

Opening Arguments
Opening Arguments Media LLC
Opening Arguments is a law show that helps you make sense of the news! Comedian Thomas Smith brings on legal analysts to help you understand not only current events, but also deeper legal concepts and areas!
The typical schedule will be M-W-F with Monday being a deep-dive, Wednesday being Thomas Takes the Bar Exam and patron shoutouts, and Friday being a rapid response to legal issues in the news!
The typical schedule will be M-W-F with Monday being a deep-dive, Wednesday being Thomas Takes the Bar Exam and patron shoutouts, and Friday being a rapid response to legal issues in the news!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 6, 2023 • 52min
OA702: Will Donald Trump Be Held Civilly Liable for Inciting the January 6th Insurrection?
Today, Liz and Andrew break down the latest developments in Blassingame v. Trump, a set of consolidated cases pending in the DC Circuit that will affect whether Donald Trump will have to compensate the victims of his attempted January 6th coup. You won't want to miss this one! Notes US amicus brief in Blassingame v. Trump https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cadc.38510/gov.uscourts.cadc.38510.1218497852.0_4.pdf 42 U.S.C. 1985 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1985 -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos! -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

Mar 3, 2023 • 58min
OA701: Fox's Defamation F-Tussle and the Texas Broodmare Tax
Today, Liz and Andrew break down two stories that are all over the news: a proposed new bill in Texas that is an assault on both marriage equality and families. And then we have an update on how Dominion is doing in its defamation lawsuit against Fox News. You won't want to miss it! Notes Texas HB 2889 https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/html/HB02889I.htm TX Biennial Property Tax Report 2020-2021 https://openargs.com/wp-content/uploads/Biennial-Property-Tax-Report-Texas.pdf 2005 IRS bulletin - Frivolous Tax arguments https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-irbs/irb05-14.pdf 2007 IRS bulletin - more frivolous Tax arguments https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-irbs/irb07-14.pdf Flora v. US, 362 U.S. 145 (1960) https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=13305625317215905 Helvering v. Mitchell, 303 U.S. 391 (1938) https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=1082206999326140100 US v. Windsor, 570 U.S. 744 (2013) https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=15904210835021146815 Equal Dignity for Married Taxpayers Act https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3833/text?r=98&s=1 -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos! -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!

Mar 2, 2023 • 47min
OA699: Will Scumbag Payday Lenders Use the Supreme Court to Crush Liz Warren's Dreams??
Today, Liz and Andrew take a deep dive into Consumer Financial Protection Bureau v. Community Financial Services Association of America, a case that the Supreme Court just granted certiorari to review. Is the conservative Roberts court going to gut Liz Warren's signature accomplishment, the CFPB? Listen and find out! (Yes, Andrew screwed up the numbering so you got episode #700 before #699... now everything should be good!) Notes CFPB v. CFSAA cert petition and 5th Circuit opinion https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/22/22-448/246429/20221114155607407_No.%20CFPB%20et%20al.%20v.%20CFSA%20et%20al.pdf Responsible lending https://www.responsiblelending.org/research-publication/fact-v-fiction-truth-about-payday-lending-industry-claims The Victims of Payday Lending https://www.responsiblelending.org/issues/victims-payday OA 126 https://openargs.com/oa126-mick-mulvaney-consumer-financial-protection-bureau/ 12 C.F.R. § 1041.8 https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1041/8/ 12 U.S.C. § 5511 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/12/5511 Seila Law, LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 591 U.S. 207 (2020) https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=14557349188638541514 12 U.S.C. 5497 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/12/5497 OPM v. Richmond, 496 U.S. 414 (1990) https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=1013607894853666546 Kate Stith, Congress’s Power of the Purse, 97 Yale L.J. 1343 (1988) https://openyls.law.yale.edu/bitstream/handle/20.500.13051/16554/62_97YaleLJ1343_June1988_.pdf?sequence=2 -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos! -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!

