[F]law School

Summary:

In this episode of [F]law School, hosts Troy Brown and Thy Luong speak with Harvard Law student Brandon Martinez about his article, titled “Representation = Taxation,” on U.S. tax policy. In their conversation, Martinez explains how, since the post-World War II era, conservative movements have worked to dismantle progressive tax structures, benefiting the wealthy and making tax avoidance common among the ultra-wealthy. He also highlights how racism has shaped tax policy and how those policies deepened systemic racial inequities. There is some good news. For example, Martinez points to growing grassroots efforts at the state level to challenge these disparities, leading to broader engagement in efforts to reform tax systems to hold corporate power accountable and create a more equitable society.

Guest Bio:

Brandon Martinez is a rising third-year law student interested in economic justice, environmental law, and democracy reform. He studied political economy at Harvard College. He is from Orange County, California, where he has worked in local politics, legal aid work, and civic education.

Editors:

Special thanks to Safowana Islam, Mirei Saneyoshi, and Pragnya Vella for production and editing assistance.
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• Podcast Home: Our podcast episodes can be found at flawschool.org
• [F]law Website: Find more articles and content from The [F]law magazine at theflaw.org
• Systemic Justice Project: All [F]law content is a product of the Systemic Justice Project at systemicjustice.org
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In this two-part episode on the corporatization of drag, hosts, Sam Perri and Pragnya Vella, interview Grayce Burns, a Harvard Law student, to discuss the rising popularity of drag as both a hobby and profession -- and as a form of both personal and political expression.

In Part 1 Grayce explains how corporate control over drag queens is reshaping drag, undermining unique local drag cultures and harming queens who go on popular shows like Drag Race through restrictive non-disclosure agreements -- or NDAs (as they’re called in the biz) -- and meager pay. Grayce explains how, despite those challenges drag persists as a vibrant form of queer visibility and artistic expression for queer identities.

In Part 2, the conversation continues, as Grayce sheds light on how some queens are pushing back to reclaim the activist roots of drag culture and offers ideas for how we can support local drag performers outside of the Drag Race monopoly.
Guest Bio:

Grayce Burns is a student at Harvard Law School in the Class of 2025 and a Linthicum, MD native. She’s interested in international litigation and arbitration, and enjoys examining issues at the intersection of law, philosophy, and economics. When the Law School lets her go outside, she enjoys hanging out with her hairless cat, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, and cheering on any and all Maryland sports teams.
For more information and complete show notes, go to the episode's webpage: https://theflaw.org/?post_type=articles&p=4409&preview=true.
Listen, rate, and subscribe!

• Podcast Home: Our podcast episodes can be found at flawschool.org
• [F]law Website: Find more articles and content from The [F]law magazine at theflaw.org
• Systemic Justice Project: All [F]law content is a product of the Systemic Justice Project at systemicjustice.org
• Newsletter Sign-Up: Subscribe to receive curated content from The [F]law here.
• Contact Us: Have questions, comments or feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected].
• Listen to [F]law School on Your Favorite Platform:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Youtube Music
  • Buzzsprout
  • Systemic Justice Project Youtube

If you enjoyed this episode of [F]law School, please leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts! Class dismissed!

Summary:

In this episode of [F]Law School, hosts Haley Florsheim and and Mirei Saneyoshi examine the systemic roots of the affordable housing crisis with guests Sofi Scotti, David Hernandez, and Steven Rome, each of whom have written about this critical issue for The [F]law magazine.

From Boston to Newark to Miami, they explore how corporate landlords and developers are driving housing inequality, pricing out vulnerable communities, and wielding political power to shape laws in their favor.

Drawing on personal and community stories as well as as scholarly and legal analyses, the conversation unpacks the stark difference between small landlords and corporate entities, the importance of tenant organizing and advocacy, and some of the ways law students can get involved in this vital work.

Tune in to learn why housing is a human right—and how we can fight to make that right a reality.

Guest Bios:

David Hernandez is a student at Harvard Law School in the Class of 2025. He is also a graduate of Harvard College. Before law school, David worked with the Robin Hood Foundation’s Early Childhood team

Sofi Scotti is a 2024 graduate of Harvard Law School. In her time at Harvard, she was the Co-Practice Area Head of Housing at the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau. She is passionate about housing justice in her hometown of Miami and beyond.

