Podcast · 62 episodes

Above the Law - Thinking Like a Lawyer

by Legal Talk Network · English

Thinking Like A Lawyer is a podcast featuring Above the Law's Joe Patrice, Kathryn Rubino, and Chris Williams. Each episode, the hosts will take a topic experienced and enjoyed by regular people, and shine it through the prism of a legal framework. This will either reveal an awesome rainbow of thought, or a disorienting kaleidoscope of issues. Either way, it should be fun.

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Latest episodes

All The Court's A Stage And Trump Judges Merely PlayersThe hosts discuss (1) the Eighth Circuit’s repeated refusal to follow the U.S.30 Sep 2026 · 29 min

Weil Get You And... Then Maybe You'll Go To CravathBig-law lateral partner moves and merger chatter; then legal issues in college football and AI use; finally a brief note on Brett Kavanaugh visiting Notre Dame dorms.23 Sep 2026 · 35 min

Law Firm Passive Aggressiveness On ParadeThe hosts discuss three legal-news themes: (1) lateral partner moves and law-firm growth tensions, using Weil/Cravath as the example; (2) Missouri’s congressional map gerrymandering fight and the…16 Sep 2026 · 35 min

All episodes

All The Court's A Stage And Trump Judges Merely PlayersThe hosts discuss (1) the Eighth Circuit’s repeated refusal to follow the U.S.30 Sep 2026 · 29 min · 10 chapters

Legal Catastrophes The Old-Fashioned WayLegal ethics and professional misconduct in big-law and court proceedings, plus a bankruptcy conflict-of-interest concern.9 Sep 2026 · 23 min · 7 chapters

The ILTACON Wrap-UpWrap-up discussion from ILTACON (International Legal Technology Association annual convention) on what legal tech vendors are emphasizing now—especially AI cost/efficiency, partnerships/integrations,…3 Sep 2026 · 39 min · 15 chapters

A Tribute, A Tactic, Or An Appellate Issue?Three legal-world stories: (1) Lindsay Clancy case—focus on prosecutor’s hair bows and whether it could influence jurors; (2) private equity’s move into law firms—Wood Smith Henning & Berman…26 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 7 chapters

Luigi's Double Jeopardy Gamble And The DOJ's ComplicityThe episode recaps legal news, focusing on Luigi Mangione’s federal stalking guilty plea and how it may be used to argue New York’s murder case is barred by double jeopardy; hosts also discuss Yale…19 Aug 2026 · 32 min · 8 chapters

Biglaw Surrenders Were Worse Than We ThoughtBiglaw “surrenders” to the Trump administration, focusing on a New York Times expose about Paul Weiss, plus broader discussion of big-law hiring, AI’s impact, and new executive orders on birthright…12 Aug 2026 · 31 min · 9 chapters

Will We Never Learn Our Lesson About The Bar Exam?Critiques of the bar exam and legal-industry practices, plus Big Law compensation and workplace/life-balance gossip.5 Aug 2026 · 35 min · 12 chapters

Park Benches And Supreme Court BenchesViral NYC park-bench makeout video, then DOJ confirmation politics (Todd Blanche), then Supreme Court legitimacy and Elena Kagan’s comments.29 Jul 2026 · 32 min · 6 chapters

2026: A Rule Of Law OdysseyWeekly legal news episode framed as an “Odyssey,” focusing on (1) big-law staff layoffs at K&L Gates, (2) subpoenas tied to Trump-era big-law “capitulation” agreements challenged by the ABA, and (3)…22 Jul 2026 · 38 min · 5 chapters

Collateral Damage Across The Legal IndustryCollateral damage across the legal industry, focusing on (1) IP/copyright issues and contractual realities behind Disney live-action remakes, (2) administrative billing-tech problems during law-firm…15 Jul 2026 · 33 min · 12 chapters

Supreme Court Narrowly Passes Reading Comprehension SectionThe episode of Thinking Like a Lawyer (Above the Law) discusses two main legal stories. Topic 1: Supreme Court decisions at the end of the term.8 Jul 2026 · 30 min · 8 chapters

Alito's Outburst And Tough Times For PartnersThe episode reviews the hosts’ five-year work at Above the Law, then covers two major legal-industry stories: (1) Justice Samuel Alito’s “outburst” during an immigration case after Justice Sonia…1 Jul 2026 · 32 min · 8 chapters

Todd Blanche Disgrace Train Rolls OnThe episode covers (1) DOJ/Trump attorney general nomination politics—NYT editorial arguing Todd Blanche is unfit for office—and (2) federal judicial independence concerns after Judge Newman’s…24 Jun 2026 · 36 min · 9 chapters

Federal Judges Gone WildLegal news roundup on judicial ethics and legal education outcomes, framed with sports/pop-culture as light interludes.17 Jun 2026 · 30 min · 6 chapters

Sex In Chambers Met With Slap On WristEthics and accountability in the judiciary and DOJ, plus how AI can unmask “anonymous” reports.3 Jun 2026 · 33 min · 8 chapters

Judge Orders Law Firm To Write Lesson On How Not To Be Naughty LawyersThis episode of Thinking Like a Lawyer covers three main legal stories. Topic 1: Quinn Emanuel sanctions.27 May 2026 · 29 min · 7 chapters

Don't Let The Client Write The Brief As A TreatThree legal-industry stories: (1) a decade-long insider-trading scheme tied to large law firms and networks; (2) the “ballroom case” where DOJ filings are allegedly sloppy and raise…20 May 2026 · 29 min · 11 chapters

Stealth Layoffs And Sam Alito On TiltBig Law “stealth layoffs” at Paul Weiss; insider trading charges involving lawyers; Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act decision and alleged fake studies in Sam Alito’s opinion.13 May 2026 · 34 min · 9 chapters

Are There Any Adults Left At The Department Of Justice?The episode argues that the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act Section 2 decision effectively “decimates” the law while keeping it technically intact, enabling the Court to police future voting-rights…6 May 2026 · 30 min · 10 chapters

Kash Patel's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad WeekThinking Like a Lawyer discusses Kash Patel’s “terrible, horrible” week, including (1) an Atlantic lawsuit over allegations Patel drinks and is often unresponsive, (2) DOJ/acting AG Todd Blanche…29 Apr 2026 · 35 min · 8 chapters

Law Firms Are Drowning In Cash. Trump's PAC Is Drowning In Legal Bills.Law firm economics and legal spending, focusing on (1) ALM/Vault “super rich” rankings and per-lawyer profits, (2) high-paying distressed-debt partner lateral moves, (3) Trump PAC legal bills leaving…22 Apr 2026 · 33 min · 14 chapters

Rankings Drama Hits Law Schools, Law FirmsThe episode discusses three legal-industry topics: (1) U.S. News law school rankings drama, (2) Vault’s prestige ranking of law firms, and (3) billing-hour controversies and how AI may change billing.15 Apr 2026 · 34 min · 8 chapters