Join NYCLA Amicus Curiae: Candid Conversations with host Daniel K. Wiig for our latest episode. On the heels of the upcoming mayoral election, we sit down with nationally recognized trial lawyer and former independent mayoral candidate Jim Walden for a candid conversation about leadership, civic engagement, policy, and the challenges of public life in New York City. Drawing from his experiences in the political arena, Jim offers perspectives on community impact, and lessons learned along the way.

Recording Note:

This episode was recorded before Jim Walden concluded his campaign for NYC Mayor. While he is no longer a candidate, the discussion offers lasting perspectives on leadership, civic engagement, and public service.

NYCLA is presenting this solely as part of an educational forum for our listeners to learn about the candidates running for election in 2025. NYCLA does not endorse, support, or oppose any political candidate, and we have extended invitations to all candidates for Mayor to appear on and participate in this series on an equal basis. The views expressed here are those of the guest and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of NYCLA, its affiliates, members, officers, or board.

In this episode of our Manhattan District Attorney Candidate Conversations series, host Daniel K. Wiig speaks with Diana Florence. Diana shares her experience, approach to criminal justice, and the priorities and challenges she would address if elected as Manhattan District Attorney.

As a reminder to our listeners, NYCLA is presenting this episode as an educational forum for our listeners to learn about Diana Florence's candidacy. NYCLA does not endorse any political candidate, and we have extended invitations to all candidates for Manhattan District Attorney to appear on this series.

All candidates were invited to be interviewed as a part of this educational series. The views expressed here are those of the guest and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of NYCLA, its affiliates, members, officers, or board.

About Diana Florence

In the first episode of NYCLA Amicus Curiae's Manhattan District Attorney candidate series, host Daniel K. Wiig speaks with Maud Maron. Maud discusses her professional background, priorities for the Manhattan District Attorney's office, and views on the challenges facing our justice system.

As a reminder to our listeners, NYCLA is presenting this episode as an educational forum for our listeners to learn about Maud Maron's candidacy. NYCLA does not endorse any political candidate, and we have extended invitations to all candidates for Manhattan District Attorney to appear on this series.

All candidates were invited to be interviewed as a part of this educational series.

The views expressed here are those of the guest and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of NYCLA, its affiliates, members, officers, or board.

About Maud Maron

On this episode of NYCLA Amicus Curiae: Candidly Speaking, host Daniel K. Wiig revisits the O.J. Simpson trial nearly thirty years after the verdict that captured the world's attention. The discussion explores how the case reshaped public understanding of justice, race, media, and the legal system.

Daniel is joined by three guests whose expertise and experience bring the trial into sharp focus: trial consultant Richard Gabriel, law professor and former Fox News legal editor Professor Stanley Goldman, and defense attorney Shawn Holley, a member of Simpson's original "Dream Team." Together, they examine the key players, the strategies on both sides, the LAPD's handling of the investigation, and the early use of DNA evidence.

The conversation also asks whether a case of this magnitude could unfold the same way today. Inside the Trial offers a clear, compelling look at the trial that defined a generation and the lessons it continues to hold for the justice system three decades later.

Faith, Freedom, and Free Speech: The Jimmy Lai Story with Father Robert A. Sirico

In this very special episode of the NYCLA Amicus Curiae podcast, host Daniel K. Wiig sits down with Father Robert A. Sirico to discuss the extraordinary story of Jimmy Lai.

Throughout history, freedom has been at the heart of humanity's greatest struggles. Who has the right to punish? Should people be punished for assembly, for religious belief, for freedom of the press, or for dissent against ruling powers? And if freedom requires sacrifice, is it truly freedom at all?

Father Sirico shares the powerful dissent of Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong media tycoon and political figure whose pro-democracy advocacy brought him into direct conflict with China's National Security Law. Their conversation explores Lai's personal and moral courage, the choices he made, and the sacrifices required of those who dare to defend free expression in Hong Kong.

This story deserves our attention because it reveals the dangers of suppressing freedom, or living under only the façade of it, in today's political and social landscape.

About our Guest

Father Robert A. Sirico is an American Catholic priest, President Emeritus and co-founder of the Acton Institute, a think tank dedicated to promoting a "free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles." He is a frequent contributor to national and international discussions on religion, politics, economics, and culture, with writings published in outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, and The Financial Times. He has also provided commentary for major media outets, including CNN, ABC, the BBC, NPR, and CBS' 60 Minutes.

Further Resources

• The Hong Konger: Jimmy Lai's Extraordinary Struggle for Freedom (Documentary) – Watch on YouTube
• The Call of the Entrepreneur (Documentary) – Watch on YouTube | Also available on Prime

The views expressed here are those of the guest and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of NYCLA, its affiliates, members, officers, or board.

We're busting myths and breaking down the job search process with hiring insider Lauren McDonald, founder of Lauren McDonald Consulting. In this candid conversation, we strip away the fluff, expose outdated advice, and offer real strategies for landing your next role.

Lauren joins NYCLA Amicus Curiae host Daniel K. Wiig for a no-holds-barred discussion on ghost job posts, the LinkedIn job hunt, HR gatekeeping, resume writers—and the one attribute that trumps all others when trying to get hired.

If you're navigating a job search, this episode is your shortcut to smarter strategies and honest insights you won't hear anywhere else. Don't miss it.

Connect with our guest: Lauren McDonald.

Check out our latest episode of the NYCLA Amicus Curiae Podcast with host Daniel K. Wiig: Constitutional Dialogues: Critically Examining the Narratives, Debates, and the Structure of Power with Constitutional Expert Ilya Shapiro. Our guest, Ilya Shapiro, is a senior fellow and director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute. Ilya's past roles include serving as executive director and senior lecturer at the Georgetown Center for the Constitution, and prior to that, vice president of the Cato Institute. Mr. Shapiro sat down with Dan to provide critical insights and break through the noise to provide facts on the state of the governmental landscape as it relates to the Constitution. We're talking about tariffs, immigration, executive orders, and lawsuits. This is an episode you do not want to miss!

More information on Ilya Shapiro.

The New York County Lawyers Association s proud to present its latest episode: Promoting Common Sense and the Freedom to Take Responsibility: A Discussion with Attorney Philip K. Howard. Our host Daniel K. Wiig sat down with Mr. Howard to discuss the ideas of common good, human agency, common sense government, and personal responsibility in the age of big government.

Philip K. Howard is a New York Times bestselling author, lawyer, and advocate to simplify government and restore individual responsibility. Beginning with his book The Death of Common Sense in 1995, Philip has written about the central role of human responsibility in a functioning government—the freedom to make timely choices, and to be accountable for them. In 2002, he formed Common Good, a nonpartisan coalition to champion these ideas. Mr. Howard's 2010 TED Talk has been viewed by more than 750,000 people. His 2015 report, "Two Years, Not Ten Years: Redesigning Infrastructure Approvals" exposed the economic and environmental costs of delayed infrastructure approvals, and its proposals have since been incorporated into federal law. Philip has appeared often on television and radio. A graduate of Yale College and the University of Virginia Law School, he is presently Senior Counsel at the law firm Covington & Burling, LLP

More About Our Guest Philip K. Howard.