He ruined his own career. This isn't exactly news confined to ATL

1, I am fairly sure his career was ruined the moment he decided to set a church on fire, and not because of ATL.

I saw this on several other sites before it showed up on ATL.

Does he know anything about law? Or baseball? If so, can he replace Elie?

Kash,

I am very familiar with the ancient art of camel toe pleasing. May I please make your acquaintance please thank you much?

ShaFeef

3 ftw. Personal responsibility is still king in this country, even in the Age of Obama.

Maybe the church wanted to be set on fire. Did anyone consider that? That's what I thought.

Maybe the church was depressed about being blighted and it was an assisted-arson.

Now Sidney Austin just needs to figure out how to rescind the rest of their deferred associates.

1

Ah yes, Elie, Lat and Kash, force fed him booze, then handed him the matches when he set the chapel on fire. Shame on ATL for going all Hearst and creating the news instead of reporting it.

Ooopsieees!

1 is right. It is disrespectful of ATL to post a story about a HLS grad considering most of them clearly are not yet adults.

Almost everyone I have ever met in this business is odd. By and large, lawyers are a strange and unpleasant bunch. That is doubly true for the BigLaw partners I have the displeasure of dealing with day to day.

Typical leftist apologists on this site. There would have been no follow up expressing shock or out of character behavior had this "man" been a straight white guy on the real law review. Absulotly disgusting

Almost everyone I have ever met in this business is odd. By and large, lawyers are a strange and unpleasant bunch. That is doubly true for the BigLaw partners I have the displeasure of dealing with day to day.

re: # 1,

This guy's career was ruined the moment he set the fire. The NYC tabloids and even the ABA Journal were on the story. Of course, the best headline was from dear Harvard itself - "Recent alum torches New York 9/11 chapel".

These types should definitely not be allowed to marry each other.

He deserves to have his offer rescinded- and spend several years behind bars to think about how he may have harmed the families of 9/11 victims. What a piece of SHIT! Maybe if he gets off, Obama will refer him to Acorn to be considered for a job. Seems like the kind of guy who would do well with that type of org. Or better yet, maybe Obama will invite him to the White House for a beer with the 9/11 victims' families so they can talk about it.

1, maybe they rescinded his offer BECAUSE HE's GOING TO JAIL and they will not need his services IN JAIL.

and in other news, the Sun rose in the east this morning -- film at 11.

Cocaine is a hell of a drug.

Is arson a specific intent crime (I ask because of the alleged drunkenness)?

This is bullshit. The church should have had a warning that it was flammable and Sidley Austin should have told this young man before the arson that they don't let arsonists work for them. This is clearly unfair and a restatement 90 claim should be looked into.

22 - why don't you look it up?

Winston re-deferred. Split the class into 3 parts. Staggered Feb, June and Oct instead of Jan start date. Looks like those January start dates were arbitrary.

22

I believe under the common law it had to be done at a dwelling and there had to be more than just a singe of the structure. Does this fire meet that criteria?

25 - HOLY . are you serious? Did Sidley Austin's move give other firms permission to make changes this late in the game??

Affirmative Walrus take?

WINSTON DEFERRALS, GET ON THIS.

Comments about brian are a bit too happy and shiny...when I went to McNeil High with the guy he was a confused and strange bird that I assumed would kill someone or himself...this is certainly not a surprise to any of us who grew up with him... I am sure it was not political as much as people pleasing and self destructuve...

I am really surprised by Sidley's actions. Wouldn't having this guy on your firm strike fear into the hearts of opposing counsel. Like, for instance, say Sidley was representing someone who was suing a church, the Sidley partner could say "settle or we will have Brian burn your f-ing church to the ground, I don't care whose remains are inside."

22, 24 -

arson is a malice crime.

Bottom line - both the fire and whatever underlying idiocy caused this guy to do this are both tragic. It's overall a total waste.

So the next firm this guy applies to, he'll say "Well, I had a biglaw offer, but they rescinded it before I started. "ys know, the economy, yadda, yadda,...

Hey 19, he's got a better chance of building a cliental in jail than he does on the street. Did you ever think about that?

Many Sidley employees saw the horrors of 9/11 first hand. People falling to their deaths. Harvard grads are major douches that think they can do whatever they want. The "I was drunk" excuse is not going to cut it.

This bloke's actions really prove that idle hands are the devil's workshop. Most firms know this and are hopeful that deferred associates self-combust so that a recission can be made easier. Expect more asinine and mischievious behavior from the deferred associates, especially when deferments are extended. Duke U. must be really proud to count this chap amongst its highly distinguished alums.

