Advisory Opinions
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.
Episodes
May 7, 2026 • 58 mins
Welcome to Callais-a-palooza, where Sarah Isgur and David French discuss Louisiana v. Callais, the Supreme Court decision that struck down Lousiana's congressional map and allows Louisiana to draw a new map that will likely favor Republicans. The two read Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson's dissent, discussed whether the decision violates the Purcell principle, and answer listeners' questions about the decision.
The Agenda:—Sarah's da...
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May 5, 2026 • 78 mins
Justice Samuel Alito allows medical companies to continue administering the abortion pill Mifepristone after the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ordered for it to be dispensed only in person. Sarah Isgur and David French discuss the role of standing in judicial review and abortion access after Donald Trump’s presidency.The Agenda:–Court issues temporary order allowing access to abortion pill by mail–The 5th Circuit is the outlier cour...
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April 30, 2026 • 84 mins
Sarah Isgur and David French discuss the decision in a racially challenged redistricting map case, weird indictments, and whether Israel is guilty of genocide.
The Agenda:–No one consulted the chief justice on flyovers–Reverse and Remand on First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, Inc. v. Davenport–Living in a post-Dobbs world–Supreme Court strikes down redistricting map challenged as racially discriminatory–James Comey has been ind...
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April 28, 2026 • 75 mins
The inimitable Lisa Blatt joins Sarah Isgur and David French to discuss the two business docket cases named Cox and Chevron, a message to the judges and justices who like concurrences, and advice for aspiring lawyers.
The Agenda:–We are launching a newsletter!–The 5th Circuit’s Ten Commandment Ruling–Ditch the coercion test–How to become Lisa Blatt–Does the internet always win?–Peak sexiness, federal removal–Kudos to the governmen...
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April 23, 2026 • 88 mins
Will the Supreme Court overturn religious precedent in the case of a Catholic preschool challenging its exclusion from a Colorado “universal preschool” program? Should the Supreme Court care about its own popularirty? And, is Ted Cruz a great option as for Supreme Court justice? Sarah Isgur and David French answer these questions and more, live at the University of Denver.Also: We are launching a SCOTUSblog newsletter on April 28!T...
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April 21, 2026 • 69 mins
Sarah Isgur and David French push back against the New York Times reporting on the birth of the shadow docket, discuss Justice Sotomayor’s apology after criticizing him in personal terms during a speech at the University of Kansas School of Law, and interview Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt about McGirt v. Oklahoma.
The Agenda:–The birth of the shadow docket–Who leaked Dobbs?–Justice Sotomayor apologizes to Justice Kavanaugh–Justic...
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April 16, 2026 • 64 mins
Sarah Isgur, on a whirlwind booktour, takes a break to deliver the legal goods with David French. The two discuss a Washington Post piece on civil rights data during the Trump era, Chiles v. Salazar, and free speech and AI liability in child porn.
The Agenda:–Sarah on The View–David’s beef with WaPo piece on civil rights data –AI liability–Book restrictions in Iowa–Iowa law prevents schools from providing instruction relating to g...
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April 14, 2026 • 62 mins
Sarah Isgur and David French revisit Stephen Colbert’s favorite case, take a look at a rare biting word about Justice Brett Kavanaugh from Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and dive into a circuit court extravaganza.
–Sarah is on a book tour! –Sotomayor vs. Kavanaugh–Citizens United is not controversial–Is there a judicial pipeline?–The seals are ugly–Circuit Court Extravaganza: Bathtub gin, pronouns, and sparkling sports gambling
Show No...
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April 9, 2026 • 68 mins
Sarah Isgur and David French discuss President Donald Trump’s rhetoric over Iran, what constitutes a war crime, and what happens if a military officer fails to obey an order or regulation.
The Agenda:–John Mulaney gives SCOTUSblog a shoutout–Threatening war crimes–Will President Donald Trump ever see the Hague–Judge Scalia rolling over in his grave–Article 92 and disobeying orders–David answers questions
Order Sarah’s book here.
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April 7, 2026 • 69 mins
Pam Bondi is no longer attorney general, Steve Bannon’s case is sent back to lower courts, and the Chiles decision on conversion therapy becomes nonpartisan.The Agenda:—Pam Bondi’s disastrous tenure—Three Year Letterman shoutout—SCOTUS kicks Steve Bannon’s case—Chiles v. Salazar—Law of War on President Donald Trump’s Easter tweet—No more exclamation points in judicial opinions!!!
