J. Craig Williams is admitted to practice law in Iowa, California, Massachusetts, and Washington. Before attending law school, his education began in media studies with an interest in journalism, radio, and film. Williams has incorporated those interests into his blog, May It Please the Court. He is a Top-Rated Criminal Defense Lawyer – White Collar Crime as selected by American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell.
Steven Wise and Richard Cupp discuss the recent legal ruling involving captive chimpanzees and the debate over animals as "legal persons.”
This legal podcast covers the dismissal of FBI Director James Comey, the legalities triggered by dismissals, and the Russia connection.
This legal podcast discusses how the U.K. is eliminating the requirement of attending law school in favor of a skills exam and whether or not the U.S. will adopt a similar practice.
This podcast looks at the drug lab scandal in Mass. and its impact on drug cases, attorneys, defendants, and takes a look at what goes on inside a lab.
In this podcast they talk about Trump's new legislation that allows internet providers or ISPs to sell customer data without consent.
The First Amendment, Trump/press relationship, what constitutes “fake news,” the freedom of the press, and potential future litigation involving the press.
Attorney Howard Wexler and Kate Bronfenbrenner look at the impact a new Secretary of Labor under a Trump presidency will have on the U.S. workforce and employers.
In this episode of Lawyer2Lawyer, hosts Bob Ambrogi and Craig Williams join Carrie Severino and Michele Jawando to discuss the nomination of Judge Gorsuch.
The Amazon Echo as a murder case witness, legalities surrounding the Echo, technology-based evidence, and the impact on future cases.
President-elect Donald Trump's choice of Justices, the fate of specific cases, and the impact his choices will have on the law of the land.
Monte Mills and Jeffrey Haas take a look at the protesting of the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock and the legal issues involved.
A discussion on the legal issues in doing business with Cuba and the opportunities for law firms to expand into Cuba.
Professor Eugene O’Donnell and Dr. Tod Burke as they talk about the pros and cons of body cameras in law enforcement.
Trent England and Dr. John R. Koza discuss history of the Electoral College, Electoral College vs. national popular vote, and this presidential election.
David Sanford, Kerrie Campbell, and Caroline Fredrickson discuss litigation, the difficulty of proving gender discrimination, and legislation.
J. Craig Williams joins Paul Armentano and Ben Cort to discuss the recent decision by the DEA to keep marijuana on the Schedule 1 list.
Richard V. Spataro, director of training and publications for National Veterans Legal Services Program and Robert Liscord, veteran legal services outreach coordinator and paralegal for Pine Tree Legal Assistance, as they take a look at various legal issues facing our veterans.
The use of robots by law enforcement, criticism, ethics, policy, and regulation when it comes to the use of robots.
Bob Ambrogi and J. Craig Williams discuss Pokemon Go with professor Adam Thimmesch and attorney Brian Wassom.
Linda Klein, president-elect of the American Bar Association, looks back at the past year and looks ahead to her initiatives and mission as president.
Tony Mauro, Supreme Court correspondent, and Suzanna Sherry, the Herman O. Loewenstein professor of law, discuss the Supreme Court's end of term.
Steven W. Dulan and Arkadi Gerney take a look at gun laws and the tragedy in Orlando.
J. Craig Williams and Bob Ambrogi join attorney Lori Alvino McGill and Chrissi Nimmo as they take an inside look highly publicized custody case involving a 6-year-old girl named Lexi and the use of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.
The Labor Department recently announced regulation changes pertaining to overtime pay for employees and their employers. Under these new rules, those who earn salaries of less than $47,476 a year will automatically qualify for overtime pay of time-and-a-half if they work more than 40 hours a week. Once the new rules go into effect on...
Bob Ambrogi and Craig Williams join Jessica Tillipman and Professor William Byrnes as they take an inside look at the recently leaked Panama Papers.
North Carolina’s House Bill 2, better known as the “Bathroom Law”, has taken center stage and has created a great debate. On March 23, 2016, Gov. Pat McCrory signed the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act, also known as House Bill 2 or HB2. The law bans people from using bathrooms that don’t match the...
