According to the EPA, “The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 -- otherwise known as CERCLA or Superfund -- provides a Federal "Superfund" to clean up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous-waste sites as well as accidents, spills, and other emergency releases of pollutants and contaminants into the environment. Through CERCLA, the EPA was given power to seek out those parties responsible for any release and assure their cooperation in the cleanup.” In...

On April 6th, 2023, ProPublica released a report titled, Clarence Thomas and the Billionaire, detailing Justice Clarence Thomas’ failure to report years of lavish trips paid for by Republican billionaire Harlan Crow. Justice Thomas’ actions led U.S. Senate Majority Whip and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Dick Durbin and other Senate Judiciary Committee Democratic members to send a letter to Chief Justice Roberts inviting him to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify...

Back on Oct. 21, 1976, President Gerald Ford signed the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) into law, highlighting that this law “provides sound state and local programs to deal with ever increasing amounts of municipal solid wastes generated in this country.” In this episode of our Environmental Law series, we spotlight the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act better known as RCRA. We discuss regulations, goals, importance, impact, and how far we have come.

Artificial Intelligence has become one of the most discussed topics of our day. With the introduction of sophisticated chatbots like OpenAIs ChatGPT 3.5 and ChatGPT 4, many have predicted that we're on the verge of a revolution in terms of how many industries operate, including the legal industry. So what do firms and attorneys need to do to stay ahead of the incoming AI wave? In this episode, host Craig Williams joins guest John Villasenor, professor of electrical engineering, law, public...

This year, we have created a new Environmental Law series on Lawyer 2 Lawyer, where wewill cover cradle to grave treatment of chemicals and our laws on environmental biology. In this episode, host Craig Williams joins Mark Squillace from the University of Colorado Law School, to discuss the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), wetlands protection, and habitat conservation plans.

On February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio starting a fire which spewed toxic fumes into the air, driving surrounding residents out of their homes. Since then, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a legally binding notice ordering Norfolk Southern to handle and pay for all necessary cleanup after this freight train derailment led to an intentional release of vinyl chloride. So what could be the long-term...

This year, we have created a new Environmental Law series on Lawyer 2 Lawyer, where we will cover cradle to grave treatment of chemicals and our laws on environmental biology. In this episode, host Craig Williams joins LeRoy (Lee) C. Paddock, former associate dean for environmental law studies at George Washington University Law School, as they discuss the Pollution Prevention Act, the Clean Water Act, & the Clean Air Act, their intended impact on our environment, and a look ahead to...

Rule 8.4 of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, dealing with Misconduct, is subtitled with the phrase “Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession”. When attorneys engage in unethical behavior, it is believed that their actions harm the industry. As such, disciplinary procedures are a key feature to maintaining the legitimacy of not only the profession, but the legal system as a whole. Usually, attorney disciplinary matters don’t enter the broader public discourse, but, in the wake of...

This year, we have created a new Environmental Law series on Lawyer 2 Lawyer, where we will cover cradle to grave treatment of chemicals and our laws on environmental biology.  In our first episode, we will spotlight the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) which addresses the manufacturing, processing, distribution, use, and disposal of commercial and industrial chemicals. Host Craig Williams is joined by Managing Partner of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C, Lynn L. Bergeson who will give us an...

As part of his bid to secure the position of Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has made a series of proposals in an effort to garner party support. One notable proposal calls for the gutting of the Office of Congressional Ethics, an independent, non-partisan entity created in 2008 and tasked with reviewing allegations of misconduct against members, officers, and staff of the US House of Representatives. In light of recent pressure to investigate some House Republicans...

Originalism is a type of judicial interpretation of a constitution (especially the U.S. Constitution) that aims to follow how it would have been understood or was intended to be understood at the time it was written. With the addition of Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the High Court, there are now 4 avowed originalists on the Supreme Court including: Justices Thomas, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh. Originalism has been cited in recent landmark decisions including Dobbs & Bruen, but are these...

On the last episode of our The Life of a Lawyer Start to Finish series, we discussed Retirement with Ida Abbott. In this episode, we move on to the final rung of the ladder: The Aging Lawyer: Exiting Gracefully.   Host Craig Williams is joined by Tish Vincent, LMSW, Esq., Chair of the ABA Commission on Lawyers Assistance Programs, as they spotlight the aging lawyer. Craig & Tish discuss senior lawyers, possible warning signs of cognitive decline to look out for if a co-worker is...

On the last episode of our The Life of a Lawyer Start to Finish series, we discussed Money Management for Lawyers with L.J. Jones. In this episode, we move on to the next rung of the ladder: Retirement.  Host Craig Williams is joined byIda O. Abbot, founder of Ida Abbott Consulting, as they tackle retirement. Ida & Craig take a look at when to start thinking about retiring as a lawyer, steps attorneys can take to prepare for retirement, and ultimately life post-retirement. Mentioned in...

