Ex-Law Student of the Day: Seva Brodsky
Some law students might be considering suing their schools now that a bright future in Biglaw seems like such a dim possibility. We can imagine lawsuits alleging false promises of golden handcuffs sweeping the land.
But the only suit against a school we’ve seen recently is reported by the National Law Journal (via the Minn Lawyer Blog). And the cause for the ADA suit against the New England School of Law is flunking the student without regard for his brain damage:
According to court papers, the plaintiff, Seva Brodsky, was expelled after failing two courses in the spring of 2005, and later learned from medical testing that his “memory and organizational deficits” likely stemmed from an accident in the early 1980s.The plaintiff claimed he presented medical evidence to the school at a readmission hearing in November 2005 and was told that academic success in a relevant program would boost his chances for readmission.
Despite lots of chatter around the Web, there are some things that are unclear to us:
We invite your answers in the comments.
Expelled Student’s ADA Claim Against Law School Can Proceed [National Law Journal]
Law school sued under ADA for failing to accommodate student [Lawyers USA]
Law student flunks out, sues school for violating the ADA [Minn Lawyer Blog]
Another Flunking Law Student Sues School [Blogonaut]
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It seems I had it backwards. I always thought having long-term brain damage was a requirement for attending the New England School of Law.
hahaha, good job Kash - I love the questions at the end.
Most students at New England School of Law are brain damaged, and they don't have problems passing their classes. This guy's claim is without merit.
Thank you ATL for providing us with this story. I needed something to latch on to since the end of the Judge Halverson saga.
This is offensive. Please moderate.
-- Brain-damaged rising 3L at New England School of Law
This would never happen at SMU.
ANSWERS:
1. Who cares? I got my brain damage from standing infront of the microwave during Bar study waiting for those GDamn Pizza Bites to cook.
2. Maybe he doesn't want to be a lawyer. I mean honestly, people don't go to law school just to be lawyers. It's more relevant than business school and gives you a better set of tools.
3. No, but it is sure to spark lively chatter in the comments about TTT schools which will inevitably end with some HLS grad saying UPenn State is 4th tier and a UPenn State grad saying Harvard is a poor man's Yale and a Yale grad saying Yale is the best only to have a Stanford kid say ' Tallies suck look at that kid from QE yesterday and that chick who failed the Bar 10x"
4. No, if this were the case, Harvard would have been 5th tier liek 10 years back.
- Stanford Grad
Is that Louis Zaccareli?
Who cares.
Nice scoop, Kash! Do you think Eliza will "report" this story in tomorrow's Morning Docket like she did with the Justice Roberts article today?
Stanfurd kid can't spell.
- Yale Alum
This is hilarious Kash. Thanks.
I'm a NESL grad and practicing attorney. I had classes with this guy. He was a trainwreck. Very outspoken and openly prejudiced and openly hostile. He often claimed to have a background in international security and to be privy to info that the rest of us weren't in order to justify his idiotic comments.
I know the internet is full of trolls, but stop bashing my alma mater because of one bad apple. I don't talk smack about Harvard because of Alberto Gonzalez and his idiocy makes this guys look like Einstein.
What the summary doesn't say is that the guy transferred up to NESL from GULC.
Who is John Galt?
This was news a week ago. Another one of those non-stories ATL holds back for slow news days, like that story about the judge and her airplane soda spilling journalist daughter?
The obvious preoccupation with law rankings evidenced by posts like these serves to severely undermine the credibility of the editors of this blog in expressing their disdain for, or at least acknowledging the inherent stupidity of law school rankings. Way to go, assholes.
16 - It was coffee:
http://www.abovethelaw.com/2007/01/flying_the_friendly_federal_ju.php
Everyone at NESL is brain-damaged. Or a slut. Or both. It is a fourth tier school only because there is no lower tier. How are they even accredited?
Who is Louis Zaccareli?
11 -- true, but Yale kid can't pass bar.
-CHICAGO SECURE
17 = UPenn state grad
21 - Touche.
- Yale Alum
Earnest question for 19:
NESL -- singular or plural?
You seem to be of two minds on the subject.
A picture (in this case of Brodsky) is worth a thousand words--meaning the court can judically notice the brain damage claim just by looking at it.
I killed 'em, Gilbert! I killed 'em!
He should forget law school. It sounds like he has a bright future in politics.
