Best Practising Law Institute Podcasts (2025)

1
Breaking the Mold: A Tech-Savvy Lawyer's Blueprint for Legal Department Evolution 37:58

8d ago37:58

37:58

Whitney Stefko, Director and Senior Counsel of Policy and Legal Operations at Ford Motor Company, discusses insights on AI implementation in legal operations, the need for adaptability in a rapidly evolving tech landscape, and strategies for maintaining physical and mental health amidst constant professional changes. She also explores the changing …

1
Redefining Success: How Lawyers Are Charting Their Own Authentic Leadership Journeys 33:39

8d ago33:39

33:39

Nina Blackshear, a certified executive coach and practicing corporate attorney, shares her unconventional career journey from law school to various roles in other areas before returning to the legal field, including her advice on career transitions. She discusses the importance of self-awareness, authentic leadership, the challenges of intergenerat…

1
Pursuing Justice Returns to the Movies 57:47

14d ago57:47

57:47

Join host Alicia Aiken and fellow movie buff and attorney John Whitcomb for another lively discussion of how pro bono has been depicted in past Oscar-nominated films, exploring how these stories reflect the popular understanding of access to justice. Want to hear about new Pursuing Justice releases? Subscribe to our monthly pro bono emails Explore …

1
A Chief Legal Officer on Timeless Principles in a Changing World 38:13

1M ago38:13

38:13

Lucy Lopez, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Spencer Stuart, shares her experiences managing a global legal team amidst economic uncertainty and mounting legal and business complexities. Lucy describes her approach to supporting the professional development of her legal team in a rapidly shaping world, and offers her personal techniqu…

1
How AI Might Reshape Alternative Dispute Resolution 37:34

1M ago37:34

37:34

Arbitrator and mediator Stacy Guillon, co-founder of Decisioncraft, discusses how AI is transforming alternative dispute resolution (ADR) through streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency, while emphasizing that human empathy and judgment remain essential in binding decision-making. She predicts the emergence of AI arbitrators in low-stakes c…

1
Encore: “Be curious. Try stuff. Stay connected.” 59:35

2M ago59:35

59:35

Pursuing Justice Podcast Episode 57: (Originally Published May 6th, 2022) What does it mean to design a fulfilling life in the law? And how does pro bono fit in? In this encore episode of Pursuing Justice: The Pro Bono Files, host Alicia Aiken talks to Michigan Law professors Bridgette Carr and Vivek Sankaran and attorney Jessica Morton about takin…

1
An Appellate Litigator’s Thoughts on GenAI 49:07

2M ago49:07

49:07

Adam Unikowsky, a partner in the appellate litigation practice at Jenner & Block, draws from his background in physics, engineering, and law to explore the potential impact of AI in the legal field. He discusses how lawyers might leverage AI and how AI can have a role in improving access to justice, and shares a bold prediction about how AI will re…

1
An Athlete’s Mindset for Lawyers 46:11

2M ago46:11

46:11

Jess Sargus, former litigator and founder of The Legal Athlete, discusses the intersection of elite athletic performance and trial law. She shares how applying the performance, resilience, and wellness strategies she learned as a professional mixed martial artist and coach can help trial lawyers manage stress and avoid burnout. Sargus also introduc…

1
Changing Law Firm Business Models 39:40

2M ago39:40

39:40

Professor Richard Jolly of Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management explores evolving challenges in the legal profession, particularly within law firms, including structural and psychological barriers to change such as the traditional partnership model, short-term profit focus, and resistance to innovation. The conversation touches on g…

1
AI and the Courts 51:38

2M ago51:38

51:38

Judge Scott Schlegel, a technology-forward judge from Louisiana’s Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal, discusses the role of AI and digital tools in modernizing the justice system. He offers simple tech solutions that benefit legal professionals, covers the risks presented by AI-generated evidence and deepfakes to fairness in court proceedings, and prese…

