NYCLA Amicus Curiae

In this episode of NYCLA Amicus Curiae with host Daniel K. Wiig, we are joined by Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., the 37th District Attorney of New York County covering Manhattan, who was reelected to a second term in November 2025. District Attorney Bragg reflects on his professional path and the experiences that shaped his approach to public service, drawing on his work as an Assistant Attorney General in New York, an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York, and Chief Deputy Attorney General overseeing major criminal and civil matters. The conversation explores key moments from his first term as Manhattan District Attorney, including a discussion of select initiatives and priorities within the office. DA Bragg shares insights into how these efforts fit into broader goals of public safety, fairness, and accountability. Looking ahead, DA Bragg outlines objectives for his second term, including the balance between individual accountability and systemic accountability, efforts to address gun violence and the rise of ghost guns, and the office's approach to emerging challenges in the cryptocurrency space, including enforcement under New York's Crypto Act. The episode concludes with reflections on leadership, responsibility, and the role of the District Attorney in a complex and evolving legal landscape.   More information about District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr.  

The season of NYCLA Amicus Curiae with host Daniel K. Wiig opens with a conversation that looks backward to better understand the present. Attorney and author Dennis A. Brennan joins the podcast to discuss justice, politics, and the concept of lawfare, defined as the strategic use of legal systems to gain advantage in political or institutional conflict. Drawing on his work as a historian and his book, D.C. Swamp Strikes Back: Aaron Burr, Donald Trump and Their Similar Battles, Brennan reflects on how historical narratives continue to shape legal practice, public perception, and the role of attorneys in contested political moments. History remains vivid, and its influence on the future of the law is unmistakable.   More About the Author Dennis A. Brennan

Legal scholar Dr. Carol M. Swain joins Daniel K. Wiig to explore key questions in contemporary discussions about diversity, equity, and inclusion. The conversation begins by examining the original intent of the civil rights movement and the legal and social principles that shaped efforts to remove formal barriers to equality. From there, the discussion moves to affirmative action and the evolution of DEI frameworks, considering how concepts of merit, integration, and assimilation have been understood over time. Dr. Swain and Daniel also discuss what a color blind society might look like and the different interpretations of that concept in law and society. The episode emphasizes careful analysis of ideas, historical developments, and the implications of various approaches to race and inclusion, leaving listeners with a broader understanding of the issues. Learn More About Dr. Carol M. Swain. The views expressed here are those of the guest, and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of NYCLA, its affiliates, its officers, or its Board.

In this episode of NYCLA Amicus Curiae, Dan Wiig is joined by Gabe Roth, Executive Director and founder of Fix the Court. Roth discusses the organization's mission to promote greater transparency, accountability, and ethical standards at the United States Supreme Court. Drawing on his background in journalism, media advocacy, and court transparency work, he outlines how Fix the Court evaluates the Court's institutional practices and public-facing obligations. The conversation begins with an overview of Fix the Court's core priorities, including media and public access to Supreme Court proceedings, proposals for term limits, the development and implementation of a judicial code of ethics, and concerns related to stock ownership, recusals, and financial disclosures by the justices. Roth then examines developments following the Supreme Court's adoption of a Code of Conduct, noting areas where limited improvements have occurred alongside persistent structural shortcomings. Particular attention is given to the absence of an enforcement mechanism, uneven recusal practices, gaps in financial disclosure, and questions surrounding public appearances and institutional stewardship. The episode concludes with a discussion of unresolved issues and outstanding questions raised with the Court regarding ethics guidance, internal review processes, and transparency measures. Throughout, the focus remains on factual analysis of existing policies and practices and their implications for public confidence in the judiciary.   Gabe Roth 

In this episode of NYCLA's Amicus Curiae podcast with host Daniel K. Wiig, we sit down with Zack Smith, Senior Legal Fellow and Manager of the Supreme Court and Appellate Advocacy Program at the Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, The Heritage Foundation. Smith shares his perspective on executive orders, executive authority, and presidential power under Article 2 of the United States Constitution. He explores how the modern administrative state has shaped ongoing debates about presidential control, the powers of co-equal branches, and the scope of judicial review. The conversation covers the courts' role in reviewing executive actions, including temporary restraining orders and other forms of judicial relief. Smith also discusses legal questions related to immigration and the Fourteenth Amendment, including birthright citizenship.The episode highlights the importance of ongoing dialogue about the constitutional structure, the balance of powers, and the interpretation of executive authority.   More information about Zack Smith