The FBI and Apple, Inc. have been immersed in an ongoing legal battle over privacy and security. The legal battle reached a boiling point when the FBI and Apple engaged in a dispute over whether the federal court may compel Apple to create new software that would enable the FBI to unlock an iPhone 5C...
Last month, Justice Antonin Scalia passed away unexpectedly sparking a huge reaction from the legal and political world. Justice Scalia was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan in 1986 and is known for his conservative position in his rulings. Since his death, there has been great controversy over his replacement on the...
There is presently a public health crisis plaguing Flint, Michigan. Lead contamination in the water has led to a major public health danger. Back in 2014, Flint changed its water source from the treated Detroit Water and Sewerage Department water to the Flint River. Since then, Flint’s drinking water has had a host of problems....
Back in 2005, Legal Talk Network created a weekly show spotlighting current legal topics. That show became Lawyer 2 Lawyer. The masters-that-be plucked two lawyers from obscurity, one from the east, one from the west, turning them into overnight sensations. Back then, podcasting was just starting out and eventually took the world by storm. Fast...
On the evening of November 13, 2015, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks occurred in Paris, France, killing and maiming hundreds of people. Ultimately, the terror organization ISIS took responsibility for the attacks in retaliation of French airstrikes targeting ISIS on Syrian and Iraqi soil. These attacks rattled the world and put a spotlight on...
Back in August of 2014, Lawyer 2 Lawyer hosted a show on the death penalty where we explored whether the death penalty was considered cruel and unusual with standout guests Judge Alex Kozinski from the United States Court of Appeals for The Ninth Circuit, exonerated death row survivor Ronald Keine from Witness to Innocence, and M*A*S*H...
Over the years, sexual assault on college campuses has been a huge problem and Washington has taken notice through various legislation and initiatives. Between the Clery Act, pending legislation of the Campus Accountability and Safety Act (CASA) and the Safe Campus Act, and Vice President Biden and President Obama’s “It’s On Us” Campaign, there has...
Back in 2009, former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon filed a lawsuit on behalf of the NCAA’s Division I players. O’Bannon challenged the NCAA’s use of the images of its former student athletes for commercial purposes. Later, District Judge Claudia Wilken found for O’Bannon stating that the NCAA’s rules violate antitrust laws. However, on September...
Many believe that good legal writing is vital for proper advocacy. But what does it mean to be a good writer on behalf of your client? Isn’t that what lawyers learn in law school? It might surprise you that Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan thinks law graduates lack these essential skills when they graduate, even...
An early morning knock on the door changed Robert Blagojevich’s life forever. Authorities presented him with a subpoena demanding campaign documents. What started as an investigation turned into an indictment. Among the many alleged charges was attempting to sell Barack Obama’s Senate seat after the 2008 presidential election. Suddenly, Robert was fighting for his freedom...
Names like Michael Brown and Eric Garner bring forth opinions on both sides of the police power debate. One side cries abuse of power while the other claims self defense. It’s been more than a year since Michael Brown was killed in Ferguson and since that time, there have been other deaths at the hands...
Despite being illegal under federal law, the marijuana industry is rapidly growing in many states around the country. As product and profits blossom, so do stockpiles of cash, because federal law prohibits banks from offering services to these “green” enterprises. Concerned that large amounts of cash will result in crime, legislators are supporting a new...
In 2015, the Supreme Court once again made history with decisions that affect the social fabric of the United States. Critics of decisions, one way or the other, attribute results to political bias and decry non-deference in the opinions. From same-sex marriage and healthcare to Confederate flags and disparate-impact, this recent SCOTUS session was no...
Credited with saving millions of lives per year, few health programs can boast the success of vaccinations. Even for those who, for health reasons, can’t be inoculated, vaccines provide a type of community immunity by preventing dangerous outbreaks in densely populated areas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention call vaccinations the greatest public health...
A jury of six women and six men decided against Ellen Pao’s claims that gender discrimination was to blame for her not being promoted at and eventually being fired from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, a Silicon Valley based venture capital firm. Despite the ruling, the media coverage has ignited a national discussion about gender...
Are you tired of driving yourself to work? Have you always wanted a chauffeur but never could afford one? If this sounds like you, then happy days are here with the advent of the driverless car. Institutions like Google, Carnegie Mellon, and Uber are developing what they hope to be totally autonomous vehicles capable of...