On a side note, I am surprised that Harvard's admissions office fell for this lad's misrepresentation as a member of a designated minority. Reminds me of the movie "Soul Man." This is an example of life imitating (distasteful) art.

the big question is, did he get his lump sum already ala latham, or do they pay him in installmants ala orrick?

because that woudl be pretty awesome for him if he already got paid, and pretty shitty if he now has no income for the rest of the year.

Many Sidley employees saw the horrors of 9/11 first hand. People falling to their deaths. Harvard grads are major douches that think they can do whatever they want. The "I was drunk" excuse is not going to cut it.

34 - Maybe, but this guy is google-fucked. Also, he will never be admitted to the bar - he is 5 minutes away from being a felon.

the big question is, did he get his lump sum already ala latham, or do they pay him in installmants ala orrick?

because that woudl be pretty awesome for him if he already got paid, and pretty shitty if he now has no income for the rest of the year.

Now that Mr. Schroeder is unemployed, can we get him to replace Roxanna on the "Notes from the Breadline" column? I suspect his anecdotes will be more interesting.

22 - It doesn't matter. Whether or not he was drunk doesn't effect his ability to formulate the requisite state of mind.

Back in the old days.. you did something stupid and you realized it the next morning when you got sober.. If it is something your employer needs to know about, you'd set up a private meeting, talk it out in person, apologize and the whole 9 yards, and have a good chance of being let go with a warning or something like that.. a decent person would learn from that incident and never do such a stupid thing again.

But with the whole blogosphere looking to crucify anyone they get, as long as it is a "news" story for someone, forget how these posts destroy people's lives. It might be a 5-minute fun read for those not involved, but how about the kid himself? He had no chance to explain or to apologize - I agree that what he did was horrendous - but can he at least be given a chance to apologize for a drunken mistake? If ATL, ABA and other "blogs" were not so trigger happy to throw this guy under the bus, may be, just may be, he could have saved his job by personally apologizing not only to the affected families but also his employer. With such a sentiment-stirring story line, the ATL's, ABA's did not have leave Sidley with much choice but to FIRE HIM..

Sad day .. Congrats ATL !!! Get some well-deserved sleep and sell your advertising for 2 pennies more .. since you have 10 more hits on this story now.

I want to know more about the Kash beaver shot that was on Facebook.

Kashbeaver

Maybe he set fire to the church housing 9/11 remains because hes flaming gay, oh wait he is...no seriously, who sets fire to anything, let alone a church/chapel? When I get drunk I tend to womanize and look for all night ragers, not start fires.This dude has got some serious issues.

While you guys were commenting here about this situation, I've already sent my resume to Sidley Austin to fill this new vacancy. It's a tough economy! I don't care if you a HYS grad, you can't be forfeiting biglaw slots.

This is typical of all the Harvard kids LeBoeuf hired over the last few years. Bunch of lazy weird idiots (and by the way, almost all gay). Anyone who has worked at D&L recently knows what i am talking about. Please do more due diligence before hiring any Harvard douchebag.

How can anyone defend this guy? I don't care if he was drinking, he should have known better than to commit arson. I drink and do drugs all the time, and the worst thing I have done is get into a shoving match (and that was years ago, when I was only 19). This guy is presumably in his mid-20s, and by this point he should know better.

Have fun at Riker's Island, jackass.

31 wins

While you guys were commenting here about this situation, I've already sent my resume to Sidley Austin to fill this new vacancy. It's a tough economy! I don't care if you a HYS grad, you can't be forfeiting biglaw slots.

#44, are you done vilifying ATL and the rest of the Internet? I'm just waiting for your rant against the print, radio, and TV media that will pick up this story, especially in the NYC market. This story will not be restricted to blogosphere

Why would you hire anyone who has admitted to having sexy time with another man? Have any of these law firms seen the movie Philadelphia? I don't care how smart gay dudes are, they are bound to be easily distracted by the 2:1 male/female employee ratio. Plus, I would much rather hire lesbos because they are tough and mean, unlike gay men who are weak and weird. Diversity is great, but productivity is better.

17: Why not? It's not like they can reproduce or anything, thus preserving the quality of the gene pool.

I agree with #30 from the HLS side. For all of you posting to defend, enough is enough. In all of our dealings, Brian was nothing but a complete narcissist and wholly self-serving. With a few individuals, myself included, he miscalculated horribly. As a general rule you shouldn't try to talk shit about someone to his girlfriend.

You're all correct in that Brian wasn't evil, but he was nowhere near the angel most of you are making him out to be. He struck me as a total douche and I kept my involvement with him to a bare minimum accordingly.

