The 1925 Patent of the Norwegian Ostehøvel (Cheese Slicer)

(Originally published by Civitas Institute on April 28, 2025) Stanford Law Professor Michael McConnellWhat is the original meaning of the Free Exercise Clause? Does that original meaning support religious exemptions from generally applicable laws? Click here to download this white paper as a PDF. Three scholars who work on religious liberty issues share their electronic conversation on the topic. Michael McConnell, a former judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, has argued for many years and with significant influence that the First Amendment’s original meaning sometimes requires religious exemptions. Vincent Phillip Muñoz, a non-resident senior fellow at Civitas and professor at the University of Notre Dame, has challenged the claim of religious exemptions on originalist grounds. ‍Andrew Koppelman—professor of law, political science, and philosophy at Northwestern University—has argued for religious exemptions on…

The good news is that Ed Martin will not be the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. In the end, even Republicans in the Senate had too many misgivings to hand one of the most powerful roles within the Department of Justice to a January 6 wingnut. The bad news is that the same administration that invented DOGE so they could install an idiot man-child over the entire executive branch has already worked out how to invest power in their unconfirmable stooges and shunted Martin off to the — on paper — more humble role as head of the DOJ’s “Weaponization Working Group.” Much like the Musk situation, Martin might well prove more damaging in this role. For those who have always wondered: “What if we turned the Justice Department over to a 4Chan troll?” Martin delivers, having gone on record that, when he can’t prosecute the president’s political enemies — because they’ve actually committed no crimes —…

It is clear now how the Trump Administration plans to handle what remains of modern administrative law while advancing its agenda. The plan is to break it. Just look at the Administration’s conduct over its first 100 days. Wacky executive orders that are no less dangerous for becoming instantly infamous. Abuses of interim final rules, direct final rules, and “good cause” rulemaking. Changing compliance dates without rulemakings. Collusive litigation. Claims that huge swathes of law simply do not apply to the Administration’s plans. And on, and on, and on. In light of everything we’ve seen, it is clear what the endgame is: break the law enough times and in enough ways that an outgunned band of attorneys general, private litigants, and nonprofits can do only so much in response. People who represent everyday Americans, not oligarchs, have finite resources and face standing and other doctrines that limit our ability to stop the deluge. At the…

Ed. note: This is the latest installment in a series of posts on motherhood in the legal profession, in partnership with our friends at MothersEsquire. Welcome Sonya L. Sigler back to our pages. Click here if you’d like to donate to MothersEsquire. As I reflected upon in my last article, for a long time, I thought self-care meant squeezing in activities that made me feel better — like reading, knitting, or the occasional kick-boxing class. And while those activities do matter for my self-care, I eventually realized something deeper: True self-care is about alignment. It’s about designing a life that actually reflects what matters most to you — not what looks good on paper. Not what others expect, but what you value at your core. In the first two articles of this series, we explored the importance of noticing your energy — what fuels you and what drains you — and the critical mindshift from external expectations to…

[Ilya Somin's upcoming speaking engagements.] (NA)I have been remiss this semester in failing to post my usual list of upcoming speaking engagements. However, I do have some coming up in the next several weeks that I would like to list for interested readers. Unless otherwise noted, all are in person and open to the public.  I may update this post with additional events. Below, I also note some information on earlier engagements for which video or audio is available. May 27, 12-1:00 PM, Cato Institute, Washington, DC: "Tariffs, Emergencies, and Presidential Power." (panel with Cato Institute scholar Walter Olson). Virtual event. Free registration available here. May 31, 3-4 PM, Pruyne Lecture Hall, Fayerweather Hall, Amherst College, Amherst, MA: "Challenges Facing American Democracy." This event is primarily for Amherst College alumni, students, and employees (part of Amherst's 2025 alumni reunion activities). But I think members of the…

