America gets a 250th birthday present from the Supreme Court as Chief Justice John Roberts authors an opinion for the ages in Trump v. Barbara. The Court went big and decided on the basis of the Constitution, not merely the Congressional statutes, that Abraham Lincoln's wish for the nation, birthright citizenship, which gives rise to the chance for birth equality and therefore the "new birth of freedom" Lincoln bequeathed us, will live on - and will have its best chance to endure. We look deeply into the opinion to find the great themes the Chief Justice, joined by four women, sounds. And what about the arguments made on this podcast in recent months? Can they be found in the opinion, and if so, do they strengthen it? Join us for a close look. Lawyers and Judges are eligible for Continuing Legal Education credit by visiting podcast.njsba.com after listening.

In the wake of our recent discussion on private vs state action, a recent incident in New York regarding US Representative Dan Goldman’s banishment from a coffee shop because of his political stance brings these issues home, with additional questions related to public accommodations and more. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court faced some of these similar issues in the case of Wolford v. Lopez, decided the day we record this, as well as a host of 14th amendment questions that are at once familiar and yet fresh for listeners to this podcast. CLE is available for lawyers and judges from podcast.njsba.com.

The tributes to Gordon Wood have been pouring in, and as promised, we spend this episode with him and his peerless body of work. Professor Steven Calabresi, Gordon’s neighbor, friend, and colleague, joins us, and how appropriate that is, as Steve and Akhil produced a tribute weekend at Yale Law School that reviewed and celebrated his lifetime of work. Now we remember the man, the teacher, and most of all, the towering scholar, as we review some of his most important ideas, his methods, and his inspiration for so many who have read, and who will read, the greatest books ever written about the American founding period. A giant has been lost, but his memory will be a blessing for many generations to come. CLE credit is available for lawyers and judges from podcast.njsba.com.