Aspiring litigators often assume that gaining real courtroom experience requires sitting behind senior partners or spending years grinding through civil discovery. However, bankruptcy practice provides a unique hybrid of commercial transactions and immediate courtroom advocacy.

In this episode of the ABA Law Student Podcast, new host Charnese Ballard speaks with Anne Burns, a shareholder at Cavazos Hendricks Poirot, PC and a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee. Anne breaks down how the federal bankruptcy code overlays state contract and property law, how trustees liquidate assets for the benefit of creditors, and how to investigate "unscheduled" hidden assets. She explains why bankruptcy provides young associates with an accelerated route into the courtroom through emergency "melting ice cream" hearings and contested commercial matters.

The conversation also covers real-world field experiences—including chartering helicopters to dismantle offshore gas wells in the Gulf—essential law school coursework like UCC Article 9, and the wide array of career pathways across debtor, creditor, government, and judicial clerkship spaces.

• (00:00) - Intro: Fast-Tracking Courtroom Experience in Bankruptcy Law
• (02:14) - Meet Anne Burns: Chapter 7 Trustee and Creditor Counsel
• (03:09) - How State Substantive Law Intersects with the Bankruptcy Code
• (07:04) - Creditor Representation: Statutory Priorities vs. Courthouse Races
• (10:20) - Uncovering Hidden Assets and Bankruptcy Fraud Investigations
• (13:31) - Compassionate Practice: Supporting Businesses in Hard Times
• (15:06) - Navigating Business Dissolutions and Personal Guarantees
• (18:19) - Recommended Law School Courses: UCC Article 9, Tax, and Accounting
• (19:51) - "Melting Ice Cream" Emergencies: Early Courtroom Experience for Young Lawyers
• (23:33) - Economic Trends and Post-Stimulus Bankruptcy Cycles
• (26:50) - Field Stories: Gulf Gas Wells and Asset Liquidation
• (31:57) - Career Pathways: Trustees, Judicial Clerks, and Government Roles
• (35:18) - Host Debrief: Breaking Stigmas and Building Litigation Skills

Tax strategy is one of the most misunderstood and underutilized tools in litigation. In this episode of the ABA Law Student Podcast, tax law expert Jeremy Babener shares how he developed a passion for and career in tax law and settlement consulting.

Jeremy breaks down the mechanics of structured settlements, explaining how tax attorneys collaborate with trial lawyers behind the scenes to preserve settlement value for plaintiffs. The discussion clarifies the key differences between tax controversy, estate planning, and tax planning, while debunking the myth that tax law requires complex math. Learn why tax law boasts high career satisfaction, how tax principles touch practice areas from family law to personal injury, and why taking a basic tax course is an essential move for any future attorney.

Plus, our newest student co-host, Charnese Ballard joins Todd and Eve to bring her own perspective to the episode. We’re looking forward to hearing all she brings to the table over the rest of the season.

• (00:00) - Intro: Unlocking Tax Strategy in Litigation
• (01:45) - Welcome New Co-Host Charnese Ballard
• (02:35) - Guest Introduction: Jeremy Babener’s Tax Career
• (04:32) - From Federal Tort Claims to U.S. Treasury Tax Policy
• (08:41) - Understanding Structured Settlements and Tax Strategy
• (13:32) - Collaborating with Trial Lawyers as Settlement Counsel
• (17:54) - Tax Controversy vs. Estate Planning vs. Tax Planning
• (22:25) - Debunking the Math Myth: Strategy and Statutory Interpretation
• (26:33) - Why Every Law Student Should Take Federal Income Tax
• (32:33) - Public Policy, IRS Disputes, and Career Satisfaction
• (38:07) - Host Debrief: How Tax Principles Touch Every Practice Area
• (44:20) - Class Selection Advice: Broadening Horizons in Law School

In this season-finale episode of the ABA Law Student Podcast, hosts Todd Berger, Eve Albert, and Nayeli Diaz pull back the curtain on municipal law with Dave Eberle, a municipal law attorney and partner at Bloom Sluggett, PC in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dave breaks down what it truly means to represent public entities and cities, explaining why local government practice is a dynamic cross-section of corporate transactions, property law, and intense local politics.

The conversation explores how to navigate the modern crisis of low institutional trust, the ongoing battle for local control against state interference, and why AI can never replace the personal, human touch required to advise elected officials through legal gray areas. Dave outlines the perfect recipe for thriving in this sector—being hungry, humble, and smart—while sharing invaluable advice on utilizing internships, clerkships, and authentic networking to build a lasting career. Whether you are a 1L researching summer coursework or a recent graduate studying for the bar, this episode offers an inspiring look at how the law can directly shape your own neighborhood.

Note: This episode marks a special milestone as the team bids a fond farewell to co-host Nayeli Diaz following her recent law school graduation. Interested in becoming the next co-host of the podcast? Click here to apply!

Click here to view the episode transcript.

• (00:00) - – Intro: Law Student Careers and Bar Exam Reality
• (03:19) - – What is Municipal Law? Public Service for Local Communities
• (06:44) - – Public vs. Private Corporations: Understanding the Municipal Lens
• (09:43) - – Client Communication: Strategic Advocacy and the Limits of AI
• (13:52) - – Workspace Qualities: Becoming a Hungry, Humble, and Smart Attorney
• (18:18) - – Gaining Trial Experience through Internships and Judicial Clerkships
• (23:03) - – Modern Challenges: Building Institutional Trust and Local Control
• (27:46) - – Essential Law School Coursework for Public Sector Law
• (33:43) - – Host Debrief: Exploring the Versatility of Local Government Law
• (40:58) - – Long-Term Marketability, Job Hunting for 3Ls, and Host Auditions