legal fee

Associate Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant

2011-10-21T23:11:00.000-07:00

Associate Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, speaking at the New Lawyer Ethics Program, held at the Utah Law & Justice Center, on October 20, 2011. His topic was professionalism, civility & practicing Law

F. McKay Johnson

2011-07-21T12:59:00.000-07:00

Legally Enforceable Puns

2011-01-20T11:58:00.000-08:00

I think its fun (=nerd) to look for typos in legal databases. What else are they really good for?

"The husband's estate received a martial deduction." PA Bank & Trust Co. v. US. It must have been the estate of Chuck Norris.

"unclear hands" City of Reno v. Nevada First Thrift. There is also a rule against translucent hands. . .

"a patter of behavior" Chun v. NY. What, no pitter?

"He clamed Banker called him on the night in question." State v. Martinez. There's something fishy about that.

"probate of the decadents will" Lefkowitz v. Bank of New York. By coincidence, the word "taste" in Spanish can be translated as "probar."

"He contests the members hip" Gibson v. Babbitt. The membership's connected to the knee bone.

"by warranty dead." Jackson v. United States Postal Service. This is the opposite of a living will.

"the fist element." Home Health Care Affil. V. North American Indem. Also look out for the second and turd elements.

"the implied convent of good faith and fair dealing." Horn v. Provident Life & Acc. Ins. Co. Sounds impliedly religious.

"he singed the document." US v. Melendez Santiago. And technically, singing a document (much like signing one) could be legally significant if intended as an identifying mark.

"[the defendant] could not be liable to the Owners for beach of contract." HUD Cienega Gardens v. US. Otherwise, damages would be measured in star fish and cigarette butts.

"The revised promissory not was never presented." DeClaire v. G & B MCINTOSH FAMILY LTD. This one can be read either as a typo on note, or as a really awesome double negative.

"a communication with tis attorney waived his attorney-client privilege." US v. Jackson. Spell Check: tis a dangerous thing.

"The maximum penalty here under the new federal statue would be a maximum of $786 million." In Re Valdez. Beware the pigeon poo.

Fictitious payee checks are not to be deemed payable to bear unless the signer thereof is aware of the fraud. Edgington v. Security-First National Bank. I can haz commercial paper?

"The state court authorized the receiver to mange the partnership." In re StatePark Building Group, Ltd. Gross, mange is a skin parasite.

"Plaintiff is barred by the principles of red judicata." George v. McClure. Hey, let's replace all the latin with basic colors.

"An Ohio law establishing an early fling deadline for independent candidates." Citizens for Legislative Choice v. Miller. Sounds scandalous.

"The defendant is entitled to a trail by jury." Petersen v. Vallenzano. However, the trail need not be paved.

Estate Planning CLE

2010-12-09T19:17:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the Presenters:
Randy M. Lish presented on a few topics. Plus he went to school with my boss.
Ariane H. Dansie also presented twice. And this is the second lawyer I've drawn from Durham Jones & Pinegar, since I also drew an adjunct professor from DPJ.

John A. Snow presented on Ethics, and he has all the rules memorized. So I'm sure he'd appreciate this one.

My Kind of Deadline

2010-10-28T17:56:00.001-07:00

"No later than January 1, 20100."

Aaron R. Harris, J.D.

2010-10-08T22:37:00.000-07:00

Aaron's an associate at the firm I work for. Here he is asking for a bench warrant on an opposing party that failed to appear. As soon as the judge agreed, opposing counsel came walking in. Those bench warrants work quick!

CLE

2010-09-21T12:05:00.001-07:00

Ha. This is just like law school.

Red Tape and Hoops (on fire)

2010-09-17T07:32:00.001-07:00

The Utah Bar uses this little image for its "Member Services." I knew that the Bar makes people jump through all sorts of hoops. But this particular hoop appears to be on fire. I think it's a picture of me submitting a second copy of my UT driver's record thanks to the "we have too many rules to write them all down" incident. So, is this a rare example of bureaucratic humor? Albeit very dark, acerbic humor, and at my expense.

Those Heartles Tax Regs

2010-09-13T19:33:00.000-07:00

"love . . .is to be wholly disregarded." Reg §25.2512-8.

Idaho Legal Aid Services

2010-08-26T13:57:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite parts of law school was working at Idaho Legal Aid Services. I became a great fan of consumer protection laws. Two of their attorneys are pictured below, and you can see a few others here.

