A new podcast series featuring U of T faculty and alumni leading discussions on constitutional law and litigation
The David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights (the Asper Centre) has created a new podcast, hosted by its Executive Director Cheryl Milne. The series will focus on advocacy and a broad range of constitutional law issues. The podcast also showcases the “Practice Corner,” where Milne and a guest speaker discuss the practical aspects of how a constitutional litigator might bring constitutional challenges in court.
Appropriately, episode one is on none other than section 1 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Titled “Charter: A Course – A podcast about Canadian Constitutional Law (No. of Episodes: 1),” this episode explores the existence of section 1 and the functions it serves. It is led by legal scholar and U of T alumnus Professor Jacob Weinrib. While it would be helpful to have a background in law when listening to the complex legal issues discussed, those with a cursory knowledge of the field will still be able to engage with the fundamental topics. The aim of the podcast is to be clear, understandable, and appealing to a wide audience.
Some main features of the series include a “constitutional law shanty” theme song, created by Professors Howie Kislowicz and Rob Currie, and an accompanying transcript for accessibility and ease of reference. Some major themes include “Oakes classic” and “diet Oakes,” as well as the major implications of the use of section 1 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We dropped the second episode this past Friday [October 15], called ‘COVID 19 and the Charter’. The next episode will be released on Friday, October 29 on Representative Juries (the title is still tentative). Future episodes this calendar year will address religious freedom, climate justice & the Charter, and section 15,” says Milne.
Milne added that the podcast’s aim “is to highlight the work of U of T Faculty and alumni who are involved in leading constitutional cases and issues. The audience will likely be law students, lawyers, and academics, but we think anyone who is interested in how the Charter works and what the impact is of constitutional advocacy will be interested. So far, we are pleased that it is becoming popular.”
It will definitely be of interest to students and faculty alike to see who will be the next U of T figure giving their take on these pressing legal issues.
While on the topic of podcasts, here is a brief list of some amazing law-related or law-adjacent podcasts:
- You’re Wrong About
Hosted by Michael Hobbes, former HuffPost reporter, and Sarah Marshall, whose writing has appeared in The Believer and BuzzFeed, You’re Wrong About discusses historic events, people, and cases that have been miscast by the public imagination. Hobbes and Marshall retell these stories while debunking myths and misrepresentations about their narratives. This podcast series is a fun listen for those looking to reanalyze infamous cases such as the McDonald’s Hot Coffee lawsuit or the O.J. Simpson trial.
- Entitled
Claudia Flores and Tom Ginsburg are lawyers and law professors at the University of Chicago who started Entitled to discuss global human rights issues and why they matter. They work through prominent legal issues, such as freedom of speech and immigration, while trying to work out what rights even are. If you are looking to start listening, try Rights at the Border, featuring U of T Law Professor Ayelet Shachar.
- Armchair Expert
Actors Dax Shepard and Monica Padman conduct in-depth interviews discussing a range of topics, from academics to philosophical questions about life and humanity. While not a law-focused podcast per se, Armchair Expert includes interviews with a multitude of professionals, including lawyers and scholars who discuss various issues within the legal field. From ethical intelligence in the United States to the Epstein trials, Armchair Expert has you covered on interesting subjects that might appear in your casebooks.
- Legal Wars
Legal Wars is a relatively new podcast hosted by Harvard Law graduate and actor Hill Harper and supported by Wondery, the producers of American History Tellers. Harper narrates famous American court cases in an attempt to put the listener in the jury box. The first episode deals with the dramatic case of Hogan v Gawker, involving wrestler Hulk Hogan and a conflict about free speech on the internet.
- Paw & Order
A podcast dedicated to Canadian animal law, Paw & Order is a great listen for anyone interested in animal rights and animal justice. Paw & Order is hosted by former U of T Law graduate and current executive director of Animal Justice, Camille Labchuk, alongside University of Alberta law Professor Peter Sankoff and animal advocate Jessica Scott-Reid. Canada’s only animal law podcast, the series breaks down a host of animal justice issues, some that are likely familiar to law students at U of T—does the name Lucy the Elephant ring a bell?
- Law Bytes
Sabrina Macklai (2L JD/MI) recommends Law Bytes, “hosted by Professor Michael Geist from the University of Ottawa, it explores the intersection between law, technology, and policy. From conversations on regulating Big Tech to commentary on Canada’s privacy law reforms, the podcast touches upon different aspects of digital policies and their implications on Canadians. Geist regularly brings in guest speakers who provide unique perspectives on these issues and are oftentimes involved in setting the policies. For any IP and tech nerds, this podcast is an absolute must!”