As of this writing, seven lawsuits have been filed challenging the legality of President Trump’s unilateral imposition of tariffs. The briefing is farthest along in V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump, pending in the Court of International Trade. That court has scheduled a hearing for May 13 on all pending motions, including a motion for a preliminary injunction. Appeals from the Court of International Trade go to the Federal Circuit. Arguably, of all the cases challenging Trump administration actions, the tariff cases have the greatest consequence for the national economy as well as the division of authority between Congress and the Executive. Stanford Law Professor Michael McConnellBoth sides agree that the President has no inherent constitutional authority to set tariffs. President Trump’s power, if it exists, must come from statute. The government relies on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA). IEEPA gives the President power to take…

Michael Hasday (Benjamin L. Crump College of Law at St. Thomas University) has posted Accuracy and the Robot Judge (25 J. App. Prac. & Process 1 (2025)) on SSRN. Here is the abstract: How can it be shown that AI-powered robot judges are more accurate than human judges? Some commentators believe that legal decision making is too indeterminate for this to be demonstrated. Even commentators who believe that this might be possible do not indicate precisely how this might be done. This article provides possible answers to this question, which to my knowledge has not been directly addressed in the burgeoning robot judge literature. I contend that there are three broad paths through which robot judges can potentially demonstrate superior accuracy over their human counterparts: the consensus path, the comparison path, and the process path. Recommended!

You found an error on your credit report and sent a dispute letter to the Credit Reporting Agency. You even included documents to back up your case. But about month later, you got a response from the credit bureau saying the account is “verified” or “accurate.”Now what?Unfortunately, this is a common, and incredibly frustrating, experience. But you’re not out of options. Here’s what you can do if a credit reporting agency refuses to correct a credit report error after your first dispute.Step 1: Review the Response CarefullyYour first step is to clearly understand the results of the investigation. Did they keep the mistake on your report? Or did they fix it? This isn’t always obvious and it may help to compare the updated report you got as part of the investigation results with your old report from before you disputed. It’s also important to know if they actually investigated your dispute. Although CRAs are generally required to…

Derek was twenty years old when he suffered a stroke. He lost and then subsequently regained his ability to speak and to perform simple tasks; however, he cannot manage important matters like his medical care and finances. Derek’s mom, Greta, successfully petitioned under G.S. Chapter 35A to have her son adjudicated incompetent and was appointed as Derek’s guardian. Recently, Derek was at a store and put candy he had not paid for in his pocket. When an employee intervened, Derek pushed the employee and ran home with the candy. Criminal charges were filed, and Derek was appointed counsel. This post explores difficult questions that arise when a criminal defendant is adjudicated incompetent and has a court-appointed guardian, including the effect those circumstances have on criminal case decisions, client confidentiality, and the allocation of authority between the attorney and client. But first, a little background. Attorney-client relationships and the allocation of…

The activity of boating remains popular among coastal tourists especially in Fort Lauderdale where aquatic mishaps often cause significant harm to those who engage in it. Boating accidents typically result in injuries combined with property damages and frequently produce fatal outcomes. Legal responsibility becomes a crucial matter to determine after these accidents occur. Knowing who […] The post LIABILITY IN BOATING ACCIDENTS: WHO CAN BE HELD RESPONSIBLE? appeared first on Maus Law Firm.

Signs of Nerve Damage After a Crash Car accidents can cause more than just broken bones or bruises. In many cases, victims experience hidden injuries that aren’t obvious right away. One of the most serious of these hidden injuries is nerve damage. Nerve damage after a crash can affect your ability to move, feel, or even work—sometimes for the rest of your life. At Anderson Franco Law, we represent car accident victims in California who suffer nerve-related injuries. In this article, we explain the signs of nerve damage after a crash, how it happens, and what to do if you suspect you have it. What Is Nerve Damage? Your body has a network of nerves that carry signals between your brain and the rest of your body. These nerves help control movement, sensation, and pain. When a nerve is damaged in a car crash, the messages between your brain and body can get disrupted. There are three main types of nerves: Sensory nerves control feeling like heat,…

On Saturday night, a fatal motorcycle accident in Elk Grove claimed the life of a 42-year-old rider. This incident highlights motorcyclists’ serious risks and the importance of understanding motorcycle safety. For those affected by similar accidents, knowing your legal options is essential. Details of the Elk Grove Motorcycle Accident The fatal crash occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday along Waterman Road, south of Sheldon Road in Elk Grove, California. According to the Elk Grove Police Department, officers responding to the scene found the motorcyclist in the center median. Preliminary investigation indicates that the rider was traveling northbound on Waterman Road when he lost control of his motorcycle and struck the center median. Tragically, the 42-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are still investigating the circumstances that led to the motorcyclist’s loss of control. It’s unclear whether factors such as road conditions,…

