FindLaw's Don't Judge Me

On this very special episode, the last of 2020, our hosts look back on lawyer shenanigans throughout the year. We discuss everything from Rudy Giuliani's "Four Seasons" press conference to . . . other things Rudy Giuliani did. But don't worry, there are plenty of attorney follies and foibles to go around. Then, Andy gives us all a surprise gift with a Thumbs Down segment that reviews a legal movie classic.

Why do we have so many names for lawyers? Our hosts answer this pressing question and discuss the least (and most) pretentious way to introduce yourself as a member of the bar. Plus: Is it worth it to get an L.L.M.? Hosts: Laura Temme, J.D. Ally Marshall, Attorney-at-Law Joe Fawbush, Esq. Andy Leonatti, who is secure enough to not need a fancy suffix

It's likely we'll continue to see executive orders play a large role in the Biden Administration. How wide a latitude do presidents have when issuing EOs? We discuss all things relating to executive orders on this episode, plus Ally provides some helpful tips for getting a gift for the lawyer in your life. For more information on Youngstown Sheet & Tube, the Supreme Court case that established the parameters under which EOs could be deemed unconstitutional, visit findlaw.com. Questions? Comments? Suggestions for topics? Let us know at [email protected]. Thanks for listening!

With everything going on you may not have had time to celebrate the best holiday of the year - Love Your Lawyer day! We're here to rectify that with Alameda County criminal defense attorney Louis Goodman. His own podcast "Love Thy Lawyer" takes an in-depth look at how attorneys experience the practice of law. Also, if you haven't already please check out WestLaw's Quick Check Judicial, which gives you access to the same powerful tool that courts across the country use to analyze and compare multiple documents from a single matter.

Tired of the . . . everything? Getting away sounds nice. We hear Venus has a tropical environment. That's right, we're boldly going to space this episode. We talk all about space law, the Space Force, and, of course, Star Trek. Join us for a little much-needed fun about this emerging area of the law.

Ever plan out how you would run things if given the chance? Our hosts engage in this fantasy of agency by giving elevator pitches for our dream SCOTUS setup. These range from proposals that have actually been floated to ones that . . . well, are beyond the ability of even the most forceful of generalissimos. Plus, our very own time-traveling lawyer Laura tells us how it really went down when FDR tried to pack the Supreme Court. Information on the pros and cons of legitimate plans being floated can be found on FindLaw's Supreme Court blog.

Even if the Supreme Court doesn't get involved it will be the most heavily litigated election in U.S. history. And SCOTUS may well get involved. We discuss Bush v. Gore, recent notable cases, and speculate on what's sure to be an exciting and terrifying next few months. Read more about the cases discussed on FindLaw's website. While you're there check out the numerous resources we have for voters, including state-specific information on how to vote. It's a stressful and scary time. Confusion abounds. Still, your vote matters, so please do vote.

Courts have adapted admirably to current circumstances. But questions over whether litigants and defendants are getting fair access to justice remain. Our hosts discuss how courts are doing in the age of COVID-19. Then, hear about a town in Virginia where folks are taking "law and order" into their own hands - by filing criminal charges against elected officials. What could go wrong? Read more about the Virginia case on our blog. Contact us at [email protected].

Our hosts finally indulge in their greatest wish: To turn Don't Judge Me into a true crime podcast. Get ready for wild stories, including an unsolved murder in which some Founding Fathers play a role and a murderer who stole his plan from an Agatha Christie novel. Join us to celebrate a genre in which lawyers are often featured fighting for justice. Reach us at [email protected]. If you like the show, please don't forget to rate and review us.

We have a special guest interview to share with you. Professor David Schultz speaks with FindLaw Sr. Writer Kellie Pantokoek about the Electoral College: How it started, how it has changed over time, and the issues presented by our unique way of electing a president. You can find more information about voting rights and election law issues at https://www.findlaw.com/voting.html, including information on the Electoral College. Enjoy!

Oregon and the feds have reached a tentative, if vague agreement for the DHS to withdraw from Portland. Still, a federal presence may be felt in American cities for some time. What are the legal issues? On a much lighter note, Joe also highlights the work the "Yada Yada Law School" is doing to raise money for charity. It's law professors teaching the basics of the law using old episodes of Seinfeld as examples. Visit http://yadayadalawschool.com/ to get some serenity now.

This episode we wrap up coverage on the Supreme Court's historic term. Will we see Donald Trump's tax returns in our lifetimes? Did the Chief Justice recently watch Hamilton? Are religious conservatives resting easier after several recent decisions? We discuss these issues and more. Laura then gives an update on how states are re-evaluating bar exams, including switching to online exams. Read recaps of the decisions discussed on https://blogs.findlaw.com/supreme_court. Comments or suggestions on topics? Email us at [email protected].

June is the best time of the year for Supreme Court buffs. While we are still waiting for a few important cases, the Justices have already delivered some momentous - and surprising - decisions. We discuss. Then Andy reviews Perry Mason, the prestige HBO legal drama, in the popular "Thumbs Down" segment. You can find more information on all of the decisions discussed in this episode at https://blogs.findlaw.com/supreme_court/. If you have comments or suggestions for future topics, write to us at [email protected]. If you enjoy the show and would like to support us, please leave us a review. Thanks for listening!

Making any real sense of qualified immunity may be beyond the ability of any lawyer - or judge, for that matter. But our hosts do explain the doctrine, how and why it was created, how it's applied today in civil rights cases involving police use of excessive force, and the reason some are calling for its end. Then, since we're on the topic of inscrutable trainwrecks anyway, we figure it's a good time to talk about a recent libel claim former MLB player Lenny Dykstra made that went badly awry.

Access to justice has again become a part of the national conversation in the wake of the death of George Floyd. Unfortunately, systemic inequality is not limited to the criminal justice system. Elizabeth Sauer and Lilo Schluender are supervising attorneys at Central Minnesota Legal Services, which provides legal help and representation for people and communities in need. Elizabeth and Lilo join us to talk about how the pandemic is affecting access to justice for victims of domestic violence, in landlord/tenant law, and other topics.

What do toilet flushes, the grim reaper, and recent law school graduates have in common? Well, this year it's several things, but mostly they are all being discussed on today's episode. Now that graduates are facing the worst job market for new attorneys in over a decade, what can they do to get their legal careers started? Our hosts discuss what difficulties face law students and what they can do to keep their dreams of practicing law alive. We also talk about a Florida attorney (where else?) who is taking social distancing enforcement into his own cloaked hands.

Joan Bibelhausen, Executive Director of Minnesota Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, joins us to talk about attorney wellness, including what services are available to lawyers working to manage mental health during the pandemic and when to reach out for help. For links to lawyer assistance programs by state, as well as other information on attorney wellness, visit us at practice.findlaw.com/attorney-wellness. We have also reproduced there the "Components of Well-Being" infographic Joan refers to in the interview. Fantastic resources are also available at www.mnlcl.org, including a link to information on Lawyer Well-Being Week (May 4-8). Take care of yourselves.

Know that feeling when you show up to court without a shirt on? Or just had a Zoom meeting with a potato? On this episode, our hosts discuss real-life video fails that are hard to believe but now appear to be a regular part of this strange new world we live in. Andy also shares his own epic teleconferencing fail.

We talk with Chris Frank, of Frank Law Offices in Wilmar, MN, about the benefits and challenges of practicing law in a small town. Andy does another "Thumbs Down" review, this time of "For Life," the new legal drama from ABC. You can also listen to Joe nerd out about a legal argument that was obsolete by 1774, but it does involve Katana swords. If you like the show, please rate and review us wherever you listen. You can also visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/FindLawLP. Thanks for listening! Stay safe, everyone.

It's . . . a little stressful right now. Law firms are anticipating sustained lowered revenue. Lawyers will be asked to do more to keep their law firms afloat, and all legal professionals will need to be flexible. In this episode, we discuss law firm operations during the outbreak and how to spot and avoid burnout. Stay safe and stay strong, everyone. (Note: Portions of the podcast were recorded prior to the exponential growth of COVID-19 cases in several states).

Responding to negative online reviews is one thing. But what about when someone just plain lies? Is a defamation suit ever appropriate? We discuss, then play a game we're calling SLAPP-Happy. As always, more information is available on lp.findlaw.com. You can also check us out on YouTube. Here's the link to the Last Week Tonight piece mentioned in the episode.

Our hosts discuss online reviews, particularly how to handle the ones that are less than glowing. Andy then does a negative review of his own, of NBC's recent legal drama Bluff City Law. Check out more content for legal professionals on lp.findlaw.com, including content on online reviews and defamation. You can also listen and subscribe to FindLaw for Legal Professionals on YouTube.

FindLaw's Don't Judge Me has a lot of opinions, jokes, insightful guests, and in-depth discussions about hot topics in the law. What we don't have is a lot of pretention or corporate oversight. We hope you have as much fun listening as we have making it. Our hosts are lawyers and writers at FindLaw, the primary online destination for all things legal.