Feb 28, 2023 • 55min
OA700: Rumors Of Trump's Testimony In Strzok Suit May Be Greatly Exaggerated
You may have seen the news accounts that a court ordered Donald Trump (and FBI director Chris Wray) to be deposed in connection with a lawsuit. Well, today, Liz and Andrew break down the DOJ's ongoing battle with Peter Strzok and Lisa Page. Why is the government still fighting this? Will they really get to depose Trump? Listen and find out! Notes 5 U.S.C. 552a https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/552a Lisa Page's story to Molly Jong-Fast https://www.thedailybeast.com/lisa-page-speaks-theres-no-fathomable-way-i-have-committed-any-crime-at-all Hatch Act https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2015-title5/html/USCODE-2015-title5-partIII-subpartF-chap73-subchapIII.htm#:~:text=%C2%A77321.,political%20processes%20of%20the%20Nation Strzok response https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.209963/gov.uscourts.dcd.209963.88.0.pdf EO 13233 https://sgp.fas.org/news/2001/11/eo-pra.html Strzok opposition https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.209963/gov.uscourts.dcd.209963.100.0.pdf Strzok filing re motion to quash subpoenas for Trump and Wray, apex doctrine https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.209963/gov.uscourts.dcd.209963.88.0.pdf -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos! -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!

Feb 27, 2023 • 51min
OA698: Will Clarence Thomas Break the Internet? (Probably Not.)
Liz and Andrew break down a much-requested case, Gonzalez v. Google, that the Supreme Court just heard on oral argument. Will it break the Internet? Listen and find out! Notes Legal Eagle video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzNo5lZCq5M&ab_channel=LegalEagle OA 390 https://openargs.com/oa390-trumps-war-on-twitter-a-deep-dive-on-section-230/ OA 451 https://openargs.com/oa451-section-230-and-tulsis-transphobia/ 47 U.S.C. § 230 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/230 Malwarebytes, Inc. v. Enigma Software, 5902 U.S. ____ (2020) https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/19-1284_869d.pdf Google Opp. Brief https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/21/21-1333/252127/20230112144706745_Gonzalez%20v.%20Google%20Brief%20for%20Respondent%20-%20FINAL.pdf Petitioners’ Brief https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/21/21-1333/247780/20221130182721608_GonzalezPetMerits.pdf Respondents’ Brief https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/21/21-1333/252127/20230112144706745_Gonzalez%20v.%20Google%20Brief%20for%20Respondent%20-%20FINAL.pdf Petitioners’ Reply https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/21/21-1333/254251/20230207191257813_GonzalezRepyMeritsPrinted.pdf Government Brief https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/21/21-1333/249441/20221207203557042_21-1333tsacUnitedStates.pdf -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos! -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!

Feb 24, 2023 • 59min
OA697: Feelin' the Brn(ovich)
Today is one of those good news/bad news episodes. In good news, Arizona has shined some light on a report that election denier Mark Brnovich tried to bury regarding (nonexistent) voter fraud and the 2020 election. In bad news, Florida is trying to overturn the Supreme Court because Ron DeSantis hates the press. And in great news... well, you'll just have to listen and find out! Notes OA 688 https://openargs.com/oa688-oh-no-the-privilege-is-mine/ Florida HB 951 https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/951/BillText/Filed/PDF Florida HB 991 https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/991/BillText/Filed/PDF Branzburg v. Hayes, 408 U.S. 665 (1972)https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=11598860258825518787 Federal flag bill https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-120/pdf/STATUTE-120-Pg572.pdf#page=1 FL flag bill http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0720/Sections/0720.304.html AZ Appellate decision in Lake v. Hobbs https://www.democracydocket.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Lake-COA-Ruling.pdf Liz Wonkette on Kari Lake and Ryan Heath https://www.wonkette.com/breaking-kari-lake-still-not-governor Executive Summary https://mcusercontent.com/cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206/files/4ca5c5d9-3254-2b94-dbd8-bd2a6ea8b7c3/Election_Review_Summary.pdf Email draft correcting Brnovich https://mcusercontent.com/cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206/files/8295e52f-b336-c17e-8cbd-3c0255c99ab6/Kanefield_Fann_Document.01.pdf -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos! -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

