Scholarships

Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 12.22.17

* Judge George B. Daniels (S.D.N.Y.) dismissed a suit alleging that President Trump violated the Constitution's emoluments clause when his hotels and restaurants did business with foreign governments during his time in office. The reason for dismissal? A lack of standing. [Washington Post] * Speaking of the president, past vetting (or lack thereof) concerns be damned, because he recently announced his latest round of judicial nominations. Thus far, Trump has had a record number of circuit judges confirmed in his first year. [CNN] * Simpson Thacher and Kasowitz Benson are being sued for malpractice by the former CEO of Patriot National, who claims the firms are the reason why his company went under and is on the brink of filing for bankruptcy. [Daily Business Review] * Co-conspirator or victim? That's what jurors will have to decide when it comes to former Katten Muchin partner Evan Greebel, who once represented pharma bro Martin Shkreli. [New York Law Journal] * UCLA Law School is creating the Chris Cornell Scholarship, named for the late Soundgarden/Audioslave singer, endowed with a $1 million gift from a coalition led by his widow, Vicky Cornell. This is a wonderful way to remember an amazing artist who was an amazing human being. [Los Angeles Times] * It's finally here, a listing of the Top 10 Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2017. Topping the list is the woman who sued because she claimed she was "deceived" by amount of sugar in jelly beans. [U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform]

By Staci Zaretsky
Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 11.22.17

* After about two weeks of silence, President Trump has finally spoken out about the sexual misconduct allegations that Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore is facing. Seeming to indicate support for the accused child molester, the president said, "Roy Moore denies it. That's all I can say," before he ripped into Moore's opponent. [AL.com] * "Practically every law school in the country is offering more tuition discounts or scholarships than they did pre-2010." Now is apparently a great time to apply to law school, if only because it'll wind up being cheaper than it's been in years. [U.S. News] * Biglaw is getting in on the green rush in Canada ahead of its nationwide legalization of recreational marijuana. Dentons, Cassels Brock, and Stikeman Elliott each have roles as counsel in a huge cannabis deal in the Great White North. [Am Law] * Another federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from banning transgender people from serving in the military, ruling that the ban "cannot possibly constitute a legitimate governmental interest." We can't wait to see the president's angry tweets about this. [Reuters] * When it comes to parental leave at Biglaw firms, staff members are really getting the short end of the stick. In fact, at some firms, hourly staff members aren't even considered for parental leave benefits. [Big Law Business] * Judge William M. Hoeveler, legendary jurist (S.D. Fla.), RIP. [Miami Herald]

By Staci Zaretsky
Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 07.11.17

* Chuck Schumer wants Donald Trump Jr. to testify under oath. Given DTJ's contempt for anyone not named Trump, this promises to be appointment viewing. [The Hill] * The Gawker case is keeping the heat on litigation finance. [Law360] * What you need to know if you have a law firm as a client. [Law and More] * In case you need more sources to point out the obvious. [Huffington Post] * Your most important question about Spider-Man: Homecoming, answered. [Slate] * I know you want to hear Elie Mystal arguing over Kelo v. City of New London, I just know it. [The Greenspace] * Have you ever ridden a bike? Are you interested in a scholarship? Check out this law firm's application. [Utah Advocates]

By Kathryn Rubino
Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 08.09.16

* Did Chief Justice Roy Moore of the Alabama Supreme Court commit judicial misconduct when he instructed probate judges that the state's same-sex marriage ban was still in effect despite the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell? The state's Court of the Judiciary has set a date for a trial-like proceeding on the ethics charges Moore faces for late September. [ABC News] * If you want to go to law school and you've got your heart set on a particular institution, it may be in your best financial interests to apply early decision. A few law schools are now offering significant scholarship opportunities to early applicants -- in some cases, full tuition scholarships are being handed out. [Law Admissions Lowdown / U.S. News] * "Even innocent clients may not benefit from the fraud of their attorney." Chevron Corp. has prevailed in a long-running environmental law case set in an Ecuadorian rainforest. Lawyers for the oil and gas company convinced the Second Circuit that an $8.65 billion judgment was obtained through attorney Steven Donziger's bribery and fraud. [Reuters] * The family of slain Florida State law professor Dan Markel has accepted a $40,000 settlement from the Consolidated Dispatch Agency in connection with a wrongful death case. Due to an "error by dispatchers," it took approximately 19 minutes for ambulances to arrive at Markel's home as he lay dying after being shot. [Tallahassee Democrat] * This is why indebted law students can't have nice things: while the American Bar Association may have changed its tune when it comes to law students earning pay for credit-bearing externships, it will allow law schools to be the ultimate arbiters on whether academic credit will still be offered for these job placements. [Law.com]

