Podcast
Advisory Opinions
Hosted by The Dispatch · EN
Advisory Opinions is a legal podcast by The Dispatch. Hosts David French and Sarah Isgur meet twice a week to talk about the law, the courts, their collision with politics, and why it all matters.
145episodes
Episodes
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Abundance Judges
Jun 5, 2025Tap to summarizeSarah Isgur and David French discuss the hottest case on everyone’s lips—Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County—and how buzz around Abundance Democrats may have influenced the outcome. The Agenda:—Some regulatory papers are longer than the railroads entities were requesting to build—Subbing in recused SCOTUS judges, what could go wrong?—Abortion battles in Texas—Yes, maybe having Steve Bannon's case at the Supreme Court is a good thing—Judges act differently on camera Show Notes:—John Ross' "Short Circuit" newslette Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →LIVE: SCOTUS Hears Birthright Citizenship Case
May 15, 2025Tap to summarizeIn a special live Advisory Opinions x SCOTUSblog crossover event, Sarah Isgur was joined by David French, David Lat, Zachary Shemtob, and Amy Howe (live from the Supreme Court), to react to the oral argument in Trump v. CASA, Inc. The question: Whether the Supreme Court should stay the district court’s nationwide preliminary injunction on the Trump administration’s executive order ending birthright citizenship. Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →The Clash of Culture and Employment Rights
May 13, 2025Tap to summarizeSarah Isgur and David French are coming to you from Gettsyburg with two free speech cases. Is posting aborted fetuses a religious practice? The Agenda:—Join us May 15th for a special live Advisory Opinions—Substantial disruption and school dress codes—Free speech, employment rights, and religious discrimination—Do we need a third founding? Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Right-on-Right Violence
May 6, 2025Tap to summarizeThe Advisory Opinions extended universe kicks off as SCOTUSblog's Amy Howe and David Lat join Sarah Isgur to discuss the St. Isidore of Seville religious charter school case and the debate over school choice. The Agenda:—A ‘public’ public school or a ‘private’ public school?—Justice Amy Coney Barrett's recusal—Will Chief Justice John Roberts be the swing vote?—Will birthright citizenship end?—May 15: Mark it on your calendar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →SCOTUSblog, Welcome to The Dispatch
Apr 24, 2025Tap to summarizeAmy Howe, the voice of SCOTUSblog, joins Sarah Isgur and David French to discuss the news of The Dispatch’s acquisition of SCOTUSblog. Also: What's the equity in equity dockets? The Agenda:—SCOTUSblog joins The Dispatch—Puppies (and pride?)—Harvard fights back—Equity dockets, revisited Show Notes:—Read more on the acquisitionAdvisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Can Trump Deport Hamas-Supporting Students?
Mar 11, 2025Tap to summarizeBetween President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting Perkins Coie and interim D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin sending letters to Georgetown Law, it has been quite the week for weaponized government. Sarah Isgur and David French dive into these two headliners, as well as a First Amendment debate involving green card holders.The Agenda:—More Sarah lore: Combative hula-hooping—Perkins Coie and President Trump's executive orders—FIRE's response to the Trump administration's threat to deport anti-Israel protesters—Eugene Volokh's fact sheet on aliens and speech—Another letter—‘We’re a Jesuit, school go to hell’—Smith & Wesson v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos—Justice Amy Coney Barrett vs. MAGA—EPA and San Francisco's sewage waste—Richard Glossip avoids death row ... again Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings, click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →The Anti-Episode
Jan 9, 2025Tap to summarizeToday’s podcast is all about the antis: anti-SLAPP, anti-masking, anti-indoctrination, anti-retaliation, and anti-corruption. But before all that, Sarah Isgur and David French kick things off with the latest news on President Donald Trump’s sentencing in his New York criminal trial.The Agenda:—Does Donald Trump have citizen-plus status?—David is somewhat of a SLAPP expert—Does Arkansas care for LEARNS?—Is face-masking protected?—Free Speech timeline—Campaign finance changes in Oxnard—Cyberbullying, harrassment, and student council dramaJoin us for a live taping of Advisory Opinions! Sarah Isgur and David French will be speaking in front of live audiences on Monday, January 13, 2024. You have two chances to catch them if you live in the DMV area. Details below:Catholic University of AmericaCUA Columbus School of Law3600 John McCormack Road NEWashington, D.C. 20017Room 205, main floor12:30 P.M. ETGeorge Washington University2000 H Street, NWWashington, D.C. 20052Burns Moot Court Room3:15 P.M. ETAdvisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Sarah’s Collision newsletter, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →The Trump Picks ... So Far | Roundtable
Nov 15, 2024Tap to summarizeIn a special emergency Advisory Opinions/Dispatch Podcast crossover, Sarah, David, and Steve react to Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks so far, break down the constitutionality of recess appointments, and Sarah offers a ... controversial take on the Matt Gaetz pick.The Agenda:—Tale of two Januaries—The Gaetz report—Recess appointments—Justice Scalia on recess appointments—Sarah’s defense of Gaetz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →David Responds to Trolls
Mar 7, 2024Tap to summarizeDavid takes the first ten minutes to respond to Twitter trolls over his latest New York Times article before he and Sarah revisit their arguments over the Supreme Court’s per curium ruling on the Trump-Colorado case.The Agenda:—Defending the Supreme Court—Erasing the Constitution—Confusion over the Trump ruling—Consequentialism vs. originalism—Judicial restraint and originalism—Erasing Chevron—SCOTUS hears bump stock case—Explaining the string cheese factorsShow Notes:-Kevin Williamson: Slate Publishes Gun-Control Fiction-Advisory Opinions Episode with Professor Amanda Tyler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Live from Alabama
Feb 27, 2024Tap to summarizeFormer U.S. Assistant Attorneys General Stephen Boyd and Jody Hunt, as well as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama Prim Escalona join Sarah Isgur for a live recording of Advisory Opinions at the University of Alabama.The Agenda:—An update on the Alabama IVF ruling—To go to law school or not to go?—Private practice vs public service—Relationship and mom advice in high-stressed jobs—Audience QAShow Notes:—Chevron Deference discussed on Advisory Opinions. Today's episode is supported by Burford Capital. Follow the link to learn more: http://burfordcapital.com/ao Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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