The Napa Legal Podcast

Napa Legal Institute
  • 5.0 (4)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Listen to Napa Legal's Senior Counsel and Director of Content Frank DeVito discuss key legal and policy updates relevant to faith-based nonprofits with Joseph Clement each week.

  1. 16H AGO

    Jimmy Lai Sentencing, Pro-Lifers Under Attack, and Protecting Children: February 18, 2026

    Welcome to the Napa Legal Podcast, where we discuss religious liberty from the perspective of faith-based nonprofits. In this week's episode, Frank DeVito and Joseph Clement explain the latest on Jimmy Lai's sentencing, lawsuits over sex-rejecting procedures at children's hospitals, and abortion law in Michigan. In this episode, we discuss: 1:17 Jimmy Lai, the 78-year-old Catholic advocate for democracy and human rights in Hong Kong, was recently sentenced to 20 years in a Chinese prison. His family has asked for continued prayers and notes that he has been supported by his faith. 9:10 A lawsuit brought by Rob Bonta against a children's hospital that decided to stop performing sex-rejecting procedures on minors in order to continue receiving federal funding. Bonta is seeking to force the hospital to continue offering such procedures and drugs. 18:28 A lawsuit against Michigan's law that prevents pro-life organizations from hiring only pro-life staff. For more about Napa Legal and our work, visit our website here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org For more of the Napa Legal podcast, visit our site here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcast Topics: Catholic advocacy, political persecution, free speech, free association, transgenderism, abortion law, Michigan Right to Life. The Napa Legal Podcast, February 18, 2026. #firstamendment #freespeech #abortionpill #prolife

    30 min

  2. FEB 10

    "Detransitioner" Wins Novel Malpractice Lawsuit | More on Free Speech and Abortion Pills

    Welcome to the Napa Legal Podcast, where we discuss religious liberty from the perspective of faith-based nonprofits. In this week's episode, Frank DeVito and Joseph Clement explain a novel legal victory that will protect children from "transgender" surgeries, compelled speech in public schools, and a new lawsuit against abortion pill distribution. In this episode, we discuss: 1:11 A New York jury verdict awarding $2 million to Varian Fox, a 22-year old woman who received a double mastectomy at the behest of her psychologist to treat her mental illness despite clear underlying trauma. Fox has since "detransitioned" and sued her former psychologist and plastic surgeon for malpractice. 12:38 A recent ruling that upheld a compelled speech requirement in Montgomery County Public Schools. The Country forces all teacher to refer to students by any pronouns the children request, despite the First Amendment's guarantees of free speech and religious exercise. 22:56 A novel lawsuit from a father in Texas against an abortion pill provider that facilitated the death of his two unborn children. This case is the latest in the fight between pro-life and pro-abortion states over whether or not practitioners can mail mifepristone across state lines. For more about Napa Legal and our work, visit our website here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org For more of the Napa Legal podcast, visit our site here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcast For our latest episode discussing free speech in public schools: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/podcast-episodes/doj-asks-court-to-delay-lawsuit-against-mailing-abortion-pills-the-first-amendment-and-more Topics: Transgender ideology, Westchester county, first amendment, Pickering Connick test, Smith, neutral and generally applicable, religious discrimination, mail-order abortions. The Napa Legal Podcast, February 10, 2026. #firstamendment #freespeech #abortionpill #prolife

    33 min

  3. FEB 3

    DOJ Asks Court to Delay Lawsuit Against Mailing Abortion Pills, The First Amendment, and More

    Welcome to the Napa Legal Podcast, where we discuss religious liberty from the perspective of faith-based nonprofits. In this week's episode, Frank DeVito and Joseph Clement explain a lawsuit over mail-order abortions, free speech in public schools, and the public display of statues depicting two Catholic saints. In this episode, we discuss: 1:20 The Department of Justice's latest intervention in a lawsuit over whether or not doctors can mail abortion pills without any in-person visits. 9:41 A new petition to the Supreme Court from a high school Students for Life Chapter that was censored and shut down after posting event flyers. 20:23 A case before the Massachusetts Supreme Court over the city's attempt to install statues of Saints Michael and Florian to inspire first responders. For more about Napa Legal and our work, visit our website here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org For more of the Napa Legal podcast, visit our site here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcast For our episode discussing free speech in public schools: https: //www.napalegalinstitute.org/podcast-episodes/latest-scotus-oral-arguments-free-speech-win-in-schools-kim-davis-case-ends Topics: Mifepristone, misoprostol, Liz Murrill, Louisiana v. FDA, Department of Justice, Free Speech, First Amendment, Tinker, Hazelwood, Establishment Clause, John Adams, Church and State. The Napa Legal Podcast, February 3, 2026. #firstamendment #prolifemovement #legalnews

    28 min

  4. JAN 27

    New York Backs Down on Forcing Nuns to Fund Abortions | Pro-Life & SCOTUS News: January 27, 2026

