FindLaw's Don't Judge Me

FindLaw’s Don’t Judge Me has a lot of opinions, jokes, insightful guests, and in-depth discussions about hot topics in the law. What we don’t have is a lot of pretention or corporate oversight. We hope you have as much fun listening as we have making it. Our hosts are lawyers and writers at FindLaw, the primary online destination for all things legal. Hosts: Laura Temme Andy Leonatti Joe Fawbush Vaidehi Mehta

The End of an Era 05/04/2023

The End of an Era That’s a wrap on this show, folks. After three years and well over 100 episodes, Andy, Joe, Laura, and Vaidehi are off to chase their dreams. Laura is excited to have the time to fully pursue spelunking. Andy finally convinced Larry David to do that Seinfeld spinoff he’s been pitching for years. Joe is starting his side hustle on Cameo with his good friend Rudy, and Vaidehi joined a secret government project developing telekinesis. Oops, we shouldn't have told you that. In this atypical final episode our hosts yak it up one last time about favorite show moments and compare ourselves to the Beatles. As always, please check out findlaw.com for information on a wide variety of legal topics, current events, and great audio and visual content. And in all sincerity, thank you for listening. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/26748306

Why Are Lawsuits Over Homeowner's Insurance Claims on the Rise? 04/13/2023

Why Are Lawsuits Over Homeowner's Insurance Claims on the Rise? Joining us to talk about how contractors, lawyers, and insurance companies are becoming increasingly litigious is Cassie Calisti of Premium Group Insurance. This episode Cassie explains why disputes over home repairs after storms, floods, and other damage to homes are increasingly common, and how homeowners can be left out in the aftermath. We also discuss recent laws in Florida that aim to stem the tide of lawsuits over insurance claims. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/26535609

Breaking Down the Supreme Court Student Loan Cases 03/24/2023

Breaking Down the Supreme Court Student Loan Cases Two of the most anticipated Supreme Court cases this term involve student loan forgiveness. This episode our hosts break down the issues in the case, which include standing and the major questions doctrine. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/26330736

Junk Fees Are Absolute Garbage 03/09/2023

Junk Fees Are Absolute Garbage At some point all of us have been charged a "service" fee when no services were rendered (we're looking at you, Ticketmaster). Or perhaps you've been charged a surprise "resort" fee after staying at a run-of-the-mill hotel. How is this legal? Both state attorneys general and the Biden Administration are looking to curb so-called junk fees. Will it work? Meanwhile, do us regular consumers have any options? We take a look on this episode. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/26180085

Trains and Toxic Torts 03/02/2023

Trains and Toxic Torts The Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, deservedly captured media attention nationwide. As residents continue to worry about air and water quality, some have already filed lawsuits. This episode our hosts discuss toxic torts, the area of law that deals with this sort of man-made environmental disaster. Class action lawsuits stemming from toxic pollutants are more common than you might think. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/26106966

Divorce Story 02/23/2023

Divorce Story The time between the new year and spring is also known as divorce season. This episode our hosts talk about why couples tend to separate more between January and March. We also give a few examples of what not to do if you find yourself facing a divorce. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/26028114

This Episode Will Self-Destruct After Listening 02/16/2023

This Episode Will Self-Destruct After Listening Chances are you don't have Mission:Impossible level security clearance. But that doesn't mean you don't have access to information your employer considers confidential. In this episode our hosts discuss what can happen to you if you intentionally or accidentally reveal confidential company information, including trade secrets. The potential consequences might be greater than you'd think. We also talk about when you are protected for revealing secrets as a whistleblower. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/25953327

Not Smart, Alec 02/09/2023

Not Smart, Alec By now you're almost certainly aware that Alec Baldwin is facing criminal charges relating to the on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. You can find details of the charges and penalties just about anywhere on the internet. But missed in much of this is the old but often ignored advice regarding how to act during a police investigation - even if it isn't immediately apparent you are in danger of being charged with a crime. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/25883979

The HAL 9000 Lawyer 02/02/2023

The HAL 9000 Lawyer Are robot lawyers really just around the corner? If you go by internet chatter surrounding ChatGPT and other AI chatbots, it would seem so. But it's not that easy for lawyers to be replaced. This episode our hosts discuss the problems with AI-assisted legal advice and what brave new world the legal industry is headed toward. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/25813770

