Greg Lambert

Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 09.30.18

* Many believe that today's Supreme Court is one of the hottest benches in history; Adam Feldman uses data to assess the claim. [Empirical SCOTUS] * As for who takes the SCOTUS bench, contingency plays a major role -- along with credentials and conservatism, as Ian Millhiser explains. [ThinkProgress] * Most people have their minds made up about Thursday's Supreme Court confirmation hearings featuring Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Judge Brett Kavanaugh -- but if you're still trying to process the proceedings, David Oscar Markus offers five simple rules for evaluating the witnesses. [The Hill] * Ann Althouse has some reflections on Judge Kavanaugh's emotional testimony and "present-day conservative masculinity." [Althouse] * David Bernstein proffers this interesting solution to the Kavanaugh nomination situation -- but don't hold your breath for its implementation. [Volokh Conspiracy / Reason] * If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, "the EU is busy building a three-lane highway that leads to a particularly dark place," according to Charles Glasser. [Daily Caller] * Lawyer Luddites: "AI in the legal space is not scary," as explained by David Kleiman of Bloomberg Law. [Artificial Lawyer] * Indeed, as Greg Lambert argues, lawyers -- especially "working partners" -- need to join the innovation conversation. [3 Geeks and a Law Blog]

By David Lat
Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 06.10.18

* What changes might come to the Supreme Court if Justice Kennedy retires at the end of this Term? Adam Feldman scours the justices' voting relationships for clues. [Empirical SCOTUS] * Speaking of SCOTUS, when it comes to its recent ruling in Masterpiece Cakeshop, Andrew Siegel is not impressed. [PrawfsBlawg] * Ilya Somin offers praise for legislation being co-sponsored by Senator Elizabeth Warren -- but it will make sense to you once you see the subject matter (hint: her co-sponsor is Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado). [Volokh Conspiracy / Reason] * Charles Glasser has no problem with people calling out or criticizing speech that they find offensive, but he argues -- rightly so, in my view -- that we've lost "a sense of proportion, a rational relationship between the speaker, their comments, and their role in society." [Daily Caller] * Ann Althouse's take on Bill Clinton's controversial #MeToo comments. [Althouse] * Greg Lambert is absolutely right: "Sometimes the change you seek causes problems you didn’t foresee." [3 Geeks and a Law Blog] * Smart-contract checker Sagewise hooks up with Hedera Hashgraph, a "blazing fast" alternative to blockchain. [Artificial Lawyer]

By David Lat
Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 05.20.18

* After issuing a TRO to a block a political ad attacking his own allies and campaign donors -- "almost certainly an unconstitutional prior restraint," in the words of First Amendment guru Eugene Volokh -- Judge Doug Martin of Arkansas (finally) recuses himself. [Daily Caller] * Jim Comey's bestselling book (affiliate link) could cause complications for Robert Mueller and his investigation, according to Joel Cohen. [Law and Crime] * Which state solicitors general appear most frequently before the Supreme Court? Not surprisingly, Scott Keller of Texas leads the pack, but check out Adam Feldman's list for other notable names. [Empirical SCOTUS] * Jean O'Grady shares my admiration for the late Tom Wolfe -- and even corresponded with the acclaimed author. [Dewey B Strategic] * Too few people are willing to take ownership of change -- and this is a big problem, as Greg Lambert explains. [3 Geeks and a Law Blog] * John Fund asks: has the American Law Institute (ALI) strayed from its mission of describing the law and into advocating changes in the law instead? [National Review] * What is "Old Tweet Syndrome," and is there a cure for it? Charles Glasser makes a diagnosis. [Daily Caller] * Adam J. White wonders: Does the Solicitor General's request for more time to file its reply to Sierra Pacific's cert petition in the "Moonlight Fire" case suggest that the Justice Department might confess error? [Weekly Standard] * If you'll be in Chicago on June 8, please consider coming to the twelfth annual dinner of the Richard Linn Inn of Court, where I'll be speaking -- hope to see you there! [Richard Linn American Inn of Court]

By David Lat