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News Archive: 2012
SIA Professor Scott Gartner's research suggests possible way to reduce gun violence Professor James Puckett tells NPR's Marketplace $400K is a good starting point for increased tax rates Top scholars challenge conventional national security wisdom in interdisciplinary journalIn an effort to offer novel solutions to some of the most pressing global security challenges facing U.S. policy makers, the most recent issue of the Penn State Journal of Law & International Affairs features articles from scholars known for their willingness to defy conventional approaches. “Essays from Flynt and Hillary Mann Leverett, P.J. Crowley, Anne-Marie Slaughter, and other distinguished scholars challenge the standard policy talking points and propose unorthodox solutions to the security threats facing the world today and in the future,” said executive editor and Penn State Law Professor Amy Gaudion. Professor Sam Thompson op-ed: balance taxes, then solve long-term debt Law School remembers professor and alumnus D. Fenton AdamsD. Fenton Adams, a 1949 graduate of the Dickinson School of Law and a professor of law from from 1949 to 1965, died on December 13. His area of specialization included contract law. Fenton authored several works including, The FDIC at 25, while in the graduate program at Harvard Law School in 1960 and a definitive analysis of the Mississippi Uniform Commercial Code in the 1970s. How lawyers shape the world: a study in legal semioticsLawyers may indeed shape the world, but how and why they do so is the subject of a new book by Penn State faculty authors Jan Broekman and Larry Catá Backer, who recently published Lawyers Making Meaning: The Semiotics of Law in Legal Education II (Springer 2012). Student Services Dean Keith Elkin shares bar exam advice in Becoming a Lawyer Penn State Law offers LSAT prep course in PhiladelphiaPenn State Law is offering individuals in the Philadelphia-area who plan to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), a two-day course designed to help generate better results. he LSAT preparation course will be held at Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 13th and Market Streets, Philadelphia, PA on Saturday, January 26 and Sunday, January 27, 2013. Professor Catherine Rogers helps build capacity for ADR in SingaporeProfessor Catherine Rogers is a founding faculty member on the newly launched Singapore International Arbitration Academy. Established this year by the Centre for International Law and the National University of Singapore, the academy trains private sector and public sector lawyers and officials from Singapore, the ASEAN member states, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, New Zealand, Spain, and Tanzania in an effort to build capacity in international commercial and investment treaty arbitration in the Asia-Pacific region. The case for an international arbitrator project by Professor Catherine Rogers ICTY Appeals Chamber upholds Lukic verdictsThe Appeal Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia upheld the 2009 conviction of Milan and Sredoje Lukic for war crimes and crimes against humanity, a conviction pursued by Dermot Groome, senior ICTY Prosecutor and member of the Penn State Law faculty. In addition to prosecuting cases at ICTY, Professor Groome also supervises internships for Penn State Law students. PA Bar Association honors Samara Gomez '07 with Excellence in Service Award Justice Watch blog carries Professor Michael Foreman Clinic project helps unaccompanied immigrant childrenChildren are among the most vulnerable parties in the legal system and often lack legal counsel, especially in an immigration context. On behalf of client Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) and as part of their work at the Center for Immigrants' Rights, Penn State Law students (now attorneys) Nick Quesenberry ’11 and Tayler Summers ’12 helped create training materials on U and T Visas. Their contribution became part of a recently finalized training manual for pro bono attorneys who take on cases through KIND. Teachable moments lead to a career in lawPenn State Law student Joy Simpson has devoted her career to helping young people fulfill their dreams. She taught in Florida public and parochial high schools as well as community college, typically focusing on English literature, writing, and composition. Yet when a teaching colleague died suddenly she asked herself whether teaching was the career in which she wanted to spend the rest of her life. International Competition Network gets Professor Farmer's helpAt the International Competition Network (ICN) Advocacy Workshop in Paris last month, Professor Beth Farmer worked with fellow panelists Seppo Reimavuo, director of the Finnish Competition Authority, and Shri S.L. Bunker, secretary of the Competition Commission of India and moderator Caldwell Harrop, Foreign Commerce Section of the U.S. Department of Justice, to help define the role of the ICN in competition advocacy. Mark Polin '10: New life, new careerDr. Mark S. Polin ’10 has devoted his career to helping women. As an OBGYN in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, he delivered about 2,000 babies and focused his practice on treating infertility and performing advanced laparoscopic and vaginal surgery. SVP Michael Salmon ’80 describes his non-traditional law pathMichael Salmon '80 talks about Gilbane, cleaning up the environment, and being likeable. Professor Flynt Leverett's new book Going to Tehran excerpted in Harper'sProfessor Flynt Leverett co-authored "Going to Tehran: Why the United States Must Come to Terms with the Islamic Republic of Iran." The book will be available in January and an excerpt is posted here with permission. Philadelphia D.A. Seth Williams brings personal experiences to ethics classIn introducing Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams to his professional responsiblity classmates, James Hendershot '14 said that Williams personifies the characterisitics of a professionally responsible prosceutor the class had been studying. "We have learned that a prosecutor is more than just an advocate for victims of crime, but a minister of justice. That is, a prosecutor is committed to the service of the public as a whole, and a prosecutor's ethical obligations reflect this," he said. Civil Rights Appellate Clinic students await Supreme Court's decision in harassment caseStudents in the Civil Rights Appellate Clinic are awaiting a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case Vance v. Ball State University, which could have a widespread impact on how employment discrimination cases are handled throughout the country. At issue in the case is whether the person who allegedly harassed Vance qualifies as a "supervisor" under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Diversity of international student population a plus for LL.M. studentsInternational education exchanges are at all-time high, strengthening economies and societies around the world. During the 2011-2012 academic year, Penn State ranked 12th in the nation for its international student enrollment with a total of 6,075 international students enrolled at University Park and 6,621 University-wide. We caught up with a few international students in the LL.M. program who shared their impressions about Penn State Law. Professor Jill Engle on local death penalty case Professor William Fox on "massive, unconscionable" delays in veterans claims Professor Jill Engle on PA Voter ID case Focus on bar exam prep pays off for Class of 2012Bar prep is a notoriously difficult time for a new law grad, a process that begins just after Memorial Day and ends, hopefully for good, in an air-conditioning hotel convention center sometime in July. Last summer the Penn State Law Class of 2012 sat for bar exams in 25 states. Ninety-one percent of them passed on the first attempt and have joined the ranks of those licensed to practice law. In addition to many happy students, their families, and employers, another person who is pleased about the higher-than-average Penn State Law bar pass rate is Keith Elkin, Dean of Students, who organizes an annual bar preparation program for Penn State Law graduates. Penn State attracts record number of International students Professor Katherine Pearson on nursing home debt collection research Lewis Katz Building named one of ten best academic buildings in the worldArchitizier, a blog dedicated to architecture, named Lewis Katz Building to its list of “Top 10 University Buildings that Actually Make You Want to go to Class.” Lewis Katz Building is in the company of Centro Tecnologico San Joaquin in Santiago Chile, Library Technical University in Delft, Netherlands, and the Deichmann Center for Social Interaction & Spitzer-Salant School of Social Work at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beer-Sheva, Israel. Gary Shuey joins PA Family Support Alliance Board CIA's top lawyer to speak with Penn State Law studentsOne of the top lawyers of the Obama Administration Stephen W. Preston, General Counsel of the CIA, will discuss "Security Challenges and the Law" on Monday, December 3 at 12:30 p.m. in Room 116 in the Lewis Katz Building. Professor Gartner finds no political cost for flip-flopping in Christian Science Monitor International arbitration expert to share insights on African post-war dispute resolutionA unique twist on international arbitration will be covered in a lecture to be given by Tom Snider a lawyer who represented the government of Ethiopia in binding arbitration proceedings meant to resolve differences arising from the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Snider will be on campus on November 14 for "The Role of International Arbitral Tribunals in Post-Conflict Dispute Resolution." Professor Leverett tells Al Jazeera that latest move to unify Syrian opposition is doomed to fail Supreme Court of Ukraine awards Professor Butler highest medalThe Supreme Court of Ukraine awarded Professor William E. Butler its highest medal “For Fidelity to Law” on October 26 at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. The citation reads “for high professionalism, significant contributions to the development of the system of court organization and proceedings, ensuring the protection of the rights and freedoms of man and citizen, and in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the legal journal Law of Ukraine. Professor Thompson points to flaws in Romney economic plan in Christian Science Monitor Marcellus Shale boom sparks student's interest in oil and gas law fieldThird-year law student Zach Morahan has been awarded one of only ten scholarships granted nationwide by the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation (EMLF). "I was very excited to hear about winning an EMLF scholarship,” Morahan said. “Being selected as a recipient has helped to affirm my study of oil and gas law, and reinforced my interest in all aspects of the oil and gas sector." The scholarship amount is $3,000. "Kill-lists and Accountability" set for Nov. 12Who creates the “kill list”? Who approves the names on the list? How is the targeted killing executed? Who is responsible for ensuring that the strike complies with international humanitarian law obligations? National security scholar Gregory McNeal will present “Kill-lists and Accountability” at Penn State Law and the School of International Affairs. The public is welcome to this event, which will begin at 7 p.m. Nominations open for the Hon. Sylvia H. Rambo AwardEvery year the Women's Law Caucus (WLC) of the Penn State University Dickinson School of Law honors a female in the legal profession who has had a distinguished career and who, by example, has made the professional success of other women more likely. The WLC will recognize the 2013 Honorable Sylvia H. Rambo Award recipient at a reception open to all alumni at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28 in Lewis Katz Hall, Carlisle, PA. Ryan Maerz '13 tells preLaw magazine why he chose to pursue a joint JD/MBA degree Your vote is your voice International Judicial Academy appoints Professor Rogers to board of directorsThe International Judicial Academy (IJA), a non-profit organization which provides education programs for judges, court administrators, ministry of justice officials, and other legal professionals from countries around the world, recently appointed Professor Catherine Rogers to its board of directors. Justice Antonin Scalia to serve as Distinguished Guest Jurist on Florence ProgramJustice Antonin Scalia of the United States Supreme Court will serve as the 2013 Distinguished Guest Jurist on the Penn State Law Florence Rome Siena program (“Florence Program”) from July 1-11. Registration is now open. Professor Houck urges U.S. to join Law of the Sea TreatyVice Admiral (Retired) James W. Houck, Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Penn State Law and School of International Affairs, appeared before the Board of Directors of the Navy League of the United States on Friday, October 19th, to urge U.S. accession to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Festival of the Arts elects Colleen Toomey to BoardThe Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts elected Colleen Toomey, associate dean for policy, planning, and strategic relations for the Law School to its Board of Directors. In 2012, the Arts Festival was ranked by Sunshine Artist magazine as number two in its list of the one hundred best outdoor fine art and fine craft fairs in the United States. In addition to producing the summer festival, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts also produces First Night State College, an alcohol-free, family-oriented New Year's festival. Clinic students work toward a better future for people and the planetDuring the past year in the International Sustainable Development Projects Law Clinic, Penn State Law students Michelle Polato and Geoff Trautman have been collaborating with student s