Above the Law

Notre Dame law professor blows the lid off the idea that opposing marriage equality has nothing to do with bigotry.

New York HAAAAAATES Rudy Giuliani.

* In a perfect example of everything wrong with GDPR there are now concerns that, under its terms, blockchain is prohibited. So a law designed to protect privacy might derail the most secure privacy protection technology on the market. Good job! [Legaltech News]

* For months, I've used the phrase "GDPR-Y2K-2018." Looks like someone agrees with me. [Corporate Counsel]

* The lesson we've learned over the past week is that being pro-segregation really boosts your chances for the federal bench these days. [Courthouse News Service]

* The air is no so sweet down on Sesame Street, where they're suing Brian Henson over his new movie, "Happytime Murders." [Law360]

* A deep dive into that dispute that's put Michael Avenatti's firm on the hook for millions. [New York Law Journal]

* Trump's trade policy may result in economic ruin, but it'll make a lot of money for lawyers. [American Lawyer]

* Payday lender who tried to skirt the law by claiming to be on Indian reservations slapped with 8-year sentence. [WTOP]

Black Defendants Get Longer Sentences From Republican-Appointed Judges, Study Finds How Appealing Will Athenahealth Accept Elliott Management’s Hefty Buyout Offer? MedCity News Guy Who Shot Car Into Space While Customers Waited For Cars They Already Paid For Wants To Rank The Media’s Credibility Dealbreaker Dear FirstEnergy, America Doesn’t Need Your Coal Plants Breaking Energy

Ed. note: We will not be publishing on Monday, May 28, in observance of Memorial Day. We will return to our regular publication schedule on Tuesday, May 29.

* What is up with the lively Twitter feed of George T. Conway, former Wachtell Lipton partner and husband of top Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway? It's not entirely clear -- but if you're not already following GTC, you should be. [Politico]

* Because Masterpiece Cakeshop isn't the only cake controversy out there: mom tries to get "summa cum laude" written on her son's graduation cake, hilarity sues. [Althouse]

* Over at the invaluable Take Care blog, you can now find an extensive database of articles addressing impeachment in the Age of Trump -- to complement Laurence Tribe and Joshua Matz's new book about impeachment (affiliate link). [Take Care]

* Is Justice Anthony M. Kennedy about to retire from the Supreme Court? Per Adam Feldman, "signs point to Justice Kennedy remaining on the Court past this term notwithstanding all of the discussion surrounding his retirement." [Empirical SCOTUS]

* When #MeToo meets defamation claims: a court tosses Tavis Smiley's libel claim against PBS. [Volokh Conspiracy / Reason]

* "Surprise! Your expert witness has a rap sheet." And there's no plug-and-play solution to vetting expert witnesses, as Jean O'Grady explains. [Dewey B Strategic]

* Saira Rao, who helped diversify the world of children's books, hopes to do the same for politics -- by becoming Colorado's first woman of color elected to Congress. [Teen Vogue]

THE SPECTER OF DONALD TRUMP MAKING ANOTHER SUPREME COURT APPOINTMENT HANGS OVER EVERYTHING: Anthony Kennedy probably isn't retiring after this term. But he might. Because he might not recognize it's his responsibility to save the whole damn country.

WEINSTEIN ARRAIGNED: But it was a classic, "rich man's" arraignment.

WHY WON'T TRUMP TAKE THE 'L' ON STORMY DANIELS? Joe and I talk with Lisa Green about prenuptial arrangements.

THE DEMISE OF COPYRIGHT TOLERATION: Another norm being gutted before our eyes.

YOU MAKE A DEAL WITH COOLEY, AND ALL THE BAD LAW SCHOOLS COME CALLING: Another under-performing law school is suing the ABA. The deal they made to get out of the Cooley lawsuit is looking dumber and dumber.

Law firms should be scared of these numbers.

This lawyer knew how to talk.