Special Issue: Vol. 38/6 International Journal for the Semiotics of Law--" Semiotic Assemblage, Translanguaging and Translating Laws of the Middle East and North African Regions"

By Juliette Groothaert For centuries, artists have been fascinated by capturing light. From the Renaissance masters who pioneered techniques like sfumato to create dissolving edges for lifelike depth, to Caravaggio’s dramatic chiaroscuro wielding stark light and shadow to carve visceral intensity onto canvas, the use of light has undeniably played a pivotal role in shaping how artists illustrate the world. Yet, for all this mastery, light remained a tool to depict reality, never being the primary substance of the art itself. An example of chiaroscuro is Giovanni Baglione’s “Amor sacro e profano” (1602)[1] Leonardo’s “Mona Lisa” (ca. 1503-1519) is an example of sfumato[2] That shift arrived with the crackle of electricity. Edison’s invention of the lightbulb in 1897 ignited a revolution as artists suddenly were not just painting with light, but would sculpt in it too. Pioneers like László Moholy-Nagy, a Bauhaus…

Discovering your spouse’s infidelity is one of life’s most devastating experiences. The emotional pain, broken trust, and uncertainty about your future can feel overwhelming. If you’re facing this difficult situation in Dallas, you’re not alone—and you have legal options that can protect your interests during divorce proceedings. Understanding how adultery affects divorce in Texas is crucial for making informed decisions about your case. While Texas is a no-fault divorce state, adultery can still significantly impact various aspects of your divorce, from property division to child custody arrangements. Understanding Adultery in Texas Family Law Texas Family Code defines adultery as voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not their spouse. This definition is specific and requires proof of actual sexual relations, not just emotional affairs or inappropriate relationships. When working with a Dallas divorce attorney,…

A devastating prison guard strike in February left New York's correctional system in chaos, resulting in at least seven deaths among incarcerated individuals and creating ongoing dangerous conditions that persist months later. Thousands of corrections officers walked off their jobs, forcing officials to lock prisoners in their cells for days at a time while deploying 6,000 National Guard troops to maintain basic operations across more than 30 facilities housing over 30,000 inmates. Four months after the three-week strike ended, the crisis continues to worsen. Court records reveal that thousands of officer positions remain vacant, with some facilities operating at less than half their required staffing levels. The situation has forced the cancellation of essential programs including weekend visitation, summer school, sports leagues, religious classes, work release programs, and counseling sessions. Some prisoners are now confined to their cells for up to 20 hours daily. …

Telling your children about divorce ranks among the most challenging conversations any parent will face. The weight of those words, the uncertainty in their eyes, and the knowledge that their world is about to change forever can feel overwhelming. As a parent navigating this difficult time, you’re not alone in wondering how to approach this conversation with sensitivity, honesty, and age-appropriate care. At our Dallas law firm, we’ve supported countless families through divorce proceedings over the past 25 years. While every family’s situation is unique, we’ve learned that how you communicate with your children about divorce can significantly impact their emotional well-being and adjustment to their new reality. This comprehensive guide provides practical scripts, strategies, and professional insights to help you navigate these crucial conversations. Understanding the Emotional Impact of Divorce on Children Before diving into specific conversation…

Going through a divorce is one of life’s most challenging experiences, and deciding what to do with your family home adds another layer of complexity to an already difficult situation. If you’re staring at leopard print wallpaper in the master bedroom or that neon green kitchen your ex insisted on, you’re probably ready to move forward—literally and figuratively. As a Dallas divorce lawyer with over 25 years of experience helping families navigate these transitions, I understand that selling your house after divorce involves much more than just putting a “For Sale” sign in the yard. The family home often represents the largest asset in a divorce, and making the right decisions about when and how to sell can significantly impact your financial future. Whether you’re dealing with an uncontested divorce or facing a more complex contested situation, understanding your options and the legal implications of selling marital property is crucial…

If you were injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses. Florida’s personal injury laws provide accident victims with clear legal rights, and you can work with a knowledgeable Fort Myers personal injury attorney at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. to help you assert your legal rights at no out-of-pocket cost.

