This class is a comprehensive de-briefing of the law. Starting with ethics, we review the crazy predicaments some ethically-challenged attorneys have found themselves in. You will have to decide based on the severity of the facts and the relevant model rule, would you take a deal for that violation. While Hollywood might not be setting the finest examples when it comes to actual morals and ethics, they do a good job of exhibiting legal ethics. We will explore the Model Rules through the eyes of Hollywood. From Hollywood, it’s not a long journey to our legal rock stars – the Nine! The Supreme Court, aka, the Real League of Justice, has been busy exerting their super hero legal powers. We will review recent landmark Supreme Court cases, tackling the biggest issues like religious rights (Fulton v. City of Philadelphia), the death of Obamacare (California v. Texas), the free speech of cursing teenagers (Mahanoy Area School District), and more! Finally, we will take a countdown of the Top 10 Wacky cases, including the latest legal headlines like #FreeBritney, Bill Cosby’s release, the Door Dash lawyer, and a spaghetti noodle assault. You might be surprised what you will learn about legal strategy from these headline cases.

On the Agenda:

• Breaking down the legal fiascoes in the #FreeBritney saga.
• A Door Dashing PA prosecutor gets demoted for his side job – What’s ethical?
• Mahanoy Area School District – Can a cheerleader be suspended for dropping the F-bomb on Snapchat?
• The collision of religion and culture in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia.
• How the Court protected Facebook stalking and catfishing on Match.com in Van Buren v. United States.
• NCAA, Obamacare, Bill Cosby, & so much more!

About Joel Oster:

Joel is a seasoned litigator and regular speaker to attorneys and non-attorneys alike.  He currently is in private practice in Kansas City, specializing in constitutional litigation, campaign finance, sports law and appellate advocacy.  He previously served as senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom at its Kansas City Regional Service Center. While at ADF, he was counsel for the Town of Greece, New York in the landmark case Galloway v. Greece.  Joel argued the case before the United States District Court for the Western District of New York and the Second Circuit, and was part of the legal team presenting the case to the U.S. Supreme Court where they successfully defended the Town against a challenge to its practice of opening its sessions with an invocation.

Oster regularly litigates First Amendment issues.  As lead counsel in Freedom from Religion Foundation v. Obama, Oster skillfully defended the constitutionality of the National Day of Prayer against an Establishment Clause challenge. Before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, he successfully defended the right of an organization to have a pro-life specialty license plate in Missouri in Roach v. Stouffer. In Wigg v. Sioux Falls School District, he successful represented an elementary school teacher in obtaining equal access to school facilities after contract time after she was denied that right based on the viewpoint of her speech. In addition, Oster has defended various churches based on the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, against discriminatory zoning codes and regulations. Oster also has defended various individuals, corporations, and political committees against discriminatory and unconstitutional campaign finance regulations.  

Joel has also spoken to thousands of attorneys across the United States and has learned from their successful and unsuccessful legal practices. Joel brings this practical perspective to all his seminars.

Oster earned his J.D. in 1997 from the University of Kansas School of Law. Oster is admitted to the bar in Kansas, Missouri, Florida, and numerous federal courts.

Joel is a seasoned litigator and regular speaker to attorneys and non-attorneys alike. He currently is in private practice in Kansas City, specializing in constitutional litigation, campaign finance, sports law, and appellate advocacy. 

Recorded in April 2022.