in the College of Engineering’s multidisciplinary Humanitarian Engineering Social Entrepreneurship (HESE) program to address legal barriers to implementing humanitarian projects, like low-cost greenhouses and networked health kiosks. Students experience international diplomacy through crisis negotiationThe faces of the faculty and students from the School of International Affairs (SIA), Penn State Law, and Presidential Leadership Academy reflected the seriousness of the situation. Col. Jim Muskopf of the U.S. Army War College was describing a conflict that has been stalemated for 91 years involving the region of Nagorno-Karabakh in the southwest corner of Azerbaijan. The participants would be charged with attempting to move toward a peaceful resolution in a volatile part of the world using the processes common in international conflict resolution. SIA Professor Flynt Leverett discusses the way ahead in Syria on CrossTalk Professor Pifer comments on PA Supreme Court arguments regarding gas drilling laws Sophia McClennen describes Colbert's impact on Fox News World on Trial program provides teachable moments and Act 48 creditsFor K-12 teachers who would like a creative approach to bringing a global issue to the classroom, Penn State’s Center for Global Studies offers a workshop based on the World on Trial on November 3, 2012. Penn State Law grads get good news from PA BarThe Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners reported that Penn State Law graduates had a 95.83% pass rate for first-time test takers of the July 2012 Pennsylvania Bar Exam. The overall pass rate for first-time test takers in Pennsylvania was reported at 83.01%. Actors from the London Stage teach law students a royal lessonLast Friday Professor Gary Gildin’s Advocacy class started out more like an aerobics class than a third-year law class. Led by Actors from the London Stage (AFTLS), Noel White and Henry Everett spent nearly two hours teaching students how to “center themselves” and “connect with the present” to improve their courtroom delivery skills. Professor Amy Gaudion comments to WHYY on evolving role of Vice President Wildlife, fisheries grad now studying environmental law at Penn State Law Treating Medical Errors set for October 29What should lawyers know about the practice of medicine? What should new physicians knows about the legal system? The Penn State community is invited to register now for “Treating Medical Errors” on Monday, October 29. This interdisciplinary event features pediatric medical residents from Penn State’s Milton S. Hershey Children’s Hospital and students from Penn State Law. Together, law students and medical residents work through a moot medical malpractice trial with pediatricians being both witnesses in the case and consultants to their legal teams. Voting rights experts to discuss implications of voter ID lawsA panel of experts including members of the legal and media communities will examine enforcement of new voter identification laws across the nation, the myths and realities of voter fraud, and the allegations that voter ID laws contribute to voter disenfranchisement at Penn State Law on Friday, October 19 from 9:30 a.m. until noon. Neustar President and CEO Lisa Hook to visit campusLisa Hook '83, president and CEO of Neustar, will present “The enormous opportunities and challenges of the Internet age—and why lawyers are essential to ensuring the stability of the global digital economy” on Tuesday Oct. 16 at 2:30 p.m. Hook will be in University Park to accept a 2012 Penn State Alumni Fellow Award—the most prestigious award given by the Penn State Alumni Association—in recognition of outstanding work in her field. Shakespearean actors to coach advocacy studentsStudents in Professor Gary Gildin's Advocacy I class will receive a royal treat this Friday, October 12 when Actors from the London Stage (AFTLS) deliver an in-class workshop on presentation skills. Life After Murder author to visit Penn State LawAward-winning journalist Nancy Mullane, author of Life After Murder: Five Men in Search of Redemption, will visit Penn State Law on Oct. 17 at 12:30 p.m. The event is open to the public, and will be held in room 110 Lewis Katz Building in University Park, Pa., and simulcast to room 124 Lewis Katz Hall in Carlisle. State College ranked third-best college town in the U.S. for students ACS names Penn State Law its student chapter of the week Professor Marc Galanter to present update on the vanishing trialLitigation and ADR scholar Professor Marc Galanter will visit campus on October 15 to discuss what he calls the “vanishing civil trial” with the Law School community, and the public is welcome to attend. Professor Sam Thompson discusses economic policy with WJACTV before debates PCN to host election town hall Oct. 10 at Katz Building Professor McClennen tells WSJ why policitical comedians dominate electoral discussions Gen. James Dubik (Ret.) to present "Iraq: Leadership Under Pressure"Former general James Dubik, the General Omar N. Bradley Chair in Strategic Leadership at Penn State Law, will present “Iraq: Leadership under pressure,” an examination of civil-military leadership during the 2007-08 surge in Iraq at 7 p.m. on Oct. 22. Professor Terry helps establish international support network for regulatorsProfessor Laurel Terry, the Harvey A. Feldman Distinguished Faculty Scholar, attended the first of its kind International Conference of Legal Regulators last week which ended with a commitment to set up the first international support network. Legal regulators from jurisdictions around the world met in London to exchange ideas, compare best practices and explore ways to improve collaboration in the future. Professor David Kaye on future of DNA fingerprinting case Professor Katherine Pearson encourages states and CCRC operators to prioritize residents' rights Public invited to "Wealth and Estate Planning for Same-Sex or Unmarried Partners"Tamara Kolz Griffin, associate director of the Harvard Law School Estate Planning Clinic, will provide a review of the divergent federal and state laws on relationship recognition of same-sex couples at Penn State Law on October 23. The public is welcome. WJAC-TV talks with Professor Jill Engle on PA death penalty case Penn State Law tax scholar outlines policies of presidential candidatesIn less than 40 days, citizens will head to the polls for the U.S. presidential election. Penn State Law Professor Samuel C. Thompson Jr. wants to be sure voters understand the economic policies of the candidates which he sets out in his new book The Obama vs. Romney Debate on Economic Growth: A Citizen’s Guide to the Issues. Affirmative action education expert to discuss SCOTUS caseDr. Liliana M. Garces, counsel of record for the amicus brief filed filed with the U.S. Supreme Court by the American Social Science Researchers in the affirmative action case Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, will speak at University Park on Monday, October 1. Professor David Kaye calls for better science in the courtroom District Attorneys at Law School Monday to explore role of modern day prosecutorA panel of eight Pennsylvania district attorneys moderated by Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin ’75 will discuss the evolution of the role of chief prosecutor on Monday, September 24 at 3:30 p.m. at Penn State University Dickinson School of Law. Professor Dennis Jett helps Slate Magazine answer: How Important is a good Ambassador? Professor Nancy Welsh to lead Dispute Resolution MagazineNancy A. Welsh, William Trickett Faculty Scholar and Professor of Law will replace Harvard Law School Professor Frank E.A. Sander as Editorial Board Chair of Dispute Resolution Magazine. Q&A with Maha Sayed '13, summer intern at Hegazy & Associates in Cairo, EgyptMaha Sayed '13 spent the summer of 2012 interning at the Cairo office of Hegazy & Associaties. We caught up with her to learn more about her experiences. Nicole Anderson chosen as 2012-2013 Boren FellowHaving finished U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidate School and one year of law school, Nicole Anderson ’14 has another challenge in mind: learning Mandarin Chinese in eight months. As a 2012-2013 Boren Fellow at National Taiwan University she will get that chance. Watch: Professor Flynt Leverett comments on role of public opinion in the Middle East New online course offers training in language skillsA new online course at Penn State Law offers lawyers the opportunity to read, analyze, and discuss U.S. case law in English. Introduction to Common Law Analysis and Language begins on September 17. Partnership with Dubai Judicial Institute makes headlines Professor Scott Gartner's op-ed identifies two major issues missing from presidential campaign Professor Jill Engle on PA voter ID law National Jurist names Penn State Law one of 20 most innovative law schoolsNational Jurist names Penn State Law one 20 most innovative law schools. Tax scholar James M. Puckett joins facultyFor Professor James M. Puckett who recently joined the faculty at Penn State Law, the name of the game is fairness. He is a scholar of distributive justice. District Attorneys will explore the role of the modern day prosecutor on September 24A panel of eight Pennsylvania district attorneys moderated by Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin ’75 will discuss the evolution of the role of chief prosecutor on Monday, September 24 at 3:30 p.m. at Penn State University Dickinson School of Law. University-wide efforts to address child abuse highlighted Jennifer Young '05: International Government Affairs AdvocateJennifer Young ’05 is a woman on the move. As Director of International Public and Government Affairs at Novartis Corporation, she travels extensively across Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Working in international settings and across cultures is one of her favorite aspects of her work, and doing so requires flexibility. Class of 2015 brings array of experiences to Penn State LawThe newest group of Penn State Law students arrived on campus, bringing an array of life experiences and professional perspectives to the study of law. Comprised of 165 students ages 20-44, the J.D. Class of 2015 includes people who have lived, worked, and volunteered in 19 countires and speakers of Spanish, French, Russian, Portugese, Arabic, Korean, and Chinese. The class includes eight students who hold master's degrees in public policy, aerospace and mechanical engineering, education, forensic psychology, and other fields. Leaders in dispute resolution to meet on mandatory employment arbitrationA select group of about 30 scholars, advocates for employees and employers, dispute resolution providers, agency representatives, and policymakers will convene at the Law School on September 7-8. Their mission, according to Nancy Welsh, William Trickett Faculty Scholar and Professor of Law, is to “move the ball forward” in resolving the controversy over the use of mandatory arbitration in employment matters. "Justice for All" set for September 28Why does the United States outpace every other nation on earth in its incarceration rate? Can there be justice for undocumented persons who have no right to be present in the country? How can the legal system be used to promote equality for groups that are subordinated such as the LGBT community and people of color? “Justice for All: Examining Privilege and Subordination in the U.S. Legal System” will address these questions and many more on September 28. Q&A with Monika Oyama, summer associate at White & CaseMonika Oyama was a summer associate at White & Case in Tokyo. We caught up with her to learn more about her experiences. Penn State ranked among top 50 world universities Bradley Tritsch '14 connects with his clients as part of elder care teamCaptivated by tales his grandfather would share with him as a child, Bradley Tritsch '14 said he has always enjoyed interaction with older adults. In middle school, he started playing with a community band that visited local nursing homes and performed for the residents. “I didn’t want to just be working on the law. I feel it’s important to connect with the people I’m serving and to hear their stories,” Tritsch said. California’s rural poor get legal help from Geoff Trautman ‘13Across the bay from University of California at Santa Cruz where Geoff Trautman ’13 studied Politics as an undergraduate, the Watsonville office of California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) serves the state’s rural poor. Trautman works there providing legal support to the rural residents of Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. Book review of MBE: Beginning your Campaign to Pass the Bar Penn State to hold National Conference on Child Sexual Abuse Watch: Professor Flynt Leverett comments on latest developments in Syria on CCTV Professor Catherine Rogers on the need for arbitration training for Palestinian lawyers Devan Flahive '14: A budding antitrust attorneyFor three years before law school Devan Flahive ’14 lived, ate, and breathed dairy science as a nutritionist at Cargill, an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. After one year at Penn State Law, she is up to her elbows in agriculture once again, this time as a budding antitrust attorney. Business lawyers bring IP and investment experience to Penn State LawClark D. Asay and Seth Chertok have joined the Penn State Law faculty as Dale F. Shughart Jr. scholars, bringing extensive business and intellectual property experience to Penn State students. In addition to law teaching responsibilities, Shughart scholars enjoy the support and mentorship of Penn State Law faculty in preparation for the competitive law teaching market. Professors Asay and Chertok join Shughart Scholars David H. Blankfein-Tabachnick, Erica Goldberg, and Jacob Randall Kreutzer. Korean criminologist studies comparative law at Penn StateSherlock Holmes and detective fiction is what got Penn State Law LL.M. student Dr. Joon Tae Lim interested in the study of