JD Journal » US Senate

Senate Hearings for Law Schools Possible

jim — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:38:20 +0000

Legal education in the United States could come under some heavy scrutiny very soon as Senate staffers are in the midst of gathering as much information as possible regarding facts and figures on law school job placement and student-loan debt. The reason for this is that experts in the legal and education fields feel that law schools are luring students to their institutions by giving them false data.

Senator Barbara Boxer, a Democrat from California, has submitted three letters to the American Bar Association’s section that accredits law schools in an effort to urge the organization to increase its efforts in protecting current and future students from possible misleading data about job placement.

Senator Charles Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, has himself sent two letters to the same organization asking whether or not law schools are enticing students to take on federally-backed loans, which most in government feel is irresponsible of the schools because it is becoming increasingly harder to repay those loans, putting students in a major financial hole.

In October, Senator Boxer and Republican Senator Tom Coburn from Oklahoma requested the following:

“To better understand trends related to law schools an examination of American law schools that focuses on the confluence of growing enrollments, steadily increasing tuition rates and allegedly sluggish job placement.”

For as long as anyone can recall, students have used a law school’s promise to land them a job and future financial security as the basis to pay for their law degree, which can cost upwards of $100,000. The American Bar Association releases data that has been collected from law schools across the country; data that is referenced by prospective students when choosing a school for their law studies.

When the country’s financial situation went in the tank back in 2008-2009, plenty of law schools across the country have continued to release data that they are placing graduates at a 90 percent rate in jobs upon graduation. This comes at a time with massive amounts of layoffs and hiring shutdowns at law firms across the country.

The University of Illinois College of Law admitted that one of its assistant deans in fact posted inflated data on the school’s website about employment.

The Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan and Manhattan’s New York Law School have had lawsuits filed against them by a law firm in New York. The suits, filed in August, allege that each school provided distorted data about employment for graduates. Both of the law schools have vehemently denied the allegations and have filed motions to dismiss the lawsuits.

If a congressional hearing were to take place, this would not ultimately lead to legislation, but it would be the most aggressive action taken by the government against the country’s law schools to date.

The Senators involved in the investigation would likely investigate law schools’ failure to report correct data regarding employment for their graduates. The Senators would also air their concerns about the amount of debt being collected by law school students by the time they hit graduation.

Senator Ensign Announces Retirement

joshua — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:29:05 +0000

Senator John Ensign, the junior senator from Nevada, announced that he will not seek reelection in 2012. For those keeping score, Senator is the 8th senator and third Republican to announce their retirement.

Ensign first ran for the Senate in 1998 but was defeated by incumbent and now Majority Leader, Harry Reid, by less than 1000 votes. Two years later he captured Nevada’s other seat, defeating Democrat Harry Bernstein. In 2008, Ensign was the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, a thankless job since it was widely believed that the Republicans would take a thorough beating that year; 2008 saw the Republicans lose 8 seats.

His reputation was not tarnished by the Democratic wave that pushed the Republicans into the minority in 2008 and Ensign was considered a possible candidate for the presidency until news of a scandal began leaking out. In June of 2009 he disclosed that he had been having an extramarital affair with a member of his campaign staff, who was also a friend of his wife. The affair didn’t hurt him as much as the cover up. Ensign arranged a job for the woman’s husband lined up clients for him in return for his silence, and his parents reportedly gave the woman close to $100,000. The Senate Ethics Committee appointed a special counsel to lead the investigation against Ensign last month.

Up until today, Ensign maintained that he would run for reelection, causing many Republicans to privately worry that it could cost them the seat. Republican Congressman Dean Heller was planning to challenge Ensign in the primary and is the front runner for the Republican nomination with Ensign out of the race. Sharron Angle has also been mentioned as a possible Republican candidate. Were she to win, she would be the second person to hold the seat after first losing to Harry Reid for Nevada’s other Senate seat. On the Democrat side, the most likely candidate is popular Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, who represents most of Las Vegas in the House.

Two More Senators Announce Their Retirement

joshua — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 17:52:20 +0000

Two more Senators have confirmed that they will not run for reelection in 2012. Democrat Jim Webb of Virginia and Jon Kyl, an Arizona Republican, have both said they are done.

