Links of Interest

What we read this week, March 19-23, 2012
 

Judicial Elections and Judiciary Reform:

  • There have been a number of good pieces on PAC money in elections and the Citizens United decision lately. In  case you missed it, back in December, Montana’s Supreme Court upheld (.pdf) Montana’s ban on political expenditures made from the general treasury of a corporation, a part of its anticorruption laws. The ruling is directly contrary to Citizens United. Last month, the Supreme Court of the US stayed the Montana Supreme Court’s ruling, while it considers whether to review the case.

 

Criminal Justice Reform:

  • The American Civil Liberties Union of California issued a report on realignment in the California prison system, which examines jail overcrowding and how to fix it, the state’s bail system, and surveys effective alternatives to incarceration. Silicon Valley’s Mercury News, the California Watch, and San Diego’s KPBS  discuss the report.

 

Other Links of Interest:

  • A trial court in New York dismissed a case filed by former law students claiming employment statistics published by school is misleading and fraudulent. Despite dismissing the Complaint, in part because the damages were too speculative, the Court noted the collective responsibility the profession has toward new lawyers and those considering going to law school.

 

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who attended our Spring Fundraiser at the Paris Club, and thanks again to our honorees for all the work they do:

  • Charles Smith (Skadden and  Chicago Appleseed Board of Directors)—Spirit of Justice Award
  • Paul Homer (DLA Piper)—Social Justice Advocate Award
  • Melvin Flowers and Paul Chadha  (Accenture)—Pro Bono Champion Award.