Good Morning and May It Please the Court

This week, we sit down with Andrew "Ang" Arechaga, the Program Director of Talbot Boys Home & Redtke Home for Boys, as he reflects on the challenges and rewards of working with teens facing trauma and mental health struggles. Join us as we discuss how group homes provide structure, support, and a path toward stability for young people in need.

This week, we sit down with Anna Conley, an associate law professor, as she shares the detours along the road that led to her studying jazz performance in New Orleans before shifting to studying law in Washington DC. Join us as we discuss the pursuit of passions, the differences between global legal systems, and teaching the next generation of lawyers.

What happens when the public disagrees with the way justice is carried out?This week, we talk to Missoula Municipal Court judges Jake Coolidge, Eli Parker, and Jennifer Streano as they reflect on their journeys from public defenders to the bench and the realities of holding a position shaped by both law and public opinion. Join us as we discuss innovative efforts like evidence-based pretrial programs and community court sessions aimed at supporting the houseless, while confronting deeper systemic issues like poverty and mental health.

This week, we explore the life and career of Judge Robert "Dusty" Deschamps, who recently hung up his robe after nearly two decades as a Montana District Court Judge. Before that, he studied fine arts, experienced a life-altering hunting accident, and became Missoula County Attorney at just 24 years old. Reflecting on his journey, he shares insights into public service, resilience, and the evolving nature of justice.

How do you know when the job you have isn't the one you're meant to stay in?In this episode, we talk to Layla Turman, a staff attorney at ASUM Legal Services, who started her legal career in private practice, but found her passion in helping people in the public sector. Join us as we discuss reassessing careers, finding more fulfilling work, and prioritizing family and personal life.

What is law school really like?In this episode, we sit down with three third-year law students to talk about the path that brought them here and what the experience has actually been like from the inside. Each intern offers a unique perspective; Ryan grew up in a family of lawyers, Erin is the first in her family to enter the legal world, and Cathy is pursuing a life-long dream of attending law school after retirement. Their journeys are different - but they’ve all arrived at the same destination.We talk about first-week panic, imposter syndrome, cold calls, and the humbling reality of 1L year. We discuss finding your people, balancing work and school, how law school changes the way you think (yes, even down to the comma), and what they wish they had known before starting.If you’re considering law school, or just curious what it’s really like, this one’s for you.

What if the most important part of a career isn’t the plan, but the people who help you imagine possibilities you didn’t know existed?In our first episode, we talk with University of Montana philosophy professor and pre-law director Soazig Le Bihan about her journey from a small coastal village in Brittany, France to academia in Montana. Along the way, she had engineering plans that didn’t stick, discovered philosophy almost by accident, and a series of mentors who pushed her toward opportunities she never expected.Join us as we discuss why education matters for democracy, how philosophy prepares students for legal thinking, and choosing values over prestige.