I noticed a small courtesy in this week’s cases. The world can be a pretty harsh place. So when we have an opportunity to offer an earned compliment, we should take it. Courtesy and kindness, after all, are never wasted. In Drielak v. Pruitt, Judge Randolph (joined by Judges Henderson and Katsas*) affirmed the district […]
For two days this week, there was a mystery in the D.C. Circuit: Why did the Court rule against “James Mattis, in his official capacity as Secretary of Defense” in Doe v. Mattis? As you probably already know, the case is about the government’s authority to transfer a U.S. citizen — also a citizen of […]
Perusing the internet, I see that a study suggests cable news may make one less informed about the world. What a depressing thought. My instinct is to question such a claim, at least if the point is taken too far. Although, no doubt, there are often much better ways to gain information and televised news […]
Ever since I was a 2L, I’ve had a soft spot for Judge David Sentelle. It is not because he is a “very bright and capable” jurist — though he surely is that. And it is not because he is a published author — though his book is quite good. It is not even because […]
Scholarship takes a hit when the flurry that is the end of the second semester arrives. It takes time to write exams; host review sessions; meet with nervous students; and sometimes even reach out to potential employers about students who are still looking for summer slots. Hence, when April comes around, I’ve learned that for […]
Warning: Unless you enjoy reading docket entries, this is not an especially exciting post. A few months ago I authored a post called “Bye-Bye, Browning-Ferris.” There, I addressed the NLRB’s decision to overrule Browning-Ferris, a precedent which had “made it easier for unions to go after franchisees and contractors. Before Browning-Ferris, companies were ‘joint employers’ […]
There are many talented people in this world. Some people can sing; others can dance; others still can pole vault, run regressions, mimic bird calls, entertain large crowds with wit and charm, or even switch hit. Alas, I can do none of those things. Instead, I have only two real skills: I can (1) sleep […]
Let me begin with a confession: I’m not an expert on the meaning of the Appointments Clause. Of course, because I teach administrative law, I know the basics — I’ve read the leading cases and even some law review articles. Even so, I approach this symposium as a layman, not an expert. Yet even as […]
It’s hard to be a parent. Kids these days, after all, confront an avalanche of messages. How are they supposed to process a world where so much is happening so quickly? Plus media is no help. Even child-friendly content can be surreal. And don’t get me started on today’s music! “Rolly, Rolly, Rolly,” indeed. Sometimes, […]
Apologies. This post is another quick one — sono occupato. A few months back my duteous research assistants* put together a list of D.C. Circuit law clerks who became law professors. Since then, they have kept at it. Although it also is no doubt incomplete, here is an updated list: It’s a noteworthy list, especially […]
We love mysteries here at Notice & Comment — especially mysteries about the D.C. Circuit. And this week we have a humdinger of a mystery. As co-blogger Chris Walker highlighted a few days ago, Abbe Gluck and Richard Posner have just published Statutory Interpretation on the Bench: A Survey of Forty-Two Judges on the Federal […]
Last month I participated in a fascinating symposium hosted by the Center for Compliance Studies at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. The topic was “What is the Role of a Regulation if it is Not Enforced?” As background, in 2017 I studied waivers and exemptions for the Administrative Conference of the United States. That […]
The D.C. Circuit did a rare thing this week — in fact, it did it twice. It revisited opinions that the Court had already issued. In Detroit International Bridge v. Government of Canada, the Court “reissued” an opinion from several months ago by making a few minor changes. And in American Petroleum Institute v. EPA, […]
Jon Michaels has written an important book — and I say that even though I suspect that he and I disagree about many things! Although the administrative state has value, it also “has its share of problems.” For instance, the federal government sometimes overreaches in “ominous” and even “crushing” ways. Like the Chief Justice, I’m […]
Before jumping into this week’s post, I want to express appreciation for and to the D.C. Circuit Clerk’s Office. The D.C. Circuit is closed today because of the weather. The good folks in the Clerk’s Office, however, still docketed the Court’s opinion. Sincere thanks — you are professionals. Also, this week the D.C. Circuit announced […]