Podcasts by UnCommon Law

4. Affirmative Action's Diversity Dilemma Spells Its Doom from 2022-12-22T15:43

It’s been almost 20 years since Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, intentionally or not, set an affirmative action countdown in motion. On Oct. 31, the Supreme Court heard arguments that Harvard and the ...

3. Meet Affirmative Action's Biggest Foe, Edward Blum from 2022-12-15T16:28

For decades, over multiple decisions, the Supreme Court has been clear: The U.S. Constitution allows colleges to take race into account when they craft their incoming classes. And yet race-consciou...

Why the Supreme Court's Gun Decision Matters So Much [Bonus Episode] from 2022-06-24T20:03

In a landmark 2nd Amendment decision on Thursday, the Supreme Court struck down New York's gun licensing law. It's a decision that transforms where and when a gun can be carried. And, for the first...

The End of an Era: Beveridge's Outgoing Chairman Ben Wilson on Leadership, Law and Life [Bonus Episode: Black Lawyers Speak] from 2021-12-29T19:43

On January 1, Ben Wilson will officially conclude his tenure as chairman of Beveridge & Diamond and retire from the firm.
As first reported by Bloomberg Law, Wilson, affectionately regarded as ...

Why Can't We Have One Bar Exam for All Jurisdictions? (Ep. 3) from 2021-12-02T18:02

Some frustration with the bar exam comes not just because it’s a hard test. Differences in state licensing requirements can mean attorneys may have to take the bar exam multiple times.
In the f...

3. Why Can't We Have One Bar Exam for All Jurisdictions? from 2021-12-02T18:02

Some frustration with the bar exam comes not just because it’s a hard test. Differences in state licensing requirements can mean attorneys may have to take the bar exam multiple times.
In the f...

2. Could a Law School Diploma Substitute for the Bar Exam? from 2021-11-17T19:42

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, five U.S. jurisdictions opted to suspend their July 2020 bar exams. Instead, these jurisdictions granted licensure to new attorneys through "diploma privilege....

2. Could a Law School Diploma Substitute for the Bar Exam? from 2021-11-17T19:42

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, five U.S. jurisdictions opted to suspend their July 2020 bar exams. Instead, these jurisdictions granted licensure to new attorneys through "diploma privilege....

Is It Time to Kill the Bar Exam? (Ep. 1) from 2021-11-10T18:11

In all U.S. jurisdictions except Wisconsin, passing a bar exam is a requirement to obtain a license to practice law. However, the Covid-19 pandemic forced some state authorities to adopt alternativ...

5. Whistleblower Says Facebook Knowingly Profits From Hate Speech [UnChecked: Bonus Episode] from 2021-10-05T00:29

Frances Haugen, the whistleblower whose revelations have prompted a congressional investigation into Facebook revealed herself publicly in an interview that aired on CBS on Sunday night. Haugen is ...

5. Whistleblower Says Facebook Knowingly Profits From Hate Speech [UnChecked: Bonus Episode] from 2021-10-05T00:29

Frances Haugen, the whistleblower whose revelations have prompted a congressional investigation into Facebook revealed herself publicly in an interview that aired on CBS on Sunday night. Haugen is ...

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Regulating Social Media as a Threat to Humanity from 2021-07-29T19:20

Concerns over the harmful impact of social media are rising to a fever pitch. In the past decade, everyone from conspiracy theorists to foreign governments have used social media to spread election...

4. Regulating Social Media as a Threat to Humanity from 2021-07-29T19:20

Concerns over the harmful impact of social media are rising to a fever pitch. In the past decade, everyone from conspiracy theorists to foreign governments have used social media to spread election...

What Would Breaking Up Big Tech Change? from 2021-07-19T14:07:06

Cracking down on large tech companies may be one of the few remaining areas of political consensus in Washington D.C. However, many legal experts caution that antitrust cases could take years to co...

3. What Would Breaking Up Big Tech Change? from 2021-07-19T14:07

Cracking down on large tech companies may be one of the few remaining areas of political consensus in Washington D.C. However, many legal experts caution that antitrust cases could take years to co...

Social Media Bans Are Not About Free Speech from 2021-06-28T16:51

Permanently revoking users’ access to social media platforms— a practice known as “deplatforming “— isn’t a new concept, but the high-profile ban of President Donald Trump has raised new questions ...

2. Social Media Bans Are Not About Free Speech from 2021-06-28T16:51

Permanently revoking users’ access to social media platforms— a practice known as “deplatforming “— isn’t a new concept, but the high-profile ban of President Donald Trump has raised new questions ...

Would Scrapping Section 230 Break the Internet? from 2021-06-21T17:00

In the months since the January 6 attack on the Capitol, one thing people on both sides of the political aisle seem to agree on, is that social media bears at least some responsibility for spreadin...

1. Would Scrapping Section 230 Break the Internet? from 2021-06-21T17:00

In the months since the January 6 attack on the Capitol, one thing people on both sides of the political aisle seem to agree on, is that social media bears at least some responsibility for spreadin...

Introducing: UnChecked from 2021-06-03T20:32

For our next season of [Un]Common Law, we’re wading into the thorny debate over Big Tech and social media. Companies like Facebook, Google, Amazon, Twitter are much bigger than they were 20 years a...