Water is our most precious resource, but water, statewide and worldwide, is becoming scarce. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 55 million people globally are affected by droughts every year, and water shortages are the most serious hazard to livestock and crops in nearly every part of the world. By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population may face water shortages, and by 2030, as many as 700 million people are expected to be at-risk of being displaced. In this...

On the last episode of our The Life of a Lawyer Start to Finish series, we discussed Lifelong Learning with attorney Kelli Proia. In this episode, we move on to the next rung of the ladder: Money Management. Host Craig Williams is joined by L.J. Jones, CPA, founder of Developing Financial to discuss money management for lawyers. Craig & L.J. explore common money management problems, and how lawyers can take steps to manage their money inside and outside of the law firm.

Last month at a judicial conference in Colorado Springs, two judges from the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals interviewed Chief Justice John Roberts on all things SCOTUS, in which he decried attacks on the court’s legitimacy following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health ruling. Roberts said "If the court doesn't retain its legitimate function of interpreting the constitution, I'm not sure who would take up that mantle. You don't want the political branches telling you what the...

On the last episode of our The Life of a Lawyer Start to Finish series, we discussed Hobbies & Travel with attorney Steven Lefkoff. In this episode, we move on to the next rung of the ladder: Lifelong Learning. Host Craig Williams is joined by attorney, entrepreneur, and teacher Kelli J. Proia, founder of Lawducate. Craig and Kelli explore lifelong learning, discuss the importance of a continuous learning plan through education and training, the impact on career and personal growth, and...

On September 5th, 2022, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointed judge, granted Trump’s request for a special master to review records seized by the FBI during its search of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, thus delaying the DOJ’s investigation into the alleged actions of the former president and blocking their review of seized documents. In response, on September 8th, the DOJ appealed Judge Cannon’s order, citing the delay of review could be a threat to our...

On the last episode of our The Life of a Lawyer Start to Finish series, we discussed work-life balance with Molly Ranns. In this episode, we move on to the next rung of the ladder: Hobbies & Travel. Host Craig Williams is joined by Steven Lefkoff, a business litigation and general practice attorney and host of the popular podcast, Lawyers with Lives. Craig and Steven dig deeper into hobbies and traveling, and how these activities can materially improve your practice, client relationships,...

On August 8th 2022, FBI agents entered the Mar-a-Lago residence of former President Trump in search of classified documents, allegedly taken from the White House. According to the search warrant, the FBI removed 11 sets of classified documents, including some documents that were marked as top secret and meant to be only available in special government facilities. So what does this mean for the former President? On this episode, host Craig Williams joins guest, Jason R. Baron, Professor of...

On the last episode of our The Life of a Lawyer Start to Finish series, we discussed The Business of Law with Attorney Christopher T. Anderson. In this episode, we move on to the next rung of the ladder: Work-Life Balance.  Host Craig Williams is joined by program director for the Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program at the State Bar of Michigan, and co-host of the State Bar of Michigan: On Balance Podcast, Molly Ranns. Craig and Molly discuss the well-being of an attorney, addressing a...

With a ruling as momentous as we’ve seen in the recent Dobbs decision, one episode is just not enough to cover the extent of its significance. On our last episode with Cary Franklin, we discussed the ramifications of Dobbs in the context of abortion. On this episode, host Craig Williams joins guest, criminal defense attorney Jon May, to discuss his recent article, Justice Alito’s Opinion on Abortion: Not Just the End of Reproductive Rights, But the Downfall of Fundamental Civil Liberties...

On May 13th, 2022, we released an episode entitledSCOTUS & the Future of Roe v. Wade. At that time, a leaked draft opinion in the matter of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization indicated that the Court was preparing to overturn Roe. Our guest on that episode, Cary Franklin, spoke about the impact of the leak, the constitutional right to abortion, the role of stare decisis, and the anticipated impacts of overruling Roe v. Wade. On Friday, June 24th, 2022, that leaked opinion became...

The January 6th hearings, a series of five scheduled hearings investigating the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, by the United States House Select Committee, is currently underway. So, what will these hearings uncover? Host Craig Williams is joined by William C. Banks, law professor and an expert in constitutional law, national security law, and counterterrorism law, to discuss the January 6th hearings. Craig and Bill take a look at the purpose, goals of the January 6th Select...

On the last episode of our The Life of a Lawyer Start to Finish series, we discussed Reprogramming a Lawyer’s Brain. In this episode, we move on to the next logical step: The Business of Law.  Host Craig Williams is joined by attorney and law firm management consultant, and host of The Un-Billable Hour, Christopher T. Anderson from AndersonDodson, P.C.. Craig and Christopher discuss what goes into setting up a law firm, building a client base and positioning yourself to become a partner with...