Fear and Authoritarianism: Why Speaking Out Matters

“The rule of law is neither conservative nor liberal. It is entirely non-partisan — and it doesn't matter what your political beliefs are. We, as lawyers, are all committed to the rule of law.” – Lynne Borsuk In this short clip from Episode 51 – Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law, Lynne Borsuk and Seth Kirschenbaum remind us that justice depends on our shared commitment to fairness and impartiality. 🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nQlHvFy4O5k 🌐 More episodes at https://seeyouincourtpodcast.org/ #SeeYouInCourt #RuleOfLaw #CivilJustice #GeorgiaLawyers #LegalCourage

In this short clip, attorney Seth Kirschenbaum reminds us that speaking up for justice can come with risks—but silence carries far greater ones. “There’s even potential danger for people that stick their heads above the parapet and say, ‘Wait a minute, what the administration is doing here is wrong and it violates due process or it’s an attack on the rule of law.’” As part of the Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law, Kirschenbaum and more than 400 Georgia attorneys are standing together to protect judicial independence and uphold the rule of law across the state. Listen to the full conversation featuring Seth Kirschenbaum and Lynne Borsuk, hosted by Robin Frazer Clark and Lester Tate: 🎧 Full Episode on Podbean 📺 Watch on YouTube Learn more at https://seeyouincourtpodcast.org #SeeYouInCourt #GeorgiaLawyers #CivilJustice #RuleOfLaw

At the end of every See You In Court episode, we ask the same question: How do you define justice? In this closing moment, attorney Lynne Borsuk shares clear definitions centered on fairness, equal treatment, and due process for everyone, regardless of wealth or background. Watch the full conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nQlHvFy4O5k Listen to more episodes and resources: https://seeyouincourtpodcast.org/ Learn about Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law: https://georgialawyersfortheruleoflaw.org/ Guests • Seth Kirschenbaum • Lynne Borsuk Hosts • Robin Frazer Clark • Lester Tate About See You In Court See You In Court is Georgia’s leading civil justice podcast from the Georgia Civil Justice Foundation. We share practical insights that help Georgians understand their rights and how to bring grievances before an independent court. Follow and Subscribe YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@seeyouincourtpodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seeyouincourtpodcast Website: https://seeyouincourtpodcast.org/ Disclosure The information in this episode is for educational purposes only. For legal advice, contact a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

One of the warning signs of authoritarianism is fear—fear of criticizing the government, fear of speaking up. In this clip from See You In Court Episode 51, Seth Kirschenbaum shares why this fear is growing in our nation’s institutions, from law firms to universities, and why defending the rule of law depends on courage and accountability. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law with Seth Kirschenbaum and Lynne Borsuk #SeeYouInCourt #CivilJustice #RuleOfLaw #LegalCourage #Authoritarianism

In this powerful moment from See You In Court, attorney Lynne Borsuk shares her deep disappointment with law firms that capitulated under political pressure, failing to uphold their professional duty to represent all clients — even the unpopular ones. “In their fear, they’ve created a dynamic that is deeply unhealthy for our democracy. I disapprove of their capitulation. Time will show it was unwise to capitulate.” This clip is a call to courage — a reminder that the rule of law depends on lawyers who stand firm, not those who bow to intimidation. 🎧 Watch the full episode on YouTube: 👉 https://youtu.be/nQlHvFy4O5k 🎙️ Listen on Podbean: 👉 https://seeyouincourt.podbean.com/e/georgia-lawyers-for-the-rule-of-law-with-seth-kirschenbaum-and-lynne-borsuk/ 🔗 Learn more at SeeYouInCourtPodcast.org

Fear can silence even the strongest voices. In this clip from See You In Court, attorney Seth Kirschenbaum shares how public pressure led one leader to reverse course—and why that moment reflects a growing climate of fear in America. Co-host Lester Tate reminds us that while speaking up can feel risky, staying silent can be far more dangerous for the rule of law. 🎙️ Listen to the full episode: 👉 Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law with Seth Kirschenbaum and Lynne Borsuk https://seeyouincourtpodcast.org #SeeYouInCourt #RuleOfLaw #LegalCourage #CivilJustice #GeorgiaLawyers #SpeakingUp

Every court ruling has a winner and a loser — but our system has endured because people respected the rule of law. Today, that respect is under attack as judges face threats and intimidation. In this clip from See You In Court, Lester Tate and Seth Kirschenbaum explain why judicial independence is at risk, and why Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law are stepping up to defend it. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nQlHvFy4O5k 🌐 Learn more at: https://seeyouincourtpodcast.org/

