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Advisory Opinions

Advisory Opinions

668 episodes — Page 6 of 14

Into the Labyrinth (of Texas Immigration Law)

Sarah and David dive into the battle (one that at times stumps our resident SCOTUS wonks) between the 5th Circuit and the Supreme Court on Texas’ deportation legislation. The Agenda: —Texas’ SB4, explained —Important legal glossary —The issue with administrative stays —Why the delay at the Fifth Circuit? —Opinion in chambers from Justice Roberts —FBI No-Fly List Case —First Amendment and Government Coercion —NRA free speech battle —Listener feedback Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 21, 202458 min

Can State Officials Block Me on Social Media?

Sarah and David discuss Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s opinion in Lindke v. Freed—released last week by the Supreme Court—and the test for state action on social media. Is there a constitutional right to commenting on state officials’ accounts? The Agenda: -Predicting SCOTUS votes for Net Choice -Slime in the ice machine -Justice Elena Kagan’s compelling reasoning for saying “and” means “or” -Terrorism distortion and special needs exceptions to the Fourth Amendment -The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is overwhelmed -An emergency petition on the Texas A&M drag show case -Don’t say 'Don’t Say Gay' when referring to this lawsuit -Justice Stephen Breyer and choosing pragmatism and not textualism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 19, 20241h 10m

Blood Libel at MIT

Sarah and David react to the Robert Hur’s congressional testimony, but first Sarah responds to a recent article that claimed she was assisting Hur in his testimony (and thanks the loyal listeners who came to her defense). The Agenda: —David’s thoughts on the Hur hearings —Lessons in media training —Differences between the Trump and Biden documents cases —Partisanship making people awful —Complaint by Jewish students at MIT —Blood libel at MIT —Free speech or no speech on campus? —Positive racial discrimination? —The end of judge shopping Show Notes: —President Reagan, Mastermind - SNL —UC Berkeley Jewish students successfully march without confrontation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 14, 20241h 10m

Stopping the Stop Woke Act

Despite a slow start to the week in legal news, Sarah and David have a tightly packed episode today starting with a dissent from denial from Justice Thomas on bias response teams at a Virginia university. The Agenda: —Bias response teams —ACLU vs. NLRB —Florida's Stop Woke Act naw-dogged by Eleventh Circuit —Texas' law on minor access to explicit content at the Fifth Circuit —TikTok: Welcome to the culture war —Kevin Newsom's speech on text, history, and tradition —Be careful with tradition —Understanding standing doctrine —The Oscars and a good legal movie Show Notes: —Federalist Society 2024 National Student Symposium —The Volokh Conspiracy —Luis Parrales: The Oscars in an Age of Distraction —MIT legal complaint Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 12, 20241h 0m

David Responds to Trolls

David takes the first ten minutes to respond to Twitter trolls over his latest New York Times article before he and Sarah revisit their arguments over the Supreme Court’s per curium ruling on the Trump-Colorado case. The Agenda: —Defending the Supreme Court —Erasing the Constitution —Confusion over the Trump ruling —Consequentialism vs. originalism —Judicial restraint and originalism —Erasing Chevron —SCOTUS hears bump stock case —Explaining the string cheese factors Show Notes: -Kevin Williamson: Slate Publishes Gun-Control Fiction -Advisory Opinions Episode with Professor Amanda Tyler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 7, 20241h 15m

Indictment Watch: The Supreme Court Decides Whether States Can Disqualify Trump

The Supreme Court issued an unanimous decision on Monday dismissing efforts to block Trump from the Colorado ballot. Sarah and David review the ruling and then go on to disagree about pretty much everything. Stay tuned for a feisty debate. The Agenda: -Colorado cannot remove Donald Trump from its ballot -SCOTUS not touching the "Did Donald Trump engage in insurrection or aiding the enemies of the United States?" question -Also not touching, "Is Trump an officer?" -5-4 ruling on who can enforce Section 3 of the 14th Amendment Show Notes: -Electoral Count Reform Act -Section 3 of the 14th Amendment -Colorado Supreme Court's Majority Opinion -Maine Secretary of State's original decision on removing Trump Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 5, 20241h 7m

Sore Losers and Dr. Phil

Sarah and David have some legal catch-up to do but first on the docket is some rank punditry on Donald Trump's endless legal saga. The Agenda: —Why is there a delay on Trump’s cases? —David explains NetChoice v. Paxton —McElrath v. Georgia update —No Labels considers Nikki Haley —Dr. Phil’s our guy —Home Depot and free speech —NCAA name, image, likeness rules —AO dating app update Today's episode is supported by Burford Capital. Follow the link to learn more: http://burfordcapital.com/ao Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 29, 20241h 12m