Why doesn't he just apply to TTTT Suffolk? They will accept him.
I went to NESL and work at CWT. I had no trouble in gaining employment. This guy is a moron, however.
If his brain damage is really severe and prevents him from exercising good judgment and proper risk management principles, then he should keep at it because he is just the sort of person that tends to make partner at THOMPSON HINE!
Thompson Hine - Wee halve brayne dgamage! Hyre we for lawyering you much good!
If his brain damage is really severe and prevents him from exercising good judgment and proper risk management principles, then he should keep at it because he is just the sort of person that tends to make partner at THOMPSON HINE!
Thompson Hine - Wee halve brayne dgamage! Hyre we for lawyering you much good!
do New England Law grads have to pass the New England bar?
I say...Shut the School Down! Too many law school in Boston!
He shat on the Dean's victory memo.....
Question:
If a Baker Bot were to get into fistacuffs with Townsend and Towsend and Crew....who would win?
I only ask because I heard Baker Bots had laser technology.
I say...Shut the School Down! Too many law school in Boston!
Why doesn't he just transfer to TTTT Suffolk or TTT Northeastern?
Thompson Hine has a partner that blinded himself running in the hallway with scissors!
I hear he's regarded as one of the smarter rainmakers in the firm...
Which is a worse new england TTTT?
New England, Suffolk, Quinnipiac, Franklin Pierce, Western New England or Quinnipiac.
... and the blind can't be airline pilots and the mute can't be opera singers and the deaf can't be music producers! Come on Captain ADA; get with it and stop the oppression. NOW! No justice, no peace! Fight the tyranny of the Enlightenment! Fight the tyranny of Reason! To the barricades, my post-modern brethren!
Where's Rox? I want my breadline story!
This is excellent news for Louis Zaccareli.
If schools are to make allowances for people who have brain damange, how about people who are regular old stupid? Why have a born stupid/beaten stupid distinction?
I think a similar logic could apply to special accomidations for people with "learning disabilities" but thats another story.
40,
Yeah, but flying schools know better than to admit the blind guy in the first place.
Sounds like Mr. Brodsky should read the Restatement Second section 90 (or have someone else read it to him, or draw him a picture in crayon explaining it).
39 - Franklin Pierce actaully ain't bad if you want to go into patent law. Kind of a specialty there.
-BC Law grad, now in patent law.
Was there really a shooting at UVA today?
Chances 45 is not a Franklin Pierce grad?
You guessed it: Frank Stallone.
(Also, ZIP ZERO Hector ZERONI)
45- do suffolk grads pronounce their "r"s?
46,
Rumors of violence aren't funny.
If you want to know if there actually was a shooting, check a real news site like msnbc or cnn (or a propaganda site like Fox, although they never report gun violence so they can pretend it doesn't happen).
Being a Cubs fan has damaged my memory. I'd like some special treatment.
There is gun violence in Pakistan right now.
33/36:
Maybe it's Mad Cow
Wait- isn't new england law another name for TTTT suffolk?
This student's best claim for being brain damaged is the fact that he selected a deplorable legal institution to obtain a law degree from and leverage himself to the tune of over $100K in student loans. He will ultimately fail for failure to join all parties (class action involving all other students and graduates of NESL). This student should be given a partial refund. Not everyone is entitled to obtain a law degree. However, I suspect this student is the type that would sue the boxing commission for its refusal to grant a boxing license after medical testing reveals he suffers from Parkinsons.
Over the past 20 years or so, it's gotten to the point that anyone can get into a law school somewhere, then graduate, then pass the bar, then be turned loose on the public. The smartest of the dumbasses go to T1 schools, with the rest filling out the other Ts. BigLaw is where you go if you can't practice law, whereas everyone else with no sense or intelligence goes to work for the government. Close all law schools now, and save us all from these entitled assholes.
So the highlight of this poor guy's resume (the distinguishing characteristic on which he's relying to re-launch his legal career) is that he's suffered brain damage. Can you imagine him trying to find a job/clients to work for after he graduates?
You know whats funny? Michele Obama getting a hard on while wearing a sundress.
You all are out of your minds! This guy is clearly partnership material at THOMPSON HINE!
He just needs to find a place that is well suited to his being specially abled.
