Western State Law Review

Western State Law Review’s Member of the Week: Mary Catherine Tiernan!

Mary Catherine is not only a full time 3L, but also our amazing Editor in Chief and Symposium Editor. After passing the bar, Mary Catherine will be going into civil litigation, particularly construction and design law. She is currently a Law Clerk with Litchfield Law PC. Prior to law school, Mary Catherine received a B.A. in International Studies and a minor in Political Science from Seattle University. In her free time, Mary Catherine enjoys doing yoga, gardening, interior design, traveling, and spending time with her adorable cats, Kevin and Sully.

As Editor in Chief, Mary Catherine supervises and directs ALL of Western State Law Review’s affairs, including but not limited to our upcoming annual symposium (see previous post😉). She is a hardworking visionary who takes care of her team. We are incredibly grateful to have you, Mary Catherine!

SAVE THE DATE!

Western State Law Review will be hosting its annual symposium on April 6, 2024!

Our symposium will provide a comprehensive exploration of the challenges and solutions related to closing the justice gap, facilitating insightful discussions and potential avenues for action. This symposium topic will explore legal technology including artificial intelligence and nonlawyer paraprofessionals as related to providing legal services, while also examining the ethical, legal, and practical issues that come with integrating AI and/or paraprofessionals into the legal sphere. Panelists will discuss and debate the benefits and challenges associated with these applications.

The symposium will be split into two panels: one panel will consist of discussion regarding whether we should use nonlawyers, paraprofessionals, etc. to provide legal services and therefore potentially help close the justice gap. The other panel will be a discussion of the use of artificial intelligence and other legal technologies in the legal world, including the risks and dangers involved.

Sponsorship opportunities available. For more information and to learn about available tiers, please visit: westernstatelawreview.com

Can’t wait to see you there!

Well into the October 2023 term, SCOTUS will hear a variety of cases in December 2023. Swipe to learn more about the issues before the Supreme Court!

Amy Howe discusses twelve new cases added to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 23-24 docket, including cases regarding developer fees and the No Fly list.

Visit https://www.scotusblog.com/2023/09/twelve-cases-added-to-supreme-court-calendar/ to learn more.

"A group of 24 U.S. civil rights and criminal justice groups and advocates on Wednesday launched a coalition aimed at reforming sentencing so people convicted at trial do not face heftier punishments than those who plead guilty to the same crime." -Reuters

US criminal justice alliance seeks to erase 'trial penalty' A group of 24 U.S. civil rights and criminal justice groups and advocates on Wednesday launched a coalition aimed at reforming sentencing so people convicted at trial do not face heftier punishments than those who plead guilty to the same crime.

"Back in 1923, the Supreme Court had issued 157 rulings by May 1 in a term that started the previous fall. On the same date a century later, the current justices, facing a firestorm of scrutiny on multiple fronts, have disposed of just 15 cases, fueling speculation about why they are falling behind. In fact, the court has decided fewer cases at this point of the term — which begins each October and ends in June — than at any time in the last 100 years, according to numbers compiled by Supreme Court stats guru Adam Feldman." -NBC News

This Supreme Court is slow to issue rulings — glacially slow The court has disposed of only 15 cases, with 44 cases yet to be decided before the usual conclusion of the term in June.

"Involuntary manslaughter charges will be dismissed against actor Alec Baldwin, according to a statement from the New Mexico special prosecutors overseeing the cases in the “Rust” shooting." -CNN

Prosecutors dismissing charges against Alec Baldwin in 'Rust' shooting | CNN Involuntary manslaughter charges will be dismissed against actor Alec Baldwin, according to a statement from the New Mexico special prosecutors overseeing the cases in the "Rust" shooting.

"Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems reached a $787.5 million settlement agreement Tuesday afternoon, the parties announced, narrowly heading off a trial shortly after the jury was sworn in." -NBC News

Dominion and Fox News reach $787.5 million settlement in defamation lawsuit A trial was moments away from beginning opening statements.

The Western State Law Review Board is proud to host the 2023 Annual Law Review Symposium on April 15, 2023.

If you’re interested in attending, you can register at the link here: https://bit.ly/wscl2023symposium

This year’s topic, “The Future of California’s Criminal Justice System and the Debate Between Traditional and Progressive Laws,” features a balanced and informative discussion led by a panel of expert speakers, including:

• Todd Spitzer, Orange County District Attorney
• Paul S. Meyer, Paul S. Meyer, APC
• Hon. Kimberly Menninger, Superior Court of Orange County
• Hon. Kyle Brodie, Superior Court of San Bernardino County
• Sheriff Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff