Law360's Pro Say - News & Analysis on Law and the Legal Industry

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 163: The Latest TikTok Craze Is National Security Aug 14, 2020

Show notes

President Trump has declared the popular social media platform TikTok a risk to U.S. national security, citing its ties to China. The administration is now pursuing a number of legal options to address that threat, ranging from an outright ban of the app to a forced sale to a U.S. company like Microsoft. We’ll get you caught up on all the TikTok drama with Alex and Law360’s senior M&A reporter, Benjamin Horney. Also this week, a loss for Uber and Lyft could usher in a sea change for employment law in the gig economy, the Ninth Circuit gives Qualcomm a hammer lock on the smartphone chip and patent markets, and Kanye West bends the concept of time itself.

Ep. 162: Please Stop Rockin’ Down In Trump World Aug 07, 2020

Show notes

Rock star Neil Young filed a lawsuit this week aiming to block President Donald Trump from using his music at campaign events -- the first significant legal action taken by an artist among many who have complained about Trump’s choice of rally anthems. But as host Bill Donahue explains on this week’s episode, the complexities of music licensing makes stopping a campaign from playing particular music harder than it might seem. Also this week, New York’s attorney general seeks to dissolve the NRA over financial misconduct; the Federal Circuit rules against the misuse of PACER fees by the judiciary; and a former pro baseball player who fought off a drug-addled naked man on his front lawn wins in court.

Ep. 161: Bar Exam Chaos Jul 31, 2020

Show notes

The Pro Say team chatted this week with law school graduates around the country about how COVID-19 has impacted their bar exam experience — from months of uncertainty and delay, fears of test-site outbreaks and technological breakdowns, and lingering concern about what it means for job prospects. Also on this week’s show, how this year’s chaotic exam has called into question the test itself, and lent new support for radical changes to how lawyers are licensed.

Ep. 160: Do COVID Closures Violate the Constitution? Jul 24, 2020

Show notes

Courts around the country are weighing in on the legality of public health measures aimed at combating the spread of COVID-19, from movie theater closures to gym bans to mask requirements. On this week’s show, we’re breaking down a slew of recent rulings, plus previewing what might come next. Also this week: A tragic attack on the family of a New Jersey federal judge; and a chat with three major corporate general counsel about how they responded to the outbreak of the pandemic.

Ep. 159: A Wrap On A Wild High Court Term Jul 17, 2020

Show notes

It was a year of big surprises at the Supreme Court: A pandemic forced the justices to hold telephonic arguments; conservative Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the liberal wing on abortion and immigration rights, and the conservatives battled each other in the pages of dissenting opinions. We welcome Law360 Supreme Court reporter and Term podcast host Jimmy Hoover on this week’s episode to help us make sense of it all. Also this week: the Trump administration’s flip-flop on student visa policy; the looming crisis of evictions during the pandemic; and the funniest moments from the Supreme Court term.

Ep. 158: Absolutely (Not) Immune Jul 10, 2020

Show notes

The Supreme Court ended its term with a bang by issuing a pair of decisions on whether state prosecutors and federal lawmakers can access the president’s financial records. We break down the monumental rulings on this week’s episode, as the high court rejected the administration’s claims of absolute immunity and kicked the cases back into the judicial pipeline. Also this week: Employers would be wise to avoid COVID-19 liability waivers as they reopen their offices and California federal judge William Alsup calls the government’s case against a Russian hacking suspect “mumbo jumbo” and “gobbledygook.”

Ep. 157: Federal Watchdog Agencies, Beware Jul 02, 2020

Show notes

The Supreme Court took a bite out of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau this week by allowing the at-will firing of its director, but the justices stopped short of dismantling the Obama-era watchdog completely. Law360 senior banking reporter Jon Hill joins the show this week to break down the decision and what it could mean for the future of other independent federal agencies. Also this week: a surprising victory for abortion rights advocates at the high court; and a pair of ill-advised attorneys in St. Louis who brandished firearms in their front yard as protestors marched down their street.

Ep. 156: BigLaw v. BigLandlord Jun 26, 2020

Show notes

A landlord claims that Jenner & Block owes almost $4 million in unpaid rent on its Chicago office, but the firm responded this week that its lease was effectively broken by the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to a special provision in its contract. On this week’s episode, we’re breaking down this brewing showdown between BigLaw and BigLandlord. Also this week: an appellate court rules that federal prosecutors can drop charges against former Trump adviser Michael Flynn; a huge damages award and an even bigger settlement in a pair of cancer product liability cases; and a victory for Twitter in the legal battle over a fake cow that makes fun of Rep. Devin Nunes.

Ep. 155: DACA + LGBTQ @ SCOTUS Jun 19, 2020

Show notes

The U.S. Supreme Court issued two big rulings this week, first handing down a landmark opinion protecting LGBT workers’ rights and then blocking the Trump administration from rolling back protections for young immigrants. This week we’re breaking down both, including an interview with former employment watchdog Chai R. Feldblum about the long-awaited Title VII decision. Also on this week’s show: the government lawsuit aimed at blocking the release of John Bolton’s book.

Ep. 154: ‘This Has To Stop’ Jun 12, 2020

Show notes

Protests over police brutality and racial injustice continue across the nation, and the judiciary is beginning to take notice. On this week’s show, we discuss a Fourth Circuit decision that denied legal immunity to five police officers in the killing of an unarmed black man and invoked the George Floyd case in the process. Also this week: a suit over a coronavirus vaccine being held “hostage”; the largest whistleblower award ever handed out by the SEC; and a judge suspended for waging a $67 million legal war over lost pants.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Law360’s Pro Say – News & Analysis on Law and the Legal Industry

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected