Monday, January 30, 2012

When public health and the First Amendment clash on college campuses

A controversy that has plagued the campuses of Catholic colleges and universities for decades has reached a new level recently as the Obama administration is putting pressure on these institutions to cover the costs of birth control in their student health plans in accord with federal regulations. For years, Catholic institutions of higher education have stood against state and federal laws regarding the provision of contraceptives and related services to students due to deeply-held religious beliefs which consider it "morally wrong to prevent conception by any artificial means, including condoms, IUDs, birth control pills and sterilization." Administrators at the likes of Fordham and Georgetown claim that their universities have the right to First Amendment religious freedom protections and that they should not have to violate spiritually-motivated moral guidelines because of government-mandated health care regulations. The Obama administration, on the other hand, is relying "on the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine, an independent group of doctors and researchers that [has] concluded that birth control is not just a convenience but is medically necessary "'to ensure women’s health and well-being.'" The result is a high-profile clash between public health concerns and the First Amendment with no clear outcome.

A recent Supreme Court decision, Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, (written about here in The New York Times) granted an exception to religious institutions with respect to fair hiring and employment discrimination laws, arguing that "churches and other religious groups must be free to choose and dismiss their leaders without government interference." If the First Amendment extends into the realm of who can be hired and who can be fired by a religious organization, one has to ask why it can't also, therefore, give Catholic colleges and universities (private institutions) the right to decide what kinds of medical care to provide their students.

For the record, I see a difference between the waiver of select anti-discrimination regulations to allow churches to choose who their ministers are and allowing religious dogma to trump documented and proven public health concerns, but neither the Supreme Court (nor, in an objective reading, the Constitution, for that matter) may agree. This is a classic case of how far we are willing to extend the broad protections of the First Amendment - protections, with respect to speech, which have already been granted (for better or for worse) to epithet-spewing protesters at the funerals of veterans and to corporations wishing to play a role in the political process. The question, in this case, is: how many rules that we expect the rest of society to follow do we want to bend - or break - in the name of religious freedom? I don't know the answer, and it's hard to tell how this issue will be resolved. For now, however, the battle continues to rage - on college campuses and elsewhere.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Legal Film Series kicks off TONIGHT (1/29) at F&M

The Legal Film Series at F&M (sponsored by the Center for Liberal Arts & Society and the John Marshall Pre-Law Honor Society) kicks off TONIGHT, January 29, with "A Civil Action." The film will start at 7:30pm and will be showing in the Bonchek College House Great Room. Click here for more information.

John Capowski, J.D., who teaches civil procedure, evidence, and litigation at Widener University School of Law, will introduce the film and stick around to answer questions and talk to students. See you there!

Friday, January 27, 2012

New LinkedIn group established to connect F&M legal alumni

Are you on LinkedIn? Many students are hesitant to join the social networking site - commonly referred to as "Facebook for adults" - without a prompt, but it might not be a bad idea, especially if you want to network with F&M alumni in the legal profession.

Sean Quinn, a 1997 F&M alum and graduate of Penn State (J.D.) and Temple University (LLM) law schools has started a "Franklin & Marshall Lawyers Network" on LinkedIn which aims "to promote professional networking and referrals amongst the F&M alums in the legal profession." The group will bring lawyers and others interested in joining the field together to network, learn, and share experiences. The network is already growing - be sure to check it out if you're a graduating senior looking for a job in a law firm (or looking for advice on law schools) or if you're already an alum and are looking to network and expand your career opportunities.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

POLITICO: "Citizen's United v. FEC decision proves justice is blind--POLITICALLY"

As an avid follower of politico.com, I get unusually excited about opinion contributers. This article should be intriguing to all who are interested in Constitutional Law and the future of the Supreme Court in this country. Only week after Nina Totenberg's enlightening Common Hour on the Supreme Court, this article by Jeffrey Rosen provides another facet to Totenberg's discussion; how political knowledge can benefit a politically naive court.

Rosen argues that today's Supreme Court is out of the touch with the nature of today's politics as well as how our country functions politically. He writes that the Supreme Court is essentially naive about how their decisions affects our country politically, and most importantly how America's feel about their politial system. Rosen addresses the two year anniversary of the Supreme Court's Citizen's United v. FEC decision, and writes that the case was "remarkable for its combination of judicial overconfidence and political cluelessness".

