The Rule of Law: The Academy Speaks

This week, Joe sits down with Stan Garnett, Co-Founding Partner with Garnett, Powell, Maximon, Barlow & Farbes, to explore a provocative question: Is the U.S. Constitution truly democratic, or does it deepen the divisions in American life?

Stan argues that while the Constitution is foundational, it often fuels partisanship rather than unity and compromise. We examine how its structure influences our political climate and what lessons we can draw from Latin American legal systems that have adopted a different approach. 

This week, Joe sits down with Karen Burgess of Burgess Law in Austin, Texas, to discuss how disinformation is fueling the global Rule of Law crisis. Together, they examine the increasing influence of state actors in driving disinformation campaigns, the rise of deepfakes and AI-generated content, and how social media algorithms are accelerating the dissemination of false narratives that erode trust in courts, elections, and democratic institutions. 

WARNING: This episode contains sensitive content related to child sex trafficking and abuse. Some listeners may find this material distressing.

In this week’s episode, Joe speaks with attorney Nadeem Bezar about the legal fight to hold enablers of child sex trafficking accountable. In just over a year, Nadeem’s team secured more than $100 million in arbitration awards and settlements. They explore why language matters, how reframing victims as survivors can empower healing, and what lawyers can do right now by volunteering at expungement clinics to help survivors move forward.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

This week, Joe sits down with immigration attorney and advocate Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch. Kate is the owner and CEO of Lincoln-Goldfinch Law and a founding board member of VECINA, one of the Academy’s valued partners. Kate brings two decades of frontline experience to the conversation, from representing a detained infant in a prison-issued onesie to challenging today’s attacks on due process. Listen in as Joe and Kate debunk the myths driving anti-immigrant rhetoric and shed light on the real human cost behind the headlines. 

In this week's episode, Joe is joined by Roman Silberfeld from Robins Kaplan LLP for a conversation about the power of partnership in the pursuit of justice. Together, they examine Powers v. McDonough, a landmark case in which Roman and his firm, working with Public Counsel and Inner City Law Center, successfully challenged the Department of Veterans Affairs after years of institutional neglect.

The episode also explores Roman’s leadership within the Academy Foundation and the critical role that collaboration with under-resourced organizations plays in advancing meaningful, systemic change.

For more information on the Academy Foundation, visit IATL.net.

In this week’s episode, Joe sits down with Yale legal scholar, journalist, and bestselling author Emily Bazelon. Together, they dive into the legal turmoil unfolding across the country—from attacks on higher education and healthcare to threats to due process and the evolving role of the Supreme Court. Bazelon offers sharp analysis, historical context, and—perhaps most importantly—reasons for hope for those committed to defending justice.

For more insights from Emily, listen and subscribe to her podcast, Political Gabfest.

Academy President Joe Tucker sits down with Randy Smith, Director of the Journalists in Exile Program and Board President of the Alfred Friendly Press Partners.

They discuss why journalism is essential to holding power accountable and protecting democracy — and how Academy Fellows, through their teaching in the Journalists in Exile Program, are helping exiled reporters stand up to oppression and continue telling the truth on a global stage.

Audio for this episode was recorded in studio at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

This week, Joe sits down with Ted Schmidt, the President of the Arizona State Bar, to discuss how small acts—such as speaking in a classroom or organizing a local event—can spark broader civic engagement. Ted shares what he has done to help lawyers promote the Rule of Law without stepping into political controversy.

This week, Joe and "Texas Legal Legend" Dicky Grigg discuss the abuse of immigrants and asylum seekers in the U.S. under the current administration. Grigg reflects on his pro bono work defending people who were wrongfully detained in Guantanamo Bay, the damage those actions inflicted on due process and America’s global reputation, and the striking similarities to what we’re witnessing today. This important conversation challenges us to consider how we can prevent a full-blown constitutional crisis.

In this episode, Joe sits down with Craig Peters, Partner at Altair Law in San Francisco, to revisit the powerful Dean’s Address he delivered at the International Academy of Trial Lawyers 2025 Annual Meeting. The conversation centers on optimism and its essential role in preserving democracy. Craig shares stories of three mentors who, despite overwhelming odds, held onto optimism as they worked to create lasting change.

Additional Resources: Watch Craig's Dean's Address, Democracy Depends on Each of Us on IATL.net