Legal History

2 law schools change names because of namesakes’ notorious pasts

Two law schools are officially changing their names after learning more about their namesakes’ long-ago conduct.

Sep 27, 2022 11:13 AM CDT

What is a writ of replevin? It’s being used by the DOJ against former White House adviser

Updated: Writs of replevin have been used by creditors to recover collateral, such as cars; by tenants or landlords to recover property taken by the other; by businesses to recover items taken by employees; and by people seeking the return of pets after a breakup. It’s also being cited by the U.S. Department of Justice in a lawsuit against a former senior White House adviser.

Sep 27, 2022 10:29 AM CDT

Weekly Briefs: Bias suit against Trump lawyer resolved; Montana no longer defies court order over birth certificates

Trump lawyer resolves rap-music bias suit Alina Habba, a lawyer for former President Donald Trump, has resolved a race- and gender-bias lawsuit largely based on the rap music that she was accused of loudly playing in the office. The case filed by legal assistant Na’Syia Drayton claimed that the music…

Sep 23, 2022 1:05 PM CDT

Nina Totenberg’s early life, NPR legacy and friendship with the Notorious RBG

A special two-part episode of the Modern Law Library podcast with Nina Totenberg speaking about her new book, “Dinners With Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendships,” and Lisa Napoli, author of “Susan, Linda, Nina & Cokie.”

Sep 21, 2022 8:41 AM CDT

Former Whitewater independent counsel Ken Starr dies at 76

Ken Starr, the former Whitewater independent counsel and an appeals judge, has died at age 76. Starr died Tuesday from surgery complications at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Sep 14, 2022 10:16 AM CDT

9th Circuit judge shines light on Justice William O. Douglas’ environmental campaigns

U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas could be known for his fiery opinions, turbulent personal life and longtime presidential ambitions. But Judge M. Margaret McKeown is shining a light on his groundbreaking environmental advocacy in her new book.

Sep 7, 2022 9:00 AM CDT

Mississippi scrubbed racial taint from its constitutional ban on voting by some felons, 5th Circuit rules

The lifetime ban on voting for some felons in Mississippi’s 1890 constitution no longer has a racist taint following later changes that added additional crimes to the list, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at New Orleans has concluded.

Aug 26, 2022 10:10 AM CDT

Full Congressional Record in searchable format offered on law school’s website

Although the U.S. Congressional Record has been in a digital format for some time, a version that can easily be searched is now available on an online platform—offered by the Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School.

Aug 17, 2022 9:00 AM CDT

‘Bad People Like Him’: An interview with master negotiator and former governor Bill Richardson

On Dec. 13, 1996, President Bill Clinton, in a White House ceremony, announced the nomination of Bill Richardson as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Just a few days earlier, the congressman from New Mexico had been using his diplomacy skills in a much less stately setting.

Aug 15, 2022 8:36 AM CDT

Weekly Briefs: Legal sector gains 34,700 jobs in a year; judge unseals Trump search warrant

Legal sector adds 3,000 jobs or more, 3 months in a row The legal services sector added 3,100 jobs in July following a June gain of 3,300 jobs and a May gain of 3,000 jobs, according to seasonally adjusted, preliminary figures released Aug. 5 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor…

Aug 12, 2022 2:19 PM CDT

Thanks to civics teacher’s efforts, last convicted witch in Massachusetts is exonerated

An eighth grade civics teacher, working with her students, helped win the exoneration of the last convicted witch in Massachusetts.

Aug 5, 2022 9:42 AM CDT

Aug. 2, 1790: US conducts first constitutional census

When the U.S. Constitution was approved in 1787, one of its first requirements was a government head count of the nation’s population—to occur within three years. The task was important enough to be included in Article 1, Section 2, which follows just after a short description of Congress itself. The…

Aug 1, 2022 12:05 AM CDT

Board of UC Hastings law school recommends name change in response to founder’s role in massacres

The University of California’s Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco would get a name change under a recommendation approved Wednesday by the school’s board of directors.

Jul 29, 2022 8:38 AM CDT

Courtroom sketch artist Art Lien retires after momentous SCOTUS term

It wasn’t the momentous U.S. Supreme Court term ending in June that spurred courtroom sketch artist Art Lien to retire.

Jul 25, 2022 10:32 AM CDT

Chemerinsky: This SCOTUS term moved the law ‘dramatically in a conservative direction’

The U.S. Supreme Court's October 2021 term was one of the momentous in history. The only analogy I can think of is 1937 for its dramatic changes in constitutional law. This is the first full term with Justice Amy Coney Barrett on the high court, and we saw the enormous effects of having a 6-3 conservative majority.

Jul 7, 2022 8:46 AM CDT