Ritchie Eppink

Howard Belodoff

BarBri = Ripoff

2010-07-23T12:26:00.001-07:00

BarBri's "most up-to-date materials" for Utah have been awful and useless. For example, 16 years ago in American Vending, Utah's courts "extinguished the doctrine of de facto corporations." See if that's in your Utah materials. What's worse, it appears that what information is there hasn't been reviewed for 5 or 6 years. It's lame that BarBri didn't notice that Utah's probate code was changed this summer. But 6 years out-of date? That's a ripoff.

A.
BarBri botches Utah's capital punishment law:

If the court imposes the judgment of death, the defendant is entitled to select, at the time of sentencing, either a firing squad or a lethal injection as the method of execution; however, if no selection is made, the judgment of death must be by lethal injection. [§77-18-5.5]

That version of the statute was superseded in 2004. Ever since it was Amended by Chapter 51, in 2004, the statute has provided that "lethal intravenous injection" has been the only "option" offered with a death sentence. This mistake is found under the subsection "UTAH CRIMINAL PROCEDURE," pg. 10-11.

B.
BarBri biffs Utah’s version of Model Rule of Professional Conduct 1.17:

Utah has only adopted part of Rule 1.17 relating to the sale of a law practice. Utah requires only provision iii) that seller’s clients be notified in writing of the sale, of any change in fee arrangements, the client’s right to retain other counsel or take possession of their file and that their consent to the sale is presumed if there is no objection or response in 90 days.

In reality, Utah’s rule includes all 4 parts of model rule 1.17, and has since a 2005 amendment. Utah’s rule specifically prohibits any increase in fees in connection with the sale of a law practice. This mistake is under the subsection “UTAH PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY," Pg 2.

C.
BarBri bungles the grounds for modifying a custody decree in Utah:

The court may order, modify, or terminate joint legal or physical custody if:
a. the circumstances of the child or one or both of the parents have materially and substantially changed; or
b. a modification would be an improvement for and in the best interest of the child. [§30-10.4(1).]

In reality, there is only one test. § 30-10.4 provides an “and” where BarBri says “or.” The code’s conjunctive test is misrepresented as two alternative tests. This has been true at least since the 2007 amendments. This mistake is in the subsection “UTAH FAMILY LAW” pg. 15.

D.
BarBri butchers the statute of limitations for collecting back child support. In the Essay Approach Outline for Utah civil procedure, BarBri pulls this out of its hat as part of a list of SOL's:

8 years- child support

Um, actually, the SOL isn't even a fixed number of years at all. I don't know where they got 8 years, but the statute gives until the last child turns 18 plus 4 years. As far as I can tell, it's been that way for years and years and years.

Conclusion
Ripoff.

Admin Law with Roberto Corrada

2010-07-03T09:51:00.001-07:00

Roberto Corrada gave a rather straightforward lecture on admin law. Some say that admin agencies are the 4th branch of government. These are so called "functionalists." I see them as a conglomerate of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd combined.

Con Law with Erwin Chemerinsky

2010-06-16T17:48:00.001-07:00

I had the law school text book by Chemerinsky, but I preferred to use his treatise, which skipped the case-law method blather. As a lecturer, it turns out that Mr. Chemerinsky likes a lot of puns. They seem prepared and forced, but if nothing else, the pain helps us stay awake. This is my 2nd draft, which I hope is an improvement over the first.

Evidence with Vincent Alexander

2010-06-14T19:12:00.000-07:00

Contracts with David Epstein

2010-06-07T13:54:00.001-07:00

Prof. Epstein lectures on contracts for Barbri, and writes "the best contracts and sales casebook." His lectures are actually very good, and include a fair bit of humor. Ah gathah he's from Texas.

Mary Goza

2010-06-07T13:30:00.000-07:00

Mary Goza is some sort of regional director for Barbri, though they don't seem to acknowledge her online. This is taken straight out of my Barbri in class workbook, so you'll see some exciting arial font on the left side.

Professor Douglas Moll

2010-05-19T13:54:00.001-07:00

Beware the duck call.

Professor Lisa McElroy

2010-05-19T10:34:00.001-07:00

I am now 3 days into BarBri and it's not so bad. It's not exactly fast paced yet. This here lecturer covered Con Law and Torts. If you take the pre-tests, DO NOT look at the answers to those questions. If you do, you will be bored to tears during the lectures covering the same material.

Red Judicata

2010-04-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

This court refers to the "affirmative defense of red judicata and collateral estoppel." Red judicata is like res judicata, only red.

