California Supreme Court

Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 06.07.17

* Ben Wittes on James Comey's prepared testimony (which he'll deliver tomorrow): "the most shocking single document compiled about the official conduct of the public duties of any President since the release of the Watergate tapes." [Lawfare] * Could the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program be eliminated -- retroactively? Thoughts from Professor Gregory Crespi. [SSRN] * The California Supreme Court appears less than enthused about a ballot measure that would compel the courts to decide death penalty cases more quickly. [How Appealing] * Behind every great bestseller is... a tiger mother? How Amy Chua mentored J.D. Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy (affiliate link). [The Atlantic] * Picking up on Shannon Achimalbe's post from earlier today, here's additional financial advice for young lawyers. [SoFi] * Legal technology is a godsend -- but what do you do when problems arise? [Reboot Your Law Practice] * Mark your calendars: one week from today, on June 14 in San Francisco, it's the Battle of the (Law Firm) Bands! [Family Violence Appellate Project]

By David Lat
Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 03.17.16

* Been there, done that: The political standoff having to do with Chief Judge Merrick Garland's nomination to the Supreme Court is nothing new. When he was nominated to the D.C. Circuit by President Bill Clinton in September 1995, Senate Republicans refused to hold a confirmation vote for him until March 1997. If patience is a virtue, then Garland has got to be the most virtuous judge of them all. [WSJ Law Blog] * Is he the "most anti-gun Supreme Court nomination in decades"? Conservative group Judicial Crisis Network plans to spend $2 million on an ad campaign in opposition to Chief Judge Merrick Garland's SCOTUS nod, calling attention to his "history of general hostility to the Second Amendment," as well as his vote in the Heller case. [POLITICO] * Greenberg Traurig has called off its merger talks with London-based Berwin Leighton Paisner, citing the firm's "conservative approach to financial risk." Executive chair Richard Rosenbaum penned a 540-word break-up letter announcing the bad news. The combined firm would've had more than 2,500 lawyers. [Big Law Businness / Bloomberg] * Finally! The California Supreme Court approved of changing the state's grueling three-day bar exam to a two-day exam, effective 2017. The first test day will consist of five essays and a performance test, and the second day will be the MBE. Both days will be weighted equally, and test takers will surely be less stressed. [State Bar of California] * If you've started receiving law school admission offers, now is a great time to consider weighing your options for merit-based financial aid -- carefully. If you wind up with a conditional scholarship offer, you better make sure to read all of the fine print, because if you don't, you could wind up screwing yourself. [Law Admissions Lowdown / U.S. News]

By Staci Zaretsky
Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 12.15.14

* Allegations abound that Tori Spelling's signature was forged on a bunch of settlement documents. But she says it's hers. What wacky adventures will Donna Martin get into next? [National Enquirer] * A reminder to send in those holiday card contest submissions by Wednesday! We've seen some fun ones so far, but don't let your firm be left out. [Above the Law] * The 11th Circuit's ECF system appears to be infected with a virus. Crackerjack technology work there. [South Florida Lawyers] * Nothing really new here, but it's a very specific, personal account of the broken law school model. [The Gazette (Cedar Rapids)] * Meanwhile, Dean Daniel Hamilton of UNLV Law joins the chorus of deans pitching the "because everyone's figured out law school's a bad deal it's suddenly become a good deal." [Vegas Seven] * Aaron Sorkin stands up for his Hollywood buddies and that means he's fig leafing rampant racism and sexism. [Redline] * Former SF mayor Willie Brown is confused by the nomination of Leondra Kruger to the California Supreme Court because she lives in D.C. He asks whether "there [were] no qualified African Americans in California?" Perhaps, but as a former SCOTUS clerk, Chicago Law instructor, U.S. deputy assistant attorney general, and assistant to the solicitor general there are few more qualified people anywhere for this job. [SF Gate] * There's been a void in all our hearts since we lost the genius UChiLawGo Tumblr. Hopefully its intellectual successor can fill that void. [UChiLawls]

By Joe Patrice
9th Circuit

Breaking: Ninth Circuit Issues Landmark Ruling on Gay Marriage

The Ninth Circuit has issued a landmark ruling on gay marriage. Or, if you prefer, a ruling on marriage equality. We knew this ruling was coming because the Ninth Circuit kindly informed us in advance that its opinion would be issued. Now, let's find out how the three-judge panel ruled in Perry v. Brown (formerly known as Perry v. Schwarzenegger)....

By David Lat