Start your day with a little judicial controversy. And some orange juice.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Internship Panel at F&M on February 8

The Government Club and John Marshall Pre-Law Honor Society at F&M will be co-hosting a panel for those interested in learning about legal and government orientated internship opportunities and how to go about getting them. The event will consist of a moderated panel of upperclassmen who have had a variety of internship experiences with a Q&A session, followed by an open forum to allow attendees to connect with individuals who might be able to help with their particular needs. Beth Throne, J.D., '95, Associate Vice President for Student and Post-Graduate Development, will also be there to answer any additional questions about institutional support for internship-seekers at F&M. More information can be found below.

Government and Law Internship Panel
Wednesday, February 8, 6:00pm
Bonchek College House Great Room
Franklin & Marshall College 

Moderator: Caitlin Krutsick '13

Panelists: Christian Hartranft '12 (interned for the U.S. House of Representatives and for the State of Delaware in the Office of the Public Defender), Laurie Barth '12 (interned in the White House in the Executive Office of the President and for NASA), Alexa Moser '12 (interned with the Republican National Committee), Amanda Duckworth '13 (participated in American University's Washington Semester program and interned in the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia)

This event is only open to members of the Franklin & Marshall College community. Pizza and soda will be provided. Sign up to attend by visiting the Facebook Event.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Navigating your way to the right law school (guest post)

By Radhika Singh-Miller,  program manager of educational debt relief and outreach at Equal Justice Works.  

Finding the right law school can be a daunting task, especially since there is no “one-size fits all” approach to determining which law school will meet your needs. Anyone applying to law school must weigh the costs and benefits of earning a J.D. as well as determine what will make your law school experience fulfilling. This is particularly true for those interested in pursuing practical skills training in specialized areas as part of their law school experience. To make the most of your search for the perfect law school, examine three important areas when looking at a law school: experience and training opportunities; professional guidance and support; financial assistance, tuition and fees.

Evaluate specialty, experience and training opportunities
Specialized courses, clinics and professional skills training opportunities tailored to your interests can provide valuable knowledge and lay the foundation for your legal career. Learn about which schools provide valuable hands-on experience, allowing you to work with clients and practicing attorneys. Remember when choosing a law school that it is important to develop additional techniques and skills not taught in the classroom but essential for jumpstarting a successful career. Pro bono programs and requirements often provide opportunities for students to learn outside of the lecture hall.

Look at the specific courses, clinics and internship opportunities available at law schools and use this information to make a more informed decision. These training opportunities, especially in the field in which you hope to work, are ideal for discovering your passion, honing your skills, and making connections with future employers. Think about where and in what field you will want to practice after graduation and allow that to impact your decision on which law school to attend.

Professional guidance and support
If you are the type of person who prefers a lot of career guidance, look at schools’ specialized departments. For example, if you are interested in pursuing public interest law, many schools have a public interest law department; some even dedicate a public interest advisor to counsel students on courses and career opportunities. Smaller schools may not have the same resources, but they can still offer tremendous support. Look at a school’s available resources that you will be able to utilize throughout your experience, including the number and type of student groups as well as career services such as career fairs and alumni networks.

When thinking about future employment, be sure to look at the school’s employment statistics for graduates to see what type of work they tend to pursue as well as the number and type of employers that participate in any campus career fairs.

Remember to consider everything in context. A small school may not have the resources for a full-time dedicated counselor but if it has strong ties to the community in your chosen geographic area, or has a valuable network of graduates in the sector of law you hope to pursue, or curriculum is focused on areas of interest to you, you'll still get the support you need.

Evaluate financial assistance options side-by-side with tuition and fees
When considering law school, cost should be a top priority. Law school is not cheap and often requires you to take out large amounts in student loans. Be realistic! Assess your financial situation and determine the availability of aid as well as repayment options after graduation.

Look for information on tuition and financial assistance programs that will allow you to determine which law school is affordable for you. Not only examine the costs of attending a school, such as tuition and fees, but also look at a school’s financial aid offerings, available grants and scholarships as well as loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs) that will help you repay loans after graduation. In addition to academic scholarships, many schools offer public interest grants, scholarships and opportunities for funding that can help with living costs and costs of attendance.

Finding the perfect law school can be a long and tedious journey, but there are tools available to help you make more informed choices. You can start with the Equal Justice Works Guide to Law Schools, which allows you to examine a school’s available curricula, financial aid options, and staff and faculty engagement. While designed especially for students interested in public interest law, this interactive, free online tool provides extensive data on the availability of specialized courses, clinics and externships; financial aid and loan repayment assistance programs; the allocation of faculty and administrative resources; and other information valuable to helping students determine which schools best fit their interests, financial parameters, and future career goals. The Guide allows students to search schools by geography, tuition, and more, and create side-by-side comparisons of schools to learn more. We wish you luck on your journey and hope you’ll utilize the information provided in The Guide to navigate to the perfect school for you.

