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December 2018
Northwestern Law Faculty to Present at Association for American Law Schools 2019 Annual Conference
In early January, a number of Northwestern Pritzker School of Law faculty will be presenting at the 2019 Association for American Law Schools (AALS) Annual Meeting in New Orleans, serving as both section chairs and panel participants and moderators. The theme of this year’s meeting is “Building Bridges.”
November 2018
Legal Eagles: How Military Vets Navigate Law School
From fighter plane cockpits to the courtroom – a look at the lives of veterans who pursue a new career path in law.
Faculty Present Papers at 2018 Conference on Empirical Legal Studies
On November 9-10, the 13th Annual Conference on Empirical Legal Studies (CELS) will be held at the University of Michigan Law School. As in years past, Northwestern Law will be well represented at CELS, which brings together scholars from law, economics, political science, psychology, policy analysis, and other fields who are interested in the empirical analysis of law and legal institutions.
Northwestern Law Broadens Clerkship Network in 2018 and Beyond
In 2018, a diverse group of 49 Northwestern Law alumni secured clerkships with state, federal, and even international courts, continuing the school’s recent clerkship successes. In addition, 22 judges hired Northwestern Law clerks for the first time. “That’s pretty significant and shows that Northwestern applicants are appealing to a broad array of judges,” says Janet Siegel Brown, director of judicial clerkships and a lecturer at Northwestern Law. “We are constantly creating new relationships and pipelines for clerkship opportunities.”
October 2018
Redish and Brill Debate the First Amendment and Commercial Speech
Should we amend the First Amendment? That provocative question was at the center of the October 17 debate between Marty Redish, Northwestern Law’s Louis and Harriet Ancel Professor of Law and Public Policy, and Steve Brill, who founded The American Lawyer and the cable channel Court TV and is the author of the recent bestseller Tailspin: The People and Forces Behind America's Fifty-Year Fall — and Those Fighting to Reverse It.
Bluhm Legal Clinic Kicks Off Its 50th Anniversary Year With Eye Toward the Future
“It’s a passionate public spirit that has really motivated our students and faculty to do the wonderful things they have done, and we keep that spirit by remaining engaged in the most difficulty and frustrating and maybe unpopular issues that face our justice system. We must let that spirit take us where it may. Let many flowers bloom.”
Spotlight on Scholarship: Pedraza-Fariña and Schwartz on Intellectual Property and Patent Law
On October 3, Northwestern welcomed Judges Evan J. Wallach, Jimmie V. Reyna, and Richard G. Taranto of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to Thorne Auditorium to hear oral arguments. The arguments, covering patents and federal employment law, touched on issues being explored in faculty scholarship: Laura Pedraza-Fariña and David Schwartz specialize in the complicated issues of intellectual property and patent law.
Emily Kadens Elected to the American Law Institute
Emily Kadens, Professor of Law, has been elected as a new member of the American Law Institute (ALI), the leading independent U.S. organization producing scholarly work to clarify, modernize and otherwise improve the law. The elected membership of ALI consists of distinguished judges, lawyers and law professors from the U.S. and abroad.
"Making a Murderer" Part 2: Q&A with Brendan Dassey's Attorneys, Professors Steven Drizin and Laura Nirider
In late 2015, the docuseries Making a Murderer premiered on Netflix, quickly becoming a worldwide sensation. The series featured the case of Brendan Dassey, a client of the Bluhm Legal Clinic’s Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth (CWCY), who was convicted alongside his uncle Steven Avery in the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach. Here, in advance of Part Two’s premiere, Northwestern Law Professors Laura Nirider and Steven Drizin reveal what viewers can expect and discuss how the success of Making a Murderer has impacted their work.
Jim Speta, Harry R. Horrow Professor in International Law, Appointed Vice Dean
Professor Jim Speta was recently appointed Vice Dean of Northwestern Pritzker School of Law by Dean Kim Yuracko. In his new role, Speta will oversee the Law School’s international programs and initiatives, its new professional development initiatives, the Center for Practice Engagement and Innovation, and external outreach. He will also serve as the new host of the Law School podcast, Planet Lex.
Classes Cancelled for Day of Civic Service on Election Day
Classes at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law will be cancelled on Election Day — Tuesday, November 6 — to allow students and faculty to fully participate in a Day of Civic Service.