Marshall v. New Horizons, Inc.,Slip Copy, 2009 WL 2983169, D.Conn., September 14, 2009 (NO. 3:08 CV 633 JBA)

L3

2010-03-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

"3L" means a law student in his or her final year of law school before entering the profession.

"L3" is apparently a parasitic larvae in its third, and final stage, of development before it enters the host. Well that's disturbing.

Dean James Rasband; Hugh W. Colton Professor of Law

2010-03-09T09:23:00.000-08:00

Dean Rasband teaches a class on public lands and natural resources. His lectures often raise controversial issues, which in turn trigger entertaining comments from the class. My favorite comment, duly noted in my class notes, was this zoological gem: "That's how it happens with monkeys. The monkey that can forage the best is the monkey that can beat all the other monkeys out of its lands." I'm not sure what that means, you might want to check the recordings for January 14, 2010.

PRINCE, YEATES & GELDZAHLER

2010-02-11T20:20:00.000-08:00

Mr. Adam S. Affleck, of Prince, Yeates & Geldzahler, argues on a motion for summary judgment. In this case, the crucial issue was a very important coma which was omitted in a very important legal filing. By way of random example, "LLC & M, L.L.C." and "LLC & M. L.L.C." are two distinct entities registered in Utah (see the coma?). The motion for summary judgment was granted.

Still life with 3L and Temptation

2010-02-10T10:33:00.001-08:00

Professor Gordon Smith

2010-02-09T22:36:00.000-08:00

Professor Smith teaches Law and Entrepreneurship. Prof. Smith has Wisconsin connections, so we get stories about that state's entrepreneurs. The caption, which he technically never really said, is based loosely on his jokes about Wisconsin. But to my surprise, I discovered that his most recent blog post at the Conglomerate is on the topic of the cheese industry: Endangered Cheeses.

Reese Hansen, Howard W. Hunter Professor of Law

2010-02-03T10:36:00.000-08:00

Professor Hansen teaches the Law of Trusts. The textbook was written by him, Dallin H. Oaks, and two other guys. This drawing is a choppy photoshop doodle, which detracted its quality, but the convenience was wonderful.

"Students Can Get Burned"

2010-01-04T09:02:00.000-08:00

Thus we have been warned by Jennifer Berry, general manager at the BYU Bookstore ("The Store With More"). She speaks of the hazards of purchasing textbooks online. Berry points out that students are so stupid they often order the wrong edition the night before the final exam from a vendor in Nigeria (who also needs help getting their billion dollar inheritance). Therefore, come to the bookstore where, "we guarantee the right book at the right time" unless it's last semester's family law textbook, which came 2 months late. This semester I was careful to distinguish between 2's and 8's in edition numbers and got all my books off Barnes and Noble. Have I been burned?

ISBN________Condition__BYU*____B&N + Shipping

9781599412351----Used----$108.85--------$41.48
9780735524699----Used----$112.00--------$37.49
9780820559933----Used------$85.65--------$28.99
9781599413440----NEW----$152.55-------$114.40
--------------------TOTAL-------$459.05--------$222.36

*Information and pricing on this page is subject to change. Please see the Bookstore for the latest information.

Merry Christmas, Free Exercise Clause

2009-12-16T17:00:00.000-08:00

BYU put this tree up in its law library. I really liked having Christmas trees around during finals. As a university, BYU is bureaucratic by definiton. But as a private instittuion, it has one less layer of bureaucracy than other state universities. How nice. I'm sure that certain grinches are working on "fixing" that unfairness. But in the mean time, merry Christmas from BYU.

UI crushes BYU in Spam Race

2009-12-05T19:52:00.000-08:00

The semseter is over, and UI wins 761 to 480 in my great administrative spam race. That's over 1,200 emails! Both law schools gave noble efforts and sent constant emails about everything from examtaking software to library etiquette. However, right off the starting line, BYU's sabbath day observance and heavier bureaucracy (e.g., requiring Lawmailer approval for bulk emails) dragged it down. The results are shown below, showing each school's running total. Level stretches represent zero emails, usually weekends or holidays.

Bankruptcy Court uses Parasitic Mites:

2009-12-04T20:15:00.000-08:00

"the state court authorized the receiver to mange the partnership"

In re StatePark Building Group, Ltd., 316 B.R. 466, 471 (Bkrtcy.N.D.Tex.,2004).
http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/opinions/pdf/2004-33916-100.pdf at 5.

