The Faculty Lounge

ATPI Seeks Faculty Interested in Coordinating Tax/Financial Literacy Program Taught by Law Students

The American Tax Policy Institute (ATPI) invites expressions of interest from law school faculty members interested in implementing a tax literacy program taught by law students in partnership with a local secondary school during the 2025-2026 academic year. The aim of this program is to teach young people basic financial and tax concepts in a non-partisan, non-technical, interactive manner, and to increase law student engagement with their local communities. The law school faculty advisor will be responsible for recruiting, identifying and coordinating with a local secondary school partner as well as supervising the program in the law school. ATPI will provide training materials, a modifiable curriculum, and teaching materials for use by law students. ATPI is also available to provide Zoom-based training for law student volunteers, if the faculty member does not wish to personally conduct the training. ATPI Trustees, including Professor Marjorie Kornhauser, who successfully ran a similar program at Tulane Law School, are available to provide additional guidance and support to law faculty members and law students.

 

This tax literacy program is ideal for law schools interested in expanding their pro bono offerings to include activities that may be of particular interest to students interested in taxation and financial matters, as well as those interested in education and teaching. The program also provides tax professors with the opportunity to engage law students who may not think they have any interest in tax. Such students join the program because they care about pro bono work or teaching and then may discover that they are indeed interested in taxation and go on to take tax courses. It is also appropriate for tax and business-related clinics that might like to include a community outreach and teaching component.

 

ATPI is a section 501(c)(3) organization whose Trustees and members are some of the leading experts on taxation from the fields of law, accounting and economics. ATPI is a nonpartisan organization that promotes and facilitates scholarly research, analysis, examination, discussion of tax policy proposals and issues, in order to improve the tax system, and to provide assistance to governmental authorities involved in tax administration. 

 

Expressions of interest are kindly requested by April 30, 2025 to Professor Marjorie Kornhauser, [email protected]

Macis and Plummer on Kidney Donation

Here's a great interview with Mario Macis and Elizabeth Plummer expanding on their recent JAMA piece. From the interview: 

"As an economist, I have always been very interested in understanding markets where persistent shortages exist. This is the case for blood donations in many countries and organ donations around the world."

and 

"One key reason for these shortages is that in these contexts, the price mechanism is not allowed to operate due to ethical considerations. While prohibiting financial transactions in these markets is meant to uphold moral values and prevent exploitation, it also comes with significant costs"

 

 

"As an economist, I have always been very interested in understanding markets where persistent shortages exist. This is the case for blood donations in many countries and organ donations around the world." gizmodo.com/the-case-for...

[image or embed]

— Kim Krawiec (@kimkrawiec.bsky.social) March 25, 2025 at 9:44 AM

The University of Idaho Law Seeks Visiting Faculty at Moscow Location

This just in:

The University of Idaho College of Law is looking to hire two full-time temporary faculty members at our Moscow location, one for Fall 2025 and one for the full 2025-26 academic year. We are hoping to cover courses on Evidence and Criminal Procedure, Professional Responsibility, and/or Business Law (including Contracts and Sales). Moscow is a wonderful place to visit – it’s a vibrant college town in the Palouse region of the Inland Northwest, surrounded by natural beauty and outdoor recreation. If you know anyone who might be interested, please pass this along – and feel free to reach out to me with questions.

The year-long posting can be found here: https://uidaho.peopleadmin.com/postings/47792.

The semester-long posting can be found here: https://uidaho.peopleadmin.com/postings/47387.

Trump's Attack on Law Firms

[Cross posted from PrawfsBlawg]

My new column for The Hill addresses Pres. Trump’s recent attacks on law firms, using Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Part Two as a backdrop. Everyone knows that Dick the Butcher wanted to “kill all the lawyers,” and most people know that it was part of a plot to bring tyranny to England. But it was actually worse, and more Trumpian, than that. The Butcher’s boss, Jack Cade, declared, in creepily familiar terms, “When I am king . . . my mouth shall be the parliament of England,” and my subjects will “worship me their lord.”

But first, they had to get lawyers out of the way.

That’s the introduction. Here is the gist:

Dick the Butcher never got a chance to knock off England’s lawyers, but Trump’s retribution campaign is well underway, with the potential to destroy the firms that displease him. 

Business clients have solid economic reasons to avoid attorneys on the president’s hit list, especially when their own government contracts may be jeopardized by hiring the wrong firm.

The danger extends beyond the embattled law firms. Attorneys play a crucial role in protecting individual rights and democracy itself. If lawyers are too intimidated to challenge authority, personal liberty will inevitably suffer. Nobody can rely on the rule of law if lawyers are punished for defending it.