How to Talk About True Crime 01/26/2023

How to Talk About True Crime Is your idea for a new true crime podcast about to be the next big thing? Before you get too excited, remember a few rules about what you can say about your suspect(s). Otherwise, you could risk being sued for defamation, as self-described psychic Ashley Guillard found out when creating Tik Tok videos regarding her beliefs about the horrific murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/25740573

Welcome to the Public Domain 01/19/2023

Welcome to the Public Domain What do Miss Marple, Sherlock Holmes, and Winnie the Pooh have in common? They've all entered the public domain (at least to some extent). The original Mickey Mouse will join them next year. But that's not the end of the story, public domain and copyright law can be complex. Our hosts walk you through the basics of public domain law and how the soon-to-be released slasher film Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey depicts the once gentle and lovable bear. Why isn't Disney doing anything about it? /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/25661823

Lawyers Behaving Badly 2022 12/22/2022

Lawyers Behaving Badly 2022 It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, not because of well-deserved time off and holidays spent with family – because now it’s time for the hosts of Don’t Judge Me to discuss their favorite professional bungles committed by lawyers this year. So even if you’re stressed about hosting a holiday dinner or buying gifts, at least you’re not one of these folks. Happy New Year! /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/25388139

All I Want for Christmas Is Legal Advice 12/15/2022

All I Want for Christmas Is Legal Advice Who do you root for in a legal fight between an overeager homeowner with 200,000 Christmas lights and a homeowner's association? Can you be fired for refusing to go to a company holiday party? And just how many laws does Santa Claus break every year? Join our hosts for a merry discussion of Christmas and holiday-related legal issues. Happy holidays and have a great new year! /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/25340229

Running Onto the Field and Into Trouble 11/23/2022

Running Onto the Field and Into Trouble You know what's a good idea? Not running onto the field when you attend a football game. This sidebar episode our hosts discuss Alex Taylor, the animal rights protestor and trespasser who ran onto the field during the 49er-Rams game with a device trailing pink smoke. He evaded security only to be laid out by all-pro linebacker Bobby Wagner. Taylor filed a lawsuit hours later, alleging assault. We discuss the penalties for trespassing at a football game (or any other sports event), the rules regarding assault, and what Bobby Wagner's lawyer may have told him in the wake of the news. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/25102524

What You Need to Know About Holiday Air Travel 11/17/2022

What You Need to Know About Holiday Air Travel What is the deal with airlines?? It seems like canceled flights have gotten more and more frequent in recent years. And is it just us, or are airplane seats getting smaller? This episode, our hosts discuss what airlines can and can’t do - and when travelers might be entitled to compensation. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/25026411

We got WEIGHTS in the FISH! 11/10/2022

We got WEIGHTS in the FISH! Cheaters never win, goes the saying. But some cheaters lose really, really badly. Like the competetive fishermen who were caught stuffing fish with weights and fillets to win a $30,000 prize in a walleye tournament. Other times, just being accused of cheating can be equally devastating, as American chess grandmaster Hans Niemann found out when a joke about an allegedly suspcious win went viral. Cheating is wrong, sure. But is it ever illegal? Can you sue over cheating or being accused of cheating? Our hosts discuss on this sidebar episode. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/24972714

How Are Pardons Different from Expungement? 11/03/2022

How Are Pardons Different from Expungement? The Biden Administration’s recent executive order pardoning those convicted of federal marijuana possession made big news. But what does this mean for their criminal records? Our hosts discuss the history of presidential pardons, what they do and don’t do, and how expungement fills in the gaps. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/24898230

Revisiting Voting Rights Before the Midterms 10/27/2022

Revisiting Voting Rights Before the Midterms America has a long legal history with voting rights. This episode we discuss some of the notable state and federal voting laws that have been passed, repealed, amended, and declared unconstitutional. Our hosts also touch on time, manner, and place restrictions, as well as past and current attempts at limiting or expanding who has the right to vote. For information on voting laws in your state, please visit findlaw.com/voting for a comprehensive look at the laws and rights in your state. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/24824283

How to Catch a Catfish 10/13/2022

How to Catch a Catfish Sorry, anglers, not that kind of catfish. This episode we tackle the topic of online catfishing, the practice of duping single people into thinking they are forming a relationship with a non-existent person. It's certainly immoral, but depending on the behavior involved it can also be illegal or lead to lawsuits. Learn all about catfishing and how to spot it so you don't fall victim to catfishing or romance scams, as over 21,000 people did in 2021. For more information, check out these resources from FindLaw.com: /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/24679680

