Episodes

  • The Law of War

    The Law of War
    Jul 7 2025
    The law of war is a component of international law that regulates the conditions for initiating war. With the Israel-Iran conflict raging on, and in a significant escalation, on June 21st, the United States retaliated against Iran by striking three of their nuclear sites. In response, Iran launched a strike against a U.S. air base in Qatar. After the strikes, President Trump promoted peace and announced a ceasefire, only to be met with more strikes and a continuance of the Israel-Iran conflict. So what is the law of war? And how does it apply to the current conflict between Iran, Israel, and now the United States? In this episode, Craig welcomes back Rachel E. VanLandingham, Lt Col. (ret.), Co-Associate Dean of Research & Irwin R. Buchalter Professor of Law at Southwestern Law School. Together, Craig and Rachel discuss the law of war and the potential impact on our military, our country, and our relations with other countries.
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    46 mins
  • Why John Adams Defended the British Soldiers During the Boston Massacre Trials | An In Dispute Re-Broadcast

    Why John Adams Defended the British Soldiers During the Boston Massacre Trials | An In Dispute Re-Broadcast
    Jul 4 2025
    This Fourth of July, we're spotlighting one of the most iconic trials in American history. While the next regular Lawyer 2 Lawyer episode will drop on Monday, today we're revisiting one of America’s earliest and most pivotal legal battles: the Boston Massacre trial. This episode comes from Craig’s recent miniseries In Dispute, exclusively on Legal Talk Network. ---- When an unruly crowd of angry colonists attacked a small platoon of British soldiers in 1770, five Bostonians were killed and several others wounded. John Adams, a then-34-year-old lawyer who would eventually become the second president of the United States, took on a bold and unpopular defense of the soldiers and orchestrated their trials in a way that defied conventional thinking. To better understand the historical context of the Boston Massacre, what actually went down, the aftermath of the tragedy, and the surprising takeaway trial lawyers should have after hearing John Adams’ closing arguments, Attorney J. Craig Williams invites you to bundle up and relive the astounding altercation that’s still talked about to this day. LINKS: Listen to all episodes of In Dispute: 10 Famous Trials That Changed History Purchase the e-book. Purchase the hardcover. SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VOICE ACTORS: Scott Well as John Adams Alan Chudnow as Samuel Quincy Skyler C. as Josiah Quincy Alan Parsons as Captain Thomas Preston Robert Mattson as Samuel Adams Dan Ring as Daniel Calef Patrick Correia as Richard Palmes Kate Kenney Nutting as the female witness Neil Harvey as the British Soldier Brian Driesen as Benjamin Lee Andrew Clark as Thomas Handaside Peck Robert “Terry” Terelak as Ebenerzer Bridgham Jud Pierce as Dr. John Jeffries Christopher Rogers as John Hogdson
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    42 mins
  • Protests, the Military, Newsom v. Trump, the Insurrection Act, & Martial Law

    Protests, the Military, Newsom v. Trump, the Insurrection Act, & Martial Law
    Jun 13 2025
    In response to the recent protests in Los Angeles, sparked by ICE raids, President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to L.A, and now 700 active duty Marines have joined, bypassing the authority of Governor Gavin Newsom and estimated to cost taxpayers an estimated $134 million. This stirred discussions over whether the President could use the Insurrection Act of 1807 & declare Martial law and whether these actions can be enforced. In this episode, Craig is joined by Rachel E. VanLandingham, Lt Col. (ret.), Co-Associate Dean of Research & Irwin R. Buchalter Professor of Law at Southwestern Law School. Together, Craig and Rachel discuss the use of martial law & the Insurrection Act in response to protests, the military’s role, Newsom v. Trump, and whether the deployment of troops to Los Angeles constitutes martial law. Mentioned in this Episode: Newsom v. Trump
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    40 mins
  • Birthright Citizenship, Trump’s Executive Order, & a SCOTUS Showdown