Live from Alabama

Former U.S. Assistant Attorneys General Stephen Boyd and Jody Hunt, as well as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama Prim Escalona join Sarah Isgur for a live recording of Advisory Opinions at the University of Alabama. The Agenda: —An update on the Alabama IVF ruling —To go to law school or not to go? —Private practice vs public service —Relationship and mom advice in high-stressed jobs —Audience QA Show Notes: —Chevron Deference discussed on Advisory Opinions. Today's episode is supported by Burford Capital. Follow the link to learn more: http://burfordcapital.com/ao Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 27, 20241h 14m

Taylor Swift and the Magna Carta

Judges Jennifer Elrod and Charles Eskridge join Sarah and David to explain the “inns” and outs of a special networking group for attorneys. The Agenda: —SCOTUS declines to hear TJ High School case[should we spell out?] —Harvard, antisemitic cartoons, and free speech —Biden’s authority to shut the border —The Inn of Court explained —Taylor Swift-themed parodies —Sarah sings for a second Show Notes: -Contact [email protected] for more information on the Houston showing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 22, 20241h 6m

Alabama Against IVF

Sarah and David dive into an Alabama Supreme Court case designating embryos as minors and explain how this might affect abortion policy at large. The Agenda: —Has Alabama banned in vitro fertilization (IVF)? —Sarah’s experience with IVF —The post-Roe world —Climate scientist wins $1 million defamation case —Fani Willis and Nathan Wade take the stand —Donald Trump’s corporate death penalty —AO advice column: marrying a lawyer Show Notes: —David Lat's Original Jurisdiction Today's episode is supported by Burford Capital. Follow the link to learn more: http://burfordcapital.com/ao Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 20, 20241h 11m

Guns and the Aloha State

Do people have a right to gun ownership even if it conflicts the “spirit of Aloha”? Sarah and David dig into a 53-page opinion from the Supreme Court of Hawaii that teeters on the edge of defiance. The Agenda: —Clarifying public accommodation and the anti-Zionist bookstore —Carrying a gun without a permit v. the Second Amendment —The Law of the Splintered Paddle —Bruen makes an appearance —Trump's briefs (to the Supreme Court) Show Notes: Today's episode is supported by Burford Capital. Follow the link to learn more: http://burfordcapital.com/ao Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 15, 20241h 11m

Ignore the Gaslighters on the Hur Report

Memory issues, ghost writers, and presidential prosecutions. Media outlets are cherry picking bits and pieces from the Hur Report on Biden’s handling of classified documents, but Sarah and David spend a full episode analyzing its legal standards and implications. The Agenda: —Disclosing biases —Standards of evidence —Biden’s too old —Can we get the full recordings? —No security clearance for the ghost writer —Partisan brains reading the report —“No Zionists Allowed” in a bookstore Show Notes: —The Hur report Today's episode is supported by Burford Capital. Follow the link to learn more: http://burfordcapital.com/ao Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 13, 20241h 23m

Do Your Job ... SCOTUS

Sarah and David cover the oral argument at the Supreme Court regarding the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to block Trump from the ballot in the state. The Agenda: —David’s unpleasant déjà vu —All the ways Colorado will lose —The textualist approach —What process is due? —Non-Mutual Collateral Estoppel —David responds to Justice Kagan —Griffin’s case —U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton —The advocates Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 9, 20241h 13m

Indictment Watch: No Immunity

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has unanimously decided that Donald Trump is not immune from prosecution. On today's emergency pod, Sarah and David react to the decision's substance and how the timing affects the election. The Agenda: —Timing is everything —Word of the day: estoppel —Will SCOTUS take the case? —The opinion’s flaws —Whatis a president immune from? —What is an official act? —The parade of horribles argument —Why the Colorado disqualification case is relevant —The New Yorker: Sarah Isgur's Majority Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 7, 20241h 7m

The Problem With Multidistrict Litigation

Sarah and David invite District Judge Vince Chhabria on the pod to explain the state of multidistrict litigation and answer the question: Why does he listen to Advisory Opinions? The Agenda: —Justice Breyer’s jurisprudence —Judging vs. personal value judgments —David’s cringe a cappella group name —Constitutionality of magistrate judges —How to fix forum shopping —MDLs, explained —The pros and cons of MDLs —How to become a judge —Judge Chhabria’s clerk hiring process Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 6, 20241h 14m

