John Yoo quoted by San Francisco Chronicle, July 6, 2016
The Clinton people, noted former George W. Bush administration attorney John Yoo, now a professor at UC Berkeley School of Law, “to their own detriment, have been dragging it out.”
Espionage in the age of terror
Catherine Crump interviewed by PRI, July 6, 2016
“In reality, the government actually has access to far more information about what each of us says and does than it has ever had before. That’s not to say there isn’t some information that the government can’t access, but far from going dark, this is a golden age for law enforcement.”
Another Hershey deal may come unwrapped. Maybe it should.
Steven Davidoff Solomon writes for The New York Times, July 5, 2016
The success of Mondelez International’s $23 billion bid for the Hershey Company will depend on the charitable trust that controls the chocolate bar maker. After the Viacom imbroglio, this is yet another example of how a controlling interest can see to it that economics are secondary to politics and relationships.
Crisis pregnancy clinics claim act notification requirement violates free speech rights
Jesse Choper quoted by Northern California Record, July 5, 2016
Jesse Choper … believes the law “has a very good chance of being upheld. … Choper noted that: “There is a constitutional right to have an abortion.”
Genocide with impunity
Alexa Koenig interviewed by PBS: The Open Mind, July 2, 2016
One thing that you realize when you look at the arc of justice from, say, the 1940s to the present day, is that sometimes it takes 20-30 years to actually get the highest level people to be accountable for their crimes.
Williams faces uphill battle in fight with energy transfer
Steven Davidoff Solomon writes for The New York Times, June 30, 2016
It is going to be an uphill battle for Williams to show that this fine legal point matters given the fact-finding of the lower court judge and the penchant of the state’s Supreme Court to defer to the lower court on these issues.
Palantir buyback plan shows need for new Silicon Valley pay system
Steven Davidoff Solomon writes for The New York Times, June 28, 2016
Whatever the reason, Palantir’s offer comes at a time of great debate in Silicon Valley over employee compensation. Traditionally, workers received options on a four-year vesting schedule. When they left a company, they would have 90 days to exercise those options or forfeit them.
DoJ weighs in on Apple, Samsung patent litigation
Peter S. Menell quoted by Northern California Record, June 28, 2016
“Bottom line: The Supreme Court granted certiorari on the wrong issue,” Menell said. “It should have reviewed the functionality defense.”
Hearing shows little is known on who controls Viacom
Steven Davidoff Solomon writes for The New York Times, June 24, 2016
Wednesday’s Delaware court hearing on whether Sumner M. Redstone’s National Amusements appropriately removed five Viacom directors highlights that not only will this matter drag on, but that investors still know very little about the arrangements governing Viacom and CBS.
Tesla’s plan to buy SolarCity has major flaws
Steven Davidoff Solomon writes for The New York Times, June 22, 2016
Given the troubles of SolarCity, the appearance is that Mr. Musk is bailing SolarCity out while profiting handsomely. He will be paid a premium by Tesla for a company in which he is the biggest shareholder, one that the market at least views as outside the business of Tesla.