Even if every law firm wins every case, few lawyers can afford to risk provoking Trump’s wrath. The “in terrorem” effect will be unavoidable, as the fear of losing clients threatens to compromise every decision lawyers make.

Trump’s own butcherish henchman left no doubt about the consequences of resistance. “He’s going to put those law firms out of business,” said Steve Bannon. “What we are trying to do is put you out of business and bankrupt you.”

As the late Justice John Paul Stevens once observed, “disposing of lawyers is a step in the direction of a totalitarian form of government.” 

You can read the full essay, including my discussion of the Paul Weiss agreement, at The Hill.

Neel Sukhatme Named Dean of Michigan Law

University of Michigan Law School has announced that Neel Sukhatme will be its next dean.  He is currently Associate Dean for Research and Academic Programs at Georgetown.  Sukhatme, who holds a JD from Harvard, will take over on July 1.

Ediberto Roman on Birthright Citizenship

Ediberto Roman has posted a short essay for the Yale Journal of Regulation blog titled "Trump Is Wrong on Birthright Citizenship: A Son of Immigrants' Lesson on the Constitution. Ediberto, a sometimes blogger here, is always astute and insightful. He asked if I might respond to his essay, "even if you disagree with it," it "would be fun to read your take on the matter." Well, I do not at all disagree with it, so I thought I would just post the gist:

Thus, the Supreme Court’s repeated and consistent support for birthright citizenship should have put the question to rest. But politics are what they are, and consequently, Trump and his acolytes attempt to distort the terms of the Constitution to argue undocumented immigrants are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States because the undocumented entered in violation of U.S. law. And according to them, U.S.-born children of the undocumented are somehow not citizens. Trump and his supporters resort to reinterpreting the meaning of the “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” language of the Fourteenth Amendment by attempting to ascertain the “original meaning of the term.” 

Ediberto makes two points about Supreme Court cases that are not generally referenced in opeds about Trump's order:

The latest citizenship decision, Plyler v. Doe, similarly prophetically addressed attempts like those being made by the Trump administration, stating:

Whatever his status under the immigration laws, an alien is surely a “person” in any ordinary sense of that term … Use of the phrase “within its jurisdiction” thus does not detract from, but rather confirms, the understanding that the protection of the Fourteenth Amendment extends to anyone, citizen or stranger, who is subject to the laws of a State, and reaches into every corner of a State’s territory.

And,

In fact, the Supreme Court in Afroyim prophetically rejected the very action Trump is trying to achieve with his executive order:

The very nature of our free government makes it completely incongruous to have a rule of law under which a group of citizens temporarily in office can deprive another group of citizens of their citizenship.

 

Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain [UPDATED]

"Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" was written in 1946 by the great Fred Rose. It was released by Roy Acuff in 1947, and later covered by Hank Williams, Charlie Pride, Elvis Presley, and pretty much everyone in country music. People today are probably most familiar with Willie Nelson's version. Fred Rose was Roy Acuff's partner in Acuff-Rose Music, which was the first Nashville-based music publisher. In addition to Acuff, some of its writers included Hank Williams, Roy Orbison, Phil and Don Everly, Marty Robbins, and Doug Kershaw. (The Acuff-Rose catalog is now owned by Sony). Be sure to check out the duets at the bottom of the post, including Roy Acuff on the ukulele.

Jennifer Reynolds Named Dean of University of Oregon Law

University of Oregon School of Law has announced that Jennifer Reynolds will be its next dean.  She joined the faculty in 2009 and has been serving as the interim dean.  Reynolds, who holds a JD from Harvard, took over in March.

CFP: Developing Ideas Conference

This just in:

What: The University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law is bringing back its highly popular Developing Ideas Conference to help jumpstart your summer research. The conference will allow faculty from other schools to engage with faculty from UK Law and other institutions to receive feedback on their summer projects. The conference will proceed as follows:

• Before the conference, each participant will provide a 2-3 page summary of a current research idea that they plan to pursue this summer (and beyond). These summaries will be circulated to all participants.
• Each participant will give a 5-minute synopsis of their research idea, with an additional 20-25 minutes available for comments and discussion in an informal roundtable setting.
• Participants will be asked to provide commentary about the other participants’ ideas.

