

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

Jun 25, 2020 • 1h 2min
The Bridge on the River Mandamus
David and Sarah discuss Joe Biden's polling lead in six swing states, the latest development in the Michael Flynn case, the Supreme Court ruling on asylum seekers, and free speech online.
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Jun 22, 2020 • 1h 28min
What Would James Madison Do?
David and Sarah discuss the president's rally in Tulsa, the firing of the U.S. attorney in New York, the lawsuit over John Bolton's book, and they process last week's Supreme Court decisions.Show Notes:-David's Sunday newsletter-Drew Griffin Twitter thread on Tulsa rally-28 U.S. Code § 546. Vacancies-Barr's statement on on the nomination of Jay Clayton-Berman's statement on firing-Trump remarks on Berman-Barr's letter to Berman-Ross Douthat on the Supreme Court-Jack Balkin on the conservative legal movement-Ezra Klein's podcast on polarization
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Jun 18, 2020 • 1h 21min
Arbitrary and Capricious
David and Sarah discuss the Supreme Court's ruling that blocks the Trump administration from ending DACA for now, return to their discussion over the Title VII ruling, and finish with the legal fight over John Bolton's book.Show Notes:-Supreme Court DACA ruling-Cass Sunstein on Gorsuch Title VII opinion-Atlanta Journal-Constitution piece on Bostock-David's piece A Conservative Legal Chernobyl?
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Jun 15, 2020 • 1h 21min
Title VII: Originalism vs. Textualism
The Supreme Court declined to take up new cases dealing with gun rights and qualified immunity. The court ruled that federal anti-discrimination laws protect gay and transgender employees. Lines are drawn on originalism vs. textualism. David and Sarah have thoughts.Show Notes:-Supreme Court cert denials-Supreme Court Bostock opinion-Sarah's guide to the top 10 cases-Sarah's SCOTUS glossary
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Jun 11, 2020 • 1h 21min
'Twas the Night Before Brisket
It's Brisket Eve and David and Sarah are celebrating by diving into the latest polls on the protests around the country, the legal weeds of Confederate monuments, and answer the question, why does the rule against perpetuities get the people going? But the festivities don't end there, there's the Michael Flynn amicus curiae, Tom Cotton, and Gone with the Wind.Show Notes:-Michael Flynn brief
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Jun 8, 2020 • 1h 20min
The Sound of Reform
David and Sarah discuss calls by protesters to "defund the police," ideas to reform police departments from no-knock raids to police unions, incorporation doctrine, and the miniseries 'Waco.'Show Notes:-David's Sunday newsletter-There’s Never Been a Better Time to Abolish Qualified Immunity-Justice Department Waco report
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Jun 4, 2020 • 1h 17min
Because They Stand on a Wall
David and Sarah discuss the stunning critique of the president from James Mattis, the events of the last 24 hours from Mark Esper breaking with the president to Tom Cotton's op-ed, they then breakdown the charges against the police officer who had his knee on the neck of George Floyd, and end with their thoughts on 'The Last Dance.'Show Notes:-James Mattis Denounces President Trump-Derek Chauvin’s Actions Were Cruel. But a Conviction Won’t Come Easily.-Explaining the New Second Degree Murder Charge Against Derek Chauvin
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Jun 1, 2020 • 1h 24min
From 1918 to 1968
David and Sarah discuss the latest news out of the Supreme Court including the court denying a California church's lockdown challenge, Rep. Justin Amash's plan to introduce legislation to end qualified immunity for police officers, Sen. Tom Cotton's call to invoke the Insurrection Act, the president's call to label ANTIFA a terrorist organization, and a return to their debate over law school.Show Notes:-Supreme Court California church ruling-Judge Willett opinion-David's Sunday newsletter-Nancy's video from the Nashville protest
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May 28, 2020 • 1h 16min
How Do You Square a Circle?
The president has a new social media executive order. What happens if Trump loses in November, but doesn't want to leave? Qualified immunity and the Fourth Amendment in the context of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. House of Representatives allows proxy voting for the first time this week. And a Central Park video sparks a national conversation. David and Sarah have thoughts.Show Notes:-David's piece The Growing Threat to Free Speech Online-Republican lawsuit to block proxy voting
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May 26, 2020 • 1h 8min
Golden Handcuffs
David and Sarah discuss the growing partisan divide over the handling of the coronavirus pandemic, the legal fights over church openings, Rachel Maddow's SLAPP lawsuit victory, and the pros and cons of going to law school.Show Notes:-Harvard false positive/negative rates-Reuters R vs. D county study-The Public's Judgement of Their State's Performance During the COVID-19 Outbreak-Columbia study-JP Morgan findings-Public Sees Harm in Exaggerating, Downplaying COVID-19 Threat-David's piece Coronavirus and the Fog of War-David's piece The Police Power of the States to Control a Pandemic, Explained-Church reopening rules-Lighthouse SOI-New Jersey lawsuit-SLAPP opinion
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