Today: November 14, 2024
Today: November 14, 2024

Latest From Professor of Law

Business|Economy|News

What’s next for $25B supermarket supermerger after FTC sues to block it, saying it could raise prices

Turning two big supermarket companies into one even larger one could harm consumers and workers, the government says.

What’s next for $25B supermarket supermerger after FTC sues to block it, saying it could raise prices
Economy|Health|US

Asthma meds have become shockingly unaffordable − but relief may be on the way

An inhaler that costs nearly $300 in the US goes for just $9 in Germany. What gives?

Asthma meds have become shockingly unaffordable − but relief may be on the way
Business|News|Opinion

Employees have a right to express support for Black Lives Matter while they’re on the job, according to a historic labor board decision

Racism can be a workplace issue, even at Home Depot.

Employees have a right to express support for Black Lives Matter while they’re on the job, according to a historic labor board decision
Business|Economy|US

Amazon, SpaceX and other companies are arguing the government agency that has protected labor rights since 1935 is actually unconstitutional

Nearly a century after the National Labor Relations Board’s creation, big corporations are arguing that it violates the US Constitution.

Amazon, SpaceX and other companies are arguing the government agency that has protected labor rights since 1935 is actually unconstitutional
Business|News|US

Starbucks seeks Supreme Court protection from being ordered to rehire baristas who say they were fired for union-promoting activities

The case stems from a complaint filed after seven baristas who were attempting to organize a union at a Starbucks shop in Memphis, Tennessee, were fired.

Starbucks seeks Supreme Court protection from being ordered to rehire baristas who say they were fired for union-promoting activities
News|Opinion|Political|US

Other states, like Arizona, could resurrect laws on abortion, LGBTQ+ issues and more that have been lying dormant for more than 100 years

There are many outdated laws that states keep on the books, even if they aren’t used. If the Supreme Court overturns legal precedents on rights like same-sex and interracial marriage, that can change.

Other states, like Arizona, could resurrect laws on abortion, LGBTQ+ issues and more that have been lying dormant for more than 100 years
Crime|News|Political|US

How Trump is using courtroom machinations to his political advantage

The number of prospective jurors saying they can’t be fair to Trump because of who he is does not bode well for the defendant, a legal expert observes,

How Trump is using courtroom machinations to his political advantage
Crime|News

What I teach Harvard Law School students about opening arguments

In criminal trials, a majority of jurors make up their minds about a case after hearing the opening arguments from lawyers.

What I teach Harvard Law School students about opening arguments
Education|Opinion

Opening statements are the most important part of a trial – as lawyers in Trump’s hush money case know well

What I teach Harvard Law School students about the importance of opening arguments and how a majority of jurors make up their minds about a case after hearing them.

Opening statements are the most important part of a trial – as lawyers in Trump’s hush money case know well
Health|News|US

Can states prevent doctors from giving emergency abortions, even if federal law requires them to do so? The Supreme Court will decide

EMTALA requires hospitals to provide stabilizing treatment to all patients – but Idaho is arguing that its abortion ban means it doesn’t have to allow the procedure, even if it is medically needed.

Can states prevent doctors from giving emergency abortions, even if federal law requires them to do so? The Supreme Court will decide
Business|News|US

Supreme Court appears open to Starbucks’ claims in labor-organizing case

The case stems from a complaint filed after seven baristas who were attempting to organize a union at a Starbucks shop in Memphis, Tenn., were fired.

Supreme Court appears open to Starbucks’ claims in labor-organizing case
News|Political|Technology|US

Section 702 foreign surveillance law lives on, but privacy fight continues

Privacy advocates lost out when Congress reauthorized Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act without major reforms. But the renewal fight returns in 2 years.

Section 702 foreign surveillance law lives on, but privacy fight continues
News|Technology|US

TikTok law threatening a ban if the app isn’t sold raises First Amendment concerns

The law forcing TikTok to be sold or banned is meant to protect Americans from Chinese government influence and privacy intrusions. But does it undermine a bedrock American principle?