Reading the Founders’ Minds

Judge John K. Bush of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals joins Sarah to discuss the method and merits of the "history and tradition test." But first, Sarah and David dive into some Supreme Court gossip. The Agenda: —Addressing Justice Sotomayor's comments —David's gross speculation —More immigration talk —The problem with Remain in Mexico —Why we have hate crimes —Tiers of scrutiny —The problems with "history and tradition" —How to become a clerk for Judge Bush —How Judge Bush judges judging Show Notes: —Judge Bush's profile at the Federalist Society —Turner v. United States —R.A.V. v. City of St. Paul Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 1, 20241h 9m

Why Our Border Is Broken

Sarah and David dive deep into the state of immigration law and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's legal battle with the Biden administration. The Agenda: —Amicus briefs for funsies —The asylum system problem —How to fix the crisis at the border —The border deal in the Senate —Civil War cosplay —National Guard and Texit detour —Football vs. politics redux Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 30, 20241h 1m

What Is Religion?

Sarah and David discuss ~vibes~ from a recent emergency docket ruling on razor wires along the Texas border plus Judge Newsom's latest concurrence on discrimination and religious advertisements. The Agenda: -Judge Kyle Duncan ruling and a SCOTUS reversal -Judge Kevin Newsom and religious advertisements -Raising highways in Texas -No Labels sending a letter to the DOJ -Fifth circuit divided in free speech case -Honoring former Solicitor General, law professor Charles Fried -Is it okay to cry at work? Show Notes: -Anti-Trump Lawsuits Are 'Greatly Mistaken': An Interview With David Boies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 25, 20241h 10m

Big Law Has a Liberal Bias (Live from Vanderbilt University)

Sarah and David brave the tundras of the Vanderbilt campus to discuss left-leaning bias in pro-bono cases before diving into the details of Fulton County DA Fani Willis’ possibly salacious hires. The Agenda: -Left-leaning bias academic study -Trouble in paradise for Fani Willis -Top 10 tips from an Indiana Law Clerk -Defining “colorable” and “to cabin” -Alec Baldwin and new standards for Hollywood sets -Chevron listener question -Live Q&A Show Notes: -Pierson v. Post Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 23, 20241h 21m

Bad Facts for Chevron

Sarah and David appease a couple listeners’ requests before getting to the Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo oral argument. The Agenda: —Words of the day: certiorari and conversion —Epic Games, Inc. v. Apple Inc. —Supreme Court humor —Congress (and the courts) do your job —Texas’ READER Act blocked by Fifth Circuit —Responding to listeners’ comments Show Notes: —Kisor v. Wilkie —Pierson v. Post Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 19, 20241h 5m

Dumb But Constitutional

Sarah and David discuss a cert grant relating to homelessness in San Francisco and Massachusetts’s Eighth Amendment. But first, Sarah announces her pending litigation against Fairfax County. The Agenda: —Robinson v. California —The different types of justice —A no-fly list dispute —The law of war: Houthis —How do we beat pirates? —Anti-straight discrimination —DeSantis v. Warren Show Notes: —Niz-Chavez v. Garland, Attorney General —Smith v. Arizona —Sheetz v. County of El Dorado —Briahna Joy Gray's "nonviolent" tweet —Ames v. Ohio Dep’t of Youth Servs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 16, 20241h 8m

The Presidential Assassination Argument

Sarah and David address a few corrections from Tuesday’s episode before turning to the oral argument on Trump’s prosecutorial immunity. On the Agenda: —Can presidents order Seal Team Six to assassinate rivals? —Who is going to win this case? —Did we just fix qualified immunity? (No.) —Political advertising at the Ninth Circuit —Should I go to law school? Pt. 97 Show notes: —Marbury v. Madison —Mississippi v. Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 11, 202456 min

En Bonkers Opinion

Sarah and David attend to AO housekeeping before diving into some creative 20th Amendment theories. Plus: —The distinction between law violation and norm violation; —Trump’s prosecutorial immunity and legal yay's; —The role of Congress in determining eligibility for office; —A prosecutor working for both sides of the bench; —Judge Ho concurs in an employment discrimination case; —More employment discrimination out of the 11th Circuit; and —The misguided war on the SAT. Show notes: - Lake Beach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 9, 20241h 16m