Join NYCLA Amicus Curiae: Candid Conversations with host Daniel K. Wiig for our latest episode. On the heels of the upcoming mayoral election, we sit down with nationally recognized trial lawyer and former independent mayoral candidate Jim Walden for a candid conversation about leadership, civic engagement, policy, and the challenges of public life in New York City. Drawing from his experiences in the political arena, Jim offers perspectives on community impact, and lessons learned along the way.    Recording Note: This episode was recorded before Jim Walden concluded his campaign for NYC Mayor. While he is no longer a candidate, the discussion offers lasting perspectives on leadership, civic engagement, and public service. NYCLA is presenting this solely as part of an educational forum for our listeners to learn about the candidates running for election in 2025. NYCLA does not endorse, support, or oppose any political candidate, and we have extended invitations to all candidates for Mayor to appear on and participate in this series on an equal basis. The views expressed here are those of the guest and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of NYCLA, its affiliates, members, officers, or board.

In this episode of our Manhattan District Attorney Candidate Conversations series, host Daniel K. Wiig speaks with Diana Florence. Diana shares her experience, approach to criminal justice, and the priorities and challenges she would address if elected as Manhattan District Attorney.    NYCLA is presenting this episode solely as part of an educational forum for our listeners to learn about the candidates for Manhattan District Attorney. NYCLA does not endorse, support, or oppose any political candidate, and we have extended invitations to all candidates for Manhattan District Attorney to appear on and participate in this series on an equal basis.     About Diana Florence  

In the first episode of NYCLA Amicus Curiae's Manhattan District Attorney candidate series, host Daniel K. Wiig speaks with Maud Maron. Maud discusses her professional background, priorities for the Manhattan District Attorney's office, and views on the challenges facing our justice system. NYCLA is presenting this episode solely as part of an educational forum for our listeners to learn about the candidates for Manhattan District Attorney. NYCLA does not endorse, support, or oppose any political candidate, and we have extended invitations to all candidates for Manhattan District Attorney to appear on and participate in this series on an equal basis.    About Maud Maron  

On this episode of NYCLA Amicus Curiae: Candidly Speaking, host Daniel K. Wiig revisits the O.J. Simpson trial nearly thirty years after the verdict that captured the world's attention. The discussion explores how the case reshaped public understanding of justice, race, media, and the legal system. Daniel is joined by three guests whose expertise and experience bring the trial into sharp focus: trial consultant Richard Gabriel, law professor and former Fox News legal editor Professor Stanley Goldman, and defense attorney Shawn Holley, a member of Simpson's original "Dream Team." Together, they examine the key players, the strategies on both sides, the LAPD's handling of the investigation, and the early use of DNA evidence. The conversation also asks whether a case of this magnitude could unfold the same way today. Inside the Trial offers a clear, compelling look at the trial that defined a generation and the lessons it continues to hold for the justice system three decades later.  

Faith, Freedom, and Free Speech: The Jimmy Lai Story with Father Robert A. Sirico In this very special episode of the NYCLA Amicus Curiae podcast, host Daniel K. Wiig sits down with Father Robert A. Sirico to discuss the extraordinary story of Jimmy Lai. Throughout history, freedom has been at the heart of humanity's greatest struggles. Who has the right to punish? Should people be punished for assembly, for religious belief, for freedom of the press, or for dissent against ruling powers? And if freedom requires sacrifice, is it truly freedom at all? Father Sirico shares the powerful dissent of Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong media tycoon and political figure whose pro-democracy advocacy brought him into direct conflict with China's National Security Law. Their conversation explores Lai's personal and moral courage, the choices he made, and the sacrifices required of those who dare to defend free expression in Hong Kong. This story deserves our attention because it reveals the dangers of suppressing freedom, or living under only the façade of it, in today's political and social landscape. About our Guest Father Robert A. Sirico is an American Catholic priest, President Emeritus and co-founder of the Acton Institute, a think tank dedicated to promoting a "free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles." He is a frequent contributor to national and international discussions on religion, politics, economics, and culture, with writings published in outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, and The Financial Times. He has also provided commentary for major media outets, including CNN, ABC, the BBC, NPR, and CBS' 60 Minutes. Further Resources The Hong Konger: Jimmy Lai's Extraordinary Struggle for Freedom (Documentary) – Watch on YouTube The Call of the Entrepreneur (Documentary) – Watch on YouTube | Also available on Prime   The views expressed here are those of the guest and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of NYCLA, its affiliates, members, officers, or board.

