In this episode of Topping the Curve, I interview Monica Ingram, Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Cornell Law SchoolDean Ingram talks everything law school admissions and the application process.Episode highlights and topics include:Early decision vs. regular decisionTaking the LSAT more than onceWeighing hard factors vs. soft factorsWhy your personal statement is important Reaching out to admissions counselorsFinancial aid considerations in choosing a law schoolJoin ot...

On this episode of Topping the Curve, I interview Flo Nicolas, Technologist and Legal Tech Attorney Episode highlights and topics include:Transitioning from a practicing attorney to a legal tech attorneyNontraditional paths for attorneysNetworking within your desired legal industryArtificial intelligence in the legal sphereJoin other pre-law students in the pre-law school mentorship community and take advantage of courses, guest speakers, freebies, and more! Join here Support the sh...

In this episode of Topping the Curve, I interview Debbie Feinstein, Antitrust Partner, Global Chair, Arnold & Porter LLPIn this episode, Debbie talks about her work as an antitrust attorney over 35 years of experienceEpisode highlights and topics include:Day to day life as an antitrust partnerWhat junior associates are likely to do on antitrust casesKey characteristics of successful antitrust lawyersThe four categories of antitrust:Getting companies through the FTC and DOJLitigation...

In this episode of Topping the Curve, I interview Andie Kramer, a Tax Attorney and Partner at an international law firm.In this episode, Andie discusses what it means to be a tax attorney and her work over a variety of disciplines. Episode highlights and topics include:What a tax attorney doesCryptocurrency in tax transactionsExchange and cryptocurrency scamsWLMA nonprofit focusing on inequality in the workplaceKeep up with Andie:www.AndieandAl.com, or e-mail directly at Andie@AndieandAl...

In this episode of Topping the Curve, I interview Cindy Cohn, Executive Director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the oldest and biggest organization dedicated to digital rights.In this episode, Cindy discusses advancements in technology law that affect our privacy rights. Topics include:Navigating top secret surveillance and litigation discovery Companies that collect data through the internet and send it to third partiesHow impact litigation differs from regular litigation&...

In this episode of Topping the Curve, I interview Natasha Zech, Director of Attorney Recruiting, Diversity & Development at Williams & Connolly LLP.In this episode, Natasha discusses legal recruiting and legal coaching. Episode highlights and topics include:Big Law recruiting process & misconceptions6 step checklist to help you prepare for and choose the right jobReneging on a law firm offer you have accepted What legal coaching is and what it is notEvaluating yourself ...

In this episode of Topping the Curve, I interview Tonit Calaway, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary at BorgWarner Inc.Throughout the episode, Tonit discusses her career and what led to her role as general counsel.Episode highlights include:1. Skills you need as a General Counsel2. Being open to opportunities that come your way3. Her day to day life as a General Counsel4. Having a supportive team Join other pre-law students in the pre-law scho...

In this episode of Topping the Curve, I interview Maleaha Brown, Associate Professor of Legal Analysis, Writing, and Skills at Southwestern Law School.Throughout the episode, Maleaha discusses how law students can approach and improve their legal writing. Episode highlights include:Writing processes in law schoolIRAC/CREACHow to edit your writingHow to approach legal writing coursesObjective memos vs. Persuasive briefsKeep up with Maleaha here: IG: @yourlegalwritingcoachTwitter: @Pr...

In the first episode of Season 2, I interview Maura DeMouy, Assistant Dean for Experiential Education and Executive Director of RISE at Georgetown University Law Center.Throughout the episode, Maura discusses how law students can find success in law school and adapt to an ever-changing environment to have successful careers.Episode highlights include:Navigating law school with no specific practice area interestTime management in law school Setting priorities and managing energy Trea...

In the final episode of season 1 of Topping the Curve I Interview Shavon Smith, a small business attorney and owner and founder of SJS law firm. Throughout the episode Shavon discusses her work as a small business attorney, the journey she took to get there and how she services her clients. Topics include:How to chose between transactional and corporate practicesWhat a small business attorney doesHow she got her small business attorney practice off the groundWhat her billable ...