Where: University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law, Lexington, KY

When: Monday, May 12, 2025, 7:00 p.m.: Dinner at a local restaurant in Lexington, KY

Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Developing Ideas Conference at the law school

Support: The University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law will provide dinner on Monday evening and breakfast and lunch on Tuesday during the conference. In addition, the UK College of Law will pay for one night at a local hotel on Monday, May 12. Participants must pay for all other travel expenses.

Submission: Please submit a short summary (1-2 paragraphs) of the proposed work by April 4, 2025, to Josh Douglas, Associate Dean for Research, at [email protected], with the subject line: Submission for 2025 Developing Ideas Conference. The conference is limited to 15 scholars from outside of the University of Kentucky, so please apply early! If we have more than 15 submissions then priority will be given to junior faculty. We will also try to accept submissions with a variety of topics.

University of Iowa College of Law Seeks Visitors

This just in:

The University of Iowa College of Law is seeking strong legal scholars to teach in Iowa City during the Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2026 semesters.

Qualified applicants should be current law school professors at other institutions who have a J.D., a record of scholarly production, and a record of strong teaching in law school classes. Visiting professors will teach two courses that enrich the College's curriculum and participate in the College’s vibrant faculty workshops. Applicants should be able to teach in person in Iowa City for the duration of the Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 semester. Duties include developing and delivering course material (including class syllabi with learning outcomes) for semester-long courses, holding weekly office hours, preparing formative and final assessments, grading in accordance with College of Law grading guidelines, and complying with all College and University policies and procedures.

Interested individuals should submit a cover letter and CV to Jill Soppe at [email protected]. For more information, please contact Professor Diane Dick, Chair of the Faculty Appointments Committee at [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. miliary, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.

 In addition to abiding by the UI Nondiscrimination Statement the College of Law further prohibits discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, and military status. The College of Law affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunity without discrimination or segregation on the same bases.

Good Lovin'

The Young Rascals (later, just The Rascals) had a number one hit with "Good Lovin'" in 1966, but they were actually the fifth group to record the song, which was written a year earlier by Rudy Clark and Arthur Resnick. The earlier recordings were by Limme Snell (as Lemme B. Good), the Olympics, the Tremeloes (in the UK), and the Who (not released as a single). According to Wikipedia, Felix Cavalieri heard the Olympics' cut on the radio and recorded it with virtually the same arrangement, which almost everyone has used ever since.

A few different arrangements, including Snell's original, are at the bottom of the post.

Wendy Perdue Stepping Down as Dean of University of Richmond Law

University of Richmond Law School has announced that Wendy Perdue will step down as dean at the end of next academic year.  Perdue became dean in 2011.  She will return to the faculty.

Rebecca Zietlow Named Dean of Toledo Law

University of Toledo College of Law has announced that Rebecca Zietlow is its new permanent dean.  She joined the faculty in 1995 and has been serving as interim dean.  Zietlow, who holds a JD from Yale, took over in March.

Goin' Up the Country

Canned Heat had a hit with "Goin' Up the Country" in 1968, which later became known as a "hippie rural anthem." The vocal was by Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson, rather than the group's usual vocalist Bob "The Bear" Hite.  In fact, the song was an adaptation of Henry Thomas's "Bull Doze Blues," released in 1928. Thomas played a unique, home-made wind instrument call the quills, fashioned from hollow reeds, which the Canned Heat cover imitated on flute, played on the recording by non-band member Jim Horn. Hite pretended to play the flute on a lip-synced video. Other covers have played the quills parts on fiddle, mandolin, trumpet, blues harp, or not at all.

2025 Baron de Lancey Lecture: 'Repugnant transactions and taboo trades'

I'm giving the 2025 Baron de Lancey Lecture at Cambridge on March 20. You can attend in person or by zoom!  Admission is free, though you have to register. Hope to see some Loungers there, even if it's virtually. Information and registration here: https://www.law.cam.ac.uk/press/events/2025/03/2025-baron-de-lancey-lecture-repugnant-transactions-and-taboo-trades 

University of St. Thomas Law (Minneapolis) Seeks Faculty

This just in:

The University of St. Thomas School of Law (Minneapolis) invites applications for a full-time, tenured or tenure-track faculty position in the Lawyering Skills department, beginning in fall 2025.

A Lawyering Skills professor typically teaches two sections of Lawyering Skills I (three credits) in the fall and two sections of Lawyering Skills II (2 credits) in the spring, for a total of approximately forty students each semester. Each Lawyering Skills professor also teaches an additional course (ordinarily in the spring semester) at least once every other year. Recent examples of such courses include Comparative Constitutional Law; (In)famous American Criminal Trials; Privacy Law; Election Law; and Serving Clients Well. Second-year students take Lawyering Skills III (2 credits), which focuses on appellate advocacy and is taught by adjunct professors supervised by the Director of Lawyering Skills.