DJM's House of Horrors 10/06/2022

DJM's House of Horrors Can you sue if you're injured at a haunted house attraction? Is it legal to consume human flesh? Do you have to tell a potential home buyer that your house is haunted? The answers might surprise you. Our hosts delve into these hair-raising legal issues and more on Don't Judge Me's first-ever Halloween episode! Listen, if you dare... /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/24607230

The Craziest Lawsuits Ever, Part 2 09/29/2022

The Craziest Lawsuits Ever, Part 2 We're back to discuss more head-scratching personal injury lawsuits this week! First, a man successfully sues his parents for throwing out his extensive collection of "adult" films. Then, we discuss a prank gone wrong where the legal result would likely make Kevin McCallister and Dennis the Menace a little nervous. But it's not all pesky kids and porn stashes; we've got some legal insight too. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/24531021

The Craziest Lawsuits Ever, Part 1 09/22/2022

The Craziest Lawsuits Ever, Part 1 Join us for a fun discussion of some of the most notable, lambasted, and misunderstood personal injury lawsuits in American history. There will be coffee, beer, and sandwiches (talked about, of course, this is a podcast. But we'd treat you if we could). /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/24462159

A Prurient Interest in Obscenity? 09/15/2022

A Prurient Interest in Obscenity? To what extent does the First Amendment protect obscenity (i.e. pornography). What is pornography and what is artistic expression? Learn all about this titillating subject on this episode of DJM. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/24388866

Back to School: Book Bans, Parents’ Rights, and the First Amendment 09/08/2022

Back to School: Book Bans, Parents’ Rights, and the First Amendment DJM is going back to school this week as we discuss the movement around increasing parental involvement in public schools. Can lawmakers ban books? Can parents dictate curriculum choices? And how does the First Amendment fit into all of this? We don’t have a magic school bus, but we do have an interesting discussion of new legislation and previous Supreme Court cases related to education. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/24314370

Is Monsanto Roundup-Ready for More Lawsuits? 09/01/2022

Is Monsanto Roundup-Ready for More Lawsuits? If you're a home gardener or live in an area where there's a lot of farming going on, you've probably heard of Roundup. In this Sidebar, Joe and Vaidehi discuss the ongoing lawsuits based on Roundup weed killer's potentially harmful side effects and why its maker, Monsanto, has a 50/50 record in these disputes so far. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/24241377

We Plead the Fifth 08/29/2022

We Plead the Fifth Does pleading the Fifth make you look guilty? Should you plead the Fifth even if you're innocent? This week our hosts discuss the Fifth Amendment's protection against self-incrimination, also known as "pleading the Fifth." Come for information about constitutional rights, stay for Joe's impression of a certain interior decorator who probably should have refused to answer questions from the FBI. For more information, check out . /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/24199452

Alex Murdaugh's Murder Charges 08/18/2022

Alex Murdaugh's Murder Charges In 2021, we covered the stranger-than-fiction case of Alex Murdaugh, the attorney from a prominent family who was charged with planning his own murder for the insurance money. Now, he's charged with murdering his wife and son. Our hosts discuss the circumstances and allegations against Murdaugh, who if charged and convicted of these and other allegations is approaching serial killer territory. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/24100587

The Pleasant Garden Hedge Separating Church and State 08/11/2022

The Pleasant Garden Hedge Separating Church and State Join us in the Wayback Machine to talk about the ever-timely issue of the separation of church and state. This episode we discuss the Enlightenment, the Wars of Religion, and what was going on in the minds of Thomas Jefferson & Co. when the Founders drafted the Bill of Rights. And because we don't want to be so serious all the time, we also talk about Rhode Island's troublemaking youth and invite you to play a drinking game. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/24029178

What Happens If You're Arrested Abroad? 08/04/2022

What Happens If You're Arrested Abroad? WNBA star Brittney Griner was detained in Russia in February after airport authorities found a marijuana vape cartridge in her luggage. The Biden administration is working on a prisoner exchange to bring her home, but what happens if you're arrested abroad and not quite as well-connected? This episode, our hosts discuss Griner's case, extradition, and international criminal law. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/23959740

Sidebar: Vigilante Justice Is for Batman 07/28/2022

Sidebar: Vigilante Justice Is for Batman Doing anything to protect your children is understandable. But when "anything" involves attempted murder, don't be surprised when you face consequences. This sidebar episode our hosts discuss the criminal and civil cases involving Cain Velasquez, the WWE wrestler and two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion, who is now suing his child's alleged molester from behind bars. /episode/index/show/findlawdjm/id/23892144

FindLaw's Don't Judge Me

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