
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
More episodes of California MCLE Podcast
- A Healthier Legal Future · June 10, 2026
- Law According to Karp · January 29, 2026 · 1h 11m
- The AI Threat to Privacy · October 17, 2025 · 1h 13m
- Defending Words · August 7, 2025 · 1h 35m
- Trump Orders: Law Firms on the Line · May 28, 2025 · 1h 18m
- Scroll Control – Regulating Social Media for Kids · May 7, 2025 · 1h 32m
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the California MCLE Podcast podcast page.