    Birthright Citizenship, Trump’s Executive Order, & a SCOTUS Showdown
    Jun 6 2025
    On January 20th, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order (EO) 14160, limiting birthright citizenship. This was met with backlash, as the constitutionality of the order was questioned. On May 15, 2025 SCOTUS heard oral arguments regarding a challenge to the order and a decision is expected to be released by late June or early July 2025. The courts have temporarily blocked the implementation of the Executive Order while constitutional challenges proceed. In this episode, Craig is joined by David C. Baluarte, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and a Professor of Law at CUNY School of Law. Together, Craig and Dean Balaurte discuss Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship, recent oral arguments before SCOTUS, the constitutional fight for birthright citizenship, and the potential impact of this upcoming decision. Mentioned in this Episode: United States v. Wong Kim Ark
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    43 mins
  • The Fight Against Threats to Judicial Independence

    The Fight Against Threats to Judicial Independence
    May 23 2025
    Chief Justice John Roberts recently called out the Trump administration for their threats to impeach judges who have ruled against them. In response to these threats to the judiciary, the Keep Our Republic’s Article III Coalition, composed of over twenty former federal district and circuit judges appointed by Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush and Obama, defended the federal judiciary, as political impeachment attempts against judges increase and the federal courts system face heightened scrutiny. In this episode, Craig is joined by Chief Judge Paul R. Michel, formerly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and member of Keep Our Republic's Article III Coalition. Together, Craig and Judge Michel discuss the calls for impeachment of judges by the current administration, and how a coalition of judges is fighting back. Mentioned in this Episode: Keep Our Republic's Article III Coalition
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    39 mins
  • SCOTUS & the Separation of Church and State

    SCOTUS & the Separation of Church and State
    May 9 2025
    The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution reads ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. In 1802, founding father Thomas Jefferson, wrote a letter to the Danbury, Connecticut Baptist Convention insisting that their legislature "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between church and state. On April 30th, 2025, SCOTUS heard arguments in the consolidated cases of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond and Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond which could redefine the fine line between religion and government in public education. In this episode, Craig is joined by Frank Ravitch, professor of law & religion at Michigan State University's College of Law. Together, Craig and Professor Ravitch delve into the significant legal topic of SCOTUS and the separation of church and state. Their discussion encompasses the details of these cases, Chief Justice Roberts' prior involvement in similar matters, the complex question of whether faith-based schools should be part of the public charter system, the importance of safeguarding religious freedom, and the potential ramifications of this forthcoming landmark decision.
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    44 mins
  • A Constitutional Crisis, Due Process, & the Rule of Law

    A Constitutional Crisis, Due Process, & the Rule of Law
    Apr 25 2025
    What is a constitutional crisis? For some, a constitutional crisis is when the president defies the Supreme Court, for others it is when a president simply defies a federal judge’s order. Under the reign of President Trump and his administration, the country has dealt with a number of incidents where judicial orders have been disregarded. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, Rümeysa Öztürk, Mahmoud Khalil are three individuals who have taken center stage in the battle between the courts and the Trump administration, and the quest for due process. In this episode, Craig is joined by professor Kent Greenfield, the Dean’s Distinguished Scholar at Boston College Law School. Craig & Kent discuss whether the country is currently in a constitutional crisis, the Trump administration's defiance of a Supreme Court order involving the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States, the power of judicial vs. executive branches, and the consequences for defying the rule of law. Mentioned in this Episode: Bipartisan Letter Coordinated by Kent Greenfield, Professor and Dean’s Distinguished Scholar at Boston College Law School, and the American Constitution Society
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    39 mins
  • The Rise of Deferred Contracts in Major League Baseball

    The Rise of Deferred Contracts in Major League Baseball
    Apr 11 2025
    Deferred contracts are becoming a powerful tool in Major League Baseball, allowing teams to stretch massive payouts over decades — but what does that mean for the sport? In this episode, Craig is joined by Jeremy M. Evans, attorney and CEO of California Sports Lawyer, to discuss the rise of deferred contracts and how they’re reshaping financial strategy in baseball. Craig and Jeremy break down how teams like the Dodgers are leveraging media revenue, why private equity is entering the conversation, and what lessons MLB might take from other leagues.
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    34 mins