Labor and Employment Law Moot Court Team Advances

780px-New_York_Law_School_jehI also received news today that our moot court team competing in the Wagner Labor and Employment Law Competition has advanced to the octo-final round.  The students on that team are Allison Luczak, Michael Miner, and Jesse Dill, coached by Professors Phoebe Williams and Paul Secunda.

The Wagner Competition is in its 34th year, and more than 40 teams compete in it each spring.  It’s taking place at New York Law School.  I am proud that our team is doing so well in this prestigious competition.

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Two More Terrific Arguments in Boston

Boston MunicipalA win and a loss, but excellent arguments in any event.  The loss was a little heartbreaking, in that it was by half of one point.

I remain optimistic for our teams’ chances in the next round, the final preliminary round, which will take place tomorrow morning.  These students are incredible oral advocates.  I wish I had video tape of each of the rounds I’ve seen.  It has been a pleasure to sit in the audience, beaming with pride at Marquette’s moot court program.  I will keep you “posted” on our progress tomorrow.

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To Iqbal or Not to Iqbal?

to_blog_or_not_to_blogOne of the recent challenges for Civil Procedure profs has been to explain the Twombly/Iqbal event to students already struggling to understand what often seems to be an arcane and highly contrived subject.

I begin by lowering expectations, showing a slide of a local federal judge with a caption depicting his reaction to Twombly –  expressed on a panel discussing the case at a CLE seminar. “When I read this case,” he recalled, “I said ‘what the hell?'” I remember following the good judge’s remarks and saying that he had succinctly summarized Twombly and all that would follow would be mere elaboration. After Iqbal, I am afraid I still can’t do much better.

Except maybe I can.

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