Getting Things Back In Order

David and Sarah are back from a hearty break and catch up on cases from last year and various legal topics, including judicial salaries and the death of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Stay tuned for: —David and Sarah’s low confidence in the outcome of the Jarkesy case; —No love lost for the Sacklers; —A good attempt at avoiding the income tax; —Maine skipping due process; and —A lawsuit that could eviscerate the realtor business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 4, 20241h 9m

2023 Year In Review And 2024 Predictions (With David Lat)

Sarah joins David Lat's Original Jurisdiction to review 2023's best (and worst) legal cases and lawyers and make some hopeful (and less hopeful) predictions about the coming year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 28, 20231h 7m

Colorado Court Blocks Trump from '24 Ballot. Now What?

In this emergency pod, Sarah and David discuss the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to disqualify Donald Trump from the state’s primary and general election ballots. They take listeners through: —How they speed read court opinions; —The self-execution of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment; —The concept of non-justiciability (and how to pronounce it); —Problems with congressional drafting; —Debating incitement; and —What will SCOTUS do? Show Notes: -Prof. Will Baude on Section 3, Insurrection, and Trump -Coup de Target -Incitement of Insurrection Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 20, 20231h 27m

Another Dobbs Leak!

Sarah and David respond to listener comments about last week’s Texas abortion case. Then the two discuss: -Why to bet on the side of Jack Smith’s delay -The “president shoots a postal worker” hypothetical -Sarah plays detective on the second biggest SCOTUS leak -SCOTUS appointments and holding onto power -A right to compete but not to win? -Please clean your washing machines Show Notes: -Why We Fight So Ferociously Over the Supreme Court Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 19, 20231h 17m

Is Donald Trump 'Absolutely Immune'?

Sarah and David give listeners another action-filled pod, starting with a controversial abortion case in Texas before breaking down special counsel Jack Smith’s petition to the Supreme Court. Plus: —Why justices aren’t doctors —Texas’ abortion law is not working —What does being pro-life mean? —An extremely rare move by Jack Smith —David’s (informed) rank speculation —Is conversion therapy covered by the First Amendment? —The number one movie of all time: Glory (1989) —David discusses Nancy’s announcement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 14, 20231h 12m

Clients Don't Always Listen

It's a marathon episode as Sarah and David try to figure out: -Will WilmerHale charge the university presidents for their testimony prep? -Is the ACLU making a comeback in NRA v. Vullo? -What’s up with Trump's gag order? -How to correct a chief justice Show Notes: -Students Call for Genocide, Presidents Smirk- -NYT: One Law Firm Prepared Both Penn and Harvard for Hearing on Antisemitism -SEC v Jarkesy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 12, 20231h 4m

Students Call for Genocide, Presidents Smirk

The university presidents of Harvard, MIT, and Penn testified before Congress on antisemitism in their schools. It didn’t go well. Sarah and David talk Title VI implications, and: -David feels gaslit -The parents of a young Kansas City Chiefs fan threaten to sue Deadspin for libel -Acheson and why mootness is easy and standing is hard -Happy holiday housekeeping Show Notes -Harvard ranked last in free speech -U.S. Department of Education Reminds Schools of Their Legal Obligation to Address Discrimination, Including Harassment -Department of Education’s newest ‘Dear Colleague’ letter relies on unconstitutional standards, but offers some promise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 7, 202356 min

Bionic Judges

Judge Kevin Newsom of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals joins Sarah and David to reminisce on past times and talk nerdy topics. Let Judge Newsom explain his concurring opinions and: -Lunches spent reading Supreme Court oral arguments -Humblebrags -Hiring (life-saving) clerks -Why he’s a skeptic of standing -Jurisdiction stripping -Why Judge Newsom can’t be a podcast host -Over aggressive judging and why it’s bad for democracy -What makes good writing -Adjudicating Alabama Show Notes: -TransUnion LLC v. Ramirez --David French's column on the Insurrection Act -Judge Newsom's favorite writing tool -Judge Newsom's opinions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 5, 20231h 33m

