Join hosts Justice Rhonda Wood of Arkansas and Justice Beth Walker of West Virginia as they delve into the recent Supreme Court of the United States decision in Lindke v. Freed. Their discussion shines a light on how this ruling affects the public, public officials, and state court judges.

Special guest Caroline Mackie, Partner at Poyner Spruill, LLP, provides an insightful, in-depth analysis of the case. They explore the delicate balance between promoting public confidence and education via social media while upholding the First Amendment rights of the public and public officials. 

Discussion Points: 
-Analysis of Kevin Lindke's Lawsuit Against James Freed for First Amendment Violation 
-Impact of Lindke v. Freed Decision on Public Officials and First Amendment Rights 
-Caroline Mackie's Amicus Brief: Advocating for Clear Social Media Guidelines for Public Figures 
-Examining the Intersection of Private and Public Life on Social Media Platforms for Public Officials 
-Tips for Navigating Social Media for Public Figures, as outlined by Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett's Opinion 

Resources: 
- Supreme Court Case 
https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/DocketFiles/html/Public/22-611.html  
- Amicus Brief 
https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/22/22-611/270245/20230630170439817_22-611%20Amicus%20BOM%20IMLA.pdf 

Join hosts Justice Rhonda Wood of the Arkansas Supreme Court and Justice Beth Walker of the West Virginia Supreme Court on the Lady Justice Podcast, now in partnership with the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). In this episode, they welcome Anna Blackburne-Rigsby, Chief Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and current President of the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ).  

Chief Judge Blackburne-Rigsby shares insights into the structure of DC Courts, judicial appointments, and the types of cases handled. Reflecting on her upbringing in Washington, D.C., Chief Judge Blackburne-Rigsby also discusses the city's evolution and emphasizes the role of law in driving societal change, particularly evident during the Civil Rights era.  

The episode delves into the collaborative efforts of CCJ, including past initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic to guide courts and current efforts to enhance public trust. Chief Judge Blackburne-Rigsby highlights the importance of judicial leadership and community engagement beyond the courtroom.  

Tune in for valuable insights into the judiciary and the transformative power of law. Don't miss the lightning round, where Chief Judge Blackburne-Rigsby shares some personal preferences!

In this episode, the Lady Justices discuss the importance of equal access to justice. They welcome special guests Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Jeff Bivins and Anne-Lousie Wirthlin the Director of Access to Justice and Strategic Development for the Administrative Office of the Tennessee Courts.

Justice Walker was live on location in Nashville Tennessee with Justice Bivins and Mrs. Wirthlin. In this special episode, our special guests share about their Tennessee access to Justice Bus. The Justice Bus is a mobile law office that brings technology and legal help to rural and underserved communities across Tennessee.

In the lighting round our Lady Justices and special guests share their most used phone app, their favorite country music artist past or present, their lockscreen photos, and lastly their favorite city to visit.

For more information about the Tennessee Justice Bus, see the link below.

https://justiceforalltn.org/justice-bus/

In this episode, Chief Justice Beth Walker of West Virginia and Justice Rhonda Wood of Arkansas welcome special guests, the original co-hosts, former Chief Justice Bridget McCormack of Michigan and former Justice Eva Guzman of Texas for a special reunion episode.

The four lady justices share personal stories on the importance of connection and the rewards of getting out of your comfort zone. They share the most significant changes in their life since they were all together last, what challenges they may face in the coming year, and how they overcome difficult days.

In this episode, the Lady Justices welcome Claire Hudnell, a senior from Lakeside High School who aspires to be an appellate judge. Although the justices typically discuss their experiences on their state’s highest court, this episode has another purpose – to inspire, support, and encourage young women interested in the law and the judiciary.

"Vision Interrupted" by Claire Hudnell

https://youtu.be/gGb_KSDxiuU?si=q5kvdQ66RWVyaUJS

In this episode, the Lady Justices will discuss all things Constitution in honor of Constitution Week. To celebrate the season 4 premiere episode the Lady Justices welcome special guest Jeffery Rosen, the president and Chief Executive Officer of the National Constitution Center, a highly regarded journalist, and Professor of law at the George Washington University Law School.  

In this episode, in honor of the Institute for Well-Being in Law, Lawyer Well-Being Week, the Lady Justices will discuss their judicial research and how it ties into attorney well-being.

Our Lady Justices share their unique approach in their respective positions to foster proactive support for change in lawyer well-being.

For more information on Lawyer Well-Being Week and access to wellness resources from the Institute for Lawyer Well-Being in Law,

WELL-BEING WEEK IN LAW - Institute For Well-Being In Law (lawyerwellbeing.net)

How We Read 

http://greenbag.org/v24n3/v24n3_articles_wood_johnson.pdf

In this episode, the Lady Justices will discuss the power of civil discourse with special guest Director of the Liberty and Law Center, Assistant law professor with the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, JoAnn Koob.  

According to the Antonin Scalia Law School, the Public Discourse Project is a cutting-edge program that seeks to ameliorate partisan divisiveness by fostering civil discourse among students and promoting civic virtue. In this episode, the lady Justices offer a double-feature experience. In part two, Justice Wood welcomes Arkansas attorney Hannah Bell, a Antonin Scalia Law School graduate, to a special post-episode interview about her first-hand student experience with Professor Koob and the Public Discourse Project. This special episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how civil discourse provides pathways for discussion over division.

For more information about the Public Discourse Project, visit

https://libertycenter.gmu.edu/events/discussion-over-division/ 

In this episode, the Lady Justices will discuss the National Center for State Courts' survey on public confidence in the courts.

The judiciary can only exist with the trust and confidence of the people. Our Lady Justices delve into the importance of public confidence in the courts. They also detail how their respective courts work to improve confidence by managing trust and maintaining a culture that fosters integrity, transparency, and accountability for all.

National Center for State Courts' survey on public confidence in the courts 

State of the State Courts - 2022 Poll Presentations (ncsc.org)

The Beauty of What Remains: How Our Greatest Fear Becomes Our Greatest Gift 

https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B08D8J4D8Z&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_88VX06CP4MYGGWA3TP98

In episode 24, the Lady Justices will discuss how state courts interact with federal courts. The Lady Justices also discuss judicial discipline and financial reporting in their states and the importance of public confidence in the court system.

Former Chief Justice McCormack of Michigan shares exciting news about her transition as Chief Justice to the next phase in her career. 

In episode 23, the Lady Justices will discuss subject-matter division courts in their respective states, the different roles judges play, and sovereign immunity. The Lady Justices also share how acts of kindness have touched their lives recently.