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From legal wrangling in states over gender-affirming care to several Biden Administration executive orders, there's a lot to discuss regarding LGTBQ+ laws. And is Bostock v. Clayton County safe in light of recent Supreme Court decisions? This episode our hosts walk through a few things to note. For more comprehensive coverage, check out FindLaw's new section devoted to LGBTQ+ rights and legal issues: www.findlaw.com/lgbtq-law.html Happy Pride Month!

No, it is not. But in a recent indictment against Jeffery Lamar Williams, a.k.a. Young Thug, Fulton County prosecutors submitted lyrics as evidence indicating Williams' involvement in a criminal organization. He is being prosecuted under RICO. Is Young Thug the head of an Atlanta street gang? We have no idea. But Laura has a thing or two to say about using rap lyrics as evidence of criminal intent. 

Come for the celebrity gossip, stay for the interesting legal aspects of the defamation case heard ‘round the world. Our hosts discuss the elements of defamation, the actual malice standard, and why the Heard vs. Depp trial got so messy and salacious.

We're back with Part 2 of our discussion of the Dobbs leaked draft opinion. Check out Part 1 for a full discussion of Roe v. Wade and a history of abortion jurisprudence. This week, we're discussing other "privacy" cases that could be impacted by the Dobbs decision, a list that includes birth control, private sexual acts, same-sex and interracial marriage, and others. 

Justice Alito's leaked draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health made worldwide news. In response, we're revisting the history of abortion jurisprudence in the U.S. Join us to get a fuller understanding of Roe v. Wade, how courts have historically viewed the constitutional right to privacy in regard to pregnancy and abortion, and Justice Alito's arguments in the draft opinion. For more in-depth analysis of abortion law, check out the following FindLaw articles: Roe v. Wade Case Summary: What You Need to Know Explaining Alito's Leaked Draft Opinion Overturning Roe v. Wade Could Roe v. Wade Be Overturned?  

Walt Disney World is truly a special place. Not just because of Mickey, but also because the Reedy Creek Improvement District upon which Disney World rests is a one-of-a-kind special district under Florida law. Disney is responsible for almost all of the public services in the district, including trash disposal and issuing property taxes (which it pays to itself). At least, that’s how it was until now. The special district status is in jeopardy after Florida legislators took umbrage at Disney’s public opposition to Florida's HB 1557, commonly known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Will Disney World lose its Vatican-like status? What happens if it does? Are there First Amendment issues to consider? We discuss on this sidebar episode.

We're back in the First Amendment saddle this week to talk about recent cases dealing with content-based (and on the flip side, content-neutral) restrictions on speech. Plus, we discuss a case where a high school football coach's post-game prayer became a big problem. If you can't get enough of this topic, check out these articles from FindLaw's Supreme Court Insights: Schenck v. United States: Case Summary Brandenburg v. Ohio: Permissible Restrictions on Violent Speech Student First Amendment Rights The Separation of Church and State: Everson v. Board of Education

We're back talking about Amazon, this time in regard to the recent dismissal of a proposed class action involving three Amazon warehouse applicants who had their job offers revoked upon testing positive for cannabis.  As more states and municipalities loosen restrictions on cannabis use, how will employers react? We discuss on this sidebar episode. 

We love our jobs hosting DJM, but the pandemic has exposed many issues faced by workers across various industries. In this episode, we're talking about the history and law behind unions, efforts to unionize at Amazon, and what happens when workers go on strike.  Visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law to learn more about right-to-work laws.

Former Representative Jeff Fortenberry found himself in hot water after "trying to help" the FBI get to the bottom of a campaign finance scheme...that he was involved in. In this Sidebar, we talk about great hair, the importance of having a lawyer present when talking to law enforcement, and just a sprinkling of political corruption. Visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law to learn more about your constitutional right to an attorney. 

Legal developments continue for those involved in the events of January 6, 2021. This episode our hosts discuss the trial and conviction of Jan. 6 rioter Guy Reffitt, whether the Supreme Court will face increased pressure to create ethics rules in the wake of Ginni Thomas' texts to Mark Meadows, and explain the significance of a federal judge's decision that former President Trump "more likely than not" committed federal crimes in his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.

President Biden has been discussing the 9th Amendment, but what exactly is it? In Part 2 of our series on the 9th Amendment, constitutional law scholar and Professor Brian C. Kalt discusses how Congress—not the courts—can use unenumerated rights. If you missed Part 1, you can listen to an intro on the 9th Amendment. Visit our sponsor at www.turnsignl.com

What is the 9th Amendment? Why does President Biden keep referencing it? How should courts interpret this often-overlooked part of the Bill of Rights? Joining us to answer these questions is Randy E. Barnett, the Patrick Hotung Professor of Constitutional Law at the Georgetown University Law Center and a leading scholar on the Ninth Amendment.  For more insight from Professor Barnett, check out his latest book, The Original Meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment: Its Letter and Spirit. Learn more about our sponsor at www.turnsgnl.com. 

SCOTUS has taken up an interesting case involving the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act, a federal law that gives priority to tribes when adopting Native American children. Non-native foster and adoptive parents have sued for various violations including Equal Protection. We give you the run-down on this sidebar episode.

The U.S. Constitution, federal law, and state laws all protect the civil rights of Americans. Violations can be both criminal and civil in nature. This episode our hosts discuss how you can enforce your civil rights against both state and private actors. We discuss this in the context of recent developments in the cases against the defendants involved in the murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery. 

This sidebar episode we break down Brian Flores' class action lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in the NFL. Is the NFL following the spirit - or even the substance - of the Rooney Rule, the widely-mimicked NFL policy requiring teams to interview candidates of color for open head coaching positions?  Read more on FindLaw: Can Brian Flores Win His Race Discrimination Lawsuit Against the NFL? Class Action Complaint Against NFL Teams Seeks To Reduce Bias In Hiring and Firing Decisions

Some companies may now store your fingerprints (to unlock your phone) vocal cadence (to speak with your smart device in your home) and pictures of you and your loved ones.  But keeping this data comes with high risk. This episode our hosts discuss biometric privacy laws and Texas' new lawsuit seeking billions in penalties against Facebook over its facial recognition program. 

This episode we look at the tax consequences of selling crypto, which can get very complicated very quickly. We also briefly discuss proposed regulations coming soon and why money laundering is a bad idea. 

There is yet another Supreme Court opening with Justice Stephen Breyer retiring. This episode our hosts look back on Justice Breyer's legacy on the court. Then, we discuss the backgrounds and resumes of the potential nominees on President Biden's shortlist. Fast Facts: Biden's Short List to Replace Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer - FindLaw FindLaw Supreme Court Center: Supreme Court: Justices Without Prior Judicial Experience - FindLaw

We talk indirectly about the filibuster quite often on this show. This episode, we finally take the filibuster head-on.  Our hosts discuss why we call it a filibuster (it involves pirates!), how it started (Aaron Burr, sir?), and the actual procedure involved to invoke the so-called "nuclear option" (it's complicated).