FindLaw's Don't Judge Me

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.

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.  

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.  

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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?

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!

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!

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. 

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.

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.   

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.

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. 

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:

Can I Sue Someone for Catfishing Me?

Is Sexting Illegal for Teens?

What Is Catfishing?

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...