Many of our clients who own a Florida condo want to pass it to their children, and have incorporated that into their estate planning. But with fees and special assessments surging for older units in recent years, parents and children alike are having second thoughts about the wisdom of that arrangement. In response, Florida is now taking steps that may allay their concerns. We explain below. The Backstory Recent cost increases are traceable to the tragic collapse of Champlain Towers in 2021 that killed 98 people. In the wake of that calamity, the state established regulations requiring milestone inspections and timely repairs for aging condominiums. Buildings 30 years or older (or 25 years if near the coast) are required to undergo structural integrity studies, which must be conducted every ten years. Critical repairs may not be deferred. Additionally, condo boards must fully fund reserves for necessary repairs, a requirement that has led to special assessments and steeper…

A significant traffic collision involving multiple vehicles occurred on the northbound lanes of US 101 near Bowers Avenue in San Jose on May 20, 2025, at approximately 2:42 PM. The incident involved a white pickup truck and a white sedan, both of which overturned, blocking lanes and causing major disruptions. Emergency services, including law enforcement and towing companies, were promptly dispatched to the scene. The collision resulted in the blockage of one to two lanes, with additional vehicles reported on the southbound side, though their involvement remains unclear. Tragically, individuals were trapped inside the overturned vehicles, necessitating urgent rescue operations. The California Department of Transportation was notified, and a supervisor was en route to assist with the situation. Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible and seek alternate routes to minimize congestion. The safety of all involved remains a priority, and efforts are ongoing to clear…

80+ Google Reviews for the  Law Firm of Kevin P. Sheerin Appealing NYPD Disqualifications – Frequently Asked Questions… 1. What types of disqualifications can your firm help me appeal? We specialize in appealing NYPD, FDNY, and NYC Department of Corrections disqualifications, including psychological, medical, and character/background disqualifications. 2. What is the process for appealing a disqualification? Our process includes reviewing your Notice of Proposed Disqualification (NOPD), preparing and submitting an appeal, obtaining your full file, and guiding you through the next steps, which may include a second interview or a hearing before the NYC Civil Service Commission. 3. How much does the appeal process cost? We charge a flat fee of $2,500, which covers the entire appeal process. This includes both Step 1 (Notice Of Proposed Disqualification appeal) and Step 2 (Notice of Disqualification appeal), as well as potential…

We are pleased to share that our Intellectual Property practice has been ranked Tier 1 by Asian Legal Business (ALB) in its annual IP Rankings. 

The Legal Industry Doesn’t Stand With Trump’s Bullying: Read the survey for yourself! Habeas Corpus? I Hardly Know Her!: Kristi Noem messes up the most softball question possible on habeas corpus. That Can’t Be Good For Ratings!: How will (not) bending the knee impact Biglaw rankings? Judge Goodwin Liu Makes A Few Jokes About Due Process: Now that’s a great graduation speech! What’s In A Name?: Orange Shoe? Yellow Bellied? How should the Pro Bono Payola firms be addressed? The post We Have The Data To Prove It! — See Also appeared first on Above the Law.

As the 83rd Oregon Legislative Session approaches its end, several employment-related bills are still in play, and they could carry significant implications for businesses across the state. While none have been signed into law yet, the momentum behind them makes this a critical time for employers to pay attention and speak up. Three proposals—SB 916, HB 2957, and SB 426—stand out for their potential to reshape the employer-employee landscape, increase litigation exposure, and raise costs across industries. SB 916 would allow striking workers to collect unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks, a move that could shift financial burdens from unions to employers and incentivize longer or more frequent strikes. Oregon would become one of just four states that allow workers on strike to collect unemployment benefits. HB 2957 eliminates the 90-day window to sue after a BOLI complaint is dismissed, allowing employees to wait up to the full five-year statutory…