Emphasis Added

In this episode of Emphasis Added, Season 5 host Harrison Little welcomes Graysen Mechler, the incoming host for Season 6, to the podcast. They are joined by recent University of Houston Law Center graduates Mackenzie Caldwell and Hannah Syburg. The discussion covers the backgrounds of each guest, a typical day for litigation and transactional summer associates, helpful law school classes to ensure a successful summer and more. Our guests offer unique insights and valuable advice on how to make the most of a summer associate experience. For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

Welcome to "Emphasis Added," a podcast by the Houston Law Review, where we delve into the world of legal issues, prominent lawyers, and the study and practice of law. In this episode, hosts Harrison Little and Jake Guarino are joined by Houston Law Review members Rachel Howard and Frank Chambers to discuss the intricacies of federal judicial clerkships. Federal judicial clerkships are prestigious positions where law graduates work closely with judges, assisting in the judicial process. Clerks are the judge's right hand, drafting initial motions, participating in the editing of opinions, and attending hearings or trials. The role is dynamic and varies depending on the judge and the court level, with appellate clerks often involved in oral arguments and traveling for En Banc hearings. The relationship between clerks and judges is a unique and intimate one, offering a mentorship that shapes the clerk's legal acumen and professional development. This episode explores the personal and professional benefits of clerkships, including the opportunity to refine legal writing skills and build a network of legal professionals. Rachel and Frank share their personal journeys to securing clerkships, emphasizing the importance of initiative, networking, and starting the application process early. They discuss the competitive nature of the application process, which includes recommendations, transcripts, writing samples, and cover letters, and offer tips on how to stand out in a sea of applicants. The episode also touches on the evolving landscape of clerkships, with more judges looking for candidates with prior work experience. This shift reflects a desire for clerks who are not only academically accomplished but also have practical legal experience. Whether you're a law student considering a clerkship, a practicing attorney looking to pivot your career, or simply curious about the inner workings of the judicial system, this episode provides valuable insights into the responsibilities, benefits, and pedigree of federal judicial clerkships. Tune in to "Emphasis Added" on your favorite podcast streaming app or visit the Houston Law Review's website for more engaging content on legal issues and the legal profession. Don't forget to follow us on social media for updates on new episodes and legal discussions. For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

In this episode of Emphasis Added, Season 5 hosts Jake Guarino and Harrison Little meet with Emily Berman, a Professor of Law at the University of Houston Law Center and an expert in constitutional law. In our discussion, we examine the recent U.S. Supreme Court case of Trump v. Anderson concerning the removal of Donald Trump from the presidential ballot in Colorado. We discuss how this case redefines Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment in several key ways. For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

In this episode of Emphasis Added, Jake Guarino and Harrison Little meet with Peter Salib, an Assistant Professor at the University of Houston Law Center and an expert in the law of artificial intelligence. The discussion traces his recent paper, titled “AI Outputs Are Not Protected Speech,” as we analyze the potential impact of the First Amendment on efforts to regulate AI. Professor Salib breaks down his view regarding the proper treatment of AI under the First Amendment and why current jurisprudence in this area is already well-suited to handle the latest innovations in this field. For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

Season 5, Episode 4 features the 28th Annual Frankel Lecture, “The Perennial Eclipse: Race, Immigration, and How Latinx Count in American Politics.” Our keynote Frankel Lecturer was Professor Rachel Moran of Texas A&M School of Law. Her commenters were Ilya Somin, Professor of law at George Mason University, and Joseph Fishkin, Professor of Law at UCLA School of Law. Tune in on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other streaming platform for a fascinating and informative discussion about race, ethnicity, voting and Texas. On behalf of the Houston Law Review, Emphasis Added would like to thank Professor Moran, Professor Somin, and Professor Fishkin for sharing their work with us. We are also deeply grateful to the Frankel family for their 28 years of support in fueling the Law Center's ability to host timely and intellectual conversations on important legal issues. For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

In this episode of Emphasis Added, Season 5 hosts Jake Guarino and Harrison Little interview Alamdar Hamdani, the current U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, to discuss his story and his role as the chief federal law enforcement officer for one of the most populous federal districts in the nation. USA Hamdani discusses how his early experience immigrating to the United States shaped his journey into the practice of law, the factors that led him to become a federal prosecutor, the experience navigating the nomination process, and the personal philosophy that guides him as he serves in a role of such critical importance. For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

