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Oral Arguments, with Context

Real court arguments, crisp audio, with context. Court recordings can be difficult to follow, and many suffer from poor audio quality. This podcast enhances the audio, provides a brief introduction to each case, and explains legal concepts that may be unfamiliar to some listeners. We hope these enhancements make oral argument recordings easier to understand, more accessible, and more enjoyable to listen to. Recordings come from the courts’ own public releases; Supreme Court timing is derived locally from the Court’s official transcript and audio.

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Chen v. Mamdani — 2d Cir. (Sep 8, 2026) Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

The Second Circuit hears Yi Fang Chen's emergency request to admit her son to Stuyvesant High School while she appeals the denial of a preliminary injunction. He scored 558 on the SHSAT, three points below Stuyvesant's cutoff. Chen says New York City expanded the Discovery Program to twenty percent of seats and added a school-level Economic Need Index rule to change racial enrollment, violating equal protection. The city and student intervenors say the criteria are race-neutral and target economic and geographic disadvantage. The court must decide whether Chen has shown likely success, irreparable harm, and favorable equities—and whether strict scrutiny or rational-basis review governs. Chen v. Mamdani (No. 26-2066) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, argued September 8, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/audio/26-2066%20mtn.mp3 Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit: https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/oral_arguments.html Appellate docket — Justia: https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca2/26-2066 Order denying preliminary injunction — U.S. District Court, S.D.N.Y.: https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2026/07/057-Order-Denying-Motion-for-Preliminary-Injunction.pdf Emergency motion for injunction pending appeal — U.S. District Court, S.D.N.Y.: https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2026/07/059-Plaintiffs-Emergency-Letter-Motion-to-Expedite-and-for-an-Injunction-Pending-Appeal.pdf City defendants' opposition — U.S. District Court, S.D.N.Y.: https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2026/07/031-Defendants-First-Memorandum-Of-Law-In-Opposition-To-MPI.pdf Intervenor-defendants' opposition — U.S. District Court, S.D.N.Y.: https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2026/07/051-Intervenor-Defendants-Memorandum-Of-Law-In-Opposition-To-MPI.pdf Fall 2026 SHSAT guide — New York City Public Schools: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/specialized-high-schools/fall-2026-shsat-guide Discovery Program eligibility — New York City Public Schools: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/specialized-high-schools/discovery-programs Chinese American Citizens Alliance v. Adams — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-ca2-22-02649/pdf/USCOURTS-ca2-22-02649-0.pdf Chen v. Mamdani case page — Pacific Legal Foundation: https://pacificlegal.org/case/chen-nyc-specialized-high-schools/ Complaint — U.S. District Court, S.D.N.Y.: https://pacificlegal.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Yi-Fang-Chen-v.-Zohran-Mamdani-Complaint-4.23.26.pdf Dean McGee — Pacific Legal Foundation: https://pacificlegal.org/staff/dean-mcgee/ Chen v. Mamdani case page — ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/cases/yi-fang-chen-v-zohran-mamdani-et-al Stefanie Coyle — New York Civil Liberties Union: https://www.nyclu.org/about/our-people/stefanie-coyle

Walker v. Collins — Fed. Cir. (Sep 8, 2026) Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

The Federal Circuit considers whether the VA's 2010 grant of Johnny Walker's PTSD claim also fulfilled the agency's duty to reconsider his 1996 claim under 38 C.F.R. Section 3.156(c). That rule requires the VA to reconsider a denied claim when relevant service-department records later enter the file. Walker says the grant addressed only his 2008 reopening request, leaving the 1996 claim pending because the decision gave no notice that it had been reconsidered. The government says the VA considered the new records in 2010, which was enough. The Veterans Court agreed and affirmed the Board. Walker v. Collins (No. 25-1503) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, argued September 8, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/oral-arguments/25-1503_09082026.mp3 Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit: https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/home/oral-argument/listen-to-oral-arguments/ Argument calendar and counsel — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit: https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/OralArguments/PublicCalendar-September2026.pdf Veterans Court decision — Walker v. McDonough, No. 23-3703: https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/docs1/012011004431 Veterans Court docket — Walker v. Collins, No. 23-3703: https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/cmecf/servlet/TransportRoom?servlet=CaseSummary.jsp&caseNum=23-3703&incOrigDkt=Y&incDktEntries=Y 38 C.F.R. § 3.156 — U.S. Government Publishing Office: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2025-title38-vol1/pdf/CFR-2025-title38-vol1-part3.pdf Kenneth H. Dojaquez — Carpenter Chartered: https://carpenterchartered.com/our-team/ Counsel record for Kenneth H. Dojaquez — Veterans Court docket: https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/docs1/012011979049 Counsel record for Matthew J. Carhart — U.S. Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/d9/2023-11/vandermark.opp_-_final.pdf

