Erwin Chemerinsky writes an Op-Ed for The Guardian, November 22, 2018
Over the course of American history, there have been great gains in individual freedom and enormous advances in equality for racial minorities, women, and LGBT people. But much remains to be done. Unfortunately, we are now at a profoundly challenging moment for these values. We have a president who is not committed to them, and for the foreseeable future we face the prospect of a hostile supreme court.
Félim McMahon quoted in The Boston Globe, November 27, 2018
Félim McMahon, who directs the technology and human rights program at the University of California at Berkeley law school’s Human Rights Center, described the United Nations’ pace of reform as ‘‘turning several battleships tied together.’’
The United Nations’ human rights office, however, has now realized, ‘‘We need to have our small teams, not just in the field, but on the Internet,’’ McMahon said.
‘‘This is essentially putting the UN at the cutting edge of this investigative opportunity. In terms of arriving at the scene of a crime, they are going to be the first ones there,’’ he added.
Ethan Elkind quoted in Planetizen, December 7, 2018
“California has largely been ‘going it alone’ on major climate policy, specifically the state’s carbon trading program through cap and trade,” blogged Ethan Elkind, Director of the Climate Program at the UC Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, on Tuesday. “But the election today in Washington and Oregon could change that dynamic and possibly usher in a West Coast climate bloc of states willing to tackle carbon directly,” writes Elkind.
David Carrillo quoted in Wew news, December 12, 2018
David A. Carrillo, executive director of the California Constitution Center at Berkeley Law, said he was not surprised at the chief justice’s comments and her emphasis on consensus. In a study due to be published this month, Dr. Carrillo analyzed 302 opinions by the state Supreme Court over the past three years and found only one in which the justices appointed by Mr. Brown voted as a distinct bloc against the other justices.
“People ask this question all the time, ‘Why is California not polarized?’ We are divided as a nation but not so much as a state,” Dr. Carrillo said. “I think it’s particularly telling that we have a state high court that reflects that consensus.”
Christopher Edley writes an Op-Ed for The Hill, December 12, 2018
In a move likely to make schools significantly less safe, President Trump’s school “safety” commission is about to release a report expected to recommend the cancellation of the Obama administration’s guidance on school discipline that has helped schools find productive alternatives to student suspensions and expulsions.
Olga Mack writes for Above the Law, December 10, 2018
While captivating your audience in the beginning is important, the end of your talk is another opportunity to engage, inform, and inspire. So, how do you end? Here are the three ways to make a vivid and is memorable talk ending.
Olga Mack writes for Above the Law, December 3, 2018
Blockchain and cryptocurrencies have been buzzwords in the last two years, and I am certain that we will hear more about both of them for years to come. Because many professionals increasingly share this view, I am often asked to recommend resources to get up to speed about blockchain and cryptocurrencies. What follows is a compilation of resources in no particular order that I and many other professionals have found useful.
William Fletcher mentioned in CFAAC, December 4, 2018
If the Supreme Court takes this more aggressive interpretation of antitrust law, it would uphold the Ninth Circuit’s decision in this case. Headquartered in San Francisco, the Ninth Circuit is the frequent target of President Trump’s criticism. The author of the Ninth Circuit opinion was Judge William Fletcher, a former UC Berkeley law professor, and appointee of President Clinton. From indications at oral argument, Judge Fletcher is soon to be upheld by at least six justices, possibly in an opinion written by Justice Kavanaugh!
Erwin Chemerinsky quoted in NPR, December 6, 2018
“What will be argued over and again is when are the elements sufficiently similar” that the second prosecution violates the Constitution’s ban on double jeopardy, Chemerinsky said.
Kim Thuy Seelinger mentioned in the Berkeley News, December 7, 2018
Tuesday will see Seelinger take part in a pair of panels with the United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict, Pramila Patten, to talk about progress made (and not made) toward accountability for these crimes.
And she is looking forward in particular to Wednesday, when she will attend the opening of this year’s Nobel Peace Center exhibition, “The Body as a Battlefield.” Seelinger helped the curators develop it, drawing from her Berkeley students’ research on historical examples of conflict-related sexual violence and attempts to prosecute it.