Order Sarah’s book here.
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April 1, 2026 • 66 mins
Sarah Isgur is joined by David French, Amanda Tyler, Akhil Amar, and SCOTUSblog’s Amy Howe to react to the oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara, Donald Trump’s challenge to birthright citizenship.Watch the livestream here.
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March 31, 2026 • 77 mins
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie joins Sarah Isgur and David French to discuss his explicit argument with the former FBI Director Robert Mueller, remember a Christmas carol session with former Attorney General John Ashcroft, and weigh in on whether or not you should go to law school.
The Agenda:–Birthright Citizenship: Preview–Welcome back, Gov. Christie!–Contempt of Court, Rule 11 Sanctions, and Disbarment–Going Full Monty o...
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March 26, 2026 • 56 mins
Sarah Isgur and David French discuss two Supreme Court oral arguments: one on Mississippi accepting ballots five days after Election Day, one on turning away asylum seekers before they reach the border.
The Agenda:–Watson v. Republican National Committee (election law)–The incentives won’t change when people vote–Sarah’s least favorite oral argument–Zorn v. Linton
Order Sarah’s book here.
Advisory Opinions is a production of The...
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March 24, 2026 • 69 mins
Judge Rebecca Taibleson of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals joins Sarah Isgur and David French for a conversation about her path to the federal bench. But first, the Supreme Court's unanimous Olivier v. City of Brandon decision on free speech zones, the viral Afroman jury verdict, and the Pentagon Press policy ruling.The Agenda:–Olivier v. City of Brandon, Mississippi–Afroman and the Streisand Effect–U.S. judge rules against Pentag...
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March 19, 2026 • 76 mins
Live at the University of Pennsylvania's Carey Law School, Sarah and David are joined by Third Circuit Judge Stephanos Bibas to break down the Supreme Court's temporary protected status cases. They also debate whether a federal "defender general" would level the playing field and play a round of Marvel "What if?" with landmark Supreme Court moments.
Order Sarah’s book here.
The Agenda:–We await Gov. Chris Christie's return–TPS Ca...
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March 17, 2026 • 68 mins
Sarah Isgur and David French dive into two Ninth Circuit opinions: one involving an anti-discrimination law in Washington, another related to a first-grade girl being punished for giving her classmate a drawing inspired by what her teacher read in class.
The Agenda:–Is the Fifth Circuit still the most conservative court?–Judge VanDyke’s swinging opinion–What is this case even about?–Adrian Vermeule weighs in–Don’t sic a kid’s draw...
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March 12, 2026 • 54 mins
David French and Sarah Isgur break down new polling showing historic lows in trust for the Supreme Court, debate whether a public disagreement between Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Ketanji Brown Jackson helps or hurts the institution, and dive into oral arguments on property seizures and witness testimony rights.
Show Notes–Hometown Program last call–Supreme Court polling and public trust–Justices Jackson and Kavanaugh clash–Trump ...
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March 10, 2026 • 65 mins
Welcome to the SCOTUSblog/Advisory Opinions Extended Universe, featuring hosts from "Amarica's Constitution" (Akhil Amar and Andy Lipka) and "Divided Argument" (Will Baude and Dan Epps).
On today's episode, the group discusses substantive due process in the context of Mirabelli v. Bonta, a California law that prevented teachers from sharing information with parents about their children's gender transitions at school.
The Agenda:–...
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March 5, 2026 • 66 mins
Sarah Isgur and David French break down United States v. Hemani, a Second Amendment case involving an alleged user of a controlled substance in possession of a gun. They then discuss two interim docket decisions, one on elections and congressional districts, and one on parental rights and substantive due process.The Agenda:–Guns and drug use–Downtown Bonkers Town–Interim Docket: California Parental Rights–New York Redistricting Eme...
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March 3, 2026 • 89 mins
Sarah Isgur and David French debate whether President Donald Trump's military action against Iran requires congressional authorization, explore the constitutional limits of presidential power, and argue over which version of James Madison deserves our respect.
The Agenda:–Housekeeping: corrections, good causes, and collaborations–Legalities of interventions in Iran–Abrielle skips school to talk about the Hometown Program–Sarah los...
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