Serious About Law is a periodic exploration of the legal landscape hosted by Merritt McAlister, Dean of the University of Florida Levin College of Law. We dive into deep, meaningful conversations about legal education and practice without taking ourselves too seriously in the process. Designed for future, current, and "honorary" Gator lawyers, the show bridges the gap between the classroom and the courtroom, offering a unique look at what’s happening in the legal world with a special tie-in to the UF Law community.
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Merritt McAlister, Dean of the University of Florida Levin College of Law
In this episode, UF Law Dean Merritt McAlister sits down with UF Law alumna, Jessica Furst Johnson (JD 07) to explore the high-stakes intersection of law, politics, and strategic communications. Johnson serves as Partner and Co-Chair of the Political Law Practice at Lex Politica in Washington, D.C.
McAlister and Johnson discuss the demanding nature of political law, the intensity of campaign cycles, and the challenges of maintaining professional boundaries in a digital age. Reflecting on her academic journey, Johnson highlights the value of the diverse perspectives she encountered at UF Law and describes the liberating feeling of "untethering" from her professional life before starting her legal studies.
Additionally, Johnson offers powerful advice about success and ambition. She emphasizes the necessity of hard work and focused planning, while urging students to be proactive, ask for help, and take full advantage of the resources available to them.
9 Sept 2026
Jane Bambauer
Interim Dean Merritt McAlister sits down with Professor Jane Bambauer, who is the new Associate Dean for Strategy and Innovation at UF Law. They discuss Professor Bambauer's journey from math major and touring indie musician to a leading voice in technology and law. Professor Bambauer shares how her unconventional background eventually led her to navigate the complex intersections of the First Amendment, privacy, and artificial intelligence.
Together, they explore how generative AI is poised to disrupt legal education, dive deep into the contrast between machine decision-making and human discretion, and offer a nuanced take on the public discourse around AI.
Professor Bambauer discusses her work leading UF Law's First Amendment and AI labs, offering actionable advice on how students and legal professionals can embrace large language models and AI agents to become more creative and efficient problem solvers.
7 Aug 2026
Sabrina Lopez
In this new season of Serious About Law, Dean Merritt McAlister is joined by Dean Sabrina Lopez, Senior Associate Dean for Students. Together, they discuss the evolving landscape of legal education and what it truly means to build a student-centered law school experience.
Dean Lopez shares her vision for UF Law’s innovative "One Student Support Team" initiative—a holistic framework integrating Academic Affairs, Student Wellness, Career Services, and Bar Prep into a seamless support network for students from 1L orientation to post-graduation bar passage. Drawing on her unique background as a former K-12 teacher, Greenberg Traurig real estate attorney, and law professor, Dean Lopez highlights the strategies that led to record bar exam pass rates year after year.
Whether you're an incoming 1L, a current student, or part of our global alumni network, this conversation offers actionable advice on navigating law school and the legal profession, and the profound impact student support can make during your time at law school.
5 Jun 2026
Emma Towler
In this candid and inspiring conversation about growth, grit, and Gator pride, Dean Merritt McAlister chats with Emma Towler, a soon-to-be UF Law alumna and proud “double Gator.” They discuss Emma’s journey from UF undergrad mascot to law student and future litigator at Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York.
Emma reflects on her deep connection to UF, navigating law school during COVID, balancing academics with involvement, and the supportive Gator community that shaped her experience. She also shares advice for future law students and insights from unique programs like the Inside Out clinic.
26 May 2026
Ritzy Ettinger
In this episode of Serious About Law, Dean Merritt McAlister sits down with UF Law mental health counselor Ritzy Ettinger for a conversation about wellness, resilience, and the realities of law school. Ritzy shares her journey from Honduras to becoming a counselor and advocate for students in Florida, reflecting on how her own experiences shaped her passion for helping others and supporting students through the challenges of legal education.
The conversation explores the pressures law students face — from cold calls and finals to imposter syndrome and the increasingly competitive job search process — while offering practical strategies for managing stress, regulating anxiety, and maintaining balance. Dean McAlister and Ritzy also discuss the importance of creating a supportive law school environment where students feel comfortable asking for help and are reminded that they earned their seat at the table.
Throughout the episode, the two highlight UF Law’s culture of care, collaboration, and community, emphasizing how mentorship, connection, and wellness support can help students thrive both during law school and throughout their legal careers.