Feb 23, 2023 • 56min
OA696: In Which James O'Keefe Pretends to Be A Journalist
Today, Liz and Andrew visit the strange world of James O'Keefe and his agitprop outfit, Project Veritas. Along the way we'll learn about a bunch of cases, the law of prior restraint, and much, much more! Notes Project Veritas $22 million https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/272894856 Federal Docket O'Keefe v. Twitter https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/59899639/okeefe-iii-v-twitter-inc/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc NY Appellate docs - O’Keefe v. Twitter https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=OihBJQsmc7aFb4qIIdOKeA== Liz ATL on O’Keefe-CNN https://abovethelaw.com/2021/04/project-veritas-gonna-sue-twitter-for-defamatory-section-230-censorship-and-first-amendment-assault-or-something/ Project Veritas Docket (00813) https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/61377333/parties/in-re-search-warrant-dated-november-5-2021/ Project Veritas Board of Directors https://www.projectveritas.com/news/statement-from-the-project-veritas-board-of-directors/ -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos! -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!

Feb 21, 2023 • 53min
OA695: Ken Paxton Isn't the Boss of You
Today, Liz and Andrew tackle some listener feedback, resume their discussion of the crime-fraud exception, and end with perhaps Ken Paxton's craziest lawsuit (and that's saying a lot)! Notes Federalist Papers No. 68 https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/fed68.asp Crime/fraud NYT story https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/14/us/politics/trump-lawyer-classified-documents-investigation.html Liz ATL of Paxton’s ethics and counter-investigation https://abovethelaw.com/2022/05/tx-ag-ken-paxton-launches-bogus-investigation-of-state-bar-still-winds-up-with-ethics-lawsuit/ Texas v. Garland https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.373284/gov.uscourts.txnd.373284.4.0_1.pdf -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos! -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!

Feb 20, 2023 • 55min
OA694: Dominion v. Fox: Defamation Suits Are Hard But Shutting Up is Harder
Today is one of those shows you'll want to share around. EVERYONE is talking about the bombshell revelations from Fox News, but only Liz and Andrew can help you understand how we got here and what it all means! Notes Original Dominion-Fox Complaint https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/20527880-dominion-v-fox-news-complaint Dominion lawsuit against OAN https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/21039565/dominion-oan-complaint.pdf Dominion Motion for Summary Judgment (MSJ) https://int.nyt.com/data/documenttools/redacted-documents-in-dominion-fox-news-case/dca5e3880422426f/full.pdf DE State docket https://courtconnect.courts.delaware.gov/cc/cconnect/ck_public_qry_doct.cp_dktrpt_docket_report?case_id=N21C-03-257&begin_date=&end_date=#dockets Fox Corp MSJ https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Redacted-Public-Version-Fox-Corp-Opening-MSJ-Brief.pdf Fox News MSJ https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Redacted-Public-Version-FNN-Opening-MSJ-Brief.pdf Fox News anti-SLAPP counterclaim https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PUBLIC-VERSION-FNNs-First-Amended-Counterclaim-Accepted.pdf -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos! -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!

Feb 17, 2023 • 1h 7min
OA693: Is It A Good Thing When Your Lawyer Is Subpoenaed by a Grand Jury to Testify Against You? (No.)
Today is a Rapid Response Friday, and Liz and Andrew break down all the developments with the two grand juries convened by Jack Smith to investigate Donald Trump's various crimes. Oh, and we also analyze the released portions of the Fulton County grand jury report which reveals a bit more than you might think! We've also learned that a bunch of Trump lawyers have been subpoenaed to testify or otherwise the subject of grand jury questions, and you may be wondering how that's possible, and we walk you through when privilege is.. not privilege! Notes Unredacted portions of Fulton County SPGJ Report https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23683158/2022-ex-000024-ex-parte-order-of-the-judge-5.pdf FRE 501 https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/fre/rule_501 Bobb says she’s not a lawyer in documents case https://www.salon.com/2022/10/03/attorney-lawyers-up--and-says-shes-willing-to-cooperate-with-doj-in-mar-a-lago-case-report/ NYT Epshteyn story https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/14/us/politics/trump-lawyer-classified-documents-investigation.html -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and share our videos! -Follow us on Twitter: @Openargs -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed! @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!


