The Growing Influence of State Solicitors General

The Growing Influence of State Solicitors General

Author: Stanford Law School August 6, 2026 Duration: 29:16
Former state solicitors general Michael Mongan and Kevin Gallagher discuss the evolving role of state solicitors general and how states work together to shape legal battles before the Supreme Court.

Law is woven into the fabric of our daily existence, from the headlines we read to the personal decisions we make. Stanford Legal, from Stanford Law School, exists to unravel these complex threads, offering clarity and depth on the legal forces shaping our world. Rather than dry lectures, this podcast features conversations that delve into the real cases, ethical conflicts, and pressing questions at the intersection of law, government, and society. You’ll hear from leading legal minds like Professor Pam Karlan, whose expertise includes the constitutional "law of democracy" governing voting and political processes, alongside other scholars and practitioners. Each episode is built on the idea that understanding the law is crucial to understanding our culture and current events. The discussions are timely and substantive, examining how legal principles translate into tangible effects on communities and individuals. Tuning in provides a nuanced perspective on the news, moving beyond soundbites to explore the underlying statutes, court rulings, and debates. It’s for anyone curious about how legal frameworks influence everything from policy and civil rights to technology and everyday life. This isn't just academic theory; it's about the rules that define our shared reality. The Stanford Legal podcast makes that ongoing conversation accessible and engaging, offering listeners a deeper grasp of the systems that organize and often challenge our society.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Stanford Legal
Podcast Episodes
U.S. Elections Under Pressure from White House [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:37
Nate Persily joins Pam Karlan to discuss efforts to change the rules governing the 2026 elections and the legal battles over how those changes would affect voting.
Who Fills In When Federal Jobs Are Vacant? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:35
Stanford’s Anne Joseph O’Connell examines who can step in when a top federal position is vacant and what recent court decisions could mean for how those positions are filled.
America's Promissory Note [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:05
In the final discussion of The Declaration at 250 series, Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University, argu…
Countering Contemporary Criticism of America's Founding Principles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:01
Peter Berkowitz, Tad and Dianne Taube Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and former Director of Policy Planning at the U.S. Department of State, argues the Declaration’s principles remain essential despite rising le…
The Declaration In the Age of General Purpose AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:13
Alexander Tsesis argues the Declaration’s natural-rights logic limits First Amendment protection to conscious human beings, not AI systems. Anne Twitty adds historical nuance and asks whether abolitionists’ strong commit…
Is the Declaration Our Law? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:57
Barnett argues the Declaration of Independence is foundational law that sets government’s purposes and limits, so constitutional interpretation should presume liberty and demand clear authority for restrictions. Volokh a…
State Constitutions and the Declaration of Independence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:25
Justice Clint Bolick argues the Declaration of Independence is woven directly into state constitutions and can be used to enforce stronger protections for liberty than the federal Constitution. Rich Ford broadens the len…
The Structural Declaration of Independence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:19
The episode argues the Declaration is both a statement of rights and a framework for legitimate government. Tino Cuéllar stresses the tension between universal ideals and state power, while Larry Kramer highlights the De…