    Welcome to the Napa Legal Podcast, where we discuss religious liberty from the perspective of faith-based nonprofits. In this week's episode, Frank DeVito and Joseph Clement explain new legal and policy updates involving New York's abortion mandate, the Church Autonomy Doctrine and COVID restrictions, and Illinois' abortion referral requirements. In this episode, we discuss: 1:23 New York's recent settlement with a group of Catholic nuns, Dioceses, and other churches over the state's requirement for religious organizations to pay for abortions in Albany v. Harris after a decade of litigation. 11:57 A cert petition from a church that was fined over $1 million for violating restrictions imposed during COVID-19 asking the Supreme Court to expand the Church Autonomy Doctrine and overturn Smith. 22:59 A letter from HHS explaining how Illinois' abortion referral requirement for all doctors violates federal law. For more about Napa Legal and our work, visit our website here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org For more of the Napa Legal podcast, visit our site here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcast For our recent episode featuring Andrea Picciotti-Bayer, visit us here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/podcast-episodes/religion-in-american-society-law-culture-and-freedom-with-guest-andrea-picciotti-bayer For our episode with Fr. Tad Pacholczyk, visit us here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/podcast-episodes/religious-freedom-in-healthcare-with-fr-tad-pacholczyk Topics: Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc. v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission, Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, abortion mandate, Free Exercise, Establishment of Religion, Establishment Clause, freedom of religion, religious liberty, ministerial exception, Tandon v. Newsom, abortion referral requirement, medical conscience rights. The Napa Legal Podcast, January 27 2026. #firstamendment #prolifemovement #legalnews

    32 min

  5. JAN 20

    Parental Rights, Women’s Sports, and Abortion: Supreme Court and State Law Updates (January 19 2026)

    Welcome to the Napa Legal Podcast, where we discuss religious liberty from the perspective of faith-based nonprofits. In this week's episode, Frank DeVito and Joseph Clement explain new legal and policy updates involving public schools that treat students as the opposite sex while lying to parents, women’s sports at the U.S. Supreme Court, and pro-life legislation. In this episode, we discuss: 1:43 An emergency appeal in a lawsuit against California's parental exclusion policy that instructs school staff to lie to parents about their interactions with students who struggle with gender dysphoria 17:27 Recent oral arguments in a set of cases before the US Supreme Court over state laws that ban men from competing in women's sports 31:37 Two pro-life laws currently working through the New Hampshire Legislature that protect parental and medical conscience rights For more about Napa Legal and our work, visit our website here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org For more of the Napa Legal podcast, visit our site here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcast Topics: Public schools, free exercise, First Amendment, Bonta v. Mirabelli, Little v. Hecox, West Virginia v. BPJ, pro-life. The Napa Legal Podcast, January 19 2026. #parentalrights #prolifemovement #legalnews

    43 min

  6. JAN 15

    Religion in American Society: Law, Culture, and Freedom | With Guest Andrea Picciotti-Bayer

    In this episode of the Napa Legal Podcast, we’re joined by Andrea Picciotti-Bayer to examine religious liberty, the First Amendment, and the role of faith-based nonprofits in American society today. We discuss why religious individuals and organizations must be free from government coercion to carry out their missions, and how protecting religious liberty benefits civil society and the most vulnerable among us. Key Moments: 0:50 Introduction and Andrea's work and background with the Conscience Project7:10 The inclusion of religion in public life and freedom from government coercion today12:08 Inclusion by exclusion: when poor policy hurts the most vulnerable15:40 The importance of stories and using faith to motivate heroism19:26 Originalism, the First Amendment, and the Founders' vision of religious liberty in education26:25 Responding to critics of protecting religious liberty31:05 What to watch for in the coming yearsCases Discussed - Trinity Lutheran v. Columbia- Carson v. Makin- Fulton v. City of Philadelphia- Kennedy v. Bremerton- Lemon v. Kurtzman- Dier v. Landry Key Quotation from Andrea: "Faith is not an intruder in public life; it’s a part of our civic DNA." For more of the Napa Legal Podcast, visit our website here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcast To learn more about Napa Legal and our work, visit us at our website: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org The Napa Legal Podcast, January 15, 2026

    37 min

  7. JAN 13

    Courts Decide the Scope of the First Amendment, and Why Abortion Isn't Healthcare: January 12, 2025

    Welcome to the Napa Legal Podcast, where we discuss religious liberty from the perspective of faith-based nonprofits. In this week's episode, Frank DeVito and Joseph Clement discuss the following updates: 1:35 The 9th Circuit's novel expansion of the Church Autonomy Doctrine to provide greater protection for religious organizations when making hiring decisions; 19:18 A case currently pending before the Supreme Court that could clarify when/how individuals whose First Amendment rights have been violated by the government can go to court; 29:32 The Wyoming Supreme Court's recent ruling against the state's abortion bans and how it fails both the state's and natural laws. For more of the Napa Legal Podcast, visit our website here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcast For more about Napa Legal and our work, visit out site here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/ Topics: - Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses - Freedom of Religion - Section 1983 - Abortion and abortion pill bans - Is Abortion Healthcare? The Napa Legal Podcast, January 12, 2025

    43 min

  8. JAN 5

    Does the Government Have to Fund Abortions? Religious Liberty & Federal Law Updates: January 6 2025

    Welcome to the Napa Legal Podcast, where we discuss religious liberty from the perspective of faith-based nonprofits. In this week's episode, Frank DeVito and Joseph Clement discuss the follow updates: 1:38 The latest ruling against Planned Parenthood's attempt to force Congress to provide the nation's largest abortion provider with taxpayer dollars; 12:31 The reinstatement of the Department of Veterans' Affairs near-total abortion ban; 21:41 Religious discrimination in federal rural development projects. Topics Covered Planned ParenthoodBig Beautiful BillMedicaid FundingThe Fiction of Medically Necessary AbortionsRural Development ProjectsThe Economic and Civic Impact of Small Town ChurchesTo learn more about our work, visit our website at: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/ For more of the Napa Legal Podcast, visit our site at:https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcast The Napa Legal Podcast, January 6, 2026

    32 min
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About

Listen to Napa Legal's Senior Counsel and Director of Content Frank DeVito discuss key legal and policy updates relevant to faith-based nonprofits with Joseph Clement each week.

Information

  • Creator
    Napa Legal Institute
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    72
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Napa Legal Institute
  • Show Website
    The Napa Legal Podcast