Call for Papers: Law and Rurality Workshop

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urged El Salvador Friday to repeal its newly enacted “foreign agents” law, calling it a direct threat to press freedom and civil society. The law, approved on May 20 by the Legislative Assembly dominated by President Nayib Bukele’s party, requires organizations and individuals receiving international funding to register with the Ministry of Interior and imposes a 30 percent tax on such funds. It also grants the government sweeping authority to monitor, fine, or shut down those who fail to comply. Journalists and legal experts have expressed concern that the law’s vague and broad language allows authorities to arbitrarily classify anyone receiving foreign support as a foreign agent. This could impact freelance reporters, trainers, and nonprofit workers, who risk being labeled as hostile actors simply for engaging in international partnerships. The measure has drawn sharp comparisons to authoritarian regimes,…

In the case of Neubauer v. Piercy, 2025 IL App (2d) 240357-U, the Illinois Appellate Court for the Second District affirmed the dismissal of a breach of fiduciary duty claim against a law firm on statute of limitations grounds. The court held that the two-year statute of limitations barred the claim because the plaintiffs knew or should have known of their injury more than two years before they filed suit. Plaintiffs sued the Defendant law firm for breach of fiduciary duty. Rodney Piercy founded Piercy & Associates, an estate planning law firm. In 2014, Rodney Piercy and his son, Matthew, formed an investment firm known as Family Wealthy Legacy. Matthew was principally responsible for managing the investments of the company. In 2018, plaintiffs invested $1.4 million in Family Wealth Management.  Plaintiffs were essentially alleging that Rodney breached his fiduciary duty to them by failing to disclose to them in 2018 that his son was likely a fraud and crook. The…

While Colombia has made notable progress in protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and gender-diverse (LGBT) individuals, the country must urgently address widespread discrimination and violence still faced by these communities, a UN human rights expert has warned Friday. Graeme Reid, the UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, concluded a fact-finding mission across multiple Colombian cities. In his statement, Reid praised the government’s commitment to equality and its legal reforms, but emphasized the stark disconnect between institutional progress and the daily lived experiences of LGBT individuals. “Despite these positive developments, many LGBT people continue to experience discrimination and violence in their daily lives,” Reid said. “This is particularly acute for trans women and for those who face intersecting forms of marginalization as…

In 2013, with an increasing number of wrongful convictions—many of which were based on flawed forensic evidence (“junk science“) such as disproven arson investigation techniques, bite mark analysis, misapplied bloodstain pattern analysis, and shaking baby syndrome—the Texas Legislature enacted the first legal pathway for an inmate to challenge their conviction when new or advanced science discredited the evidence used to convict. This pathway was created through the codification of Article 11.073 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. This new law was primarily driven by the case of Michael Morton, who was wrongfully convicted due to misinterpreted forensic evidence and blatant prosecutorial misconduct. Morton spent 25 years in prison for the murder of his wife and was later exonerated through DNA evidence. The law thus had one basic purpose: to “accommodate evolving science“ and provide a meaningful pathway to overturn convictions based…

Referring to King George III of Britain, this nation’s Declaration of Independence said:  “A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of free people.” President Donald J. Trump has always viewed the American presidency as an inherent, king-like right to rule over the people of the United States, as though it were his personal fiefdom. This attitude led to him being impeached twice during his first term in office, charged with a total of 88 criminal offenses after leaving the White House, convicted of 34 of those offenses, and found civilly liable for 88 million dollars for engaging in forced sex offenses and defamation. Throughout his run for, and during his actual presidency, Trump has either fomented or gave credence to a laundry list of “Deep State” conspiracy theories popular with what has been dubbed as his “MAGA base”—a political coalition of violent white…

When you seek medical care, you trust that your healthcare providers will work together to give you safe, coordinated treatment. However, many patients in Pennsylvania experience harm due to disjointed, fragmented care — where critical communication between providers breaks down. In these cases, patients may suffer serious consequences like delayed diagnosis, medication errors, or worsening conditions. If you’ve been affected by poor care coordination, you may have legal grounds to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Under Pennsylvania law, a lack of continuity of care can be considered negligence if it results in harm. This article explores how such claims work, what evidence is needed, and how to take legal action.   What Is Continuity of Care? A Definition in Healthcare Terms Continuity of care means that a patient’s treatment is consistent and well-coordinated across different healthcare settings and providers. Ideally, your primary care doctor,…