I agree with #30 from the HLS side. For all of you posting to defend, enough is enough. In all of our dealings, Brian was nothing but a complete narcissist and wholly self-serving. With a few individuals, myself included, he miscalculated horribly. As a general rule you shouldn't try to talk shit about someone to his girlfriend.

You're all correct in that Brian wasn't evil, but he was nowhere near the angel most of you are making him out to be. He struck me as a total douche and I kept my involvement with him to a bare minimum accordingly.

44

If you want to go back to the old days, then this assclown would have been fired for either

-committing arson
-desecrating a church

Now granted I am not as old as you, I assume, but I don't really think either of those have ever been an OK thing to do where all you got was "bad boy" slap on the wrist.

44, Look to the original ATL article and you'll see Mayor Bloomberg had already commented. The genie was already out of the bottle. And even in the good ole days before blogs, would his personal apology really mean anything in the face of impending criminal charges?

So when is the ACLU going to issue a statement about how this arrest is an infringement on Shroeder's freedom of expression rights? After lunch maybe?

This guy's from Texas. Like Bush. 'Nuff said.

I hope people blaming ATL or insinuating ATL had something to do with this kid's offer being rescinding are joking.

Back in the old days when I used to burn churhes memorializing former employees, I would go in and apoligize and it all would be worked out in the end. Sites like ATL no longer allow me to behave criminally and get away with it.

What oversubscribed law firm wouldn't want a bona fide reason to dump one more associate it didn't need. I think this guy royally f-ed up, but be forewarned, ALL law firms are looking for any reason to dump associates they don't really want.

44 -- ATL ruined his career? How exactly was he going to get past the NY bar character committee after he pleads to reckless endangerment (if he's lucky)?

58, 59 - 44 here. I agree. Now that I see your point, I agree that this douchebag would have been fired even in the good ole days...

53 - Please learn "constructive" criticism - It might help you get wiser. or at least won't show you for the douchebag you really are..as you grow older.. Peace..

Don't bitch about how this is an anti-gay post. If a straight HLS grad did the same thing to the Matthew Shepard memorial, he would get the same treatment by ATL and the rest of the depraved losers that post disgusting comments on here. Not that this act has anything to do with the guy's sexual orientation anyway - he obviously has major issues with religion and has no respect for the dead or the feelings of other.

Thank you, 28.

I'm going to have to disagree with 7. As I noted on the original post, this man was an editor on the Harvard LATINO Law Review. And I think he might even be a homosexual. With these credentials, one cannot expect Schroeder to carry the oppressive burden of "personal responsibility," a racist term if I've ever heard one.

By the way, 7, why can't your so-called "personal responsibility" be Queen? Mmm? Sexism is still alive and well.

EQUALITY SECURE

44 is right. Guys at my high school used to set fire to chapels all the time. It was no big deal.

44-

Burning church memorials to victims of terrorists attacks likely would result in much more than a rescinded job offer "back in the old days." Recall what Bostonians did to those they though might possibly be a witch. Now think if those "witches" tried to burn down their church. This guy is SO lucky if he only loses a job he didn't yet have.

I'll bet Kash wrote this because Elie falls on the "give him a second chance" side of the fence. Elie, what if he had torched the Hardees? There, I thought so, now you understand why everyone is siding with Sidley here.

Did he already plead guilty? Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty. Sidney was quick to rescind the offer.

this is nothing in comparison to what we've done to muslim holy sites in iraq and afghanistan and what our soliders have done below the radar

this guy messed up, but seriously, not that big of a deal

if you plead to a misdemeanor can't you still pass the bar?

44,

I like your style.

Am I a horrible person for hoping this guy gets shanked in prison?

What are the chances of Sidley firing the guy that hired Schroeder?

71

Generally when you turn yourself in and admit to the crime they find you guilty. Even if not found guilty he admitted to it. If by chance he is delusional and admitted to a crime he didn't commit I'm sure Sidley has some sort of grounds to fire him. I'm just saying . . . .

-I'm not a moron unlike you

14 - you're right. No one ever stands up for straight white guys. It's a damn shame that the gay ethnic psychos get all the sympathy while the white straight psychos are villified.

After he serves his time, the NY Admissions committee will welcome with open arms. A big firm, maybe even Sidley itself will rehire him. Sidley will pride itself on giving this guy a second chance after he pays its debt to society, because an HLS arsonist is more employable than non T-10 lawyers with a spotless record.

Just look at former Sidley summer Barack Obama. Who does he tap as his Treasury Secretary? None other than former NY Fed Chair Timothy Geithner who presided over and enabled this debacle. (Sorry if I'm echoing Dylan Ratagan).

-- Unemployed loser attorney --.