crime and crime prevention. Now, his career in law enforcement is based on careful analysis of facts and law. Indiana landowners can learn natural gas lessons from PA, Professor Pifer says Watch: Flynt Leverett on Al Jazeera English panel "Has Syria become the UN's proxy battlefield?" Lunch discussion to focus on juvenile incarcerationThe Center for Children and the Law and the Center for Immigrants' Rights will host a brown bag lunch discussion with Richard Ross, an internationally renowned photographer whose current work focuses on juveniles in detention and treatment. Professor Place on why Big Spring school board prayer is problematic Dean McConnaughay reinforces commitment to Carlisle Update from the Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center Tanya Cramoy serves as steward of the ocean at NOAASewage and garbage. Those are two of the dozens of things that get Tanya Cramoy ’13 excited about her summer internship in the International Section of the Office of the General Counsel for NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Currently, she is working on a new Polar Code which will amend existing international maritime regimes with mandatory provisions specific to the poles. Penn State Law announces partnership with Dubai Judicial InstituteTo pave the way for an exchange of research and educational opportunities, Penn State University Dickinson School of Law and the Dubai Judicial Institute signed a collaboration agreement. Law School responds to false news story Penn State Law and School of International Affairs launch new interdisciplinary publicationPenn State has created a new online forum for interdisciplinary analysis, the Penn State Journal of Law and International Affairs. Veep pick should be "more than just a running mate" writes Amy Gaudion in NYT online Vice Admiral James W. Houck joins Penn State LawVice Admiral James W. Houck, who retired from his position as the 41st Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the U.S. Navy, has joined the of Penn State University Dickinson School of Law. Houck plans to focus his teaching and scholarship on international and national security law as well as maritime law and policy. Michael Gill '13: Spending the summer at the intersection of law and financeFrom a very young age Michael Gill knew he wanted to be a lawyer, but he didn’t know what kind of lawyer until his first year of law school. One thing, however, that he was certain about was his interest in finance, so he decided to look for opportunities to use a law degree with a finance degree. This summer Gill is doing that as an intern at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. Government’s Development Finance Institution that makes loans to projects in developing countries that also have a U.S. company nexus. Immigrants' Rights Center provides tools to help immigrant domestic violence victimsAdvocates and attorneys who work with victims of domestic violence need to understand the dynamics of power and control and how they affect the safety of their clients. This understanding is especially important in working with non-citizen victims who often face additional hurdles compared to American citizens. The Center for Immigrants’ Rights has published “Immigration Relief for Victims of Abuse and Domestic Violence,” a toolkit to help practitioners in representing immigrant victims of domestic abuse. Lawyers and judges get Penn State Law experience in IstanbulTurkish Tax Court Judge of seven years Sukru Say is among the group of international legal practitioners who completed the Intensive Introduction to U.S. Law & Advocacy today. “I was tremendously impressed by the interchange of ideas between students and faculty and also by the opportunity to obtain critical understanding of law in its socio-legal, comparative and interdisciplinary context,” he said. The program was held at Yeditepe University in Istanbul and taught by members of the Penn State Law faculty. Supreme Court Justices ponder Professor David Kaye's expert evidence treatiseThe U.S. Supreme Court has decided three cases over the last three years on the Sixth Amendment right of criminal defendants to confront the forensic scientists or technicians who perform laboratory tests. Professor Kaye and his two co-authors of The New Wigmore, A Treatise on Evidence: Expert Evidence (2d ed. 2011) were among the first academic lawyers to analyze the issue in detail. In the latest case on the subject, Williams v. Illinois, decided June 18, the Supreme Court took notice. Professor Groome continues prosecution of genocide trial of Mladic at the ICTY Kristi Martel '13 interns with the Montana Innocence ProjectAt least 300 wrongfully convicted individuals nationwide have been exonerated and freed from prison thanks to the efforts of various Innocence Projects in the United States. This summer, Kristi Martel ’13 is helping to increase that number as an intern at the Montana Innocence Project. Lt. Gen. James Dubik (Ret.) accepts Gen. Omar N. Bradley Chair in Strategic LeadershipRetired Army Lt. Gen. James Dubik has been named the 2012-2013 General Omar N. Bradley Chair in Strategic Leadership. He will bring extensive cross-cultural and leadership experience to law and international affairs students. Law faculty picks...summer reading for incoming students Center for Immigrants' Rights and NGA release report calling for guest worker protectionsPenn State Law's Center for Immigrants' Rights has teamed up with the National Guestworker Alliance (NGA) in producing a report on important policy changes to the H-2B program necessary to protect both U.S. workers and guestworkers. "Time for a Special Prosecutor in the Sandusky Case" writes Professor Lance Cole Pedro Cortés '99 appears on WITF program "Beyond the Bio" Professor Pearson quoted in WSJ article "Are you on the hook for Mom's nursing home bill?" Message from University President Rodney Erickson on Sandusky trial verdict Center for Immigrants' Rights and NGA release report calling for guest worker protectionsPenn State Law's Center for Immigrants' Rights has teamed up with the National Guestworker Alliance (NGA) in producing a report on important policy changes to the H-2B program necessary to protect both U.S. workers and guestworkers. New York's LLP law may have played role in Dewey's end says Professor Lance Cole The Economist blog cites Prof. Shoba Wadhia's research on prosecutorial discretion In Williams v. Illinois, SCOTUS discusses The New Wigmore: A Treatise on Evidence coauthored by Prof. David Kaye Meet Dave Dambreville '13: NBLSA Vice ChairFrom day one of classes, Dave Dambreville '13 was hooked on becoming part of Penn State Law’s Black Law Students Association. His interest and involvement with the local chapter inspired him to seek leadership opportunities with the National Black Law Students Association where he currently serves as vice chair. Professor Pearson explains family support case on Radio Smart Talk U.S., Pakistan must join in defeating al Qaeda says Omar Bradley Chair PJ Crowley Professor Butler discusses the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on "Beyond Beijing" Centre County Court begins temporary operations in Lewis Katz BuildingThe Centre County Court of Common Pleas has temporarily relocated some of its services to the Law School’s Lewis Katz Building as the trial of Jerry Sandusky gets under way. Law and SIA students document impact of controversial NSEERS programThe impact of a federal government program that targeted non-citizens from mostly Muslim majority countries is documented in a new report The NSEERS Effect: A Decade of Racial Profiling, Fear, and Secrecy developed by the Penn State Law Center for Immigrants’ Rights on behalf of the Rights Working Group. Professor Shoba Wadhia to participate in June 4 press briefing on "NSEERS Effect" Center for Immigrants' Rights co-authors new report on non-citizen access to counselOn behalf of their client, the American Immigration Council’s Legal Action Center (LAC), students from the Penn State Law Center for Immigrants’ Rights contributed to the production of a report on immigrant access to legal counsel which was released today (link to report) . The report concludes that the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration agencies often interfere with noncitizens’ access to counsel in benefits interviews, interrogations, and other types of administrative proceedings outside of immigration court. Professor Shoba Wadhia reappointed to ABA Commission on ImmigrationImmigrants’ rights advocate and law professor Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia was reappointed to a third and final year on the ABA Commission on Immigration. A look at the bigger picture: advocating for youth through policyEvery year almost 30,000 youth age out of the foster care system. For most of them, they’re suddenly on their own – responsible for finding a place to live, managing their money, shopping for food and clothing, and for some continuing their education. But what happens when they learn that they can’t make it on their own yet? Professor Tridimas comments on legality of potential UK immigration restrictions on Sky News Professor Pearson on Pennsylvania filial support case to Business Insider Professor Katherine Pearson explains new filial support case to ABCNews.com President Obama nominates Matthew W. Brann to U.S. District CourtPresident Obama nominated Matthew W. Brann '90 to serve on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Professor Groome opens for the prosecution of Ratko MladicToday Penn State Law Professor Dermot Groome began presenting evidence in the prosecution of Bosnian Serb General Ratko Mladic at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia at The Hague. Mladic is accused of orchestrating a campaign of ethnic cleansing during the civil war that tore apart Yugoslavia. Professor Dermott Groome gives opening statement in Ratko Mladic genocide trial Professor Pearson on protections for whistle-blowers in long-term care facilities 2012 Public Interest Law Summer Fellows namedPenn State Law is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2012 Degenstein Foundation/Cherie M. Millage Summer Fellowships. Established by students in 1990, the Public Interest Law Fund’s summer fellowship program enables law students to work in non-paying areas of public interest law during the summer after their first or second year at Penn State Law. Judge Thomas I. Vanaskie '78 addresses Class of 2012Celebrating the Class of 2012, the Honorable Thomas I. Vanaskie, United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and member of The Dickinson School of Law Class of 1978, addressed the graduates and hundreds of their friends and family members at commencement on May 12. Professor William Fox on "tragic" Veterans Court appellate process Mariam Elhadri '12 dedicates herself to promoting justice in LibyaWhen the Arab Spring spread to Libya in February 2011, Penn State Law student Mariam Elhadri ’12 knew she needed to help from the outside in any capacity she had. Along with six Libyan lawyers living in a diaspora located across the world, including Dubai, Paris, New York, Madrid, London, and Pennsylvania, Elhadri formed Lawyers for Justice in Libya (LFJL) with the anticipation of all the legal challenges that may arise during this conflict, from the collection and preservation of evidence to the administration of justice. Professor Gartner and Ben Premack J.D./M.I.A. '13 hope to pave new ways to peaceWhen the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), holds its annual workshop on International Conflict Prevention and Mediation at Lewis Katz Building this month, a pair of Penn State collaborators, Professor Scott Gartner and Law and SIA student Ben Premack, will present their work on how best to remove legal obstacles to creating lasting peace treaties through regional conflict mediation Students co-author article on judicial review of arbitration and mediation agreementsThe Dispute Resolution Journal, a publication of the American Arbitration Association, recently published an article co-authored by Penn State Law students Julia Rabich and Sarah Stoner and Professor Nancy Welsh, entitled “Judicial Review of Arbitration Awards and Mediation Agreements: Tips for Sustaining Deference.” Professor William E. Butler to present "Monuments of Imperial Russian Law" at Yale Law SchoolProfessor William E. Butler will present "Monuments of Imperial Russian Law," an exhibition talk on May 9 in New Haven, Connecticut. He has been lead curator of rare book exhibit at Yale Law School's Lillian Goldman Law Library focused on the history of Russian law. The event begins at 1:00 p.m. and is open to the public. Professor Carla Pratt joins Supreme Court of the Standing Rock Sioux TribeWhen the Supreme Court of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe gathers on May 7, they will welcome their newest justice, Penn State Law professor Carla Pratt. Professor Romero analyzes SCOTUS arguments in Arizona immigration caseProfessor Victor Romero shares his perspectives on the Arizona Immigration Law argued at the Supreme Court on Wednesday. He sees a potential outcome where the Court may decide to uphold portions of the law and strike down other sections. Watch video Professor Copeland’s research focuses on deterring illegal marketing by drug companiesIn her recent paper “Enforcing Integrity,” Professor Katrice Bridges Copeland offers a number of alternatives to ineffective corporate integrity agreements entered into by the federal government and pharmaceutical companies South Africa honors Penn State Law Professor Randall RobinsonRandall Robinson, distinguished scholar in residence at Penn State Law and Penn State School of International Affairs, author, and human rights activist will be among the 31 heroes of the anti-apartheid movement who will be honored at a Freedom Day ceremony on April 27. The day marks the 18th anniversary of South Africa’s first all-race vote. Professor Colburn urges government caution in BP settlement PJ Crowley: Taliban dish out tough lessons in Kabul Dream Act attorney fights for immigrants' rightsRosa Gomez '08, staff attorney for the Dream Act and Immigrant Youth Outreach Program at Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto, California, fights for immigrants' rights. Holly Moncavage anticipates a summer of serviceHolly Moncavage '13 will use a 2012 Peggy Browning Fellowship to intern at The Workplace Project in New York City, assisting immigrants in wage and hour claims and raising awareness. Kiev University of Law awards honorary degree to Professor William E. ButlerThe Kiev University of Law awarded an honorary doctor of laws to Professor William E. Butler along with Dr. V. V. Dudintsev, former prime minister of Ukraine. The ceremony took place on April 13. New clinic facility aims for law firm atmosphereThe Law School held an open house for students and faculty at its new clinic location in Innovation Park. The clinic houses the Center for Immigrants' Rights, the Civil Rights Appellate Clinic, the Family Law Clinic, the International Sustainable Development Projects Clinic, and the Rural Economic Development Clinic. Author of We Meant Well to visit Penn StateForeign Service Officer Peter Van Buren, author of a critical account of his experience assisting in Iraq reconstruction, will speak at the School of International Affairs on April 26. The public is welcome. Van Buren will present “Post-Conflict Nation Building: Why It Isn't Easy” and be available to sign copies of the book after the presentation. Professor Lopatka explains ebooks price-fixing case to KCBS Professor Ross Pifer on new Pennsylvania shale gas litigation Smart power, international law, and policy roundtable set for April 12The International Law Society and the Student Government Association of the School of International Affairs are hosting a roundtable discussion on recent U.S.