Amicus: Yale Undergraduate Law Journal's Podcast

About Amicus: Yale Undergraduate Law Journal's Podcast

Amicus is the Yale Undergraduate Law Journal's podcast. It’s a series of candid conversations with the lawyers, professors, law school students, and scholars at the forefront of law. The name says it all: amicus, Latin for "friend of the court," is the voice that speaks to the court not as a petitioner or respondent, but as a trusted outside perspective. That's exactly what this show is. A friend in the room guiding the conversation to understand the law. Each episode, the host sits down with a friend from the world of law and beyond to talk about their path. Welcome!

Publisher

Yale Undergraduate Law Journal

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Apr 2026

Latest episode

17 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   17 Oct 2026

   Native American Citizenship and Tribal Legal Sovereignty: Historical Precedent and Modern Challenges

   The conversation explores the historical and contemporary challenges faced by Native American tribes regarding citizenship and sovereignty, particularly in light of recent legal actions and political rhetoric. It highlights the implications of Executive Order 14160 and the ongoing legal battles that threaten the rights and recognition of Native Americans in the United States. Link to YULJ Article (https://www.yaleundergraduatelawjournal.com/onlinejournal/native-american-citizenship-and-tribal-legal-sovereignty-historical-precedent-and-modern-challenges)

2. 

   11 Oct 2026

   Rights Without Remedies: Sovereign Immunity and the Incoherence of Modern Constitutional Law

   The conversation delves into the complexities of state sovereign immunity, particularly as it relates to the Fair Labor Standards Act and constitutional rights. It critiques the doctrine's implications for individual rights and the enforcement of federal law, arguing for a reevaluation of its validity within the American legal framework. Link to Article (https://www.yaleundergraduatelawjournal.com/onlinejournal/rights-without-remediesnbspsovereign-immunity-and-the-incoherence-of-modern-constitutional-law)

3. 

   4 Oct 2026

   He Argued Cases Before Judges. Then He Became One.

   In this episode of Amicus, former Chief Judge John Miller shares his extensive journey from law school to becoming a judge, discussing the differences between private practice and judicial responsibilities, the impact of technology on the legal field, and the public's perception of the judiciary. Chapters 00:00 Journey to the Bench 04:05 Life as a Judge 10:14 Private Practice vs. Judicial Life 16:07 Public Perception of the Judiciary 20:05 Technology in the Courtroom 27:23 The Future of Legal Jobs 33:45 Final Thoughts and Reflections

4. 

   29 Sept 2026

   He Saved Lives In The U.S. Military. Now, He’s Graduating Yale Law To Do It Again.

   The conversation covers Ilani Nurick's journey from working in politics to enlisting in the United States Coast Guard and eventually pursuing a career in law. As he recounts his experience, he affirms that the conventional path to law school is to be unconventional. Chapters 00:00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P18ZfhkWjVU) Introduction to Ilani Nurick 02:12 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P18ZfhkWjVU&t=132s) Transition from Politics to Coast Guard 03:33 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P18ZfhkWjVU&t=213s) Impact of Coast Guard Service 05:00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P18ZfhkWjVU&t=300s) Journey to Yale Law School 07:11 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P18ZfhkWjVU&t=431s) Experience in Politics and Public Service 08:23 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P18ZfhkWjVU&t=503s) Impact of COVID-19 on Political Work 09:00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P18ZfhkWjVU&t=540s) Enlisting in the Coast Guard 10:51 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P18ZfhkWjVU&t=651s) Service in the Coast Guard 11:48 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P18ZfhkWjVU&t=708s) Motivation for Pursuing Law 21:58 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P18ZfhkWjVU&t=1318s) Challenges and Lessons from the Coast Guard 27:10 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P18ZfhkWjVU&t=1630s) Navigating Challenges in Law School 30:38 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P18ZfhkWjVU&t=1838s) Unconventional Paths in Law 32:00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P18ZfhkWjVU&t=1920s) Value of Failure and Learning 33:19 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P18ZfhkWjVU&t=1999s) Importance of History in Law 35:29 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P18ZfhkWjVU&t=2129s) Impact of Government Work 39:18 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P18ZfhkWjVU&t=2358s) Message of Hope and Possibility 56:37 The Journey Through Law School Thank you to the Vincent Library Reading Room in the Golden Center at the Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale University for allowing Amicus to use their space.

5. 

   26 Sept 2026

   He Saved Lives In The U.S. Coast Guard. Now, He’s Graduating Yale Law To Do It Again.