I would like to commend #3 for waiting until his third line before referencing Obama. You have shown some strong restraint, since he clearly is at the center of it all.

*furiously sends resume to sidley austin now that there's an extra spot*

-nervous T-10 2L

Good lord. Do you really think that he *knew* that the church was a memorial for 9/11 victims? Or Sidley survivors? Did you before you read about this?

It was obviously a prank gone horribly wrong. And all you pouncing on this *obvious* homosexual, leftist HLSers -- it says more about your fears than it actually does about us actual homosexual, leftist HLSers. It's called porojection. Look it up.

One would more critical thinking from lawyers.

Lawyer Gay
HLS '96

interesting point #72... people sure do love their symbols...

So Sidley wants rainmakers, not firestarters? (Rimshot.)

*One would EXPECT more critical thinking from lawyers*

Not that it matters, I'm sure you all filled in the missing word with your own personal perspective. Boobs, perhaps?

@82

... so it would have been ok to torch a church that wasn't a 9/11 memorial?

*One would EXPECT more critical thinking from lawyers*

Not that it matters, I'm sure you all filled in the missing word with your own personal perspective. Boobs, perhaps?

72, whatever sort of bad act is being discussed, you can always argue that somebody else has done (or is doing) something worse. It's an argument that doesn't really go anywhere.

If this isn't a big deal, what about the public reaction to it strikes you as excessive? Should Sidley have to keep him? Should he argue to the police that he shouldn't be convicted of arson because other bad stuff is happening elsewhere?

Look, the guy is a sleeze, he will to spend time in jail, and he lost his offer.

However, don't act as though this was the greatest crime ever perpetrated upon humanity. The guy was fucked up and probably barely realized what he was doing.

Call this what it was: A horrible, idiotic misjudgment.

It's not as though he sat around conspiring of how to desecrate the 9/11 remains, though.

If I ever see any of the Yale Law School grads who run this site at an alumni gathering, I will do my best to scold them. Unbeliveable that YLS credentials are being wasted on this trash. Shame on you, David and your cohorts.

David--what does your boyfriend think of the homophobic comments on your site?

Gothamist says he claims he was drugged and that he didn't know it was a 9/11 memorial, even though he gathered up the teddy bears around the site for kindling.

**************************************************
IN ALL HONESTY, I DONT KNOW WHY EVERYONE IS SO SURPRISED BY THIS . MOST HARVARD LAW GRADS ARE CLOSET FLAMERS
***************************************************

Yale Law Grad

unconfirmed cravath bonus memo (gavel bang: autoadmit.com)

Okay, arson is arson is arson. But do we know "what evil lurks" - was this intentional, was it drunktentional? Or was it a prank that went horribly, horribly wrong? I recognize that it's unbelievablly stupid and heinous (willful, whatever, cite the MPC), but I doubt he woke up on the 31st, and said, "hey, let's torch an annex to one our nation's greatest tragedies."

We've all done bone-headed things that rocked (maybe teetered) on the brink of Felony or Ruin, and, among those of us who came out unscathed, there's a tendency to believe that we somehow escaped due to our wits/smarts/savvy/smoothness/escapability/connections/faith/etc. Well, sometimes it was just dumb luck. DUMB FRIGGIN' LUCK.

There but by the grace of God go I, and go many of us. Right? Of course, I am horribly upset by the current facts - sure, he probably deserves a felony charge & conviction.

But please, please, all you dumb posters, stop thinking that you're close encounters with the brink were avoided solely because of your innate awesomeness.

Oh yeah? Well I ran for Congress and won; and had sex with an intern and killed her and buried her body. Whateva!

82-
HAHA yea setting a church on fire is SUCH a funny prank. Too bad it held the remains of those 9/11 people. Otherwise this would have been one of the funniest stories ever. Haha I can't stop laughing. Your a moron. Thank god your gay. That way we never have to worry about you reproducing.

89,

Ok, I will call it what it was . . . arson of a church!

Sometimes "horrible, idiotic misjudgments" are felonies. In those cases, the people who make those misjudgments deserve to go to jail and be vilified. That's why we made it a felony.

What 94 said. Very well said.

As to 86's comment that he *torched* the church?, I don't see any statement about ANY damage to the church or remains. Let's save the hyperbole for the NY Post, which frankly reported the story more fairly than ATL (though the headline was more inflammatory, and since people no longer can think beyond 140 characters, it's always the headline that sticks).

Stirling & Cooper is available to assist this young man with reinventing his image. He's not an unemployed lawyer who set a fire to a chuch housing the unidentified remains of 9/11 victims; he's a man looking for new opportunities.

This isn't an ending. It's a fresh start.