Webb represented the Democrat’s best chance to hold on to a seat in the Old Dominion, which has been trending toward purple but still remains a mostly Republican state. Without a deep bench in Virginia, this will put a lot of pressure on former Governor Tim Kaine, currently the head of the Democratic National Committee. Kaine has repeatedly held out hope that Webb would run again, and has said he already had the job he wants, but hasn’t shut the door on a Senate run yet. On the Republican side, former Senator George Allen has already said he intends to run for his old seat. A Kaine – Allen match-up would be one of the highest profile campaigns of 2012.

Arizona is part of the new mountain west – a group of states that have traditionally voted Republican but due to changing demographics and changing politics have been trending purple. As an incumbent, Kyl would almost certainly keep his seat, but as an open seat this may be the Democrats best chance to elect an Arizona Senator since the 1988. Nobody has stepped up to say they’ll contest the seat yet; prior to her shooting last month, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was considered a possible candidate

Kent Conrad Announces His Retirement

joshua — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 21:36:24 +0000

Kent Conrad, the Senate Democrat from North Dakota, announced today that he will not seek reelection in 2012. Unlike the earlier announcement from Sen Joe Lieberman, this comes as bad news to the Democrats. When Democrat Byron Dorgan decided not to run for reelection to North Dakota’s other senate seat in 2010, Republican John Hoeven captured the seat with a whopping 76% of the vote. North Dakota is a squarely Republican state when it comes to national politics and without Conrad on the ballot the Democrats have little chance of holding on to the seat. No Republican has formally thrown their hat into the ring yet.

There are 33 Senate seats up for election in 2012. Democrats hold 22 and Republicans hold 11, compounding an already difficult election cycle for the Democrats.

Joe Lieberman to Retire in 2012

joshua — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:27:01 +0000

Joe Lieberman, the Democrat from Connecticut who was elected to a 4th term in the US Senate as an independent after losing a primary, is expected to announce tomorrow that he will retire when his term expires in 2012, according to officials in the Democrat party. Lieberman angered many Democrats with his support of the war in Iraq and by speaking at the Republican convention in 2008, although he continued to caucus with Senate Dems and sides with Democrats on most issues.

Earlier today, Connecticut’s former Secretary of State, Susan Bysiewicz, announced that she would challenge Lieberman in 2012. Although the timing might make it appear that her challenge prompted the decision to retire, it was already widely believed that Lieberman would face a strong challenge from the left. His decision to retire may have been in part motivated by the prospect of fighting an uphill battle to hold on to the seat, but the timing is more likely coincidental.

Senate Set to Pass New Whistle Blower Law

joshua — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:49:13 +0000

The US Senate is once again poised to pass new legislation that has nothing to do with extending tax cuts, despite Republican promises to block any such legislation until the tax cuts are settled. Earlier this week the Senate passed a bill ammending the FTC’s ”red flag” rule, much to the delight of the ABA. The Senate is now expected to pass a new whistle blower law in the wake of the recent Wikileaks dump of classified diplomatic cables into the media.

The new law, which is expected to pass the Senate and move on to the House within the week, would give federal employees with access to sensitive or classified information much broader protections if they bring up evidence of corruption, mismanagement or waste to their superiors. The goal, say supporters of the bill, is to give employees a legal means of raising concerns over misdoings in hopes of avoiding another Wikileaks type problem.

President Obama has said he will sign the bill once it is passed.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 11:53:48 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Thursday, December 2, and here’s a look back at yesterday’s headlines.

Chadbourne & Parke has a new managing partner…

The US Senate approved a pro-lawyer change to the “red flag rule”…

The UK is taking a stand against capital punishment by banning the export of thiopental sodium…

and Ruden McClosky has new leadership…

Senator Evan Bayh to Retire

joshua — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:58:30 +0000

Senator Evan Bayh, Democrat of Indiana, shocked his home state and the Democrat party today by announcing he will not run for reelection. This is bad news for Democrats who counted that as a safe seat in what is otherwise a generally red state. Senator Bayh has a sizable war chest and was favored to win reelection. In announcing his decision to retire, he expressed confidence that he would have been reelected and cited increased partisan sniping in Washington as his reason for withdrawing. “All of this and much more has led me to believe that there are better ways to serve my fellow citizens, my beloved state and our nation than continued service in Congress,” he said.

