How Dan Harris Built Influence Through Legal Blogging

IGNACIO ADRIAN LERER has posted The Legislator as Extended Phenotype: A Darwinian Theory of Legal Evolution on SSRN. Here is the abstract: Background: Legal theory often assumes legislators consciously design laws to solve social problems. Drawing on Dawkins' (1982) concept of the extended phenotype, this paper challenges the Lamarckian assumption in legal scholarship and proposes a Darwinian framework: legislators function primarily as vehicles for replicating pre-existing legal "memes" whose survival depends on environmental fitness. Methods/Approach: The analysis combines: (1) Autobiographical case study—Argentina's 1981-1987 mortgage crisis, observed first-hand, illustrating memetic competition between pacta sunt servanda and rebus sic stantibus; (2) Comparative historical analysis—Three generational responses to currency-related credit crises (1981-1987, 2001-2003, 2016-2024); (3) Theoretical synthesis—Integration of cultural…

The Toronto International Film Festival has removed from its 2025 schedule a documentary film by Canadian filmmaker Barry Avrich that tells the story of Noam Tibon’s mission to save his family during the October 7th attacks by Hamas in Israel. The film is based on the excellent book by Amir Timon, the Gates of Gaza, which recounts both the rescue effort and the longstanding fraught relationship between Israel and Gaza. According to Deadline, the film, titled The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue, was scheduled to be included in the program announced last week. But TIFF asked that the source of Hamas body-cam footage included in the film be identified and to provide copyright clearances for the video. You read that correctly: TIFF wanted the filmmakers to obtain copyright licences from Hamas terrorists. From a copyright law perspective, the copyright claim is so ridiculous that it hardly needs debunking and is beneath what is supposedly a credible organization that has…

The issue in The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust v YD & Ors [2025] EWCOP 31 (T3) was the potential withdrawal of treatment from a 60-year-old man, YD, in a “permanent vegetative state”. YD was in simultaneous relationships with two women, JG and MB, and both they and the Official Solicitor opposed the application. JG did not consider that YD was religious, but was “deep into his spirituality, how things are, why they are” and that he he took it seriously; the fact that he agreed that she should call an ambulance after she had found him collapsed in October 2024 “proves to me that he chose conventional medicine and wants to heal as much as he can” [36]. MB was equally convinced that YD would not want treatment to be withdrawn, and told the Court of Protection: “YD would like the opportunity to heal and not be forced to end life, he would choose to leave when he is ready and naturally or when the body chooses to give up, he…

Volume 42:4 (November 2024) of Law and History Review, delayed by a malware attack on Cambridge University Press last summer, is now complete and available online.Emergency by Design: The “Native Repressive Tribunals” and the Normalization of Exception in Colonial Algeria, 1858–1904Sarah GhabrialLegacies and Legalities: Bequests of Land to Ecclesiastical Institutions in England c. 1180–1300Sarah B. WhiteRabbinic Evidence for the Spread of Roman Legal Education in the ProvincesYair FurstenbergThe Isle of Man, Channel Islands and Statutes of the English Parliament, to 1640: Development and Change in Territorial ExtentTim ThorntonInnovation in the Courts: Ellis and Jeffery Hart Bent in New South Wales—an Analysis of Minute BooksPaula Jane Byrne“Lost in Translation”: Extraterritoriality, Subjecthood, and Subjectivity in the Anglo–Yemeni Treaty of 1821Itamar Toussia CohenConstitutional Panic in British India: How the Ilbert Bill…

Is discrimination against immigrant workers just a social harm or also an economic injury that antitrust law can remedy? In a recent article, Gregory Day, an associate professor of legal studies at the University of Georgia Terry College of Business, argues the latter and that discrimination against immigrant workers is an illegal exercise of market power that violates antitrust law. Day explains that because antitrust’s consumer welfare standard—which intends to benefit consumers collectively—does not protect particular groups such as immigrants, antitrust law allows for the exclusion of immigrants in an effort to promote competition. Native workers in the United States, Day contends, historically in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century used labor unions to discriminate against immigrants that competed with them for jobs.. Unions worried that immigrants would lower wages, break up strikes, and take jobs. In an effort to defeat competition, labor…

