End of the Year Survey

Thank you to everyone for a great Fall semester. Please take a minute to fill out a quick, anonymous survey evaluating our Fall events and expressing your interest in Spring event topics.

Texas Says: Don't Be a Loser

WSJ had this editorial yesterday about Gov. Rick Perry's push for further statewide tort reform that includes implementing a loser pays system and preventing judges from creating new causes of action. An excellent study of loser pays by the Manhattan Institute's Marie Gryphon is here. Comments?

DC Lawyers Luncheon This Friday

This Friday the DC Lawyers Chapter is hosting AEI's Michael S. Greve on "The Failing States of America-Is Bankruptcy an Option?" Register here.

DATE: 12/17/10
TIME: Noon-1:30
PLACE: Tony Cheng's (Gallery Place)
COST: $15 

Happy Holawdays

A California judge recognized Festivus as a legitimate religion in order to give a convicted drug felon special meals in jail. Story here. It's always good to hear about judges taking their jobs seriously.

Cuccinelli 1, Obama 0

Obama just got an early lump of coal in his stocking. The penalty for not buying healthcare has been deemed unconstitutional in district court. Forbes has a summary of the Obamacare ruling here. Washington Post here. Judge Henry E. Hudson just became infamous.

Study Break: Future of Federalism

Will Wilkinson has an interesting piece for the Economist on a "Repeal Amendment" that would give a majority of states the power to overturn federal law. If that sounds like a Randy Barnett idea...that's because it is. According the article, "the amendment is the brainchild of Randy Barnett, a law professor at Georgetown University." Thoughts? Ilya Somin has some at Volokh. 


Good luck to everyone taking Barnett's Con Law II final. Talking about this amendment in an essay question probably won't hurt your grade.