Eric Holder on Diversifying the Judiciary (Black Lawyers Speak: Bonus Episode) from 2021-06-01T18:52

Earlier this year [Un]Common Law published a podcast series looking at the experiences of African American lawyers and judges working in the legal industry—which, to this day, remains one of the le...

Eric Holder on Diversifying the Judiciary [Bonus Episode: Black Lawyers Speak] from 2021-06-01T18:52

Earlier this year [Un]Common Law published a podcast series looking at the experiences of African American lawyers and judges working in the legal industry—which, to this day, remains one of the le...

15. If Qualified Immunity Is Bad Policy, Why Can't We Fix It? from 2021-04-29T22:17:49

In the wake of Derek Chauvin’s conviction in the murder of George Floyd, lawmakers in both parties said they were “cautiously optimistic” that the trial could provide new momentum to overcome the p...

14. Derek Chauvin Verdict: Legal Community Reactions from 2021-04-21T23:07:12

It took the jury less than 11 hours, to pronounce Derek Chauvin guilty on all three counts of murder in the second and third degree, as well as second-degree manslaughter. While there are many shoe...

13. Closing Arguments in the Derek Chauvin Murder Trial from 2021-04-21T00:58

With closing arguments completed on Monday, April 19, former police officer Derek Chauvin’s fate rests in the hands of a jury of his peers.
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-d...

12. Could Chauvin Win an Appeal if Convicted? from 2021-04-16T22:09

Closing statements in the Derek Chauvin trial are set to begin on Monday. The former Minneapolis police officer is facing charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree man...

10. George Floyd: Minnesota's Spark of Life Testimony Explained from 2021-04-13T19:53

The prosecution wrapped up it’s case in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin on Monday, April 12.
Over the course of more than two weeks the jury heard extensive testimony about George Floyd's hea...

9. Derek Chauvin Trial: What You Need to Know from 2021-04-09T21:57

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin's trial has been a two-week whirlwind of emotional witness testimony so far, including police department officials, bystanders, medical experts, and ...

8. Police Training and Use Of Force in the Derek Chauvin Trial from 2021-04-07T23:04

The chief of the Minneapolis Police Department testified this week that the tactic used by Derek Chauvin to restrain George Floyd, pressing his knee into his neck, did not follow police policy.
Listen

Powerful Testimony From Opening Witnesses in Chauvin Murder Trial from 2021-04-01T15:45:56

Opening statements in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, began this week.
During his opening statement Monday, Eric Nelson, the attorney for the former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin,...

7. Powerful Testimony From Opening Witnesses in Chauvin Murder Trial from 2021-04-01T13:45

Opening statements in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, began this week.
During his opening statement Monday, Eric Nelson, the attorney for the former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin,...

How ‘Lived Experience’ Impacted Chauvin Jury Selection from 2021-03-26T23:23:44

The jury in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is noteworthy for its diversity. About 13.5 percent of Hennepin County, Minnesota is African American and, of the 15 jurors ...

6. How ‘Lived Experience’ Impacted Chauvin Jury Selection from 2021-03-26T22:23

The jury in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is noteworthy for its diversity. About 13.5 percent of Hennepin County, Minnesota is African American and, of the 15 jurors ...

All Eyes On Minnesota As Police Reforms Go Into Effect from 2021-03-24T16:36

Jury selection in the Derek Chauvin case wrapped up Tuesday, March 23.
Of the 15 jurors selected thus far, two are white men, three Black men, one Black woman, six are white women and two are m...

5. All Eyes On Minnesota As Police Reforms Go Into Effect from 2021-03-24T15:36

Jury selection in the Derek Chauvin case wrapped up Tuesday, March 23.
Of the 15 jurors selected thus far, two are white men, three Black men, one Black woman, six are white women and two are m...

‘Defund the Police’ Efforts Pitting Cities Against States from 2021-03-19T23:26:56

In the aftermath of Floyd’s death, citizens across America took to the streets to demand police reform and accountability. Now almost a year later dozens of cities and states have changed policies,...

4. ‘Defund the Police’ Efforts Pitting Cities Against States from 2021-03-19T22:26

In the aftermath of Floyd’s death, citizens across America took to the streets to demand police reform and accountability. Now almost a year later dozens of cities and states have changed policies,...

Why It's Difficult to Prosecute Chauvin Despite Video from 2021-03-17T01:28:42

Prosecutors seeking to criminally charge police officers face a number of obstacles. There is a high bar when it comes to proving intent, and police officers are generally granted leeway in what ma...

3. Why It's Difficult to Prosecute Chauvin Despite Video from 2021-03-17T00:28

Prosecutors seeking to criminally charge police officers face a number of obstacles. There is a high bar when it comes to proving intent, and police officers are generally granted leeway in what ma...

2. Who is Peter Cahill?: The Judge On The Chauvin Trial from 2021-03-12T16:37

The third-degree murder charge against Derek Chauvin have been reinstated. This is in addition to charges of second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. As of March 11, there was no appeal...

