February 22, 2011

Voter ID Bill Coming to Wisconsin Legislature in Dems' Absence?

Could be.

Posted by Rick Hasen at 07:14 AM

Supreme Court Denies Cert in Washington Human Life Case; Does Not Rule on Cert. Petition in Bauer v. Shepard

On Friday I suggested that the Supreme Court could well decide to hear a judicial speech case, Bauer v. Shepard. The case does not appear listed at all in the order list just released. This means the case will likely be relisted for consideration at the next (or a future) conference.

Back in January I predicted that the Court would not take the Human Life case out of Washington, raising campaign finance disclosure issues, and today's order list notes a cert. denial.

Posted by Rick Hasen at 07:08 AM

February 21, 2011

Very Sad News: The Judge for Whom I Clerked, Ninth Circuit Judge David R. Thompson, Has Passed Away

Via How Appealing comes news of the sudden death of Ninth Circuit Judge David R. Thompson. (I could find no news stories providing details about his death; he was scheduled to preside over oral arguments tomorrow at USD.)

I clerked for Judge Thompson in 1991-92. You'd be hard pressed to find a more decent, thoughtful, smart, judicious, and modest man. As a new law school graduate, I did not know what to expect of a judge from a family of judges down in San Diego, appointed to the federal bench by President Reagan. What I found was first and foremost a mentor---a great teacher about the law and legal practice, who had great patience and a broad knowledge of American law. He gently guided me away from the kinds of rookie mistakes that clerks tend to make; he was effusive in his praise and never raised his voice or lost his cool.

While other judges on the Ninth Circuit loved the limelight, Judge Thompson did not. He was happy to eat a sack lunch at his desk, pouring over briefs and legal materials. He loved the practice of the law, taking each case at one time as he sought to do justice. When my wife, parents, and in laws came to the chambers for a private swearing-in ceremony, he was giddy like a kid showing off his chambers, and about as down-to-earth as you can imagine.

But beneath the aw-shucks exterior was a keen legal mind. Though Judge Thompson certainly had some conservative leanings, he was among the most non-ideological of judges I have ever encountered, and litigants before him were always given a fair shake. He would be willing to listen to both sides and change his mind when appropriate.

I did not stay in regular touch with Judge Thompson, much to my regret. I would have liked to tell him that he remains to this day one of my role models---an unsung hero in the life of the law. We should all miss having him on the bench.

Posted by Rick Hasen at 09:32 PM

"Billionaire Brothers' Money Plays Role in Wisconsin Dispute"

The Koch Bros. in the news again.

Posted by Rick Hasen at 09:14 PM

"Several Big Donors to Hillary Clinton Now Facing Criminal Allegations"

The Washington Post offers this report.

Posted by Rick Hasen at 09:11 PM

NOM Loses (Again) in McGee Maine Campaign Disclosure Case

See here.

Posted by Rick Hasen at 09:08 PM

"Nearly 25 percent of MVA voter registrations fail"

The Baltimore Sun offers this report.

Posted by Rick Hasen at 08:57 PM

Third Circuit Decides Hobbs Act Case

USA v. Manzo: "This case presents a significant and novel question, creatively framed and well-presented by the government. In essence, it asks us to consider whether an unsuccessful candidate for public office can attempt or conspire to obtain property from another with that person's consent induced under color of official right within the meaning of the Hobbs Act."

Posted by Rick Hasen at 08:53 PM

"Ethics panel clears Portland newspaper over election ads"

Interesting news from Maine.

Posted by Rick Hasen at 08:49 PM

February 18, 2011

"Myth of Voter Fraud" Event at Columbia

Demos is sponsoring this event on February 22.

Posted by Rick Hasen at 02:24 PM

--
Rick Hasen
Visiting Professor
UC Irvine School of Law (Spring 2011)
rhasen@law.uci.edu

William H. Hannon Distinguished Professor of Law
Loyola Law School
919 Albany Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015-1211
(213)736-1466
(213)380-3769 - fax
rick.hasen@lls.edu
http://www.lls.edu/academics/faculty/hasen.html
http://electionlawblog.org

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