Free speech has long been a constitutional cornerstone in the United States—but in recent years, calls for censorship have surged. Whether in response to hate speech, misinformation, or online harm, efforts to restrict expression are on the rise. In this provocative conversation, former ACLU president and NYU Law Professor Nadine Strossen mounts a powerful defense of the First Amendment. Drawing from her latest book, War on Words: 10 Arguments Against Free Speech—And Why They Fail, Strossen explores the legal doctrines that protect speech, explains why censorship often backfires, and warns of the dangers in allowing government or platforms to decide which ideas are acceptable. A must-listen for anyone concerned about the future of civil liberties.How to Earn CLE CreditListen to the full program, note the verification code announced during the recording, then log in to your TalksOnLaw account to record attendance and download your certificate.At the time of publication, this podcast is approved for 1.5 hours of General MCLE credit in California. Check your jurisdiction for reciprocal credit. MCLE certificates are issued only to TalksOnLaw “Premium” or “Podcast” members. Visit www.talksonlaw.com to learn more.
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1:34:48
Trump Orders: Law Firms on the Line
When a string of 2025 executive orders barred select law firms from federal buildings, revoked security clearances, and threatened to cancel their clients’ government contracts, Big Law took notice. Yale Law professor John Morley—author of Why Law Firms Collapse—joins Talks On Law host Joel Cohen to explain:how the orders leverage client pressure to destabilize even thriving partnerships;the “bank-run” dynamic of partner exits and collapsing profits-per-partner;bankruptcy claw-back rules and unfinished-business liability that haunt partners who stay;ethics constraints under Model Rules 5.4 and 5.6 that limit outside capital, speed lawyer mobility, and allow for this unique risk;why transactional giants settled while litigation shops fought—and the reputational trade-offs for both.How to Earn CLE CreditListen to the full program, note the verification code announced during the recording, then log in to your TalksOnLaw account to record attendance and download your certificate.This podcast is approved for 1.25 hours of MCLE credit in Legal Ethics. Check your jurisdiction for reciprocal credit. MCLE available to TalksOnLaw “Premium” or “Podcast” members. Visit www.talksonlaw.com to learn more.)
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1:18:09
Scroll Control – Regulating Social Media for Kids
Growing evidence links heavy social‑media use to rising anxiety, bullying, and sextortion among kids, and state lawmakers are racing to respond. In this interview, Harvard Law School’s Leah Plunkett—reporter for the Uniform Law Commission’s child‑influencer act—and University of Virginia family‑law scholar Naomi Cahn examine how new statutes seek to verify age, require parental consent, and redesign feeds to curb addictive features.Plunkett and Cahn compare Florida’s and Utah’s sweeping under‑14 account bans with New York’s pending “SAFE for Kids Act,” explore design mandates such as late‑night notification curfews, and explain why long‑standing COPPA rules leave teens largely unprotected. They unpack First Amendment and privacy challenges already moving through the courts, highlight emerging “digital Coogan” laws that safeguard child‑creator earnings, and note international moves—from Australia’s proposed under‑16 ban to the U.K.’s Age‑Appropriate Design Code.(Credits: General 1.5 hrs | MCLE available to TalksOnLaw “Premium” or “Podcast” members. Visit www.talksonlaw.com to learn more.)
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1:31:32
Confronting the Disinformation Engine
Digital platforms now enable the near-instantaneous distribution of information, including misinformation and disinformation, to vast audiences. Disinformation refers to false or manipulated information deliberately created to deceive, whereas misinformation is inaccurate or misleading information that is sometimes shared without harmful intent. Professor Barbara McQuade—a former U.S. attorney and current professor of National Security Law at the University of Michigan Law School—explores these challenges and the legal weapons to combat them, noting that disinformation currently poses one of the biggest threats to national security.(Credits: General 1hr | MCLE available to TalksOnLaw “Premium” or “Podcast” members. Visit www.talksonlaw.com to learn more.)
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Out of Bounds – Negotiations Ethics
An interview with Prof. Carrie Menkel-MeadowIn this episode, Professor Carrie Menkel-Meadow of UC Irvine Law School delves into the ethical frontiers of legal negotiation, challenging attorneys to reflect on which tactics align with both zealous advocacy and professional integrity. Menkel-Meadow navigates the evolution from a model of unbridled assertiveness toward a modern framework that prizes diligence, honesty, and respect for the Model Rules of Professional Conduct.Throughout the conversation, she distinguishes between permissible strategic behavior—such as puffing, bluffing, and even certain aggressive maneuvers—and practices that cross the line into outright deception. By exploring the nuances of material misrepresentation versus acceptable exaggeration, Menkel-Meadow highlights the ethical dilemmas inherent in negotiation, including the fine balance between strategic omissions and the risk of fraud. She also emphasizes the long-term benefits of cultivating a reputation for fairness and transparency, arguing that such an approach not only upholds professional credibility but also better serves clients over time.(Credits: 1.25hrs Civility | MCLE available to TalksOnLaw “Premium” or “Podcast” members. Visit www.talksonlaw.com to learn more.)
The California MCLE Podcast by TalksOnLaw is a series of enjoyable interviews with leading law professors, practitioners, and judges. Topics from police power, to technology and privacy, to the ownership of DNA. All subscribers can enjoy our interview series with the titans of law. MCLE credit for this series is available only to our TalksOnLaw premium or TalksOnLaw podcast member. Visit www.talksonlaw.com to learn more and join. Courses are accredited on the date published. However, visit www.TalksOnLaw.com/podcast to confirm whether older courses remain active for MCLE reporting purposes.
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