American Law Cafe
American Law Cafe: Exploring the Foundations of Law
Welcome to the American Law Cafe, your go-to podcast for breaking down the basics of fundamental law courses. Whether you're a current law student preparing for exams or a legal enthusiast eager to dive into the world of law concepts from contracts to criminal procedure and torts, this podcast simplifies complex legal principles into clear, engaging discussions. Join us each week as we unpack landmark cases, key doctrines, and real-world applications, making the law accessible and interesting for everyone passionate about justice and the rule of law.
Disclaimer: This podcast features originally owned content created by a human, generated with the assistance of AI tools, and carefully reviewed and edited by a human to ensure accuracy and quality. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you need legal advice or assistance finding a lawyer, the Tennessee State Bar Association offers free lawyer referrals. You can find more information here: https://www.tba.org/?pg=find-an-attorney.
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Episodes
51 episodes
🎙️Criminal Law Final Review: Elements, Offenses & Defenses Recap – What to Know for the Exam
In this episode, we review the essentials of Criminal Law — from core principles to major defenses — to help you ace your final.Part 1 – Foundations of Criminal LawFelonies vs. Misdemeanors: Based on possible se...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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44:51
🎙️ CivPro Midterm Review: Jurisdiction, Venue & Removal Recap
🎙️ Civil Procedure Spotlight: Jurisdiction, Venue & Removal Explained – How Courts Decide Who Can Hear the Case (and Where It Belongs)In this episode, we break down how courts get authority over a case — and how defendants can...
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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53:59
Property Law Spotlight: Mine, Yours, or Ours? Understanding Concurrent Ownership
🎙️ Property Law Spotlight: Mine, Yours, or Ours? Understanding Concurrent OwnershipIn this episode of American Law Café, we unpack concurrent ownership—the ways two or more people can own the same property at the s...
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Season 6
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Episode 5
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19:26
The Long Arm of the Law – How Courts Reach Out to Out-of-State Defendants (CIVPRO Long Arm Statutes)
🎙️ Civil Procedure Spotlight: The Long Arm of the Law – How Courts Reach Out to Out-of-State DefendantsIn this episode of American Law Café, we unpack long-arm statutes—the state laws that allow courts to “reach ou...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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13:12
CIVPRO Spotlight: Removal and Remand Explained - How Defendants Get From State to Federal Court
🎙️ Civil Procedure Spotlight: Removal and Remand Explained - How Defendants Get From State to Federal CourtIn this episode, we focus on the rules for removing a case from state to federal court—how defendants can transfer a ...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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17:07
Presumptions in Evidence Law: FRE 301 and 302
🎙️ Podcast Summary – Presumptions in EvidenceIn this episode of American Law Café, we unpack how the Federal Rules of Evidence deal with presumptions, focusing on the Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE) 301 and 302<...
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Season 7
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Episode 4
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13:10
Torts Negligence and Proof: The Thing Speaks for itself (Res Ipsa Loquitur)
🎙️ Podcast Post: Negligence and the Doctrine of Res Ipsa LoquiturThis episode unpacks the foundations of negligence law and explores the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur—a powerful but limited tool that lets juries infer neg...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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13:10
Ripeness, Mootness and Political Question in Constitutional Law (Justiciability Doctrines)
🎙️ American Law CaféIn this episode of American Law Café, we unpack three core justiciability doctrines—ripeness, mootness, and the political question doctrine. These doctrines don’t decide who wins or loses; inste...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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20:38
Where You Can be Sued: Unpacking Personal Jurisdiction
In this episode of American Law Café, we unpack the evolution of personal jurisdiction—how courts decide where a defendant can be sued. Personal jurisdiction doesn’t decide who wins; it decides which court has the power<...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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45:02
Jurisdiction 101: How Federal Question Jurisdiction Really Works
In this episode of American Law Café, we unpack the rules of federal question jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §1331 and why they’re central to subject matter jurisdiction in federal courts. Federal courts don’t hear every case—they o...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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24:00
Neutral Ground: Understanding Diversity Jurisdiction
In this episode of American Law Café, we unpack the rules of diversity jurisdiction—one of the two major gateways into federal court. Diversity jurisdiction isn’t about deciding the merits of a case; it’s about deciding where<...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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18:23
Judicial Notice 101: What Judges Can Assume — And What They Can’t (Federal Rules of Evidence 201 and 202 Explained)
🎙️ In this episode we’re mastering Judicial Notice under Rules 201 & 202 so you know what courts can accept without proof—and what they can’t.This episode covers how judges notice adjudicative facts (201) and ...