The Roberts Court has sometimes hinted at supporting a strong version of the “unitary executive branch” theory—one in which Presidents can personally control all executive functions.  The Court’s hints, in turn, have emboldened the Trump Administration to take broad views of presidential power.  This term, however, the Court poured cold water on that view.  Judging by its decision in Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, Inc., the Court appears committed instead to a more moderate—and more legally sound—understanding of executive unitariness. The unitary executive branch theory of course is the idea that, by vesting “[t]he executive Power” in the President and requiring Presidents to ensure faithful execution of the law, Article II of the Constitution necessarily gives the President control over the executive branch. Courts and commentators have most often discussed the theory in connection with debates over…

Dr. Kamshad Mohsin (Maharishi University of Information Technology - School of Law) has posted Emerging Technologies and Islamic Laws: A Comparative Analysis of Prominent Islamic Jurisdictions on SSRN. Here is the abstract: Emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and digital cybersecurity tools present profound ethical, legal, and societal challenges. This paper examines how Islamic laws (Sharia) respond to these technologies, drawing on principles like Maqasid al-Sharia (objectives of Islamic law) and usul al-fiqh (principles of jurisprudence). A comparative analysis is conducted across prominent Islamic jurisdictions, including Sunnimajority countries (e.g., Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Turkey) and Shiamajority ones (e.g., Iran), using doctrinal research methods supplemented by recent developments up to 2025. Key findings reveal convergences in ethical frameworks emphasizing human dignity (karama), justice (adl), and…

Dentons Lee announced that on August 7, Attorneys Seul-Ah Kim and Sung-Eun Ahn participated as legal advisors at an event hosted by the Korea Artificial Intelligence Software Industry Association (KOSA). Intellectual Property and Technology, Tax, Overseas Investment, Customs Law, Seoul

Seul-Ah Kim, an attorney at Dentons Lee, has been appointed as a member of the Seodaemun-gu Election Commission, following a recommendation from the Seoul Bar Association. Administrative Litigation, Seoul

For decades, federal prosecutors have relied on elastic statutes to pursue novel schemes that Congress never spelled out. Proponents of this elasticity contend that policy-infused interpretations honor Congress’s larger purpose of policing sophisticated schemes, while textualists warn that such broad statutes erode fair notice, invite arbitrary enforcement, and transfer the power to define crime from Congress to prosecutors. The Roberts Court has absorbed those critiques: its brand of textualism treats expansive prosecutorial theories with increasing skepticism rather than as valuable tools, showing a broader judicial preference for textual restraint over interpretive flexibility. As a result, the Supreme Court’s pivot toward textualism has forced a fresh look at federal criminal law. Nowhere is this pivot toward textualism shown more clearly than in the Court’s recent public corruption docket: McDonnell (2016), Kelly (2020), Ciminelli and Percoco (2023),…

Gaurav Mukherjee (University of Connecticut - School of Law; New York University School of Law; University of Melbourne - Asian Law Centre) has posted The Right to Education: Reconciling Liberty & Equality (The Oxford Handbook on Economic and Social Rights (Katharine Young and Malcolm Langford eds., 2025)) on SSRN. Here is the abstract: The public-school classroom has long been a battleground for debates over fairness and freedom in education. Around the world, governments, parents, and schools disagree about who should control what students learn, how to balance religious and cultural beliefs with integrative aims of public education, and whether private schools should follow the same rules as public ones. At their core, these disputes reflect the question: should education policies prioritize equal access and inclusion, or should they allow greater flexibility for parental choice, religious freedom, and school autonomy? Globally, recent legal and policy developments…

A devastating pedestrian accident in San Francisco’s South of Market (SOMA) district claimed the life of a 78-year-old man in the early morning hours of Sunday, August 10, 2025. The incident occurred at the intersection of Sixth and Howard streets, which has seen its share of traffic-related incidents over the years. Details of the Fatal Pedestrian Accident According to the San Francisco Police Department, emergency responders were dispatched to the scene at approximately 3:15 a.m. following reports of a pedestrian-vehicle collision. Upon arrival, officers discovered the elderly victim suffering from severe injuries sustained in the crash. Police officers immediately began performing CPR on the victim before emergency medical personnel transported him to a nearby hospital. Despite the swift response and medical intervention, the 78-year-old man succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The driver involved in the collision remained at the scene and fully cooperated with…

