Podcast
Let's Brief It
Hosted by D.C. Bar Law Student Community · EN
A podcast made for Law Students, by Law Students. Produced by the D.C. Bar Law Student Community. Learn more about the D.C. Bar Law Student Community at dcbar.org/LSC.
Current Hosts:
Sade Ajayi, Howard University School of Law
Byron Brooks, Howard University School of Law
Amanda Hichez, George Washington University Law School
Pauline Irungu, American University Washington College of Law
Jivan Ramesh, George Washington University Law School
Sophia Wang, George Washington University Law School
Theme Music: "Something Elated" by Broke for Free
25episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why Now is the Best Time for a Career in Financial Regulation
2w ago00:24:59Tap to summarizeFinancial regulation isn’t just about rules — it’s about curiosity and going beyond surface analysis. Professors Scott Alvarez (former GC to the Federal Reserve) and Laurie Schaffer (former Acting Assistant Secretary of the Treasury) join Let’s Brief It to demystify the world of financial regulation. They discuss their journeys through public service, the "art and science" of consumer protection, and why the current landscape offers unique opportunities for the next generation of attorneys.Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.
Transcribe →Birthright Citizenship and the 14th Amendment: What’s at Stake
4w ago00:23:09Tap to summarizeFrom the historical meaning of “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” to the lasting impact of Wong Kim Ark, In this episode of Let’s Brief It, we break down the Supreme Court’s upcoming case Trump v. Barbara.Joined by Leon Rodriguez and Wendy Feng, we explore how precedent, executive action, and constitutional interpretation collide and what longstanding interpretations shifts could mean for the Fourteenth Amendment and the future of citizenship in the United States.Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.
Transcribe →The Why Behind The Journey
Apr 1700:27:36Tap to summarizeNothing about this journey was random.In this episode of Let’s Brief It, Byron D. Brooks “MoSoul” and Pauline Wanjiru Irungu step beyond the surface of law school to reflect on something deeper… the why behind their paths.Before the readings, before the cold calls, before the courtroom dreams… there were moments that shaped them, decisions that defined them, and a purpose that refused to let go.Byron shares how his journey, marked by adversity and resilience, from being born in prison, and formerly homeless became a foundation for pursuing justice through the law. Pauline reflects on her experience navigating new spaces as an international student, grounded in vision, discipline, and a commitment to impact.Together, they explore what led them to law school, what sustains them in the process, and what they aspire to become within the legal profession.This is not just about becoming lawyers…it is about understanding the reason you started.Because when you know your why,every step forward carries intention.Not by accident. Always on purpose.Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.
Transcribe →Judicial Ethics, Personal Faith, and the Rule of Law
Apr 300:21:08Tap to summarizeAmanda and Sade speak with judges Tiffany Williams Brewer and the Alexander Williams about the complex relationship between judicial ethics, personal faith, and constitutional duty. Drawing on their experiences as a former federal judge and a scholar of professional responsibility, the guests examine how judges and lawyers balance personal values with professional obligations, the role of morality in shaping law and ethical rules, and the importance of integrity and public service in the legal profession. The discussion offers law students a thoughtful exploration of impartiality, judicial independence, and the ethical responsibilities that underpin the rule of law.Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.
Transcribe →The First Amendment Under Fire
Mar 2000:40:47Tap to summarizeAcross the United States, the First Amendment has been under fire from a variety of sources. In this episode, host Jivan Ramesh sits down with two passionate lawyers to talk about their own experiences with the first amendment. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty goes into the chilling effect of the ICE actions in Minneapolis on free speech, while Amy Greer of Dratel and Lewis discusses her experience representing Mahmoud Khalil after he, a lawful permanent resident and pro-Palestinian activist, was targeted for deportation just over a year ago. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.Resources:3/19/26 Update on the suit against Columbia UniversityThe Warren Letter on "unprecedented use of Section 237 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)"The summary of the Khalil case from the New York Civil Liberties UnionThe AAUP v. Rubio case materialsWant to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.
Transcribe →The Policy Docket: A Step Behind The Curtains of Office
Mar 600:34:37Tap to summarizeCo-hosts Jivan Ramesh and Sophia Wang meet with two brilliant policymakers, Delaware Lt. Gov Kyle Evans Gay and VA-11 U.S. Rep. James Walkinshaw, for a discussion on policy making and how legislators view the law. They discuss how laws get made behind the scenes, and share insight on how law students and young lawyers can begin getting involved. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.
Transcribe →The Decline of Stare Decisis
Feb 2000:27:15Tap to summarizeThe Supreme Court has long relied on stare decisis, or the principle of following precedent, to ensure stability and legitimacy. But is that changing? In this episode, Amanda and Sade explore the Court’s evolving approach from Casey to Dobbs to Students for Fair Admissions with insights from constitutional law expert Beth Hecker and experienced litigation attorney Kimberly Russell on what the decline of stare decisis means for American law.Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.
Transcribe →AI, Training Data, and Governance: Copyright Battles and Legal Requirements
Feb 600:33:01Tap to summarizeAI is transforming the legal landscape, from lawsuits concerning training data to new regulations on model deployment. In this episode of Let’s Brief It, host Pauline Wanjiru Irungu, an LL.M. student at American University Washington College of Law specializing in intellectual property and technology law, discusses these developments with two experts from Finnegan: Anna Chauvet, partner and head of Finnegan’s copyright practice, who works on front line questions about AI training data, fair use, and authorship, and Lynn Parker Dupree, leader of Finnegan’s privacy practice and former Chief Privacy Officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, who brings a governance and data protection lens to AI.Together, they examine the legal landscape of AI training data, evolving copyright and privacy rules, and essential questions regarding consent and accountability. This episode offers a practical guide for law students and early-career attorneys navigating the intersection of AI and law.Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.
Transcribe →Future of Lawyering: How AI Can Help Law Students Bridge the Gap Between Theory and Practice
Jan 2300:31:20Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Let’s Brief it, Dr. Megan Ma, the Executive Director of the Stanford Legal Innovation through Frontier Technology Lab (liftlab), sits down with GW Law student co-hosts, Sophia Wang and Jivan Ramesh, for a conversation on the future of legal education and practice in light of new technological developments. Dr. Ma discusses her lab’s work on improving evaluation of legal AI, developing simulation training via AI, and augmenting legal services with creative application of AI. Dr. Ma also shares insights on how law students can use AI effectively to stay competitive in an evolving legal environment.Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.
Transcribe →Dealmakers & Law: Inside Modern Entertainment Contracts with Alison Finley
Jan 900:19:11Tap to summarizeWhat really happens after the signatures hit the page?In this episode of Let’s Brief It, we step beyond the casebook and into the conference rooms where modern entertainment deals are shaped. Hosted by Howard Law 1L Byron D. Brooks (MoSoul), this conversation examines how contracts move culture, allocate power, and determine ownership in today’s global entertainment industry.Joined by Alison Finley—Partner at Pierson Ferdinand and a seasoned entertainment executive with over 25 years of experience—we break down the legal architecture behind record deals, publishing agreements, licensing, branding, and cross-industry IP transactions. From negotiating leverage to balancing creative ownership with business imperatives, this episode offers an inside look at how real-world dealmaking works.Designed for law students and early-career professionals, this episode bridges doctrine and practice, showing how black-letter law becomes strategy, and how effective entertainment lawyers move from knowing the rules to shaping outcomes.Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.Want to get ahead of the pack? Joining the D.C. Bar Law Student Community (LSC) can get you there. Your LSC membership will provide resume and skills boosting opportunities and one-on-one access to local practicing attorneys. To learn more, click here.
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