Professor Jose "Pepe" Silva

2009-12-04T16:21:00.000-08:00

Professor Silva teaches Hispanic Street Law here at BYU. The class is a real eye opener. For example, check out this cartoon flowchart on immigration law. It addresses the question why immigrants don't come the legal way (hint: it takes 20 years). Many immigrants come legally but stay longer than their visas permit. This is technically the correct way to cross the border. And "technically correct" is the best kind of correct-- the law makes a huge distinction regarding this technicality.

What's so bad about Good Samaritans (in the law)?

2009-12-03T13:24:00.000-08:00

Utah’s Good Samaritan Act provides:

A person who renders emergency care . . .during an emergency, gratuitously and in good faith, is not liable for any civil damages or penalties as a result of any act or omission by the person rendering the emergency care, unless the person is grossly negligent or caused the emergency.

Why can't Rule 14-802 (prohibiting the Unauthorized Practice of Law) have a similar exception for legal emergencies?

A person who renders emergency [legal services]. . .during an emergency, gratuitously and in good faith, is not liable for any civil damages or penalties as a result of any act or omission by the person rendering the emergency [legal services], unless the person is grossly negligent or caused the emergency.

A "legal emergency" could be defined as a case involving an (1) indigent (2) defendant (3) with no access to professional services (4) ill-equipped to represent themselves. (Eg., a 75 year old who can't afford rent but is being sued over medical bills, and who doesn't speak any English.)

Normally I’d agree that a layman in court is a bad idea. I also normally prefer a doctor over some witness to a car accident with no medical training. A Spanish speaking senior citizen with a high school education is a layman among laypersons, and a legal emergency justifying whatever help is available, even less-than-professional help if that's all that is available. If lawyers won't volunteer themselves they should step aside and let somebody, anybody, help. Instead, the current system would punish any legal Good Samaritans.

COUNSELING & ETHICS IN UTAH DIVORCE PRACTICE

2009-11-23T12:54:00.000-08:00

I attended this CLE for Family Law at BYU. It was rather interesting, and I got a cookie. Two of the speakers are featured below.
Tamara Fackrell, J.D., spoke on mediation in divorce. She asked attorneys to disclose to mediators what "hot spot" issues their clients have. Apparently these are issues which instantly trigger tantrums. Divorce clients are understandably under a lot of strain. Here's an interesting thought: If a client is really too angry and irrational to be coached and trusted to behave at mediation, maybe disclosing "hot spots" to the mediator is impliedly authorized by rule 1.14(c) to protect the interest of a "client with a diminished capacity."

Bert L. Dart, Jr., J.D., spoke on civility among lawyers. He said civility is being emphasized more yet practiced less. He introduced me to the term "paid hater." This is an attorney who attempts to serve the client by adopting their client's anger and despicable tactics (their diminished capacity). These lawyers quickly burn out at work, and quickly burn through their credibility at the bar.

Senior Law Librarian and Assistant Director of Externships, Steven E. Averett

2009-11-20T16:10:00.000-08:00

The first person I met at BYU was Steve Averett. He introduced himself, asked if I was a new student, congratulated me on getting in, and offered me a tour. I happened to sit across from him duringa CLE today. There's no caption here, but I think the peaceful style of this drawing refects his personality.

Professor Paul Durham

2009-11-03T19:26:00.000-08:00

Professor Paul Durham teaches Law Practice Management in addition to working as a real lawyer at a big law firm. The class is unique in that it focuses on actually practicing law, as opposed to the more typical tangential relationship to the Bar Exam. For example, the older an account receivable gets the less likely it is that it will ever be paid. I can apply that to myself: if I quit paying my bills so promptly I could pay fewer of them.

Professor Stephen Wood

2009-10-21T14:50:00.000-07:00

Administrative law has been an eye opener for the cinic in me. The constitution is the one legal document that most non-lawyers have at least heard of. And it calls for, I thought, 3 Branches of Government. That makes me a "Formalist." That's too bad, because the Supreme Court has already explained that my sort of claim "cannot turn on a cursory reference to the language of [the constitution]." Anyway, when you're as smart as the Supreme Court, you can see that between the lines and penumbras of the constitution there are 4 branches of government.

Consistency in the law:

2009-10-15T16:14:00.001-07:00

Law in the 19th Century:

It is quite true that these proceedings would have cost you many hundreds of pounds, whereas you probably have not as many pence. But the law makes no distinction between rich and poor.

* * *

Law in the 21st Century:

The clerk cannot give you legal advice. If you need legal assistance you should see a lawyer. If you cannot afford a private lawyer, legal services may* be available.

