Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

“Meme the shit out of these guys (and Amy)—they deserve it.”

This book presents a series of Supreme Court Decisions post The Warren Court which demonstrate the Supreme Courts Bad Vibes™️

It parallels each topic and its various cases with a pop culture film or television show such as Mean Girls (the Court doesn’t want LBGTQ+ folk to sit with them) or Game of Thrones (winter is coming for voting rights).

I would probably rate this a 3.75 out of 5.

Pros:
There are many aspects of this book I enjoyed. It did bring legalese down to a level I think the average layman could parse out for the most part. It was fun tonally through its pop culture references, inside jokes, and parenthetical asides.

It was also incredibly well researched. There are (I counted) 969 unique sources used for this book, many of which are quoted directly in the text. 82 pages of notes. (I checked a few out to make sure direct quotes were direct…they are). Litman lets the Supreme Court literally speak for itself and the evidence is damning.

I think the ending call to action was solid as well. Vote. Make your choice heard. Be active in your local community/elections. We do have power as the people and we need to remember that.

Cons:
I think there are a few times Litman let the desire to be funny get in the way of her arguments. There were several times she refuted a conservative court choice by saying in a parenthetical “(because of course they did)” which really is a cop out, and stops the development of some of her important counter claims. I understand the goal was to be the cool girl, but it was laid on a little thick at times. That’s really my only complaint though.

There were some unavoidably dry moments. This is a nonfiction legal text after all. So the back and forth from pop culture or legalese wasn’t always solid.

Disclaimer:
As anyone who has been through my Goodreads knows, I vote left. My political beliefs align with the left. So I am already in a position to agree with Litman on her arguments. People who vote left will love it and people who vote right will hate it. I’m certain Litman is aware of this. I genuinely don’t think this is meant to sway people left, and I don’t think that will be the result for any conservative voter who reads it.

What a crucial read at this particular flashpoint in our democracy. This is a really palatable and accessible breakdown of the Supreme Court and it's downfalls that utilizes pop culture references to address the myriad of ways that our country is in the control of six bad actors in the Supreme Court. While I personally found the pop culture references a little much (some of them were stretched to their limits to fit the moment), I can see how for a more casual consumer of news about the judiciary might appreciate the references.

I will also say - this book suffers from what a lot of nonfiction from podcast hosts does, specifically a very clear bias where there's almost no page space devoted to mistakes on the other side of the aisle. I am a card-carrying Democrat, but I do believe that there was a way to bring up some of the moments where Democractic leadership or representatives at best fell short of preventing these disasters and at worst participated in them. There could have been a real honest interrogation of how, exactly, we let Mitch McConnell complete negate President Obama's ability to nominate a justice. Where was the outrage from the left? Where was Chuck Schumer? There has to be some accountability taken, because much of this didn't happen in a vacuum. (This WAS touched upon in the section on LGBTQ+ rights, given that Clinton passed multiple Acts that discriminated against queer folks; I just wish it had been more present throughout.

All told, this is a really important book for our chilling times. 4.5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Lawless is compelling and thought-provoking as an exploration of the often hidden and arbitrary nature of legal decision-making in the United States. Litman, a legal scholar, delves into the ways in which the law is frequently shaped by unspoken rules, biases, and systemic flaws that may not always align with the ideals of justice, fairness, or equality. She clearly knows her stuff.

The book offers an accessible yet deeply analytical look at how legal processes unfold behind closed doors, often beyond the reach of public scrutiny. The author dissects the practices and power dynamics that influence judicial decision-making, showing how judges, lawyers, and politicians can manipulate or bypass legal norms for political or personal gain. She brings to light the stark contrasts between the idealized vision of justice in the U.S. legal system and the reality that those who wield power are able to shape outcomes in ways that often defy accountability.

Litman’s writing is clear, engaging, and educational, breaking down complex legal principles for a general audience without sacrificing depth or insight. She uses real-world examples to illustrate the subtle yet pervasive ways in which laws and rulings are often influenced by extrajudicial forces. Her criticism of legal practices is both sharp and empathetic, acknowledging the human costs of a system that often fails those who are most vulnerable.

The book also examines how these hidden rules perpetuate inequality, especially for marginalized groups, and how they prevent real justice from being served. Litman calls for greater transparency, reform, and awareness of these "secret rules," urging readers to hold the legal system accountable to its stated principles.

My only real criticism is that I got tired of references to Barbie and Ken real fast. I get it, it was a good movie. However, in five years and beyond fewer and fewer will get the reference and it will get in the way of conveying otherwise great insight on the U.S. legal system.

The book is a vital read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the legal system and its shortcomings. Litman’s examination of how law can be subverted by unseen forces makes the book a powerful and timely critique of a system that claims to uphold justice, but often falls short in practice. It is an essential read for both legal professionals and those who seek a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the U.S. justice system today.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the digital ARC of Lawless, which releases May 13. One of my favorite podcasts is Strict Scrutiny, which follows the shenanigans of the US Supreme Court. Leah Litman is a cohost of that podcast, bringing her whit and snark to every episode. This book is no different. It is a no-holds-barred critique of the Supreme Court that provides historical context for how we got to the current state of the Court and its recent rulings while also being full of sass and pop culture references to keep you from getting too deep into your existential-dready-feels. It ends with an inspiring call to action for everyone to do their civic duty by voting at all levels of elections. I’ll definitely by buying a physical copy when this book is published!