Sidley Austin is a dush bag firm! EVERYONE BOYCOTT SIDLEY AUSTIN!!!!!

Sidley Austin is a douche bag firm! EVERYONE BOYCOTT SIDLEY AUSTIN!!!!!

71, I'm going to assume you haven't taken employment law and so would not get the concept of "employment at will" -- you know, an employer can fire you for any old reason it feels like, or even no reason at all, as long as that reason is not discrimination on the basis of protected class status or is otherwise against public policy.

But you probably did at least take criminal law, yes? And you will have learned that criminal law and civil laws are different, right? And that the "innocent until proven guilty" thing is a criminal law concept? So, stretching our brains here, and applying this to the above comments about employment law, a firm like Sidley can fire this douche, even if in the end it turns out he was innocent, merely because it does not like the damage to its reputation.

Gotta love the acquaintance's "this was a dumb prank" comment...putting Nair in someone's jockstrap or short-sheeting their bed is a dumb prank, setting fire to a church is a felony

Crucify him!

94-
Actually it has nothing to do with dumb luck. Trying to be an educated adult, I make sure not to drink enough alcohol (and maybe using certain other substances) where I would even think burning a church would be a good idea.

94: My close encounters have never involved felonies or attempted felonies. So you can't say the same thing? Wow.

106:

Not 94 here, but I had to comment.

Growing up, you seriously never came close to a felony? Where did you grow up? Lollypop Lane in Fantasy Land? You never smoked pot in college? You never drove over the reckless speed limit? You never thought it would be hilarious to make a home-made pipe bomb at age 14? You never shot off illegal fireworks?

Give it a rest. Granted, these are a far cry from lighting churches on fire. Granted.

Just don't act like you've never screwed around and almost committed a felony.

82,

So arson of a normal religious building is ok? Duly noted. Thanks for clearing that up. Fuck I missed so much by not going to HLS. I feel like such a clown for not realizing something so obvious.

Arson of a church? You all are filling in the blanks willy nilly without any facts. This is why we have a system where a defendant is presumed innocent. Because everyone projects there own personality disorders and emotional problems onto the defendant.

There is no report of any damage to the church. The fire fighters easily put out the fire. My guess is that he went in and stole something innocuous on a dare and knocked over a candle which set fire to the church.

I'm betting my guess is a whole lot closer to the truth than your guesses. But the truth is we do not know the truth. So stop pretending that you do.

Lawyer Gay

Can anyone confirm if Brian Schroeder and Aaron Charney dated?

107:

Not 106, but I'll answer you:

"You never smoked pot in college?"
No. Nor any other time.

"You never drove over the reckless speed limit?"
No. I've driven enough over the speed limit to be guilty of misdemeanor reckless driving, but not enough to make it a felony.

"You never thought it would be hilarious to make a home-made pipe bomb at age 14?"
No. And I never made one either.

"You never shot off illegal fireworks?"
No.

I disagree with the HLS classmate who was quoted in this post as saying it was "likely a thoroughly stupid drunken mistake."

Let's get this straight (no gay bashing intended): Going home drunk from the bar with an ugly fat chick is a "stupied drunken mistake." Drunk dialing your ex boyfriend / girlfriend and professing your undying love is a "stupid drunken mistake." But torching ANY BUILDING is not a stupid drunken mistake - it's arson.

Now, if he was stumbling along drunk holding a jack o' lantern with a candle in it, then passed out nearby and set the place on fire, well, I'd say that was a "thoroughly stupid drunken mistake." No sane person decides to commit arson when they are drunk (making out with inappropriate people, yes; arson, no.)

His ass should go to jail.

geez 111

Not the first crazy person that worked at Sidley. At least they managed to keep one out.

I commented this in the original post as well, but I am 09 HLS grad who was Editor-in-Chief of Harvard Latino Law Review, and was on the board of this small journal for all 3 years, and have never heard of this guy. At most, perhaps he subcited his 1L year in 2005.

And if he drunkenly broke into the church to steal a bible on a dare and accidentally knocked over a candle for the 9/11 victims which set fire to the tokens to the 9/11 victims, should he go to jail, 112? Why? Because the symbolism is all too much? Because you hate Abbie Hoffman and godless liberals?

I think this was a government conspiracy. Like John Like John Lennon’s killer (who was also apparently perfectly normal before the shooting), this kid was part of some kind of government mind control experiment. Spread the word.

And if he drunkenly broke into the church to steal a bible on a dare and accidentally knocked over a candle for the 9/11 victims which set fire to the tokens to the 9/11 victims, should he go to jail, 112? Why? Because the symbolism is all too much? Because you hate Abbie Hoffman and godless liberals?