Paradigm Shifters: Ron Allen, Martin Redish, and Deborah Tuerkheimer on Changing the Conversation
One of the jobs of a law professor is to look at long-held beliefs with a critical eye and offer insights that may change widespread understanding of pressing legal issues. Erin F. Delaney, associate dean of faculty and research, sat down with three professors who are in different stages of doing just that.
September 2018
Gordon S. Wood, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Historian, to Deliver Lincoln Lecture
Wood’s talk, “The Revolutionary Origins of the Civil War” will pull from his prolific and impactful scholarship over the last five decades.
Spotlight on Scholarship: Pfander, Delaney and Kadens on the British Judicial System
On Tuesday, September 25, The Right Honourable Lord Wilson of Culworth will visit Northwestern Law as the 2018 Trienens Visiting Judicial Scholar. Lord Wilson continues the Law School’s long history of engagement with issues of comparative and foreign law. The current faculty has a depth and breadth of knowledge of the British judicial system—producing scholarship on the influence of the Scottish court system on the early American judiciary, the evolution and power of the UK Supreme Court, and English legal history more broadly.
Ceremony Celebrates Installation of Yuracko as Dean
On September 6, Kimberly Yuracko was formally installed as the dean of Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in a Lincoln Hall ceremony attended by University President Morton Schapiro, Provost Jonathan Holloway, and many members of the Northwestern Law community. Also recognized at the ceremony was Janice Nadler, who was named Nathaniel L. Nathanson Chair in 2017.
Federal Circuit to Hear Arguments at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law will host the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit as part of its October 2018 session in Chicago.
August 2018
Bulls' Jabari Parker, Superintendent Eddie Johnson, Father Pfleger to Speak at Clinic's Access to Social Justice Symposium
On Wednesday, September 12, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law’s Bluhm Legal Clinic and the Action Injury Law Group will host the inaugural Access to Social Justice Symposium, a gathering of experts at the cutting edge of social justice advocacy.
July 2018
Professor Kathleen Dillon Narko to Receive ABA Liberty Achievement Award
Kathleen Dillon Narko, Clinical Professor of Law, will receive the 2018 Liberty Achievement Award from the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. The award recognizes lawyers and judges who have actively promoted diversity in the legal profession.
Making the Law a Laughing Matter
Before ever appearing in a court of law, Professors Jason C. DeSanto, K.M. Zouhary, and Stephen Reed had all gotten comfortable commanding the stage as improv players. Find out why they consider it an integral part of their legal and academic careers. This article originally ran in the Spring 2018 issue of the Northwestern Law Reporter.
June 2018
Dean Daniel B. Rodriguez Named Chair of ABA Center on Innovation
The American Bar Association’s Center for Innovation has appointed Dean Daniel B. Rodriguez as the new chair of its governing council.
Giving Voice to the Law School’s Past
The newest collection in the Pritzker Legal Research Center doesn’t contain a single book, journal or article. Instead, the Law School library has been hard at work archiving records of a completely different sort: taped conversations. This article originally ran in the Spring 2018 issue of the Northwestern Law Reporter.
See Jane Run: Three Northwestern Law Alumnae Share Their Experiences in Politics
This article originally ran in the Spring 2018 issue of the Northwestern Law Reporter.
May 2018
Lawyers Writing Fiction: Northwestern Law Faculty Talk about Their Careers as Novelists
Professors Michael Barsa and Michelle Falkoff, the authors of two novels out now, discuss their latest books, how they balance their legal work and writing, and the one skill that all lawyers – and all novelists – need.
No Easy Fix: How Northwestern Law Is Taking On Chicago’s Gun Violence Epidemic
The Spring 2018 issue of the Northwestern Law Reporter looks at the recent series of talks on Chicago's gun violence epidemic led by former U.S. Attorney and distinguished visiting scholar Zach Fardon, as well as ongoing efforts across the Law School.
Joseph Becker Wins Outstanding Student Award from Clinical Legal Education Association
Earlier this month, Joseph Becker (JD ’18) became the first Northwestern Pritzker School of Law student to win the Clinical Legal Education Association (CLEA)’s Outstanding Student Award for his work in the Bluhm Legal Clinic’s Civil Litigation Center.
