Brian Leiter

Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 07.26.19

* Poor Rudy Giuliani complaining about how the $800K he's already made this year simply isn't enough. [Bloomberg] * Drug dealer says she doesn't care about harm to the public. [PBS] * Trump's efforts to shut down tax record subpoenas stymied by precedent. On the other hand, "precedent" is a legal concept that the current Supreme Court has more or less eradicated. [Law360] * If you're interested in a collection of bad takes on the latest Amy Wax controversy, this article has you covered with both Brian Leiter and John Banzhaf! [National Law Journal] * Politicians are coming for Section 230 and it's pretty clear they haven't even bothered to read the existing language. [NY Times] * White-collar work is slowing down. Something tells me this next recession is going to kick it into gear. [NY Law Journal] * Robert Mueller's most important testimony was less about Donald Trump and more about on-going Russian interference in elections. So obviously Mitch McConnell has smothered all legislation aimed at impeding the Russians. [Huffington Post]

By Joe Patrice
Elena Kagan

Non-Sequiturs: 10.10.14

* Remember that whole Brian Leiter kerfuffle? Well he’s gone. The world (of philosophy rankings) was not ready for one as beautiful as thee. [Daily Nous] * Before They Were Famous: Newly released documents reveal a pre-SCOTUS Justice Kagan writing memos admitting that she “really f**ked up” and “God, do I feel like an idiot.” At least she understood how she made her 1L class feel when she was a professor. [Josh Blackman's Blog] * A lawsuit over who owns the word “how.” Can’t make this up. [Chronicle of Higher Education] * How do we know that driverless cars are going to be wonderful for human society? Because they will be absolutely horrible for lawyers and insurers. [Legal Funding Central] * This guy explains what everyone should understand before going to law school by walking through his decision to not to go to law school despite gaining admission to some T14 heavies. He gives ATL a shout. We hear you buddy, congratulations on your decision. [Chronicle Vitae] * A Delaware attorney sued for allegedly aiding and abetting a fraudulent emerald salvage operation. Kind of “X marks the disbarment.” [Delaware Online] * Exxon won an arbitration and got $1.6B from cash-strapped Venezuela, but wanted $14.7B. Poor Exxon, they face so many struggles. [Bloomberg h/t Breaking Energy] * The D.C. Bar Association is hosting a “Go Formal For Justice” event to raise many for its many programs to help, directly or indirectly, the indigent. [D.C. Bar Foundation]

By Joe Patrice
Drinking

Non-Sequiturs: 10.01.14

* We welcome Howard Bashman to his new homepage! [How Appealing / Above the Law] * An ode to Brian Leiter to the tune of the Beach Boys’ “I Get Around.” [Philosophy Metablog] * “Lawyers have a powerful voice in the American legal system, government, and news and entertainment businesses. But do they make their contributions to society while impaired?” You’re goddamned right we do! [SSRN] * For example, a Louisville lawyer was arrested for allegedly surfing the web while driving drunk. Who says solo practitioners can’t multitask. [WDRB] * Is litigation finance a loan or an investment? Perhaps tax law holds the answer. [LFC 360] * Former St. Louis Mayor Freeman Bosley Jr. had his law license suspended indefinitely. Apparently his trust account was bouncing checks. This suspension has ramifications for a much bigger case — Bosley had been representing Dorian Johnson, an eyewitness to the Michael Brown killing. [Missouri Lawyers Weekly (sub. req.); St. Louis Post-Dispatch] * Hasbro thinks that owning Scrabble means they own the English language. [Slate] * Congratulations to legal communications specialists Infinite PR, who just merged with UK outfit Spada to expand their business across the pond. [PR Week]

By Joe Patrice
Books

Non-Sequiturs: 09.26.14

* A list of lawyers who followed their passions. Let’s be honest: I just like that Lat’s in the same listicle as Jerry Springer. [One 400] * Another report on the Brian Leiter kerfuffle (by Professor Jonathan Adler). [The Volokh Conspiracy / Washington Post] * Postal carrier hoarded 40,000 pieces of mail. Newman! [The Smoking Gun] * Another court allows service via Facebook. [Peter S. Vogel] * Eric Holder is resigning. Time for the speculation that he must have done something awful to begin! [New York Observer] * D.C. lawyer Ronald Goldfarb reviews John W. Dean’s new book (affiliate link) about the Nixon tapes. [Washington Independent Review of Books]

By Joe Patrice
9th Circuit

Non-Sequiturs: 09.24.14

* Quiz: Can you match the picture of the plaintiff to the landmark Supreme Court decision? [Slate] * Ninth Circuit expedites Ed O'Bannon appeal. [USAToday] * New NBC comedy about a law student who becomes a garbage man. Better job security, I suppose. [The A.V. Club] * The federal prison population declined by about 4800 inmates, giving the United States… well, still the worst incarceration rate in the world, but hey, you’ve got to start somewhere. [ABC News] * The contract attorney who sued Biglaw is living in his car and considering a career in construction. Perhaps it was a Freudian thing. [Law and More] * Some philosophy professors are concerned about an individual getting very testy with perceived critics. Anyone want to guess the individual? [Professor David Velleman Homepage / NYU] * In case you missed it, Howard Bashman’s announcement of our new partnership. [How Appealing] * Middle school convinces special needs girl to allow suspected rapist to take her into a bathroom so the school can “catch him redhanded.” She gets raped. Judge dismisses the lawsuit saying he wouldn’t “second-guess” school officials. [Al.com]

By Joe Patrice