Lawyer Gay

43-
I"t doesn't matter. Whether or not he was drunk doesn't effect his ability to formulate the requisite state of mind."

AFFECT. Jesus Christ, you should know better.

However, I agree that Brian is a douchnozzle and not being able to hold your liquor is the lamest excuse ever- for anything. Especially burning down a goddamned chapel with victim's remains inside. Can you sink any lower? Maybe bury some babies and dead kittens under your front porch?

This guy can get a job at Sidley and I can't? Perhaps I'll bold that I have not set buildings on fire.

111 -

You must be a big hit at parties.

You are also why working Biglaw is miserable. It's not so much the work, the stress, or the hours. It is the insufferable people who take life so damned seriously. Get over yourself.

I am not saying you have to break the law to have fun. But drop the smugness. Failing to engage in childhood shenanigans is not a badge of pride.

Maybe its time to leave this kid alone. He just lost his source of income, his career prospects have been significantly damaged, and he's facing jail time. I don't think that a pile of juvenile comments is really the best thing for him or the 9/11 victims' families. Time to move on?

121:

Engaging in childhood shenanigans isn't a badge of pride, either. I was only answering 107's smug assumption that everyone's breaking the law as children.

Reminds me of Tyrelle Pryor's statement regarding Michael Vick.

95 does what he wants

122,

Agreed. *Sweeps it under the rug*

Nothing to see here folks. Move along. Move along.

-HLS Public Relations

Any stipend for those who got deferred even longer at Winston?

This kid is probably insane, so he will have a good career as a lawyer so long as he can avoid getting caught the next time he burns down a residence or place of worship.

Was completely shocked to read this on ATL today. I knew Brian through Parody at HLS, and he always came across as the nicest, most friendly guy, not the type who would set fire to a memorial, surely not intentionally.

He really must have had too much to drink, but even then I'm floored by how this could have happened.

I guess this is a serious cautionary tale for all of us once we've had a few. There but for the grace...

94 is not 128

- 94

This guy ain't a true Texan. We don't got queers here and we real Texans love Texas so much that they don't move to New York City.

--G.W. Bush

Guys in my high school used to burn down churches all the time. In Texas. Wwaring sheets. It was no big deal.

PS - what code in the ATl article makes it 'obvious' that he is gay - being described as a 'little wierd'? being a theatre major? A reasonable person might infere that he is gay, but it isn't 'obvious' - maybe we should all skip the race- and gay- baiting. Walrus jokes are still ok.

@128 Wow...why am I reading all this "he was a really nice guy/ oh dear...I suppose that it could happen to any of us if we drank more than two beers" crap and feeling like it might be 'ol Bri's family? Hm? Just maybe?

So drunk that he managed to find his way into a secured memorial chapel complete with dead bodiesand pile up the teddy bears? Not buying it. No one will. Keep dreaming.

109

1) was there a fire in the chapel?
2) was he responsible?

Thank you now STFU

So the HLS classmate is concerned about homophobia? This grown man got drunk and vandalized the only resting place of our fellow citizens who were murdered simply because they were our citizens and he's the victim? I used to remember when being a Harvard graduate was an impressive thing but that was a long time ago.

116, this is 112 here. No, accidently knocking over a candle would be akin to my jack o' lantern analogy. He'd still be on the hook for breaking and entering, but I don't see that as arson.

And it might surprise you that I am actually one of those "godless liberals" you reference in your post. Politics aside, I just think if you are gonna be "stupid," you gotta be tough. Being "liberal" doesn't give you a free ticket to be a breaking and entering dbag - regardless of whether it was a church or the bodega on the corner.

To 128's: "I guess this is a serious cautionary tale for all of us once we've had a few. There but for the grace..."

No. You are an idiot. Most people - the vast majority, I would say, are simply incapable of doing something like this, no matter how many drinks they have had.

I am so gassy today. My officemates are suffocating!

136: I don't mean to flame you, as you did to 128. But I can't believe you have seen a lot of life.

Alcoholism--and recent law school grads are not exempt, simply by virtue of their age or their prestigious law school provenance--causes people to do some amazingly stupid things. Things that are profoundly destructive both to themselves and others close to them. Such people beat other people; they kill them; they run them over in cars, etc. etc.

Doesn't mean that the alcoholic is not legally responsible for his actions, just that a little humility is in order as we kiss off Schroeder's legal career.

If I'm ever drunk enough to think setting fire to a church is a good idea, I'm probably too drunk to light the matches and get the fire started. The universe IS in balance.

Wow... a lot of homophobia on this board. Explains why there are stronger anti-discrimination laws needed, to prevent bigots from making broadly negative assumptions based solely on who someone falls in love with.