* * *

Professor (Judge) Dee Benson

2009-10-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

I have drawn professors before, and I have drawn sitting judges before, and I have drawn a professor who used to be a judge, but this is my first time to have a class from a sitting judge: Evidence with Professor Dee Benson. It's also my first class with more than 200 people in it.

3L Jarom Ricks

2009-09-14T14:56:00.000-07:00

Professor Lynn D, Wardle

2009-09-10T11:40:00.001-07:00

If anybody knows better Latin, please help. Prof. Wardle teaches family law. The textbook starts with a quote that I like a lot:

How small of all that human hearts endure,
that part which laws or kings can cause or cure.

-Samuel Johnson, Lines Added to Goldsmith's Traveller

Professor Rust Tippett

2009-09-02T16:35:00.000-07:00

So far in Wills and Estates we've covered basic concepts, but pretty soon I think we'll get to the part about the lives of the rich and messed up.

Anouncing The Great Administrative Spam Race

2009-09-01T19:22:00.000-07:00

The University of Idaho College of Law and the Brigham Young University Law School have agreed [sort of] to hold a race to see which institution can generate the most administrative emails in a semester. Being 1/2 Vandal and 1/2 Cougar (a "Vougar") I will collect emails from both schools and announce the results at the end of the semester.

So Vandals and Cougars, whether you're cleaning out the fridge at your law school or your club is announcing the third reminder of it's second announcement of a meeting, now is the time to re-double your efforts!

Here at BYU

2009-08-25T08:47:00.001-07:00

Here's a random BYU law student from one of my classes. Time will tell if it's a good caricature at all. So my admin law book starts out with this quote:

Keep in mind that circularity is not always ridiculous

Can that be a good sign? It then quotes Shakespeare:

Though this be madness , yet there is method in't.

Should be a rad class.

F. McKay Johnson, J.D., LL.M.

2009-08-13T17:04:00.001-07:00

This is your Brain on Law School

2009-07-17T10:24:00.001-07:00

Before Law School:

After 2L year:

Good Lawyers of Business

2009-07-14T09:08:00.000-07:00

I'm still studying for the MPRE. I disagree with the ABA's distinction between personal offenses and public offenses. Take comment 2 to 8.4:

"some matters of personal morality, such as adultery, . . .have no specific connection to fitness for the practice of law"

Who writes these rules anyway, the ABA or Hollywood? In most cases, adultery (which by definition is commited by a married person) ought to violate 8.4(c) as conduct involving deceit (to family members) or misrepresentation (broken wedding vows). By ignoring the tragedy of such personal failures, the ABA plays the role of an unreformed Mr. Scrooge, "But you were always a good man of business, Jacob"

Harsh Critics

2009-07-13T15:11:00.000-07:00

These two books caught my eye in the University of Idaho College of Law Library. Ironically, both are written in classic legal writing format complete with footnotes. They aren't as interesting as they might seem: one is merely a vendetta against three particular professors, and the other is a university's self-diagnosis and administrative spiel about improving its law school.

Coming Soon

2009-07-09T08:16:00.000-07:00

(Cover design by T.D.W.)

You know you're a law student if. . .

2009-07-07T09:40:00.000-07:00

You laugh at this flash card:

Could there be discrimination against a one-of-a-kind like Humpty Dumpty? It seems difficult to distinguish between unkind acts based on a dislike for giant eggs, versus unkind acts based on personal dislike for Humpty Dumpty, the world's only sentient giant egg.

The Law School Applicant Pool

2009-07-02T10:46:00.000-07:00

Concordia University Law School opens in Boise in 2011. When that day comes, Concordia will take a real bite out of UI's Moscow-based applicant pool. UI, you should have got there first.

Professor Bridy

2009-06-26T15:26:00.001-07:00

Copyright is a sad topic. Rights Owners will stop at nothing to reduce talent to dollars. Next they will go for cochlear implants that automatically debit one's bank account whenever protected work becomes audible.

I met an attorney this summer who believes that Congress/the Supreme Court will not extend the term of copyright again. Oh, to have such faith.

Sketches

2009-06-26T14:58:00.001-07:00

When I was a 1L, I took notes by hand. . . at least sometimes. Recognize anybody?

Discrimination Against Monogamists

2009-05-21T11:13:00.001-07:00

Sorry, this isn't funny. I ran across this disgraceful post on a law professor's blog.