Inconsistent and Repugnant

On today’s episode, David and Sarah break down the most interesting Supreme Court argument of this term and what it means for the future of double jeopardy law. But first, they have to shout out the dating site that is the AO comment section. Also on the docket: -Mistrials vs. double jeopardy -Federal rights and state interpretations -The coolest word you've never used -David calls for thoughtful comments -How to lose with valor at SCOTUS -Fifth circuit on the brain -A second bite of the Rahimi apple -Revealing AO's next long-awaited guest Show notes: -SNL: Weights and Measures with Nate Bargatze -McElrath v. Georgia -Blockburger v. United States -Fifth Circuit and Rahimi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 30, 20231h 10m

Story Time for Fed Court Nerds

Sarah and David return from their Thanksgiving feasts to serve up a very nerdy episode on fed court law. Enjoy: -David giving a lowdown of the Voting Rights Act -Hacking minority districts -Laws created by court precedents versus laws created by statutes -Any standing experts out there? -Undoing the Warren Court -Section Two Rights vindicated in civil court -Reporters: Don’t go to activists for legal analysis -Elon versus Media Matters -Match maker Sarah, make me a match Show Notes: -Eight Circuit two to one opinion -Section Two of the Voting Rights Act -Elon v Media Matters -Video: Hostage reunites with family Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 28, 20231h 12m

Hamburger Mary's Risqué Drag Show

Sarah and David have a big ol' pod today, wherein they discuss a First Amendment case involving risqué drag shows at a burger joint, hunter harassment laws, and challenges to Donald Trump's ballot access. Spoiler: Sarah was right. Also: -Masked protesters and Anti-Klan laws -Bad facts make bad laws -Lawyers and Non-germaine activities -David's window-dressing ignorance -Boudreaux's Butt Paste -Trump's ballot access in Colorado -Guys: you gotta get married. Show notes: -Hamburger Mary's at SCOTUS -Hunter Harassment laws challenge -Compulsory bar membership -Trump's ballot access challenge in Colorado -The Meaning and Ambiguity of Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment -Ilya Somin in Reason Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 21, 20231h 19m

The New Supreme Court Ethics Code Is...Okay?

Sarah and David respond to comments on Bari Weiss’ Federalist Society speech. The two then turn to the latest Supreme Court news, including: -A new ethics code -Condescension of the unelected -Trump Too Small oral argument -David’s thoughts on CLS v. Martinez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 16, 20231h 0m

Bari Weiss: Fight, Fight Fight

Bari Weiss recently gave the Barbara K. Olson Memorial lecture at the Federalist Society, in which she detailed the horrific aftermath of Hamas’ October 7 attack against Israel, the ensuing “battle of ideas,” and the left’s morally perverse showing therein. Given the subject matter, we decided to devote today’s episode of Advisory Opinions to reairing her speech. her speech. Show Notes -Full speech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 14, 202344 min

Solicitor General 9000

Two gun cases that aren’t gun cases take over today’s episode as Sarah and David analyze two cert grants from the Supreme Court. Sarah also breaks down new reporting on clerk hiring in the judicial world. Stay tuned for: -nerd prom -Campus culture around Israel and Palestine (PS Sarah’s DMs are open) -Sarah’s bump stocks hobby horse -The perfect case of why everything is wrong with the political system -State actors having strong feelings about gun control -Having conversations about word choice and tone -HasTheSupremeCourtFixedQualifiedImmunityDoctrineYet.com -Banning books never goes out of style -Rahimi oral argument not looking good -Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogger as SGBot9000 Show Notes: -Matthew Wright's podcast interview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 9, 20231h 7m

Getting Blocked on Social Media

The Supreme Court deliberates whether state actors should be allowed to block private users on social media and Sarah and David have thoughts. Plus: -The first amendment rights of government employees -Clarence Thomas has a question -Trump's new attorneys (guess who's not in the running) -The CCP is already here -Worst Halloween candy? Show Notes: -Garnier v. O'Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 2, 20231h 15m

Due Processes vs. Defamation

The Connecticut Supreme Court weighed in on a suit stemming from a sexual assault hearing at Yale University that raised tensions between due process protections for accused students and victim blaming. Sarah and David analyze the political background of related cases. Plus: -States vs. Meta -David breaks down the law of armed conflict and the Gaza invasion -“Well-regulated” and its force and effect on the second amendment -It's oral argument season at SCOTUS Show Notes: -Khan v. Yale University Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 31, 202353 min

