Making the Case: A Podcast from the Tennessee Attorney General's Office

Making the Case is a podcast produced by the Tennessee Attorney General's Office. Episodes are available in Apple Podcasts and other hosting platforms and available for playback here or on the Tennessee Attorney General's Office YouTube channel.

Season 2, Episode 4:  Meet Jonathan Skrmetti, the Tennessee Attorney General
General Jonathan Skrmetti talks about the path to becoming the 29th Attorney General of Tennessee and his priorities while in office. 

Season 2, Episode 3:  Top Ten Consumer Complaint Categories in 2021
2021 saw a nearly 40 percent increase in consumer complaints. Division of Consumer Affairs Director Claire Marsalis walks us through the top complaint categories and how you can protect yourself. 

Season 2, Episode 2:  The Story Behind Dunn v Blumstein, 50 years after it changed voting in Tennessee
Voting rights in Tennessee changed when a young lawyer - new to Nashville- convinced the U.S. Supreme Court that the state's residency requirements were unconstitutional. Vanderbilt Law Professor James Blumstein takes us back to 1970 when he challenged Tennessee state law and found himself arguing the case- his first-before the United States Supreme Court. The Court's 6-1 ruling in his favor was announced 50 years ago on March 21, 1972.
James Blumstein | Faculty | Law School | Vanderbilt University

Season 2, Episode 1:  Fighting for Justice a first hand account of the 1960 Nashville sit ins
Bobby Richey (second from right) was in high school when he joined the movement to end segregation in Nashville restaurants and stores. In this episode of Making the Case he takes us back to 1960 when he participated in the protest at lunch counters downtown. Richey was arrested- an event that changed the course of his life.  Joined by his daughter, Stephanie Richey, an investigator with the Tennessee Attorney General's Office, the two discuss the generational impact of the civil rights movement on Nashville, the nation, and their family.

Season 1, Episode 17:  Opioids: How Funding and Services can abate the crisis in Tennessee
If a $26 billion settlement agreement with major opioid distributors and Johnson & Johnson goes through, Tennessee could see $613 million for abating the opioid crisis state-wide.  Marie Williams, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services,  along with lead attorneys from the Tennessee Attorney General's Office, talk about the historic effort to reach a settlement and how these funds can make a life-changing difference for Tennesseans moving forward.

Season 1, Episode 16:  Helping crime victims and their families outside the courtroom
For families of crime victims and victims themselves, the judicial system can be confusing, disheartening, and frustrating. Sierra Ragland and Tracy Taylor go beyond what the law requires, fully informing, guiding, and comforting family members through the stages of the criminal appeals process.

Season 1, Episode 15:  Answering the Call to Serve
In this special Veterans Day episode,  Assistant Attorney General Tessa Ortiz-Marsh shares her story of military service and how it relates to the practice of public law.

Season 1, Episode 14:  Crypto Consumer Warning
The Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) within the Office of the Tennessee Attorney General is investigating complaints about recruitment schemes offered by various Bitcoin websites.   The complaints coincide with an uptick in companies claiming to use artificial intelligence and Bitcoin to maximize returns on investment. These companies offer money for every additional investor you recruit.  Assistant Attorney General Tate Ball tells us what the Tennessee Attorney General's Office can do and what you should look for to avoid falling for a similar scheme.

Season 1, Episode 13:  Constitution Day
September 17th is Constitution Day. This federal holiday commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. As we all learned in high school civics class, the Constitution defines the structure of our federal government. It is the most remarkable political charter in history. In this episode with Tennessee Appeals Court Judge Andy Bennett, learn who wrote the most famous words in the Preamble: We the People. Hint- it wasn't James Madison.
www.constitutioncenter.org
www.archives.gov

Season 1, Episode 12:  Preventing Youth Suicide through The Jason Foundation
How a national organization that started in Hendersonville, Tennessee is helping reduce youth suicide- the second leading cause of death for teenagers.  Former Attorney General Paul Summers tells Making the Case how he first got involved with The Jason Foundation and how the National Association of Attorneys General plays an active role in helping save lives.

