Bending the Knee

Bending the Knee

From California MCLE Podcast by TalksOnLaw

January 24, 2026 · 1h 17m

About this episode

The episode explores the implications of executive power on the legal system and the choices made by law firms under political pressure.

For more than two centuries, the American legal system has operated on a core assumption: lawyers are not punished for the conduct or politics of their clients. In this episode of New Law Order, Jeffrey Toobin examines what happens when that premise is tested by executive power. The interview is co-hosted by Joel Cohen, founder of TalksOnLaw, and John Morley, a Yale Law School professor whose scholarship focuses on the structure and economics of law firms. Together, they explore how executive actions directed at major firms—absent allegations of illegality—operate less as regulation and more as deterrence, why some firms chose litigation while others accommodated, and what these choices reveal about institutional risk, professional independence, and the resilience of the adversarial system under political pressure. How to Earn CLE Credit MCLE certificates are eligible only for TalksOnLaw Premium or Podcast members. To earn credit, listen to the full program, note the verification code announced during the recording, then log in to your TalksOnLaw account to record attendance and download your certificate at www.TalksOnLaw.com/podcast . Approved for 1.25 hours of General…

People in this episode

Host: Joel Cohen

Guests: Jeffrey Toobin, John Morley

Topics covered

  • legal system
  • executive power
  • institutional risk
  • professional independence
  • adversarial system
  • litigation
  • deterrence

Keywords

  • legal system
  • executive power
  • law firms
  • litigation
  • deterrence
  • institutional risk
  • professional independence
  • adversarial system
  • MCLE credit

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Yale Law School, TalksOnLaw

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