Opening Arguments

Today's episode takes an in-depth look at the recent FBI investigation into NCAA basketball. First, though, the guys take another trip to Yodel Mountain, stopping at base camp to discuss Michael Rogers, Hope Hicks, Jared Kushner, Rick Gates, and everyone's favorite villain, Paul Manafort. During the main segment, Andrew and Thomas cover the recent expose by Yahoo regarding college basketball coach...

In this rapid-response episode, Thomas and Andrew discuss the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals'  en banc decision in  Zarda v. Altitude Express , ruling that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964's ban on discrimination on the basis of sex applies to sexual orientation as well.  This is a follow-up to our prior discussions of this issue back in Episode 60  and Episode 91 . In the initial segment,...

Today's episode takes a look at HR 620.  What does it mean, and why does Congress want to make changes to one of the most successful, bipartisan, and beloved pieces of legislation in the past 30 years? First, though, the guys update  break down a recent decision from the Eastern District of New York also enjoining Trump's rescission of DACA.  Why did a second court block Trump's order?  Listen and...

In this fast-breaking episode, Thomas and Andrew preview a significant labor case scheduled for oral argument before the Supreme Court this coming Monday, Janus v. AFSCME .  You'll know all about it  before the news breaks! In the initial segment, "Andrew Was Wrong" returns with listener criticism over our repetition of the common media statement that Parkland was the "18th" school shooting of 201...

Today's emergency episode breaks down the indictments issued in the Mueller probe on Friday, focusing on the shadowy, Putin-funded Internet Research Agency .  What does this mean in terms of Yodel Mountain?  Listen and find out! After that, we have a lengthy interview with friend of the show Bryce Blankenagel of the Naked Mormonism podcast .  Bryce comes on the show to break down the Rob Porter sc...

In this emotional episode, Thomas and Andrew begin by discussing the recent school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS in Parkland, Florida. After that, the guys break down the recent settlement between Waymo (the Google-backed automotive company) and Uber regarding allegations of stolen trade secrets in the nascent self-driving car industry. Then, Andrew updates us on the state of gerrymander...

Today's episode features a full-length interview with the co-founder of The Satanic Temple, Lucien Greaves .   This episode is part of a two-part crossover with Episode 119 of Serious Inquiries Only .  In this episode, we talk about TST's lawsuit challenging Missouri's abortion law and other issues at the forefront of church-state separation. After that, we end with the answer to Thomas (and Lucie...

In this "lightning round" episode, Andrew tackles  more than the typical three stories we cover on the show.  How much more??  Listen and find out! Potential topics include:  the budget showdown and sequestration, the recent Supreme Court rulings on gerrymandering, the Nunes memo, the Federal Reserve, stock market, and Wells Fargo fraud, and ... possibly even more?? Finally, we end with an all-new...

Today's episode features a full-length interview with former naturopath turned whistleblower Britt Marie Hermes .  We talk about her amazing career and the recent defamation lawsuit filed against her under German law. After that, we answer a question from Very Special Listener Lydia S. about a viral tweet suggesting that Native Americans grant honorary citizenship to DACA enrolees. And, as always,...

If you want football-themed Opening Arguments, check out Episode 57 and Episode 58 , which tell the tale of how one Donald J. Trump destroyed the USFL.  Everyone else can enjoy today's sports-free episode, which begins with a discussion of California SB 183 and so-called "sanctuary cities" in light of the State of the Union. In the main segment, Andrew and Thomas break down news about a proposed D...

Today's episode features a deep dive into two recently-filed lawsuits on behalf of same-sex couples where the government literally wants to break up their families.  And don't forget to tune in for our LIVE Q&A this Wednesday, 1/31, at 7 pm EST / 4 pm Pacific. First, though we return to the wild and wacky world of sovereign citizens by examining a recent bill introduced in the New Hampshire state...

Today's episode features a deep dive into our nation's opioid crisis. First, the guys take a look at a recent bad court thingy filed by Paul Manafort's lawyers in connection with his criminal prosecution.  What does it mean?  Listen and find out! In the main segment, Andrew and Thomas break down the just-released Senate Subcommittee Report on illegal opioid use in this country and discuss how an o...

