge. From battling imposter syndrome and ageism to the ethical tightrope of saying "allegedly," this episode is a masterclass in building an authentic legal brand in the digital age.

(00:00) - Intro
(02:14) - – Introducing Alicia Hawthorne: The Luncheon Lawyer
(03:35) - – Career Pivot: The Reality of Prosecution vs. Defense
(05:25) - – Shopping Around: Why You Don't Need All the Answers at Graduation
(06:30) - – Overcoming Ageism and Stereotypes in the Legal Field
(08:44) - – Building a Reputation: Letting Your Work Speak for Itself
(10:04) - – Navigating Imposter Syndrome and Public Scrutiny
(13:07) - – Using Social Media Comments as a "Free Juror Pool"
(14:50) - – Learning the Art of Talking to People (Not Just Statutes)
(17:13) - – Who Follows Legal Influencers? Bridging the Gap for Laymen
(19:08) - – The Theater-to-Law Pipeline: Improv Skills in Court
(21:02) - – Embracing Embarrassment to Become a Better Trial Lawyer
(22:18) - – The Future of The Luncheon Lawyer: Media and Ethics
(24:17) - – The Ethics of "Allegedly" and Dealing with Backlash
(26:54) - – Setting Boundaries: Content Creation vs. Real Practice
(28:39) - – Best Advice for Students: Staying Calm Under Pressure
(31:50) - – Host Debrief: Applying Theater Skills to the Law
(35:15) - – Strategic Anger vs. Professional Decorum in Litigation
(39:02) - – Modern Legal Marketing: From Yellow Pages to TikTok
(42:15) - – The Risks and Rewards of a Digital Brand
(45:45) - – Closing and ABA Law Student Division Resources

Click here to view the episode transcript.