Star Wars

Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 01.06.15

* Cops arrest a stormtrooper in Massachusetts. See, J.J. Abrams! This is what happens when you have a black stormtrooper. [Lowering the Bar] * Litigation finance crosses a new threshold: Gerchen Keller announces that it now has $1.4 billion in assets. [Am Law Daily] * Understanding how humans cocoon makes you a better lawyer. But cocoons apparently can't cure Wilford Brimley's "dia-beet-us." [Katz Justice] * Deep look at Rob Billot whose career as a corporate lawyer took a wild turn when he decided to take on DuPont for the last 16 years. [New York Times Magazine] * The law of using submarines to spy. That damn caterpillar drive again. [Lawfare] * Are you going to San Diego ComicCon? Are you willing to cosplay to participate in a mock trial? These folks want to talk with you. [The Legal Geeks] * Americans lost their minds -- one way or the other -- over President Obama's tears yesterday, but they're a well-established part of advocacy to be handled lightly. Or you could just bawl over everything and see if that works. [Law and More] * Let's check in at the AALS Conference. Yep, everything seems perfectly normal over there... CYEMetCUkAAh5b- That's the CALI.org booth if you're visiting the show (photo grabbed off Twitter).

By Joe Patrice
Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 11.30.15

* Delaware bucks the trend of declining bar passage rates! Not such good news for Ohio. [Bar Exam Stats] * Yeah, you've got tax law to blame for the terrible Star Wars prequels. [Federal Tax Blog] * A second juror in the Sheldon Silver case tries to get out of jury deliberations. Judge denies it, the juror will do their "best or whatever." [Wall Street Journal] * The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court just named 5 attorneys as public advocates. Get the scoop on who they really are. [Ars Technica] * Ayelette Robinson, a former corporate lawyer turned actress, is featured on a new podcast. [Hsu Untied] * You wanna fix the problem of chronic overwork, stress, and dissatisfaction in Biglaw? Then LEAVE. [Big Law Business / Bloomberg BNA]

By Kathryn Rubino
Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 11.27.15

* That was fast! When Howard Bashman (of our sister site How Appealing) talks, the U.S. Supreme Court listens. [How Appealing] * She doesn't mention it much on the campaign trail, but Carly Fiorina is the daughter of Article III aristocracy -- the late Judge Joseph T. Sneed III, a prominent conservative on the Ninth Circuit. [New York Times] * Is the supposed "hate crime" at Harvard Law School, involving the placement of black tape on the portraits of African-American law professors, actually a hoax? [Powerline via TaxProf Blog] * Elsewhere in academia, Professor Glenn Reynolds wonders: "If a cabal of Evil Conservatives set out to destroy academia from within, what, exactly, would it be doing differently?" [Instapundit] * Star Wars fans, discuss: "The Law is a Sith," according to Professor Adam Kolber. [PrawfsBlawg] * Can states bar Syrian refugees? Professor Ilya Somin thinks not (at least under current Supreme Court precedent). [Volokh Conspiracy] * Thoughts from Professor Ronald K.L. Collins on Hines v. Alldredge, the occupational speech case previously discussed by Tamara Tabo. [Concurring Opinions] * What can be done about problematic prosecutors? [New York Times via How Appealing]

By David Lat
Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 11.18.15

* Eric Schneiderman sure is keeping busy. Now he's investigating a troubled non-profit. [New York Daily News] * Legal scholar Cass Sunstein is writing a book about Star Wars. What big questions should he tackle? [New York Magazine] * Exploring the potential First Amendment implications for computers. [WSJ Law Blog] * Thank goodness she didn't! Justice Sotomayor talks about how she nearly pulled out of the confirmation process. [Daily Progress] * Law firms? Slow to change? Go on... [Geek Law Blog] * Speaking of law firms and change, here's some advice on updating your website. [Law Reboot]

By Kathryn Rubino
Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 05.04.15

* DEA Agent thinks legalized pot will get rabbits high. Do you know how quickly they reproduce? This could lead to a terrifying Dorito's shortage. [Lowering the Bar] * Facebook lands a guy in prison after he "Likes" his own Wanted poster. [Jonathan Turley] * The billable hour is a recipe for law firm failure. [The Legal Intelligencer] * Dov Charney really really wants to get back control of American Apparel. Guy can't seem to take no for an answer. In any event, his legal maneuvers may have set the stage for the intentional death of the company. [Dealbreaker] * In honor of Star Wars Day, here are lessons lawyers can learn from Star Wars. Don't go Jar Jar. [The Nutmeg Lawyer] * The $140 million suit brought against Proskauer Rose by the Johnson & Johnson heirs will go forward. So... more tears for Proskauer. [Reuters] * Attorney General Loretta Lynch's Brooklyn spin class turns into a celebration. [Wall Street Journal / Metropolis]

By Joe Patrice