1
Toby Rothschild: A Life in Legal Services 47:00

3M ago47:00

47:00

Alicia Aiken speaks with Toby Rothschild, Of Counsel, OneJustice, about his career spanning more than 50 years in legal services, how he motivates others to do pro bono work, and why he’s still dedicated to teaching and giving back in spite of being “retired.” Toby is the winner of PLI’s inaugural Victor J. Rubino Award for Excellence in Pro Bono T…

1
Helping Victims of Non-Consensual Pornography 1:04:14

3M ago1:04:14

1:04:14

Non-consensual disclosure of intimate images, commonly known as revenge porn, can have a devastating impact on victims, mostly women. Launched a decade ago to provide pro bono support to these victims, the Cyber Civil Rights Project receives more than 30 requests for assistance per week. Hear from David Bateman and Amy L. Groff, of K&L Gates, and E…

1
Coming Full Circle – Five Years of inSecurities Comes to a Close 22:18

4M ago22:18

22:18

After five years and 138 episodes, Chris, Kurt, and PLI have decided to wind down the inSecurities podcast. On behalf of all of us on the inSecurities team, thanks for listening. We appreciate the dedicated listeners and guests who have shaped these conversations for five years! Every other week, we aimed to bring you insightful discussions with le…

1
No looking back? What to expect in the next administration 57:20

5M ago57:20

57:20

We are fielding many questions about what regulatory and enforcement priorities will emerge in the next administration. On this episode of the inSecurities podcast, Chris and Kurt look back at several episodes from 2024 to see how they might help us understand what lies ahead. In particular, Chris and Kurt consider: What will become of the SEC? Wil…

1
“Elevate the Truth”: Pro Bono for Journalists | Part Two 46:59

5M ago46:59

46:59

In Part Two of our episode on pro bono legal assistance for journalists, hear how ProJourn lawyers are fighting to ensure that Open Vallejo — a local independent newsroom in California — can shine a light on serious police misconduct and local government. Want to hear about new Pursuing Justice releases? Subscribe to our monthly pro bono emails Exp…

1
“Elevate the Truth”: Pro Bono for Journalists | Part One 38:55

5M ago38:55

38:55

Local journalism is in crisis — and among its challenges is the urgent need for lawyers to enforce open records laws and assess stories for legal vulnerabilities. In Part One, hear how lawyers from Microsoft and Davis Wright Tremaine joined forces with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and the Knight Foundation to build ProJourn, an …

1
A Director’s Take on the Annual Enforcement Results 52:21

5M ago52:21

52:21

Former SEC Director of Enforcement Gurbir Grewal joins the inSecurities podcast to discuss the Division of Enforcement’s Annual Results for Fiscal Year 2024. He delves into the enforcement priorities that are expected to continue into the next administration, as well as new priorities that may emerge. Additionally, Gurbir reflects on his legacy as …

1
Taste-Testing Pro Bono 54:19

6M ago54:19

54:19

Matching willing lawyers with appropriate pro bono projects can be a challenge. What are the factors that contribute to their decisions to work on one project or another — or to even get involved at all? Two experts on managing and advising pro bono teams, Julia Wilson and Kelly Tautges, share how in-depth discussions and focus groups have helped t…

1
Securities Enforcement Forum 2024 42:10

6M ago42:10

42:10

Chris and Kurt returned to Securities Docket's Securities Enforcement Forum to catch up on the latest developments and trends in the SEC enforcement space. On this episode of inSecurities they share key takeaways from a panel that focused on the impact of the Presidential election, a keynote address from Acting Director of Enforcement Sanjay Wadhwa…

1
Upsetting Precedent: Adam Liptak on Administrative Agencies Law and SCOTUS 36:26

7M ago36:26

36:26

Adam Liptak, Supreme Court Reporter for the New York Times, joins the inSecurities Podcast to talk about recent SCOTUS decisions that impact the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and other administrative agencies, including a look at how the fall of Chevron will impact administrative agencies in the near term. Related CLE Program: You may als…

1
Restoring Voting Rights in Florida 47:44

7M ago47:44

47:44

Florida recently restored the right to vote to over a million individuals who have served time for felony criminal convictions, but thousands in the state are still disenfranchised due to court fees and other hurdles. Hear from lawyers involved in voting rights restoration — as well as a client looking forward to voting — about the long and complex…

1
Positively Ponzi With Kathy Phelps 59:28

7M ago59:28

59:28

We revisit a favorite topic here on the inSecurities podcast — Ponzi schemes — but with a practicing attorney and author who literally wrote the book on Ponzi: Kathy Phelps, partner at Raines Feldman Littrell LLP. Chris and Kurt discuss some of the more technical aspects of the law and accounting that come into play after a Ponzi scheme has collaps…

1
SECI Quarterly Update With George Wilson 49:09

7M ago49:09

49:09

On this episode of the inSecurities podcast, Chris and Kurt visit again with George Wilson, Director of PLI’s SEC Institute, to discuss highlights from the SECI Quarterly Newsletter. George highlights key takeaways from PCAOB’s 2023 inspection reports, CorpFin’s statements on cybersecurity incident disclosures, litigation challenging the SEC’s clim…

1
Alleviating Entrepreneurs’ Pain Points With Pro Bono 44:43

8M ago44:43

44:43

Entrepreneurs, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, face a lot of pain points when starting a new business or nonprofit enterprise. Hear how corporate lawyers can ease the pain, and support initiatives that benefit communities, through pro bono legal help with Darryl Maxwell of the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, Jennifer Kent of Latham & Wat…

1
SEC’s Brat Summer – Current Events with Sandra Hanna 34:57

8M ago34:57

34:57

With Kurt absent this week, Chris discusses current developments at the SEC with Sandra Hanna, who leads the securities enforcement practice at Steptoe. They discuss the short term impacts of Jarkesy, how 102(e) actions are evolving in real-time, the state of ESG enforcement after the disbanding of the Task Force, and what the SEC might look like i…

1
Quality Audits Protect People: A Conversation With PCAOB Chair Erica Williams 37:32

8M ago37:32

37:32

Chris and Kurt sit down with Erica Williams, Chair of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). Chair Williams talks about her journey to the Chair’s office, the PCAOB’s rulemaking agenda, and the role of PCAOB inspections and enforcement. She also shares key takeaways from the PCAOB’s Sign up for email updates on the inSecurities podc…

1
Special Crossover Episode With Pursuing Justice: Aiding Underserved Investors 53:59

9M ago53:59

53:59

In this special crossover episode with PLI’s Pursuing Justice podcast, hear about how pro bono clinics can help vulnerable investors protect their hard-earned retirement funds and nest eggs. Chris and Kurt are joined by Alicia Aiken, Director of the Danu Center’s Confidentiality Institute and host of PLI’s podcast Pursuing Justice: The Pro Bono Fil…

1
Aiding Underserved Investors 47:44

9M ago47:44

47:44

In this special crossover episode with PLI’s inSecurities podcast, hear about how pro bono clinics can help vulnerable investors protect their hard-earned retirement funds and nest eggs. Alicia Aiken is joined by Kurt Wolfe and Chris Ekimoff for an informative conversation with law professors, a recent law school grad, and an SEC attorney about the…

1
PLI’s “The SEC at 90” Program 28:46

9M ago28:46

28:46

On this episode of the inSecurities podcast, Chris and Kurt sit down with Cliff Kirsch, a partner at Eversheds Sutherland and Chair of the PLI program “The SEC at 90: A Celebration and Retrospective.” Cliff shares some of his key takeaways from this half-day PLI program aimed at celebrating the past, examining the present, and looking to the future…

1
Pro Bono Transitions: From Law Student to Big Law Associate, Part Two 37:16

10M ago37:16

37:16

In the second part of Alicia Aiken’s conversation with Lexi Wung, recorded over a year later, Lexi has completed her first year as an associate with Kirkland & Ellis. Has she held on to her passion for pro bono? Hear what her experience has been like as she takes on “interesting, difficult, but meaningful” pro bono cases while building her skills i…