   The conversation covers Ilani Nurick's journey from working in politics to enlisting in the United States Coast Guard and eventually pursuing a career in law. As he recounts his experience, he affirms that the conventional path to law school is to be unconventional. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ilani Nurick 02:12 Transition from Politics to Coast Guard 03:33 Impact of Coast Guard Service 05:00 Journey to Yale Law School 07:11 Experience in Politics and Public Service 08:23 Impact of COVID-19 on Political Work 09:00 Enlisting in the Coast Guard 10:51 Service in the Coast Guard 11:48 Motivation for Pursuing Law 21:58 Challenges and Lessons from the Coast Guard 27:10 Navigating Challenges in Law School 30:38 Unconventional Paths in Law 32:00 Value of Failure and Learning 33:19 Importance of History in Law 35:29 Impact of Government Work 39:18 Message of Hope and Possibility 56:37 The Journey Through Law School Thank you to the Vincent Library Reading Room in the Golden Center at the Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale University for allowing Amicus to use their space.

6. 

   20 Sept 2026

   The Moving Reason A Yale Law Student Also Enrolled in Divinity School

   This conversation with Briana Payton, a Master of Divinity and Law School student at Yale, shares her journey from growing up in Detroit to pursuing a career in law, driven by her passion for addressing racial systemic inequities and social injustice. Chapters 00:00 Early Life and Passion for Social Justice 03:04 Journey to Law School 05:55 The Role of Lawyers in Addressing Inequities 08:54 The Immorality of Legality 12:05 Value of First-Year Law Classes 22:32 Navigating Ambition and Comparison 24:00 Faith, Fear, and Purpose (Emotional) 25:30 The Intersection of Faith and Career 26:50 The Journey to Law School 31:00 Following Passion and Taking Risks 36:25 Defining Moments and Hobbies 39:05 Legacy and Inspiration Thank you to the Vincent Library Reading Room in the Golden Center at the Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale University for allowing Amicus to use their space.

7. 

   13 Sept 2026

   He Spent 27 Years as a Marine. Now He's A Law Student.

   The conversation with William Mitchell, a JD candidate at Yale Law School and a retired Marine Corps colonel, covers his journey from baseball to military service, the transition to the Marine Corps, the origin of his call sign 'Skull,' lessons from the military, reflections on the Constitution, a summer internship in Michigan, advice for undergraduates, and his future aspirations and impact. Chapters 00:00 The Journey to the Marines 02:44 From Baseball to Military Service 04:14 Transition to the Marine Corps 05:40 The Origin of the Call Sign 'Skull' 07:29 Military Experience and Transition to Law School 10:14 Lessons from the Military 19:16 Transition to Law School and Reflections on the Constitution 21:05 Summer Internship in Michigan 23:39 Advice for Undergraduates and Reflections on Life 31:45 Rapid Fire Questions 33:53 Future Aspirations and Impact

8. 

   15 May 2026

   Amicus #5: A Conversation with an Incoming Harvard 1L || Fresh Advice for Top Law School Applicants

   Welcome to the fifth episode of Amicus. In this episode, host Joel Vincent speaks with Rose Gbaanador, Incoming 1L at Harvard Law School. She is a law school content creator and admissions advisor. You can find to her LinkTree here: https://linktr.ee/roseamarah (https://linktr.ee/roseamarah) The episode provides practical advice for those considering applying to law school, especially in the T14. Background (1:25 - 3:25) The Application Itself and Working Before Law School (3:26 - 13:51) When Is Your Application Ready? And Regrets? (13:52 - 17:51) Advice to Undergraduates (17:52 - 21:36) Experience in the Workforce, "Why Law?", and Future Plans (21:37 - 24:05) Public Prescence and Mentorship (24:06 - 31:45) Thank you for listening! Episode #6 coming soon.

9. 

   8 May 2026

   Amicus #4: The Deans of Harvard and Yale Law Call In || Advice for Undergraduates Interested in Law School

   Welcome to the fourth episode of Amicus. In this episode, host Joel Vincent speaks with Dean Miriam Ingber, Dean of Admissions at Yale Law School, and Dean Kristi Jobson, Dean of Admissions at Harvard Law School. These guests oversee admissions at two of the world's top law schools and cohost the podcast Navigating Law School Admissions with Miriam and Kristi. You can listen to their podcast here (https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nf7kGKCGjkiOGQe4PxDEO?si=4e89fc080d524a4f). The episode provides practical advice for those considering a legal career. Career Timing (10:02 - 16:37): Why should someone consider law school at all? How can a student as young as 18 or 20 truly know if law is the right lifelong path? The Role of AI (16:38 - 25:27): How should an applicant decide on law school when the very work they are training for—such as contract drafting and due diligence—is being automated and transformed? Should elite law schools like Harvard and Yale adapt their curriculum to avoid teaching skills that AI can now perform? Over- and Under-invested Areas (25:28 - 37:40): What are the areas where applicants spend an enormous amount of time that ultimately does not "move the needle"? Conversely, what do applicants consistently underinvest in during the process? Admissions Numbers (37:41 - 47:15): How do deans reconcile a "holistic" admissions ideal with the reality that median GPAs and test scores are exceptionally high? When an applicant has a near-perfect numerical profile but is still rejected, what are the most common red flags found in the rest of their application? Transparency and Access (47:16 - 55:08) Does the increasing transparency of admissions guidance—through podcasts and panels—actually help applicants, or does it simply create a new kind of pressure for everyone to provide the "right" answers? What is it like to be the person who makes the life-changing phone call to a successful applicant? Thank you for listening! Tune in next week for Episode #5.