Lanny and Sharon Martin Atrium Dedicated
On Thursday, April 19, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law formally dedicated the south atrium addition as the Lanny and Sharon Martin Atrium, in recognition of the Martins’ extraordinary philanthropy and volunteer leadership.
“Beyond Our Borders” Dares the Legal Industry to Change
On May 3-4, legal industry thought leaders from around the world gathered at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law for “Beyond Our Borders”, a global innovation summit on the changing landscape of the legal ecosystem. The conference consisted of twelve different panels, presentations, and networking events that tackled the future of the legal industry at a time when technological advances, new delivery models and a rapidly-shifting marketplace are transforming the profession.
Convocation Honors Northwestern Law Class of 2018
On Friday, May 11, over 500 graduates were joined by faculty, family, and friends for the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law’s 2018 convocation ceremony at the Chicago Theatre.
Amy Martin Joins CFJC As Immigration Law Fellow
Amy Martin joined the Bluhm Legal Clinic's Children and Family Justice Center (CFJC) as Immigration Law Fellow on May 1. The two-year fellowship was established last year by generous donations to the Clinic Annual Fund in recognition of the pressing immigration issues of our time and the CFJC's role at the vanguard of immigration advocacy.
April 2018
Minow Debate Shows No Neutral Sides on Net Neutrality
On Tuesday, Northwestern Law hosted the second Newt and Jo Minow Debate, “Preserve Net Neutrality: All Data is Created Equal,” to a packed Thorne Auditorium. After a lively and sometimes heated ninety minutes, the team arguing against the motion won out, swaying eight percent of the audience to their side.
March 2018
Dean Daniel B. Rodriguez Inducted into College of Law Practice Management Class of 2018 Fellows
The College of Law Practice Management has inducted Daniel B. Rodriguez, Dean and Harold Washington Professor at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, as a Fellow in its Class of 2018. Induction into the Fellowship program is given to "law practice management specialists who consistently exemplify the highest professional standards and achievements," according to the College.
From Tribal Council to Torts and Contracts: Talking with Survivor Contestant Ryan Ulrich
Just months before starting his first year at Northwestern Law, Ryan Ulrich (JD ’20) competed on the 35th season of Survivor.
Northwestern Law Launches Suite of Spring 2018 Law-Tech Offerings
This Spring, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law will launch "Navigating the Future of Law," a series of events focused on how technology is changing legal services. These events, which are open to the entire Northwestern Law community, offer students, faculty and alumni an opportunity to hear from the business leaders, technologists, design thinkers, educators and attorneys who are changing the global legal landscape.
Sharon Y. Bowen (JD-MBA '82) to Address Law School Class of 2018
Northwestern Law is thrilled to welcome Sharon Y. Bowen (JD-MBA '82), former Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, to deliver the main convocation address to the Class of 2018 on Friday, May 11.
February 2018
Bartlit Center Team Wins National Trial Competition’s Midwest Regional
Garrett Fields (JD ‘18) and Kelyn Smith (JD ‘19) won the Midwest regional of the National Trial Competition.
Northwestern Law Team Wins National Moot Court Competition
On February 1, a team from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law won the New York City Bar Association’s National Moot Court competition for the first time in the 68-year history of the contest. Taylor Mullaney (JD ’18), LJ Pavletic (JD ’18), and Brendan Gerdes (JD ’18) beat a team from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law to take home the top prize.
CWCY Client Corey Batchelor Exonerated on Murder Charge
On January 30, Corey Batchelor, a client of the Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth and the Exoneration Project, and his co-defendant Kevin Bailey were exonerated in the 1989 murder of Lula Mae Woods, the wife of a retired Chicago police officer.
ABA's The Tax Lawyer Journal Shifts Publication to Northwestern Law
The Tax Section of the American Bar Association has finalized an agreement with the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law to engage students from the full-time Tax LL.M. Program as student editors of its flagship journal, The Tax Lawyer.
January 2018
How Northwestern Law's Innovation Lab Teaches Students to Think Differently
In the Innovation Lab, students are tasked with using technology
to address challenges in the legal system. Sometimes, says one
instructor, that means turning law school lessons on their head.