In this episode, Joe speaks with Kalpana Srinivasan about how being the daughter of immigrants shaped her path in the legal profession. She reflects on the role that transparency, opportunity, and trust played in her own progress. Kalpana shares how these values guide her in empowering young lawyers to take on meaningful responsibility early in the…

This week, Joe sits down with Stan Garnett, Co-Founding Partner with Garnett, Powell, Maximon, Barlow & Farbes, to explore a provocative question: Is the U.S. Constitution truly democratic, or does it deepen the divisions in American life? Stan argues that while the Constitution is foundational, it often fuels partisanship rather than unity and com…

This week, Joe sits down with Karen Burgess of Burgess Law in Austin, Texas, to discuss how disinformation is fueling the global Rule of Law crisis. Together, they examine the increasing influence of state actors in driving disinformation campaigns, the rise of deepfakes and AI-generated content, and how social media algorithms are accelerating the…

WARNING: This episode contains sensitive content related to child sex trafficking and abuse. Some listeners may find this material distressing. In this week’s episode, Joe speaks with attorney Nadeem Bezar about the legal fight to hold enablers of child sex trafficking accountable. In just over a year, Nadeem’s team secured more than $100 million i…

This week, Joe sits down with immigration attorney and advocate Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch. Kate is the owner and CEO of Lincoln-Goldfinch Law and a founding board member of VECINA, one of the Academy’s valued partners. Kate brings two decades of frontline experience to the conversation, from representing a detained infant in a prison-issued onesie to …

In this week's episode, Joe is joined by Roman Silberfeld from Robins Kaplan LLP for a conversation about the power of partnership in the pursuit of justice. Together, they examine Powers v. McDonough, a landmark case in which Roman and his firm, working with Public Counsel and Inner City Law Center, successfully challenged the Department of Vetera…

In this week’s episode, Joe sits down with Yale legal scholar, journalist, and bestselling author Emily Bazelon. Together, they dive into the legal turmoil unfolding across the country—from attacks on higher education and healthcare to threats to due process and the evolving role of the Supreme Court. Bazelon offers sharp analysis, historical conte…

Academy President Joe Tucker sits down with Randy Smith, Director of the Journalists in Exile Program and Board President of the Alfred Friendly Press Partners. They discuss why journalism is essential to holding power accountable and protecting democracy — and how Academy Fellows, through their teaching in the Journalists in Exile Program, are hel…

This week, Joe sits down with Ted Schmidt, the President of the Arizona State Bar, to discuss how small acts—such as speaking in a classroom or organizing a local event—can spark broader civic engagement. Ted shares what he has done to help lawyers promote the Rule of Law without stepping into political controversy.…

This week, Joe and "Texas Legal Legend" Dicky Grigg discuss the abuse of immigrants and asylum seekers in the U.S. under the current administration. Grigg reflects on his pro bono work defending people who were wrongfully detained in Guantanamo Bay, the damage those actions inflicted on due process and America’s global reputation, and the striking …

In this episode, Joe sits down with Craig Peters, Partner at Altair Law in San Francisco, to revisit the powerful Dean’s Address he delivered at the International Academy of Trial Lawyers 2025 Annual Meeting. The conversation centers on optimism and its essential role in preserving democracy. Craig shares stories of three mentors who, despite overw…

This week, Joe and Senator Doug Jones speak about the future of American politics and the role that courage and common ground must play in preserving our democracy. As a former U.S. Senator and longtime attorney, Jones offers a unique perspective on gerrymandering, the inner workings of government, and the critical importance of an independent judi…

In this episode, Joe speaks with Doris Cheng of Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger in San Francisco about the growing backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion. For both Doris and Joe, it’s a deeply personal and professional issue. Together, they unpack what’s fueling the pushback—and how we can make sense of the chaos while holding onto…

Michael Haggard of The Haggard Law Firm and Josh Koskoff of Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder, PC, join Joe Tucker for part two of a powerful conversation on the epidemic of gun violence sweeping the nation. Recently named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025, Koskoff shares how his groundbreaking legal strategy secured a $73 million settlement…

In part one of this episode, Joe speaks with Michael Haggard, Managing Partner of The Haggard Law Firm, about his work representing victims and families affected by gun violence in the U.S. They discuss the heartbreak of this ongoing crisis, and what hope the law can offer to those working to rebuild their lives.…

In this episode, Joe connects with Brian Gover and Paul Le Vay of Stockwoods LLP in Toronto to discuss rising U.S.-Canada tensions. They explore cross-border solidarity, the role of legal leadership, and how lawyers on both sides can defend shared principles when politics put pressure on the Rule of Law.…

In this premiere episode of The Rule of Law: The Academy Speaks, Academy President Joe Tucker sits down with renowned trial lawyers Cliff Edwards and Kathy Patrick to explore what happens when lawyers themselves become targets—by political leaders, powerful interests, and institutional forces. Together, they reflect on courage, duty, and the vital …