We're busting myths and breaking down the job search process with hiring insider Lauren McDonald, founder of Lauren McDonald Consulting. In this candid conversation, we strip away the fluff, expose outdated advice, and offer real strategies for landing your next role. Lauren joins NYCLA Amicus Curiae host Daniel K. Wiig for a no-holds-barred discussion on ghost job posts, the LinkedIn job hunt, HR gatekeeping, resume writers—and the one attribute that trumps all others when trying to get hired. If you're navigating a job search, this episode is your shortcut to smarter strategies and honest insights you won't hear anywhere else. Don't miss it.   Connect with our guest: Lauren McDonald.

Check out our latest episode of the NYCLA Amicus Curiae Podcast with host Daniel K. Wiig: Constitutional Dialogues: Critically Examining the Narratives, Debates, and the Structure of Power with Constitutional Expert Ilya Shapiro. Our guest, Ilya Shapiro, is a senior fellow and director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute. Ilya's past roles include serving as executive director and senior lecturer at the Georgetown Center for the Constitution, and prior to that, vice president of the Cato Institute. Mr. Shapiro sat down with Dan to provide critical insights and break through the noise to provide facts on the state of the governmental landscape as it relates to the Constitution. We're talking about tariffs, immigration, executive orders, and lawsuits. This is an episode you do not want to miss! More information on Ilya Shapiro.

The New York County Lawyers Association s proud to present its latest episode: Promoting Common Sense and the Freedom to Take Responsibility: A Discussion with Attorney Philip K. Howard.  Our host Daniel K. Wiig sat down with Mr. Howard to discuss the ideas of common good, human agency, common sense government, and personal responsibility in the age of big government. Philip K. Howard is a New York Times bestselling author, lawyer, and advocate to simplify government and restore individual responsibility. Beginning with his book The Death of Common Sense in 1995, Philip has written about the central role of human responsibility in a functioning government—the freedom to make timely choices, and to be accountable for them. In 2002, he formed Common Good, a nonpartisan coalition to champion these ideas. Mr. Howard's 2010 TED Talk has been viewed by more than 750,000 people. His 2015 report, "Two Years, Not Ten Years: Redesigning Infrastructure Approvals" exposed the economic and environmental costs of delayed infrastructure approvals, and its proposals have since been incorporated into federal law. Philip has appeared often on television and radio. A graduate of Yale College and the University of Virginia Law School, he is presently Senior Counsel at the law firm Covington & Burling, LLP More About Our Guest Philip K. Howard.

Happy Earth Day 2025! The New York County Lawyers Association is proud to present the latest episode of the NYCLA Amicus Curiae podcast with host Daniel K. Wiig. In our latest episode, we are sitting down to talk with Stephen Perkins, Chief Operating Officer and Acting Chief Executive Officer for the American Conservation Coalition. In celebration of the Earth Day 2025 theme "Our Power, Our Planet," we are discussing environmental policies that will support American energy dominance, conservation, nuclear energy, environmental regulation, and much more! Learn More About Stephen Perkins

The New York County Lawyers Association is proud to present our latest episode of the NYCLA Amicus Curiae podcast with host Daniel K. Wiig. Our guest is Prof. James G. Hodge, Jr., and the topic of our discussion is the United States healthcare system. Is healthcare a right or a privilege? Should our tax dollars underwrite the cost of those experiencing poverty? Do vaccine mandates impede on Americans' constitutional rights? What about religious exemptions? Where do we stand? What are the implications of the Supreme Court's decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo on public health policy? Listen as Daniel sat down with Prof. Hodge to elucidate the U.S. healthcare system and its challenges. They discuss the legal implications of recent SCOTUS decisions and the Constitution; Medicare and Medicaid; vaccinations; and the obvious win in addressing consumable vices. This discussion explains the complicated and multifaceted subject of healthcare in the United States. This is an episode you do not want to miss. Listen now!   More About James G. Hodge, Jr.  James G. Hodge, Jr., is the Peter Kiewit Foundation Professor of Law at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law and Director of the Center for Public Health Law and Policy at Arizona State University. Prof. Hodge has published more than 300 articles in journals of law, medicine, public health, and bioethics; 2 books in public health law; 25 book chapters; and guest-edited four symposium issues in the Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics, Jurimetrics, and the Annals of Health Law. He is ranked above the top 1% of downloaded authors in the Social Science Research Network. Professor Hodge is a national expert on emergency legal preparedness, crisis standards of care, vaccination laws, public health information privacy, and other topics. Before joining the College of Law in 2009, he was a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center, and a core faculty member at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics.