National Association of Home Builders of the United States v. District of Columbia — D.C. Cir. (Sep 8, 2026) Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

The District of Columbia Circuit considers whether the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, or EPCA, preempts Washington's Clean Buildings Act. The local law requires certain new or substantially renovated buildings to meet a net-zero-energy standard and generally bars on-site fossil-fuel combustion. The home builders and allied groups say the ban effectively sets covered gas appliances' energy use at zero. The District says it regulates fuel source, not appliance performance. The district court agreed with the District and granted it summary judgment. National Association of Home Builders of the United States v. District of Columbia (No. 26-7050) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, argued September 8, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://media.cadc.uscourts.gov/recordings/docs/2026/09/26-7050.mp3 Argument listing and counsel — U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit: https://media.cadc.uscourts.gov/recordings/bydate/2026/9 District-court opinion — U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia: https://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/district-of-columbia/dcdce/1%3A2024cv02942/273899/48/0.pdf Appeal docket and counsel record — D.C. Circuit: https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/cadc/26-7050 Clean Buildings Act — Code of the District of Columbia: https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/6-1453.01%28Perm%29 EPCA preemption provision — U.S. House Office of the Law Revision Counsel: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?edition=prelim&num=0&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title42-section6297 J. Mark Little — Baker Botts: https://www.bakerbotts.com/people/l/little-j-mark Counsel record for Charles E.T. Roberts — U.S. Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/d9/2026-08/fcmc_complaint-filed.pdf

Gordon v. Collins — Fed. Cir. (Jul 10, 2026) Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

The Federal Circuit considers whether it may review a veteran's challenge to a zero-percent VA hearing-loss rating. Vaughn Gordon says the dispute concerns how a regulation was applied; the Secretary says it attacks the disability-rating schedule, which federal law places beyond judicial review. The Veterans Court rejected Gordon's claim. On August 20, 2026, the Federal Circuit dismissed the appeal. Gordon v. Collins (No. 25-1461) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, argued July 10, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/oral-arguments/25-1461_07102026.mp3 Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit: https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/home/oral-argument/listen-to-oral-arguments/ Opinion — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit: https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/opinions-orders/25-1461.OPINION.8-20-2026_2742006.pdf Veterans Court memorandum decision — U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims: https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/docs1/012010947581 Case docket — U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims: https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/cmecf/servlet/TransportRoom?servlet=CaseSummary.jsp&caseNum=23-5047&incOrigDkt=Y&incDktEntries=Y Federal Circuit judgment — received by the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims: https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/docs1/012012916597 Counsel profile — Jeff P. Johnson, Troutman Pepper Locke: https://www.troutman.com/professionals/jeff-p-johnson/

Doumitt v. Bisignano — 9th Cir. (Jul 10, 2026) Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

The Ninth Circuit hears Jason Doumitt's appeal from the denial of Social Security disability benefits. A state psychologist said he could follow short and simple instructions, but not detailed or complex ones. Yet the administrative law judge found that he could perform simple and detailed tasks learnable within thirty days. Counsel for Doumitt will argue that this translation improperly broadened the psychologist's restriction. Doumitt v. Bisignano (No. 25-3243) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, argued July 10, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105): https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/media/2026/07/10/25-3243.mp3 Argument page — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/cases/streams-videos/archive?case=25-3243&hearingDate=2026-07-10 Appellate memorandum — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/memoranda/2026/07/29/25-3243.pdf District-court opinion — U.S. Courts via GovInfo: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-ord-3_24-cv-00048/pdf/USCOURTS-ord-3_24-cv-00048-0.pdf Appellate docket — Docket Alarm: https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/US_Court_of_Appeals_Ninth_Circuit/25-3243/Doumitt_v._Bisignano/ District-court docket — Justia: https://dockets.justia.com/docket/oregon/ordce/3%3A2024cv00048/177443