The US Department of Education (DOE) announced Friday that New York state has violated federal civil rights law by banning Native American school mascots while permitting mascots derived from other ethnic groups. This comes after the DOE launched an investigation into the state’s mascot controversy last month. The investigation was launched after The Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) filed a complaint with the DOE’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR), alleging that the New York Department of Education (NYDOE) and the New York Board of Regents (BOR) are violating federal civil rights law by forcing the Massapequa School District to eliminate its “Chiefs” mascot based on its association with Native American culture. In 2023 the BOR voted unanimously to adopt a NYDOE regulation that prohibits the use of Indigenous team names, mascots, and logos by public schools. Four Long Island school districts filed a federal lawsuit challenging the regulation,…

[Do Congress and the courts have adequate tools to rein in Trump’s scattershot use of executive power?] [This is a guest blog from a friend and colleague, Abner S. Greene, who is the Leonard F. Manning Professor at Fordham Law School and has been following the constitutional separation-of-powers issues at the heart of many of the current cases involving the scope of President Trump's powers for many years.] Donald Trump's aggressive use of executive power in his second term threatens to upset the balance of power between President and Congress, and although courts have pushed back against Trump's excesses,[i] up-front hurdles and back-end limits render courts an imperfect check.  In this essay I will describe an argument I made 30 years ago about the problem of expanded presidential power, explain the hurdles facing my suggestions for a better balance of executive-legislative power, discuss the limits of congressional power to check an unhinged…

“Lawyers for Migrants Press Appeals Court to Stop Trump’s Use of Alien Enemies Act; It was an opening salvo in what is likely to be the decisive legal battle over the president’s attempts to employ the rarely used wartime law as a centerpiece of his aggressive deportation agenda”: Alan Feuer of The New York Times has this report. You can access the brief for appellants filed yesterday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit via this link.

This is a round-up of open access materials produced by authors based in the Global South (GS) and other geographic areas that are less well-represented in the domain of scholarly forced migration literature. Generally, articles are included if either the lead author or at least half of the co-authors are based in the GS. These references are organized by type of open access. Note that the OA items herein were previously referenced on either this blog or the Forced Migration Library blog as of 1 May 2025.Authors of the OA materials listed below are encouraged to deposit their work in the Forced Migration Research Archive (FMRA)! The submission form and guidelines are available on FMRA's website. Bronze OA:"Crisis Migration in the Contexts of Civil Wars: A Study on the Defects of New Humanitarianism," African Social Science Review, vol. 13, no. 1 (2025)- Author = Thailand"Protecting Migrant Children in Thailand: Importance of Social Integration and Roles…

American law recognizes that the protection of trade secrets results in substantial benefits to businesses and society. Kewanee Oil Co. v. Bicron Corp., 416 U.S. 470 (1974). Protecting commercial entities trade secret theft encourages investment in processes and technologies benefiting consumers. Therefore, trade secret laws promote “the efficient operation of industry” by affording those who invested time, capital, or effort into securing or creating the trade secret whatever benefits result therefrom. Brooklyn Life Ins. Co. of New York v. Dutcher, 95 U.S. 269 (1877). Most, if not all, states recognize the importance of trade secrets to commercial development and enacted statutes preventing their theft. These statutes generally require the trade secret owner to do more than merely prove its information is secret. The owner must also prove it took reasonable measures under the circumstances to protect the information’s secrecy and prove the information has…

A tragic hit-and-run collision in San Jose’s South Almaden Avenue area has claimed the life of a 72-year-old man and left his companion injured. The incident occurred in the early morning of Friday, May 30, 2025, highlighting pedestrians’ ongoing dangers, particularly those with mobility challenges. Details of the South Almaden Avenue Collision According to San Jose police, the fatal accident occurred around 2:45 a.m. near the intersection of South Almaden Avenue and West Virginia Street. The elderly victim and his female housemate were walking in the roadway when a speeding vehicle struck both pedestrians. The woman explained to authorities that they were walking in the street rather than on the sidewalk because the man used a motorized wheelchair, and the road surface provided more straightforward navigation than the uneven sidewalk terrain. This detail underscores the accessibility challenges individuals with mobility devices often face in urban environments.…

