Wahl on Law

In the 35th episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Professor Richard Albert of the University of Texas at Austin School of Law to discuss whether constitutions should be easier to amend. We break down how the amendment process works, why it's so difficult to change the Constitution, the pros and cons of making amendments harder, and what an ideal amendment process might look like.

In the 34th episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Professor Michael Law-Smith of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law to examine one of the most important debates in today’s criminal justice system: Should AI help determine a criminal's sentence? We discuss the rise of algorithmic sentencing, the limits of artificial intelligence, the role of human dignity in sentencing decisions, and whethe...

In the 33rd episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Attorney Ken Good to examine one of the most important debates in today’s criminal justice system: How should defendants be released before trial? We discuss the difference between secured and personal recognizance bonds, the role of financial accountability, what happens when defendants fail to appear, and whether the current bail system does e...

In the 32nd episode of Wahl on Law, we are again joined by political strategist Cara McCormick to break down the controversy surrounding Super PACs and whether they corrupt American elections. We also discuss Maine's effort to regulate Super PACs by capping contributions to them, and the constitutional challenge that followed.

In the 31st episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Delaware Attorney General candidate Dwayne Bensing to break down his campaign for the state's top law enforcement office. We discuss his plans to tackle corporate greed, strengthen independent government oversight, protect civil rights, and address some of the biggest legal and policy issues facing Delaware today.

In the 30th episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Professor Jon Lee of the University of Oklahoma College of Law to examine what happens when lawyers themselves break the law. We discuss how attorneys are disciplined for criminal conduct, the debate over automatic disbarment, and whether lawyers should face professional consequences for crimes committed outside the practice of law. Finally, we...

In the 29th episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Professor Itay Ravid of Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law to discuss whether media coverage of crime can influence judicial sentencing decisions. We explore his groundbreaking research on the relationship between media coverage and harsher sentences, why elected and appointed judges may respond differently to outside influences,...

In the 28th episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Professor Patrick Sobkowski of Marquette University to examine one of the most important constitutional questions facing the country today: How powerful is the President? We break down the Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. United States, the history of executive power, and why presidential immunity has become one of the most debated issues in...

In the 27th episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Political Strategist Cara McCormick to break down the debate between closed and open primaries in the American election system and whether these systems truly represent the American electorate. We also discuss potential reforms to the primary process, particularly those aimed at giving independent voters a greater voice.

In the 26th episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Sam Novey, Chief Strategist at the University of Maryland Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement, to break down the SAVE America Act, an election reform bill that would introduce new federal requirements for voter registration and voting. We discuss why the Act is being proposed, whether noncitizen voting is a significant issue in federal ele...

In the 25th episode of Wahl on Law, we break down policing in America and the growing hostility towards ICE and other law enforcement agencies. Joined by former Special Assistant United States Attorney Mark Denney, we examine the importance of accountability, and explain the law behind some of the most controversial policing events in the past few decades.

In the 24th episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by independent journalist and attorney Aaron Parnas to break down the Epstein Files controversy. We discuss what the Epstein Files actually are, the debate surrounding the DOJ's conclusion that there was no "client list," the bipartisan push to release the records, and whether the government has truly made all of the files public.

In the 23rd episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Mary Graw Leary, a law professor with an expertise in technology and victimization, to break down Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, the 1996 federal law that has shaped much of the modern internet. We discuss why Section 230 has become extremely controversial, the key cases that have changed its interpretation, and how it may shield...

In the 22nd episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Kenneth Jacobsen, a law professor with an expertise in sports law, to break down the landmark House v. NCAA antitrust settlement, a roughly $2.8 billion agreement that allowed colleges to directly compensate student-athletes for the first time. We discuss the legal challenges facing the NCAA, how the settlement changes the landscape of college a...

In the 21st episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by business owner and patented inventor Amanda Sima to break down the realities of intellectual property law and entrepreneurship. We discuss the patent process, the misconceptions surrounding legal protection for inventors, and how Amanda became involved in a complex legal dispute involving trade secrets. We also explore what entrepreneurs should...

In the 20th episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Nazim Karaca, an attorney and computer science professor, to break down Trump v. Barbara, a Supreme Court case with the potential to redefine what it means to be a United States citizen. We discuss the constitutional debate surrounding birthright citizenship, the key legal arguments being made before the Court, and what the decision could mean f...

In the 19th episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by John Martin, Assistant Professor of Law at Quinnipiac University School of Law and a scholar of constitutional and election law, to break down the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. We discuss how the compact works, the constitutional questions it raises, and what it could mean for the future of presidential elections in the United States...

In the 18th episode of Wahl on Law, we’re joined by Congresswoman Sarah McBride to break down the war with Iran. As the war continues to escalate at a staggering cost of more than one billion dollars per day, we discuss how the conflict began, what role the United States is playing, and whether there is any realistic path towards peace. We also examine how rising tensions abroad are impacting Amer...

 In this episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Ilya Somin, a leading constitutional law scholar, Professor of Law at George Mason University, and co-counsel for the plaintiffs in a landmark case challenging Donald Trump’s tariffs, to break down President Trump’s Tariffs and the constitutional limits of presidential power. We also discuss the impact these tariffs have on the American people. 

In this episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Kassra Oskooii, a professor of American politics and expert in redistricting, to break down a recent Supreme Court case involving Louisiana’s congressional map. We discuss how the Court’s decision reshapes the interpretation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, the constitutional questions at stake, and what this ruling could mean for the future o...

In the 15th episode of Wahl on Law, Jonas breaks down two major constitutional and legal battles currently moving through the courts. From a federal appeals court ruling allowing Texas public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, to a growing Supreme Court fight over access to the abortion pill mifepristone, we explain what’s happening, the constitutional questions at stake, and w...

In this episode of Wahl on Law, we are joined by Professor Michael Smith, who has an expertise in AI and the law, to break down AI’s usage in the legal field and explore its potential consequences. We also discuss if AI could replace lawyers, and if there are potential solutions to stop AI from being used. 

In the 13th episode of Wahl on Law, we break down the Protecting Automobile Accident Victims from Attorney Self-Dealing Act and explore why it may be detrimental for the future of personal injury law. Joined by personal injury lawyer Charles Sanders, we examine the importance of contingency fees, and bring light to an almost unheard of law being proposed in California.

In the 12th episode of Wahl on Law, Jonas breaks down three major legal and political developments currently shaping the country. From a landmark antitrust ruling against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, to a controversial redistricting measure in Virginia, to a failed congressional vote on war powers and Iran, we explain what’s happening and why it matters. Stay informed on the legal issues impactin...

In this episode of Wahl on Law, we break down the Israel–Palestine conflict and explore why it has remained unresolved for decades. Joined by international relations expert Professor Daniel Green, we examine the history of the conflict and the competing claims to land. We also discuss the role of the United States and why this conflict continues to shape global politics today.