Mailbag: Majority Rule and Philosophy Majors

Sarah and David take a break from the news to answer listeners' questions: How should fans approach the hosts in public? Does intent matter in constitutional law? Would making it easier to amend the Constitution fix everything? Also: -Policy solutions vs. social solutions -The issue with JD/MBAs -The First Amendment and the Israel-Hamas war -Ethics among lawyers -Congressional review of judicial review -Exclusionary rules -Legal career changes -Dworkinism -Get a lawyer -Civil asset forfeiture -Most accurate legal procedural Show notes: -McKay Coppins interview -AO episode with David's plumbing experience -AO episode on progressive legal philosophy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 26, 20231h 11m

Biden's Coercive Social Media Tactics

Sidney Powell may be the best lawyer ever, SCOTUS might finally have a tech term, and David’s humble brag didn’t get past anyone. Sarah and David fly through a mix bag of legal topics including: -Presidents coercing social media platforms -Plea deals from fraudsters -“Cheese-bro” -David brings up trans issues -Sarah brings up feminism -Law firms dealing with “unlawful” affirmative action practices and fellowships -A gun case -ANOTHER gun case (but with ghosts, kind of) -Employment division triggers David -And...pot-smoking generations Show Notes -Bong Hits 4 Jesus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 24, 20231h 6m

High Feminism and Lessons from Battlestar Galactica

Live from the University of Virginia and before a strangely happy group of law students, Sarah and David cover a range of topics from a convicted rapper who blames AI, disruptions at the Supreme Court, the Fifth Circuit becoming the new Ninth Circuit, and ethics with Amy (Justice Barrett). The hosts then take a series of questions from UVA students. God blesses this podcast. -Does Sarah know her husband's phone number? -AI briefs and ineffective counsel -SC justices interrupting female attorneys -Justice Barrett's opinion on SC ethics -Relationships on the court -Fifth Circuit is the new Ninth -Empirical SCOTUS -If the SC adopts a code of ethics, what should it be? -Consequentialism, institutionalism, and other ism's -What SC topics will motivate voters going forward? -Why is the court not interested in nationwide injunctions? Show notes: -Josh Gerstein reporting on Fugees' trial -Fugees Trial Motion -Cert grant for Chevron doctrine -Supreme Court justices interrupt female attorneys more often than men -Justice Barrett on ethics -NetChoice, LLC v. Paxton -CFPB v. Community Financial Services Association of America, Limited -SEC v. Jarkesy -Campos-Chaves v Garland -West Point Affirmative Action lawsuit -City of Philidelphia v. Fulton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 19, 20231h 20m

Not the Trump Apologist Podcast

What do the 6th, 9th, and 11th circuit all have in common? Well, they're all part of this episode's circuit palooza! But don't fret, there's also: -One city manager's revenge -a gag order for a former president -David makes Sarah regret asking the difference between a clip and a magazine -California’s magazine ban has no likelihood of success -There’s levels of scrutiny to this -Sarah’s judicial writing crushes -a listener's question! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 17, 20231h 8m

Cancel Culture and the Anti-Semitism Rot in Universities

Sarah and David return to their regularly scheduled Supreme Court programming, specifically to a racial gerrymandering case out of South Carolina (Sarah has copious notes). The two also have a lot to say about the insanity coming out of elite law schools. But first David revisits law of war to explain the international rules of siege warfare. Then: -Supreme Court justices speaking statistics -Non-justiciable gerrymandering -Bonkers law student statements -Some cancel culture clarity -Ideological hot houses at elite institutions -Harmonizing grace and morality Show notes: -Term statistics (2023) -South Carolina gerrymandering case -Rucho v. Common Cause -Allen v. Milligan -John Oliver talks Franklin, TN mayoral race -Chicago BLM chapter comments on Israel-Hamas war -Harvard students comment on Israel-Hamas war -David French: Difference between Kaepernick and Barr -GWU students comment on Israel-Hamas war Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 12, 20231h 4m

Law of War

Israel declares war on Hamas after the terrorist organization murders hundreds of civilians. But now, with Israel already carrying out attacks in Gaza, things are about to get litigious. David French analyses the meanings and implications of the Law of War and debates Sarah Isgur whether International Law is even a thing. Plus if you want to hear David explain the moral dimension of war law, join The Skiff for a short impromptu follow up discussion. -Military tribunals -Ukraine/Russia comparison -The complicated, interesting, and weird details of the Acheson Hotel case -Mootness versus standing doctrines in the CFBP case Show Notes: -Urban Warfare Project by John Spencer -Law of Land Warfare To get The Skiff on your personal podcast player: CLICK HERE to get your personal feed. How to subscribe to The Skiff: To follow The Skiff on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you catch your podcasts, please follow these instructions: -Choose which device you prefer to listen on (Mac, iOS, Android…). –Click here to get your personal feed. (Make sure you’re logged in as a Dispatch member!) -Select The Skiff. -Select your device and podcast player (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, etc.): this will let you subscribe to the feed for direct updates! Note: If your preferred podcast player asks you to subscribe by RSS feed you’ll need to copy and paste a URL link. To get that link, go back to the menu with all of the options to subscribe (the page with all of the player logos), scroll to the bottom, and copy the link you see there. Then, go back to your player and paste it in the field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 10, 20231h 7m

Lisa, Sarah, and Sarah (and David)

Are you ready for this? Partners at Williams and Connolly Lisa Blatt and Sarah Harris share what it was like to argue before Justice Antonin Scalia, the pros and cons of careerism, the hunger for victory, the dangers of wearing cowboy boots in court, and why life is just a never-ending series of tradeoffs. Also: -Texas Sarah vs Tennessee Sarah -Justice Ginsburg's tip for arguing before the Supreme Court -Different forms of originalism -Miffy's (mifepristone) -Arguing with Justice Alito -Women in law -Poor David -Don't follow your passions Show notes: -Lisa Blatt's page at Williams and Connolly -Sarah Harris' page at Williams and Connolly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 5, 20231h 13m

Prof. Will Baude on Section 3, Insurrection, and Trump

Prof. William Baude joins Sarah and David to explain why he thinks Trump's actions in 2020 might be constitutionally disqualified from running for president again. Show notes: -Prof. Michael McConnell, Responding About the Fourteenth Amendment, "Insurrection," and Trump -The Sweep and Force of Section Three -AO episode about the law article Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 3, 20231h 30m

Guess Who's Back? (It's Sarah, Sarah's Back)

Sarah's back from her first maternity leave ever to for a live recording at Georgetown University Law School. Together with host emeritus David French, they preview the 9 most dramatic cases coming before the Supreme Court this term. Also: tips for law students and a live Q&A (at least as long as our batteries work). Here we go:-Kavanaugh didn't flip his vote (surprising few) -We called it (on Alabama) -Welcome to the South Carolina case! -Rahimi: The one we've been waiting for -Hearth and home: down with redundancies and repetitions! -How to clarify 'Test, History, and Tradition' to make sure bad guy loses? -Standing and The Great Flipping -Chevron rises again? -The antiestablishmentarian conservative -SEC... yes. -Purdue Pharma bankruptcy: can bankruptcy courts do that? (No.) -Sympathetic plaintiffs versus federal taxes -The blocking-people-on-Twitter cases -Tips for law school graduates -Questions from the audience Show Notes: -District of Columbia v. Heller -Quick Facts on Felons in Possession of a Firearm (Section 922(g)) -Miles Law -Arlene’s Flowers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 28, 20231h 35m

The Grievances Podcast

The David and David show closes out with a First Amendment send-off. They discuss: -A fifth circuit case involving racist accusations and the well-known Journal of Schenkerian Studies -Book People versus Texas Laws Written in Crayon -A student organization’s fight for drag queens on campus -Balancing freedom of speech and explicit content Show Notes: -Yascha Mounk for The Atlantic: Stop Firing the Innocent -Federal Circuit order suspending Judge Newman -David Lat's Original Jurisdiction news roundup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 26, 20231h 14m

The Trouble with 'Text, History, and Tradition'

Hello, AO listeners! This episode is a little bit different. Your regular hosts, Sarah and David, are unavailable—Sarah on parental leave, David on the road—so I (David Lat) have conscripted my husband, lawyer and legal commentator Zachary Baron Shemtob, to serve as guest of a guest. Zach shares his (strong) opinions on two hot topics, the Trump gag order and AO listeners’ favorite subject, text/history/tradition. We also cover a noteworthy Sixth Circuit case about the retroactivity of the First Step Act and the big Google antitrust trial. We hope you enjoy this very special episode. Sarah and David will be back next week. Show notes: -Kevin and David French on Dispatch Live: Ask Me Anything -United States v. Carpenter (6th Cir. on retroactivity of First Step Act): -In Its First Monopoly Trial of Modern Internet Era, U.S. Sets Sights on Google: -The Google Trial Is Going to Rewrite Our Future: -David and Zach on Original Jurisdiction: -Cruel and Unusual: A Podcast on Punishment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 21, 202358 min