Former U.S. Attorney Exposes the System

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to take a moment to let you all know that change is coming for Profit+! Well, maybe. Over the next few months, we are going to be experimenting with some things in an effort to find a better, more valuable offering for you all.

Don’t worry, the core offering of Profit+ won’t be changing. I’ll still be releasing podcast episodes and regularly sharing my ongoing meditations on entrepreneurship, investing, citizenship, and the search for the good life.

But expect to see some new formats, different release schedules, and maybe even some new offerings altogether.

If you are interested in learning more about my housing market theory—why it’s broken and such a big economic problem, what it means for the future of America, and how we might fix things—check out my latest podcast appearance here. 

It is well past time for action on the housing production problem in America. As Maximus once said, “The time for half measures and talk is over.” We do something serious about housing or the American experiment is doomed. If there’s one thing that can hold this uniquely diverse nation together, it’s the promise of opportunity. What is America if people don’t believe they have a legitimate shot at owning a piece of this great nation?

I’m so convinced of the importance of housing that I’m in the process of restructuring my entire business to help in the cause of ownership.  

Today, I’m excited to share the latest podcast episode for The Nick Halaris Show. We are featuring my longtime friend Mack Jenkins, a public-minded lawyer and former US Attorney. As a prosecutor, Mack was responsible for some of the highest profile and most consequential convictions in modern LA history, including those against multiple elected officials. Mack is now a partner at Hecker Fink, a leading law firm with a strong public interest bent and a staunch commitment to justice.

Ready to dive in? Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and YouTube or on your favorite podcast platform.

This is the first in a series of conversations I’d like to have about the evolving role of the judicial system in our democracy. As political tensions intensify across the country, it’s becoming more and more clear to the American people how crucial the law and the courts can be. I wanted to have Mack on the show to get his insider perspective on some of the most important legal issues of the day. In this wide-ranging legal discussion, we cover everything from criminal justice reform to what it’s like to prosecute gangs and elected officials, to the profound role that courts play in public policy, to the magical power of juries in our system of truth. 

Tune in to this inspiring conversation to learn:

• The crucial role that attorneys can play in shaping the public policy landscape

• Why the criminal justice reform movement is not dead and just needs a different focus

• Why public corruption is such a big problem in American politics and how important it is to hold these individuals to account

• How public minded law firms like Hecker Fink are tapping into the new zeitgeist and attracting a whole generation of mission-driven attorneys

• Why you should never try to get out of jury duty again

  &

• Much, much more

Stay tuned to the end to hear how Mack was inspired to a life of service by his father, a correctional officer in juvenile jails who went above and beyond the call of duty to be a mentor and force for good in the lives of young kids caught up in the law.

As always, I hope you all enjoy this episode. Thanks for tuning in! 

Love this episode? Please rate, subscribe, and review on your favorite podcast platform to help more users find our show. 🙏 Thank you

Keywords

Mack Jenkins, Hecker Fink, US Attorney's Office, criminal justice reform, mission-driven law, legal career, bail reform, community influence, trials, justice system, jury system, public corruption, white collar crime, gang prosecutions, criminal justice reform, integrity, truth, psychological impact, community safety, law enforcement

Summary

In this episode of the Nick Halaris Show, host Nick engages in a deep conversation with Mack Jenkins, a partner at Hecker Fink and former US Attorney. They discuss Mack's transition from a long career in public service to a mission-driven law firm, exploring the importance of meaningful legal work and the impact of personal background on career choices. The conversation delves into criminal justice reform, the nuances of the legal system, and the significance of collaboration among legal professionals. Mack shares insights from his experiences in trials and the challenges of ensuring justice in a complex system. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of the jury system, the challenges of prosecuting public corruption and white-collar crime, the complexities of gang prosecutions, and the psychological toll of working in the criminal justice system. They also discuss the need for criminal justice reform and the importance of collaboration between different entities to address systemic issues. The conversation highlights the delicate balance between enforcing the law and understanding the human element behind crime.

takeaways

• Mack Jenkins transitioned from the US Attorney's Office to Hecker Fink.

• Hecker Fink focuses on mission-driven public interest litigation.

• Younger attorneys are seeking meaningful work over high salaries.

• Mack's upbringing influenced his commitment to justice.

• The duality of law enforcement as both punitive and rehabilitative.

• Criminal justice reform requires nuanced discussions and collaboration.

• Mandatory minimums should be applied with discretion.

• Perception can significantly impact jury decisions.

• The role of family and community shapes legal perspectives.

• Trials are a privilege where lives and liberties are at stake. The jury system is a unique process that aims to uncover the truth.

• Public corruption cases are vital to maintaining the integrity of democracy.

• White-collar crime is challenging to prosecute due to its complexity.

• Gang prosecutions can have a significant impact on community safety.

• The psychological impact of prosecuting crime can be profound for attorneys.

• Collaboration between federal and local entities is crucial for effective law enforcement.

• Mental health interventions could play a key role in reducing crime.

• Prosecutors have immense power and discretion in the justice system.

• The perception of crime and corruption can vary greatly over time.

• Engaging with individuals affected by crime can lead to positive outcomes.

Titles

• From Prosecutor to Advocate: Mack Jenkins' Journey

• Mission-Driven Law: The Hecker Fink Approach

• Navigating Criminal Justice Reform with Mack Jenkins

• The Impact of Personal Background on Legal Careers

• Understanding the Nuances of the Justice System

• Collaboration in Criminal Justice: A Path Forward

Sound Bites

• "I did about 100 times more things than I thought."

• "They really care about doing cases that matter."

• "I think the legal industry is better because of it."

• "I wanted to push back on abuses of power."

• "There's a lot of nuance in criminal justice reform."

• "It's a human problem that we're still working to solve."

• "Perception sometimes can have an outsized influence."

• "Our job is to present the case in the most fair way."

• "It's much harder being a juror than a prosecutor."

• "The higher you're up, the more damage you can do."

• "I think there's always a debate about crime."

• "There's not too many smart criminals as the adage."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mack Jenkins and His Journey

02:49 Transitioning from the US Attorney's Office to Hacker Fink

05:59 The Mission-Driven Focus of Hacker Fink

09:08 Personal Background and Influences on Career Choices

11:59 The Role of Family and Community in Shaping Perspectives

15:02 Insights on Criminal Justice Reform

18:08 The Nuances of Criminal Justice and Bail Reform

20:53 The Importance of Collaboration in Criminal Justice

23:58 Reflections on Trials and the Justice System

30:47 The Jury System: A Path to Truth

34:05 Public Corruption: The Fight for Integrity

38:00 Challenges in White Collar Crime

45:28 Gang Prosecutions: A Double-Edged Sword

53:09 The Psychological Impact of Prosecuting Crime

58:31 Criminal Justice Reform: Bridging the Divide