Bayh has served two terms as a Senator. Prior to that he served as Indiana’s Governor for two terms.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:28:03 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Monday, February 15, and as the 3rd Monday in February it is also Presidents Day. For those of you not fortunate enough to have a three day weekend, let’s take a look at Friday’s news…

Tipsters tell us that Hawkins & Parnell is opening in Austin…

Colson Hicks is opening in Washingtonwith the help of a managing partner from Greenberg Traurig…

Sidley Austin finally told its associates what they would be paid in 2010…

So did Winston & Stawn, but it’s not good news…

Layoffs are coming in the Los Angeles courts…

The Senate confirmed a few nominees…

25 firms have formed a consortium to file a class action against Toyota…

Podhurst Orseck picked up a big lateral from Holland & Knight…

Harry Reid leveled a sharp criticism against the ABA judicial evaluation committee…

and former President Bill Clinton was released from the hospital…

Filibuster on Hamilton is Over

joshua — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:03:52 +0000

The Senate voted on a cloture motion yesterday, ending debate on the appointment of Judge David Hamilton to the 7th Circuit. An up or down confirmation vote will happen in the next day or two, and will likely succeed.

Although Hamilton was President Obama’s first judicial nominee, he has not yet been confirmed and Senator Jeff Sessions (Alabama) tried to lead a filibuster. Sessions himself was nominated to a judicial post in the 80′s and was blocked by a Democrat filibuster. Several Republicans joined the Democrats yesterday to end debate on Hamilton including Saxby Chambliss (Georgia), Susan Collins (Maine), John Cornyn (Texas), Orrin Hatch (Utah) and Richard Lugar (Indiana). Hamilton was originally appointed to the federal bench by President Clinton in 1994.

Former Senator Rejoins Hogan & Hartson

Erik Even — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 22:56:39 +0000

Former Republican Virginia Senator John Warner has rejoined Hogan & Hartson’s Washington, DC office as a partner, 37 years after he left the firm.

Warner, who retired from the Senate after finishing his fifth term last year, will work in the firm’s international practice. Warner will focus on climate change, government contracts, and defense issues.

Warner will not be lobbying for Hogan & Hartson, and the firm says it will strictly adhere to ethics laws.

Warner left the firm as a partner in 1969, when he joined the Department of Defense as undersecretary of the Navy. After serving as secretary of the Navy, Warner pursued elected office. In 1978, he was elected to the Senate, where he spent 30 years on the Senate Armed Services Committee, eventually becoming chairman.

The 82-year-old Warner was once married to actress Elizabeth Taylor. He graduated from the University of Virginia Law School in 1953.

Ex-Senator Joins Covington & Burling

Erik Even — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:08:26 +0000

Former Oregon Senator Gordon Smith is returning to Washington, DC, where he will join Covington & Burling and focus on international trade and foreign relations.

Smith, 56, a Republican who lost a bid for a third term to Democrat Jeff Merkley, is barred from lobbying his former colleagues for two years, but can offer strategic advice to clients.

Smith, who owns a frozen-foods business in Weston, Oregon, will spend at least two-thirds of his time at the firm. He also will serve on corporate and charitable boards.

Covington & Burling LLP is an international law firm with offices in Beijing, Brussels, London, New York, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, San Diego, and Washington, DC. It consistently ranks among the top 20 on The American Lawyer’s prestigious “A-List.”

Federal Judges to Get COLA

Erik Even — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:13:27 +0000

The US House of Representatives voted this week for a $410 billion spending plan to keep the federal government running through September. The plan includes a cost-of-living adjustment for the federal judiciary for the 2009 calendar year.

According to the Administrative Office of the US Courts, the proposal would give judges a 2.8% pay increase retroactive to January.

The pay bump would end judges’ status as the only federal employees who did not get a cost-of-living adjustment this year. They have gone without such an increase in seven of the last 14 years, and Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. has made the issue a priority.

The spending plan now heads to the Senate, which has been less receptive to arguments for higher judicial pay and could amend the plan. In October, senators removed plans for the judiciary’s 2009 cost-of-living adjustment from auto-bailout legislation passed by the House.

House members voted in the same legislation to turn down their own cost-of-living adjustment scheduled for January 2010. Because judicial pay is linked to congressional pay, the chances for a judicial adjustment in 2010 are looking pretty low.

