Inside the 2025 Federalist Society Convention: Debates, Direction, and What Stood Out
Mark Chenoweth and John Vecchione recap the 2025 Federalist Society National Lawyers Convention, offering candid insight into what made this year’s gathering different. From Judge Andy Oldham’s powerful Barbara Olson Lecture to unexpected debate pairings and shifts in programming philosophy, they break down where the convention excelled — and where it missed opportunities.They discuss the tension between staging debates for show versus digging into substantive legal questions, the increasing presence of younger speakers, the lack of deep dives on topics like tariffs and administrative overreach, and the overall feel of the event’s intellectual energy. Mark and John also highlight memorable moments, including the conversation with Justices Barrett and Kavanaugh, Steve Bradbury’s Department of Transportation panel, and a compelling discussion on free speech rights for non-citizens.A mix of recap, critique, and commentary, this episode gives listeners an insider’s view of how the conservative legal movement’s biggest annual gathering is evolving in 2025.
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25:40
Necessary Discretion: Kara Rollins on Statutory Power and Agency Limits
John Vecchione sits down with Kara Rollins to explore her recent piece in the Yale Journal on Regulation titled “Necessary” Discretion: A Primer for Non-Lawyers. They delve into what it really means when legislatures grant agencies the authority to act when something is “necessary,” how courts interpret these trigger‐words, and why this matters for administrative power. From the Spending Clause to rule‐making, this conversation breaks down complex doctrine in plain terms and shows how “necessary” might mean more than you think.
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16:59
Auto-Pen & Accountability: What the Oversight Committee Found About the Biden White House
Senior Litigation Counsel Margaret Harker joins Mark Chenoweth and John Vecchione to unpack the House Oversight Committee’s auto-pen investigation — a 100-page probe that raises serious questions about President Biden’s cognitive fitness, missing decision records, and last-minute pardons allegedly authorized via an auto-pen rather than by the President himself. They discuss the committee’s referral to the Department of Justice, the legal issues around voiding pardons, and why the report’s findings matter for presidential accountability and the rule of law.
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27:50
Judicial Impartiality Meets Fiction: Inside the Dondero Recusal Petition
Mark Chenoweth and John Vecchione welcome NCLA Senior Litigation Counsel Russ Ryan for a jaw-dropping judicial-ethics cases.A Texas judge—currently presiding over a live case—has written three novels featuring characters bearing striking resemblance of herself and on one of the actual litigants before her. The fictional version of the real-life businessman is cast as a villain.The case is Dondero v. Jernigan, raising fundamental questions about impartiality.Russ walks through the surreal facts and NCLA’s concise but impactful amicus brief urging the Court to fix the problem.This is an episode you do not want to miss.
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Inside the Supreme Court: Trump’s Tariff Case and the Limits of Executive Power
Fresh from the Supreme Court, Mark Chenoweth, John Vecchione, and Andy Morris break down oral arguments in the Trump tariffs case — a landmark challenge over whether the president can impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).John and Andy share what they saw in the courtroom, how the justices responded, and why this case could redefine the limits of executive authority. From Justice Kagan’s sharp textual questions to Justice Kavanaugh’s deference to presidential power, the episode captures the day’s biggest moments — and what they reveal about the future of constitutional checks and balances.
Unwritten Law is a podcast hosted by Mark Chenoweth and John Vecchione, brought to you by the New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA). This show dives deep into the world of unlawful administrative power, exposing how bureaucrats operate outside the bounds of written law through informal guidance, regulatory “dark matter,” and unconstitutional agency overreach.
USA