Hey 29, how many NESL grads do you think are at CWT? If you guessed ONE, you're not only correct, but should be careful before posting anonymously with such easy to find distinguishing info.
http://www.cadwalader.com/view_attorney.php?attorney=1429
I have swine flu and I go to Hofstra. I am suing.
57 - excellent excellent bravo
What makes you think Michelle Obama has a penis?
I am so horny for some CWT right now.
PE: Isn't it true that you are, in fact, a student at a lower ranked T-50?
57/61,
She's a lady, but you're saying she has man-parts! That is hilarious! Like, she's supposed to not have a penis, but you said she does... *snickers* Bwahahaha! So funny!
We have some subtle comedic geniuses at work here!
We get it. There's nothing going on today....
@64 - Is that you or the Texas Big AIDS talking?
Sanjay Gupta
This comment is addressed to post no. 63.
I graduated law school in 1967. In those days, tuition was under $2K a year. It was a good time to become a lawyer. If I were a college graduate today, it would be foolish to entertain law school unless you have legacy at a peer firm or top law school. I already disclosed where I graduated from in my very first post on Abovethelaw, however, I will refrain from repeating myself as my participation on this blog may call into question my sanity at the firm. Rest assured, I am an established legend in my field. You should be so lucky to have a trailblazing pioneer provide commentary on the current state of the legal profession gratis.
PE - Is it true you are dying of Face AIDS?
He will never get hired now. Stupid is as stupid does.
This comment is addressed to post no. 68.
You are an imbecile for attempting to mock my appearance. I guarantee you would defecate in your pants if you ever caught my gaze. The difference between someone that has AIDS and you is that the person with AIDS has better employment prospects than you do. Good luck servicing your student loans while earning meager wages.
PE has AIDS.
He just needs to transfer to BC.
Kash is a hundred times better than Elie.
Waits the diff between New England Law and Suffolk?
Oh about the New England CWT associate- aren't you worried your partners will find you spending hours on blogs unproductive?
39
WNEC is by far the worst of the bunch. I went to college in Mass and received a call from the Dean of WNEC 2 weeks after October LSAT scores were released offering me a full scholarship. The best part, I had never applied.
I am a NESL Alum who practices at a BIG NY Firm making a ton of money. Suck wind you losers who are getting axed and now looking for jobs at Wendys. Flip burgers you insecure nerds. Off I go in my Porsche 911.
I am a NESL Alum who practices at a BIG NY Firm making a ton of money. Suck wind you losers who are getting axed and now looking for jobs at Wendys. Flip burgers you insecure nerds. Off I go in my Porsche 911.
I am a NESL Alum who practices at a BIG NY Firm making a ton of money. Suck wind you losers who are getting axed and now looking for jobs at Wendys. Flip burgers you insecure nerds. Off I go in my Porsche 911.
I am a NESL Alum who practices at a BIG NY Firm making a ton of money. Suck wind you losers who are getting axed and now looking for jobs at Wendys. Flip burgers you insecure nerds. Off I go in my Porsche 911.
I am a NESL Alum who practices at a BIG NY Firm making a ton of money. Suck wind you losers who are getting axed and now looking for jobs at Wendys. Flip burgers you insecure nerds. Off I go in my Porsche 911.
This has nothing to do with asslobsters and how to farm them commercially.
I am a NESL Alum who practices at a BIG NY Firm making a ton of money. Suck wind you losers who are getting axed and now looking for jobs at Wendys. Flip burgers you insecure nerds. Off I go in my Porsche 911.
I am a NESL Alum who practices at a BIG NY Firm making a ton of money. Suck wind you losers who are getting axed and now looking for jobs at Wendys. Flip burgers you insecure nerds. Off I go in my Porsche 911.
This is RIDONKULOUS
This is splendid news for Mr. Louis Zaccareli.
Dear NESL Alum at the Big NY Firm (the one with the Porsche): Please come by and empty my trash can and clean up the chips I dropped on my office floor. I don't want to have to call the head of maintenance again on your shoddy performance.
So it is true then what they say about CWT NY 05 female associates being psycho sexual horny monsters?
This is RIDONKULOUS
Classic PE in this thread. And I'm excited that PE is now posting multiple comments.
76,77,78,79,80, ect...
Obviously you're stellar education didn't teach you dick about comptuer usage.
who the hell is Louis Zaccareli?
Since USNWR only organizes alphabetically once you've sunk to the depths of the fourth tier, I'm guessing that as long as Brodsky's lawsuit doesn't force them to change their name to the Zew England School of Law, they'll be OK.
