301: CSI: Seashells Division

301: CSI: Seashells Division

Author: Politicon May 6, 2026 Duration: 13:34

In this episode of #SistersInLaw Sidebar, Joyce Vance and Barb McQuade answer your questions on everything from the powers of the judicial branch to pursuing a case in small claims court, and more.  They discuss whether the indictment of James Comey is a case of selective prosecution, what happens when a district is reconfigured by gerrymandering, how the assets of estates are allocated without a will, whether the judicial or legislative branch makes the ultimate determination on our laws, pursuing a case in small claims court, and the difference between a copyright and a trademark.

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Joyce Vance: Bluesky | Twitter | University of Alabama Law | Civil Discourse Substack | MSNBC | Author of “Giving Up Is Unforgiveable”

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Kimberly Atkins Stohr: Bluesky | Twitter | Boston Globe | WBUR | The Gavel Newsletter | Justice By Design Podcast

Barb McQuade: barbaramcquade.com | Bluesky | Twitter | University of Michigan Law | Just Security | MSNBC | Attack From Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America


Four women who have been at the very center of American legal and political power come together for frank, insightful, and often surprising conversations. #SistersInLaw, from Politicon, features Joyce Vance, Barbara McQuade, Kimberly Atkins Stohr, and Jill Wine-Banks-each a former federal prosecutor or top legal analyst-as they dissect the week’s most pressing news. This podcast goes beyond the headlines, offering a unique blend of legal expertise, historical context, and sharp commentary that only insiders with their depth of experience can provide. Listeners hear these sisters in law break down complex court rulings, political maneuvers, and constitutional questions with clarity and a shared sense of purpose. Their dynamic discussions cut through the noise, revealing the underlying mechanisms of justice and governance. It’s a masterclass in understanding how the law truly intersects with politics and daily life, delivered with the candor and rapport of trusted colleagues. For anyone seeking to comprehend the real stakes behind today’s stories, this is an essential listen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

#SistersInLaw
Podcast Episodes
329: Catch Me If You Can [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:19
Barb McQuade and Jill Wine-Banks answer listener questions on everything from the standards for overturning judicial precedent to the relationship between standing and venue. They discuss the four factors courts should w…
328: Upon Reflection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:04
Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss Jeanine Pirro’s dismissal of the reflecting pool case against David Hearn and the dangers of prosecutorial misconduct. Then, the #Sisters explain the larger impact of the Ju…
327: Dr. Fauci Goes To Washington [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:06
Barb McQuade and Jill Wine-Banks answer listener questions on everything from completing a FOIA request to Trump’s trademark on MAGA. They discuss how long FOIA responses can take and the option to sue, First Amendment l…
326: Blanche: “I've Always Depended On The Kindness Of Congress” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:44
Barb McQuade hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the recent legal developments surrounding the indictment of James Comey, his attempt to dismiss is, the definition of true threats, and the difference between selective and vin…
325: Impeachments Are Forever [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:05
Barb McQuade and Kimberly Atkins Stohr answer listener questions on everything from privacy protections to Latin legal terms. They discuss the EU’s GDPR as a model for treating personal data as belonging to individuals,…
324: Subpoena This! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:05
Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss the NYT’s victory over the DOJ’s attempt to subpoena its reporters to testify about their national security reporting and the effects government actions can have on pr…
323: Emolument Enrichment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:22
In this episode of #SistersInLaw Sidebar, Barb McQuade and Jill Wine-Banks answer listener questions on everything from the Emoluments Clause to restoring trust in the rule of law. They discuss whether the Qatari plane g…
322: The King’s Speech [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:31
Joyce Vance hosts #SistersInLaw to discuss Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing to become the acting Attorney General, Judge Williams’ opinion on Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS, and the role Senate hearings play in trust…
321: Don’t Stop Appealin’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:46
In this episode of Sisters Sidebar, Barb McQuade and Joyce Vance answer listener questions on everything from how Democrats should wield executive power to a social media ban for minors, and more. They discuss John Brenn…
320: Déjà Vu All Over Again, Again [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:17
Jill Wine-Banks hosts #SistersInLaw to criticize Blanche for undermining DOJ independence, acting as Trump’s personal lawyer, and purging career officials who worked on Trump or J6 cases. Then, the #Sisters analyze the d…