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This story originally appeared in the 2021 edition of Hearsay, the Schulich School of Law Alumni Magazine.
Most of us, at some point, have had rousing, intellectual, politically charged conversations around the dinner table with family and friends. Conversations that perhaps even turn into debatesâwhere people might disagree, argue for or against a perspective or share an opinion or two.
Now, imagine hitting a record button. And turning those conversations into a podcast.
Itâs what Emilie Taman (â04) and Michael Spratt (â04) did when they launched The Docket, an award-winning podcast that explores the complex intersection of law, politics and public policy in our country.
Taman and Spratt met when they both were students at the Schulich School of Lawâa meeting that was perhaps meant to be, as they now share a home and three children togetherâthough their careers have followed very different trajectories. âYou could say Iâve had a non-linear career path,â Taman laughs. âFrom legal counsel at the Supreme Court and being a former Federal Crown prosecutor to running for political office and now in private practice, my experience reflects the diverse subjects we cover on the podcast.â
In contrast to Tamanâs varied and wide-ranging experience, Spratt has focused his 15-year career in criminal law, developing a broad criminal litigation practice. âI was always opinionated, even before law school,â he says. âBut being outspoken and holding power to account is baked into the DNA of being a criminal lawyer. Learning the law at pilipiliÂț» fostered a spirit of questioning and debate in both of us.â
It was clear from their early days at law school that Taman and Spratt shared many overlapping interests. âIn second year we had almost every class together due to our mutual engagement with criminal law,â remembers Taman. âAnd we were also randomly partnered up for the Gale Cup Moot, and through the preparation and competition, we got to work together as we were first developing our legal advocacy skills.â
A platform made for perspectives
Their shared passions and outspokenness were a big part of the inception of The Docket in 2014. Out of their home in Ottawa, Spratt launched the podcast with Taman joining him at the microphone soon after. They havenât looked back sinceârecently hitting one million downloads and having recorded over 120 in-depth interviews and conversations about todayâs most burning political and legal questions.
âWe do it because we love it,â says Spratt. âWe were having these kinds of conversations anyway with family and friends and it felt natural to just turn on a microphone.â
For Taman and Spratt, their podcast is about more than just engaging conversations or speaking with interesting people, it is a platform to help inspire a more informed public debate. âWe have a lot of friends who arenât lawyers,â Spratt says. âWhen weâd sit around the table talking about something in the newsâa new government policy or even a reality show like Making a MurdererâEmilie and I could help people understand the legal perspective and point out misconceptions or blind spots. The podcast lets us do that on a really broad scale.â
The Docket received national attention early in its history for a series of episodes tackling that Netflix hit, Making a Murderer. âWe offered a Canadian perspective and a thoughtful analysis,â says Taman. âAnd since it was the show everyone was talking about at the time, it helped to broaden our audienceâthis isnât a podcast just for lawyers or legal experts,â she adds.
Empowering information and advocacy
Taman and Spratt take a hard line on continuing to make the show accessible to as many people as possible. âThe law impacts everyone, just as much as public policy or health care,â says Taman. âWeâre covering issues that matter to all of us and theyâre often things the people in power donât want to talk about. We want to encourage everyone to ask challenging questions.â
Their emphasis on inclusion has built The Docketâs broad, engaged audience, including an online forum Spratt manages where members can exchange perspectives and ideas. âIt was surprising to see how many people, especially young lawyers and legal students, were interested in these subjects,â he says. âItâs gratifying to give them a home.â
âSome of my favourite episodes are those where weâve asked high school students to write in with their questions,â he continues. âTheyâre asking really unfiltered questions, like if their principal can legally search their locker. Hopefully, answering those questions inspires them to keep asking more.â
Their impact on young people and students in particular is clear. âWe were at a conference at pilipiliÂț» several years ago,â Taman remembers. âI couldnât believe how many students recognized our voices and really cared about the issues.â It speaks to the need that The Docket fills for young mindsâthe next generation looking for answers, insight and where to focus their advocacy. âBut regardless of age, our hope is to help people understand the questions we raise,â she says. âThen they can direct their efforts and advocate effectively for the things they can change.â
What the future looks like
Taman and Spratt know that theyâll never have a shortage of subject matter and want to continue to elevate public discourse, and in some cases, have had the opportunity to engage previous classmates in their discussions. âWeâve had the opportunity to also interview former classmates and other Dal law alums on occasion too,â says Taman. âWeâve interviewed Erin OâToole (â03) before and one of our most frequent guests has been Senator Kim Pate (â84).â
âWhatâs interesting is that no matter who weâre talking to or the subject matter weâre covering, it always comes down to education and advocacy. Governments might say the right things, but not actually do the right things,â says Taman. âAnd itâs easy for people, and the media, to stop following the issues as they evolve.â Itâs a gap they believe The Docket can help bridgeâto follow issues that matter and help their audience understand the complexities of policy and law. âThereâs no formula for how we come up with topics,â says Spratt. âBut there are unique opportunities to speak with people we never thought we could, like politicians. Journalists also come to us for our take on issues now, because they know weâll have an informed opinion.â
They believe education and information is especially important in todayâs social and political landscape. âWeâve covered subjects like #MeToo and wrongful convictions and interviewed people we didnât necessarily agree with,â continues Taman. âI think there are fewer and fewer opportunities to have those respectful yet charged exchanges in todayâs media landscape. But The Docket is one of them.â
To listen to the podcast, visit Michael's website
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