Today's episode features a full-length interview with Tony DiFatta, accountant to the podcasting stars .  He answers your questions about the 2017 omnibus tax bill that were posted in this Patreon thread . First, though, we take a look at whether Stormy Daniels can be silenced (or sued) because of the NDA she presumably signed with the Trump organization. After a deep dive into the new tax bill, w...

Today's episode features a deep dive in the latest legal news surrounding the DACA program. First, the guys tackle a listener question regarding the difference between the James Damore case against Google and Colin Kaepernick's grievance against the NFL.  Are the two cases similar? After the main segment, Andrew walks us through a case that was just argued before the Supreme Court, McCoy v. Louisi...

Today's episode features a full-length interview with the one and only Cara Santa Maria ! First, though, we pore through the Fusion GPS testimony that was leaked by Sen. Dianne Feinstein  and we look at a companion defamation lawsuit filed by one of Trump's lawyers, Michael Cohen, against Fusion GPS founder Glenn Simpson.  Click here to read the  Cohen Complaint .  Andrew also sneakily uses this a...

Today's episode tackles a number of breaking legal issues. First, the guys break down the recent memorandum by Attorney General Jeff Sessions on marijuana.  What does this mean for the average recreational user in a state where pot is legal, like California?  Listen and find out! Next, Andrew walks us through the recent decision by a three-judge panel in North Carolina invalidating that state's el...

Today's episode is all about the First Amendment and features a full-length interview with the one and only SciBabe, Yvette Guinevere d'Entremont ! First, though, we answer a listener question from Secular Saint about the free press clause that was  raised during our most recent patron-only Q&A show . Next, we talk to Yvette, who shares some amazing stories about her life taking down rich and powe...

Today's episode tackles the recent lawsuit filed by Paul Manafort against the Department of Justice, Asst. AG Rod Rosenstein, and Robert Mueller. First, we share some insights from our listeners about our recent deep dive into cryptocurrency, and promise a return visit Real Soon Now. After that, we take a deep dive into  Chevron deference, Neil Gorsuch's mommy, and the legal landscape set more tha...

Happy New Year!  In today's special episode, Andrew, Thomas, and Chris Kristofco of the Titletown Sound podcast draft Democratic Presidential candidates for 2020. After the draft, we end with the answer to Thomas Takes The Bar Exam question #56 about a bona fide sale of a stove.  Don't forget to follow our Twitter feed ( @Openargs ) and like our Facebook Page  so that you too can play along with #...

Today's episode is a deep dive into cryptocurrency. First, we're delighted to share some breaking news with you that follows up on our Episode 132 about a student and his crazy-person lawyer trying to introduce creationism at Thomas's old high school, Bret Harte High .   As it turns out, friend of the show and FFRF attorney Andrew Seidel has written a masterful letter to the school and offered to...

Happy holidays, everyone!  Today's special episode tackles a number of issues about being in law school and being a lawyer. First, however, we begin with an update on the Trump administration's efforts to restrict the reproductive rights of young women in federal custody first discussed in Episode 117 . In the main segment, Andrew solicits some advice from some lawyer and law student friends-of-th...

As a gift to our amazing listeners, here's the great Eli Bosnick breaking down Miracle on 34th Street with the guys! If you enjoy this Law'd Awful Movies, make sure to check out Patreon.com/law for more!  

Today's episode is all about the budding legal expert co-host of this show, one Thomas Smith, Esq. soon-to-be of Thomas's Second Chance Law Firm. First, taking a cue from the hilarious failed nomination of Matthew Petersen to the federal bench , Andrew asks Thomas the same kinds of basic questions.  Is Thomas more qualified than Trump's judicial nominees?  (The answer will not surprise you.) In th...

Today's episode welcomes back one of our favorite guests -- and the show's only three-time  guest, Andrew Seidel, attorney with the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Together, Andrew, Andrew, and Thomas tackle a bunch of church and state separation issues.  First, they break down Andrew Seidel's recent success in convincing the Senate Judiciary Committee to reject their most unqualified judges, Je...

Today's episode talks about the disastrous wildfires that have ravaged Thomas's home state of California, and who winds up footing the bills for these disasters.  It's exactly as much insurance law as you wanted to learn! First, we begin with some news items, including an update on the Net Neutrality vote, a new mega-merger, and the Supreme Court's denial of  certiorari  in  Evans v. Georgia Regio...