If you listen to podcasts, you’ve probably heard of the hit series called Serial. Centering around the trail of Adnan Syed, a Baltimore teenager convicted of murdering ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee, the show offers a deep look into Adnan’s trial and the criminal justice system. To date, the podcast has been downloaded over 68 million...
In December 2014, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence released its study on the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation Program. Among the many infractions alleged were unlawful torture, coverups, wrongful detention, and unauthorized dissemination of classified information. Since its release, there have been many critics of that report including the Senate Republican Minority, former Vice-President Dick...
On December 2, 2013, the first ever lawsuit on behalf of captive chimpanzees was filed in the New York Supreme Court. The objective of that lawsuit was to grant Tommy (a chimpanzee) bodily freedom through a common law writ of habeas corpus. Since then, two similar lawsuits have been filed. Leading the charge in all...
On November 20, President Obama announced his intention to execute an Executive Order potentially offering deferred deportation for nearly five million illegal immigrants. Since that time, opposing forces have challenged the constitutionality of such actions. Perhaps the most significant challenge is a federal lawsuit filed by nearly 20 states. In it, they allege violations of...
On the coattails of presidential support and possible regulations from the Federal Communications Commission, Net Neutrality makes its way back into public debate. Proponents claim it will keep the internet a level playing field while opponents believe the opposite. One side worries about oppressive corporations while the other is concerned about oppressive government. Not surprisingly,...
Federal and State governing authorities have the power to quarantine an individual under the suspicion that person has Ebola and could possibly spread it to others. But what if the government is wrong? Is there redress for people held against their will? It might surprise you that your civil liberties can be subjugated for the...
Having started their tenth year in podcasting, Lawyer 2 Lawyer hosts Bob Ambrogi and J. Craig Williams take time to reflect upon on past shows, guests, and favorite moments. In an exchange of roles, Bob and Craig are interviewed by their very first guest, Michael S. Greco from K&L Gates LLP, who was the President...
Imagine being 20 years old and being investigated for a murder you didn’t commit. Would you know what to say or do? Failure to react correctly could cost you a lifetime in prison. Sound far-fetched? It might surprise you to learn that it happens more often than we think, and for somewhat predictable reasons. In...
Famed legal writer John Grisham calls them Rainmakers. We’ve celebrated their legendary victories in cinematic works such as “A Civil Action” and “Erin Brockovich.” In Hollywood, these plaintiffs attorneys are often portrayed as Davids to their opposing Goliaths of corrupt industry. But who are they in real life? In this special edition of Lawyer 2...
Worker groups around the country are demonstrating for the purpose of increasing the minimum wage while experts and policy makers debate the effect of such change. Proponents say a higher minimum wage helps low-skilled workers and boosts the economy. Opponents say increasing the minimum wage decreases employment and raises the cost of living. In this...
In recent news, there have been several instances of demonstrations and riots resulting from allegations of police brutality. In cities like New York and Ferguson, there are many accounts and view points but there is still much to debate about the facts. On this episode of Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Bob Ambrogi interviews Amy Goodman...
The Eighth Amendment protects people from cruel and unusual punishments in the United States but what does that mean? In the last 38 years, Americans used hangings, gas chambers, lethal injections, electrocutions, and firing squads to execute convicted murderers. Given the recent reports of botched lethal injections, some experts are calling for the return of...
Although still illegal everywhere in the United States under federal law, Colorado and Washington have decided not to prosecute marijuana use or production at the state level. Despite this lack of enforcement, women who use marijuana during their pregnancies are being charged with child abuse shortly after giving birth. On this episode of Lawyer 2...
On July 1st a new law took effect in Tennessee that allows prosecutors to pursue criminal assault charges if the mother uses illegal drugs during pregnancy. Although it had widespread bipartisan support and is designed to fight Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, some believe it to be an unconstitutional infraction on privacy, equal protection, and due process....
The Supreme Court’s recent decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby invokes passionate debates and fiery discourse. At the spearhead of exchange are questions about reproductive, First Amendment, and healthcare rights. On this episode of Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Bob Ambrogi brings light to these issues along with Emily Martin from the National Women’s Law Center...
Since 2009, the number of unaccompanied minors apprehended crossing the U.S. border has sharply increased. The journey for these children is long, expensive, and dangerous. What is the cause of this sudden influx of young immigrants? On this episode of Lawyer 2 Lawyer, hosts Bob Ambrogi and J. Craig Williams interview Alex Nowrasteh from the Cato...
Imagine a computer thousands of miles away recognizing you in a camera at an intersection. Furthermore, consider being tracked and monitored from your home to your place of work every day. Facial recognition technology makes this type of identification possible and it is being rapidly developed for country defense and law enforcement purposes. On this...
May 17th, 2014 marked the 60th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark Supreme Court Decision that held state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students as unconstitutional because they violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Today, some six decades later, many parents and teachers are still...
On May 5th 2014, the Supreme Court decided Greece v. Galloway, a landmark case about the right of prayer in government assemblies. Both sides of the argument invoked the First Amendment to make their case, but who is right and why? On this episode of Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Bob Ambrogi brings this issue to...
Due out this week is the 10th edition of Black’s Law Dictionary. With 16,000 new definitions, 900 new maxims, and terms dated back to their first English usage, Black’s Law Dictionary 10th Edition is touted to be the most comprehensive and relevant collection of legal terminology to date. But what goes into making this legal...
In its landmark 1963 decision Gideon v. Wainwright, the Supreme Court mandated the right to counsel in federal and state criminal proceedings. Fifty-one years after that unanimous decision, some question whether Gideon’s promise has been fulfilled, as public defenders struggle against heavy caseloads, limited resources and low pay. On this episode of Lawyer2Lawyer, hosts Bob...
Six states have passed laws to address revenge porn, but critics say those laws may infringe upon First Amendment rights and subject people to needless criminal prosecution. Critics of anti-revenge porn laws believe the laws as drafted are overly broad, fail to exempt acceptable behavior, and create a chilling effect on otherwise legal expression. On...
The non-consensual posting of nude or sexual media by one person of another is known as Revenge Porn. Many victims report that this practice has had detrimental effects on their lives. Of those surveyed, 90 percent are women and 49 percent say they’ve been stalked or harassed. Despite the growing number of reports, most states’...
Attorney-Client Privilege predates US history and is a fixture of Western Law. Pro advocates of its proliferation declare its necessity to a fair and adequate defense. According to many legal experts, NSA monitoring of privileged attorney-client communications stands in direct violation to the United States Bill of Rights and yet others disagree. In this episode...
Federal law bans marijuana nationwide and yet some states have decided to license its trade. So, where does this leave citizens, local government, and attorneys who work in the cannabis industry? On this episode of Lawyer 2 Lawyer, hosts Bob Ambrogi and J. Craig Williams interview Brian Vicente, Dan Riffle and Kathy Haddock to discuss...
If you had bought $1,000 worth of Bitcoins in 2010, you would have $2.4 million dollars today. The anonymous, Internet-based currency has seen an exponential rise in value and popularity since its inception in 2009. This raises legal questions regarding the legitimacy, the legalities, and what lawyers need to know about this new currency. In...
In this edition of Lawyer2Lawyer, hosts Bob Ambrogi and J. Craig Williams invite Allen Pusey and Molly McDonough of the ABA Journal to recap the past year’s legal news. Consider this a crash course on news stories such as Edward Snowden, gun control, and Obamacare. The discussion will not only cover the top stories of...
News of Amazon’s plans to use delivery drones surprised many, but the fact is that a number of companies are developing drones for commercial uses. However, before any of these commercial drones can take flight, they need to clear a series of legal hurdles, from winning FAA approval to sorting out liability and privacy issues....
We saw a number of high-profile cases in the last Supreme Court term. With the nation currently alert to gay rights and Obamacare, some say this new term has fallen under the radar. But take note – as the spotlight shifts to campaign finance laws, free speech, and the president’s power to make recess appointments...
On this edition of Lawyer2Lawyer host Bob Ambrogi discusses private prisons with Susan Herman, president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and Adrian Moore, vice president of the Reason Foundation, a non-profit in support of libertarian principles and privatization. Susan Herman was elected president of the ACLU in October 2008. As Centennial Professor of...