-relevant developments in trade, law, human rights, and strategic affairs in South and East Asia. “Power and Diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific” will be held at Penn State Law’s Lewis Katz Building, University Park, Pa., on Thursday, April 12 and will feature a panel of experienced scholars and diplomats who will offer their perspectives on current events and ongoing issues in the region. LL.M. student Allan Binns writes guide for takeovers in PanamaSince joining Penn State Law in 2011, LL.M. student Allan Binns has become a published author. His book, La Oferta Pública de Adquisición en Panamá was released in December and he is already planning a sequel. Clinic students work toward improved treatment of detaineesPenn State Law students Rachel Keung ’13 and Daniel DeCurtis ’12 traveled the distance to the Clinton County Correctional facility from their office at the Law School’s Center for Immigrants’ Rights in less than an hour. But representing their client, the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Commission on Immigration, required entering the complex world of immigrant detention which has been “quite a journey,” according to Keung who said she had never been in a prison before. Professor Pearson discusses filial support laws on Australian national radioAs the overall population of Australia begins to age, Australia, like the U.S., is forced to rethink the role that families play in providing care for the elderly, including whether Australia should introduce legislation giving parents the right to compel their children to provide financial support. During the upcoming program “Dutiful Sons and Daughters” which will be broadcast on the weekly Australian radio show Encounter, Professor Katherine Pearson discusses filial support laws trends in the U.S. during a panel dialog. Law students try moot case with pediatric medical residentsDid preschooler Susan Holmes lose her ability to smile, swallow, move, and communicate because her breathing tube was inserted in the wrong place during her trip to the emergency room? In a mock trial at Penn State Law with pediatric medical residents and law students the case hinged on the word “because.” UPDATE: Senator Rick Santorum '86 has cancelled today's visit to the Law SchoolPresidential candidate and Law School alumnus Rick Santorum ’86 has cancelled today’s planned visit to the Law School for family reasons. Potential impact of PA Supreme Court actions on Marcellus Shale called "large" by Professor Pifer Students hone negotiation skills through competing in marathonDespite the early Saturday morning rain and clouds that dripped with invitation to stay inside, a group of forty Penn State Law students and fifteen lawyers recently gathered at Lewis Katz Hall in Carlisle for an all-day marathon – not to train physically but mentally in the Third Annual Negotiation Marathon, created by Professor Nancy Welsh. Israeli and Palestinian arbitration advocates discuss new arbitration center at Penn State Law eventPenn State Law hosted a reception for the new Jerusalem Arbitration Center (JAC) on March 30, in Washington, D.C. The center is a joint venture between the International Chambers of Commerce (ICC) of Israel and Palestine. The JAC’s mission is to provide a neutral forum for resolution of commercial disputes that arise out of the estimated $4 billion in trade that occurs every year between Palestinians and Israelis. Professor Ross Pifer on new suit over shale gas drilling and local control Use of drones by U.S. debated in next episode of World on TrialThe next episode of World on Trial, an international human rights public television and web-based interactive series produced by Penn State University Dickinson School of Law and WPSU, will examine the legality of the use of unmanned drones by the U.S. government to target suspected terrorists.
The next episode of World on Trial, an international human rights public television and web-based interactive series produced by Penn State University Dickinson School of Law and WPSU, will examine the legality of the use of unmanned drones by the U.S. government to target suspected terrorists. Professor Ventoruzzo appointed to editorial board of ECFRPenn State Law Professor Marco Ventoruzzo was recently appointed to the editorial board for the peer-reviewed European Company and Financial Law Review (ECFR). He will assume the role of managing editor effective in 2013. Iran expert to address U.S. policy toward Asia and Persian GulfProfessor Flynt Leverett, whose distinguished government career has included positions with the CIA, the State Department and most recently as the senior director for Middle East affairs with the National Security Council, will discuss the changing nature of U.S. foreign policy strategy on April 3. His presentation “Energy, Economics, and the Lost Art of Grand Strategy: American Policy Toward the Persian Gulf and Rising Asia in the 21st Century" is open to the public. Videos of panel discussions on AT&T Mobility v. Concepcion available Commercial law faculty collaborate on secured transactions case bookTo respond to changes in the last decade in the law of secured finance, Penn State Law professors Louis Del Duca and Marie T. Reilly together with co-authors Edwin E. Smith, partner at Bingham McCutchen, and Peter Winship of Southern Methodist University wrote a new edition of Secured Transactions Under the Uniform Commercial Code and International Commerce (LexisNexis). Dambreville '13 named vice chair of national student organizationAt its annual meeting in Washington, D.C. on March 9, the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA), the largest student-run non-profit organization in the country, elected Penn State Law student Dave Dambreville '13 national vice chair of the organization Penn State Law students volunteer at AIDSLaw during spring breakWhile many law students spend spring break catching up on rest and relaxation before the end of the semester crunch, eight Penn State Law students traveled to New Orleans and spent their spring break volunteering with AIDSLaw of Louisiana, which provides legal services to low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Civil rights advocate Gary Orfield to deliver lecture on April 19Gary Orfield, co-founder and director of The Civil Rights Project at the University of California, Los Angeles will deliver a lecture at Penn State Law on April 19 at 5:00 p.m. in the Lewis Katz Building. Professor Flynt Leverett to NPR News: SWIFT sanctions of Iran unlikely to create strategic advantage Judge Samuel Bufford explains how a law firm's structure dictates bankruptcy fall-out Commonwealth Court holds special session at Law School Alumnus Richard J. Santorum '86 now in second place in GOP primariesRichard J. Santorum, who graduated from The Dickinson School of Law in 1986, has won several state GOP primaries in the 2012 presidential race. Santorum holds a degree in political science from Penn State and an M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh. He was an associate at Kirkpatrick & Lockhart (now K&L Gates) after his admission to the Pennsylvania bar. Jon Lozano '12 named 2012 Graduate Student Service Award recipient Lace up for 5K Race JudicataRain or shine, prepare to pound the pavement by participating in Penn State's Dickinson School of Law 5K Race Judicata to raise funds for the Law School's Public Interest Law Fund (PILF) and Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP). The race will be held in Carlisle on Saturday, April 14 and in University Park on Sunday, April 15. Races are open to law students, staff, faculty, alumni and friends of the Penn State community. Professor Bob Rains co-authors American Constitution Society Issue Brief "Scapegoating Social Security Disability Claimants" PJ Crowley: Obama, Netanyahu and the problem with Iran USA Today interviews Professor Katrice Bridges Copeland on drug company regulation Commonwealth Court to hold special appellate session at Penn State LawMembers of Penn State University and the local community will have the opportunity to attend a special appellate hearing held by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. A three-judge panel will hear the cases beginning at 9 a.m. on March 15 in the Apfelbaum Courtroom of the Katz Building in University Park and streamed via multimedia to Lewis Katz Hall in Carlisle. Penn State Law to host third annual Negotiation MarathonOn Saturday, March 24, Penn State Law will host the third annual Negotiation Marathon from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Lewis Katz Hall, Carlisle, Pa. PJ Crowley assesses the current crisis in Afghanistan on WNYC Lewis Katz Hall awarded LEED Silver Building CertificationPenn State Law's Lewis Katz Hall in Carlisle, Pa. has been awarded LEED Silver certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Huffington Post features Professor Green on segregation issues in Charter Schools Professor Green's work on charter school's highlighted "Beyond hot spots & crises in our interconnected world" with Dr. Anne-Mare SlaughterDr. Anne-Marie Slaughter will present “The Big Picture: Beyond Hot Spots & Crises in Our Interconnected World” on March 15 at Penn State Law. Dr. Slaughter served as director of policy planning for the United States Department of State from 2009 to 2011; the Policy Planning Staff provides independent policy analysis and advice on global trends and strategy to the Secretary of State. Students compete in inaugural LL.M. moot competitionTwo teams of Penn State Law students will compete in the first International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition specifically created for LL.M. students on March 9 and 10 in Washington, D.C. Students include: Magdalena Heigl, Silvia Batello, Hannah Kissi, Tatiana David, Luiz Felipe Oliveira, Mattia Graziani, and Farid Abou Hassan. Omar Bradley Chair P.J. Crowley discusses diplomats' use of Twitter on NPR's "All Things Considered" Abigail LeGrow '04 appointed to Master of Chancery for Delaware JudiciaryAbigail LeGrow ’04 was recently appointed Master in Chancery for the Delaware Judiciary, a court which has been ranked first in the nation since 2002. PBS NewsHour features Professor Leverett on nuclear question in Iran All roads lead back to law school for Erika Vela '13With a resume of a person twice her age, second-year law student Erika Vela ’13 explored many options before pursuing a law degree. PETA legal chief to speak at Penn State LawJeff Kerr, general counsel for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) will visit Penn State Law on March 14. He will share the latest on the legal and policy issues surrounding the growing area of animal rights. "Experience Penn State Law" welcomes prospective studentsPenn State Law is hosting a series of events for prospective law students to enable them to reach a verdict on law school. Law School THON team makes final appealErin Bloxham ’12 and Bobby Marion ’12, the Penn State Law THON Chairs this year, say there is still time to make a contribution to help the law school hit its goal of $1,500. Thon is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world and has raised more than $78 million, benefiting The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, since its inception in 1973. Professor Ellen Dannin on privatizing human services Penn State Law offers summer program for international lawyersThe Law School will offer legal practitioners and business executives from around the world an Intensive Introduction to U.S. Law & Advocacy in Istanbul this summer. The curriculum will be taught by Penn State Law faculty members known globally for their expertise in their respective areas including—advocacy, competition, contracts, international tax, and international choice of law. Judge Orhan Karabacak chooses Penn State for preservation researchJudge Orhan Karabacak arrived on the bench by way of tax and to central Pennsylvania by way of Turkey. He is visiting Penn State Law from Sakarya University, where he is writing a doctoral thesis on the role of the state in preserving cultural and natural heritage sites. "The Syrian Endgame: How the U.S. Can Speed Up Revolution" by P.J. Crowley Professor Pifer comments on pending Marcellus Shale legislation Alumnus Rick Santorum wins contests in Missouri, Minnesota, and ColoradoFormer U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, who holds a political science degree from Penn State and graduated from the Law School in 1986, added wins in Republican contests in three states last night to his Iowa win in January. LL.M. students opt for new January admission optionSaleh Abaddi and Urbain Jiggi decided to take advantage of Penn State Law’s new January admission option to get a jump on their LL.M. degrees at Penn State Law. Both students, who have been in the United States for nearly two years, explain why they chose Penn State and what it's like to be in a Penn State Law classroom. Law review to publish Deal Lawyers' Guide to Public and Private Company Acquisitions Professor David Kaye on routine collection of DNA evidence Professor Leverett reviews new book on Iran Professor Larry Catá Backer on Cuba's internal struggles to Al-Jazeera Hon. Thomas Vanaskie '78 to deliver commencement addressThe Honorable Thomas I. Vanaskie, a 1978 graduate of The Dickinson School of Law, will be the featured speaker at this spring’s commencement ceremonies for the Penn State University Dickinson School of Law. Vanaskie is a member of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, having been nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate on April 21, 2010. Professor Anna Laakmann comments on emotional distress claims, doctor-patient relationship in amednews.com "Understanding Privatization: Getting Beyond Pro-Con Debates" with Professor Ellen DanninOn Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. Penn State Law Professor Ellen Dannin will present “Understanding Privatization: Getting Beyond Pro-Con Debates” in room 112, Lewis Katz Hall, 333 West South Street, Carlisle, Pa. U.S. Army calls four from Class of 2012 to JAG CorpsFour Penn State Law graduates from the Class of 2012 were selected among thousands of applicants for active duty in the U.S. Army JAG Corps. Sara Carlson, Melody Mahla, Meghan McClincy, and Vietlong Nguyen came to their career choice with different backgrounds and experiences but all had a common motivation. Teresa Currier '85 to receive the Hon. Sylvia Rambo AwardThe Women’s Law Caucus of the Penn State University Dickinson School of Law will recognize Teresa K.D. Currier ’85 as the eighteenth recipient of the Sylvia H. Rambo Award during a ceremony on February 23, 2012 at Lewis Katz Hall, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Currier, partner at Saul Ewing LLP, will receive the Rambo Award in recognition of her exemplary contributions to the legal profession and to society as a whole. Arbitration experts consider legacy of landmark caseThe 2011 Supreme Court decision in AT&T Mobility v. Concepcion last year has potentially changed the legal landscape in a number of areas including class actions and arbitration agreements between consumers and businesses. Renowned U.S. Legal Scholars, including John Feerick at Fordham will convene for the symposium U.S. Arbitration Law in the Wake of AT&T Mobility v. Concepcion on February 22, 2012 at Penn State University Dickinson School of Law. International human rights program "World on Trial" to air on public TVThe new television and interactive series, The World on Trial, will premiere on public television stations beginning January 31. it will air will air on WPSU on PBS World Tuesday, Jan. 31 @ 6pm and 9pm and WPSU HD Thursday, Feb. 2 @ 9pm. Sustainable farmers to get pro bono legal advice from Penn State Law studentsFarmers who attend the 21st annual conference of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) will have the chance to get their top legal questions answered. Members of the Penn State Law Rural Economic Development Clinic will be available during the "Farming for the Future" conference being held at the Penn Stater Conference Center from February 1-4 to address issues ranging from farmland leases to CSA (community-supported agriculture) membership agreements. A supreme experience for Penn State Law studentsAfter nearly a year of work preparing Daniel Coleman’s case to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, current and former Penn State Law students in the Civil Rights Appellate Clinic looked on as clinic director Professor Michael Foreman argued their client’s case before the high court yesterday. State Department Legal Counsel to speak on National SecurityHarold Hongju Koh, chief legal counsel for the U.S. Department of State and professor of international law at Yale Law School, will visit the Law School to discuss national security on Thursday, Jan. 26. The public is welcome. Penn State undergrads invited to get a jump on law schoolThinking about going to law school? If you’re a Penn State undergrad completing your sophomore or junior year with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, don’t delay. On January 11, 2012, Penn State Law will begin to accept admissions applications for the Explore Law program designed to introduce selected Penn State undergraduate students to the study of law and the law school learning environment. Penn State Law students offer free tax helpPenn State Law students are offering free tax preparation services to people with low and fixed incomes, people who have disabilities or special needs, and senior citizens aged 60 or older. "Rock star" Dr. Richard Alley to speak on climate changeClassroom dynamo Richard Alley will visit the School of International Affairs to speak on climate change on January 19. Dr. Alley is the Evan Pugh Professor of Geosciences in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and an expert in polar ice. The public is welcome. Library offers new skill-building certificate program in legal researchThe library faculty kicks off a new certificate program in February designed to give students the research skills required by employers. Practice Oriented Research Tips and Training (PORTT) Certificate Program is an intense skill-building program available to 2L and 3L students. Rick Santorum, '86 places second in Iowa caucusesFormer U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum who graduated both from Penn State in Political Science ’80, and the Law School ’86, was defeated by only eight votes by Mitt Romney in the Iowa Republican Presidential caucuses. Law School remembers long-time professor and World War II hero Edward HaughneyProfessor Edward Haughney, 94, who taught at the Law School for more than 30 years, died on Friday, December 30, 2011. His life was devoted to service—first, in the U.S. Army JAG Corps, and then to future members of the bar. Professor Haughney taught classes in military law, civil procedure, federal practice, and agency law and retired from the Law School in 2005. Professor Rains on Social Security Administration's medical records policy in Wall Street Journal No recess for Civil Rights Appellate Clinic students as they prepare for Supreme CourtWhile many Penn State Law students are headed home for some rest and relaxation during the holiday break, students in the Civil Rights Appellate Clinic are busy hammering out the details of a reply brief in Coleman v. Maryland Court of Appeals that is due to be filed with the U.S. Supreme Court on December 29. Work began on the brief over the Thanksgiving holiday. Clinic director Professor Michael Foreman will argue the case set for January 11. National Law Journal profiles Professor Foreman as appellate lawyer of the week Max Planck Society appoints Professor Ventoruzzo director of new law instituteProfessor Marco Ventoruzzo has been appointed director of the new Max Planck Institute for Procedural and Regulatory Law in Luxembourg. The institute is a joint venture of the Max Planck Society, one of the most prestigious research organizations in the world, and the government of Luxembourg which is investing in growing its research and educational competencies. Christian Science Monitor.com profiles 'maverick' diplomat Dennis Jett P.J. Crowley: China creating alternative to U.S. friendship for Pakistan Professor Ellen Dannin on privatization contracts Professor John Kelmelis named AAAS FellowPenn State University School of International Affairs Professor and affiliate member of the Law School faculty John A. Kelmelis was named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). MacRae named Professor Emeritus with 28 years of service to the Law SchoolAfter 28 years at Penn State University Dickinson School of Law, Leslie M. MacRae became Professor Emeritus of Law in July 2011. MacRae, who began his career at the Law School in 1983 and was named professor of law in 1989, influenced generations of lawyers with his passion for the law and sense of humor. During the course of his tenure, MacRae has taught Administrative Law, Agricultural Law, Animal Law, Environmental Law, Land Use Law, Natural Resources Law, Property Law, Trusts and Estates, and Native American Law – a course which he developed and introduced to the law school’s curriculum. Professor Lucy Johnston-Walsh discusses child abuse awareness on WPSU New book examines pipeline to legal profession for African AmericansThe path from birth to the bar can be precarious for African Americans, who despite being approximately 13 percent of the population are only about 4 percent of the practicing bar. What factors aided African Americans who achieved the status of lawyer in their journey through the pipeline? Two Penn State professors teamed up to explore that question in The End of the Pipeline: A Journey of Recognition for African Americans Entering the Legal Profession (Carolina Academic Press 2011). Law School continues policy and advocacy work on behalf of childrenIn the wake of the allegations concerning Penn State employees released in the grand jury presentment last week, the Law School community has been struggling along with the rest of the University community and public to come to terms with the horrific details as they emerge. According to Dean Philip McConnaughay, "We feel deep sadness for the children involved, outrage at their alleged treatment, and shame over allegations that members of the University’s administration may have missed opportunities to expose and stop the alleged abuse." Professor Flynt Leverett discusses possible Iranian banking sanctions on Al Jazeera English Professor Ross tells Sports Illustrated that NCAA's business model needs an overhaul; academic work calls for radical reform Judge Bufford appointed delegate to UNCITRAL's Working Group on Insolvency LawJudge Samuel Bufford has been appointed as a delegate Working Group V (Insolvency Law) of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), an arm of the United Nations. During UNCITRAL’s annual meeting in Vienna, Austria, from October 31 to November 4, 2011, Professor Bufford will represent the International Insolvency Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing and promoting insolvency as a respected discipline in the international field. Professor Dannin on NLRB's complaint against Boeing Professor Terry on globalization and the international regulation of the legal profession Judge Samuel Bufford comments on church bankruptcy Professor Kane to serve on panel exploring gene patents related to innovations in science and technology P.J. Crowley to speak on Wikileaks and national securityWikileaks recently released 250,000 unedited U.S. diplomatic cables, creating yet another internet and diplomaticsensation of enormous consequence to U.S. military members, diplomats, Foreign Service professionals, and the media. Philip J. (PJ) Crowley, will present “Wikileaks: One Year Later,” at Penn State Law in Carlisle on October 25. The public is welcome and the event will be webcast live. Listen now: Professor Flynt Leverett interview on Iran nuclear diplomacy controversy Penn State University honors alumni fellowsThe Penn State Alumni Association and members of the Penn State University alumni community celebrated the induction of twenty-four new Alumni Fellows, including Dickinson School of Law graduates Jeffrey L. Hyde ’77 Lib and Edu, ’80g, The Hon. D. Brooks Smith ’76g, and The Hon. LeRoy S. Zimmerman ’59g. Professor Pifer on analyzing ownership of Marcellus Shale Professor Pifer comments on the implications for gas and oil law if Marcellus Shale is determined to be a mineral Professors Welsh and Carbonneau cover important arbitration issues on SCOTUS Blog Professor Pearson to speak on preventing elder abuseWhen an elderly person is caught in the snares of financial abuse, a professional such as a nurse, physician, banker, or attorney can only provide help if he or she knows what to look for and what to do when elder abuse is suspected. Professor Katherine Pearson will visit the Penn State School of Nursing to present “Beware of Befrienders: Analyzing Roles for Professionals in Helping Older Adults Avoid Financial Abuse” on Tuesday, September 27. Professor Ellen Dannin explains pitfalls of infrastructure privatization on PBS series Need to Know Associate Dean Carla Pratt on Cherokee Nation decision to expel Freedmen Professors Ellen Dannin and Michael Foreman on disability issues in 'kidney firing' case Philip J. Crowley "not afraid to make a statement" P.J. Crowley discusses Libya's future with Rachel MaddowP.J. Crowley appeared on the Rachel Maddow show on August 24, 2011, to discuss Libya's future. Professor Dannin on why NLRB's proposed election regulations should be approved Professor Ross Pifer advises landowners on their rights regarding gas drilling Professor Welsh elected to ABA Dispute Resolution Section CouncilPenn State Law Professor Nancy Welsh has been elected as a Council Member-at-Large of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Section of Dispute Resolution. Professor Ellen Dannin on enormous costs of infrastructure privatization Professor Pifer outlines laws and regulations on gas and oil