Well, still subpar more than OK, but no more subpar than before, so basically they'll retain their OKish subparity.
The guy looks like he's suffered some brain damage.
76,77,78,79,80, ect...
Obviously you're stellar education didn't teach you dick about comptuer usage
Did anyone else notice that in the article the school was branded "New England Law | Boston" instead of New England School of Law? What the shit are they trying to pull with their school identity?
76,77,78,79,80, ect...
Obviously you're stellar education didn't teach you dick about comptuer usage
47 - Nope, actual BC law grad, though I did have a friend at Franklin Pierce so maybe Im defending his crew just a little.
48 - Suprisingly, I remember that most do pronounce their R's. Haven't been to Baahston in 2+ years though.
I've come across a few Franklin Pierce grads doing IP work in the Boston area for significant firms. It is, apparently, legit.
NESL is a lot more prestigious than many of you think: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_England_School_of_Law
Concussions can lead to non-epileptic seizures. I had the same thing happen to me. I had two severe head injuries in the early eighties. I thought my sudden weakness and tiredness was related to low blood pressure. Instead, I had partial complex seizures. I have found many others with this same problem after head injuries. I was also in law school and working at the same time. I was OK in class and work, although a little foggy at times. However, taking a three hour exam resulted in some odd answers. The first essays were excellent, by the end of the three hours, it looked as if I never took a law class. I had to stop work, go on strong seizure medication and rest for a few years. I will be returning to a different law school this fall. Please do not mock what you do not understand. This character may actually have a legitimate medical condition. However, his law school grades stand. Much like a woman who gives birth during an exam, what she finished will be graded. Unfortunately, this condition is not readily recognized. I sought treatment for years complaining about my symptoms. It was not until I was having daily seizures that I finally received medical treatment.
76-80 is clearly not a NELS alumnus or in BigLaw.
Why take the bait?
100 clearly is.
MULTI-STATE PRACTICE QUESTION
Would the District Court have kept Brodsky's suit alive if he was suing Harvard or Yale for readmission?
A. No, because Harvard or Yale would have been better represented and won the case (unless of course QE was representing Brodsky, since QE will take any side of a case no matter how mortally questionable and they always kick ass).
B. No, because even if he graduates, Brodsky is unlikely to even find the Bar Exam test site in time to take the examination.
C. No, because no one cares about 4th tier law schools, but get real. ("They’re animals anyway, so let them lose their souls.")
E. I find the use of parenthesis to be extremely annoying.
F. All of the above.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suffolk_University_Law_School
Is this were Wurtzel went to school?
Is this were Wurtzel went to school?
Wow, says a lot about a school to have admitted someone with "brain damage" and "organizational deficit" ... this makes even Widener Law appear like Ivy League
How is he supposed to pass the bar if he has brain damage?
How did he graduate from college if he has brain damage?
How did he get into NESL if he has brain damage?
NESL = FAIL!!!!!!!!!!!
"We had some students who would claim a disability of alcoholism in order to get special accommodations, and it worked. Not sure this was fair to either the student or his/her classmates, unless the CA STATE BAR also allows alcoholism as a recognized disability for exam accommodation."
http://blogonaut-blogonaut.blogspot.com/2009/05/another-flunking-law-student-sues-law.html
He got hit by a bong?
My father suffered a brain injury but still practiced law. He played chess to excercise his brain. Only problem he was vulnerable to persuasion especially from his girlfriends. Just don't let the girlfriend break into the cash box. The injury brought out his ability to practice law. He did twists, turns, and judge harassment. I do not see problems with certain brain injuries and law.
This is really offensive, Lat you are just not funny anymore. Not politically correct, not funny, not interesting.
1. Brodsky was admitted because he took the same LSAT that everyone took in the year he was admitted (and did well enough to get into several schools, not just NESL).
2. Brodsky was unaware of his condition when he was applying for law schools.
3. NESL was unaware of his condition when they accepted Brodsky for his LSAT score, GPA, and admissions essay.
4. Many brain injuries do not manifest themselves for several years. This is perhaps why Brodsky was able to pass his first year but did not do as well in his second.
5. NESL may not be top ranked, but rankings are a joke. There are so many schools that inflate the grades of their students just to increase their ranking. Rankings=Huge Joke!