“However, the [BYU Law School's] Honor Code requires all members of the university community to manifest a strict commitment to the law of chastity”

A lot of law firms would refuse to hire people on this basis alone, figuring that a refusal to have irresponsible flings in law school deprives someone of empathy for most clients. How could someone possibly related [sic] to someone going though [sic] a divorce if they went to a law school which says "no sex."

If people want to argue that sexuality matters, that's fine, I agree. I'll advocate Monogamy and you can advocate the empathy-building virtues of irresponsible flings. Just don't do it under the guise of "sexual diversity."

Checking for Grades

2009-05-20T10:22:00.002-07:00

This is an old cartoon I did, but still true. It's that time of year again. Some people are very Zen about their grades, maybe they never look at all. For those of you who are obsessive compulsive freaks, I recommend the FireFox Add-on Reload Every. It will keep your session from ever timing out by automatically reloading every x minutes, you'll never need the f5 key again. So really, you're only checking once every time you boot up. Sounds like healthy behavior to me!

A light at the end of the tunnel

2009-05-15T12:14:00.001-07:00

2L year is over! The bookstore is not buying very much back this year, but yet there is hope. A light can be seen at the end of the tunnel. Represented here through my slightly modified copy of Constitutional Law, 2nd Edition. Curse you 3rd edition. Curse you.

Professor Trapper Stewart

2009-05-01T17:12:00.001-07:00

uI've never had a class from Professor Stewart, but he did come and guest lecture in Professional Responsibility.

Texas!

2009-05-01T17:06:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Eric here for bringing Inter Alia back from the dead.

Sarah

2009-05-01T17:04:00.001-07:00

The 24, 7, 365 Rule

2009-05-01T17:01:00.000-07:00

President, Sergeant-at-arms Emeritus

2009-04-27T17:17:00.001-07:00

In general, I'm suspicious of student governments. However, in this case I have to give them props, nay, KUDOS, for installing an art scanner in the basement of the law library.

Lawyer cartoons with sock puppets

2009-04-18T08:44:00.000-07:00

This cartoon (above) is by Charles Fincher in 2008. Fincher has used sock puppets in his lawyer cartoons as a reoccurring theme. Below is a cartoon posted by David Mills in 2009. I usually love his work, but this is unoriginal. He copied Fincher's idea, held a caption contest for it, and posted it as a new cartoon. A good idea if you're in a hurry, i guess.

Law Review

2009-04-08T19:20:00.000-07:00

Mr. T

2009-04-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

John J. Hasko Library Director & Professor of Law

2009-04-01T22:06:00.001-07:00

Still life with carpet and bricks

2009-03-31T15:08:00.003-07:00

Diversity in the classroom sends a message

2009-03-31T09:28:00.000-07:00

This article from the National Jurist (aka ad space aimed at law students) covers the diversity of law faculties. I take issue with the fact that the definition of diversity is "anybody but whites." The winning law school won because it has only 6 marks against it, only 6 out of 108 faculty were white. By the National Jurist's definition, an entirely Hispanic faculty in Puerto Rico would be more "diverse" than an all white facutly in Montana. For that matter a faculty with 1 white, 3 blacks, 3 Hispanics, 3 native americans, etc. would lose to the more diverse all-hispanic faculty. This is just a policy that whites are unwelcome in law faculties. Thanks for sending a message, National Jurist.

Con Law

2009-03-26T15:40:00.001-07:00

Here's three 2L's hard at work during today's lecture on assorted fundamental rights. From left to right: Aaron Calkins, Arch Harner, and Randy Todd. Lecturing in the front of the class is Prof. O'Callaghan. Jason Naess appears right above Aaron's left shoulder. The rest are too un-finished to warrant mentioning.

Mr. Ben Onosko

2009-03-25T23:21:00.000-07:00

Prof. O'Callaghan's syllabus recommends doodling as an alternative to surfing the net during class. An excellent policy. As you might deduce, Ben sits to my left in that class.

Not Mr. Chief Justice Roberts

2009-03-25T23:11:00.001-07:00

He came. Unfortunately, none of my sketches of the Chief Justice turned out good. However, it wasn't a complete artistic flop, I drew this guy. I don't know this student, but people have recognized the drawing as "Stacey." Hope you don't mind, Stacey, you're famous now.

Professor Mark Anderson

2009-03-25T21:59:00.000-07:00

Was kind enough to save his hand-drawn diagrams from fall semester 08. There were a lot. I scanned them in and they appear as the background here.