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Season 7
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Episode 3
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38:49
Judicial Gatekeeping to Rule of Completeness (Understanding the Federal Rules of Evidence 104–106)
🎙️ Welcome to Season 7 of American Law Café—today we’re mastering the four rules that win evidentiary fights and protect your appeal.This episode focuses on FRE 103–106: how to preserve error, how judges gatekeep evi...
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Season 7
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Episode 2
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26:38
Evidence 101: Silence Can Cost You the Case (Federal Rules of Evidence 101-103)
🎙️ Welcome to Season 7 of American Law Café, where we’re breaking down the foundation of courtroom evidence!The Federal Rules of Evidence open with Rules 101–106 — the ground rules that shape when evidence rules apply, ...
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Season 7
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Episode 1
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19:00
Property Law: Beyond the Fence — The Right to Exclude & Squatters’ Rights
Welcome to Season 6 of American Law Café, where we’ll explore the world of Property Law! Property isn’t just about land—it’s about power, rights, and fairness. From the right to keep others off your property to the...
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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58:52
ConLaw_The Birth of Judicial Review and Tools for Constitutional Interpretation
🎙️ In this episode of Constitutional Law, we set the stage for one of the most powerful—and controversial—features of our legal system: judicial review.⚖️ The Most Consequential Election: The year is 1800, and the...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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46:56
Civil Procedure Unlocked: How Lawsuits Really Work
In this episode of American Law Café, we kick off Season 5 by unpacking why Civil Procedure is the backbone of civil justice. CivPro isn’t about deciding who’s right or wrong—it’s the rulebook for how rights are enforced: where ...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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44:58
When Force Is (and Isn’t) Legal Part 1: Defenses to Intentional Torts
In this episode of American Law Café, we break down the legal defenses that can save a defendant from liability—even when all the elements of an intentional tort are proven. From mistakes and consent to self-defense and defense of othe...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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27:04
When Force Is (and Isn’t) Legal Part 2: Defenses to Intentional Torts
In this episode of American Law Café, we unpack the most important defenses to intentional torts—including when the law allows you to use force, and when it doesn’t. From consent and self-defense to necessity and mechanical traps, we e...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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20:15
ConLaw_Part 2: From Revolution to Republic: Blueprint of a Nation
🎙️ In this episode of American Law Café, we move from Revolution to Republic, tracing how America transitioned from a victorious rebellion to a unified federal nation. We’ll unpack the Treaty of Paris, the drafting and...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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32:50
ConLaw_Part 1: From Columbus to Congress: How the Revolution Began
🎙️ In this episode of American Law Café, we zoom out to explore the centuries-long journey that gave rise to the U.S. Constitution. Before clauses were drafted or rights declared, there was conquest, colonization, rebellion, and failure....
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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19:51
Torts: IIED, False Imprisonment and Conversion
In this episode, we explore three powerful tort doctrines shaping personal injury law in Tennessee and Alabama: Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED), False Imprisonment, and Conversion. From shocking hospital...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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21:48
Torts, Intent, and Context: Understanding Liability for Assault, Battery, and Negligence
In this episode of American Law Cafe, we break down how courts interpret intent and context in tort law—specifically in cases involving assault, battery, and negligence. Using four compelling cases, we explore how leg...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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16:28
Torts: Damages Explained—Compensatory, Punitive, and Consortium in Tennessee
🎙️ Understanding Damages in Tennessee Civil CasesThis episode explores how Tennessee law defines and limits damages in civil litigation, including compensatory, punitive, and consortium damages. We examine the key standards courts use to...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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39:01
Final Exam Ready: 5 Torts Essay Hypos Every 1L Should Master
📚 Episode Summary: It’s finals season, and we’ve got your 1L torts essay prep covered.In this episode of American Law Café, we walk through five realistic essay-style fact patterns, each one modeled after the t...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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19:22