171 episodes

Strict Scrutiny is a podcast about the United States Supreme Court and the legal culture that surrounds it.
The show is hosted by three women, Leah Litman, Kate Shaw and Melissa Murray, who are three law professors, but they’re also swimmers, mothers (of humans and dogs), and celebrity gossip enthusiasts. They’re women who’ve practiced before and write about the Court in their professional lives. They have a different voice–one that celebrates the contributions and opinions of women and people of color. They provide intelligent and in-depth legal analysis alongside their unvarnished, respectfully irreverent takes. And they want to do it in a way that is accessible to a variety of listeners, including Supreme Court regulars, lawyers, law students, and members of the public who are looking for a window into the Court’s decisions, as well as its culture, personalities, and folkways.
The hosts think SCOTUS is serious business—but they don’t take ourselves or the Court too seriously. They’ve got hot takes, jokes, and a lot to say.

Strict Scrutiny Crooked Media

    • Government
    • 4.7 • 1.3K Ratings

Strict Scrutiny is a podcast about the United States Supreme Court and the legal culture that surrounds it.
The show is hosted by three women, Leah Litman, Kate Shaw and Melissa Murray, who are three law professors, but they’re also swimmers, mothers (of humans and dogs), and celebrity gossip enthusiasts. They’re women who’ve practiced before and write about the Court in their professional lives. They have a different voice–one that celebrates the contributions and opinions of women and people of color. They provide intelligent and in-depth legal analysis alongside their unvarnished, respectfully irreverent takes. And they want to do it in a way that is accessible to a variety of listeners, including Supreme Court regulars, lawyers, law students, and members of the public who are looking for a window into the Court’s decisions, as well as its culture, personalities, and folkways.
The hosts think SCOTUS is serious business—but they don’t take ourselves or the Court too seriously. They’ve got hot takes, jokes, and a lot to say.

    The Inner Life of Coach Kavanaugh

    The Inner Life of Coach Kavanaugh

    Leah, Kate, and Melissa bring you a jam-packed show recapping news, arguments, and opinions from the Supreme Court in the past couple weeks. Recaps include "the praying coach case," aka Kennedy v. Bremerton School District [10:26], Shoop v. Twyford [45:27], and Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta [50:05]. We also do some math trying to figure out who might-- or might not-- have the still-to-come opinion in Dobbs [57:21], and get out the kleenex for the Chief Justice's teary tribute to Justice Breyer [1:06:44].
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    • 1 hr 13 min
    Coup, But Make It Look Legal

    Coup, But Make It Look Legal

    Kate's off glamping, so Leah and Melissa are left to their own devices to recap SCOTUS news [1:37], arguments from the first week in the April sitting [27:09], and fresh opinions [54:00]. Plus, a new game: X-Treme Textualism.
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    • 1 hr 5 min
    The Non-Existent Establishment Clause

    The Non-Existent Establishment Clause

    Leah, Kate, and Melissa catch up on SCOTUS news (including more shadow docket activity and shady Thomas behavior) [1:04] and preview the cases the Supreme Court will hear in their last sitting of the term [35:54]. The justices will be going out with a bang, hearing cases about veteran benefits, Miranda warnings, immigration, and of course, religious liberty.
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    • 1 hr 1 min
    Justice on the Brink

    Justice on the Brink

    Melissa interviews Linda Greenhouse about her new book, Justice on the Brink: The Death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Rise of Amy Coney Barrett, and Twelve Months That Transformed the Supreme Court. This conversation was originally a live, virtual event from the Brennen Center for Justice, produced in part­ner­ship with New York University’s John Brademas Center.
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    • 52 min
    Light Conspiracy Theories

    Light Conspiracy Theories

    Leah and Kate catch up on all SCOTUS-related "antics" that happened in March-- including the latest in Ginni Thomas news [00:55], opinions [25:06], oral arguments [40:23], and non-Thomas-related news [52:56].
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    • 1 hr
    Backwards and in High Heels

    Backwards and in High Heels

    Leah, Kate, and Melissa watched all the confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson-- so you don't have to. Here's our recap of the best, worst, and weirdest moments throughout four days of questioning.
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    • 1 hr 22 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
1.3K Ratings

1.3K Ratings

Sassy sandyg ,

Makes me wanna go to law school

To be as smart, insightful and enjoy talking about the drama in and around the world of SCOTUS

jdsaladfingers ,

Now THAT’S radio!

New segment where they just list off people you’ve never heard of who have recently been appointed to the bench is 🔥

Cwoowc ,

Extremely informative

Love it. Can’t always hear Kate though, which is frustrating bc I love what she says.

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