A Discussion on the Trust in Justice Project: A NYCLA Amicus Curiae – Candidly Speaking LIVE/Streaming Podcast Event which occured on January 22, 2025.   Richard Gabriel, an architect of trial science and president of Decision Analysis, will presented the findings of a comprehensive national survey which measures the public's trust and confidence in our justice system at an in-person/streaming episode of NYCLA's Amicus Curiae – Candidly Speaking with Host Dan Wiig podcast on January 22, 2025. The esteemed panel included:  Linda Kenney Baden, High Profile Criminal Defense Attorney and Host, Justice Served TV Twyla Carter, Attorney-in-Chief & CEO, The Legal Aid Society Hon. Michael McMahon, Richmond County District Attorney Hon. Elizabeth Stong, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, Eastern District of New York Dennis Vacco, Former New York State Attorney General Hon. Rowan D. Wilson, Chief Judge of the State of New York & the New York Court of Appeals This groundbreaking research reveals public trust and confidence in our main levers of justice: law enforcement, the court systems (including the Supreme Court), Congress, and our corrections system.  The panel discussed the findings and presented the challenges, means and methods available to improve the public's trust in the justice system.

We're proud to kickoff the fifth season of NYCLA's Amicus Curiae podcast with Host Daniel K. Wiig; our guest is Dr. Paul Lisnek, a multi-Emmy, Beacon, Cablefax, Telly and Communicator award-winning television host and anchor. Paul is the political analyst for WGN-TV in Chicago appearing on all of its # 1 rated news programs. He also anchors "WGN-TV Political Report" and hosts "Paul Lisnek Behind the Curtain." Dan and Dr. Lisnek sit down to discuss incoming President Trump, his administration, mass deportation of illegal immigrants, the DOJ, The Department of Government Efficiency ("DOGE"), and the power of the Presidency.  We cut through the noise and have a common sense discussion on plans of Trump 2.0.  Listen now and tell us what you think by leaving a review of the show! About Dr. Paul M. Lisnek

The New York County Lawyers Association is proud to present the latest episode of the Amicus Curiae podcast with host Daniel K. Wiig. In this episode we are exploring Artificial Intelligence and the judiciary in our conversation with Justice Timothy S. Driscoll, Justice, Commercial Division, Nassau County, New York State Unified Court System. The far reaching implications of AI, an emerging technology, has impacted our everyday lives, the way we do business, and the practice of law. Listen now to: The AI Explosion: Revolution or Evolution? A Conversation with Hon. Timothy S. Driscoll.   Justice Timothy S. Driscoll is a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, and has been assigned to the Nassau County Commercial Division since May 2009. Judge Driscoll is also an adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School and has served as a teaching team member at the Harvard Law School's Trial Advocacy Workshop. Prior to beginning his judicial service, Judge Driscoll served as Deputy Nassau County Executive for Law Enforcement and Public Safety from July 2004 to December 2007. Judge Driscoll was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of New York from November 2000 to July 2004.  He holds degrees from Hofstra University and Harvard Law School.

In this episode, NYCLA's Amicus Curiae Podcast Host Daniel K. Wiig sits down with former New York State Attorney General Dennis C. Vacco to discuss Weinstein's upcoming retrial for sex crimes in New York. The new trial date is scheduled for January 29, 2025. Harvey Weinstein was convicted in 2020 sexual assault and rape, however New York State's highest court overturned his conviction, ruling that the judge should not have allowed testimony from other accusers for prior bad acts for which Mr. Weinstein was not charged. We discuss the Molineux Rule, which is named for the 1901 case People v. Molineux. The questions of evidence and more will be discussed in this informative episode. Dennis C. Vacco is a Partner with Lippes Mathias and serves on the firm's Executive Committee and as the Government & Corporate Investigations Practice Team Co-Leader.  Mr. Vacco was elected New York State Attorney General in 1994 and served until 1999. Read here for more information about our guest.   

The New York Country Lawyers Association is proud to share its recent episode of the Amicus Curiae Podcast. In this episode host Daniel K. Wiig speaks with Brooklyn Law Stanley A. August Professor of Law William (Bill) Araiza about the Supreme Court's decision which overturned the Chevron Doctrine. The Chevron doctrine was a 40 year Supreme Court precedent that established a framework for how courts should review administrative agencies' interpretations of statutes. The doctrine was overturned by the Supreme Court in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless, Inc. v. Department of Commerce.  What are the implications for administrative law, the Courts, Congress, and federal regulatory agencies? Will there be more reulatory challenges, will planes fall from the sky? These questuions and more are answered in this timely and informative episode.    Read more about Professor Araiza