Recent Headlines from Above the Law
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Law Schools
Law School Professor Resigns After Using The N-Word In Class
Why can't law professors just stop using the n-word? -
Law Schools
Schools Step Up To Assist Puerto Rican Law Students Displaced By Hurricane Maria
Which law schools will provide needy Puerto Rican students with assistance in their studies? -
Morning Docket
Morning Docket: 03.31.17
* General Michael Flynn, the former national security adviser to President Trump, has offered to testify before Congress on the campaign’s alleged Russian connections in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Remember back in September when Flynn said on Meet the Press that “when you are given immunity that means you’ve probably committed a crime”? This is absolutely wild. [Wall Street Journal; NBC News]
* The chairman of Bethune-Cookman’s criminal justice department defends the HBCU’s affiliation with Arizona Summit Law, even though it’s on probation, saying that because $12.5 million in scholarship money is at stake, “it would be irresponsible not to provide this opportunity as an option for B-CU students to obtain a legal education without incurring excessive student loan debt in the process.” [DealBook / New York Times]
* It looks like President Trump is planning to sign off on a repeal of Obama-era internet privacy rules that were promulgated by the FCC in October. As noted by Senator Chuck Schumer, this is “[t]errible for American [people], great for big [business].” Next on the agenda seems to be the decimation of net neutrality, so you might want to prepare yourselves to pay more for an internet connection that’s quicker than a snail. [Reuters]
* More than half of the 6,000 former students of Trump University have submitted claims to be part of its $25 million fraud class-action settlement. They’ll recoup 80 cents for every dollar they spent on President Trump’s real estate seminars. Judge Gonzalo Curiel, who Trump once accused of being biased due to his “Mexican heritage,” will likely approve the settlement over the objections of two former students. [Big Law Business]
* Guess which law school created a class based on Baltimore crime drama “The Wire”? It’s U. Pitt., which has a three-credit course called “Crime, Law and Society in ‘The Wire.'” This seems like it’s one of those “Law and [Insert Noun Here]” classes, where 3Ls are hoping to get another A to add to their GPAs before they graduate. This would’ve been more relevant if a Maryland law school had offered the class. [Huffington Post]
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Law Schools, Racism
Law School vs. TV Station: Showdown Over Racial Bias Questions
The TV station says it's all a misunderstanding. Even if that's true, it misses the point. -
Law Schools
2016 Law School Graduation Speaker Roundup
How cool is your law school? It depends on who you've snagged as a graduation speaker. -
Copyright, Music
Law Librarians May Have Killed World's Biggest Copyright Troll
A copyright troll may be singing a different tune after this week. -
Police
Kentucky Police Are Completely Awful
Local police spring a prisoner and send him on a one-way trip out of state... despite a court order. -
Job Searches, Law School Deans, Law Schools
I Hope All Law School Deans Are Begging Their Alumni Like This
Is your law dean out there begging for jobs for you? -
Biglaw, Law Schools
Which Law Schools' Grads Run Biglaw? An ATL Infographic
An aquatic look at which law firms' alumni have the top spots at the largest U.S. law firms. -
Law Schools, Rankings, U.S. News
Open Thread: 2014 U.S. News Law School Rankings (76 – 98)
Do you have something to say about your law school's U.S. News ranking? This is the place to do it! -
Law School Deans, Law Schools, Rankings, U.S. News
Responding to the New U.S. News Rankings: The Parade of Butthurt Deans Begins Now
Law school deans are trying to explain away drops in the rankings, but one leading indicator is always on the way up.... -
Facebook, Law Schools
Status Update of the Day: Would You Like To Share A Room With Success?
When picking a roommate, make sure to check if the guy has success... -
Law Schools, Morning Docket, Murder, Politics, Racism, SCOTUS, Sonia Sotomayor, Supreme Court, Travel / Vacation
Morning Docket: 04.06.12
* “We can’t engage the public in a seminar about health law.” Justice Sonia Sotomayor informed the public at Penn Law that she would not be taking up a post as a Wise Latina civics instructor. [Wall Street Journal]
* Next on Meltdown with Keith Olbermann: this liberal commentator has sued Current TV over getting fired. It is clearly the most irresponsible, homophobic, racist, reactionary, tea-bagging network ever. [Businessweek]
* George Zimmerman has added another lawyer to his soon-to-be defense team — a “veteran criminal defense” lawyer. Why did he need to hire such a hot shot if what he did to Trayvon Martin was legal? [Reuters]
* Step aside TSA: what kinds of rights do cruise passengers have at sea? How about the right not to be interrogated, strip searched, and then forced to pee in front of security guards? [Overhead Bin / MSNBC]
* Jordan Wallick has been convicted of second degree murder in the shooting death of James Wallmuth III, a University of Pittsburgh law student. Wallick is now looking at life behind bars for his crime. [CBS 21 News]
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Cars, Deaths, Drinking, Midsize Firms / Regional Firms
Associate Killed in Dramatic Drunken Car Crash
Last night, a dramatic scene unfolded in the parking lot of a movie theater. A suspected drunk driver allegedly took off without his headlights on, hit two police cruisers, terrified several witnesses, and then slammed his car into a tree, killing himself. The driver was a graduate of a top law school and an associate at a law firm.... -
Cars, Lawyer Advertising, Small Law Firms, Solo Practitioners, Weirdness
Captain Lawyer to the Rescue
Parents wield an unbelievable amount of power in the naming of their children. And as we all know, with great power comes great responsibility. Bizarre names can ensure that your child sits alone and friendless in the cafeteria for the better part of his formative years. Great names can spur children on to greatness. Naming […] -
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, Job Searches, Law Schools, Paralegals, Reader Polls, Student Loans
Should This Young Woman Go to Law School?
A bright, 23-year-old woman is thinking of going to law school. Should she do it? Let's learn about the particulars of her case.... -
Law School Deans, Law Schools, Musical Chairs
Administrative Shake-Ups At A Law School Falling in the Rankings
It’s the season for law school deans to step down. We never get to know exactly why deans step down, but when students relate stats like the one below, it certainly leaves an impression. Our tipster reports: “When she took over, [our school] was ranked tier one, around 46 or 47. Now it hovers around […] -
Boutique Law Firms, Fabulosity, Lawyerly Lairs, Real Estate, Small Law Firms
Lawyerly Lairs: An Attorney's $7.5 Million Townhouse
As small-firm columnist Valerie Katz previously discussed, some partners at small law firms are worth big bucks. The only practicing lawyer in the Forbes 400 is a small-firm attorney, in fact. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that some partners at small firms have big and beautiful wives homes. The New York Times recently […] -
Cars, Law Schools
SUV Smashes a Hole Into Pitt Law School
I feel bad for Pittsburgh Law students. Just ten days ago, career services embarrassed them by offering students jobs putting fliers on parked cars. And now today, an out-of-control driver punched a hole into their law building. Literally. Last night an SUV crashed into the Barco Law Building and punched a hole in the wall. […] -
Job Searches, Law Schools
Law School Apologizes to Students For Weak Job Listing
Earlier today, we reported on the illustrious position of “dude who puts litter on parked cars,” which was being offered to jobless students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. This wasn’t the first terrible job being offered to law students we’ve posted about. And sadly, it probably won’t be the last. But perhaps […]