The Electoral College is a system unique to the Unites States democratic experience. And it has been a major topic of discussion for the last few elections with some calls to do away with it entirely. As we approach an election which could potentially be decided by just one electoral vote or even with the winning candidate losing the popular vote, …

In a session that was seemingly aimed at severely limiting long standing precedent and restraining the powers of the administrative state, there were five cases focused on administrative law. From the Chevron Doctrine to the SEC and the EPA, the high court touched on many parts of the administrative state. For this episode, we are joined by Profess…

Two years following the Dobbs decision, the country’s highest court is grappling with the aftereffects. This year the Supreme Court handed down two related cases regarding the use of mifepristone and the application of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act in states where abortions are banned. To discuss these cases, the implications, and w…

In a watershed ruling regarding executive powers, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Trump v United States that presidents should be immune from prosecution for official actions they took while in office. While historically presidents have enjoyed some level of immunity, this ruling expands that greatly. To discuss this monumental ruling and …

Each June delivers some high-profile decisions from the United States Supreme Court. One notable case this year is Vidal v Elster where the Court rejected an attempt to force the Patent and Trademark Office to accept the registration of “Trump too small” as a trademark for t-shirts mocking the former president. In this episode, we are joined by Pro…

With an election case involving who is on the ballot headed to the United States Supreme Court and various others bubbling to the surface, this election season promises to be filled with excitement. Between voter access, gerrymandering cases, elected officials pushed out of their district these are certainly unprecedented times. In this episode we …

Nearly every day we see a new headline about a labor union in the news. From the recent Writers Guild agreement to the ongoing United Auto Workers strike and the numerous health care walk outs; labor unions are once again changing the game in the workplace. Why the influx in strikes in the labor movement? What does this mean for the future of labor…

The Supreme Court decision banning race-conscious college admissions that was handed down over the summer has rocked higher education and has forced colleges and universities across the country to examine their processes. But the implications of this case go far beyond campus. The decision has unleashed a new wave of political and legal attacks aga…

Earlier this year, the United States Supreme Court handed down a landmark decision in the voting rights case of Allen v Milligan. To the surprise of voting rights advocates across the country, the Court decided that the Alabama’s redistricting plan violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Just today, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the decision, h…

As a country, we are still grappling with the impact of the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health decision. There is no community of professionals more impacted than the medical professionals that treat women on a regular basis. In this episode we are joined by Professor Molly Wilson, an expert in law and psychology who holds a Ph.D. in psychology in addi…

Labor unions seem to be having a moment. That is at least according to a recent Gallup poll that shows US approval of labor unions at the highest point since 1965. The latest approval figure comes amid a burst of 2022 union victories across the country,with high-profile successes at major American corporations such as Amazon and Starbucks. The Nati…

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed critical ambiguities in state law, especially in regard to the ownership and responsibility of public health orders. Governors often relied on a general statutory power to take 'necessary' actions in response to COVID's threats. Yet, some courts found this statutory authority was so vague that it violated the sepa…

According to President Biden, the COVID-19 pandemic is over. However, there are still millions of Americans that are feeling the lasting effects of their own battle with the virus. As the medical and legal field struggle to catch up with this ongoing issue, there are concerns that what is known as long COVID will result in additional racial health …

In September, after spending 23 years of his life behind bars, Adnan Syed walked free. His case was popularized by the podcast Serial in 2014. At the age of 18, 17 when the crime took place, Syed was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee and sentenced to life in prison. The case has brought to light many issues with the justice syste…

Netflix's hit show Bridgerton has taken the world by storm. The Regency era piece set in London has had everyone talking since it premiered in late 2020. It should not be surprising that the show has inspired lots of fan fiction. When the Unofficial Bridgerton Musical by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear was shown live in concert for a profit, Netflix …

When the United States Supreme Court handed down a decision overturning Roe v. Wade earlier this year, they left us with a host of questions and scenarios to grapple with in the meantime. With the future of data privacy on the line, we turn to Dr. Michael Sinha, professor of law in the Center for Health Law Studies. Dr. Sinha is an expert in health…

This year's United States Supreme Court session was one of the most consequential in recent history. Beyond the Dobbs decision reversing the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling, the Court also ruled on Miranda rights, prayer in public schools and the right to open carry. Many of the rulings have left even our top legal minds with more questions than answers. In…

