Hey everyone listening to the podcast. This is another podcast extra exclusive. My in-depth interview with an iconic First Amendment and free speech lawyer, Floyd Abrams, who, full disclosure, was also my first boss and mentor in law. This is a special conversation. It runs over an hour as part of our summit series. We talk about why he thinks that Governor DeSantis and other Republicans are wrong in some of their new laws

that would ban free speech. We talk about the digital age, reporters privilege, his views of

Giuliani and Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump. There's a lot in here. It's a long, in-depth legal

conversation. We try to do some of these as podcast extras because we found you guys like that.

So check it out.

And by the way, you can always connect with me at Ari Melburgh.com.

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And now here is my podcast extra exclusive interview with Floyd Abrams right here on the beat with Ari Melbert.

Welcome to the summit series with Ari Melbert. Today, I am joined by Floyd Abrams, a renowned First Amendment litigator, a longtime partner at Cahill Gordon and Ryan Dell, professor

of constitutional law. Thank you for being here. That's a great pleasure to be here.

We've talked with many people defined as at the summit of their fields. I have a full disclosure for this one that makes it different from every other interview. I worked for you for several years as a lawyer. Viewers should know that and factor that in at the firm where you were a senior partner at Cahill Gordon.

Thanks for being here. I would like to start with your influence and reputation and then get

right into the law. As for your influence, I'm going to read a few things people say about you.

The most significant First Amendment lawyer of our age,

Senator and Harvard professor Daniel Patrick Moynihan,

led the highest profile free speech battles of the last few decades

as the most sought-after First Amendment litigator of his generation,

the New York Times.

You litigated a, quote, dramatic assault on democracy itself threatening the American experiment, the nation.

Whatever one thinks of your work, everyone seems to agree it is very influential.

So let's start with why is the First Amendment important to you?

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