The Law School Real Talk Series by the Houston Law Review was developed to provide useful and actionable advice to first-year law students regarding the many unknowns of law school. In this episode of the series, Season 5 hosts Jake Guarino and Harrison Little met with Kaileigh Mallin and Chandni Jaggi to break down the key dimensions of the 1L experience. Kaileigh currently serves as the Houston Law Review’s Editor in Chief and plans to practice litigation at Norton Rose Fulbright, and Chandni currently serves as the Houston Law Review’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Editor, and plans to practice litigation at Vinson & Elkins. Our guests provided their unique perspectives and insightful advice regarding class preparation, study habits, community involvement, and legal recruitment. Season 5 Episode 2 Contents: 00:00 - Introduction 06:50 - Class Preparation 15:55 - Outlining 24:41 - Study Groups vs. Studying Alone 28:19 - Writing an Excellent Exam Answer 35:35 - Community Involvement 38:15 - Mentorship 42:10 - Litigation vs. Transactions 52:42 - Distinguishing Firms 1:02:43 - Conclusion For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

In this episode of Emphasis Added, Season 5 host Jake Guarino and Season 2 host Adri Langemeier moderate the Hispanic National Bar Association's "Power in Numbers" panel at the HNBA Region XII Annual Summit. Panelists Justice Amparro Guerra (Texas First Court of Appeals), Commissioner Leslie Briones (Harris County, Precinct 4), Alicia Castro (Partner at Locke Lord), and Maria Amelia Calaf (Partner at Botkin Chiarello Calaf) reflect on the impact, influence, and inclusion of the Latinx community on the legal profession. "Power in Numbers" refers to the panel's call to enhance Latinx representation in the legal field. The decorated panelists discuss how they have navigated challenges, leveraged resources, and created windows where doors were otherwise closed to them. Season 5, Episode 1 Contents: 00:00 — Introduction 06:00 — Impact 12:00 — Mentors vs. Sponsors 12:00 — Staying and Succeeding in Law 22:00 — Path to Government Service 35:00 — Influence 37:00 — Community Outreach 43:00 — Getting Involved in Legal Community 52:00 — From Imposter to Incomparable 01:03:00 — Activating Personal Power For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

In this episode of Emphasis Added, Season 4 host Matt Chelf and incoming Season 5 host Harrison Little met with Martin Thomas, a civil litigator and the founder of the Law Offices of Martin Thomas, to discuss the challenges and the benefits of being a solo practitioner as well as the recent proliferation of artificial intelligence software. We discussed the circumstances that drove Martin’s decision to open his own practice, the process of learning to manage one’s own business, and the various ways in which artificial intelligence can (and can’t) be used to bolster one’s legal practice. Martin specializes in breach of contract matters, business litigation, and more. Visit his website at: https://www.martinthomaslaw.com/. Season 4, Episode 11 Contents: 00:00 – Introduction 02:06 - Motivation and Preparation for Going Solo 06:57 - Learning to Operate a Business 21:20 - The Recent Proliferation of AI 23:31 - AI and Confidentiality Concerns 26:52 - AI and Concerns Regarding Job Security 32:58 - Conclusion For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

In this episode of Emphasis Added, incoming Season 5 host Jake Guarino and Season 4 host Brock Jones met with Archie Fallon, Managing Partner of Willkie Farr & Gallagher’s Houston office, to discuss developing legal and transactional trends in the energy transition space as the world marches toward its 2050 goal of net-zero carbon emissions. Archie serves as the Co-Chair of Willkie Farr’s Project Finance and Power & Renewable Energy Practice Groups, generally representing private equity funds and corporate clients in strategic energy and infrastructure transactions. Archie also serves as Chair of the Renewables Practice Committee at the Institute for Energy Law and as an advisory board member of Houston’s Renewable Energy Alliance. We discussed topics like Houston’s involvement in the energy transition, policy implications of clean energy adoption, and recent legislation affecting the energy industry. Season 4, Episode 10 Contents: 00:00 – Introduction 02:28 – Houston’s Renewable Energy Alliance 11:37 – The Energy Transition 18:04 – Transactional Trends with The Energy Transition 23:47 – Policy Considerations for Clean Energy 35:07 – ESG Regulations and Concerns 42:31 – Greenwashing 47:02 – Lawyers’ Involvement in The Energy Transition For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

