Willamette Common Law

Torts and more: Professor Friedman

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 13:03:00 GMT

In this episode, I'm speaking with Associate Dean and Professor David Friedman about how the Torts class connects to just about every other subject in the law. He also talks about using legal analysis as a tool, while pursuing the values that brought you to law school -- plus a little baseball and some book recommendations!

Questions or comments? Contact us!

Civil Procedure: Professors Dobbins & Simowitz

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:03:00 GMT

In this episode, I talk with Professors Jeff Dobbins and Aaron Simowitz about Civil Procedure, a foundational course for first-year law students. We discuss the importance of understanding the mechanisms of law and litigation and how a thorough knowledge of civil procedure can provide significant advantages in legal practice. We also talk about both professors' paths to teaching.

Questions or comments? Contact us!

Contracts: Professors Bridgeman & Hatza

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 13:00:04 GMT

In this episode, we talk to the two professors who teach Contracts in the first year: Curtis Bridgeman and Nikki Hatza. During our conversation, we covered a wide range of topics, from the history behind cold-calling, to body doubling for productivity and focus, to the importance of reviewing what you're learning throughout the semester.

Questions? Comments? Contact us!

How Law School is like Learning to Drive

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 22:03:51 GMT

In this mini episode, I talk about the skills law school tests on final exams, and how to prepare differently for those "driving tests," as opposed to the kinds of tests you experienced in college.

Questions? Comments? Contact us!

A Conversation with the Dean of Students, Lexie Zirschky

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 13:02:00 GMT

Welcome back! In this first full episode of Season 3, we welcome Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Administration at the College of Law, Lexie Zirschky. Dean Zirschky talks about her love of the Pacific Northwest, what students ought to do this summer to prepare for law school, and habits of successful law students -- among many, many other topics.

Questions? Comments? Contact us!

Welcome Back! Season 3 coming July 6

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

The new season of Matters of First Impression is coming soon!

We'll talk to your first-year professors, Deans, staff, and some bonus guests, all to help you make a strong and successful transition to law school.

See you on July 6th!

Questions? Comments? Contact us!

Why all the talk about Rules?

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 14:01:00 GMT

In this episode, we talk about law's obsession with RULES, and how the constant focus on them can be disorienting in the first year.

Questions? Comments? Contact us!

Stumbling towards Success

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 17:23:02 GMT

In this episode, we talk about using every challenging moment in law school as data, and how stumbling in the first semester is completely normal.

Questions? Comments? Contact us!

Reading Cases: Arguments about Arguments

Sun, 31 May 2026 00:58:35 GMT

Welcome back!

Submit your questions or comments here: https://forms.gle/yRpwouCze5ZFQ2vi7

Ten Insider Tips for the Classroom

Sun, 24 May 2026 02:47:34 GMT

In this episode, we talk about law school culture and, specifically, about the classroom norms that are seldom discussed or made explicit in syllabi or prep books. Learn them now, and feel like an insider on day 1 of your fall semester.

Questions? Comments? Contact us!

Welcome to Discovery Phase!

Sun, 17 May 2026 20:51:00 GMT

Welcome to a new miniseries on the podcast: Discovery Phase. In this short set of mini-episodes geared especially for our Early Start cohort, we will unearth a handful of terms and concepts to prime you for success this summer.

This first mini-episode introduces the idea of monitoring both WHAT you learn in law school (types of knowledge), and what you are expected to DO with that knowledge (types of thinking, or cognitive processes).

Visual aid for the "staircase" model.

Contact form.

The One with First Generation Law Students

Sat, 17 Aug 2024 00:38:11 GMT

In this episode, I talk with a panel of first generation law students about what surprised them about law school, what challenges they faced upon arrival, and what tools have helped them succeed.

The One with Dean Dobbins

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 23:12:34 GMT

Welcome interim Dean Dobbins to the podcast. In this episode, we talk about the new school year and we learn a little more about how an aspiring astronomer became interim dean of the law school.

The One About Lawyering

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 18:26:39 GMT

In this episode, we chat with Professors Sheri Buske, Stephanie Davidson, Jillian Schroeder-Fenlon, Miriam Werner, and me. We all teach Lawyering. We talk about getting feedback, finding meaning beyond grades, and the importance of engaging openly and fully in class.

The One About Contracts

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 20:07:37 GMT

In this episode, we catch up with Professors Karen Sandrik and Curtis Bridgeman. Both teach contracts. We talk about getting called on, reading for class, community, and keeping a margin for yourself.

The One About Civil Procedure

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 21:07:13 GMT

In this episode, we meet Dean Dobbins and Professor Simowitz who teach Civil Procedure. We talk practical learning, opportunities to talk about dating shows, and I let them nerd out about jurisdiction just a little.

Ep 2 The One About Torts

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 20:47:09 GMT

In this episode, we meet Professors Yvonne Tamayo and David Friedman who teach Torts here at Willamette. We'll talk time management, law school as a full-time job, and learn just what exactly is a tort.

The One with Dean Gallini

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 18:29:44 GMT

We kick off our Willamette Common Law Matters of First Impression series with this episode. Professor Gamble and Dean Gallini talk leadership, law school, and living in Salem.