Westernstatecoffeetalk Podcast

Double-digit episodes start with a bang! On October 16th, we sat down with two 4L students, Steven Alvarado (’18) and Melissa Padilla (’18). Steven and Melissa are a pair of very humble and happy overachievers. As part-time night students, they lead busy lives, juggling work, family, and law school, even law review. However, despite all … Continue reading Episode 10 – students Steven Alvarado and Melissa Padilla

What exactly is academic support? We’re in law school, aren’t we above getting help? Absolutely not! Law school is a place where many people, often for the first time in their educational lives, need help. It’s overwhelming. Because Western State is dedicated to students’ success, we have a stellar academic support and bar preparation program. … Continue reading Episode 09 – Academic Support @ Western State

In this episode of WesternState Coffee Talk, we travel out to a very warm Riverside and venture into the depths of the Riverside County Public Defenders Office. We are lucky enough to sit down with some current Western State students, as well as some alumni who are making a difference in Riverside through the PDs … Continue reading Episode 08 – Riverside County Public Defenders

In this episode of WesternStateCoffeeTalk, we sit down with alumni Brian Derby. Brian (’16) continued working full-time in the IT industry while attending Western State as a part-time student. Brian came in with a plan – obtain his J.D. to complement his work in the IT industry and expand his job opportunities. Throughout our discussion, … Continue reading Episode 07 – alumni Brian Derby

In this episode of WesternStateCoffeeTalk, we travel to the big city of Los Angeles, to sit down with two alumni, Iris Franco and Jossiel Moreira. Iris (’14) and Jossiel (’14) are both attorneys working for Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), a non-profit partnering with other attorneys nationwide to represent unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children … Continue reading Episode 06 – alumni Iris Franco and Jossiel Moreira

In this episode of WesternStateCoffeeTalk, we sit down with 2nd year part-time students, Ryan Schley and Sean Kurdoglu.   Ryan and Sean share what brought them each to law school, how they make it all work – juggling their responsibilities of work, family, and school, and some realistic tips on how to survive and succeed in … Continue reading Episode 05 – students Ryan Schley and Sean Kurdoglu

In this episode of WesternStateCoffeeTalk, we sit down with Professor Cheyanna Jaffke. Professor Jaffke discusses her love of tax law and estate law, her interest in the Indian Child Welfare Act, her constant canine companion, Fiona, and what she finds so rewarding about teaching at Western State.

Western State student organization, Public Interest Law Foundation, hosted a Public Interest Law Panel here on campus on Tuesday November 15, 2016.  Speakers included Bill Tanner and Scott Barnes, from the Legal Aid Society of Orange County, and Western State Professors Jennifer Koh and Stacey Sobel.  In this short lunchtime session, speakers shared interesting past … Continue reading Episode 03 – WSCL’s Public Interest Law Foundation – Public Interest Law Panel

In this episode of WesternStateCoffeeTalk, we sit down with 3rd year student Sharon Tekolian.   We discuss her experiences at Western State.