Erwin Chemerinsky quoted by Washington Examiner, Feb. 25, 2018
“The government can — and should — ban the AR-15,” Chemerinsky said. “That would not violate the Constitution. As a lesser measure, it could raise the age of ownership.”
How Berkeley law school dean Molly Shaffer Van Houweling set the world cycling record
Molly Shaffer Van Houweling quoted by ESPN.com, Feb. 23, 2018
Molly Shaffer Van Houweling … teaches classes on intellectual property and serves on the board of a number of legal and technology organizations. And in her free time, she has set national and world records in track cycling.
Local zoning is getting in the way of housing
Ethan Elkind co-writes for The Sacramento Bee, Feb. 21, 2018
Too many California cities and counties impose zoning restrictions that make it practically impossible to build low-cost, walkable housing. For decades, state leaders have allowed these local zoning policies to proliferate, to the point that the state now faces a severe housing shortage.
Bringas-Rodriguez v. Sessions
Erwin Chemerinsky quoted by Daily Journal (registration required), Feb. 21, 2018
“The statute allows for asylum for those who were persecuted based on sexual orientation and I think this makes sure that asylum is available to those individuals.”
The three gun control myths that are killing American kids
Erwin Chemerinsky writes for The Sacramento Bee, Feb. 20, 2018
Requiring all purchasers to undergo a background check is of only limited value unless we are confident that the system effectively screens the vast number of prohibited purchasers from obtaining firearms. … Yet, even these minimal steps to gun control seem out of reach. In part, this is because of myths surrounding the gun control debate.
Blame California’s cities and counties for housing delays, not state environmental law, new study says
Eric Biber quoted by Los Angeles Times, Feb. 20, 2018
Biber praised the state Legislature’s recent efforts to ensure certain housing projects that met labor and zoning standards are approved without delay. … “This is much more than CEQA,” Biber said. “Really if you just went after CEQA, you’re not going to solve the problem.”
Learning to let go: Layoff advice for startup GCs
Olga Mack writes for Above the Law, February 20, 2018
Due to the temporary and at times turbulent nature of startups, layoffs happen. … with relative regularity and are completely normal. And startup general counsel is often squarely in the middle of planning the layoffs, being laid off themselves, or both. … To make the startup layoff process as efficient and painless as possible, I follow a few major principles.
‘Gradual unfolding for 40 years’: The sociology behind the #MeToo movement
Lauren Edelman quoted by The Daily Californian, Feb. 19, 2018
“Social movements … tend to be started by something that shocks the system. In this case it appears that the Harvey Weinstein event acted as a shock,” said Lauren Edelman … who has studied the ineffectiveness of organizational policies designed to prevent sexual harassment.
Berkeley Law dean speaks up for free speech at UC Merced
Erwin Chemerinsky quoted by Sierra Sun Times, Feb. 16, 2018
“All ideas and views can be expressed on college campuses,” Chemerinsky said. “The First Amendment applies to government. The government can never suppress, create liability or punish people based on their views or ideas. As we talk about free speech on this or any public university, we need to be mindful of the law.”
$3.5M startup grant creates new Berkeley Center for Consumer Law and Economic Justice
Ted Mermin quoted by The Daily Californian, Feb. 15, 2018
“Consumer law encompasses everything from student loans, cable bills, phone bills, … (and) food marketing, to public health — just about every transaction and interaction you have with products and services … on a daily basis,” Mermin said.