Professor Jack Miller

2009-03-25T21:38:00.000-07:00

Business Entities tax is quite the beast. Prof. Miller is more cheerful than I am, at least at 8:00 am. "It's not bad enough to warrant sarcasm," he says. So when he says, "This is it, this is the heart of darkness." You know for sure that the code is big fat and wrinkly.

Dean Don Burnett

2009-03-25T21:26:00.000-07:00

The Dean teaches PR. PR stands for legal ethics. My favorite quote of his is "Some Clients may insist on that sort of chicanery." I had to look that one up. And believe you me, we have read about the worst chicanery in the book. The book of chicanery, also called Problems in Legal Ethics. Anyway, I now have every intention to act professionally, and to get fewer than 900 parking tickets.

Turns out, doodling during class—or meetings—may actually help your concentration.

2009-02-26T21:19:00.000-08:00

So says Newsweek anyway. I agree.

Doodling can be a good thing. If there's a choice between doodling and daydreaming, you're better off if your students are doodling. Of course, it's best if you aren't boring them at all, but doodling isn't necessarily a sign of your students being naughty—it's a sign that it may be hard for them to concentrate without something visual.

--psychologist Jackie Andrade of the University of Plymouth

Professor Michael A. Satz

2009-01-29T06:19:00.000-08:00

I took a class called "consumer law" from Professor Michael A. Satz. Consumer law is about the good ways consumers can protect themselves, assuming they haven't received an envelope-stuffer relegating them to binding arbitration.

My most legal-rific cartoon ever

2008-11-26T21:46:00.000-08:00

This one appeared here in the latest issue of the Advocate, Idaho's State Bar publication. The Ninth Circuit came to hear some arguments at the University of Idaho Law School's new and schnazzy courtroom. These three judges are, from left to right, Senior Circuit Judge J. Clifford Wallace, Circuit Judge N. Randy Smith, and Senior Circuit Judge Stephen Trott.

Professor Jack Miller

2008-11-17T15:18:00.001-08:00

Visiting Professor of Law Nora O'Callaghan

2008-11-03T21:17:00.000-08:00

Prof. O'Callaghan teaches Con Law. And now I will complain about the US judicial system. The judicial branch is considered the "least dangerous branch" because it doesn't have a purse our a sword. I'd say it should be called the fuzziest branch. Its as dangerous as any other of our branches. The judciary shapes our society, and that's just as important as our money or our army.

Basic Legal Accounting

2008-08-29T13:55:00.001-07:00

I can't take credit for the grading method described in this cartoon (click for bigger version). Dean Seamon did in fact use it for Civ Pro II.

Denied

2008-08-26T06:18:00.000-07:00

The law school's plan to open a branch in Boise was "dismantled" by the Idaho Board of Education. Plan B is a 3rd year program in Boise. The University of Idaho will continue to build its "legacy of leading" from the prominant location of Moscow while the applicant pool faces the temptation of a private law school in Boise. Meanwhile, U of I Law students will continue to commute for internships, externships, and semesters in practice in Boise.

Mandatory Meeting

2008-08-19T15:59:00.001-07:00

At the podium is Anne-Marie Fulfer, Director of Career Development. These meetings generally cover the basics of job-hunting. Attending this meeting are my classmates, Dave, Hope, and Matt.

Judges and Clerks

2008-08-06T07:43:00.000-07:00

Pictured from right to left:
Judge Bail, a District Judge for Ada County.
Judge Williamson, the Administrative District Judge for the Fourth Judicial District.
Carol, Judge Bail's clerk.
Janine, Judge Williamson's Clerk.

Ken Star

2008-08-01T08:17:00.001-07:00

Kenneth Star came to University of Idaho back in April to speak at the Law school. Here he is taking notes while the other guest speakers gave their thoughts. Because he is so famous I will make an exception to my usual policy of giving a heads-up and veto power to the subject of my post.

Outlines

2008-07-23T18:13:00.000-07:00

Law school introduced me to the concept of outlining. My brain gagged on it at first, but now I dig it. My organizational enlightenment (which hasn't helped my desk stay clean) illustrates a profetic statement by Professor Goble:

We're going to get inside your heads, mush everything up, and restructure the way you think.

The mushing part was kind of uncomfortable. . . Law students: be sure and click on the cartoon for the full sized version, so you can read my outline of first year law idioms.

Sunrise Ayers, Attorney at Law

2008-07-19T12:32:00.001-07:00

Sunrise Ayers also works at Idaho Legal Aid. Mostly she covers the Senior Advice Line. There's a lot of heartbreaking cases, and a lot of advice to give. A lot of the cases are similar and she goes through a case or two of canned notes a day. She also deals with the occasional whopper of a legal question. And then there's the time-keeping, every .1 hour has to be recorded.