drilling at annual state mayor's conference Professor Sam Thompson Jr. on "Why U.S. Should Not Pay Warren Buffet Social Security and Medicare" Appellate Civil Rights Clinic's work highlighted in The Legal Intelligencer Professor Pearson studies elderly access to justice Professor William E. Butler writes groundbreaking book on practice of law in RussiaThis week Professor William E. Butler published The Russian Legal Practitioner, a comprehensive summary of the practice of law in Russia. Professor Sam Bufford praises Elizabeth Warren in Bloomberg Story Professor Victor Romero comments on the need for a unified immigration policy Center for Children and the Law plays key role in simplifying process for reporting child abuse Professor Takis Tridimas explains Greek debt crisis on PRI's "The World" Omar Bradley Chair P.J. Crowley discusses the price of inaction in Syria on NPR's Talk of the Nation "Obama must tell Assad to go" by Omar Bradley Chair P.J. Crowley in Washington Post Professor Ellen Dannin comments on proposed privatization legislation in Texas Judge Samuel Bufford comments on bankruptcy court's decision that DOMA is unconstitutional Professor Farmer to participate in International Competition Law ConferencePenn State Law Professor Beth Farmer has been invited to participate in the International Competition Law Conference, “Competition Law in Transition: Trends and Challenges” held in Dubrovnik, Croatia from June 15-17. Professor Michael Foreman discusses Supreme Court's protection of employees in retaliation claims Professor Stan Brand discusses Rep. Weiner scandal on NPR Professor Dannin authors American Constitution Society brief on the effectiveness of the National Labor Relations Act Professor Cole comments on fallout from Congressional investigation of Goldman Sachs Professor Romero comments on Supreme Court's ruling requiring the Third Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider Hazelton's immigration law ABA President-elect reappoints Professor Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia to Commission on ImmigrationImmigrants’ rights advocate and law professor Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia will serve a second year on the ABA Commission on Immigration, an association that works to ensure fair treatment and full due process rights for immigrants and refugees within the United States. Professor Wadhia is a key voice in the debate about post-9/11 immigration policy and directs the Center for Immigrants’ Rights. Teachers and lawyers invited for summer "enrichment" at Law and Education InstituteCan a school regulate off-campus student speech? What is a district to do when a custody order makes no sense, or competes with another state’s custody order? And under what circumstances can a child be interviewed about abuse allegations without parental consent?
School administrators, teachers, and education lawyers are invited for a state-of-the-art legal training at the Penn State Law and Education Institute on June 20-24. "End the Iraq Occupation" by Omar Bradley Chair P.J. Crowley on The Daily Beast Professor Stan Brand discusses campaign finance and upcoming elections on The Diane Rehm Show Bar expert writes new book on how to prepare for the MBE“There are no shortcuts or tricks to passing the bar. However, there are ways to become more efficient, effective, and strategic,” said Keith Elkin, assistant dean of student services at Penn State Law, who authored the new bookMBE: Beginning Your Campaign to Pass the Bar Exam (Aspen 2011). He wrote the book to share the same method that has helped his students succeed at Penn State Law, where he teaches a class on bar preparation. Professor Michael Foreman explains why mandatory arbitration can hurt consumers New toolkit sheds light on lesser known immigration remediesToday, Duane Morris LLP, Maggio & Kattar, and Penn State Law’s Center for Immigrants’ Rights released a toolkit for practitioners on two significant but lesser known immigration remedies, private bills and deferred action. American Scientist online reviews Professor David Kaye's The Double Helix and the Law of Evidence Professor Ross Pifer comments on hurdles to Marcellus Shale drilling NSEERS program did "not catch terrorists" says Professor Wadhia End of special registration program praised by Professor Wadhia Did DOJ "call an audible" with its BCS letter? Professor Ross explains. BP=Big Penalty? Professor Colburn weighs in Professor Ellen Dannin comments on Scranton police union complaint Professor David Kaye comments on DNA and bin Laden on Nature.com Penn State Law Center for Immigrants' Rights plays role in key post 9/11 policy shiftThe Department of Homeland Security announced it would suspend the controversial NSEERS (National Security Entry-Exit Registration System) program implemented in the wake of September 11, 2001, a move which had been advocated for by the Penn State Law Center for Immigrants’ Rights. P.J. Crowley, former State Department Spokesperson, to teach at Penn State LawFormer Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, Philip J. (P.J.) Crowley will serve as the 2011-2012 Omar Bradley Chair of Strategic Leadership at Penn State Law. Professor Backer elected chair of University Faculty SenateProfessor Larry Catá Backer is a renowned scholar of international corporate governance, and he will now apply his attention to faculty governannce as chair-elect of the Penn State University Faculty Senate. Professor Ellen Dannin discusses digital recordings in work-related discrimination cases with ABC news Professor Takis Tridimas appears before Supreme Court of United KingdomProfessor Takis Tridimas recently appeared before the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom in FA (Iraq) (FC) v Secretary of State for the Home Department, a case raising issues of principle regarding constitutional remedies and the protection of rights granted by European Union law. Professor Louis Del Duca honored by International Association of Law SchoolsThe International Association of Law Schools (IALS) governing board presented Professor Lou Del Duca with a certificate recognizing his commitment to supporting and extending the reach of the organization and for his leadership in the publication of the Penn State International Law Review. Professor Stephen Ross on possible BCS antitrust lawsuit in USA Today M&A Institute to address new approaches for the economic recoveryAgainst a backdrop of renewed global corporate confidence, one-third of global businesses are looking for new acquisitions in the next six months. The New York City Bar Center for CLE and Penn State’s Center for the Study of Mergers and Acquisitions will kick off its 8th Annual Institute on Tax Aspects of Mergers and Acquisitions next week. Professor Marie Reilly discusses the reorganization of Philadelphia Orchestra under Chapter 11 in the Philadelphia Inquirer NPR gets Professor Lopatka's perspective on Google's latest move Professor Stephen Ross discusses "natural order" of NFL labor in the New York Times Roll Call review dubs new book by Professors Stan Brand and Lance Cole "a must-read" Professor William Fox sheds light on the complexities of jury selection for WJAC-TV Professor Foreman reacts to Supreme Court arguments in Wal-Mart case Professor Laurel Terry's views sought by UK regulatorsThe United Kingdom’s Legal Services Board recently released a report it had commissioned (the Decker-Yarrow Report) and a compendium of essays commenting on that report, including one by Penn State Law Professor Laurel Terry’s titled "Understanding the Economic Rationale for Legal Services Regulation: The Importance of Interdisciplinary Dialogue.” C-NET to air "Decriminalizing Border Crossings" with Professor Victor RomeroIn honor of the late Barbara Jordan's service as chair of the 1994-95 U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform, Penn State Law Professor Victor Romero presented, "Decriminalizing Border Crossings" as the guest speaker for the 2011 Barbara Jordan Lecture on March 21. Professor Katherine Pearson to chair London conference at the Brunel Institute for Ageing StudiesPenn State Law Professor Katherine Pearson has been invited by the Brunel Institute for Ageing Studies (BIAS) to help chair a conference on “Detecting and Preventing Financial Abuse of Older Adults” on March 25, 2011 at Brunel University in London. Looming NFL lockout sparks legal debate Professor Ross to participate in Harvard's Sports Law SymposiumPenn State Law Professor Stephen Ross has been invited to participate in Harvard Law School’s 2011 Sports Law Symposium on March 25, 2011. The theme for the symposium is amateurism. Retired general to address legal and policy dilemmas of Guantanamo detention centerMajor General John D. Altenburg Jr., this year's Omar N. Bradley Joint Chair in Strategic Leadership, will discuss the ethical, policy, and legal dilemmas regarding detention, rendition, interrogation, and the use of military commissions in the war against al-Qaeda and other terrorists on March 30. SIA professor Flynt Leverett appears on NPR's "All Things Considered" Professor Welsh to discuss future of arbitration Prominent public figures praise new book by Government Center professorsCongressional Investigations and Oversight: Case Studies and Analysis (Carolina Academic Press 2010) has earned strong reviews from public figures with special appreciation of the complexities surrounding a nationally publicized, high-profile congressional investigation. The book was co-authored by Professor Lance Cole, who directs the Center for Government Law and Public Policy Studies, and Professor Stanley M. Brand. Conference examines how technology can resolve online disputesProfessor Louis Del Duca was part of a group of international experts who gathered at the Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Conference in Chennai, India earlier this month. Center for Immigrants' Rights to host naturalization workshopThe Center for Immigrants’ Rights and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will host a “Path to Naturalization” workshop on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 to review the naturalization process and discuss the rights and responsibilities of United States citizens. College of Education appoints Professor Green to Batschelet endowed chairPreston C. Green III, who holds a joint appointment with the Law School and Penn State’s College of Education, has been appointed the Batschelet chaired professor of educational administration in the College of Education. Green is professor-in-charge of the College’s Educational Leadership program. He also helped develop Penn State's joint degree programs in law and education and is the director of the annual Law and Education Institute at Penn State, which provides instruction on educational law to teachers, administrators, and attorneys. Professor Gildin advises ACLU attorneys on deposition taking techniquesProfessor Gary Gildin recently served on the faculty of the Advanced Deposition Program for attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), organized by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and delivered to ACLU attorneys from across the country. Interdisciplinary event drills into Marcellus Shale issuesMarcellus Shale drilling was hailed as a bridge that can help move the U.S. off of fossil fuels, criticized as something that will not reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and evaluated as an economic force at a symposium hosted by the Penn State Environmental Law Review today. Professor Pearson to address financial abuse of seniors at seminar in IrelandWhat is financial abuse? What techniques can be used to intervene and respond? What can be done in the absence of an elder-specific protective service law? On February 22, 2011, Professor Katherine Pearson will touch on these and other legal issues of financial elder abuse during her presentation “Legal Implications of Ambivalence in Caregiver relationships” at the University College Dublin, Ireland. Organized by the National Centre for the Protection of Older People, her presentation will lead off a seminar on Legal and Policy Challenges of Financial Elder Abuse. Ireland Law Reform Commissioner Patricia Rickard-Clarke will respond during the evening event. Professor Pearson discusses the elderly as targets of fraud on WITF-Smart Talk Additional clarity needed for European Union's new GMO rules says Professor Pifer Professor Laurel Terry addresses LawWithoutWallsProfessor Laurel Terry recently gave the inaugural thought leader presentation for LawwithoutWalls , a collaborative law project that gathers and unites law students, professors, entrepreneurs, and attorneys from around the world to improve the practice and future of law. Professor Thompson publishes a complete look at the complex laws governing mergers and acquisitionsWith more than 5,200 pages of text and appendices, Professor Sam Thompson’s four-volume treatise Mergers, Acquisitions and Tender Offers: Law and Strategies published by the Practicing Law Institute (PLI), covers the basics in the complex M&A arena and then some. Professors co-author book on the law of financial abuse and exploitationAs the state with the third highest percentage of older adults, Pennsylvania is often the arena for financial abuse or exploitation. The Law of Financial Abuse and Exploitation presents the legal consequences of financial exploitation, both in criminal and civil terms. By focusing on the law of exploitation, this essential guide will give those who assist older adults and dependent persons, including attorneys, courts, financial advisors, banks, social workers and families, clear guidelines for prevention of financial exploitation. Event will drill into Marcellus Shale issuesToday more than 2,000 natural gas drilling wells dot the Keystone State, while millions of gallons of water are pumped into the earth in an effort to fracture natural gas from deep rock formations. The Penn State Environmental Law Review invites the public