Steven Rome is a member of the Harvard Law School Class of 2025. He studied history and political science at Yale University, graduating in 2020. Before law school, he was a sixth-grade teacher.
For more information and complete show notes, go to the episode's webpage: https://theflaw.org/?post_type=articles&p=4467&preview=true.
Listen, rate, and subscribe!

• Podcast Home: Our podcast episodes can be found at flawschool.org
• [F]law Website: Find more articles and content from The [F]law magazine at theflaw.org
• Systemic Justice Project: All [F]law content is a product of the Systemic Justice Project at systemicjustice.org
• Newsletter Sign-Up: Subscribe to receive curated content from The [F]law here.
• Contact Us: Have questions, comments or feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected].
• Listen to [F]law School on Your Favorite Platform:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Youtube Music
  • Buzzsprout
  • Systemic Justice Project Youtube

Summary:

In this episode of [F]law School, hosts Gauri Sood and Haley Florsheim explore the chilling reality of publicly traded private prisons with third-year law student Jheri’ Richards. Together, they reveal how corporations like GeoGroup profit from mass incarceration, relying on government contracts and the stock market to drive their growth. Drawing haunting parallels between private prisons and historical slave auctions, Jheri’ exposes how GeoGroup commodifies human lives. From shell companies and lobbying to the widespread involvement of everyday investors, this episode uncovers how law enables diabolical systems.

Editors:

Very special thanks to Nolan Mascarenhas for production and editing assistance.

Guest Bio:

Jheri’ Richards is a student at Harvard Law School in the Class of 2025. She is also a graduate of Yale University. Before law school, Jheri’ worked at Google in advertising technology. She is interested in criminal justice reform, democracy work, and family law.
Music:

Our theme music is "I Been Waiting" by Crystal Squad, and you'll also hear segments of "Palms Down" by Blue Dot Sessions.
[F]law Resources:

• Jheri’ Richards. Publicly Traded Private Prisons
• Adriel Williams, The Costs of Carceral Communications
• Tuhin Chakraborty, When Healthcare Doesn’t Care
• Ennely Medina, Bed Mandates and Corporate Profits
• Connie Cheng, From Walls to Shackles
• Austin Nielsen-Reagan, The Profitability of Inhumanity

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

• Podcast Home: Our podcast episodes can be found at flawschool.org
• [F]law Website: Find more articles and content from The [F]law magazine at theflaw.org
• Systemic Justice Project: All [F]law content is a product of the Systemic Justice Project at systemicjustice.org
• Newsletter Sign-Up: Subscribe to receive curated content from The [F]law here.

If you enjoyed this episode of [F]law School, please leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts! Class dismissed!

Summary:

In this episode of [F]law School, hosts Jessenia Class and Reya Singh speak with Harvard Law student Pantho Sayed about his article, titled “Not Just a Game,” on the challenges within the video game industry. Sayed focuses on the intense pressure developers face due to the corporatization of game production. An avid gamer and writer, Sayed explains how “crunch,” or extended periods of overwork, has become a systemic issue, as large publishers prioritize profits and deadlines over the well-being of game developers. The conversation explores the disconnect between gamers’ expectations and the realities of game production, as well as how the industry’s power dynamics impact workers’ mental health and game quality. Sayed also discusses potential solutions for both workers and gamers, highlighting the importance of ethical consumption in pressuring the industry to change.

Guest Bio:

Pantho Sayed is a student at Harvard Law School (Class of 2025) interested in government and technology legal work. He is also a graduate of Fordham University. Pantho remains a lifelong video game player, graphic novel enthusiast, and overall geek.

Editors:

Special thanks to Mirei Saneyoshi, Safowana Islam, and Gauri Sood for production and editing assistance.

Visit our homepage for more shownotes.
Listen, rate, and subscribe!

• Podcast Home: Our podcast episodes can be found at flawschool.org
• [F]law Website: Find more articles and content from The [F]law magazine at theflaw.org
• Systemic Justice Project: All [F]law content is a product of the Systemic Justice Project at systemicjustice.org
• Newsletter Sign-Up: Subscribe to receive curated content from The [F]law here.
• Contact Us: Have questions, comments or feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected].
• Listen to [F]law School on Your Favorite Platform:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Youtube Music
  • Buzzsprout
  • Systemic Justice Project Youtube

If you enjoyed this episode of [F]law School, please leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts! Class dismissed!