Johnson v. Tarrant County — 5th Cir. (Aug 31, 2026) Sep 05, 2026

Show notes

The Fifth Circuit hears an appeal over Trelynn Wormley's death after a fentanyl overdose in Tarrant County Jail. His family sued the county and the Keefe commissary companies. The district court dismissed the claims. The appeal concerns allegations of an unofficial county policy allowing dangerous drugs into the jail, and negligence claims against the commissary companies. Kelly Holt Rodriguez, of Jones Day, represents the family. Johnson v. Tarrant County (No. 25-10923) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued August 31, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/25/25-10923_8-31-2026.mp3 Argument date and advocates — Fifth Circuit recording index: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings/results?from=2026-08-31&to=2026-09-05 Counsel appearances and parties — Fifth Circuit docket, public mirror: https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca5/25-10923 Case background and reported dismissal — KERA: https://www.keranews.org/criminal-justice/2025-07-17/tarrant-county-jail-trelynn-wormley-fentanyl-overdose-lawsuit Kelly Holt Rodriguez — Jones Day: https://www.jonesday.com/en/lawyers/h/kelly-holt Stephen Lund — State Bar of Texas profile: https://www.texasbar.com/attorneys/member.cfm?id=334050 Lund office affiliation — independent Becket Fund amicus certificate, page ii: https://becketnewsite.s3.amazonaws.com/20251008102736/McCutchan-Amicus-Brief-of-The-Becket-Fund.pdf Joshua Bennett — BakerHostetler: https://www.bakerlaw.com/professionals/joshua-j-bennett/ Bennett firm move — Texas Lawbook reporting: https://texaslawbook.net/dallas-litigators-courtney-barksdale-perez-and-joshua-bennett-jump-to-bakerhostetler/ Pleading plausibility — Bell Atlantic v. Twombly, Supreme Court: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-550/pdf/USREPORTS-550-544.pdf Facts and legal conclusions — Ashcroft v. Iqbal, Supreme Court: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-556/pdf/USREPORTS-556-662.pdf What Restatements are — American Law Institute: https://www.ali.org/faq Restatements as secondary authority — Library of Congress: https://guides.loc.gov/law-secondary-resources/restatements Restatements are not controlling Texas law — Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 5.001: https://tcss.legis.texas.gov/resources/CP/htm/CP.5.htm#5.001

Interstate Fire v. Murco Wall — 5th Cir. (Aug 31, 2026) Sep 05, 2026

Show notes

The Fifth Circuit hears an insurance dispute over asbestos claims against Murco Wall Products. The district court held that coverage required asbestos exposure during two insurers' policy periods. Murco argues that injury or internal exposure during those periods can trigger coverage even after inhalation has ended. The court will also consider how those policies handle reimbursement of legal-defense costs. Andrew Guthrie, of Haynes and Boone, represents Murco and will seek reversal of that coverage ruling. Interstate Fire v. Murco Wall (No. 25-10958) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued August 31, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/25/25-10958_08-31-2026.mp3 Argument date and advocates — Fifth Circuit recording index: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings/results?from=2026-08-31&to=2026-09-05 Case and appellate role — Fifth Circuit calendar: https://www-dev.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-information/court-calendars/Details/1974/ District court insurance-coverage opinion — N.D. Texas, Doc. 228: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-txnd-4_22-cv-01137/pdf/USCOURTS-txnd-4_22-cv-01137-2.pdf Andrew Guthrie — Haynes and Boone: https://www.haynesboone.com/people/guthrie-andrew Andrew Guthrie professional registration — Western District of Texas: https://ecf.txwd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/addrbook.cgi?LT=G Stephen Melendi and firm — Tollefson Bradley Mitchell & Melendi: https://www.tbmmlaw.com/about Stephen Melendi professional registration — Western District of Texas: https://ecf.txwd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/addrbook.cgi?LT=M Canal counsel appearance — reported district court opinion: https://www.leagle.com/decision/infdco20250407726 Jason Boatright — Duane Morris: https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/jasonboatright.html Jason Boatright background — Texas Governor appointment announcement: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-appoints-three-to-risk-management-board Erie prediction — Chaney, Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/Opinions/pub/08/08-60555-CV0.wpd.pdf Erie prediction — McGlothin, Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/18/18-60338-CV0.pdf Certification — Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 58: https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1463134/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure-02062026.pdf Certification in practice — Austin, Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/12/12-10772-cv1.pdf Eight-corners rule and exceptions — Monroe, Texas Supreme Court: https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1453575/210232.pdf Eight-corners comparison — Copart, Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/21/21-10938-CV0.pdf

