Boies and Olson reveal the backstory of the case against California’s Proposition 8 (podcast)

Aug 28, 2014 5:55 PM CDT

Growing up during BTK serial-killing spree informed author’s new crime novel (podcast)

Alafair Burke's fascination with crime stories came far before her career as first a prosecutor and then a law professor. In this podcast, she discusses how the BTK serial killings affected her childhood, and shares details on her novels and career.

Jul 28, 2014 9:00 PM CDT

Why should 9/11 terrorism trials be held at ‘Mother Court’ in New York? Author explains (podcast)

Jun 30, 2014 4:20 PM CDT

How 50 children were saved from Nazi Germany by a Philadelphia lawyer and his wife (podcast)

May 29, 2014 5:00 PM CDT

This 18th-century British judge helped SCOTUS decide the fate of Guantanamo detainees (podcast)

ABA Journal Podcast Editor Lee Rawles speaks with Prof. Norman S. Poser about his recent biography, "Lord Mansfield: Justice in the Age of Reason," and how this particular British judge managed to have such a continuing influence on Anglo-American laws. We also discuss Mansfield's Somerset decision, which eventually led to the abolition of slavery in Great Britain.

Apr 30, 2014 10:00 PM CDT

‘Emergency Sasquatch Ordinance’ author shares weird-but-true laws from around the globe (podcast)

Author and attorney Kevin Underhill is fascinated by weird laws, and in his new book "The Emergency Sasquatch Ordinance: And Other Real Laws that Human Beings Have Actually Dreamed Up, Enacted and Sometimes Even Enforced," he has compiled more than 200 examples of some truly peculiar laws going back more than 4,000 years. He discusses some of his findings with ABA Journal podcast editor Lee Rawles.

Mar 27, 2014 7:00 PM CDT

What makes lawyers great romance novelists? (gallery and podcast)

In honor of Valentine's Day, ABA Journal podcast editor Lee Rawles spoke with four lawyer romance novelists about their careers; how their legal training helped them as writers; and misconceptions people hold about both the law and about the romance genre.

Feb 13, 2014 5:15 PM CST

What martial arts training can do for lawyers (podcast)

In the spirit of New Year's resolutions, many attorneys have vowed to become more physically active. Attorneys and authors Ryan Danz and Keith Robert Lee both say that martial arts training is particularly beneficial to lawyers, and they explain to the ABA Journal's Lee Rawles exactly why.

Jan 23, 2014 9:10 PM CST

What were the best legal novels of 2013? (podcast)

Dec 19, 2013 6:45 PM CST

Unconventional childhood helps ‘Free Spirit’ author to advocate for domestic-abuse victims (podcast)

In this episode of the Modern Law Library, the ABA Journal's Molly McDonough interviews Safran about the memoir he wrote of his experiences, Free Spirit: Growing Up on the Road and Off the Grid. He shares the breakthrough moment he had with a pro bono client, in which he found himself bonding with her by sharing stories of the domestic abuse he and his mother suffered during his childhood.

Nov 25, 2013 2:30 PM CST

Once the ‘meanest lawyer in Houston,’ author shares story of love for his murdered brother (podcast)

David Berg was an ambitious young lawyer in Houston in 1968 when his older brother, Alan, disappeared. Alan, who had followed their father into the carpet business, had been killed by a hit man over a business dispute. His body wasn't discovered for another six months. The trial of Charles Harrelson (notorious killer-for-hire and father to actor Woody Harrelson) which followed–and the subsequent acquittal–was so painful for Berg that he barely spoke of his brother's death for another 40 years.

Oct 22, 2013 1:29 PM CDT

Government surveillance revelations are having a chilling effect on lawyers, says author (podcast)

"Other attorneys–especially young ones who are aware of the history–express frustration and sometimes fear that by taking on high-profile cases or controversial cases in the eyes of the government, they may be exposing themselves to surveillance and sort of be marked in a way as lawyers who represent clients of interest," says Heidi Boghosian, author of Spying on Democracy: Government Surveillance, Corporate Power, and Public Resistance, in her interview with editor Richard Brust.

Sep 16, 2013 2:00 PM CDT

Rosa Parks’ attorney: ‘If the story would be told, I’d have to tell it’ (podcast)

Fred D. Gray was 24 years old when he defended Rosa Parks after she was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white person in Montgomery, Ala. But the story you might think you know is not the full story.

Aug 20, 2013 1:30 PM CDT

Police use of SWAT tactics has gotten out of hand, says author (podcast)

In this podcast, Balko explains how his investigations led to his new book, "Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America's Police Forces," and what the militarization trend might mean for the country.

Jul 8, 2013 6:15 PM CDT

Author on how ‘tremendously radical’ women blazed trails into the legal profession (podcast)

In the 19th century, women battled for equal rights and began to try to enter many professions, including the law. What drove the first women lawyers? "The critical issue is whether or not they have the personality that makes them ambitious in this tremendously radical and threatening way," says Jill Norgren, author of the new book "Rebels at the Bar: The Fascinating, Forgotten Stories of America’s First Women Lawyers."

Jun 10, 2013 1:45 PM CDT