While this is one bad apple, it shouldn't be used an excuse to say that all gay people are sociopaths or somehow unstable, and therefore unworthy of maximizing their potential at work.

ATL contacts the firm? Way to follow this guys douche nozzle of a move with an even bigger one. You chuggers kill me.

It may, at this point, be redundant, but I want to join in the chorus of HLS voices speaking out in Brian's defense. In the 4 years I've had to get to know Brian, he's never been anything but nice, thoughtful, generous, inquisitive, and fun. I can't defend what Brian may have done, but then again, from what I've read in the NY press, he isn't trying to either. The last few days have been a tremendous shock to me and to everyone that knows him...nothing any of us would have ever seen coming. It's already clear that Brian will pay dearly for this weekend's events, both personally and professionally. But I remain convinced that he is a fundamentally a good person and that I am deeply fortunate to know him.

My view, for whatever it's worth: from both ATL and from other news sources, I very much get the impression that all this has very little to do with Brian himself or what he did or why (the bizarre furor over his fake Halloween-costume ballpoint pen tattoos makes that clear enough, as far as I'm concerned). Instead, this seems to me like a headline -- "______ burns down 9/11 chapel!" -- for which anyone can fill-in-the-blank with whatever vague epithet best confirms their own worldview. "Godless liberal," "gay radical," "selfish, entitled Ivy League brat," "evil lawyer (or, ATL specific: FTT/Biglaw scum)" -- Brian is already becoming a canvas onto which anyone can project their existing biases or insecurities.

The truth is, none of those concepts comes anywhere close to describing who Brian actually is: a smart, funny, kind person, deeply devoted to his friends, to his community, and to exploring, understanding, and ultimately improving the world around him. One drunken (if not caused-by-drugging) mistake, however terrible (or politically inflammatory), does not change that.

140,

Agreed.

Obama should appoint a Thought Czar to prevent all these bigots from making negative assumptions about minority groups.

No moar negative assumptions? Yes we can!

EQUALITY SECURE

111 = the real Lawyer Gay

Who dares someone to set fire to a church memorial?

Who takes that person up on their dare?

Who would hire Elie to run a blog?

These are life's imponderables.

82

I looked up "porojection" per your suggestion and I have not found anything. Is this some sort of secret code you geniuses at HLS use?

143-

You're right, I meant to say prevent the from making broad negative assumptions about a suspect class and then systematically acting upon those assumptions to subject them to adverse employment action. And yes, LGBT Americans should be made a suspect class on the federal level (as the CA Supreme Court did last year on the state level).

Of course, that probably doesn't change your hyperbolic view against anti-discrimination laws in general, does it? And who mentioned Obama? Do you hate him b/c he's black? Or because he's smarter than you? Or both?

But for the grace of God...

Leave this kid alone.

147,

* sniff sniff * It's because * sniff sniff * Obama * sniff * is skinnier than me! Alright? I'm just a fat walrus, and he's a workout/golfing machine.

Oh, and because he is on record as opposing homosexual marriage. Clearly not as "smart" as you make him out to be, is he? Obama needs to put more action in the affirmative.

EQUALITY SECURE

148 is correct. Leave the kid alone.

No one can defend what this guy did, but on a legal blog of all places, how can so many rush to judgment? He will pay all his life for one night's horrible, misguided and impaired decision. Let justice do its work, and leave the vengeful mob mentality to someone else.

148 is only technically correct.

To all the people defending this guy:

There is a pretty big difference between acting negligently and acting knowlingly or purposefully (remember the Model Penal Code, guys?).

Many, dare I say most, of us have done stupid things under the influence. Some of those stupid things included violations of the law (particularly DUI). But DUI is, in general, reckless behavior. Yes, I know it is a strict liability offense, but I'm talking about the behavior itself.

This guy, on the other hand, set fire to a building. Leaving aside the nature of the structure and what it contained, I think it is perfectly reasonable to assume that he acted knowingly. However drunk he might have been, any "reasonable" 26-year-old would know that breaking into a building and lighting a fire would be A) illegal and B) risk the damage/destruction of that property. Voluntary intoxication is no excuse, and I don't buy the "somebody spiked my drink" defense either.

This guy should do a nickel jolt at Sing Sing, at the very least.

Fat Walrus,

You're stuck in 1991 Rush Limbaugh PC-land. I'm actually against Affirmative Action, but I'm for non-discrimination. The premise being that the laws should protect

You appear to be against both, which makes you just plain in favor of subjugation of the masses to any politically powerful class. Social Darwinism, which would make you fat walruses extinct.

BTW, it also means that intellectually, you must support slavery.

