The Rule of Law: The Academy Speaks

Welcome to the official podcast of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. Each week, Academy President Joe Tucker sits down with some of the world’s foremost trial lawyers and champions of justice to explore the most pressing issues facing the legal profession and the Rule of Law.

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Episodes

Monday Sep 29, 2025

In Part Four, Joe concludes his conversation with attorney Brad Edwards, who spent more than twenty years fighting to hold Jeffrey Epstein accountable while Epstein and his team worked tirelessly to cover up his crimes. Brad highlights how government agencies lied, violated the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, and enabled the cover-up to persist. He makes clear why survivors—and the American public—must demand transparency and honesty from the Department of Justice, and why anything less is a betrayal of justice.

Monday Sep 22, 2025

In Part Three, Joe is joined by attorneys Jack Scarola and Brad Edwards. They recount how Epstein’s decision to sue Brad proved a tactical error that turned the tables. Jack and Brad reflect on their shared battles in court, the resilience of the survivors, and what it takes to stand up against power, intimidation, and systematic cover-ups. They also share their views on the DOJ, explaining why its actions don’t pass the smell test and amount to a disservice to survivors and to the Rule of Law itself.

Monday Sep 15, 2025

In Part Two, Joe continues his conversation with attorney Jack Scarola, who spent decades working to hold Jeffrey Epstein accountable. They examine Epstein’s legal tactics, the arrogance that convinced him he was above the law, and the ways he manipulated the courts to intimidate others. Scarola reflects on his representation of Brad Edwards and how their case became a turning point in the Epstein saga, and he shares his perspective on the so-called “interrogation” of Ghislaine Maxwell.

Monday Sep 08, 2025

Joe sits down with attorney Jack Scarola, who spent decades working to hold Jeffrey Epstein accountable, to discuss how the case masked secrecy as transparency—through intimidation tactics, a hidden “sweetheart deal,” and Justice Department cover-ups. Scarola argues true accountability requires releasing prosecution memos, deposition transcripts, and testimony from Alex Acosta—because survivors deserve more than distractions.

Friday Sep 05, 2025

Season 2 of The Rule of Law: The Academy Speaks kicks off with exclusive conversations with the lawyers who spent decades working to hold Jeffrey Epstein accountable. Host Joe Tucker explores the fight to expose Epstein and his accomplices—and the ongoing pursuit of justice for his victims.
 
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Monday Aug 11, 2025

In the final episode of season one, Joe sits down with Charla Aldous from Aldous Law in Dallas, Texas, for a powerful and personal conversation. They discuss her courage in the courtroom, the power of pro bono work, and the life experiences that inspire her to stand up for vulnerable clients—even when the odds are against her. For Charla, helping others isn't optional; it's a duty that comes with holding a law license. This episode is about doing what's right, even when it's hard.

Thursday Aug 07, 2025

In this episode, Joe speaks with Kalpana Srinivasan about how being the daughter of immigrants shaped her path in the legal profession. She reflects on the role that transparency, opportunity, and trust played in her own progress. Kalpana shares how these values guide her in empowering young lawyers to take on meaningful responsibility early in their careers. Together, they discuss how this approach helps the next generation believe in the profession, embrace its possibilities, and pursue both professional excellence and personal fulfillment.

Monday Jul 28, 2025

This week, Joe sits down with Stan Garnett, Co-Founding Partner with Garnett, Powell, Maximon, Barlow & Farbes, to explore a provocative question: Is the U.S. Constitution truly democratic, or does it deepen the divisions in American life?
Stan argues that while the Constitution is foundational, it often fuels partisanship rather than unity and compromise. We examine how its structure influences our political climate and what lessons we can draw from Latin American legal systems that have adopted a different approach. 

Monday Jul 21, 2025

This week, Joe sits down with Karen Burgess of Burgess Law in Austin, Texas, to discuss how disinformation is fueling the global Rule of Law crisis. Together, they examine the increasing influence of state actors in driving disinformation campaigns, the rise of deepfakes and AI-generated content, and how social media algorithms are accelerating the dissemination of false narratives that erode trust in courts, elections, and democratic institutions. 

Monday Jul 14, 2025

WARNING: This episode contains sensitive content related to child sex trafficking and abuse. Some listeners may find this material distressing.
 
In this week’s episode, Joe speaks with attorney Nadeem Bezar about the legal fight to hold enablers of child sex trafficking accountable. In just over a year, Nadeem’s team secured more than $100 million in arbitration awards and settlements. They explore why language matters, how reframing victims as survivors can empower healing, and what lawyers can do right now by volunteering at expungement clinics to help survivors move forward.
 
If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

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