"An Introduction to the Law of Corporations in the U.S.": Brief Reflections on Course Pedagogy, and its Expression in a Syllabus/Concept Note

Nicholas Aroney (The University of Queensland - T.C. Beirne School of Law; Emory University - Center for the Study of Law and Religion) has posted A Framework for the Comparative Evaluation of Federalism Jurisprudence Motifs, Taxonomies and Scales of Political Salience on SSRN. Here is the abstract: This article presents a methodological approach to the comparative study of courts in federal systems. The article begins by recounting the fundamental epistemological challenge faced by comparative federalism studies generally: the difficulty of constructing explanatory theories that can account for the common features that all federal systems possess while also accommodating the particular features that each system uniquely exhibits. It is argued that this challenge is best addressed through the development of explanatory concepts that are more finelytextured than those provided by standard definitions of federalism, and which delve more deeply into the variant features of…

Employers that collected payments under the COVID-era Department of the Treasury Payroll Support Program (“PSP”) should heed the $8,100,000 Delta Airlines is paying as a reminder to ensure their own compliance with any COVID-19 relief programs. The Justice Department announced today that Delta Air Lines Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, has agreed to pay to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by awarding compensation to certain corporate officers and employees that exceeded the compensation limits Delta agreed to as part of its participation in the PSP program. The settlement is an example of some of the aggressive audit and enforcement activities the federal government is now pursuing against recipient of COVID relief funds. recipients of such funds should verify that they can demonstrate compliance with all requirements of the program recipients who discover compliance deficiencies, should seek the advice of…

In recent months, the revamping of the FAR has been a big topic of discussion for federal contractors and those who work with them. This project is referred to as FAR 2.0 or the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul or simply RFO. An executive order got the ball rolling, setting forth the mandate to create FAR 2.0 within 180 days from April 15, 2025, which puts the deadline as  October 12, 2025. The GSA has described its goals with the FAR overhaul by using some interesting metaphors. It says the FAR overhaul will be like a renovation of an old apartment building, taking things down to the studs while preserving the structural integrity of the original design. GSA acknowledged the inevitable growing pains for this adaption process using another metaphor—the “wobbly” phase of learning to ride a bike. As noted in the GSA post: “Let’s be honest—there will be an adjustment period, and it might be uncomfortable. This discomfort is normal. In fact,…

Early Monday morning, a 37-year-old Janesville man was killed when his Chevrolet Blazer collided with a parked semi-truck on the shoulder of I-39 near Mile Post 157, just outside Stoughton, Wisconsin. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, the semi was stopped on the right shoulder at the time of the crash. The driver of the Freightliner was not injured, but the driver of the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene. In a case like this, I think it's important to determine whether the semi was parked legally and whether proper precautions were taken to ensure the truck was visible to other drivers. When large trucks are stopped on or near active travel lanes, even small mistakes, like a missing reflective triangle or inactive hazard lights, can lead to serious outcomes. Was the Truck Parked in Accordance With Safety Regulations? When a semi-truck is stopped on the shoulder, federal and state regulations require the driver to activate hazard lights immediately and…

The $250,000 a Mississippi employer is paying for discriminating in favor of non-citizen visa holders warns all US employers against discriminating against legally authorized workers based on national origin. The settlement agreement with H2A Complete II Inc., that the Justice Department announced today reminds US employers not to discriminate among workers, legally authorized to work in the United States in employment practices based differences in the basis of their eligibility to work or national origin. The settlement resolves charges that H2A Complete II Inc. violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”) by unfairly favor H-2A visa holders over U.S. workers for agricultural employment opportunities. The second “Protecting U.S. Workers Initiative” settlement under the second Trump Administration, the settled demonstrates the Administration’s commitment to targeting, investigating, and bringing enforcement actions…

A crash involving an 18-wheeler shut down a major intersection on Caratoke Highway in Currituck County Tuesday morning. The incident occurred at the intersection with Shawboro Road. While details remain limited, a MedFlight helicopter was seen departing the scene and an ambulance was also observed leaving at high speed, suggesting that serious injuries may have occurred. Officials have not yet confirmed how many vehicles were involved or what caused the crash. When a crash involves a semi-truck at a busy intersection, it’s essential to investigate every factor that could have played a role, especially when the exact cause isn’t yet known. Could Driver Distraction or Fatigue Have Been a Factor? Given the time of the crash and the involvement of a large commercial vehicle, investigators may need to consider whether distraction or fatigue impaired the truck driver’s ability to react. Reviewing work schedules, electronic logging device data, and mobile…

Third Circuit Judge Paul Matey argues no, dissenting in Qatanani v. Attorney General. (The two judges in the panel majority seem to disagree, stating that "the [Board of Immigration Appeals] penalized Qatanani for quintessential First Amendment activity," but declines to discuss the matter in detail because it concludes Qatanani should prevail on statutory and procedural grounds.) Here's an excerpt: Qatanani entered the United States in 1996 on a H-1B nonimmigrant visa with authorization to serve as an imam at The Islamic Center of Passaic Country (ICPC) until April 1, 1999. Rather than leave, he applied to adjust his status to lawful permanent residence (LPR). After almost two decades of administrative proceedings, an Immigration Judge (IJ) found Qatanani eligible for a status adjustment and deserving one as a matter of discretion. But the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) disagreed [in April 2024], noting Qatanani's lack of candor, admitted association…

Supreme Court decision allowing mass firings at Education Department ‘is indefensible,’ dissenters say

One person dies every 42 minutes in this country from drunk driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”). Drunk driving is infamous for causing fatal car accidents and semi-truck crashes. Still, many people choose to get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol despite the well-known risks and the severe criminal penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol. Why is drinking so dangerous for a driver? Having been absorbed into the body through the digestive system, alcohol enters the blood stream, moves through the liver, and begins to interact with the central nervous system. It doesn’t take long. It doesn’t take much, either. Even a blood alcohol concentration (“BAC”) of .01 is enough to cause a crash.  Rise to .02 BAC and there is altered mood; some loss in judgment; and declining abilities in vision and in being able to do two things at the same time (like braking and steering). It is…

Submitting a claim to an insurance company might seem straightforward but once you hit “enter” on your submission, there is no telling what might happen. There are also concerns that the insurance company you’re dealing with isn’t honoring the policy. If you suspect that your insurance company has acted unfairly, you may consider filing a bad faith claim. These claims arise when an insurer unreasonably delays, denies, or underpays a valid claim. However, even if the insurer clearly acted in bad faith, the window to take legal action is limited. Nevada law sets a specific time frame in which a bad faith lawsuit must be filed. Waiting too long can result in losing the right to recover damages, regardless of how strong the case might be. Understanding the Legal Deadline In Nevada, most insurance bad faith claims fall under the umbrella of tort law, and the state applies a two-year statute of limitations for these cases. This means a claimant generally has…

El Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS) para ciudadanos de Honduras y Nicaragua está llegando a su fin. Aquí le informamos lo último y qué debe hacer: Estado Actual El TPS para Honduras y Nicaragua expiró el 5 de julio de 2025. El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) anunció que el TPS no será extendido para ninguno de los dos países. Período de transición de 60 días: Los beneficiarios de TPS de ambos países están protegidos y autorizados para trabajar hasta el 8 de septiembre de 2025. Después del 8 de septiembre de 2025, las protecciones y permisos de trabajo relacionados con el TPS terminarán, salvo que haya nuevas acciones legales o cambios de política. ¿Qué Significa Esto? Debe actuar ahora si tiene TPS de Honduras o Nicaragua. Después del período de…

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Honduras and Nicaragua is coming to an end. Here’s the latest information and what you should do next: Current Status TPS for Honduras and Nicaragua expired on July 5, 2025. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that TPS will not be extended for either country. 60-day transition period: TPS holders from both countries are protected and work-authorized until September 8, 2025. After September 8, 2025, TPS-related protections and work authorization will end unless further legal action or policy changes occur. What Does This Mean? You must act now if you are a TPS holder from Honduras or Nicaragua. After the transition period, you may lose your legal status and work authorization. There may be other immigration options available depending on your personal circumstances. Next Steps Contact Caban-Ramirez Law Firm as soon as possible…