12 May 2026
Professor Michael Allan Wolf
Professor Michael Allan Wolf joins Dean Merritt McAlister on this episode of Serious About Law for a wide-ranging conversation about his journey from Lakeland, Florida, to becoming one of the nation’s leading scholars in property and land use law. Professor Wolf reflects on his early fascination with the law through shows like Perry Mason, his time at Emory University and Georgetown University Law Center, and how an unexpected path through graduate study at Harvard University ultimately shaped his career as a legal historian and professor. Along the way, he shares candid insights about law school, intellectual curiosity, and discovering the conceptual side of the law that inspired his academic work.
The conversation also explores Professor Wolf’s decades-long career teaching at University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he has become known for his engaging classroom style, scholarship in property and zoning law, and deep commitment to students. Dean McAlister and Professor Wolf discuss everything from “Euclidean zoning” and legal treatises to the value of reading, writing, and lifelong learning. The episode closes with stories about UF traditions, Gator sports, and Professor Wolf’s lesser-known side as a guitar-playing songwriter who once performed custom property-law parodies for his students.
2 Apr 2026
Judge Patricia Barksdale
On this episode of Serious About Law, Dean Merritt McAlister chats with Judge Patricia Barksdale (JD 96), a U.S. Magistrate Judge and proud Florida Gator. Judge Barksdale takes us from growing up near NASA’s launch pads to her path through law school, Big Law, in-house counsel work, and eventually the federal bench. Along the way, she shares stories, laughs, and advice for law students—especially about writing and landing clerkships.
They dive into what it’s really like to be a magistrate judge and reflect on how the legal world is changing, including thoughts on using AI in writing. Whether you’re a law student or just curious about the legal journey, this episode is full of valuable insight.
19 Mar 2026
Joshua Zimerman & Yael Szanzer
UF Law Dean Merritt McAlister welcomes first-year law students Josh Zimerman and Yael Szanzer to share their unique journey from New York finance students to University of Florida Levin College of Law Gators. Married and navigating law school together, Josh and Yael discuss the factors that brought them to UF, and what their experience has been so far.
Join us as they reflect on balancing rigorous studies, daily gym routines, and the unexpected joys of Gainesville’s natural beauty. They also discuss the vibrant Jewish community on campus, the supportive and collaborative nature of their fellow 1Ls, and the value they see in UF Law's environment compared to larger law schools.
Whether you’re a prospective student weighing law school options or simply curious about the law school experience in Florida, this conversation offers a candid and inspiring glimpse into academic life and the pursuit of legal careers with ambition and balance.
27 Feb 2026
Rafael Sayagués
UF Law Dean Merritt McAlister welcomes the first alum to the podcast: Rafael Sayagués, managing partner and CEO of Deloitte Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, and a proud graduate of UF Law’s distinguished Graduate Tax Program. Rafael shares his journey from Costa Rica to Gainesville and beyond, revealing how a passion for tax law evolved into a thriving career at the nexus of international business, innovation, and professional services.
Discover the dynamic role of tax lawyers today, from guiding high-stakes global transactions to embracing technological disruption and AI’s transformative impact on the profession. Merritt and Rafael talk legal education, career evolution, and preparing for the future of work in law and business.
27 Feb 2026
Brandice Canes-Wrone
UF Levin College of Law Dean Merritt McAlister sits down with Stanford Professor Brandice Canes‑Wrone, senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and director of the Center for Revitalizing American Institutions. Canes‑Wrone shares the story of her journey—from a Washington, D.C., upbringing and a brief stint as an aspiring concert pianist to a PhD in political economy and a research career focused on representation, accountability, elections, and campaign finance.
The conversation focuses on the public perception of higher education, institutional neutrality, and how universities can balance core academic missions with thoughtful public engagement. Listeners will walk away with a clearer picture of why higher education remains a vital American institution, the forces shaping its current reputation, and actionable ideas for restoring public trust while preserving intellectual individuality.
27 Feb 2026
Joe Mandernach
Hosted by Merritt McAlister, Dean of the University of Florida Levin College of Law, Serious About Law offers candid and engaging conversations on legal education, legal practice, and the evolving landscape of law schools today. In this inaugural episode, Dean McAlister sits down with Joe Mandernach, UF Law’s Senior Associate Dean and Chief of Staff and a proud University of Minnesota Law School graduate, to explore leadership lessons, the value of legal education beyond practicing law, and the unique challenges and opportunities in higher education administration. They dive into topics such as emotional intelligence in lawyering, the impact of AI on legal education, the importance of authentic relationships in professional success, and the future outlook for UF Law. The conversation balances serious insights with a light-hearted and approachable tone, reflecting the spirit of UF Law’s community — taking the work seriously but not themselves.
Join us to learn about the transformative power of legal education, the behind-the-scenes workings of a top law school, and practical advice for law students and leaders alike.
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