The Law School Real Talk Series by the Houston Law Review was developed to provide useful and actionable advice to first-year law students regarding the many unknowns of law school. On this episode of the series, season 4 host Brock Jones is joined by Houston Law Review members Andrew Jacobs and Chandler Johnson as they discuss their experiences and advice on how to make the most of law school summer employment opportunities and ultimately choose a full-time position. Our guests provided a variety of information pertaining to big law firm employment and judicial clerkships, with Andrew planning to clerk for Judge Jeffrey Brown of the Southern District of Texas upon graduation before practicing litigation at Bracewell, and Chandler planning to practice transactional law at Latham & Watkins alongside Brock. Andrew, Chandler and Brock discuss the inside details of working at firms and courthouses over the summer while providing their own tips, tricks and advice along the way, from the differences in clerkship and summer associate positions, excelling on work assignments, balancing social events and more. Season 4, Episode 9 Contents: 00:00 – Introduction 03:38 – Clerkships v. Law Firm Positions 11:26 – Best Practices & Expectations for Work Assignments 24:50 – Maximizing In-Office Outings & After-Hour Socialization 33:40 – Evaluating an Employer For more on the Houston Law Review, please visit houstonlawreview.org Twitter | @HoustonLRev Instagram | @HoustonLRev Facebook | @HoustonLRev LinkedIn | The Houston Law Review For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

The Law School Real Talk Series by the Houston Law Review was developed to provide useful and actionable advice to first-year law students regarding the many unknowns of law school. On this episode of the series, season 4 host Matt Chelf is joined by Houston Law Review members Olivia Wogon and JP Johanson as they discuss their experiences and advice on how to decide on a law school as an applicant and getting the most out of that school as a student. Our guests provided a variety of information pertaining to evaluating law schools and using school resources to achieve desirable employment, with the unique perspectives of both Olivia and JP moving to Houston from out of state and JP transferring to UHLC following his 1L year. Olivia, JP and Matt discuss how they landed in Houston while providing their own tips, tricks and advice along the way, from factors for considering schools, networking on campus and more. Season 4, Episode 8 Contents: 00:00 – Introduction 01:24 – Factors & Resources for Evaluating Law Schools 14:47 – Maximizing the Law School Experience 18:05 – Leveraging your Law School’s Strengths 20:45 – Advice to your “1L Self” For more on the Houston Law Review, please visit houstonlawreview.org Twitter | @HoustonLRev Instagram | @HoustonLRev Facebook | @HoustonLRev LinkedIn | The Houston Law Review For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

In this episode of Emphasis Added, Season 4 hosts Brock Jones and Matt Chelf spoke with @The University of Houston Law Center Professor Kellen Zale about Land Use issues currently affecting the City of Houston, including the I-45 freeway expansion project's community impacts and the difficulties surrounding new affordable housing projects. Professor Zale is an expert on Land Use, Local Government, Real Estate, and Property law, and has been published in the Stanford, Penn, and Harvard Environmental Law Reviews, amongst many others. Episode Contents: 00:00 - Introduction, Professor Kellen Zale 01:10 - What is Land Use? 02:05 - Houston and Zoning 05:40 - Historic Preservation Districts 09:48 - The North Houston Highway Improvement Project 19:40 - Affordable Housing 31:20 - Citizen Engagement For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

In this episode, we're joined by University of Houston Law Center Assistant Dean for Career Development Tiffany Tucker to discuss best practices for students participating in legal recruitment through both on-campus and in-office interviewing processes. Dean Tucker joined the UHLC Career Development Office after practicing transactional intellectual property and general corporate law at Sullivan & Cromwell in New York. As a former professional development specialist, her work with UHLC now involves overseeing employer outreach and student career counseling, facilitating the Passport to Success Professional Development Program, managing recent graduate employment data collection and reporting, and providing one-on-one career counseling to alumni. For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

The 27th Annual Frankel Lecture, sponsored by the Houston Law Review at the University of Houston Law Center, focused on the U.S. Supreme Court and explored possible gender bias applied in protecting legal rights. Professor Melissa Murray, a leading expert on constitutional law, reproductive rights and justice, discussed “The Jurisprudence of Masculinity” during the keynote. Murray is the Frederick I. and Grace Stokes Professor of Law and Birnbaum Women’s Leadership Network Faculty Director at the New York University School of Law. She focuses her research on the legal regulation of intimate life. Her publication “Cases on Reproductive Rights and Justice” is the first casebook covering reproductive rights and justice. After law school, Murray clerked for Sonia Sotomayor, a then judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and Stefan Underhill of the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. Murray is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Yale Law School. Commentators for the lecture are: Helen Alvaré, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Robert A. Levy Endowed Chair in Law and Liberty at the George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School; and Reva Siegel, Nicholas deB. Katzenbach Professor of Law at Yale Law School. 11:49 - Melissa Murray 41:03 - Reva Siegel 57:03 - Helen Alvaré 01:13:10 - Melissa Murray's response For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

