This episode of Tales from the 10th features two memorable fireside conversations from the 10th Circuit Bench and Bar Conference.

The first tells of the remarkable story behind a 2010 appearance by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. After the death of her husband, renowned tax lawyer Martin Ginsburg, Justice Ginsburg traveled to Denver to deliver a speech he had prepared. In it, Marty recounts the story of Mortiz v. Commissioner, the case he and Ruth argued before the Tench Circuit that challenged a tax law discriminating against unmarried men caring for dependent parents. The victory helped launch Justice Ginsburg’s pioneering litigation strategy advancing gender equality under the Constitution.

The second part features highlights from a 2022 fireside interview with Chief Justice John Roberts. Speaking with Tenth Circuit Judges, Roberts reflects on the role of the Supreme Court, the importance of collegiality among the justices, and the challenges of maintaining public confidence in the Court during a period of intense scrutiny.

Together, these conversations offer a rare window into the people, stories, and institutional traditions that shape the Supreme Court and the broader federal judiciary.

In this episode of Tales from the 10th, we hear excerpts from the oral history of U.S. District Judge Richard P. Matsch, one of the most influential judges in the history of the Tenth Circuit. In conversation with former Bankruptcy Judge Bruce Campbell, Matsch reflects on key moments from his career. They discuss his early involvement in civil rights advocacy and a memorable meeting with Martin Luther King Jr., and landmark constitutional cases involving school desegregation, gender equality in athletics, religious freedom, and political speech.

He also discusses the challenges of presiding over highly charged cases, including the Oklahoma City bombing trial, emphasizing the importance of fairness, judicial independence, and maintaining public trust in the legal system. Through these reflections, Judge Matsch offers insight into the evolving role of the courts in addressing some of the most difficult social and constitutional questions of the last half-century.

In the debut episode of Tales from the 10th, hosts Leah Schwartz and Tina Howell introduce the podcast and the mission of the 10th Circuit Historical Society, sharing the stories, people, and pivotal moments that shaped the courts of the American West. They discuss the unique role of the Tenth Circuit, which serves Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming, and explain how the podcast will highlight the individuals and cases that define the circuit’s legal history.

The episode then features Senior U.S. District Judge Bruce S. Jenkins, who recounts the landmark case Allen v. United States. The case was brought by plaintiffs known as the “Downwinders,” residents who developed cancers and other illnesses after exposure to radioactive fallout from nuclear weapons testing in Nevada during the 1950s and 1960s. Judge Jenkins reflects on the enormous scale of the litigation, the scientific complexity of radiation exposure, and the human stories behind the case. Although his ruling in favor of the plaintiffs was later reversed on appeal, the case helped spark national attention and ultimately contributed to congressional compensation for thousands affected by nuclear testing.