to an interdisciplinary event that will examine the legal and environmental aspects of Marcellus Shale drilling in the Northeast on February 10. Professor Pifer tells WPSU Marcellus Shale case could redefine rights of surface owners in Pennsylvania Alumni offer natural gas taxation and finance workshops Professor Cole weighs in on partisan split of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission Professor Reilly sheds light on foreclosure "crisis"Penn State Law Professor Marie Reilly, a bankruptcy and banking law expert, worries that the backlash over the current foreclosure crisis may be the “medicine that kills the patient.” Laws and regulations developed more than a century ago that require paper documentation continue to govern a process which is now electronic and involves a complex system of lenders and servicers. She discusses the origins of the current problem and what effect they may have on the economy. Professor Flatto wraps up visit at Hebrew UniversityProfessor David Flatto is teaching a winter term course on "Transformative Phases of Early Jewish Jurisprudence," at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The course is a comparative-historical study of the development of the Jewish and Western notions of power, law, and authority. Professor Colburn on costs of BP oil spill for Reuters CBS San Francisco features Professor Lopatka on EU lawsuit against Google Professor Michael Foreman testifies to EEOCAt the request of the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, professor Michael Foreman, director of Penn State Law's Civil Rights Appellate Clinic, explained the impact of Gross v. FBL Financial Services on unemployed older Americans on November 17. Professor Terry on third-party lawsuit financing and legal ethics in NYT online Refugee Act turns 30, undergoes examination at Penn State LawRefugees are among the world’s most vulnerable people, and last year the United States resettled more refugees than any other country—80,000. But the road to gaining asylum in the United States is anything but predictable. Major players from the human rights, immigration, and advocacy community gathered at Penn State Law to ask two fundamental questions about the now 30-year-old Refugee Act: how did we get here, and where do we go from here? Lack of effective legal representation continues to harm children in PA, study showsSince 1972, children in abuse and neglect matters have had a right to legal representation through the appointment of guardians ad litem. Effective legal representation and advocacy for children in the dependency system can make a huge difference in improving the chances that fair and accurate determinations are made. However, a lack of investment in supervision, training, and compensation of these child advocates continues to harm children. Judge Bufford to lend expertise to American Bar Association and World BankThe Honorable Samuel L. Bufford, distinguished scholar in residence at Penn State Law, has accepted an invitation to join the academic advisory group to the prestigious ABA Standing Committee on Federal Judicial Improvements (SCFJI), the only ABA entity dedicated entirely to the substantive issues affecting the federal judiciary. Penn State Law students help gain passage of foster care bill through PA LegislatureThe Penn State Children’s Advocacy Clinic recently teamed up with several organizations to draft legislation that would require county children and youth agencies to make every reasonable effort to place siblings together in foster care unless doing so is contrary to the safety and well-being of any sibling. Sponsored by State Representative Briggs (D-Montgomery), House Bill 2258: Keeping Siblings in Foster Care Together unanimously passed (49-0) in the Pennsylvania Senate on October 13, 2010, and was signed by Governor Ed Rendell on November 24, 2010. Center for Immigrants' Rights to host fall colloquium marking the 30th anniversary of the Refugee ActPenn State Law’s Center for Immigrants' Rights will host a fall colloquium marking the 30th anniversary of the Refugee Act on November 12. Joint study by Center for Immigrants' Rights finds filing deadline violates human rightsOne in five refugees seeking protection in the United States is denied asylum because they do not apply within one year of their arrival and miss the 12-month deadline imposed by Congress, according to a study of the Board of Immigration Appeals' (BIA) asylum decisions, which Penn State Law students scrutinized as part of their work at the Center for Immigrants’ Rights. Professor Ellen Dannin on infrastructure privatization issues Professor Terry's work on ethics guidelines for The Hague completeAfter more than a year of collaboration, the International Law Association’s Study Group on the Practice and Procedure of International Courts and Tribunals has published The Hague Principles on Ethical Standards for Counsel Appearing before International Courts and Tribunals. Is there too much settlement in the courts and too much of the courts in settlement?Federal judges have been known to use everything from a gentle nudge to mandatory mediation to effectuate a settlement between litigants. Efforts from the bench raise a host of legal, ethical, and practical complications for litigants, parties, and even judges. Judge D. Brooks Smith ‘76 of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and Professor Wayne Brazil of Berkeley Law will visit Penn State Law for a conversation on these issues on November 1. Professor Catherine Rogers on global legal ethics Seventh Annual Institute will prepare participants for the M&A resurgenceNew Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice merger guidelines that outline how federal antitrust agencies evaluate the likely competitive impact of mergers and acquisitions and whether those mergers comply with U.S. antitrust law will be among the topics explored at the Seventh Annual Institute on Corporate, Securities, and Related Aspects of Mergers and Acquisitions on October 7 and 8 at the New York City Bar. Human rights play starring role in "World on Trial" filmingThe Apfelbaum Family Courtroom was crowded with cameras, equipment, and people from cultures around the world. Speakers of French and English mingled in the Lewis Katz Building, while five Penn State jurors awaited opening statements for the pilot episode of "World on Trial." Professor Katherine Pearson on continuing care retirement communities Civil Rights Appellate Clinic files amici curiae brief with U.S. Supreme CourtThe Penn State Law Civil Rights Appellate Clinic filed an amici curiae with the U.S. Supreme Court in Thompson v. North American Stainless, LP on behalf of six national organizations including the National Employment Lawyers Association, American Association of Justice, AARP, The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, the Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the Legal Aid Society of San Francisco Law Center. Cherie Booth QC to put the "World on Trial" at Penn State LawThe state-of-the-art courtroom at Penn State Law will transform into the set of a new television and interactive series World on Trial, in which viewers around the world will render verdicts on provocative international human rights issues. On September 20 the eminent human rights barrister Cherie Booth Blair, wife of the former British Prime Minister, will preside over the first trial which will be on the French “headscarf law.” Renowned bankruptcy judge and scholar joins Penn State LawOne of the nation’s leading U.S. bankruptcy judges, the Honorable Samuel L. Bufford is joining the Penn State Law faculty. State constitutions take center stage at Penn State Law SymposiumState Constitutionalism in the 21st Century, a day-long symposium to be held on September 22 at the Lewis Katz Building on the Penn State Law campus in University Park, will address the issue of constitutional change and engage in a contemporary inquiry into the fundamentals of state constitutionalism. Professor Ross weighs in on Detroit Pistons ownership Professor David Kaye to present on "Informal Fallacies in Examiner Testimony"How does a forensic examiner avoid exaggeration or understatement on the witness stand while doing "justice" to the value of evidence? Statistics expert David Kaye will present on this topic at a national symposium organized by the Department of Justice. Interview: Professor David Kaye discusses using DNA in the courtroom with Research Penn State Penn State Law to launch new Rural Economic Development ClinicRural America is vastly different than it was fifty years ago. Prosperity for many rural communities depends on innovative income-generating strategies, like extracting alternative energy sources. Today, agricultural producers need to be sophisticated business professionals. This fall, Penn State Law will launch its new Rural Economic Development Clinic to support this important sector of our economy, giving law students hands-on learning experience in a wide variety of legal issues specifically faced by agricultural businesses and rural communities. ABA appoints Professor Wadhia to Immigration CommissionShoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, clinical professor and director of the Center for Immigrants' Rights, has been named by the American Bar Association (ABA) to its Commission on Immigration. The 13-member commission was established in August 2002 and directs the ABA’s efforts to ensure fair treatment and full due process rights for immigrants and refugees within the United States. Professor Romero discusses pending PA immigration billAs the debate over Arizona's immigration bill continues to heat up, other states, including Pennsylvania, are considering passing similar legislation. Penn State Law Professor Victor Romero discusses House Bill 2479, which is modeled after Arizona's law, on the morning edition of NPR. Professors unveil major international ethics proposalWhen U.S. lawyer appears before the Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal in the Netherlands against an Iranian party, whose legal ethics will govern? For U.S. lawyers the answer can be anything but clear, and Professors Laurel Terry and Catherine Rogers proposed a fix to this thorny issue at the fourth annual International Legal Ethics Conference at Stanford Law School. Professor Pearson to testify before U.S. Senate Committee on Aging today at 1:30 p.m.Professor Katherine Pearson will testify before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging today at 1:30 p.m. Retirement of Federal Prosecutor John C. Keeney '49 makes national headlinesAlumnus John Keeney retires after 60 years; CNN covers Professor Farmer to testify before U.S. House Judiciary CommitteeAt the request of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Courts and Competition, Penn State Law Professor Beth Farmer will testify at a hearing on the impact of China's antitrust Law and other competition policies on U.S. Companies. Particular issues to be addressed include merger review, monopoly, state owned enterprises, and intellectual property. The hearing will be held in 2141 Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday, July 13 at 4 p.m. Professor Kit Kinports looks at Kagan nominationConfirmation hearings for the nomination of Elena Kagan to replace the soon-to-retire John Paul Stevens on the United States Supreme Court are scheduled to begin in the U.S. Senate today. Kit Kinports, Polisher Family Distinguished Faculty Scholar and professor of law at Penn State, said that while the politically charged times could factor into the hearings, Kagan's careful approach also could make the process smoother. Professor Maluwa serves on jury for Stockholm Prize in CriminologyDr. Tiyanjana Maluwa, School of International Affairs director and the Law School’s associate dean for international affairs attended the annual meeting of the International Jury of the 2010 Stockholm Prize in Criminology held in the Swedish capital on June 13, 2010. Professor Colburn calls for increased funding for Endangered Species Act on Wired.com“If you want to have a market economy with agents like BP out there, you need to have well-funded environmental enforcement,”said Professor Jamison Colburn said in a Wired.com article on the legislative and federal agency oversight failures that allowed BP to evade a thorough environmental review of its drilling work in the Gulf of Mexico. Civil Rights Appellate Clinic students thrilled with logic in Lewis v. City of ChicagoWhen Penn State Law students read the recent decision on Lewis v. City of Chicago, it all sounded familiar. The Court’s decision followed the logic laid out in an amicus brief filed on behalf of national civil rights groups. The Civil Rights Appellate Clinic worked with a team of counsel in drafting this brief which was filed in the United States Supreme Court and in helped prepare counsel for the oral argument in the case. Professor Ventoruzzo earns major banking, corporate finance appointmentsProfessor Ventoruzzo has been named to the board of supervisors of UniCredit and was appointed to the board of supervisors of the Italian Democratic Party. Professor Terry contributes to ABA Ethics 20/20 WorkLaurel Terry, the Harvey A. Feldman Distinguished Faculty Scholar and professor of Law, is working with the ABA’s Ethics 20/20 Commission to address ethics rules and regulatory changes that may be brought about because of the advances in technology and globalization that have occurred in the past few years. American Needle is a win for antitrust professorIn a 9-0 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with antitrust advocates in deciding American Needle v. NFL. The result fits snugly with the logic posited in scholarly articles and a book by Professor Stephen Ross, who also co-authored an amicus brief on the matter on behalf of the American Antitrust Institute and the Consumer Federation of America. Professor Ellen Dannin on highway privatization contracts: read the fine printProfessor Ellen