Sanctuary in the Jungle
Amidst a plethora of legal podcasts discussing case breakdowns, legal news, and true crime, Sanctuary in the Jungle offers a look into the lives and motivations of the lawyers themselves.
Sanctuary in the Jungle is a criminal defense podcast discussing the vital role criminal defense attorneys play in the justice system. Drawing on insights from renowned attorneys Edward Bennett Williams and Michael Tigar, the podcast likens criminal courts to a "sanctuary" for rational decision making as opposed to the everyday "jungle-like" environment. Outside of the courts, decisions are often driven by emotion and intuition, which can lead to arbitrary and unjust outcomes. Criminal courts, in contrast, were designed to function as a carefully structured system where decisions are made based on evidence and legal standards. The sanctuary mindset must be used if we are to ensure that everyone, regardless of their personal background or situation, receives a fair trial. Through engaging conversations with defense attorneys and advocates, Sanctuary in the Jungle highlights the importance of upholding justice, dignity, and humanity in legal proceedings while illustrating how attorneys endure the emotionally weighty process.
Episodes
12 episodes
Building a Firm You Believe in | Craig Mastantuono
Craig Mastantuono didn't leave public defense just to be his own boss. He left because he had a vision for what a great law firm could actually look like.Today, his firm is less a practice and more a culture. It’s built around a philoso...
Reimagining Cross Examination | Jim McComas
So you've learned how to be comfortable in cross examination. Now what?Jim McComas has spent decades redefining what's possible in the courtroom. Between leading the trial division at the Washington D.C. Public Defender Service to becomi...
Painting Pictures through Facts | Matt Dodd
Joining us this week is an expert in cross examination, Attorney Matt Dodd. In this episode, he lays the groundwork for telling a story through facts, breaking down the how-tos and whys behind the art of asking questions. It’s a great listen fo...
Finding your Voice & Building Belonging | Colette Tvedt
Despite knowing she wanted to be a public defender from the age of ten, Colette shares that even when you know where you want to go, finding who you are on the way there is the most rewarding part. Colette’s career has taken her thr...
How Stories Connect Us | Keith Belzer
Today’s conversation sits at the heart of what we do as defenders: story. I’m joined by my friend Keith Belzer, a master of courtroom storytelling who has spent years studying not just what makes a story persuasive, but why it...
From Being Charged to Choosing the Fight | Matthew Hefti
Welcome back to Sanctuary in the Jungle, a podcast for criminal defense attorneys about the importance of humanity and reason in the criminal legal system. In this episode, host Aaron A. Nelson sits down with Texas criminal...
Healing & Humanity in Homicide Cases | Deja Vishny
Sanctuary is back with a true Wisconsin criminal defense legend—Attorney Deja Vishny. A longtime public defender, Deja has handled more than 125 homicide cases, earning much recognition for her work. Deja is the recipient of NACDL's 20...
Speak with Clarity, Serve with Heart | Joe Bugni
In this episode of Sanctuary in the Jungle, host Aaron Nelson sits down with Attorney Joe Bugni for an honest conversation about the craft — and the cost — of good advocacy. Together, they explore the clearest ways to communicate with judges, w...
Defending Dignity on Death Row | James E. Coleman Jr
Welcome back to Sanctuary in the Jungle. In this episode, we’re joined by Professor James E. Coleman Jr. From his first death penatly case through today, Professor Coleman endeavors to show that every human is worthy of dignit...
How to Find Your Client's Story | Michele Lavigne
Sanctuary in the Jungle launches its first episode exactly where so many Wisconsin attorneys’ passion for criminal defense begins - with emeritus law professor Michele Lavigne. Join us as Michele and Aaron discuss why they’re so passio...