Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the recent developments in the fraud case against the SPLC by doing a deep dive into the background of the organization, explaining the charges against it, and highlighting the political motivations for the charges.  Then, the #Sisters expose the issues with Trump’s relase of Truth API, explore possible 1st Amendment challenges, and the ethical dillemas involved.  They also review the DOJ’s dismissal of its case against Harvard University regarding allegations of anti-semitism, the applicable legal framework, and the political machinations involved.

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Barb McQuade and Jill Wine-Banks answer listener questions on everything from the standards for overturning judicial precedent to the relationship between standing and venue. They discuss the four factors courts should weigh before discarding stare decisis, the two E. Jean Carroll judgments against Trump still on appeal, practical ways media consumers can spot AI fakes, greater-than-life sentences, fugitives who flee to non-extradition countries, and the difference between standing and venue.

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Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss Jeanine Pirro’s dismissal of the reflecting pool case against David Hearn and the dangers of prosecutorial misconduct.  Then, the #Sisters explain the larger impact of the Justice Department’s motion to vacate convictions related to the J6 insurrection, focusing on the cases of Stuart Rhodes and the Oath Keepers, and calling for accountability for those who attempt to subvert our system of government and the rule of law.  They also review Trump’s recent executive orders on birthright citizenship and immigration, explain what they mean in light of the SCOTUS decision in Trump v. Barbara, and explore the potential for legal challenges.

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Barb McQuade and Jill Wine-Banks answer listener questions on everything from completing a FOIA request to Trump’s trademark on MAGA.  They discuss how long FOIA responses can take and the option to sue, First Amendment limits on trademarking political slogans like “Make America Great,” the constitutional ban on foreign emoluments and the Qatar plane gift, why jointly impeaching and convicting Trump and Vance is impractical due to succession rules, the release of Fauci’s government-computer notes and his repeated Fifth Amendment invocations, and the lack of any constitutional requirements to serve as a federal judge.

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Barb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the recent legal developments surrounding the indictment of James Comey, his attempt to dismiss is, the definition of true threats, and the difference between selective and vindictive prosecution.  Then, the #Sisters examine the botched confirmation of Todd Blanche’s appointment to Attorney General, Trump’s influence on the proceedings, and the challenges he would face in the role.  They also review Trump’s executive order eeking to limit mail-in voting, the legal challenges it faces, and MAGA’s broader war on election integrity.

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Barb McQuade and Kimberly Atkins Stohr answer listener questions on everything from privacy protections to Latin legal terms. They discuss the EU’s GDPR as a model for treating personal data as belonging to individuals, whether media outlets face liability for declining to air presidential speeches live, how to respond when people treat “socialism” as a curse word, why Trump’s impeachments cannot be nullified or expunged, the difference between lies, misinformation, and disinformation, and their favorite Latin legal phrases, like res ipsa loquitur and quantum meruit.

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Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the NYT’s victory over the DOJ’s attempt to subpoena its reporters to testify about their national security reporting and the effects government actions can have on press freedom and democracy. Then, the #Sisters review the legal allegations Jim Jordan has levied against Jack Smith, the political motivations involved, and the role of the Speech or Debate Clause.  They also explore the legal battle over the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros., why state attorneys general are challenging it, and its implications for the entertainment industry and consumers.

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In this episode of #SistersInLaw Sidebar, Barb McQuade and Jill Wine-Banks answer listener questions on everything from the Emoluments Clause to restoring trust in the rule of law.  They discuss whether the Qatari plane gift violates the Emoluments Clause and how Congress could enforce it, the filibuster’s role in enabling more extreme judicial nominees, concerns about raids on groups like the League of Women Voters after concerning rhetoric from the Trump administration, balancing belief in survivors with due process, key differences between civil and criminal contempt, and what it will take to restore people’s faith in the DOJ.

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Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing to become the acting Attorney General, Judge Williams’ opinion on Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS, and the role Senate hearings play in trust and transparency.  Then, the #Sisters review the recent violent incidents involving ICE agents, reflect on the danger the administration’s approach poses to public safety, and call for proper training and accountability.  They also dissect Trump’s speech on election integrity, analyze it in the context of misinformation and disinformation, and examine the impact of false narratives on future elections.

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In this episode of Sisters Sidebar, Barb McQuade and Joyce Vance answer listener questions on everything from how Democrats should wield executive power to a social media ban for minors, and more. They discuss John Brennan’s ability to protect himself from the Trump administration by proactively filing lawsuits, whether a case can be appealed multiple times, what they think of a social media ban for minors, the ability of Congress to create and dissolve independent commissions, how a Democrat president should govern after the SCOTUS rulings strengthening the executive branch, and the value of being an extrovert in the legal field.