Bye now.

Fat Walrus,

You're stuck in 1991 Rush Limbaugh PC-land. I'm actually against Affirmative Action, but I'm for non-discrimination. The premise being that the laws should protect people equally.

You appear to be against both, which makes you just plain in favor of subjugation of the masses to any politically powerful class. Social Darwinism, which would make you fat walruses extinct.

BTW, it also means that intellectually, you must support slavery.

Bye now.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE WINSTON RE-DEFERRALS? Stipend? Practice groups that get to start on time?

For a bunch of lawyers, you seriously know nothng about how the NYC criminal court system works. Even if he's indicted on felony charges, he'll get a plea offer to a misdemeanor and do no time. Even if he does end up with a felony conviction, he'll still only get like 5 years of probation and a very short stint in the pokey. First offense, no victim, good background, white male? I'd be shocked if he did more than 4 months.

142-
So when he sets fire to your family plot will you be okay with that? STFU already with the nice guy crap.

142, 148, 150 = Brian Schroeder

seriously, who describes thier friends as "inquisitive" and that they are "deeply fortunate to know him"

or as

smart, funny, kind person, deeply devoted to his friends, to his community, and to exploring, understanding, and ultimately improving the world around him

this is either Brian or his grandmother

(or does he say abuela?)

maybe he was "improving the world around him" by burning down buildings that he finds unattractive?

and what community is he "deeply devoted" to? the one he is burning down? or does he just do that when he is visiting?

he is a self important snob who needs to grow up

Sincerely,

Brian's Abuela

157- No. Not all of us are criminal defense lawyers.

I think he should be freed, clearly a separation of church and state problem.

On a side note, besides the fact his life is over, what shitty friends for actually letting him do it and even to pose such a dare. WTF who dares someone, isn't that over is second grade!

Know the guy. He's not evil, but he certainly is not Mother Theresa. He was a snobby elitist in law for the money and no idea what else to do. I dont think he is evil, but people doing stupid things aren't. That doesn't mean he does sympathy for getting himself into an absurd situation. Most of us have been drunk and never set fires.

As to the comments about his Latinoness, plenty of white folks do minority law reviews when they dont get onto others.

161- Where the fu#k did you come from? Your punctuation is second grade.

161- "I think he should be freed, clearly a separation of church and state problem."

"Clearly" you are an LLM. First, the chapel is secular. Second, "seperation of church and state problem" , as you so brilliantly put it, does not apply whatsoever to an act of arson, no matter what purpose the building serves.

161 - made me laugh out loud good job. Also, great job trolling the idiots like 164. )

Clearly a disturbed latino fag. BigLaw will not miss him one bit. I am sure he will enjoy prison though.

I'm not going to lie, in my graduating class the first kid I can think of who accepted a Sidley offer is also definitely one of the first kids I think of when I try to imagine which of my classmates might go into a violent rage and end up on ATL.

Makes you wonder how Sidley picks 'em....

142, you're a fucking moron. Only a chick could be this stupid. Obviously you're a piss-poor judge of character whose criteria for friendship is where a person fits into your PC, Benneton-ad life. This guy's an asshole psychotic, and I guarantee that I (and many others here) could've told you as much within 5 minutes of meeting him.

You're no different then the associates of whichever serial killer whose only comment is that "this isn't the person I knew." Nobody cares about what you knew, and everything you thought you knew is wrong. Now shut the fuck up.

[I personally know Brian and I can say that] Brian actually is: a smart, funny, [and] kind person, [who is] deeply devoted to his friends, to his community, and to exploring, understanding, and ultimately [he wants nothing more than to work towards] improving the world around him [and burning down buildings].

This guy is the new Tucker Max

170: Comparison FAIL

Tucker Max, while douchey at times, is also funny some of the time. There's nothing funny about setting fire to buildings. Its also much more of an asshole move than, say, telling everyone about your exploits with Miss Vermont.

This little homo belongs in jail. What an idiot! Exactly what statement was this gay radical trying to make? Is he upset that gay marriage isn't legal in all states?

Smart people do stupid things...usually before they start law school.

I think he will regret this for a long time.

Quit calling him a "fag." Grow up you ignorant under 25 jerks.

142, I have no reason to disbelieve your impression of Mr. Schroeder, but who cares? He did what he did. Sidley Austin (which, in case anyone has forgotten, was based in the World Trade Center) was right to fire him, and the New York Bar will be right to reject his application. If he genuinely is a "good person" (something I would measure by actions rather than personality), he will search for ways to atone for this once he is out of prison.

Besides his career, his ass will get destroyed by 6ft 2, 200lb "Tyrone" in jail.