Gann v. Depositors Insurance — 5th Cir. (Aug 31, 2026) Sep 05, 2026

Show notes

The Fifth Circuit hears Gann versus Depositors Insurance. Hail damage to a commercial roof was reported in 2022, but the insured's expert attributed it to a 2018 storm. The district court ruled for the insurer without a trial, finding that the lawsuit relied on the wrong policy and that late notice hampered its investigation. Andrew Woellner represents Gann and will seek to overturn that judgment. Gann v. Depositors Insurance (No. 25-11291) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued August 31, 2026. Sources: Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/25/25-11291_8-31-2026.mp3 Argument date and court recording index — Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings?from=2026-08-31&to=2026-09-05 District court summary-judgment opinion — Gann, Doc. 47: https://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/texas/txndce/3%3A2024cv02168/393810/47/0.pdf Appeal docket and counsel appearances — No. 25-11291: https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca5/25-11291 Patrick Kemp — Segal McCambridge: https://www.segalmccambridge.com/attorneys/patrick-m-kemp/ Patrick Kemp professional registration — Western District of Texas: https://ecf.txwd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/addrbook.cgi?LT=K Condition precedent — Chalker Energy, Texas Supreme Court: https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1445957/180352.pdf Conditions and covenants — Sanchez Oil & Gas, Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/20/20-20304-CV0.pdf Expert testimony — Daubert, U.S. Supreme Court: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-509/pdf/USREPORTS-509-579.pdf Current expert-testimony rule — Federal Rule of Evidence 702: https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-evidence.pdf Mitigation of damages — Atrium Medical Center, Texas Supreme Court: https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1445734/180228.pdf Reasonable mitigation and avoidable loss — Bro-Tech, Western District of Texas: https://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/texas/txwdce/5%3A2008cv00594/314510/106/0.pdf

Atkinson v. Pustilnik — 5th Cir. (Aug 31, 2026) Sep 05, 2026

Show notes

The Fifth Circuit hears Atkinson versus Pustilnik. Yvette Atkinson alleges that a county medical examiner retaliated against her lawsuit by falsely classifying her husband's death as a homicide. A federal judge dismissed her civil-rights claims, finding that the complaint did not adequately allege a constitutional violation. The appeal asks whether her complaint adequately states retaliation and due-process claims. Eden Quainton, of Quainton Law, represents Atkinson and will seek to revive her claims. Atkinson v. Pustilnik (No. 25-20513) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued August 31, 2026. Sources: Official argument audio — Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/25/25-20513_8-31-2026.mp3 Official argument listing — Fifth Circuit: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/oral-argument-recordings?from=2026-08-31&to=2026-09-05 District court opinion and order — October 8, 2025: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-txsd-4_22-cv-04315/pdf/USCOURTS-txsd-4_22-cv-04315-3.pdf Appeal docket — case and counsel: https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca5/25-20513 Quainton Law — attorney profile: https://quaintonlaw.net/our-team Court-record confirmation of Quainton's firm: https://www.opn.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf/25a0310p-06.pdf Fort Bend County Attorney — litigation staff: https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/county-attorney/divisions/litigation State Bar of Texas — Kevin Hedges: https://www.texasbar.com/attorneys/member.cfm?id=171442 Paul v. Davis — reputational harm and due process: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/424/693/ Tebo — Fifth Circuit stigma-plus analysis: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/07/07-60659-CV0.wpd.pdf Texas Health and Safety Code § 191.052: https://tcss.legis.texas.gov/resources/HS/htm/HS.191.htm#191.052 Reliastar — death records as rebuttable evidence: https://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/texas/txsdce/7%3A2007cv00140/511110/27/0.pdf In re Martin — rebuttable death-record evidence: https://cases.justia.com/texas/sixth-court-of-appeals/2023-06-22-00061-cv.pdf?ts=1683031268

The Law Office of Philippe J. Gerschel v. New York City Department of Education — 2d Cir. (Sep 3, 2026) Sep 05, 2026

Show notes

The Second Circuit hears the Law Office of Philippe J. Gerschel versus the New York City Department of Education. Parents say the city failed to provide the special-education services promised in plans for their children, whom they enrolled in private schools. The law firm represented the children in administrative proceedings over those services, then sued to recover its attorney's fees. A federal judge dismissed the suit, ruling that these state-law disputes were outside the court's authority. The appeal asks whether those proceedings qualify for attorney's fees under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA. The Law Office of Philippe J. Gerschel v. New York City Department of Education (No. 25-2780) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, argued September 3, 2026. Sources: Official argument audio — Second Circuit: https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/audio/25-2780.mp3 Official argument listing — Second Circuit: https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/oral_arguments.html District court opinion and order — September 30, 2025: https://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/new-york/nysdce/1%3A2024cv06303/626974/39/0.pdf Filed letter identifying this appeal: https://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/new-york/nysdce/1%3A2024cv07595/629545/37/0.pdf Joint court filing — counsel and firm: https://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/new-york/nysdce/1%3A2024cv07595/629545/25/0.pdf Simonson Law — attorney profile: https://simonsonlaw.com/ Individualized education programs — 20 U.S.C. § 1414: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/20/1414 Bay Shore v. Kain — Second Circuit opinion: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/485/730/481114/ New York Education Law § 3602-c: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EDN/3602-C

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