Dannin, who focuses part of her scholarship on public-private partnerships, recently laid out in the Patriot-News why states should not privatize highways. Professor Foreman testifies before Congress on Older Workers Discrimination ActAt the request of the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor, Professor Michael Foreman, director of Penn State Law's Civil Rights Appellate Clinic, testified during a hearing to examine H.R. 3721, the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act. If enacted, the legislation would restore civil rights protections for older workers stripped away by the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2009 decision, Gross v. FBL Financial Services. Penn State Law on Wall StreetOn Wednesday, May 5, Morrison & Foerster is hosting the 43rd Annual Uniform Commercial Code Institute with Penn State Law. Moderated by Del Duca, this year’s institute titled “The Securitization Market and Proposed Reforms: A Look into the Future of Housing Finance” will give participants an overview of the current state of the market and a review of securitization reforms, perspectives on mortgage modification efforts, and alternative mortgage financing approaches. Senate confirms Vanaskie's seat on U.S. Court of Appeals for 3rd CircuitAfter months of waiting, Judge Thomas I. Vanaskie '78 is on his way to a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, one step below the U.S. Supreme Court, which covers all of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. The Senate voted 77-20 to confirm Vanaskie as the court's newest judge. Professor Kinports reflects on legacy of Justice StevensKit Kinports, Polisher Family Distinguished Faculty Scholar and Professor of Law, served as a clerk on the Supreme Court for a year during Justice Stevens’ tenure. She recently shared some thoughts on his legacy and what to expect moving forward. Penn State Law Review hosts symposium on changes to Federal Rules of Civil ProcedureMore than 100 judges, lawyers, academics and law students—and no doubt a few civil procedure buffs—were gathered for a symposium sponsored by the Penn State Law Review that focused on the recent Supreme Court Case Ashcroft v. Iqbal and its possibly far-reaching consequences for the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP). Civil Rights Appellate Clinic retained as co-counsel in racial discrimination caseThe Penn State Civil Rights Appellate Clinic has been retained as co-counsel to work with a Washington, D.C. boutique employment firm and a national civil rights group to represent Michael Ford in Ford v. Mansfield (4th Cir. No. 10-1254), in an appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The case involves a Section 1981 racial discrimination claim for interference with contractual relations. Immigration symposium confirms the need for overhaul of the U.S. Immigration systemAre there serious flaws with the U.S. immigration system? Yes, was the primary response echoed by a group of leading immigration experts who convened at Penn State University’s Dickinson School of Law on March 18 for a symposium titled “Immigration Adjudications: Court Reform & Beyond." Web access available for UN Commission colloquium on dispute resolutionUNCITRAL, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, will host a colloquium on dispute resolution and global e-commerce, co-sponsored by Penn State Law and Pace University Law School on March 29 and 30 in Vienna, Austria. Students, attorneys gather to refine negotiation skillsOn Saturday Lewis Katz Hall in Carlisle was home to a little March Madness of its own when forty-four students and twenty lawyers gathered for the second annual Negotiation Marathon at Penn State Law. Organized by Professor Nancy Welsh to sharpen students’ negotiation skills, the event provided an opportunity for students to receive direct feedback from talented and trusted negotiators. The Honorable Tom Ridge to deliver commencement addressPenn State University, The Dickinson School of Law celebrated its commencement on May 15 in Carlisle. The Law School recognized 183 J.D. graduates and awarded thirteen LL.M. degrees during the outdoor ceremony. UN Commission considers online dispute resolution; Professor Del Duca to presentUNCITRAL, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, will host a colloquium on dispute resolution and global e-commerce, co-sponsored by Penn State Law and Pace University Law School on March 29 and 30 in Vienna, Austria. "Experience Penn State Law" continues with dispute resolution talk on March 17In popular TV programs, legal advocacy consists of strident cross-examinations, passionate closing arguments, and—at least once each episode—shouting “objection!” in a court of law. But many future lawyers are not aware of alternative dispute resolution—a way of resolving legal claims outside of a court of law through arbitration, mediation, or negotiation. Professor Nancy Welsh, a mediation expert at Penn State, will shed light on the universe of alternative dispute resolution when the “Experience Penn State Law” series continues on Wednesday, March 17 at 3:30 p.m. Sports Law Institute unveils star-studded lineup of spring speakersHeavy hitters from the world of professional baseball and football will visit Penn State Law to talk business, marketing, law, and sports. Professor Groome to address Human Rights CouncilOn March 9, in Geneva, Switzerland, Professor Dermot Groome will address the current 13th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on "the right to truth" as a recognized human right under international law. Center for Immigrants' Rights co-authors report critical of "asylum clock"As part of its mission to promote a modernized immigration system through representation of immigrant advocacy organizations, students from Penn State Law's Center for Immigrants' Rights collaborated with the American Immigration Council's Legal Action Center to co-author a new study, Up Against the Clock: Fixing the Broken Employment Authorization Asylum Clock. Professor Rogers presents part of Restatement of U.S. Arbitration LawProfessor Catherine Rogers together with three other American Law Institute (ALI) members presented a significant portion of the Restatement of the U.S. Law of International Commercial Arbitration last week in Philadelphia. Upon its completion, the Restatement will cover international conventions, federal and state court decisions, and national and international conflict of laws principles. Penn State Law to present "Immigration Adjudications: Court Reform and Beyond"On Thursday, March 18, 2010, Penn State University, Dickinson School of Law will present "Immigration Adjudications: Court Reform and Beyond." Haiti expert Professor Robinson urges speed in deploying aidProfessor Randall Robinson, author of the book an Unbroken Agony: Haiti from Revolution to the Kidnapping of a President, was interviewed on the PBS program Democracy Now about the Haitian earthquake crisis. Haitian Relief Efforts Ashcroft v. Iqbal: Has the U.S. Supreme Court shut the door on ordinary plaintiffs?On Friday, March 26, 2010, Penn State Law Review will hold a symposium titled “Reflections on Iqbal—Discerning Its Rule, Grappling With Its Implications,” comprised of three panels of academics and two members of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, addressing various aspects of the decision. In addition, Judge Lee H. Rosenthal, U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, and chair of the Judicial Conference Committee on the Rules of Practice and Procedure that advises the Supreme Court on its rules, will be the keynote speaker. New York Times features op-ed by Professor Flynt Leverett of the School of International AffairsThe New York Times has published the op-ed "Another Iranian Revolution? Not Likely" by Professor Flynt Leverett of Penn State's School of International Affairs. Cincinnati Enquirer features op-ed by Professor RossPenn State Law Professor Stephen Ross' op-ed "Good legal advice could have kept Kelly" about University of Cincinnati's Head Football Coach Brian Kelly leaving the Bearcats has been published online by the Cincinnati Enquirer. Ross Pifer testifies on milk price transparencyAt the request of the Pennsylvania Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, Ross Pifer, director of Penn State Law's Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center, testified at a hearing on the transparency of milk pricing. Penn State Law holds moot on NFL caseGenerations of law students have been challenged by the “Socratic method” of persistent questioning from their professors, but it was two law professors who were questioned by federal judges on Friday, November 20. Students took a break from the proverbial “hot seat” to hear the mooting of American Needle v. NFL, an antitrust case briefed before the United States Supreme Court and scheduled for argument in January. Educators get schooled on legal issuesLaunched in June 2008, the Penn State Law and Education Institute is a collaboration between Penn State’s College of Education and Dickinson School of Law designed to educate teachers, counselors, administrators, and attorneys about various legal issues as they relate to education. Two law faculty members receive Fulbright awardsThomas Carbonneau and Katherine Pearson, professors of law at Penn State University, The Dickinson School of Law, have been awarded Fulbright Scholar grants for the 2009-2010 academic year. Pennsylvania Natural Gas Summit explores the impacts of Marcellus ShaleThe 2009 Pennsylvania Natural Gas Summit, which will be held at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College on November 16-18, will address the challenges, opportunities, and related actions associated with water use and disposal, regional infrastructure development, issues for local governments, identification of local economic opportunities, and legal issues related to natural gas leasing and development so that stakeholders can make informed, educated decisions that best suit the needs of the region. Professor Lopatka on Intel antitrust caseA November 4, New York Times article featured a quote from Professor John Lopatka regarding an antitrust case filed by the New York attorney general, Andrew M. Cuomo, against Intel Corporation, the world's largest chip maker. Professor Dannin makes labor law accessible for everyoneThe American workplace is governed by dozens of federal and state laws, judicial decisions, and administrative agency regulations that make understanding the law daunting. Twelve years ago, labor law teacher and scholar Ellen Dannin started “Labor and the Law,” a monthly, online newsletter, to help nonlawyers understand workplace law. Penn State Law brings together experts to address impact of health care reformOn Tuesday, November 10, 2009, Penn State University, The Dickinson School of Law will present "Lifting the Fog on Health Care Reform: Policy and Transactions." Conference reveals complexity of NCAA sports-tax exemption debateAt a recent conference, several experts convened to discuss some of the complexities of the "business" of big-time collegiate sports, such as why NCAA sports are tax exempt, how tax exemptions are regulated in other organizations, and the relationship between financial revenue and colleges' educational missions. Are you ready for some moot court? NFL antitrust case to be mootedOn Friday, November 20, Penn State Law will host a moot court event on American Needle v. NFL, an antitrust case currently briefed before the United States Supreme Court. Two veteran sports law professors will take opposite sides before a panel of federal appellate judges. Professor Foreman testifies before U.S. Senate Committee on workplace fairnessAt the request of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Professor Michael Foreman, director of Penn State Law's Civil Rights Appellate Clinic and clinical professor, testified at the hearing on "Workplace Fairness: Has the Supreme Court Been Misinterpreting Laws Designed to Protect American Workers from Discrimination?" The hearing was held on Wednesday, October 7, at 10:00 a.m. in room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building Center for Immigrants' Rights responds to report on hiring practices of immigration judges Professor Ross Featured in Wired MagazineThe October cover story in Wired magazine features 12 Shocking Ideas that Could Change the World. One of those ideas entitled "Bust Up Big League Sports" orginated with Stephen F. Ross Penn State Law Professor and Director, Penn State Institute for Sports Law, Policy and Research and Stefan Szymanski, economics professor at City University London. Professor Pearson quoted in national media about filial support lawsProfessor Katherine Pearson was quoted in an article on ABCNews.com on July 15 titled “Pay Your Parents’ Bills or Else: Little Known State Laws Force Some to Pay Their Parents’ Nursing Home Bills.” PSU SIA Director Tiyanjana Maluwa appointed legal expert to African Union High Level Panel on DarfurThe director of Penn State’s School of International Affairs, Professor Tiyanjana Maluwa, has accepted appointment as legal expert to a High Level Panel on Darfur convened by the African Union. Disability Law Clinic wins victory in Third Circuit Court of AppealsCapping eight years of litigation, the Disability Law Clinic won a rare outright victory for a disabled client in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit during the 2008-2009 academic year.
Conference asks: should big-time college athletics be a tax-exempt enterprise?For many colleges and universities, athletics revenues surge as reliably as crowd noise on rivalry weekend, allowing profits from football and other big-time sports to support hundreds of student athletes. Taxation of collegiate athletics revenues will be the subject of a panel discussion at Penn State University, The Dickinson School of Law on Friday, September 18.Penn State News
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Archive: 2012
