Common law can feel like a chaotic patchwork of 50 different jurisdictions. But for the last century, the American Law Institute (ALI) has worked to distill that chaos into clear, persuasive principles. We sit down with Mark Hall, the lead reporter for the Restatement of the Law Third, Torts: Medical Malpractice, to discuss how these influential texts are written and why they often carry more weight than a standard law review article.

In this episode, we cover:

• The "Goldilocks" Standard: How the ALI synthesizes the "best" version of the law from conflicting state approaches.
• Medical Malpractice Deep Dive: Defining the "Standard of Care" and navigating the controversial Loss of Chance doctrine.
• A "Secondary" Source with Primary Power: Why judges often rely on Restatements to settle issues of first impression.
• The Laboratory of the States: Why a little legal variation across the country is actually a good thing for the profession.

• (00:00) - Introduction: The Chaos of Common Law and the Role of the ALI
• (03:24) - What is a Restatement? Harmonizing 50 States into One Principle
• (04:36) - The Legacy of Torts: How the ALI Created Products Liability Law
• (07:17) - Defining the Standard of Care: "Competent" vs. "Average"
• (09:55) - The "Loss of Chance" Doctrine: Can You Sue for a Reduced Probability of Survival?
• (12:14) - Study Tips: Using Restatements to Outline for Finals and Understand Nuance
• (16:24) - Litigation Strategy: Making Arguments When the Law is Unsettled
• (20:00) - The "Laboratory of the States": Why Legal Variation is Beneficial
• (24:32) - Curriculum Design: Will Professors Teach from the Restatement?
• (27:38) - Host Debrief: How to Use Restatements as a Research Shortcut for Briefs
• (34:40) - Evidence vs. Torts: Why Codified Rules Feel Easier to Learn
• (42:02) - Networking Hacks: Using the ALI Member List to Find Mentors

Copyright law used to be considered a quiet, "boutique" field—but things have changed. With the rise of AI and global digital marketplaces, copyright has transformed into a high-stakes battlefield. We sit down with Kristyn Webb, a copyright litigator at Fishman Stewart, to discuss how technology is rewriting the concept of ownership and why firms are desperate for new experts in "Soft IP".

In this episode, we cover:

• The AI Revolution: How the legal world is grappling with training data, generated outputs, and the lack of global consensus on AI copyright.
• Global Enforcement: Why copyright lawyers need to look beyond lawsuits and work with Customs and Border Protection to stop infringing goods before they enter the country.
• The Human Element: The importance of understanding "moral rights" and protecting an artist's legacy (and immortality).
• Career Advice: Why you shouldn't be discouraged if you don't land an IP job immediately, and how "side quests" like clerking can make you a better litigator.

Click here to view the episode transcript.

• (00:00) - Introduction: Copyright Law’s Evolution in the Age of AI
• (01:44) - Meet Kristyn Webb: Copyright Litigator & Soft IP Expert
• (03:27) - Breaking into IP: A Non-Linear Career Path to Copyright Law
• (05:11) - Future of IP: Concierge Services and Artificial Intelligence
• (06:42) - Legal Job Market: The Growing Demand for Trademark & Copyright Attorneys
• (08:44) - IP Strategy: Using Copyright for Border Enforcement & Brand Protection
• (12:54) - Day in the Life: Litigating Diverse Cases from Cartoons to Digital Rights
• (15:34) - Moral Rights & Legacy: The Human Element of Intellectual Property
• (21:42) - Global Copyright: AI Training Data and International Jurisdiction
• (25:03) - Student Resources: The Copyright Claims Board & Law School Clinics
• (26:59) - Career Advice: Leveraging Clerkships and "Side Quests" for IP Jobs
• (31:45) - Host Debrief: The Broad Scope of Copyrightable Works (including Dance)
• (38:43) - Conclusion: Balancing Artistic Passion with Legal Career Practicality

Want a legal career blending Intellectual Property (IP), Biotechnology, and Business? We sit down with Jenna Matheny (Vice-President & Managing Director at APIOiX) to break down the path to a high-impact career in medical innovation. This episode is essential listening for law students and those interested in patent law who also have a passion for science, revealing a world of opportunities beyond traditional law firm life.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Innovation Lifecycle: How lawyers are involved from invention disclosure and patent strategy to regulatory approval (FDA) and commercialization.
• The Business of IP: The critical, often-overlooked importance of contracting and compliance in developing and licensing medical technology.
• Finding Your Niche: Jenna's unique career path through university Tech Transfer offices, incubators, and accelerators—and how law students can get their foot in the door.
• Beyond Science: The growing field of social innovation and how non-science majors can find rewarding IP careers focused on copyright and trademark.
• Practical Law School Advice: Which broad-based courses (like securities and international tax) set you up for success, and the value of clinics and residencies.

• (00:00) - Introduction: Blending Law, Science, and Business in an IP Career
• (01:43) - Meet Jenna Matheny: Expert in Medical Technology IP and Tech Consulting
• (04:28) - Defining Biotech vs. MedTech: Law's Role in FDA Approval
• (05:42) - The Core Practice Areas: Patents, Contracting, and Regulatory Compliance
• (10:09) - Career Pivot: From Medicine Interest to Patent Attorney Path
• (11:32) - Tech Transfer Offices (TTOs): How Law Students Can Gain Experience
• (14:28) - Incubators & Accelerators: Consulting and Internship Roles for Attorneys
• (20:39) - Practical Advice: Essential Law School Courses (Securities, Tax) and Clinics
• (24:26) - Serendipity & Networking: How Connections Change the Course of a Legal Career
• (25:59) - Social Innovation: IP Opportunities without a Science Background (Copyright & Trademark)