President Barack Obama’s proposed budget for the federal government’s 2010 fiscal year, which the White House released this morning, does not include a cost-of-living adjustment or pay raise for the federal judiciary.

Caroline Kennedy — Celebrity? Or Qualified Senate Candidate?

Erik Even — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:13:08 +0000

Political commentators and legal experts are debating the qualifications of Caroline Bouvier Kennedy to fill the role of US Senator from New York. (Hillary Clinton is vacating her seat to serve as Secretary of State.)

Kennedy, a graduate of Columbia Law School, is the only surviving daughter of John and Jackie Kennedy. According to Wikipedia:

Kennedy graduated from Radcliffe College and worked at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she met her future husband, exhibit designer Edwin Schlossberg. She went on to receive a law degree from Columbia Law School. Kennedy’s professional life has spanned law and politics as well as education and charitable work. She has also acted as a spokesperson for her family’s legacy and authored several works on civil liberties.

The CQ Politics Blog:

A hot topic of debate in New York and elsewhere in the country is whether Caroline Kennedy, political neophyte and daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy, has the chops to be a U.S. senator.

But it wasn’t so long ago that New Yorkers were questioning the qualifications of another female Senate candidate with powerful connections and a universally recognized last name.

Back in 2000, skeptics dismissed then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton ’s run for retiring Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan’s seat, calling her a “carpetbagger” and criticizing her lack of legislative experience.

CQ Politics points out the similarities between Kennedy and Clinton, who was also criticized as a celebrity political neophyte when she first ran for the Senate. Both women are well-educated, came from political families, and are devoted to public service.

Kennedy has never been a lawyer, though she applied her legal training to co-authoring books on the Bill of Rights and the right to privacy.

From CBS News:

Speaking on CBS’ ”Face The Nation,” Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y. (who has said he wants to run for Senate) called Kennedy a “People Magazine celebrity” who, as far as he knew, “has never held a real job. …she’s never taken a stand on any public issue. She’s never even held one news conference. She hasn’t gone to one American Legion hall or Knights of Columbus hall or Masonic temple, or one synagogue to answer questions. When she does go on her so-called listening tour upstate, she’s, like, running from city hall into the car to avoid reporters. ”

Some Republicans are crticizing the appointment of a politically inexperienced member of a prominent family to a post that is usually elected. The New York State Constitution calls for the governor to choose a new senator when the seat is vacated.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

Fitzgerald: Blagojevich’s “conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave”

admin — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:38:41 +0000

Via The New York Times, a transcript of the Justice Department news briefing regarding the arrest of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.

The juicy bits, from Patrick Fitzgerald, US attorney general for the Northern District of Illinois:

Governor Blagojevich has taken us to a truly new low. [He] has been arrested in the middle of what we can only describe as a political corruption crime spree. We acted to stop that crime spree.

The most appalling conduct Governor Blagojevich engaged in, according to the complaint filed today or unsealed today, is that he attempted to sell a Senate seat, the Senate seat he had the sole right to under Illinois to appoint to replace President-elect Obama. … The conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave.

…

One [example] involves Children’s Memorial Hospital… the governor awarded funding, reimbursement funding to that hospital to the tune of $8 million. But he also indicated privately that what he wanted to get was a $50,000 personal contribution from the chief executive officer of that hospital.

In the ensuing weeks, that contribution never came. And Governor Blagojevich was intercepted on the telephone checking to see whether or not he could pull back the funding for Children’s Memorial Hospital.

…

The Chicago Tribune … had written editorials that called for his impeachment. And Governor Blagojevich and defendant John Harris, his chief of staff, schemed to send a message to the Chicago Tribune that if the Tribune Company wanted to sell its ballfield, Wrigley Field, in order to complete a business venture, the price of doing so was to fire certain editors, including one editor by name.

In the governor words, quote, “Fire all those bleeping people. Get them the bleep out of there. And get us some editorial support,” close quote. And the bleeps are not really bleeps.

…

…the governor talked about appointing himself to the Senate seat for reasons not having to do with the better welfare of the citizens of Illinois.

He wanted to do it to avoid impeachment in the Illinois legislature for his conduct. He wanted to do it to have access to greater financial resources, if he were indicted. He wanted to do it to see if he could help his wife work as a lobbyist. He wanted to do it to remake his image to run for office in 2016, and he wanted to do it to see if he could generate speaking fees.