Lawyers. Defenders of our Constitution, but in our current political climate, they are fighting more than ever. On this Lawyer 2 Lawyer episode, Craig welcomes Lauren Stiller Rikleen, executive director of Lawyers Defending American Democracy. Craig & Lauren spotlight the legal community and how lawyers are defending our democracy through initiatives and how they are seeking accountability for those in our profession who have violated their ethical obligations.

Summer is upon us and the Supreme Court of the United States is set to rule on a number of landmark cases including birthright citizenship, transgender athletes, campaign finance limits, and mail-in ballots.

On this Lawyer 2 Lawyer episode, Craig welcomes Steven D. Schwinn, professor of law at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, as they spotlight the summer of  SCOTUS. Craig & Steve discuss the major SCOTUS decisions happening this summer and the potential impact of these rulings.

At the end of June, early July of 2026, the Supreme Court will make a decision on President Donald Trump’s executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship.

On this Lawyer 2 Lawyer episode, Craig welcomes Paul Finkelman, legal historian and professor of law at Albany Law School, as they spotlight birthright citizenship. Craig & Paul discuss the Trump administration’s efforts to end birthright citizenship, the legality of the executive order, the 14th amendment, amicus briefs, and the potential impact of the upcoming SCOTUS ruling on immigration policy.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Brief for Professors Gabriel J. Chin, Paul Finkelman, and Erika Lee as Amici Curiae In Support of Respondents

Back in 2025, the Department of Justice issued a legal opinion stating that presidents may have authority not only to create but also to revoke national monuments established by prior presidents. So what does this mean for protections for national monuments and public lands like the Grand Staircase and Bears Ears National Monument?

On this Lawyer 2 Lawyer episode, Craig welcomes professor of law, Mark Squillace from the University of Colorado Law School, as they spotlight national monuments, public lands, and presidential power. Craig & Mark discuss the DOJ’s legal opinion on national monuments, monument and public land protections, Congressional authority, the Antiquities Act of 1906, conservation law, and federal land management.

On July 4th, 2026, the United States will celebrate its  250th anniversary. Americans will reflect not only on our history, but on the institutions that have carried us through. Among the most important of those institutions are our courts and the justice system.

On this Lawyer 2 Lawyer episode, Craig welcomes Judge Jeremy D. Fogel, the first Executive Director of the Berkeley Judicial Institute. Craig & Judge Fogel discuss the Department of Justice’s recent overall actions, threats to the judiciary, judicial independence, and why this all matters as we approach our nation's 250th.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Keep Our Republic

The rise of artificial intelligence has created new legal challenges around identity and consent, especially for public figures like Taylor Swift. In response, Taylor has recently taken matters into her own hands by filing trademark applications to protect her voice and image from AI.

On this Lawyer 2 Lawyer episode, Craig welcomes Attorney Daliah Saper, Principal at Saper Law Offices. Craig & Daliah discuss spotlight trademark law, AI, trademarking voice and image, and how AI has changed the game when it comes to trademark protection for celebrities and non-celebrities.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Legal Issues Surrounding Social Media Featuring Daliah Saper (2010)

Attorney Daliah Saper is Principal at Saper Law Offices. Daliah’s practice focuses on a number of practice areas including trademark, copyright, and entertainment law.

As the 2026 midterm elections inch closer and closer, controversial issues surrounding voting have become the focus of a national debate. Voter identification laws, mail-in voting, redistricting, and election security are just some of the current issues ahead of the elections.

On this Lawyer 2 Lawyer episode, Craig welcomes Nicholas Stephanopoulos, Kirkland & Ellis Professor of Law at Harvard Law School and Director of Strategy of the Election Law Clinic. Craig & Nick discuss mail-in voting, redistricting, the Voting Rights Act, gerrymandering, the electoral college v. popular vote, SCOTUS' potential influence on elections, and other various voting issues leading up to the midterm elections. 

Mentioned in this Episode:

PlanScore

Law school accreditation is an essential component in shaping the future of our  legal profession. The Council of the American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, which operates independently of the ABA, is the only national accreditor of law schools. where they set the standards for curriculum, faculty, and facilities to ensure quality legal education.

Craig welcomes Daniel R. Thies, Chair of the Council of the American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. Craig & Daniel discuss law school accreditation, misconceptions, accreditation at the state and federal levels right now,  the value of a single national accreditor, and the impact on the legal profession. 

Mentioned in this Episode:

Council of the the American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar

Back in 2010, in the campaign finance case, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, SCOTUS ruled in favor of Citizens United stating that the First Amendment prohibits the government from restricting independent political expenditures by corporations and unions. This then opened the door to unlimited political spending by corporations and outside groups, ultimately reshaping our elections. 

Craig welcomes Tom Moore, Senior Fellow for Democracy Policy at the Center for American Progress, to discuss the 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision. Craig & Tom take a look at the impact of this SCOTUS ruling over 16 years, and in an election year, how a state's authority over corporations can take out dark money in politics.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Transparent Election Initiative

The Montana Plan

March is Women’s History Month where we pay tribute to all of the women who have made a difference and shaped our political and legal landscape. Pioneers like Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Eliza Harriot, Belva Lockwood, Alice Paul, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg are a number of women who have made a difference and continue to inspire the women of today. 

Craig welcomes Mary Sarah Bilder, historian and the Founders Professor of Law at Boston College Law School, to celebrate Women's History Month. Craig & Mary discuss trailblazing women throughout history, like Eliza Harriot, the barriers they faced, and the impact these women pioneers had on the founding era. 

Mentioned in this Episode:

Female Genius: Eliza Harriot and George Washington at the Dawn of the Constitution by Mary Sarah Bilder