10. 

    23 Apr 2026

    Amicus #3: A Conversation with Raymond Perez

    This is the third episode of Amicus, the Yale Undergraduate Law Journal's podcast, which features candid conversations with leaders at the forefront of the legal field. In this episode, host Joel Vincent sits down with Raymond Perez, a 3L J.D. candidate at Yale Law School and Student Director of the Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic. K-JD and First Impressions of Law School: Perez came straight from undergraduate study to Yale Law School, making the European Court of Human Rights his first full-time legal experience. He reflects on what it means to enter law school without prior legal work experience and what he wishes he had known going in. Press Freedom and the MFIA Clinic: As Student Director of Media Freedom and Information Access (MFIA) Clinic, Perez discusses what it means to be a law student directing active litigation and what each case signals about the state of press freedom today. Satirical Expression and the European Court of Human Rights: During his Kirby Simon Fellowship in Strasbourg, France, Perez researched the legal protection of satirical expression under the European Convention on Human Rights, a project that intersected with his own background as a stand-up comedian in college. He explores how humor functions as a legal category and what American and European law can learn from each other. Free Expression in a Changing Landscape: Drawing on his work at MFIA and his time abroad, Perez offers his perspective on whether the First Amendment is holding in the current political moment, and where he sees the most serious threats to press freedom and government transparency. What's Next: Perez shares where his curiosity about the world, and his goal of visiting all 1,223 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, might take him after Yale Law. The views expressed by Raymond Perez do not purport to represent the views of the Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic, if any.

11. 

    8 Apr 2026

    Amicus #2: A Conversation with Kindall Hayes

    This is the second episode of Amicus, the Yale Undergraduate Law Journal’s podcast, which features candid conversations with leaders at the forefront of the legal field. In this episode, host Joel Vincent sits down with Kindall Hayes, a highly accomplished 2L J.D. candidate at Yale Law School.Key highlights of the interview include:Diverse Background and Career Experience: Before entering law school, Kendall Hayes spent nearly a decade in high-level American foreign policy as a consular officer for the U.S. Department of State. She served in numerous countries, including Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, and Colombia.Government Service: Her background includes serving as a presidential appointee in the Obama administration at the Department of Homeland Security and working on Capitol Hill. She has adjudicated thousands of visa cases and managed the prison portfolio for American citizens incarcerated abroad.Motivation for Law School: Hayes decided to pursue a JD to gain more flexibility and choices in the U.S. marketplace after years of working primarily abroad. She views the law as a tool to create systems, institutions, and policies.Importance of Mentorship and Community: Hayes emphasizes that influencers can come from unlikely places, citing her pastor, who encouraged her to become a global citizen and learn critical languages like Arabic. She also stresses the importance of having a strong support system, including family, especially when balancing law school and motherhood.We are also excited to share an upcoming Yale Law School event led by Kindall Hayes. A Symposium on Citizenship is taking place on Friday, April 10, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM in Baker Hall 116. Registration is available here: https://yaleconnect.yale.edu/otp_signup?module=event&event_id=2322330&private_event=1 (https://yaleconnect.yale.edu/otp_signup?module=event&event_id=2322330&private_event=1)

12. 

    7 Apr 2026

    Amicus #1: A Conversation with Prannv Dhawan

    This is the debut episode of Amicus, the Yale Undergraduate Law Journal’s podcast, which features candid conversations with leaders at the forefront of the legal field. In this episode, host Joel Vincent sits down with Prannv Dhawan, a highly accomplished LLM candidate at Yale Law School. Key highlights of the interview include: - Legal Journey in India: Prannv discusses his path from high school directly into the National Law School of India University, his early inspirations drawn from India’s history of lawyer-leaders, and the influence of American legal education on the Indian system. - Clerking at the Supreme Court: He shares transformative experiences from his two-year clerkship for Justice B.V. Nagarathna, who is expected to become India’s first female Chief Justice, detailing the rigor and vision required to draft landmark judicial opinions. - Advocacy for Disability Rights: As an individual with a visual impairment, Prannv details his dedication to disability rights, including leading campaigns that successfully challenged exclusionary practices in Indian medical education. - Global Perspectives: The conversation explores the cross-jurisdictional learning between the U.S. and Indian legal systems, specifically regarding access to justice and social movement litigation. - Future Missions: Prannv concludes by discussing his current research at Yale, which examines the access-related obligations of private universities and the intersection of personal autonomy with public goods.

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