TikTok law threatening a ban if the app isn’t sold raises First Amendment concerns
Crime|Opinion

What to watch for in Trump trial’s closing arguments, from a law school professor who teaches and studies them

Closing arguments tell the jury why the evidence is believable or not, how the facts are linked or not and, most importantly, why their decision to either acquit or convict is moral and just.

What to watch for in Trump trial’s closing arguments, from a law school professor who teaches and studies them
Health|News|US

Colorado to tighten regulations on funeral homes after multiple scandals − here’s what this means for families

Colorado’s governor signed two new bills enforcing stricter requirements for the state’s funeral homes and staff after cases of mishandling human remains.

Colorado to tighten regulations on funeral homes after multiple scandals − here’s what this means for families
Lifestyle|Opinion

Laws meant to keep different races apart still influence dating patterns, decades after being invalidated

Romantic attraction is driven by a complex set of factors, including who people grow up around and what is familiar and comfortable to them. But discriminatory laws also play a role.

Laws meant to keep different races apart still influence dating patterns, decades after being invalidated
Health

Menopause treatments can help with hot flashes and other symptoms – but many people aren’t aware of the latest advances

The number of patients prescribed hormonal therapy plummeted after 2002, due to findings experts have since questioned. With better understanding, more and more people are using these treatments.

Menopause treatments can help with hot flashes and other symptoms – but many people aren’t aware of the latest advances
Election|News|US

2020’s ‘fake elector’ schemes will be harder to try in 2024 – but not impossible

In the 2020 presidential election, groups of self-appointed electors in seven states met to cast votes for Donald Trump, even though Joe Biden had carried their states. Could that happen again?

2020’s ‘fake elector’ schemes will be harder to try in 2024 – but not impossible
Business|Environment|News

The US is losing wetlands at an accelerating rate − here’s how the private sector can help protect these valuable resources

The Supreme Court drastically reduced federal protection for wetlands in 2023. Two environmental lawyers explain how private businesses and nongovernment organizations can help fill the gap.

The US is losing wetlands at an accelerating rate − here’s how the private sector can help protect these valuable resources
Business|Economy|News

Supreme Court sides with Starbucks in labor case that could hinder government’s ability to intervene in some unionization disputes

It’s not certain that the ruling will make it harder for fired union organizers to get their jobs back, a labor law professor explains.

Supreme Court sides with Starbucks in labor case that could hinder government’s ability to intervene in some unionization disputes
Health|Opinion|Political

Supreme Court unanimously concludes that anti-abortion groups have no standing to challenge access to mifepristone – but the drug likely faces more court challenges

The opinion did not take on the substance of the plaintiffs’ claims against mifepristone, and the abortion pill is already facing other challenges.

Supreme Court unanimously concludes that anti-abortion groups have no standing to challenge access to mifepristone – but the drug likely faces more court challenges
Business|Crime|Health

Supreme Court rejects settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma over legal protections for the Sackler family that owned the company

The company helped spur a public health crisis through its deceptive marketing and aggressive sales of prescription opioids.

Supreme Court rejects settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma over legal protections for the Sackler family that owned the company
News|Opinion|Political|US

Supreme Court sidesteps case on whether federal law on medical emergencies overrides Idaho’s abortion ban

The Supreme Court conceded that it should not have taken up the case to begin with.

Supreme Court sidesteps case on whether federal law on medical emergencies overrides Idaho’s abortion ban
News|Political|US

What’s next after Supreme Court curbs regulatory power: More focus on laws’ wording, less on their goals

A widely anticipated Supreme Court ruling will sharply limit federal agencies’ power to interpret the laws that they execute and decide how best to carry them out.

What’s next after Supreme Court curbs regulatory power: More focus on laws’ wording, less on their goals
News|Opinion|Political|US

Donald Trump wants to reinstate a spoils system in federal government by hiring political loyalists regardless of competence

if political loyalty replaces merit as the basis of key federal appointments, Americans can expect government to be less competent – as Andrew Jackson learned during his administration

Donald Trump wants to reinstate a spoils system in federal government by hiring political loyalists regardless of competence

Follow