In this episode of Topping the Curve I interview Lynnette Espy-Williams, Equity Partner and Chief Diversity Officer at Cozen O'Connor. Lynne joins me today to discuss her practice as a commercial litigator. Throughout the episode we discuss:Daily tasks and workload as a commercial litigatorHer work in the products liability and premises liability arenaHow to find opportunities to enhance oral advocacy skillsWhat it takes to be a commercial litigator plus much much more!To get in tou...

On this episode of Topping the Curve, I interview La-Toya Hackney, Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary of Saint-Gobain North America. La-Toya has previously served as in-house counsel at various levels and joined me to share her expertise on what it means to work in-house for a large company.Throughout the episode La-Toya discusses her experience as a General Counsel and what her day-to-day and broader work life looks like. Topics include:How working in-house is different f...

In this episode of Topping the Curve I interview Akiesha Anderson, a legislative attorney and law school admissions consultant. Throughout this Episode Akiesha discusses crafting the perfect law school application, for you. Topics include:How to approach writing personal & diversity statementsHow soft and hard factors affect your applicationWhat diversity means for law school applicantsHow to tell a story through your law school applicationand much much more!Please feel free to keep ...

On this episode I interview Nicole Llorenz, the Manager of Recruiting - Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Latham & Watkins LLPThroughout this episode Nicole discusses what Latham & Watkins looks for in student applications and their evaluation of candidates. Topics include:Mistakes students should avoid when applyingWhat Latham looks for on their assessmentWhen students should submit applicationsHow Latham evaluates the GPA and transcriptand much much more!Please feel free ...

On this episode of Topping the Curve I interview Laranda Walker, a partner at litigation boutique firm Susman Godfrey.Throughout this episode Laranda discusses her path to partnership at Susman Godfrey and her role at the litigation boutique firm. Topics include: Obstacles to partnership How to understand firm dynamics and the partnership process and pathHow partner work differs from associates and other levels at the firmDay to day processes of partnership at Susman GodfreyLaranda ...

On this episode of Topping the Curve I interview Professor Marissa Jackson Sow, an Assistant professor of law at St. Johns University School of Law. Throughout this episode Professor Marissa Jackson Sow discusses her position as a professor and the process to becoming a professor. Topics include: The importance of having publications prior to getting a professorshipHow Visiting Assistant Professorships can help with tenure track positionsThe meat market and what is needed to apply t...

In this episode of Topping the Curve I interview Monica Ingram, the Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Cornell Law School.Throughout this episode Ms. Ingram discusses how to create a strong law school application. Specifically, she discusses what Cornell looks for in law school applications and generally, what admissions committees look for throughout the admission process.Topics include:Law schools are looking for applicants with an indicia of successHow law schools inco...

On the first episode in the new year, I interview Justice Verda Colvin, one of the nine supreme court justices on the Georgia Supreme Court. Justice Colvin was previously a judge on the Superior Court and on the Georgia Court of Appeals. Throughout this episode Justice Colvin discusses how she became a Georgia Supreme Court Justice and what it means to be a Justice. Topics include:The Georgia Supreme Court Justice election processHow her legal experience and exposure helped prepare her t...

In the final episode of 2021, I interview Kisha Brown, the Founder and CEO of Justis Connection, a network that connects the public with black attorneys for free.Throughout the episode Kisha discusses how her past as a legislative attorney, civil rights attorney, and her work in the private sector led her to starting Justis Connection and how she created a network to help black attorneys with their business development. Topics include:How to create an upward trajectory in your careerCre...

On this episode of Topping the Curve I interview Ral Obioha, an Immigration and Personal Injury Attorney based in Houston, Texas. Ral is also an international human rights attorney. Throughout the episode Ral discusses how she started her own law firm and continues to build clientele. Topics include:How to create a “solo” practitioner networkSolo practitioner challenges and roadblocksHow to balance the business side of running a law firmChoosing your practice areaSaving money and financi...