Radhika Singh Miller serves as program manager of educational debt relief and outreach at Equal Justice Works. In 2008, she served on the student loans team in the negotiated rulemaking for the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) and has extensive knowledge of this landmark legislation. She conducts educational webinars and presentations, advises schools and organizations, and advocates for legislation and policy. Prior to joining Equal Justice Works, Miller was a staff attorney at the Partnership for Civil Justice in Washington. She received her J.D. from Loyola Law School Los Angeles.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Book Review: "The Ivey Guide to Law School Admissions"

Last summer, the unthinkable happened; Borders Book Store closed. In an effort to mourn the loss, I decided to peruse the 75% off section of Law Books. I stumbled on The Ivey Guide to Law School Admissions by Anna Ivey, the former Dean of Admissions for The University of Chicago Law School. Immediately my interested was piqued. The University of Chicago’s Law School is one of the most prestigious institutions and the country and I’d have to be crazy not to accept the book as Gospel.

Ivey’s book is cleverly organized with each chapter addressing a question that every undergraduate considering law school has asked; what are admissions officers really looking for, “how do I even write an application essay," and “what on earth do I write in my personal statement." Ivey does not shy away from these questions and instead provides a myriad of helpful stories that she has encountered during her time as an admissions Dean.

I believe that this book is helpful for everyone, regardless of one’s place in the ‘law school admissions cycle.’ I purchased this book very early on, but there are later chapters that unveil the mystery behind law school interviews and addendas in an application. This book is brutally honest and doesn’t shy away from exposing the difficulties that are associated with applying to law school. Ivey also provides clear examples of sample recommendations, sample person statements, and “WOW factors.” Her chapter on “WOW factors” is an extremely important read. She addresses the chapter to applicants who are “in the mushy middle” of the pile. Her list of factors includes everything from not so subtle reminders to double, triple, and quadruple check every aspect of your application to ensure correct spelling, to a command to NEVER mistreat anyone on the phone. Ivey’s The Ivey Guide to Law School Admissions is a witty, well thought out guide that can help any undergraduate feel as if they have been given the secret to the law school admissions process.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Legal Film Series at F&M during the Spring 2012 semester

A series of legal films will be shown at Franklin & Marshall College during the Spring 2012 semester. Each film will be shown in one of the College Houses (unless otherwise noted) and the screenings will be open to the public. The series is sponsored by F&M's Center for Liberal Arts & Society, John Marshall Pre-Law Honor Society, and College House system. The schedule and description of the films are below. You can also visit the series' website here for more information.

"A Civil Action" (1998)
Sunday, January 29, 7:30pm
Bonchek College House Great Room
A real-life legal thriller based on the book by Jonathan Harr, John Travolta stars as a small-time tort lawyer who risks everything in his lawsuit against two of the country’s largest corporations. Did the companies’ toxic waste cause the deaths of several children in the community? F&M alumni (hydrogeologists) were involved in the actual case, which presented complex issues of scientific proof and legal causation.

"Philadelphia" (1993)
Friday, February 17, 7:30pm
Brooks College House Great Room
A lawyer becomes a client after being fired from his law firm because he has AIDS. Homophobia is on trial in this powerful film directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Tom Hanks (who won the Academy Award for Best Actor) and Denzel Washington. Bruce Springsteen also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the title score, "Streets of Philadelphia."

"GATTACA" (1997)
Wednesday, February 22, 7:30pm
Lisa Bonchek Adams Auditorium, Kaufman Hall
What if your options in life were limited by your genes? In this futuristic film starring Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Jude Law, the legal system serves society’s interests in protecting “superior DNA,” and not the rights of the individual. Come see why film critic Roger Ebert considered GATTACA “one of the smartest and most provocative of science fiction films, a thriller with ideas.”

"The Paper Chase" (1973)
Friday, March 2, 7:30pm
New College House Seminar Room
The experience of being a first-year law student is immortalized in this film starring John Houseman as an intimidating professor of contract law. “You come in here with a skull full of mush,” says Charles W. Kingsfield, Jr., on the first day of class, “and you leave thinking like a lawyer.” Woe to anyone who comes unprepared to Professor Kingsfield’s class!