Ohio Collections Harassment Getting endless calls from debt collectors can be overwhelming and stressful. It’s not just about the debt, but about feeling trapped and losing your peace of mind. No one should have to deal with threats or bullying over unpaid bills.If you’re facing relentless debt collection tactics in Ohio, knowing you have rights and options is necessary. What Constitutes Collections Harassment? Understanding what qualifies as harassment is key to recognizing when a debt collector has crossed the line. Here are some detailed examples of unlawful collection practices:These behaviors are not only unethical but often illegal under laws such as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Recognizing them is the first step toward protecting your rights. Repeated or Late-Night Calls: …

A tragic pedestrian accident claimed the life of a man in Clay, Sacramento County, on Thursday evening, May 29, 2025. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers pedestrians face on California roadways and highlights the importance of understanding legal protections available to victims and their families. Details of the Clay Pedestrian Accident According to the California Highway Patrol, the fatal collision occurred at approximately 10:20 p.m. on Twin Cities Road near Clay Station Road. The victim, whose age has not been released by authorities, was walking in the area when he was struck by a vehicle. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. No arrests have been reported at this time. The timing and location of this accident highlight several risk factors commonly associated with pedestrian fatalities. The late evening hour when the collision occurred coincides with reduced visibility conditions that make it more…

Every criminal defendant is entitled to a fundamentally fair trial. In North Carolina’s two-tier system, a defendant convicted in District Court (the lower criminal court) can  seek an appeal from district criminal court to Superior Court for a fresh trial. But does this trial de novo appeal truly safeguard the right to a fair trial? This post examines North Carolina’s two-tier criminal court structure and asks whether a trial de novo on appeal fully cures defects in the original proceeding. We explore statutory law (e.g. N.C.G.S. §§ 7A-271, 15A-1431), constitutional due process principles, and key cases – notably Ward v. Monroeville, 409 U.S. 57 (1972) – to assess if a defendant receives meaningful due process in the court of first instance. Legal professionals will recognize the tension between efficiency and fairness inherent in North Carolina’s system, and the question of whether the promise of a new trial compensates for…

United Nations (UN) experts condemned Friday the criminal prosecution of 10 members of the Istanbul Bar Association and its President, İbrahim Kaboğlu, as well as the arrest of board member Firat Epözdemir, after the Bar issued a statement calling for an investigation into the deaths of two journalists in a conflict zone. “Criminal prosecution in retaliation for the exercise of free speech is an alarming assault on freedom of expression and lawyers’ rights to practice their profession,” the experts said. “This attempt to silence the Bar Association by weaponising the law is an appalling violation of international law and sets a troubling precedent.” On January 25, 2025, board member Firat Epözdemir was arrested and remains in custody. In March, a court ordered the removal of the bar’s elected leadership, citing alleged overreach under Türkiye’s Attorneyship Law. The Bar Association’s had previously…

July 1 is just around the corner, and with it comes a series of local minimum wage increases across Southern California. For employers operating in multiple jurisdictions, staying compliant can be complex—but it’s essential to avoid costly penalties and maintain employee trust.Below is a breakdown of the new rates, followed by a practical compliance checklist tailored for California employers. While this is usually a Friday’s Five article, we’re stretching a bit into seven key steps to keep you covered. Minimum Wage Increases in Southern California (Effective July 1, 2025) Los Angeles County (Unincorporated Areas): $17.81/hour City of Los Angeles: $17.87/hour (increased from $17.28/hour) Pasadena: $18.04/hour (increased from $17.50/hour) Santa Monica: $17.81/hour (increased from $17.27/hour) West Hollywood (Hotel Workers): $20.22/hour (note: non-hotel employees must be paid $19.65/hour and this rate will be in effect until December 31,…

A very interesting item in the Executive Functions substack newsletter, written by a leading expert on Presidential power: On Wednesday, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) did not authorize President Trump's sprawling tariff policies and permanently enjoined them. On Thursday a federal district court in the District of Columbia reached the same conclusion about IEEPA for different reasons, and issued a preliminary injunction. Before these rulings, I disagreed with most of the commentary on Trump's IEEPA sanctions and thought that the legal issues here were hard and close. Neither ruling convinced me otherwise. In what follows I explain why, though I must be necessarily selective in addressing complicated opinions chock full of technical arguments. As I explain in the end, I think the lawfulness of Trump's IEEPA tariffs depends a lot on the proper…