Bureaucrat at Law Jim Cook

2008-07-17T08:55:00.000-07:00

Jim Cook is an attorney at Idaho Legal Aid Services. He writes grants and otherwise digs up funding. His Dog, Lucy comes to work with him. Lucy is a specially trained grant-hound who can smell a dime-sized contribution from a mile off. When she finds one, she barks and points with her nose. But most of the time there are none to be found, so Lucy just lays around looking bored while Jim does all the work.

the Honorable James A (J.R.) Schiller

2008-07-15T19:36:00.000-07:00

A Magistrate Judge in Canyon County.

Mr. Jud Bailey, Ada County Marshal

2008-07-14T22:44:00.000-07:00

I have yet to see one of these guys use force in the courtroom, but they look very prepared to. . .

Ritchie Eppink, Attorney at Law

2008-07-07T21:04:00.000-07:00

Ritchie Eppink works at Idaho Legal Aid Services. We law students know him for his study aids and website found at Usefulinfo.org. Here at ILAS, one of the most common questions is, "Is Ritchie here?" That's partly because he works out of two offices. This caricature is incomplete in that it's missing the characteristic stack of books and files that he usually lugs around. I'm also not quite sure about it's eppink-ness. Hopefully, I can squeeze in some time to create a better one some day.

The Judges Honor Allyn Dingel

2008-07-01T18:24:00.001-07:00

Today a courtroom full of judges, justices, commissioners, and other lawyers gathered to honor Mr. M. Allyn Dingel, Jr. by naming a courtroom after him. Numerous judges had signed this large printout which was presented to Mr. Dingel as a light-hearted part of the ceremonies. Much earlier, I made the sketch-work for this project at a committee meeting where he was present. I ate cookies and secretly sketched him while holding my notebook under the table. This was at the request of a local judge, who shall remain nameless, because judges aren't supposed to have any dealings under the table.

Predatory Mortgage and Consumer Lending Training

2008-06-17T19:14:00.000-07:00

I went to an all-day training on predatory lending. "Predatory lenders" is apparently an elusive term lacking a solid definition. Let me provide one here: A predatory lender is a lender with (a) fangs 2.5 inches or longer, (b) the mouth parts of a leach, or (c) a lender who doesn't actually check and make sure that the borrower can support the mortgage. They said today that lenders don't have such a fiduciary duty, especially when the borrower lies, but come on guys, have a heart!

* * *

The following are quick sketches of the three main speakers:

Brenda Gauer, National Legal Training Project.
Anthony Polidori, supervising examiner/investigator with the Idaho Department of Finance.

* * *

Deputy Attorney General Brett DeLange, Idaho Law Foundation.

Interns

2008-06-10T11:49:00.000-07:00

These are all hanging up at work. Thank goodness for the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, but can I bring myself within the statute? Should I report my papercut? These are burning legal questions.

Uiniversity of Idaho Law school Professor Caricatures

2008-06-10T11:25:00.000-07:00

During my 1L year of Law school I made cartoons of all my professors. They were all great sports about it.

Professor Anderson, Criminal Law. By way of interpretation, this is a diagram that represents the criminality of a bear eating a man who is guilty of attempted drug running.

* * *

Dean Seamon, Civil Procedure II. This isn't a real citation, but my dad was tricked into looking it up in the federal tax code.

* * *

Professor Bridy, Contracts. She came up with the contract in the background, it's official boilerplate contract terms.

* * *

Professor Goble, torts, let me know that a cartoon can count as defamation. uh-oh.

* * *

Property, Professor Beard. The textbook had a color print of an abstract sculpture, several pictures inside, and two cases about paintings. The rest was all legal stuff.

* * *Professor Friendshuh, Legal Research and Writing. There are special rules about when to italicize a comma, seriously.

* * *

Professor Williams, Civil Procedure I. Shoe, Jx, all that good stuff.

* * *

Validity of the System

2008-06-10T11:18:00.001-07:00

Throwing a quiz out due to vague reports of cheating didn't help me out in this case. On the other hand, without the curve I would have flunked it.

Grading

2008-06-10T11:11:00.000-07:00

There is much stress about law school grades.

All my law toons are going to go here

2008-06-10T10:15:00.000-07:00

if you're not a lawyer, lawstudent, or my wife, you probably don't have to look at these