
Gavel Gavel
Gavel Gavel is the podcast that takes you inside the courtroom! Comedian Thomas Smith asks questions and cracks jokes while real legal experts with actual trial experience provide unique analysis.
Latest episodes

Mar 31, 2025 • 40min
Lively v. Baldoni 10 - Lawyer MJ Morley Breaks Down the Law in Jones v. Abel, Part 2
MJ Morley, a legal expert in New York employment law, dives into the intricacies of the Jones v. Abel lawsuit. She sheds light on breach of contract issues and the complexities of proving employee disloyalty under the 'faithless servant' doctrine. Morley also discusses the challenges of anonymous internet harassment and defamation claims in the PR industry, particularly concerning evidence tampering. The conversation wraps up with insights on the likelihood of settlement and the emotional toll of navigating the legal landscape.

12 snips
Mar 28, 2025 • 49min
Lively v. Baldoni 9 - Lawyer MJ Morley Breaks Down the Law in Jones v. Abel
MJ Morley, a New York-based employment lawyer, dives deep into the intricate lawsuit of Jones v. Abel. She shares her unique insights on the cultural ramifications of the case and the public's mixed reactions. Morley sheds light on the challenges of navigating legal proceedings, especially around non-compete agreements in employment. The discussion also touches on the implications of moving cases from state to federal court, and the complexities of tortious interference, making legal concepts accessible for a wider audience.

12 snips
Mar 24, 2025 • 1h 7min
Lively v. Baldoni 8 - Jonesin' for Breach of Contract Damages
Delve into the legal battles surrounding the Stephanie Jones case, where manipulation and reputation are under fierce scrutiny. Experience the dynamics of workplace betrayal, gender biases, and the quest for validation. Explore the tangled web of media narratives and the ethical dilemmas posed by contract breaches. Discover the impact of crisis PR and allegations of misconduct in high-stakes environments. This engaging dialogue unveils the complexities of professional relationships amid escalating tensions and evolving legal intricacies.

Mar 21, 2025 • 53min
Lively v. Baldoni 7 - Who’s Afraid of Stephanie Jones? Well, Abel et al. Probably Should Be...
Dive into a web of legal intrigue involving a high-profile PR dispute that spiraled into a breach of contract lawsuit. The tension between Jennifer Abel and Stephanie Jones unpacks deep emotions and strategic power plays. Explore the controversial fallout from Abel's social media actions and the implications for workplace ethics and culture. With insights into employment agreements and reputation management, this episode sheds light on the hidden dramas of the entertainment industry and its intricate legal landscape.

10 snips
Mar 20, 2025 • 1h 17min
Lively v. Baldoni 6 - Crisis PR Firms Are Literal Satan
This begins a chunk of episodes on Jones v Abel. But you know us, we first need to lay a lot of foundation. After Blake Lively's CRD complaint and the story in the New York Times became public, folks spoke out in support of Lively, and expressed shock at the alleged actions of Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer team. We detail the fallout in timeline order, and discuss the repercussions of Jennifer Abel's text behavior for the Public Relations industry; and, in one of the many parallels between this saga and ours, we break down our own experiences with a crisis PR firm and the absolute hollowness of a statement like "I'm sticking with my client." Support the show, get rid of ads, and get bonus stuff over on patreon.com/gavelpod!

7 snips
Mar 4, 2025 • 58min
Lively v. Baldoni 5 - Lawyer Reacts to Blake's Complaint
Anne Linder, a seasoned legal expert with trial experience, delves into the intricacies of Blake Lively's legal complaint. She discusses the significance of text messages and the role they play in shaping public perception and legal outcomes. Linder breaks down what Blake must prove for various claims, including challenges around sexual harassment and retaliation under federal and California laws. The conversation also touches on the ethics of misinformation in celebrity culture and the complexities of amending legal complaints in federal court.

6 snips
Feb 28, 2025 • 1h 12min
Lively v. Baldoni 4 - He Wants to Feel Like She Can Be Burned
The podcast dives into a PR campaign allegedly targeting Blake Lively amid serious accusations. It examines the marketing mishaps during film adaptations, emphasizing the challenges of portraying sensitive themes like domestic violence. The conversation touches on love, vulnerability, and the complexities of media narratives, revealing power dynamics and crisis management in Hollywood. Additionally, the role of social media in shaping public perception is scrutinized, alongside the ethical implications of PR tactics used during scandals.

8 snips
Feb 28, 2025 • 59min
Lively v. Baldoni 3 - A Very Damning Document
A prominent actress faces serious allegations that could shake the entertainment industry. The discussion reveals troubling incidents of privacy violations and inappropriate behavior on set, especially concerning women's rights. Witness testimonies shed light on workplace misconduct and its emotional toll. The pressures of body image in Hollywood post-childbirth are also examined, emphasizing the need for better HR practices. Finally, the importance of clear on-set behavior agreements and navigating workplace complaints is highlighted.

10 snips
Feb 28, 2025 • 50min
Lively v. Baldoni 2 - "She Isn't Weird About This Stuff"
The podcast dives into Blake Lively's sexual harassment allegations, shedding light on the media backlash she faces and its ties to misogyny. It explores the legal complexities of workplace complaints in California, emphasizing the need for proper legal navigation. With insights on filing civil rights complaints and the unique challenges in the film industry, the discussion highlights the nuances of sexual harassment law and its implications on gender dynamics. Personal reflections on respect and relationships add depth to the conversation.

Feb 28, 2025 • 1h 7min
Lively v. Baldoni 1 - It Ends with a Hatestorm
Gavel Gavel is here! (publicly, anyway. It has existed on patreon.com/gavelpod for quite a while...) The legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni might feel like just "celebrity gossip," but there is so much here. It has fiercly divided the internet, with one group certain that Justin Baldoni is a sexual harsser, and the other group certain that Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are devious plotters who lied about an innocent man in order to take over a movie. How are we to know the truth? Well, fortunately there are going on thousands of pages of legal documents to comb through. The answers are there, for the few among us that are willing to actually read them. This series will do just that.