We are now into the second month of the war in Ukraine. The war, the weapons and the response from the world seem to change with the tide of the conflict. In this episode we are joined by Professor Afonso Seixas Nunes. Fr Afonso is a Jesuit priest who joined the law school faculty this fall. He is originally from Portugal and is an expert in intern…

With President Biden's announcement of his updated recovery plan, private and public companies in the United States have found themselves in the center of the nation's renewed effort to control the COVID-19 pandemic. Even prior to that, company leaders were grappling with how to safely return to work and what kind of requirements could be placed on…

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in parts of our country, students are heading back to the classroom and much of the workforce are heading back to the workplace. Meanwhile the politicians and the public health officials are embattled over guidelines for doing so safely. In this special live recording for our Health Law Live series, we are joined …

In 2020, almost 70,000 Americans died of an opioid related overdose. It is a public health crisis that knows no boundaries, including race, wealth or even the pandemic. In the past year, the court system has seen some massive settlements against drug makers for their roles in this crisis. But what does this mean for families suffering from addictio…

The United States Supreme Court recently handed down a victory for student speech with the 8-1 decisions in the Mahanoy Area School District v B.L. case. As the world communicates more and more through social media, this case sets some precedent in what can be considered protected under the First Amendment. To dig into the decision and the implicat…

The past year has brought many changes in the way we live, work, and manage our finances. As we approach the April tax deadline, there are a lot of variables that could change how and what we file. In this episode, we take a look at the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our tax law and the way we will file this year. We are joined by Professo…

The coronavirus pandemic has arguably been the most altering event for the workplace in decades. While much of the workforce remains remote, many others, either by choice or necessity, work in person. The pandemic has also put a spotlight on the unsafe workplaces that thousands of Americans work in on a daily basis. As the vaccine shows us a light …

The race for a COVID-19 vaccine has captured the world's attention. Pharmaceutical companies across the globe are competing for a top spot that will pull us out of this pandemic. What does this mean for our immediate future and what will it mean for vaccine development for years to come? In this episode we are joined by Professor Ana Santos Rutschm…

In an election year like no other, we turn to our experts. In this special election episode we hear from Professors Chad Flanders, Anders Walker, Elizabeth Pendo, John Ammann, Greg Willard, Monica Eppinger, Ana Santos Rutschman, and Sidney Watson. Together we discuss issues of possible litigation, poll security, voter access, coronavirus, healthcar…

The process of applying to law schools can be daunting. Navigating the requirements to ensure you find the best home for your legal education can be a difficult task. In this episode, we are taking a break from legal news to focus on law school admissions. We are joined by SLU LAW Dean of Admissions Mike Kolnik who provides us with insider informat…

The Republic of Ireland has once again found itself at the center of the Brexit debate as recent proposals put the long-standing border dispute front and center. While residents worry about trade and conflicts, the deadline looms. In this episode we are joined by former US Ambassador Kevin O’Malley. Ambassador O’Malley recently joined the faculty o…

It has been five years since the death of Michael Brown exposed a plethora of injustices in the St. Louis region. Five years since the region’s municipal court system came under fire, an issue that was decades in the making. In this episode, we are joined by Professor Brendan Roediger. Brendan and his colleagues in the SLU LAW legal clinics first t…

Internationalism and Sovereignty in Today's World - Professor Monica Eppinger by Saint Louis University School of LawBy Saint Louis University School of Law

With the work of organizations like Forward Through Ferguson, racial equity has come to the forefront of conversations on race in St. Louis. Much research is being done on how change can happen in the areas of racial and gender equity in healthcare, the workplace and our government. In this episode we are joined by Professor Ruqaiijah Yearby. Ruqai…

The confirmation process for Justice Brett Kavanuagh captivated the country. The stakes were high and the drama even more so. And some are now saying that perhaps the confirmation process is forever changed. But what got us here? And how will it look in the future? In this episode we are joined by adjunct professor Greg Willard. Greg served as Whit…

New technologies in healthcare are developed at a rapid pace with legal standards and the FDA often left playing catch up. From artificial intelligence to blockchain technology and nanorobots, regulating the industry can be an ever-changing challenge. In this episode we are joined by one of the newest members of the SLU LAW faculty, Professor Ana S…

The trial of Missouri Governor Eric Greitens has captivated the local and nationwide media and general public. The case is complex and the trial of a public official in office is rare. The charges are unique and provide an interesting legal lesson. In this episode we are joined by Anders Walker, the Lillie Myers professor of law and associate dean …