1
Pro Bono Transitions: From Law Student to Big Law Associate, Part One 29:15

10M ago29:15

29:15

For a law student, it can be hard to figure out what a law firm job will be like — and whether pro bono will really be supported as part of regular work life. In the first of a two-part episode, hear from Lexi Wung, then a recent Michigan law grad entering a Big Law firm. She shares her aspirations, questions, and fears as an up-and-coming first-ge…

1
Supreme Swipes at the SEC 59:48

10M ago59:48

59:48

On this episode of the inSecurities podcast, Chris and Kurt discuss recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that will have profound impacts for the SEC and other agencies. First, our co-hosts discuss the Jarkesy case, which held that defendants in SEC enforcement proceedings have a Constitutional right to have fraud cases heard by a jury. Next, Chris a…

1
The Need for Arbitration Clinics 58:33

10M ago58:33

58:33

This episode of the inSecurities podcast features a roundtable with pro bono experts who discuss the need for law school clinics that represent retail investors in FINRA arbitrations. Nicole Iannarone, Associate Professor of Law at Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law, and Christine Lazaro, Professor of Clinical Legal Education and Direc…

1
Law Firm Leadership During Challenging Times 1:06:29

11M ago1:06:29

1:06:29

Legal industry leaders Brad S. Karp, Chair of Paul, Weiss, and Jami McKeon, Chair of Morgan Lewis, share insights from their impressive careers as long-time leaders of their respective firms and in the broader profession. From making tough decisions on controversial topics of the day to assessing how Generative AI will impact the industry's future,…

1
Gary Gensler: Leaning into Protecting the American Public 46:27

11M ago46:27

46:27

SEC Chair Gary Gensler joins the inSecurities podcast to talk about how he and the Commission engage with the public, his efforts to build trust in the US capital markets, and the role of the SEC in protecting investors. Chair Gensler also discusses the SEC’s role with respect to cryptocurrencies (or “digital asset securities”) and tells us why US …

1
The Future of Regulatory Reform and Lawyer Licensure 58:44

11M ago58:44

58:44

Structural barriers to change may represent the biggest enemy to innovation, access to justice, and a coherent system of lawyer formation. From regulations that define what constitutes the unauthorized practice of law to the often-undervalued role state supreme courts play in reimagining the future of lawyer licensure, our guests Jordan Furlong of …

1
Educate and Activate: Successful Corporate Affairs Strategies 45:35

11M ago45:35

45:35

Erik Hotmire, Co-Founder of the consulting firm Watermark Strategies, joins the inSecurities podcast to discuss key characteristics of successful corporate affairs strategies. Erik tells Chris and Kurt how he draws on his experience as former spokesperson and Senior Advisor to the Chairman of the SEC in developing bespoke strategies for clients, an…

1
Shaping the Law Firm Associate of the Future 1:00:32

12M ago1:00:32

1:00:32

The history of lawyer formation has given rise to an educational structure that intentionally separates learning from practice, making it challenging to adapt to the modern pace of changing conditions. The arrival of next-generation technologies begs the question: How do we rapidly reimagine the future of associate development to ensure that legal …

1
The Short Seller Enrichment Commission: Alex Platt Discusses His Latest SEC Whistleblower Research 42:01

12M ago42:01

42:01

Alex Platt, an Associate Professor at the University of Kansas School of Law, joins the inSecurities podcast to discuss his latest research paper, which documents the involvement of activist short sellers in the SEC whistleblower bounty program. Professor Platt explains why this phenomenon may undermine the SEC’s goal of rooting out and deterring m…

1
Bonus Episode: Ryan Haygood and Ezra Rosenberg 32:03

1y ago32:03

32:03

In this bonus episode, Ryan Haygood and Ezra Rosenberg — recently featured in the Protecting Voting Rights episode — share how their backgrounds led to their professional focus on voter advocacy. Related CLE Program: You may also be interested in Voter Rights 2024. Attendees will examine current voting laws and challenges in the United States and l…