If you’ve been injured in an accident in St. Louis, you’re suddenly facing medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and an uncertain future. Missouri law gives you the right to pursue compensation from the person or company responsible, but the truth is this: your choice of attorney can make or break your case. So how to choose the right personal injury attorney? Every year, thousands of people in St. Louis find themselves in this exact situation. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), St. Louis County sees more than 15,000 traffic crashes annually, many causing serious injuries. That doesn’t include slip and falls, workplace accidents, or other incidents that can turn a person’s life upside down. At Sansone & Lauber, we’ve spent decades representing injury victims across Missouri, recovering millions of dollars for our clients. We’ve built our reputation on aggressive representation, meticulous case…

From The Richmonder/Eleanor Shaw When Eleanor Shaw, a reporter for The Richmonder, reached out to chat about Morgan & Morgan’s expansion into Richmond, I didn’t hesitate. I’ve been analyzing their disruptive marketing tactics for years, and if you’re even remotely interested in legal advertising (and really, who isn’t?), Morgan & Morgan is the ultimate case study. Their multi-million-dollar ad blitz is impossible to ignore. Shaw’s article, “You can’t avoid Morgan & Morgan’s multi-million-dollar ad blitz. It’s shaking up Richmond’s legal scene,” offers a comprehensive look at the firm’s entrance into the Richmond market. It explores the ripple effects on local law firms and draws comparisons to how M&M has reshaped legal advertising landscapes in other cities across the country. Continue reading

A recent Daily Herald article highlighted an eye-opening traffic safety study revealing that drivers in Naperville, Illinois, rank among the worst in the state when it comes to safe driving habits. While some Illinois communities have earned recognition for cautious and courteous driving, Naperville’s high car accident rates and risky driving behaviors are a cause for concern. For residents and visitors alike, these statistics underscore the importance of understanding the risks on our roads, and knowing where to turn if you or a loved one is injured in a car accident. The Study’s Findings: Naperville’s Ranking as Some of the Worst Drivers According to the study referenced in the article, Naperville drivers scored poorly compared to other Illinois cities in several key safety categories. This lower ranking suggests higher rates of collisions, traffic violations, and dangerous driving practices in the area. This isn’t just a matter of public perception.…

The Texas Senate passed a redistricting map (S.B. No. 4) on Tuesday that has been at the center of national debate. Two Democrats remained in chambers, allowing the Senate vote to proceed and prevail 19-2. The bill’s passage does not enact the legislation; it must pass both chambers before presentment to Governor Greg Abbott, who has been vocal about the contention surrounding the bill’s plausible outcomes. The outcome could be an additional five Republican seats in the United States House of Representatives. Regarding the passage of S.B. No. 4, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick remarked: Today, the Texas Senate passed the new congressional map, including 5 new Republican majority districts. The Texas Senate will continue passing this map each legislative session to accurately reflect our state until House Democrats return from their ‘vacation’ and get back to work for the people of Texas. Governor Abbott also weighed in, “I will continue to call…

Custody battles often unfold in emotionally charged environments, but New York courts are not swayed by accusations alone. When one parent seeks to upend a longstanding custodial arrangement, they must present compelling evidence that a material change in circumstances has occurred and that transferring custody serves the child’s best interests. A recent New York decision illustrates the demanding threshold for modifying custody and reaffirms that courts prioritize a child’s emotional well-being, consistency, and stability above all else. If you are navigating a contested custody matter or seeking to enforce or modify a prior order, it is essential to consult with a knowledgeable New York family law attorney who can guide you through the process with clarity and strategic insight. Case Setting It is reported that the parties, who were formerly married, are the parents of one child born in 2010. The parties’ marriage was dissolved by judgment in 2018 pursuant…

ב־8 באוגוסט אישר הקבינט תכנית להרחבת המלחמה בעזה. לפי הדיווחים, התכנית כוללת השגת “שליטה מבצעית” על העיר עזה, תוך “פינוי” אוכלוסייתה. לפי התקשורת הישראלית, הכוונה היא…