MCLE ThisWeek Podcast

MCLE ThisWeek | S2 E2: New Lawyer Diaries: Law School to Real Life with Shira Diner

Episode Summary

In the second episode of the revamped MCLE ThisWeek podcast, host Bruce Richard speaks with Shira Diner, a seasoned public defender, legal educator, and advocate, about the transition from law school to real-world legal practice. As a Lecturer and Clinical Instructor at Boston University School of Law’s Defender Clinic, Shira mentors law students as they take on real clients and navigate the complexities of the criminal legal system. She shares her expertise on experiential learning, the importance of courtroom experience, and how new lawyers can develop confidence and resilience in their first year of practice. From mock trials to self-care strategies, this episode is essential listening for any aspiring attorney.

Episode Notes

In This Episode:
Host Bruce Richard sits down with Shira Diner to explore:

How BU Law’s Defender Clinic gives students hands-on experience with real clients
The biggest challenges and misconceptions law students have about public defense
Strategies for developing confidence and resilience in the courtroom
The importance of mentorship, networking, and work-life balance in the legal field

Featured Guest:
Shira Diner

Lecturer & Clinical Instructor, BU Law Defender Clinic
Former Director of Associate Development & Recruitment, Todd & Weld LLP
Former public defender with CPCS for 17 years, including as a supervising attorney in the Criminal Defense Training Unit
President of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Former adjunct clinical professor at Suffolk Law, where she created and ran the Innocence Clinic
Appointed by Governor Charlie Baker to the Massachusetts Sentencing Commission

Don’t Miss:

Shira’s advice for law students and new lawyers navigating their first cases
How mock trials and experiential learning build better attorneys
Why Legally Blonde holds a key lesson for cross-examinations

Links and Resources:

Important Note:

Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (MCLE) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing high-quality, practical continuing legal education for the legal community. As part of its educational mission, MCLE presents a wide range of viewpoints and instructional content intended solely for educational purposes.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by individual participants in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of MCLE, its Board of Trustees, staff, or affiliated institutions. Inclusion of any material or commentary does not constitute an endorsement of any position on any issue by MCLE.

For questions or sponsorship inquiries, email podcast@mcle.org.