WilmerHale is pleased to announce the second season of In the Public Interest, a podcast dedicated to exploring the legal and policy challenges capturing attention across the globe. Hosted by WilmerHale Partners John Walsh, former US Attorney for the District of Colorado, and Felicia Ellsworth, vice chair of WilmerHale’s Litigation/Controversy Department, the podcast features an impressive line-up of guests offering rare insights into the complex world of law and policy.
In anticipation of the season’s release, Ellsworth, who is replacing former co-host Brendan McGuire following his appointment as chief counsel to New York Mayor Eric Adams, said “I’m excited to join John this season and speak with leaders working at the forefront of so many important issues of the day.”
Season one of In the Public Interest covered pressing issues such as COVID-19, civil unrest, climate change, wrongful imprisonment and the death penalty. Featuring guests like Chicago’s Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot—who was tasked with weighing the growing demands for police reform against the city’s increasing crime rate—and renowned journalist and activist Jason Rezaian, In the Public Interest spotlighted those at the center of the history-making headlines of the day.
Reflecting on the past season Walsh said, “We’ve been in an incredibly challenging time during the pandemic and with other things that are going on in the world. I’m reminded of that famous statement by Mr. Rogers that when bad things are happening, look for the people who are helping. Over the course of the year, I’ve been struck that through our various episodes, individual cases, and important public policy issues that are underway now, we found a lot of people who are helping. With that, naturally many of our episodes have focused on inspiring stories of lawyers, companies and individuals who are doing things to help in challenging times.”
The first episode of season two features Rachel Brand, the executive vice president of global governance, chief legal officer, and corporate secretary at Walmart. She is joined by WilmerHale Partner Alyssa DaCunha, who focuses her practice on government and internal investigations and crisis management assistance, serving clients in a range of industries. In their conversation, Brand and DaCunha discuss how Brand’s years of experience in government and in the private sector have shaped her as a leader today, including her experience as the first woman to serve as the US Associate Attorney General, the third-ranking official in the US Department of Justice. This season will also include episodes on reproductive rights, cryptocurrency and other current topics in the headlines.
Season one of In the Public Interest is available at wilmerhale.com and on all podcast-streaming platforms. The first episode of season two premieres in late January.