Photo credit: UN/ICJ/Jeroen Bouman (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)It’s been a long time coming but nations of the world officially have a legal obligation to limit their emissions of greenhouse gases or else pay reparations for the harms of climate change. That was the unanimous opinion handed down yesterday by the 14 judges on the International Court of Justice, sometimes called the World Court. The Advisory Opinion, though technically non-binding, affirms the existence of a legal right to a “clean, healthy and sustainable environment” under international law and extends this and related rights to the context of climate change. The case was filed in 2018 by Vanuatu, an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean that is especially vulnerable to human-caused climate change. Hearings took place last December. “July 23, 2025 is a historic day for international law, for climate change, and for humanity,” UCLA Law Professor Anna Spain Bradley told me. I asked Professor Spain…

This month’s federal budget and policy legislation rescinded billions of dollars in clean energy and climate-related infrastructure investments and halted the progress of many projects already underway, including major tax incentive and grant programs focused on wind and solar energy, vehicle electrification, and domestic manufacturing. A subsequent executive order further cemented the federal government’s shift away from supporting climate-related investments.  Transformative levels of capital investment to implement climate solutions were urgently needed even with Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law programs–many of which funded locally-led investments centering public participation in the energy transition–in place.  The headwinds facing climate efforts in the U.S. call for innovative approaches to generating capital for climate-related infrastructure. With the bill’s elimination of many incentives for EVs, wind,…

ScotusCrim is a recurring series by Rory Little focusing on intersections between the Supreme Court and criminal law. Please note that the views of outside contributors do not reflect the official opinions of SCOTUSblog or its staff. Welcome to the second installment of ScotusCrim, a recurring column focused on criminal-law-and-related cases at the Supreme Court. Today I focus on juries and sentencing in criminal cases; and at the end I introduce a feature called “Out of My Lane” in which I hope to offer brief thoughts on non-criminal aspects of Supreme Court practice. The Sixth Amendment provides, without qualification, that “[i]n all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a … trial.” Article III similarly directs that “[t]he trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by jury.” As the only right guaranteed in both the body of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, this concept was…

The SEC recently settled cherry-picking charges against a Minnesota investment adviser and its sole owner. North East Asset Management Group and its owner, Gregory Zandlo, settled the Commission’s claims without admitting or denying its findings. The SEC found that, through his firm, Mr. Zandlo shifted profitable trades to certain accounts from December 2020 through May 2022. Specifically, the SEC claimed the defendants were shifting profitable trades to accounts belonging to the firm, Mr. Zandlo, or people related to Mr. Zandlo (collectively, “Favored Accounts”). Mr. Zandlo allegedly used his discretionary authority over client trades to aggregate orders on behalf of multiple accounts, otherwise known as block trading. The defendants often placed multiple block orders for the same security on the same day. Key to the SEC’s claim is that Mr. Zandlo and his firm had the opportunity, through their third-party broker, to allocate the shares or sales of that…

If you have been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence in Illinois, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. But what exactly can you recover in a legal claim? Understanding the categories of damages available under Illinois law is crucial when evaluating your case. In this blog, we will break down the types of damages available in Illinois personal injury lawsuits, provide legal references, and help you understand how courts calculate compensation. Categories of Damages in Illinois Personal Injury Cases In Illinois, personal injury damages are generally grouped into two main categories: Compensatory Damages Punitive Damages Compensatory damages are intended to make the injured party “whole” again – financially and emotionally. These are further subdivided into economic and non-economic damages. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are awarded in rare cases to punish egregiously wrongful conduct and deter…

Divorce is never easy, especially when your livelihood depends on the demanding schedule of Texas’s oil industry. If you’re facing divorce while working in oil and gas, or if your spouse works in this field, you’re likely wondering how these unique employment circumstances will impact your child custody arrangements. As an experienced dallas divorce lawyer with over 25 years of practice, I understand the complexities these situations present and want to help you navigate this challenging time. The oil industry’s irregular schedules, extended rotations, and potential for relocation create distinct challenges in custody cases that require specialized legal expertise. Understanding how Texas courts view these employment patterns is crucial for protecting your parental rights and ensuring your children’s best interests remain the priority. Understanding Texas Oil Industry Work Schedules The oil and gas industry operates on schedules that differ…

