Oct

31

The Libya Intervention: Legality and Lessons (Part II)

Posted by: | October 31, 2011 | 1 Comment

In my previous post, I discussed the legal merits and some of the practical consequences of NATO’s intervention in Libya. The legal analysis in that post focused exclusively on international law. The intervention, however, also raised important questions under U.S. domestic law, the most prominent of which concerned the applicability of the War Powers Resolution. [...]

Oct

31

The Law of Halloween

Posted by: | October 31, 2011 | Leave a Comment

Today is the day of tricks or treats, of lit jack-o-lanterns, and of dressing in costumes silly or scary or downright outlandish.  But Halloween gives rise to more than ghouls and goblins; it also produces facts for interesting case law.  How about the neighbor whose lawn decorations included a sign saying “Insane Asylum” with an [...]

Oct

30

Learning to Make a Brief March

Posted by: | October 30, 2011 | Leave a Comment

[Editor's Note:  This month faculty members share their favorite brief writing or oral argument tip.  This is the third entry in the series.]  Maybe it’s like your first kiss, or maybe I’m unusual this way, but I think I will always remember my first brief.  I was a new associate working with two partners on [...]

Oct

28

Climbing Mountains and Creating Diamonds

Posted by: | October 28, 2011 | 3 Comments

We have all heard them. In the frazzled squeals of over-caffeinated classmates, in the somber tones of shell-shocked 2Ls, and occasionally, through the uncontrollable tears of a humbled perfectionist (hopefully not): Law school exam horror stories. These frightening tales echo throughout Eckstein Hall: “One exam counts for your entire grade!” “My Civil Procedure exam took [...]

Oct

28

The Bride of Dracula: A Halloween Story

Posted by: | October 28, 2011 | Leave a Comment

It is Halloween, and time for my annual attempt at political satire.  Previous attempts at spooky political humor can be found here and here.  Public response to these efforts has been overwhelming, but I am going to keep doing it anyway. Scene: A decrepit stone mansion in suburban Minnesota. A great entry hall is lit [...]

Oct

28

Stephen King on Writing

Posted by: | October 28, 2011 | 4 Comments

A few years ago, my student Nick Martinez recommended Stephen King’s book On Writing to our legal writing class. I read the book cover to cover in almost one sitting, and since then I have read passages out loud to anyone who will listen. Nick and I discuss here what we learned about writing from the [...]

Oct

26

Will Allen: A Fascinating Life, a Bold Vision

Posted by: | October 26, 2011 | Leave a Comment

A descendent of sharecroppers, a former professional basketball player, a man hailed nationwide as a visionary – you could make an hour listening to Will Allen fascinating if you stuck just to his personal story. But in an “On the Issues with Mike Gousha” session at Eckstein Hall on Tuesday, Allen went beyond his own [...]

Oct

25

The Marquette Law Professor Who Was President of the American Bar Association

Posted by: | October 25, 2011 | 1 Comment

Carl Barnett Rix was never a full-time professor at the Marquette Law School, but he was a part-time instructor for almost 40 years (1908-1946).  During that time he taught hundreds of Marquette law students while carrying on an active law practice and a professional life that led him to the presidencies of the Milwaukee Bar [...]

Oct

25

Assessing Law Students’ Learning

Posted by: | October 25, 2011 | Leave a Comment

Yesterday we were fortunate to have Professor Sophie Sparrow of the University of New Hampshire School of Law speak to the law school faculty. Professor Sparrow’s talk was entitled “What Have They Learned? Assessing Law Students.” Professor Sparrow began by noting that the term assessment has multiple meanings. Among other definitions, assessment can be a [...]

Oct

23

The Libya Intervention: Legality and Lessons (Part I)

Posted by: | October 23, 2011 | Leave a Comment

With the NATO action in Libya winding down, now seems to be a good time to take stock of the debate over the legality and practical implications of the intervention. What are the merits of the major legal arguments? What are the lessons for the future? With respect to legality, the debate continues and has [...]

Oct

20

Law Student Pro Bono Publico Award

Posted by: | October 20, 2011 | 5 Comments

Last week, Kristin Lindemann (2L), received the Milwaukee Bar Association’s Law Student Pro Bono Publico Award. Kristin was honored at the MBA’s State of the Court luncheon, where she received her award in front of large group of judges, lawyers, and law students. Kristin’s commitment to pro bono service is quite remarkable and something that [...]

Oct

20

What Really Motivates Us?

Posted by: | October 20, 2011 | 1 Comment

You have a task to assign to someone with whom you work.  Maybe that task is producing a certain number of widgets before 5 p.m. or maybe it’s writing a summary judgment brief to file next week.  What will motivate that person to complete that task and complete it well?  Money?  The possible recognition of [...]

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