Law

People in hazmat suits walk around the Fukushima nuclear plant in 2013

‘Alone Again in Fukushima’

On the 10th anniversary of the triple disaster of earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear facility destruction, a film and discussion hosted by the Center for East Asian Studies looked at the calamity’s reverberations.

Kristen de Groot ・

Two incarcerated people seen from above and behind with their hands handcuffed behind their backs outside in a prison yard.

Annenberg researchers use data science skills for social justice

Data scientists at the Annenberg School for Communication are working with the Amistad Law Project to create an open access dashboard of data that can aid efforts to help the incarcerated communiy.

From Annenberg School for Communication, Ashton Yount ・



In the News


Axios

Americans will likely have to navigate a maze of vaccine "passports"

Eric Feldman of the Law School spoke about the legality of businesses requiring proof of vaccination. “In general, private businesses can decide who they're willing to admit into their businesses and serve so long as they don't violate either the federal Civil Rights act or a state law,” he said.

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The New York Times

NRA chief takes the stand, with cracks in his armor

David Skeel of the Law School commented on the NRA’s bankruptcy proceedings, which were filed after Wayne LaPierre, the organization’s executive vice president, gained financial control via a new employment contract. “There’s a real question whether the employment contract was a legitimate authorization for bankruptcy,” said Skeel. “The language is quite vague. It could be construed as simply allowing Wayne LaPierre to make cost-saving organizational changes, not to file a bankruptcy petition.”

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CNBC

Many colleges will require the COVID vaccine—here are some of the challenges ahead

Eric Feldman of the Law School weighed in on COVID vaccine requirements at colleges and universities. “The question is, at Rutgers, for example, where students exercise the exemptions that they’re allowed to exercise, either religious or medical and don’t get back to vaccinated then will they be allowed back on campus?” he asked. “Or will they not be allowed on campus? And what’s Rutgers’ legal responsibility to provide accommodation for them?”

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Associated Press

Why would an expert witness go without pay?

John Hollway of the Law School weighed in on the strategy of Derek Chauvin’s defense attorney, who questioned the neutrality of an expert witness brought forward by the prosecution. Implying that an expert witness is biased could be effective or “it could look like you’re desperate,” Hollway said. “This is why being a trial lawyer is difficult.”

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NPR

Amendment allowing child sexual abuse survivors to sue perpetrators could be years away

Marci Hamilton of the School of Arts & Sciences weighed in on the Pennsylvania Senate’s decision to halt an emergency measure that would have amended the state constitution to allow childhood sexual abuse survivors to pursue civil cases against their abusers. “What we’re hearing [from victims] is that this is just a roller coaster and enough,” says Hamilton.

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The New York Times

Video evidence of police misconduct is not always a guarantee of conviction

David Rudovksy of the Law School said video evidence of George Floyd’s death did not guarantee that Derek Chauvin would be convicted. “None of these are sure things with jurors,” said Rudovsky.

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