"To Kill a Mockingbird" (1962)
Wednesday, March 21, 7:30pm
Ware College House Great Room
Considered by many to be the best legal movie ever made, this film is based on the Pulitzer Prize- winning novel by Harper Lee. Gregory Peck won the Best Actor award for his portrayal of Atticus Finch, a courageous small-town attorney who battles prejudice in the Depression-era south. This film also reminds us that the best lawyers are also great teachers.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Temple's alternative for those with low LSAT scores

For students who performed poorly on the LSAT, Temple University's Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia offers an alternative "discretionary admissions process which avoids over-reliance on the LSAT or any other arbitrary and abstract measuring factor in the admissions process" called "Sp.A.C.E." I'm not entirely sure what Sp.A.C.E. stands for, but essentially it provides a refreshing alternative for academically strong students who simply could not master the LSAT by making the admissions committee aware, up front, that you believe your full application, not including your LSAT score, should make you worthy of admission. As we all know, many schools look at LSAT score first, followed by GPA, and that they may not even examine your personal statement or work history before making an admission decision. Temple, however, offers this alternative, which expressly requests that the full application be reviewed, and students who aren't pleased with their LSAT score would be wise to strongly consider applying to Temple - an excellent law school with a very strong reputation - through this option.

Not anyone can apply through the Sp.A.C.E. program, however. A description of the program on the Temple Law School admissions page's "Application Procedure" section reads:
"The faculty has identified the following characteristics as priorities in determining whether or not a particular applicant should be admitted under this discretionary admissions process: applicants who have overcome serious long-standing economic deprivation, or who come from working class families historically foreclosed from higher education; applicants who come from racial or ethnic minority groups; applicants whose families are recent immigrants to the United States; applicants who have demonstrated exceptional leadership ability in college, community or career activities, or who have evidenced a commitment to service through Peace Corps, VISTA, military or other service work; applicants with academic honors, graduate or undergraduate degrees of unusual merit, or undergraduate grade point averages of 3.8 or higher and standardized test scores that do not reflect this academic strength; applicants who worked during college to finance their education or support their families;applicants who identify as gay, lesbian or transgendered; applicants with significant or unusual career achievement since graduation from college; applicants with serious physical disabilities; and applicants with other unique strengths and achievements."
So while Sp.A.C.E. is definitely worth considering if you don't think you could be admitted with your current LSAT score, you should carefully consider the criteria before wasting your time. Nevertheless, the fact that Temple Law School provides this option is encouraging in the midst of a cutthroat law school admissions environment, and should lead students to consider applying there who otherwise may not have thought about it.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Supreme Court to hear oral arguments today regarding an important environmental law case

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments this morning in Sackett v. EPA, an environmental law case in which Mike and Chantell Sackett of Idaho are suing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over an alleged violation of their Fifth Amendment right to due process. When the Sacketts attempted to build a house on property that they purchased in 2005, the EPA determined that what they owned was a wetland, protected under the Clean Water Act, and issued them with an Administrative Compliance Order (ACO) as a means of halting their construction without harsh penalties and fines. Since ACOs may not be challenged in court, the Sacketts sued, claiming that the EPA was denying them due process.

One the surface, this seems like an obvious complaint on the part of the Sacketts, but I examined this issue further in a paper that I wrote for Prof. Rich Pepino's "Environmental Law" course this past semester, and saw that not only does the EPA have a strong case supported by both the law and the facts (and favored by every lower court that has ruled on this issue), but that the implications of a Supreme Court decision in support of the Sacketts would be devastating to the EPA's regulatory capabilities and, indeed, the ability of the federal government as a whole to enforce all sorts of laws.

ACOs are perfectly constitutional because they do not contain penalties in and of themselves. Instead, should the Sacketts violate the EPA's order to stop building their house, the EPA will proceed with a suit against them in federal court - an action which does contain the possibility of penalties, but which the Sacketts may also challenge in the courtroom, thereby preserving their right to due process. Naturally, the EPA uses ACOs as a frequent tool to avoid costly and complicated legal battles. If someone is accused of violating environmental laws, the agency essentially asks them to stop their violation, allowing the violator to come into compliance with the law instead of facing civil or criminal charges in court. A Supreme Court decision in favor of the Sacketts (aside from being incorrect, in my opinion) would seriously disrupt the abilities of the EPA and other government agencies to enforce the law through means other than the costly, time-consuming, and complex federal court system.