The School of Law’s commitments to scholarship, teaching, service, and community are inspired by our distinctive mission. As a Catholic law school, we are dedicated “to integrating faith and reason in the search for truth through a focus on morality and social justice.” We seek candidates, of all faiths and beliefs, who can contribute to this mission.

The mission also commits the School of Law to the inherent dignity of all people; to equal opportunity policies and practices; and to an environment that is inclusive and welcoming of all people. We actively seek to attract, retain, and develop faculty from all backgrounds to enhance our learning community and offer our students varied perspectives.

 

Hiring Announcement: Villanova University, Charles Widger School of Law

From a recent email message:

The Villanova Law Library welcomes applications for the position of Head of Emerging Law Practice Technology and Instructor. This newly designed position provides the opportunity to engage in thoughtful, strategic adoption and implementation of existing and emerging law practice technologies in the educational environment, including curriculum-wide deployment; design and teach courses on law practice technology; and serve in an advisory role throughout the academic year to the students who organize the annual Moot Court competition, including drafting the competition problem.

Villanova University's beautiful suburban campus is located 20 minutes by train from downtown Philadelphia. Our requirements are flexible, and we welcome you to consider joining our collaborative team of eight information professionals who enjoy working together to provide the best possible experiences for our students and faculty.

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt. It is our goal to fill this position in time for the successful candidate to join us at the conclusion of the spring semester. The job posting with the full description and application instructions is set forth here: https://jobs.villanova.edu/postings/31005

The Motown Sound in Performance at the White House

"The Motown Sound in Performance at the White House" was recorded on Feb. 24, 2011, and broadcast on PBS on March 1. Yes, it's pretty much impossible to imagine a similar concert today (or anything good coming out of the White House).

Here are some clips:

Hiring Announcement: University of Mississippi School of Law

From a recent email message:

The University of Mississippi School of Law invites applications and nominations for at least one tenure-track professor, visiting professor, or professor of the practice, to begin in the 2025-2026 academic year. Appointments, whether tenure-track, visiting, or of the practice, will be at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full depending on experience.  The candidate’s primary teaching interests must include one or both of Wills & Estates (Trusts & Estates) and Family Law. 

Qualifications
A candidate must have a J.D. degree from an ABA accredited law school and a commitment to teaching in an environment dedicated to excellence in teaching and mentoring of students. All applicants should have a distinguished academic background, and either great promise or a record of excellence in both scholarship and teaching.

Application Instructions
To apply, please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references through the University of Mississippi's employment site at careers.olemiss.edu. The position will be open until filled or an adequate applicant pool is reached. Questions and direct applications are welcome, and should be directed to Professor Martin Edwards, Chair of the Faculty Appointments Committee, at [email protected].

The Law School and Oxford
As an outstanding public law school, the University of Mississippi School of Law leads, excels, and inspires by preparing students for the practice of law in a changing global marketplace, expanding the horizons of legal knowledge through scholarly research, and serving diverse communities in the state, region, nation, and world. Please visit law.olemiss.edu for more information about the Law School.

Oxford, Mississippi is touted as the "Cultural Mecca of the South" because musicians, artists and writers alike find inspiration in Oxford's rich history, small town charm and creative community. Oxford is also known for its awarding-winning restaurants, its walkable, historic square, and Ole Miss athletics. It's a great place to live or visit and has been named by USA Today as one of the top six college towns in the nation. It is included in The Best 100 Small Towns in America.

Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.

Washington and Lee Law Seeks Visiting Faculty

This just in:

Washington & Lee University School of Law invites applications and nominations for visiting faculty for the 2025-2026 academic year. We are seeking two to three visiting professors and will consider possibilities for either one semester or full academic year visits.

We are especially seeking candidates with expertise in teaching Tax Law, Professional Responsibility, and Corporate Law, along with other possibilities.

Qualifications

All applicants should have a J.D. or LL.M. from an ABA-accredited law school as well as demonstrated skill and experience in teaching. The position is a temporary, non-tenure track appointment.

Washington and Lee University School of Law promotes a dynamic and welcoming environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in teaching and for vigorous scholarship. We welcome applications from candidates who would contribute to the University’s mission and Strategic Plan.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and a list of three professional references to https://wlu.app.box.com/f/af1daac392244824bd180ede7ab4ba79. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Inquiries about the position can be directed to Michelle Drumbl, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, at [email protected].