Case in Point: The Legal Show on the Hottest Legal Cases in Politics and Culture

Latest Episodes:

The Vaccine Mandate Cases Jan 14, 2022

Show notes

The Court is back from its Winter recess, and so are your hosts. The Court heard arguments in six cases including the challenges to the OSHA and HHS vaccination mandates, and it issued opinions in those cases less than a week later. GianCarlo and Zack explain those opinions and give you the highlights from the Court's other arguments and orders this week. GianCarlo then interviews District Judge Sarah Pitlyk, and quizzes Zack with trivia about constitutional conundrums.

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A Surprise Episode! Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

Last week your hosts said that you wouldn't hear from them until the new year, but the Supreme Court had different plans. The Justices handed down their decision in the Texas Heartbeat Bill case, declined to take up a Free Exercise challenge to New York's COVID-19 vaccine mandate, and granted several new cases. Zack and GianCarlo unpack those decisions, and then GianCarlo interviews D.C. District Judge Trevor McFadden. Tune in to hear about his fascinating career in law enforcement from police officer, to prosecutor, to DOJ lawyer, to judge. Lastly, Zack quizzes GianCarlo with trivia about the earliest SCOTUS confirmations.

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"Vincere Aut Mori" Dec 10, 2021

Show notes

In the last week before the Court's Christmas break, it heard oral arguments in several interesting cases concerning immigration courts, the fiduciary duties owed by retirement plans administrators, habeas corpus proceedings, and the big school choice case, Carson v. Makin. Your hosts discuss all of those cases, and Zack offers his predictions for Carson. Zack also interviews preeminent Supreme Court litigator Charles "Chuck" Cooper about his storied career. Finally, GianCarlo tests Zack's knowledge of the Supreme Court's use of scholarly articles in opinions.

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Stay caffeinated and opinionated with a SCOTUS 101 mug.

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Will SCOTUS Overrule Roe v. Wade? Dec 03, 2021

Show notes

Abortion is on the docket this week as the Court hears oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which asks the Court to overrule Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Dobbs filled this week's headlines, but the Court heard several other important cases too. Your hosts discuss them all, saving the oral arguments in Dobbs for after GianCarlo's interview of renowned legal theorist and political philosopher Robert P. George. Professor George explains the history of the Court's abortion jurisprudence, its relation to our American legal and philosophical tradition, and the implications of Dobbs. He also gives his prediction of how the case will turn out and what overruling Roe and Casey would mean for the future of the pro-life movement. After that, GianCarlo summarizes the Dobbs oral arguments, and Zack peppers him with trivia about the Court's abortion cases.

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Stay caffeinated and opinionated with a SCOTUS 101 mug.

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Singing at SCOTUS Nov 12, 2021

Show notes

This week at oral arguments, the Court heard cases about the scope of the state secrets privilege, whether a death-row inmate may have his spiritual advisor present at his execution, and the extent to which local governments can regulate billboards. Your hosts explain those cases, and then GianCarlo interviews Fourth Circuit Judge Allison Jones Rushing. Judge Rushing talks about singing in restaurants with Judge Sentelle, singing in the Supreme Court with Justice Scalia, fly fishing with Justice Gorsuch, becoming part of Justice Thomas's clerk family, and more. Last up, GianCarlo quizzes Zack with trivia about music at the Court.

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Stay caffeinated and opinionated with a SCOTUS 101 mug.

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Abortion, Guns, and Originalism Nov 05, 2021

Show notes

It was a big week for oral arguments with two about the Texas' abortion law, SB 8, and another about New York's firearm restrictions. GianCarlo explains the issues in the SB 8 cases and answers the pressing question of what, if anything, do they have to do with Dobbs. Zack unpacks the oral arguments in the Second Amendment case and covers other newsworthy items, like the confirmation of our new Solicitor General, Elizabeth Prelogar. Chief Judge Bill Pryor of the Eleventh Circuit joins us again to discuss his recent speech, "Politics and the Rule of Law." Last up, in honor of S.G. Prelogar's confirmation, Zack grills GianCarlo with Solicitor General trivia.

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Stay caffeinated and opinionated with a SCOTUS 101 mug.

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Three Cheers for Thirty Years Oct 29, 2021

Show notes

There were no oral arguments this week, but there were a few noteworthy orders and a great milestone: Justice Clarence Thomas's 30th year on the bench! Zack discusses the orders, which include an expedited briefing and oral argument schedule in two challenges to the Texas abortion law. Your hosts also discuss the recent symposium hosted by The Heritage Foundation and The C. Boyden Gray Center for the Study of the Administrative State celebrating Justice Thomas's life, legacy, and jurisprudence. You can find recordings of that event here. GianCarlo also interviews Fifth Circuit Judge Andrew Oldham, who talks about his unexpected journey to a career in the law, his studies at Cambridge, and his clerkships for two legendary judges. Lastly, GianCarlo quizzes Zack with Justice Thomas themed trivia!

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Stay caffeinated and opinionated with a SCOTUS 101 mug.

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COVID & The Constitution Oct 15, 2021

Show notes

Two weeks into the term, the full Court is back on the bench and hearing oral arguments in their storied courtroom. Among the arguments this week was the death-penalty appeal of the Boston Marathon bomber. Your hosts discuss how in-person oral arguments are going, and some of the newly granted cases. Zack interviews George Mason professor Todd Zywicki and they talk about his career and his recent lawsuit against the university's vaccine mandate. Lastly, Zack grills GianCarlo with some very surprising SCOTUS trivia.

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Stay caffeinated and opinionated with a SCOTUS 101 mug.

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Previewing the New Term Oct 01, 2021

Show notes

A new SCOTUS term is right around the corner! Your hosts, GianCarlo and Zack, are primed and ready to follow along with you this year. But before it begins, they've got a preview of this term's biggest cases delivered by two legendary Supreme Court advocates: former Solicitors General Paul Clement and Noel Francisco. Zack interviewed both of them at a Heritage event, and your hosts replay that discussion here.

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That's a Wrap Jul 02, 2021

Show notes

After an epic sprint to the finish, the Court has wrapped up the term. The justices handed down two of the term's biggest cases this week--the Arizona election-law case and the First Amendment challenge to California's nonprofit donor disclosure rules. Your hosts unpack those and the other three cases of the week. GianCarlo also interviews Louisiana Solicitor General, Elizabeth Murrill, who recently won Edwards v. Vannoy at the Court. Lastly, GianCarlo tests Zack's knowledge of the rate of agreement and disagreement between the justices this term. Can you guess how many unanimous opinions we got?

The show will be on a summer hiatus along with the Court, but we're looking forward to seeing you again in October!

Don't forget to leave a 5-star rating!

Stay caffeinated and opinionated with a SCOTUS 101 mug.

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