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Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to criticize Blanche for undermining DOJ independence, acting as Trump’s personal lawyer, and purging career officials who worked on Trump or J6 cases. Then, the #Sisters analyze the deadly ICE shooting of longtime Houston resident Lorenzo Salgado Arajo, contrasting official claims with video and witness evidence, and discuss use-of-force violations and due process failures.  They also expose the administration’s efforts to intimidate election officials, send monitors, issue criminal warnings, and fire members of the Election Assistance Commission to undermine trust in the midterms.

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In this episode of Sisters Sidebar, Barb McQuade and Jill Wine-Banks answer listener questions on moving immigration courts to the judicial branch, how to call a constitutional convention, and more. They explain why immigration judges should be independent from the DOJ, discuss the legal effect of pardons on guilt and restitution, push back against attempts to downplay Watergate and rehabilitate Richard Nixon, clarify how a constitutional convention would work under Article V, and strongly advocate for more cameras in courtrooms to increase public trust in the judicial branch.

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Barb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the recent Supreme Court rulings and how they affect our lives.  They review the implications of the decisions on birthright citizenship, the president’s control over independent agencies, voting rights, transgender participation in sports, and campaign finance.  During it, they analyze the court’s performance, expose its connection to Trump and the MAGA agenda, and call for more protections for the rights of all individuals.  They also delve into how the court makes decisions, expose its inconsistencies, and lay out the trends it seems to be following as it heads into the upcoming term.

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In this episode of Sisters Sidebar, Kimberly Atkins Stohr and Joyce Vance answer listener questions on de facto versus de jure, navigating a legal career path, jurisdiction over Trump’s arch, and more. They explain why Virginia has no jurisdiction to stop Trump’s arch, detail the procedural twists in his Florida IRS case, offer advice on avoiding conflicts of interest from political involvement, strongly endorse public tax disclosures for transparency, give legal examples of de facto versus de jure issues using voting rights scenarios, and reflect on mentorship, pro bono work, and finding a rewarding path in public service.

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Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss new developments regarding the Epstein Files Transparency Act following a lawsuit by Katie Phang and the future of the case as it heads to appeal.  Then, the #Sisters review Justice Alito’s recent authorship of immigration rulings affecting TPS and asylum seekers, as well as the dissents by Justices Kagan and Sotomayor.  They also explain the power of dissents against impactful majority decisions, how they can be used as a tool for future change, and the constitutional implications of federal overreach in the states.

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In this episode of Sisters Sidebar, Jill Wine-Banks and Joyce Vance answer listener questions on the Trump-IRS lawsuit settlement, the War Powers Resolution, posthumous prosecutions, and more. They discuss whether Trump’s non-adversarial IRS suit can produce a valid broad tax forgiveness deal for him and his family, congressional checks on potential military action in Iran, Katie Phang’s lawsuit against Todd Blanche, how to safely renew your passport, why the dead cannot be prosecuted, and the process of how the vice president is sworn in after a president resigns or dies.

In this episode of Sisters Sidebar, Joyce Vance and Jill Wine-Banks answer your questions on Trump’s controversial slush fund, crimes committed in prison, and more. They discuss why the president cannot legally use taxpayer money as a personal slush fund, ongoing lawsuits challenging the fund, creative ways Congress and citizens might push back, the best internships for aspiring law students, when the hosts first knew they wanted to become lawyers, how crimes in federal prisons are prosecuted compared to the outside world, and whether Trump could receive an automatic self-pardon for potential insider trading.

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Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss Kash Patel’s premature announcements of arrests in a possible terror plot that could compromise the investigation and an alleged slush fund for FBI agents.  Then, the #Sisters discuss the need for congressional oversight of law enforcement following the FBI’s search of the Ohio Organizing Collective in a move that could jeopardize voting rights and registration efforts.  They also review Hemani v United States, looking at the facts of the case, the intersection of the 2nd Amendment and drug use, and the court’s tendency towards decisions favoring gun rights.

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In this episode of Sisters Sidebar, Jill Wine-Banks and Kimberly Atkins Stohr answer listener questions on presidential appointments, Trump’s use of the DOJ against political enemies, online threats, and more.  They discuss whether a president’s former personal attorney can serve as Attorney General, the constitution and what citizens can do to strengthen democracy on the country’s 250th birthday, whether national monuments can be renamed or repurposed, if a future DOJ can overturn Trump’s “in perpetuity” tax agreement, how online threats become legally actionable, the ability of Trump’s doctor to invoke the 25th Amendment, and why the DOJ is pursuing cases against Trump’s perceived enemies rather than his personal lawyers.

In this episode of Sisters Sidebar, Joyce Vance and Jill Wine-Banks answer your questions on Trump’s controversial slush fund, crimes committed in prison, and more. They discuss why the president cannot legally use taxpayer money as a personal slush fund, ongoing lawsuits challenging the fund, creative ways Congress and citizens might push back, the best internships for aspiring law students, when the hosts first knew they wanted to become lawyers, how crimes in federal prisons are prosecuted compared to the outside world, and whether Trump could receive an automatic self-pardon for potential insider trading.

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