Posts in Sisters In Law
Live From Chicago

Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw live in Chicago to share their takeaways from Trump’s election interference trial and review its evidence, witness testimonies, and potential verdicts.  Then the #Sisters discuss Trump’s repeated violations of his gag order, the consequences so far, and whether his continued contempt of the court violates the conditions of his pretrial release. They also cover the revival of the Comstock Act and other threats to abortion rights after Dobbs, explore the legal patchwork of state restrictions, and take questions on everything from presidential immunity to SCOTUS ethics.

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Tautology

Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to break down the key arguments made by the Supreme Court justices concerning Trump’s presidential immunity claims, explain the difference between private and official acts, and share how Jack Smith might speed up the trial.  Then the #Sisters discuss the testimony of The National Enquirer’s David Pecker and other developments in the NY election interference case, before covering the surprise Arizona indictment targeting members of the Trump team that attempted to overturn the election.  They also examine the legality of Idaho’’s abortion law, centering on its conflict with EMTALA and the relationship between state and federal laws.

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Donald Trump Versus The Rule Of Law

With Trump’s election interference case two days away, Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to review the juror selection and the steps being taken to protect them, lay out their expectations for the opening statements, and explain the role of a Sandoval hearing if Donald takes the stand.  Then the #Sisters break down the precedent and criteria for the impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and argue for alternate avenues of government action on border issues.  From there, they game out the effects of the unanimous SCOTUS decision and concurring opinions in the Muldrow v. St. Louis Title VII based employment discrimination case.

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Trump Is Out Of Time and Out Of Luck

Barb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to explain what to expect when Trump’s election interference trial begins.  The #Sisters review the witness list, dismiss Trump’s delay attempts, lay out the conditions necessary to prove election interference, and explain how the jurors will be selected.  Then the #Sisters preview upcoming SCOTUS cases that will decide whether Trump’s J6 actions fall under presidential immunity, and whether a payment after the fact is considered a bribe under public corruption statutes.  They also discuss the revival of Arizona’s 1864 abortion ban, the Comstock Act, and if we should fear nationwide restrictions.

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Mandamnit

Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to analyze the effectiveness of Trump’s defense strategies in the RICO, classified documents, and election interference cases.  The #Sisters examine whether speech attempting to overthrow the election falls under the 1st Amendment, the danger of double jeopardy, and if the Presidential Records Act protects him.  Then they compare his political speech with Kathy Griffin’s, and lay out the case for restricting his ability to threaten violence.  They also look at Judge Merchan’s strong rejection of Donald’s frivolous motions attempting to delay the Manhattan case, and discuss his upcoming depositions.

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Like Sands Through The Hourglass

Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to dig into the legal developments affecting Trump’s cases in New York and Georgia.  The #Sisters explain the narrowly tailored gag order targeting Donald in Manhattan, the ineffectiveness of his 1st Amendment challenge in the Georgia RICO case, and the reasoning behind the reduction of his bond from $454 to $175 million.  They also discuss how lack of standing influences the potential outcome of the Mifepristone case before the SCOTUS, and review the J6 related disbarment proceedings of John Eastman and Jeffrey Clark.

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March Madness

Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to cover Trump’s options for raising funds and the implications of not being able to post bond, Judge Cannon’s issuance of divergent sets of jury instructions in the Mar-A-Lago case, and why the upcoming “Stormy Daniels’ hush money trial” is actually a prosecution of election interference.  The #Sisters also discuss the legality of Texas S.B. 4’s attempt to override federal immigration laws, why the Supremacy Clause applies, Mexico’s response, and how enforcement could lead to discrimination.  Then they explain the DOJ’s antitrust complaint against Apple.

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Trump’s Whirlwind

Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to weigh recent developments in Trump’s cases, spanning Judge McAfee’s ruling on Fani Willis’ relationship with Nathan Wade, Judge Cannon’s consideration of the Espionage and Presidential Records Acts, and Alvin Bragg’s delay in Manhattan.  Then the #Sisters discuss the U.S. Judicial Conference’s policy change to limit judge shopping by assigning broadly-reaching challenges to larger, randomly chosen pools of judges.  They also examine the SCOTUS ruling allowing public officials to block people on social media under certain circumstances.

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Attack From Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America

Jill Wine-Banks hosts a special book club edition of #SistersInLaw on Attack From Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America by Barb McQuade.  The #Sisters explore their individual approaches to the writing process, discuss why disinformation is such an important subject, and learn about the experience and expertise that Barb brings to the topic.  As they dive into disinfomation’s dangers, they analyze how social media, A.I., deep fakes, bots, and our reliance on technology make us susceptible to the tactics of bad faith actors seeking to spread propaganda and influence elections.  Critically, they tell us how to protect ourselves and our democracy from these attacks before it’s too late!

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Still on that ledge

Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the reasoning behind the SCOTUS taking up Trump’s immunity claims, how they are expected to rule, and effects of the delay on his trial calendar and future presidential powers.  Then, the #Sisters explain the contrasting 1st Amendment and censorship issues that led to a Circuit Court split on Big Tech’s ability to moderate content, and lay out what might happen next.  They also cover whether the Supremacy Clause applies to the SB4 immigration law in Texas and game out how it will progress through the courts.

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Our Rights, Spys & The Crown Act

Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to explain how the Dobbs decision has created a legal framework for Alabama’s ban on IVF and look at the potential challenges that could overturn it.  Then, the #Sisters discuss the legality and lies of Alexander Smirnov’s allegations against President Biden, the role of Russian disinformation, and the political impact.  They also examine a CROWN Act based challenge pushing back against the discriminatory policy of a Texas high school.

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A Man Is Not A Plan

Barb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to review the Fani Willis hearing, describe the effect it will have on the RICO prosecution, and weigh the potential for her disqualification.  Then the #Sisters discuss the $350+ million civil fraud judgment against Trump, the damages caused by his fraud and tax evasion, the restrictions on his family’s business activities, and how the payment process works.  They also cover the scheduling of his New York hush money trial in late March, the progress of his immunity claim and its impact on the DC trial, and the necessity of a speedy trial.

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