In this episode of Emphasis Added, Season 4 hosts Brock Jones and Matt Chelf spoke with University of Houston Law Center Professor Robert Ragazzo about the recent acquisition of Twitter by Tesla and SpaceX's Elon Musk, and what that deal can teach us about acquisitions in general, including their potential pitfalls. Professor Ragazzo is an expert on Securities Regulation, as well as Business Organizations and Closely Held Corporations. Before his illustrious teaching career, he attended Harvard Law, clerked for the Honorable Jon O. Newman of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and practiced law at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. Season 4, Episode 4 Contents: 00:25 – Introduction: Professor Robert Ragazzo 01:33 – The Steps in any Acquisition 03:39 – Disclosure Requirements 07:06 – Private Law Suits 20:47 – Twitter Defends 26:19 – The "Poison Pill" 30:30 – Financing Struggles 39:32 – The Lawsuit 44:07 – The Aftermath For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

In this episode of Emphasis Added, Season 4 hosts Brock Jones and Matt Chelf spoke with University of Houston Law Center Professor Julian Cardenas about the current state of the transnational oil and gas industry, how ‘petropolitics’ continue to shape the global economic and social environment, and energy security in the modern age. Professor Cardenas is an expert on transnational petroleum law, best oil and gas industry practices, and oil and gas geopolitics. He served as a career diplomat at the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs for nearly six years and has also been retained as an independent expert on Venezuelan law in international arbitrations regarding upstream and downstream petroleum transactions, direct foreign investments, and international construction projects. Additionally, he has served on the Ad Hoc Administrative Board of Directors for the Venezuelan National Oil Company since 2019, working on overseeing Citgo Petroleum Corporation and other PdVSA assets abroad. Season 4, Episode 3 Contents: 00:25 – Introduction: Professor Julian Cardenas 03:21 – The Transnational Oil & Gas Industry 17:22 – Petropolitics’ Impact on International Conflicts 28:10 – OPEC+ Impact on Oil & Gas Supply 32:56 – US / Venezuelan Sanctions 46:08 – Mexican Foreign Energy Investment Concerns 52:36 – The Energy Transition and Energy Security For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

In this episode of Emphasis Added, Season 4 hosts Brock Jones and Matt Chelf spoke with University of Houston Law Center Professor Emily Berman about the contentious Dobbs decision from the Supreme Court's prior term, what it may mean for upcoming Supreme Court Jurisprudence and institutional legitimacy, as well as the cases to expect in the upcoming 2022-2023 Supreme Court term. Professor Berman is an expert on constitutional law, separation of powers, and national security. Her scholarship on these topics has been published in numerous prestigious law reviews, and she makes frequent media appearances to discuss breaking issues in the area. Season 4, Episode 2 Contents: 00:00 – Intro 02:46 – Future Implications of the Dobbs Decision on SCOTUS Jurisprudence 08:40 – Upcoming Cases for the 2022-2023 SCOTUS Term 20:56 – Judicial Legitimacy following the Dobbs Decision 27:36 – The Unprecedented SCOTUS Draft Opinion Leak For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

In this episode of Emphasis Added, Season 4 hosts Brock Jones and Matt Chelf spoke with University of Houston Law Center Professor Renee Knake-Jefferson about the historic appointment and confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and diversity in the judiciary. Professor Knake-Jefferson is an internationally renowned expert on professional responsibility and legal ethics, an award-winning author of four books and numerous academic articles, and has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary. We discussed items like Professor Knake-Jefferson’s recent book on the history of women being “shortlisted” for seats on the Supreme Court, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s background and jurisprudence, the politicization trend in recent Supreme Court Justice confirmations, and ethical conduct in the judiciary. Season 4, Episode 1 Contents: 00:00 – Intro 02:55 – Shortlisted: Women in the Shadows of the Supreme Court 12:50 – Background and Jurisprudence of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson 24:35 – Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Confirmation Hearing 35:12 – Politicization of Supreme Court Appointments and Confirmations 42:30 – Judicial Ethical Conduct For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!

Emphasis Added is a podcast by the Houston Law Review. Check out this episode in video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/YQHjYq-s_Sk On this month's episode of Emphasis Added, future hosts Brock Jones and Matt Chelf joined me to speak with University of Texas School of Law Professor Joe Cosgrove, Jr. about the regulation of social media and privacy rights. Professor Cosgrove has over 35 years of legislative, regulatory, and legal experience including time spent as legal counsel for AT&T. Professor Cosgrove currently teaches Internet and Telecommunications Regulation at Texas Law, and has written on internet law topics like Section 230 and Net Neutrality. We discussed topics like what laws currently govern social media content and why some social media companies might be advocating for stricter regulation, what rights customers really have to their privacy, and what the future of the internet age looks like. For more on the Houston Law Review, please visit houstonlawreview.org Twitter | @HoustonLRev Instagram | @HoustonLRev Facebook | @HoustonLRev LinkedIn | The Houston Law Review For more Emphasis Added content, follow us on Instagram and check out our video content on YouTube!