Broad shifts in U.S. policy have long affected population in our country and beyond. As we face an era of alternative facts, distrust in research and isolationism, we experience a whole new set of questions. How do we create policies that keep us safe when we can't agree on the facts? In this episode we are joined by Professor Rob Gatter. Rob is th…

This January we rang in the new year with a new piece of tax legislation. One that was laden with controversy and confusion, not to mention many revisions, often making it difficult to decipher fact from fiction. Since we're now well into tax season, we wanted to explore what this new law means for us average citizens, and what we can expect in the…

Regulating Big Pharma: Lawsuits and Reforms - Professor Liz McCuskey by Saint Louis University School of LawBy Saint Louis University School of Law

The alcohol industry is one of the most highly regulated industries in the United States. With the advent of the large conglomerates and the explosion of the micro-breweries and craft distilleries, the industry is ever changing. In this episode we are joined by Professor Gary Rutledge. Gary joined SLU LAW after serving as Vice President and Zone Ge…

It is hard to get through the day without hearing about or discussing immigration in the United States. The landscape is challenging and the law under the new administration is evolving, especially as the Supreme Court weighs in. In this episode we are joined by Professor Richard Middleton. Professor Middleton is a practicing immigration law attorn…

As the current administration grapples with what to do with heath care in the United States, the future of 15 million people with disabilities, including children and seniors, hangs in the balance. In this episode we are joined by Elizabeth Pendo, the Joseph J. Simeone Professor of Law in the SLU LAW Center for Health Law Studies. Professor Pendo i…

The Second Amendment was a point of contention on the campaign trail and continues to be a hot topic in today's legislature. Recently, Missouri lawmakers expanded gun rights in the state, including conceal and carry laws. In this episode we are joined by Anders Walker, the Lillie Myers Professor of Law. Professor Walker is a criminal law and consti…

From contract negotiations to trademark protection, wage disputes and stadium deals, the practice of sports law spans across disciplines and interests. Each aspect has wide ranging implications, especially here in St. Louis as we navigate the prospects of a new stadium and a new sport. In this episode, we are joined by two distinguished alums and a…

Prescription drug abuse is a prevalent problem across the country. What started as a health care issue has slowly become a problem facing our criminal justice system. As our society grapples with the issues, many are left behind with little to no help. In this episode we are joined by Professor Liz Chiarello. Professor Chiarello is a sociologist wi…

The gig economy - a term you may have heard a time or two in the past few years - is defined as an environment in which temporary positions are common and organizations contract with independent workers for short-term engagements. The gig economy has become popular through companies like Uber and Lyft, but as these companies grow so do the issues w…

Every year petitions for clemency collect on the Governor's desk. Recently the case of Timothy Prosser has gained attention. The Riverfront Times chronicled the story of this Missouri man who was sentenced to life in prison for non violent crime. In this episode we are joined by John Ammann, McDonnell Professor of Justice in American Society, super…

This year the healthcare industry has been abuzz with the news that Aetna will move to merge with Humana and Anthem with Cigna. The U.S. Department of Justice does not agree and is taking the companies to court over consumer rights. In this episode we are joined by Tim Greaney, co-director of the Center for Health Law Studies and Chester A. Myers P…

St. Louis has a long history of being home to entrepreneurs. The city has served as a launching ground for many of America’s biggest and best companies and the region continues to thrive in a variety of new directions. But most of our large companies once started as small businesses. In this episode we are joined by Professor Dana Malkus of the SLU…

The U.S. Supreme Court recently put out a ruling on a critical patent case in Cuozzo Speed Technologies v Lee. The case addressed two important questions associated with how the United States Patent Office reviews granted patents. In this episode, Professor Yvette Liebesman discusses the case and implications of the ruling on patent law.…

There is currently a $42 million dollar fight over education in the city of St. Louis. Charter schools are staking claim on their funding while St. Louis Public Schools are insisting they are owed funds for desegregation. It is a battle that has become commonplace across the country. In this episode we are joined by Michael Wolff, dean of SLU LAW, …

Missouri legislature has recently passed two bills that change the way health insurance is managed in our state. These changes have been a long time coming and finally put Missouri on par with many other states. For this episode, we are joined by Sidney Watson, the Jane and Bruce Robert Professor in the SLU LAW Center for Health Law Studies. Profes…