By Staci Zaretsky
Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 03.18.16

* What legal nerds really want to know about Merrick Garland: an analysis of his opinion-writing style. [Legal Writing Pro] * The UK’s most followed law student on Instagram talks about people's expectation of who she is based solely on the images she posts, rather than on the reality of who she is. [Legal Cheek] * Did Donald Trump miss an opportunity? Sure, he's been playing the American people like a goddamn fiddle, but maybe he should be threatening to fund the plaintiffs in potential lawsuits, not the defendants. [Medium] * Looking to the Federalist Papers to shame Republicans for their failure to consider President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee. [Brennan Center] * Law school just got a little bit easier to pay for: Gabe Levin, a hockey player for Denver University is the first ever recipient of the NCHC Post-Graduate Scholarship and intends to use it to go to law school. [USCHO] * Attorney learns lying in order to get a table at an exclusive restaurant may have more consequences than he thought. [Legal Profession Blog] * Oh, my. A criminal defendant sings a song, inspired by Adele, to express his apology for his crimes. [YouTube] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N37TIk2puD8&app=desktop

By Kathryn Rubino
Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 09.24.15

* Is it possible to bounce back in Biglaw after a bad performance review? [Corporette] * Justice Alito takes his place with the far-right in recent anti-gay comments. [Slate] * Great tips to turn your terrible interview moments into wins. [Law and More] * Good news for law students in Louisiana. Scholarship money is up for grabs! [Harrell & Nowak] * New York Law School hosts the first annual Internet Safety Conference. [New York Law School] * Leave your legal job, refinance your loans, and become a be a full time author. Respect. [Time] * Careful what you blog or you could get suspended. [Legal Profession Blog] * The Bard comes out on top of SCOTUS citations. [ABA Journal] * The latest in legal events includes the ATL Academy for Private Practice. [Codex]

By Kathryn Rubino
Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 09.09.15

* Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who was jailed over her refusal to give marriage licenses to gay couples, was released by order of Judge David Bunning -- with a warning not to interfere with her deputy clerks' duties. Hmm, yeah, she's totally going back to jail. [New York Times] * The law school applicant pool is still dwindling after all these years, so it's interesting to see which schools are offering students the biggest bribes scholarships and grants (some of which may later disappear) so they can fill the seats in their classes with asses. [Bloomberg via PreLaw] * This Montana Law professor claims that he was forced to retire from his teaching position early due to the school's ongoing budget cuts: "I am the first full-time member of the law faculty upon whom the ax has fallen." We'll have more on this later. [Missoulian] * Hmm, what Dewey know about the standard of evidence for conviction in the D&L fraud trial? "Woulda, coulda, shoulda is fine for cocktail party conversation. In this courtroom and in any courtroom, the proof must be beyond a reasonable doubt." [Reuters] * Miami Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross, who received an LL.M. in taxation from NYU School of Law, is making a $20 million donation to the school, its largest gift ever. We wonder how much he's giving to his alma mater, Wayne State Law. [WSJ Law Blog]

By Staci Zaretsky
Biglaw

Morning Docket: 02.28.14

* For the first time ever, someone managed to record secret video footage at SCOTUS during oral arguments — and, of course, it’s secret video footage of the McCutcheon protestor’s outburst. You can check it out after the jump. [Reuters] * After a brief hospitalization yesterday, Attorney General Eric Holder was discharged from the hospital with a clean bill of health. It looks like he won’t have to go to one of those Obamacare death panels after all! [Washington Post] * “The trajectory of an associate in a law firm has changed irreversibly.” Ain’t that the truth. But seriously, what happened to all of the Biglaw lawyers who were Lathamed way back in 2009? Here are some of their stories. [Am Law Daily] * More law schools are trying to convince students to attend by offering scholarships. Tulsa will toss you cash if you’re from the sticks, and TJSL will guarantee you money if you’re smart. [National Law Journal] * A trial date has been set for accused Colorado movie theater shooter James Holmes. Get ready to see this crazy face on HLN 24 hours a day while Nancy Grace offers her ever insightful commentary. [CNN] (Keep reading to see the now legendary Supreme Court oral argument protest footage.)

By Staci Zaretsky