Aspiring law clerks are applying and interviewing for clerkships right now. Before The Legal Accountability Project (LAP) launched our nationwide Clerkships Database (aka “Glassdoor for Judges”), clerkship applicants accessed information about judges, if it existed, from their law schools. But schools’ clerkship resources are insufficient at best and misleading at worst. No school knows about all the judges students will apply to, and schools’ information is restricted by who alumni have clerked for in the past and clerks’ willingness to share it. Importantly, schools suffer from misaligned incentives: most are far more interested in funneling students into prestigious clerkships than in ensuring positive work experiences for graduates.  Today’s law students won’t remember a time when clerkship hiring was less than transparent. It’s the second application cycle where applicants benefit from LAP’s Database, a…

Special master to decide whether Quinn Emanuel lawyers must contribute to $3M sanction

When you're injured in an accident, the costs can extend far beyond the initial medical bills or lost wages. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc., we recognize that a fair settlement or judgment must consider not just your current losses—but your future needs as well. That’s why we go beyond the immediate impact and factor in long-term economic trends and potential changes in legislation that could affect the value of your damages. Taking a Forward-Thinking Legal Approach The true cost of an injury often unfolds over time. Long-term medical care, diminished earning capacity, and ongoing pain and suffering are just a few of the future damages that must be accounted for in a comprehensive legal strategy. To ensure that your case reflects the full scope of your injury, we consult with: Medical experts to estimate future treatment and rehabilitation costs Economists and financial analysts to project inflation, wage growth, and cost of living increases Vocational…

Florida Court Reverses Cannabis Trafficking Conviction Due to Insufficient Chemical Testing How the Legal Distinction Between Hemp and Marijuana Redefines Burden of Proof in Drug Cases https://2dca.flcourts.gov/pre_opinion_content_download/2449483In a critical decision for Floridians, the Second District Court of Appeal reversed the cannabis trafficking conviction of Pryce Campbell because the State failed to prove that the weight of cannabis he allegedly possessed met the statutory threshold for trafficking. The ruling in Campbell v. State 2D2023-0651 emphasizes the heightened evidentiary burden the State must meet in the post-hemp legalization era, reinforcing the foundational principle that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt—with clarity, not assumption. Case Overview: Trafficking Charge Based on Untested Substance In July 2022, law enforcement officers at Tampa International Airport used a narcotics K-9 to…

The Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism is holding a hearing tomorrow (July 16) entitled “Too Big to Prosecute?: Examining the AI Industry’s Mass Ingestion of Copyrighted Works for AI Training”. The Subcommittee Chair Senator Josh Hawley is a leading opponent of the AI moratorium safe harbor and the hearing could not have come at a more critical time. We are witnessing a silent upheaval of long-standing principles of property, authorship, and fair competition, orchestrated by some of the wealthiest and most powerful corporations in commercial history–Google, Microsoft, Facebook and Amazon. We’re all well aware of the massive data scraping to train artificial intelligence conducted by these corporate behemoths. But one AI technique that urgently demands closer scrutiny is Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). Unlike traditional large language models (LLMs) that generate text solely based on internal training,…

This month marks the anniversary of Alexander Hamilton’s fateful duel with Vice President Aaron Burr. One life cut short and another ruined because two of the leading lawyers of their day decided to settle their differences by violence instead of talking things out.  Why bring this up in a blog about divorce? Because when a relationship breaks down, some people still reach for the 21st-century equivalent of a dueling pistol: a lawyer whose goal is to turn every case into a cage match. But for many high-asset couples in New Mexico—especially business owners and professionals like doctors, dentists, accountants, and lawyers—there’s a better way forward. Mediation and collaborative law offer smart, strategic alternatives to courtroom conflict, and Attorney Bob Matteucci is working with a growing number of Albuquerque area couples who appreciate this.  Mediation: A Neutral Ground for Settlement If litigation is like a duel, mediation is…