David Wilkins

Morning Docket: 04.17.17

* Settlements have been reached between Berkeley Law, the school's former dean, and the dean's former assistant. If you recall, then dean Sujit Chaudry was accused of sexually harassing his assistant, and as part of the settlement, he'll have to pay $100K in fees and charitable donations, but will be considered to be on "sabbatical" until May 2018, keeping all of his benefits. Hmm, do we think this is fair? [Mercury News] * "We have not livestreamed before, but that's not to say that won't happen in this case." The Fourth Circuit is considering livestreaming oral arguments for travel ban 2.0, much like what the Ninth Circuit did with oral arguments for Trump's first travel ban. Maybe you'll be able to do some "professional development" billing... [National Law Journal] * "Arkansas does not intend to torture plaintiffs to death." Judge Kristine G. Baker (E.D. Ark.) has halted a whirlwind series of eight executions -- the state's first executions scheduled since 2005 -- citing a "threat of irreparable harm" if the drug midazolam is used as part of the lethal injection drug protocol and somehow fails. [New York Times] * More and more out-of-state Biglaw firms are flocking to Houston, Texas, to open their own offices, which has inspired many lawyers to leave their current firms for greener pastures -- in terms of both money and opportunities. But is there enough legal work to go around with all of the new competition? Only time will tell. [Houston Chronicle] * Ten Harvard Law student affinity groups are gunning for Professor David B. Wilkins to become the next dean of the school after Martha Minow steps down at the end of the year. They've written a letter to the university president, imploring him to take their advice and select their dean candidate for the position. Check it out. [Harvard Crimson]