Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 07.02.18

* President Trump acknowledges he needs to pick someone "great" to replace Justice Kennedy on the Supreme Court. That person needs to be "extraordinarily well qualified" and have a "portfolio of solid academic writing," but according to advisors, he doesn't care about reading any of it, come on now. [Washington Post] * "I’m really sorry that something we thought we had won for future generations instead we must leave for future generations to protect for themselves." Sarah Weddington, the attorney who argued Roe v. Wade 48 years ago, is "really worried" about women's reproductive rights now that Justice Kennedy is retiring. [Vox] * Meanwhile, Republican Senator Susan Collins -- whose vote on the next Supreme Court justice will be critical -- says that any nominee who would contemplate overturning Roe v. Wade would "not be acceptable," and that all nominees must have "respect for precedent." Let's see if any of her colleagues agree. [ABC News] * Latham & Watkins announced that London-based partner Richard Trobman was elected as the firm's next chair and managing partner. Trobman has been serving as the firm's interim co-chair ever since Bill Voge Lathamed himself over inappropriate conduct involving “communications of a sexual nature.” [American Lawyer] * Senators Cory Booker, Tim Scott, and Kamala Harris have introduced a bill that would make lynching a federal hate crime punishable by a sentence of up to life in prison. A law like this has never been passed. Per Sen. Booker, "This bill finally rights a wrong that should have been done a long time ago." [New York Times]

By Staci Zaretsky on July 02, 2018 8:34 am

* President Trump acknowledges he needs to pick someone “great” to replace Justice Kennedy on the Supreme Court. That person needs to be “extraordinarily well qualified” and have a “portfolio of solid academic writing,” but according to advisors, he doesn’t care about reading any of it, come on now. [Washington Post]

* “I’m really sorry that something we thought we had won for future generations instead we must leave for future generations to protect for themselves.” Sarah Weddington, the attorney who argued Roe v. Wade 48 years ago, is “really worried” about women’s reproductive rights now that Justice Kennedy is retiring. [Vox]

* Meanwhile, Republican Senator Susan Collins — whose vote on the next Supreme Court justice will be critical — says that any nominee who would contemplate overturning Roe v. Wade would “not be acceptable,” and that all nominees must have “respect for precedent.” Let’s see if any of her colleagues agree. [ABC News]

* Latham & Watkins announced that London-based partner Richard Trobman was elected as the firm’s next chair and managing partner. Trobman has been serving as the firm’s interim co-chair ever since Bill Voge Lathamed himself over inappropriate conduct involving “communications of a sexual nature.” [American Lawyer]

* Senators Cory Booker, Tim Scott, and Kamala Harris have introduced a bill that would make lynching a federal hate crime punishable by a sentence of up to life in prison. A law like this has never been passed. Per Sen. Booker, “This bill finally rights a wrong that should have been done a long time ago.” [New York Times]

Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky has been an editor at Above the Law since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.