The American Bar Association Council for Diversity in the Educational is thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2025 Raymond Pace and Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Awards for Excellence in Pipeline Diversity. These awards honor the legacy of Raymond Pace Alexander, the first African American graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a trailblazing judge, and Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander, the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in the United States and the first woman to receive a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
NJLJ: Spoilation of Evidence Costs Defendants Nearly $850K in Sanction
From the New Jersey Law Journal, December 9, 2024, by Colleen Murphy:
Essex County court judge Jodi Lee Alper awarded two plaintiff medical companies nearly $850,000 in damages against a doctor for spoliation of evidence and violation the New Jersey Computer Related Offenses Act and Trade Secrets Act by using software to wipe message history in violation of multiple court orders to preserve evidence.
Click here to see Trial Judgment, Docket Number C-42-22.
Preemptive Pardons: Constitutional Authority and Real World Implications
A preemptive pardon is an act of clemency issued by a head of state or government before charges are formally brought against an individual. Though relatively rare, this type of pardon can generate intense public and legal debate. To understand the complexities of preemptive pardons, it is necessary to examine their legal basis, potential benefits and drawbacks, as well as historical examples that illustrate their impact on justice, accountability, and executive authority.
Legal Basis for Preemptive Pardons
The legal authority for preemptive pardons in the United States is rooted in the Constitution and clarified through key judicial precedents. Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution grants the president the “Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.” This broad language has been interpreted to allow for pardons at any stage of the judicial process, including before charges are formally brought—a concept known as a preemptive pardon.
Selected Opinion Summaries Published by Justia, Week Ending December 6, 2024
During the week ending December 6, 2024 we have received listings of 12 Government and Administrative Law Summaries, 11 Constitutional Law summaries, 30 Criminal Law Summaries, 1 White Collar Summary, 2 Intellectual Property Summaries, We plan is to continue posting opinion summaries, under corresponding areas of law, weekly whenever possible in order to keep blog readers updated. To gain access to these case summaries, click on the corresponding links below:
Opinion Summaries Posted for Week Ending December 6, 2024:
Articles and Comments from Jurimetrics Journal, Spring 2024 Issue.
About Jurimetrics Journal:
The Jurimetrics Journal is published quarterly “Jurimetrics is the oldest and most widely circulated peer-reviewed journal in its field and is proud to be the official journal of the American Bar Association Science & Technology Law Section. Currently, the journal is housed at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University (ASU Law) and cosponsored by ASU Law’s Center for Law, Science and Innovation (LSI). An LSI Center faculty fellow advises the Jurimetrics executive board and editorial staff. The journal provides scholars and researchers with a wealth of thoughtful articles. It is frequently cited in opinions of state and federal courts, legal treatises, textbooks, and scholarly articles in a wide range of other journals. These distinctions support Jurimetrics’ claim of being the premier peer-reviewed journal of law, science, and technology.”
Human Rights Day: Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now!
A webinar presented by the International Human Rights Committee of the International Law Section of the American Bar Association on December 10, 2024 at 12:–pm ET. This presentation is in observance of the 76th anniversary of Human Rights Day.
| “ABA International Law Section leaders will discuss urgent human rights issues around the world, including the plight of Rohingya refugees, crimes against humanity in Sudan, abuses against women in different parts of the world, the situation of human rights defenders, and work to advance the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in the United States. Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on the tenth day December. It commemorates the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The formal inception of Human Rights Day dates from 1950, after the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V) inviting all States and interested organizations to adopt December tenth of each year as Human Rights Day. Moderator: Kerry McLean, Director, Human Rights and Public International Law, Columbia Law School; Committee Co-Chair, International Human Rights Committee, International Law Section. Speakers:” Daniel L. Appelman, Senior Advisor, International Human Rights Committee, International Law Section. Elizabeth Barad, International Human Rights Lawyer; Committee Co-Chair, Africa Committee, International Law Section. Regina Paulose, International Criminal Law Lawyer; Committee Co-Chair, International Criminal Law Committee, International Law Section. The Honorable Delissa Ridgway, US Court of International Trade; Senior Advisor, Women’s Interest Network and Middle East Committee, International Law Section. Sara Sandford, Mediator/Attorney, Benchmark International ADR, LLC; Senior Advisor, International Human Rights Committee, International Law Section. Elizabeth M. Zechenter, International Law Attorney, Social Scientist; Committee Co-Chair, International Human Rights Committee.This webinar observance is free and open to all. |
| REGISTER HERE ⟶ |
U.S. Supreme Court to Weigh Bans on Puberty Blockers, Hormones for Trans Teens
From: Washington Post Gift Article. December 4, 2024:
“At issue is a Tennessee law barring transgender minors from using puberty blockers and hormones, treatments the state characterizes as risky and unproven. Lawmakers said the state should instead encourage adolescents to ‘appreciate their sex, particularly as they undergo puberty’ “.
To read complete Post gift article by Casey Parks and Ann E. Marinow, click here. This article contains useful links to other Post articles on topics related to this subject.
News From the Informed Librarian Online
December, 2024.
WHAT’S NEW:
*” The Informed Librarian Online is partnering with Emerald Publishing to bring you full-text access to Emerald’s library journals. At all times you have free access to all of the Emerald journals and the backfiles of these titles. You can read them, print them, and search for articles at their site. To view and link to the titles, go to <https://www.informedlibrarian.com/emeraldaccess.cfm>
Opinion Summaries Published by Justia, Week Ending November 29, 2024
During the week ending November 29, 2024 we have received listings of 16 Government and Administrative Law Summaries, 20 Constitutional Law summaries, 39 Criminal Law Summaries, 2 White Collar Summaries, 1 Internet Law Summary, and 3 Medical Malpractice Summaries. We plan is to continue posting opinion summaries, under corresponding areas of law, weekly whenever possible in order to keep blog readers updated. To gain access to these case summaries, click on the corresponding links below:
Opinion Summaries Posted for Week Ending November 29, 2024:
Recent Books From the ABA Criminal Justice Section
Received 11-27-2024