Common Law

About the Show
Though much divides us these days, there are still some things we all share in common. One of them is law. In “Common Law,” a podcast sponsored by the University of Virginia School of Law, Dean Risa Goluboff and UVA Law professors Danielle K. Citron, John C. Harrison, Cathy Hwang and Gregory Mitchell explore how law shapes society, how we shape law and why we should all care. MORE
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This season, four UVA Law professors are returning as co-hosts with Dean Risa Goluboff, bringing their diverse experiences to the table as “Co-Counsel.” Danielle K. Citron, John C. Harrison, Cathy Hwang and Gregory Mitchell are helping to choose guests and topics for the show, and will rotate co-hosting duties.
Facial recognition technology is used for everything from unlocking your phone to locking up criminals. UVA Law professor Elizabeth Rowe makes the case that biometric data like your face and fingerprints should have trade secret-level protections.
What makes people and organizations obey — or resist — the law? Social scientist Susan S. Silbey, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, discusses her life’s work on the subject.
The federal process for reviewing proposed interstate natural gas pipelines was highly contentious several decades ago and is now more of a rubber stamp. UVA Law professor Alison Gocke looks at what changed.
Political scientist James L. Gibson discusses his survey data suggesting the U.S. Supreme Court lost some legitimacy in the eyes of the public after overturning Roe v. Wade.
Congressional conflicts with the executive branch often set off legal battles in the courts, and cases can drag on until the point is moot. UVA Law professor Payvand Ahdout digs into why this is happening and what impact it has on the balance of power.
The rules on character evidence are difficult to apply and riddled with exceptions and problems, according to Teneille Brown, a University of Utah law professor who argues they need to be updated.
The U.S. Supreme Court case Moore v. Harper tests the independent state legislature doctrine and could radically change electoral districting maps and the states’ role in federal elections, says University of Virginia law professor Bertrall Ross.
University of Virginia School of Law professor Kimberly Krawiec discusses her work on taboo transactions, such as commercial surrogacy, egg and sperm markets, organ donation and sex work. Risa Goluboff and Cathy Hwang host the episode.