SCOTUSblog, an online publication of Bloomburg Law which tracks and analyzes the Supreme Court and its decisions, provides a preview of Sackett v. EPA which, unfortunately, suggests that the Court may side with the Sacketts and strike a severe blow to the EPA. "It is quite rare for the Court to step in under those circumstances, and the temptation is strong to conclude that the Court has granted review in order to reverse." writes the blogger. "The Court has grown somewhat suspicious of the grasp of federal agencies — including the EPA," and this case may give it the opportunity to act where it has been unable to do so in the past. An observer of the argument has also posted that the lawyer for the EPA has been buckling under pressure from the justices - namely Samuel Alito - with respect to EPA's treatment of the Sacketts. The title of his post, "A weak defense of EPA," says it all. 

This case involves a complex and, I think, fascinating legal question with far-reaching implications. Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules, the impact on federal law enforcement with respect to, and apart from, environmental regulations, will be significant.

Friday, January 6, 2012

The Socratic Method

For those interested in law school, you must have heard about the “Socratic Method.” If not, here’s a brief overview from The Princeton Review of the interesting technique almost universally used by first year law professors around the country.

The Socratic Method was made famous by Professor Kingsfield in The Paper Chase where he puts students in the “hot seat” and questions them repeatedly, in order to strengthen their arguments. This inquiry usually takes place in front of the entire class, so students get practice thinking and making arguments on their feet and also speaking in front of large groups. “When executed properly, it [Socratic Method] assists to develop student’s ability to think critically and present ideas in an effective manner.” There is also an argument that the Socratic Method is “psychologically abusive to students.” Here is an article published in the Albany Government Law Review that shows a good distinction between the ‘abusive’ and ‘effective’ use of the technique.

The method ensures that students are well prepared for class, as professors usually choose participants randomly and engage them in discussions. For those of us going to law school next year, let’s make sure we are well prepared for class, so we’re not embarrassed. And for those who are thinking about law school, be prepared… it’s coming!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

An important consideration when applying to law school: bar-exam pass rate

Law school applicants usually pick their schools based on admission statistics, reputation, and location, but a recent New York Post article reminds us that we ought to consider other factors - namely, how well our legal education will prepare us for an eventual legal career. This consideration can be most easily seen in bar-exam pass rates, which the Post article discusses with respect to the City University of New York (CUNY)'s law school. Apparently, CUNY's pass rate has dropped from 83% (a respectable percentage, but nowhere near the near-100% rates of more well-renowned institutions) in 2008 to 67% this year. Such a low ranking is not only indicative of lackluster preparation by the school, but it places CUNY in jeopardy of losing its accreditation by the American Bar Association. Furthermore, CUNY's pass rate is now only 9 percentage points higher than the second-lowest scorer in the nation: Pace University.

If nothing else, this article and the statistics it discusses reminds us of one more factor to consider when evaluating potential law schools (as if we needed any more). Yes, you want to apply to and eventually attend an institution that you actually want to go to (based on programs, location, etc.) but what good is the education you are receiving if that school can't prepare you to pass the bar exam? This consideration may seem like a no-brainer, but as someone who is applying to law schools right now, I hadn't seriously considered this factor until now.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Think Again Before Applying to Law School

“A law degree that does not give you the strongest earning potential, then, will actually cost you substantially more than a JD from a top program.”

Here is an article published in the Top-Law School admission’s page that talks about the rational approach to choosing a law school from an economic perspective. People often want to be lawyers because of the prestige that comes with a JD degree and/or the earning potential that comes with being associated with top firms. No matter what your motivation, it is important to do a cost/benefit analysis of the career you choose to jump into. The article states that students entering law school today are competing with an ever-greater number of peers for a declining number of legal positions and are paying more for their degree than ever before. This does not necessarily mean law school is a bad idea it just means someone considering law school should do a lot of research before making their decision, especially when evaluating whether it’s a financially sound one. The article also has some great charts about salary comparisons for law school graduates.

"ABA-LSAC Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools"

The American Bar Association (ABA) and the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) publish a report each year called the ABA-LSAC Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools. This document is exceptionally useful for both undergraduates contemplating applying to law school and law students preparing to take the bar exam. It provides detailed information about the law school application process, what to look for in certain law schools, and valuable application and admission statistics. The report also discusses when to start thinking about and how to approach each aspect of the application process (personal statement, LSAT, etc.) from an authoritative standpoint (this is the ABA providing this advice, not a random website), which can be especially helpful for those of us in the middle (or just thinking about) our applications.

Take a look at the 2012 report: 
http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/publications/misc/legal_education/2012_official_guide_for_web.authcheckdam.pdf