What happens when law firms give in to political pressure? In this clip from See You In Court, our guests explain why capitulating to the administration undermines the independence of the legal profession — and how clients are noticing. Some firms have lost clients who asked, “If you won’t stand up for yourself, how can I expect you to fight for me?” Others have gained respect and trust by standing firm. This conversation is part of our full episode: 🎧 Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law with Seth Kirschenbaum & Lynne Borsuk 👉 Watch here: https://youtu.be/nQlHvFy4O5k 👉 Listen here: https://seeyouincourt.podbean.com/e/georgia-lawyers-for-the-rule-of-law-with-seth-kirschenbaum-and-lynne-borsuk/ 🔗 Learn more: Georgia Lawyers For The Rule Of Law – https://georgialawyersfortheruleoflaw.org/ See You In Court Podcast – https://seeyouincourtpodcast.org #RuleOfLaw #CivilJustice #LegalCourage #SeeYouInCourt

What makes America the “shining city on a hill”? According to our guests, it’s the simple but powerful fact that we are a nation of laws — not of men. In this episode of See You In Court, hosts Robin Frazer Clark and Lester Tate sit down with Seth Kirschenbaum and Lynne Borsuk, founders of Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law. Together, they explore why the rule of law is the foundation of justice, why people around the world look to America for inspiration, and what’s at stake if we fail to protect our legal system. This conversation goes beyond legal theory — it’s about safeguarding fairness, protecting judges and lawyers from unfair attacks, and ensuring that the Constitution continues to guide us toward a just society. 🎧 Listen now to be inspired — and reminded why the rule of law matters to all of us. Watch & Listen: ▶️ YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/nQlHvFy4O5k 🎙 Podbean: https://georgialawyersfortheruleoflaw.org/ See You In Court Podcast: https://seeyouincourtpodcast.org Georgia Civil Justice Foundation: https://fairplay.org Follow Robin Frazer Clark: https://www.gatriallawyers.net/ Follow Lester Tate: http://www.akintate.com/ #SeeYouInCourt #RuleOfLaw #CivilJustice #LegalCourage

When the rule of law comes under attack, who speaks up? In Georgia, more than 400 lawyers have come together to form Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law — the only statewide group dedicated to defending judges, lawyers, and the integrity of our justice system. In this powerful episode of See You In Court, hosts Robin Frazer Clark and Lester Tate welcome Seth Kirschenbaum and Lynne Borsuk to share: Why they launched this nonpartisan effort How threats against judges and law firms erode confidence in justice What ordinary citizens and lawyers alike can do to protect due process Their message is clear: justice is not partisan — it’s the foundation of our democracy. 👉 Listen to more episodes here on Podbean and via our website at SeeYouInCourtPodcast.org #seeyouincourt #ruleoflaw #georgialawyers #civiljustice Seth Kirschenbaum is a criminal defense attorney here in Atlanta with 50 years experience. He is an owner of his own firm Lotito & Kirschenbaum. He is extremely well known in the Atlanta Bar being a Past President of the Atlanta Bar Association and serving on the State Bar Board of Governors since 2004. He is a former Federal Prosecutor. He is the recipient of the 2008 Charles E Watkins Jr. Award for Distinguished & Sustained Service by Atlanta Bar Association and of the 2011 Randolph Thrower Lifetime Achievement Award. He has an award named after him, the Multi-Bar Leadership Council’s “Seth D. Kirschenbaum Diversity Award.” He received his B.A. from  State University of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton, New York and received his J.D. from Emory University School of Law. Lynne Borsuk is also a criminal defense attorney here in Atlanta. She is the owner of her own law firm, the LYNNE Y. BORSUK CRIMINAL DEFENSE AND WHITE-COLLAR CRIME law firm. Lynne is an experienced trial lawyer with 38 years of experience as an attorney in the courtrooms of Georgia. She focuses on criminal defense and white-collar matters with a strong emphasis on the trial phase of legal advocacy. Lynne was selected by her peers as a top trial lawyer and named a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and as a fellow of the American Board of  Criminal Lawyers.  Lynne has served as the President of the Georgia Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers. Lynne is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Indigent Defense Award from Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Women of Achievement Award, Jewish Federation of Atlanta for work with ADL and the Leadership Award .The Atlanta Bar Association. She received her B.A., Political Science, 1983 from Emory University and her J.D. 1986 from the University of Florida College of Law. Links: Protect the integrity of our legal system - Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law Lester Tate - http://www.akintate.com/ Robin Frazer Clark - https://www.gatriallawyers.net/ See You In Court -  seeyouincourtpodcast.org To learn more about the Georgia Civil Justice Foundation, visit fairplay.org