University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 03.31.17

* General Michael Flynn, the former national security adviser to President Trump, has offered to testify before Congress on the campaign's alleged Russian connections in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Remember back in September when Flynn said on Meet the Press that "when you are given immunity that means you've probably committed a crime"? This is absolutely wild. [Wall Street Journal; NBC News] * The chairman of Bethune-Cookman's criminal justice department defends the HBCU's affiliation with Arizona Summit Law, even though it's on probation, saying that because $12.5 million in scholarship money is at stake, "it would be irresponsible not to provide this opportunity as an option for B-CU students to obtain a legal education without incurring excessive student loan debt in the process." [DealBook / New York Times] * It looks like President Trump is planning to sign off on a repeal of Obama-era internet privacy rules that were promulgated by the FCC in October. As noted by Senator Chuck Schumer, this is "[t]errible for American [people], great for big [business]." Next on the agenda seems to be the decimation of net neutrality, so you might want to prepare yourselves to pay more for an internet connection that's quicker than a snail. [Reuters] * More than half of the 6,000 former students of Trump University have submitted claims to be part of its $25 million fraud class-action settlement. They'll recoup 80 cents for every dollar they spent on President Trump's real estate seminars. Judge Gonzalo Curiel, who Trump once accused of being biased due to his "Mexican heritage," will likely approve the settlement over the objections of two former students. [Big Law Business] * Guess which law school created a class based on Baltimore crime drama "The Wire"? It's U. Pitt., which has a three-credit course called "Crime, Law and Society in 'The Wire.'" This seems like it's one of those "Law and [Insert Noun Here]" classes, where 3Ls are hoping to get another A to add to their GPAs before they graduate. This would've been more relevant if a Maryland law school had offered the class. [Huffington Post]

By Staci Zaretsky
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Law Schools

Morning Docket: 04.06.12

* “We can’t engage the public in a seminar about health law.” Justice Sonia Sotomayor informed the public at Penn Law that she would not be taking up a post as a Wise Latina civics instructor. [Wall Street Journal] * Next on Meltdown with Keith Olbermann: this liberal commentator has sued Current TV over getting fired. It is clearly the most irresponsible, homophobic, racist, reactionary, tea-bagging network ever. [Businessweek] * George Zimmerman has added another lawyer to his soon-to-be defense team — a “veteran criminal defense” lawyer. Why did he need to hire such a hot shot if what he did to Trayvon Martin was legal? [Reuters] * Step aside TSA: what kinds of rights do cruise passengers have at sea? How about the right not to be interrogated, strip searched, and then forced to pee in front of security guards? [Overhead Bin / MSNBC] * Jordan Wallick has been convicted of second degree murder in the shooting death of James Wallmuth III, a University of Pittsburgh law student. Wallick is now looking at life behind bars for his crime. [CBS 21 News]

By Staci Zaretsky
Cars

Associate Killed in Dramatic Drunken Car Crash

Last night, a dramatic scene unfolded in the parking lot of a movie theater. A suspected drunk driver allegedly took off without his headlights on, hit two police cruisers, terrified several witnesses, and then slammed his car into a tree, killing himself. The driver was a graduate of a top law school and an associate at a law firm....

By David Lat
Cars

Captain Lawyer to the Rescue

Parents wield an unbelievable amount of power in the naming of their children. And as we all know, with great power comes great responsibility. Bizarre names can ensure that your child sits alone and friendless in the cafeteria for the better part of his formative years. Great names can spur children on to greatness. Naming […]

By Natasha Lydon