2. Who is Peter Cahill?: The Judge On The Chauvin Trial from 2021-03-12T16:37

The third-degree murder charge against Derek Chauvin have been reinstated. This is in addition to charges of second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. As of March 11, there was no appeal...

The Death of George Floyd: Police on Trial from 2021-03-08T22:09

The trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged with second-degree unintentional felony murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, begins this ...

1. The Death of George Floyd: Police on Trial from 2021-03-08T21:09

The trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged with second-degree unintentional felony murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, begins this ...

Trailer: Trial for George Floyd’s Accused Killer from 2021-03-05T14:58

It isn’t hyperbole to say the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer accused killer of George Floyd is likely to be one of the most significant court cases in a generation. Listen

Trailer: The Death of George Floyd and Trial of Derek Chauvin from 2021-03-05T13:58

It isn’t hyperbole to say the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer accused killer of George Floyd is likely to be one of the most significant court cases in a generation. Listen

Introducing: The Trial of Derek Chauvin from 2021-03-05T13:58

It isn’t hyperbole to say the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer accused killer of George Floyd is likely to be one of the most significant court cases in a generation. Listen

Black Lawyers Speak, Ep. 5 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In "Black Lawyers Speak: Stories of the Past, Hopes for the Future," we have looked at how the current focus on diversity and inclusion in Big Law is playing out. We have heard from key players at ...

Black Lawyers Speak, Ep. 4 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In "Black Lawyers Speak: Stories of the Past, Hopes for the Future," we have looked at how the current focus on diversity and inclusion in Big Law is playing out. We have heard from key players at ...

Black Lawyers Speak, Ep. 3 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In the wake of last summer’s protests, more law firms in the AmLaw 200 are being more vocal about plans to increase their diversity. For decades, Big Law has been one of the least diverse industrie...

Business of Bees: Live in Seattle from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

A discussion of the state of pollinator ecology and economics hosted by Adam Allington at the American Association for the Advancement of Science's annual meeting. Guests include Peter Nelson, dire...

Of Pollinators and Pesticides from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Bees are up against a lot these days: a shrinking habitat, invasive mites, Colony Collapse Disorder, and even the pesticides on the crops they help pollinate. Hosts Adam Allington, Tiffany Stecker ...

Invasion of the Beehive Bodysnatchers from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The drastic decline in honeybee populations is no secret. For years, pesticides were thought to be the leading cause of increased die-offs. But new studies suggest that the parasite Varroa destruct...

Honeybees Don’t Need to be ‘Saved’ from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Fluffy black and yellow-striped honeybees are the poster species for environmentalists working to save these struggling insects. But what about the other thousands of bee species pollinating crops ...

How Bees and Farmers Got Together from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Commercial honey bees take laps around the U.S. to pollinate fruits, veggies and nuts – and their services aren’t cheap. But they are essential. Hosts Adam Allington and Tiffany Stecker talk with f...

Apis Mellifera from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Hosts Adam Allington and David Schultz take us back to the earliest days of beekeeping in Egypt and tell us how humans and honeybees formed a partnership that has spanned thousands of years and sev...

The Big Business of Bees from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In the premiere episode of Business of Bees, we dive deep into the modern bee-conomy. Hosts Adam Allington and Tiffany Stecker start in the almond fields of California, where farmers need bees for ...

Introducing: Business of Bees from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

These days about one in three bites of food you eat wouldn’t be possible without commercial bee pollination. And the economic value of insect pollination worldwide is estimated to be about $217 bil...

Black Lawyers Speak, Ep. 2 from 2020-12-16T03:00

Despite the increased emphasis on diversity and inclusion in law firms, the legal profession remains among the least diverse of any profession today. According to the American Bar Association’s Nat...

Black Lawyers Speak, Ep. 1 from 2020-12-09T14:37

For months now, law firms and companies across the nation have joined the national dialogue on race and equality—sprouting up amid outcry over the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others ...

Introducing: Black Lawyers Speak from 2020-12-04T14:31

Despite decades of work to educate more Black lawyers, the percentage of Black associates and partners in firms across the U.S. remain very low, and well below those of other professional careers. ...

Introducing: Black Lawyers Speak from 2020-12-04T14:31

Despite decades of work to educate more Black lawyers, the percentage of Black associates and partners in firms across the U.S. remain very low, and well below those of other professional careers. ...

Introducing: Business of Bees from 2019-05-02T13:46

These days about one in three bites of food you eat wouldn’t be possible without commercial bee pollination. And the economic value of insect pollination worldwide is estimated to be about $217 bil...

Introducing: Business of Bees from 2019-05-02T13:46

These days about one in three bites of food you eat wouldn’t be possible without commercial bee pollination. And the economic value of insect pollination worldwide is estimated to be about $217 bil...

Introducing: Business of Bees from 2019-05-02T13:46

These days about one in three bites of food you eat wouldn’t be possible without commercial bee pollination. And the economic value of insect pollination worldwide is estimated to be about $217 bil...

Introducing: Business of Bees from 2019-05-02T13:46

These days about one in three bites of food you eat wouldn’t be possible without commercial bee pollination. And the economic value of insect pollination worldwide is estimated to be about $217 bil...