Daryl Lim (Pennsylvania State U) has posted “Determinants of Socially Responsible AI Governance” (Duke Law & Technology Review | Vol. 25, No. 1, 2025) on SSRN. Here is the abstract: The signing of the first international AI treaty by the United States, European Union, and other nations marks a pivotal step in establishing a global framework for AI governance, ensuring that AI systems respect human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. This article advances the concepts of justice, equity, and the rule of law as yardsticks of socially responsible AI-from development through deployment-to ensure that AI technologies do not exacerbate existing inequalities but actively promote fairness and inclusivity. Part I explores AI’s potential to improve access to justice for marginalized communities and small and medium-sized law firms while scrutinizing AI-related risks judges, lawyers, and the communities they serve face. Part II examines the structural biases in…

Reporting (e.g., in the NY Times) on the settlement agreement between Columbia University and the United States government describes the $200 million that Columbia will pay to obtain restoration of its grant funding as a "fine." When I read that report, I was initially puzzled. None of the federal agencies whose leaders signed the agreement--the Departments of Justice, Education, and Health and Human Services--is authorized by law to impose fines on institutions found to be in violation of Title VI. Yet the ostensible offense that led the Trump administration to cancel $400 million of federal funding and threaten to cut off billions more in the future was Columbia's alleged violation of Title VI by failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment. Congress could have authorized fines as penalties for Title VI violations, but it didn't. So what entitles the executive branch to impose fines via settlement?Reading the settlement agreement…

Taking your dog for a walk is a daily routine for many Chicagoans, offering both exercise and companionship. But what happens when another dog, unleashed, aggressive, or poorly controlled, attacks you or your pet during that walk? Unfortunately, dog attacks are not rare in Chicago and can result in serious injuries to both humans and animals. Understanding the causes of these attacks, your legal options, and how to protect yourself can make all the difference. Dog Attack Statistics in Chicago Dog bites and dog-on-dog attacks are more common than most people realize. According to the City of Chicago’s Animal Care and Control, there were over 1,500 dog bite incidents reported in 2023, with hundreds more likely going unreported. Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year, and approximately 800,000 require medical attention. When it comes to pets being attacked, the American Veterinary…

The second Trump administration has launched an unprecedented assault that aims to maim, if not kill outright, enforcement against U.S. companies of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). To that end, the Department of Justice recently issued new restrictive enforcement guidelines, following an earlier executive order that temporarily suspended enforcement of the FCPA except in limited circumstances – a pause that itself harmed U.S. and global businesses, as others have demonstrated. But as much as the Trump administration might like to bury the FCPA, doing so is not easy. When the statute was enacted in 1977, the United States stood virtually alone in criminalizing foreign bribery. Today, nearly five decades later, outlawing foreign corrupt payments has become a universal obligation set out in binding multilateral treaties—and, in some U.S. jurisdictions, also a matter of state law. What began as a lonely American experiment has evolved into a web of…

Topic: Being a summer intern at big law bites.  No, this is not the expected expose on summer legal internships: "Hey, get me an iced, cafe latte with organic coconut milk and Indonesian beans in a plastic cup and re-scan the Penske file..."When dog bites man....yawn. When summer intern bites lawyers...legal blogs spring into action!A summer intern from Big Law Sidley Austin has been let go for repeatedly biting lawyers in the firm this summer.Yeah, that's not a sentence we ever thought we'd be writing (like "And then the judge said, 'dinner is on me' and grabbed the check.") Side note: How do the lawyers say their firm name with a straight-face? The firm's name sounds like a pre-school on the Upper East Side: "Sidley Austin, where Manhattan toddlers go for UES enrichment and fun since 1992."Pedestrianly named "The Big Law Biter" (Yawn) by the usual collection of legal blogs who have no…

When facing the difficult decision to end a marriage, most people focus on the emotional challenges ahead. However, understanding the full financial picture is crucial for making informed decisions and avoiding costly surprises. While attorney fees are the most obvious expense, numerous hidden costs can significantly impact your divorce budget. As a Dallas divorce lawyer with over 25 years of experience, I’ve helped countless clients navigate these financial complexities. This comprehensive guide will help you understand and prepare for the unexpected expenses that often accompany divorce proceedings in Texas. Understanding the True Cost of Divorce The average divorce in Texas costs between $15,000 and $25,000, but this figure can vary dramatically based on complexity, duration, and the specific circumstances of your case. What many people don’t realize is that legal fees typically represent only 40-60% of the total divorce-related expenses. The remaining costs come…