In this episode, Brad Rourke interviews two of the nation’s most respected legal minds, Judge J. Michael Luttig and former Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, who played key roles in the bipartisan American Bar Association (ABA) Task Force for American Democracy. This task force, which was cochaired by Luttig and included O’Connor and Kettering Fanning Fellow Judy Woodruff, released a sobering report on August 2, 2024, on the state of democracy in the United States, emphasizing the unique responsibility of legal professionals in shoring up democracy.

Luttig and O’Connor discuss the critical role of lawyers and judges in safeguarding democratic principles amidst rising threats such as misinformation, polarization, and political violence. They suggest specific actions lawyers can take such as voting, volunteering, and becoming active democracy leaders in their communities. This episode highlights the essential contributions of the legal community in the fight to protect democracy as the 2024 elections approach.

For more on the ABA Task Force.

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Special thanks to Jamaal Bell, Tayo Clyburn, Melinda Gilmore, Kenny McGuane, and Sarah Murphy. Production by Laxamana Media.