In the latest How Appealing Weekly Roundup, curated by Howard Bashman, several significant appellate litigation stories have been highlighted, providing keen insights for legal professionals navigating the complex legal landscape.
One of the pivotal pieces this week is by former U.S. District Judge Nancy Gertner, who served on President Joe Biden’s commission on the Supreme Court. In her essay published in The Boston Globe, Gertner argues that Biden’s initial proposals on Supreme Court reform are just the beginning and calls for more robust actions to ensure a more balanced judiciary.
Another story of note involves the Arizona Supreme Court, where Justice Clint Bolick recused himself from a high-profile abortion ballot measure lawsuit as his wife is directly involved in the case. This development has been reported in detail by Gloria Rebecca Gomez of AZ Mirror, which can be read here.
From Washington, D.C., Tom Jackman of The Washington Post covers a notable decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The court found that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) violated free speech rules by using keyword filters that unfairly hid comments from animal rights activists. The full report can be accessed here, with the court’s official decision available here.
In a significant development related to national security, Carol Rosenberg of The New York Times reports that the accused Sept. 11 plotters are expected to plead guilty at Guantánamo Bay. This story highlights ongoing legal proceedings and their implications for national justice, covered in depth here.
Lastly, Slate features an incisive piece by law professor Lawrence Lessig, addressing Vice President Kamala Harris’s potential role in overturning a Supreme Court immunity ruling. For more on how this maneuver could reshape legal precedents, you can read Lessig’s essay here.
These stories can be explored further on the Above the Law website, providing critical updates for those in the legal profession.