1
The Future of DEI in Legal 1:03:32

1y ago1:03:32

1:03:32

The legal landscape around diversity, equity, and inclusion has shifted significantly in the wake of several significant judicial opinions. While the legal profession has been notoriously slow to make progress in its efforts to nurture more inclusive practice environments, our guests share their unwavering optimism about the advancement of inclusio…

1
Ninety Years of Financial Regulation: Taming the Street With Diana Henriques 1:02:56

1y ago1:02:56

1:02:56

Award-winning journalist Diana Henriques has spent her career covering financial markets, white collar crime, and market regulation. She joins Kurt and Chris to discuss her recent book, Taming the Street: The Old Guard, the New Deal, and FDR’s Fight to Regulate American Capitalism, which chronicles the decade following the 1929 stock market crash, …

1
Generative AI and Lawyer Formation 1:03:32

1y ago1:03:32

1:03:32

The capabilities of generative artificial intelligence — reading, summarizing, analyzing, organizing, and producing draft documents —-- align with the very tasks law students and junior lawyers learn in the early years of practice. So how can we reimagine lawyer formation to harness AI’s efficiencies while also ensuring the full development of a la…

1
Casting a Long Shadow: Assessing the Panuwat Insider Trading Case 41:11

1y ago41:11

41:11

In April 2024, the SEC prevailed on insider trading charges against Matthew Panuwat, relying for the first time on a theory known as “shadow trading.” Nick Morgan of ICAN and Steve Cazares of Orrick join the inSecurities Podcast to discuss an amicus brief ICAN submitted in the Panuwat litigation, policy arguments against the “shadow trading” theory…

1
Protecting Voting Rights 41:52

1y ago41:52

41:52

Laws restricting the ability to vote, such as unnecessarily strict voter ID requirements, disproportionately impact voters of color. Hear a conversation with Ezra Rosenberg (Voter Rights 2024 Program Chair) and Ryan Haygood about how pro bono advocacy plays a crucial role in the ongoing fight to protect voters’ rights and fulfill the American visio…

1
The Status of Attorney Well-Being 1:05:11

1y ago1:05:11

1:05:11

The last few years have marked a sea change in the way the profession thinks about mental health and attorney well-being. Paula Davis of the Stress & Resilience Institute and Shailini George of Suffolk University Law School join us to discuss the science underlying team well-being and how to support lawyers in elevating their health, beginning in t…

1
Pursuing Justice at the Movies 1:09:00

1y ago1:09:00

1:09:00

Host Alicia Aiken welcomes fellow movie buff and attorney John Whitcomb for a lively discussion of how pro bono has been depicted in past Oscar-nominated films — and how these stories reflect the popular understanding of access to justice. Want to hear about new Pursuing Justice releases? Subscribe to our monthly pro bono emails Explore our Pro Bon…

1
Arbitrary Materiality Standards and “Walking the SPAC Plank” 51:56

1y ago51:56

51:56

George Wilson, Director of PLI’s SEC Institute (SECI), joins the inSecurities podcast — for a record ninth time! — to discuss highlights from the recent SECI Quarterly Newsletter (sign up HERE), including the SEC’s final climate disclosure and SPAC accounting rules, and recent developments at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) an…

1
Bonus Episode: Speaking, Literally, from SEC Speaks in 2024 17:29

1y ago17:29

17:29

Check out this recap of PLI’s program, the SEC Speaks in 2024, which Chris attended in-person in Washington DC. He provides his thoughts on the topics discussed by SEC staff as a part of the program, as well as conducting some on-the-street interviews with attendees and PLI staff. You can learn more about the program at the link below, as well as s…

1
Leading the Most Intergenerational Legal Workforce in History 56:01

1y ago56:01

56:01

How in the world can today's legal leaders tackle the complexity of creating a vision to guide four different generations simultaneously? Join our guest experts Diana Cortes of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and Jessie Spressart of Optia Consulting as we explore frameworks for organizing intergenerational conversations, describe the experience of lead…

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Practising Law Institute Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen