Advisory Opinions
The Dispatch
Advisory Opinions is a legal podcast by The Dispatch. Hosts David French and Sarah Isgur meet twice a week to talk about the law, the courts, their collision with politics, and why it all matters.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 23, 2024 • 1h 21min
Lady Law and Homeless Encampments
Discussion on Supreme Court case about homeless camping, 4th Circuit ruling on transgender athletes, Title VII case, and Biden's Title IX expansion. Legal arguments on homeless necessity defense, mental health impact on women, transgender athlete ban, and DEI challenges. Exploration of Title IX regulations and nostalgia for past technological advancements.
Apr 18, 2024 • 1h 6min
Retire Universal Injunctions
The podcast covers the Supreme Court, Idaho's law on gender-transition treatment for minors, Clarence Thomas' absence, challenges of broad injunctions, SCOTUS calls to retire universal injunctions, January 6 arguments, SCOTUS declining to intervene in a police lawsuit against a BLM activist, and legal issues in the Iran-Israel conflict.
Apr 16, 2024 • 1h 9min
The Enormous Powers of the President
Authors Jack Goldsmith and Bob Bauer discuss reforming presidential powers in their book 'After Trump: Reconstructing the Presidency'. Topics include civil disobedience, Insurrection Act reform, bipartisan support for reforms, Trump's use of pardon power, and fear of prosecutions being rigged. They also cover Special counsels, the Logan Act, and the American Law Institute.
Apr 11, 2024 • 1h 19min
Real Originalism Has Never Been Tried
Exploring jury selection for Trump, origins of originalism, Biden's student loan forgiveness, Warren court influence, judicial ethics, and SCOTUS decisions
Apr 9, 2024 • 1h 19min
Jack Smith Scolds Judge
Special Counsel Jack Smith challenges Judge Aileen Cannon in Trump's case. Sarah's defamation law musical, Sotomayor's retirement, and Trump's defense counsel. Answering high school students' questions on work-life balance. Discussing Presidential Records Act and New York Times v. Sullivan case.
Apr 4, 2024 • 1h 14min
The Federalist Society in Peril
Sarah and David discuss challenges facing the Federalist Society, Trump-era jurisprudence costs, judicial filibuster, Peter Navarro's evasion attempt, work-life balance. They touch on cases of retaliation, political targeting, and Mayfield v. Butler, while answering questions about Villareal v. City of Laredo and Justice Breyer's bookshelf.
Apr 2, 2024 • 1h 22min
Federal Judges Examine The Israel-Hamas War
Federal Judges Roy Altman, Lee Rudofsky, and Amul Thapar discuss their recent trip to Israel to examine compliance with international law during the Israel-Hamas conflict. Topics include gruesome tactics by Hamas, Israel's military authority, legitimacy as a nation-state, debunking narratives, double standards, antisemitism, and the Jewish idea of gratitude.
Mar 28, 2024 • 1h 5min
What the Abortion Pill Case Is Really About
Sarah and David discuss the legal arguments and media spin around the Mifepristone abortion pill case. They touch on topics such as the Supreme Court's involvement, the arrest of a 72-year-old woman, the DOJ's antitrust case against Apple, and the stigma of the green bubbles.
Mar 26, 2024 • 1h 22min
Judge Cannon's Clerkship Problem
David Lat discusses the exodus of Judge Aileen Cannon's clerks and its impact on Trump's classified documents case. Judge David Proctor explains the federal judiciary's history and committees. Topics include work ethic, declining reputation, delays in Trump's case, rule-making process, multi-district litigation, and the importance of civil rules in case outcomes.
Mar 21, 2024 • 59min
Into the Labyrinth (of Texas Immigration Law)
Exploring the legal battle over Texas' SB4 law, administrative stays, and Fifth Circuit delays. Discussions on Justice Roberts' opinion, FBI No-Fly List case, First Amendment issues, and NRA free speech dispute. Analyzing conservative court shifts, government coercion, and the importance of protecting free speech rights. Delving into logical operators, federal standing in Congress, and court reactions to specific harm definitions.