Season 1, Episode 11:  You bought a ticket to see Elvis. You can still get a refund.
Several concerts had been scheduled in Tennessee before Elvis Presley's untimely death on August 16th, 1977.  A court battle ensued over how to handle unclaimed ticket refunds.  One of the attorneys who handled the case on appeal, Deputy Larry Lewis, tells Making the Case what happened and why you can still get a refund.

Season 1, Episode 10:  The TN Solicitor General's Office Honors Fellows Program
A recent law school graduate describes what it’s like to work in the Solicitor General's Office (OSG) where some of the most high profile cases are managed. 

Apply here: Tennessee OSG Honors Fellowship

Season 1, Episode 9:  Capital Punishment and the Role of the TN Attorney General's Office Part 2
Capital punishment is the most severe penalty that can be imposed in our criminal justice system. The General Assembly has established many procedures and layers of review to provide intensive scrutiny before a death sentence is carried out. At each stage of the process, there are both constitutional and statutory mandates to be followed. Associate Solicitors General Amy Tarkington and Zach Hinkle along with Leslie Price, Senior Deputy of the Criminal Justice Section, walk us through that process.

Season 1, Episode 8:  Capital Punishment and the Role of the TN Attorney General's Office Part 1
One of the hardest of most misunderstood roles of the Attorney General in Tennessee involves defending death penalty judgments in the State’s appellate courts. Solicitor General Amy Tarkington takes us through the history of death penalty cases in Tennessee starting with the significance of the 1971 Supreme Court decision , Furman v. Georgia.

Season 1, Episode 7:   "Impeachment, Tennessee style" Part 3
Investigators in Hamilton County recently closed a cold murder case with ties to former Tennessee Governor Ray Blanton. Senator Lamar Alexander, political strategist Tom Ingram, and attorney Hal Hardin discuss the depth of criminal activity uncovered in the Blanton administration and how the "Coup" of 1979, which effectively ousted Blanton, impacted Tennessee decades later.

Season 1, Episode 6:  "Impeachment, Tennessee style" Part 2
The question before Tennessee Attorney General William Leech was straight forward but fraught with problems. Could the Governor-elect, Lamar Alexander, be sworn into office early to prevent the release of dozens of dangerous criminals from prison under the administration of the outgoing Governor, Ray Blanton? As the story continues, hear how AG Leech made it through what's been called the "toughest 36 hours of any Tennessee Attorney General" as Leech argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, raced to the bedside of his wife who was giving birth to their son, then right into the firestorm of the pardons and parole scandal.

Season 1, Episode 5:  "Impeachment, Tennessee style" Part 1
“Impeachment, Tennessee style”- That's what former Lt. Governor John Wilder called the unceremonious removal of Governor Ray Blanton from office three days early in 1979.  Senator Lamar Alexander, attorney Hal Hardin, and political consultant Tom Ingram take us through the harrowing hours of Tennessee's biggest political scandal, the critical role played by the Tennessee Attorney General, and the bipartisan collaboration that made it all possible.

Season 1, Episode 4:  Tennessee to President Biden: We need to talk
In a letter to President Biden dated July 7th, Tennessee and 20 other states oppose new guidance recently issued by federal education and employment agencies.  Chief Deputy Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti explains what federal guidance means, how it can be misinterpreted, and the landmark Supreme Court case that's driving the debate.

Season 1, Episode 3:  The United States Supreme Court. Why Keep Nine?
There are nine justices on the United States Supreme Court. But it hasn't always been that way. Former Tennessee Attorney General Paul Summers weighs in on the debate to increase the number of justices and why he's working to "keep nine" through a constitutional amendment.

Season 1, Episode 2:  Consumer Protection
Robocalls, price gouging, home improvement scams. The Division of Consumer Affairs in the Attorney General's Office can help with the day-to-day problems that touch all of our lives. From the complaint center to filing legal action we'll take you through the process and tell you about the top consumer complaints in Tennessee- and how to get help if you've been scammed. 

Season 1, Episode 1:  Meet Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III
The State of Tennessee gets sued multiple times a day. Who defends it? The Attorney General's Office. Meet the current Attorney General and Reporter, Herbert H. Slatery III, who takes us through the most unique and challenging aspects of leading the law firm for the state. What are the biggest challenges? Opportunities? How do you say his last name? He answers it all in this inaugural episode of Making the Case.