Loyola faculty members pride themselves on being accessible to the media and part of the public discourse on news of legal significance. Visit Loyola's Summary Judgments faculty blog to read faculty opinions on current legal issues. Highlights of recent media appearances and quotations include:
CNN – 12.31.17
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Jessica Levinson examines President Trump’s first year in office. Excerpt: “The fact that Robert Mueller has decided to use Papadopoulos points with specific, concrete evidence to the fact that Papadopoulos is useful…Whatever descriptors we try to use for him, the truth is, the emails indicate that he did have some sway over the campaign.”
California Litigation – December 2017
THE PARTY LINE: GERRYMANDERING AT THE SUPREME COURT
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Justin Levitt analyzes the recent Supreme Court ruling on gerrymandering. Excerpt: At stake is an issue core to our self-governance. The district lines that define constituencies for local, state, and federal office—embracing some communities and splintering others—determine which groups of people representatives represent, and which policies those representatives pursue.
Dallas News – 12.29.17
WILL TEXAS TURN OVER YOUR VOTER INFORMATION TO TRUMP'S FRAUD COMMISSION?
Justin Levitt, an election law professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, said it is unclear whether the commission is subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, so Texas should think twice about handing over its voter roll information… "That's what the federal lawsuits are about. It's an open question," said Levitt, who oversaw voting rights battles for the Department of Justice under President Barack Obama.
NBC News – 12.28.17
ALABAMA MAKES JONES WIN OFFICIAL AS MOORE’S LAST-DITCH CHALLENGE FAILS
Loyola Law School Professor Justin Levitt, a former Department of Justice official who worked on voting rights, noted that voter fraud is not widespread, occurring only in isolated and rare instances..."Mr. Moore does not appear to have anything other than wishful thinking," he told NBC News.
CNN – 12.28.17
JUDGE REJECTS ROY MOORE’S ELECTION CHALLENGE; DEMOCRATE DOUG JONES CERTIFIED AS WINNER
We have spoken to other experts, Justin Levitt of Loyola Law School…Levitt told us that “to attribute those anomalies to fraud without any further reliable evidence of actual wrongdoing is nothing more than magical reasoning and conspiracy theory.”
Los Angeles Times – 12.27.17
APPLE FACES CLASS-ACTION LAWSUITS OVER SLOWED-DOWN IPHONES (also featured in The Chicago Tribune)
Karl Manheim, a professor of law at Loyola Law School, said the lawsuits could have merit under state consumer protection or unfair business practice laws…“This could be like the modern version of planned obsolescence,” Manheim said.
NBC – 12.27.17
WILL PRESIDENT TRUMP BE CHARGED WITH COLLUSION IN 2018? NOT A CHANCE
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Jessica Levinson explains why President Trump may never be charged with “collusion.”
The biggest resolved question of 2017 is that the Mueller investigation will not lead to charges of collusion or treason; the biggest unresolved questions are what, if any, charges come next.
KFI-AM – 12.27.17
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Jessica Levinson discusses the public pardon appeal of Joseph Flynn, the younger brother of Michael Flynn. Excerpt: “With respect to Michael Flynn, he has the authority, the question really is a political calculus, and that would be seen as a very direct hit against the integrity of the Robert Mueller investigation.”
KFI-AM – 12.27.17
PRESIDENT TRUMP CAN’T BE CHARGED WITH COLLUSION
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Jessica Levinson discusses her NBC op-ed explaining how President Trump could not be charged with collusion.
“Collusion is a crime. But it’s a crime in the area of anti-trust law. The quintessential example of collusion is price fixing.”
Medium – 12.26.17
CONGRESS FUMBLES THE BALL ON SECTION 4960
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Ellen Aprill publishes an op-ed analyzing the effects of the recent tax legislation.
The drafters of section 4960 seem to believe that public colleges and universities rely on section 115(1) in order to avoid income taxation. That is a common and understandable reading of the language of section 115(1). It is, however, a misreading.
Asia Media International – 12.26.17
LOS ANGELES: HEAR YE, YE JOURNALISTS! DEADLINE IS COMING SOON — APPLY!
The Civil Justice Program at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles will host its 13th-annual Journalist Law School from Wednesday, June 6-Saturday, June 9, 2018 on its Frank Gehry-designed campus in downtown Los Angeles.
New York Times – 12.24.17
BLACK TURNOUT IN ALABAMA COMPLICATES DEBATE ON VOTING LAWS
“It depends on where, and it depends on who,” said Justin Levitt, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles who also oversaw voting-rights issues in the Obama administration Justice Department. “There are real, live instances where positions are taken to keep eligible people from showing up at the polls or to make it needlessly harder to vote. But it’s not nationwide, and it’s not all the time.”
Press Herald – 12.23.17
FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS VOTER FRAUD PANEL TO GIVE DUNLAP DOCUMENTS
Nationally, numerous voter fraud investigations have concluded the problem is vanishingly small, with one study by Loyola Law School professor Justin Levitt finding just 31 credible allegations of identity fraud in all primary, general, special and municipal elections between 2000 and 2014, despite over a billion votes being cast.
Nonprofit Law ProfBlog – 12.23.17
APRILL: AMENDING THE JOHNSON AMENDMENT IN THE AGE OF CHEAP SPEECH
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Ellen Aprill’s article “Amending the Johnson Amendment in the Age of Cheap Speech” is featured.
CNN – 12.23.17
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Jessica Levinson analyzes breaking news relating to the new tax policy and Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation.
I think that it's unquestionable that this is a big win for the Trump Administration. This is the biggest overhaul of the tax system in the U.S. since 1986, when President Reagan overhauled the tax system. And it's a big win for corporations.
Buzzfeed – 12.22.17
Justin Levitt, a law professor at Loyola Law School who helped supervise the Justice Department Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section (ELS) during the Obama administration, told BuzzFeed News the lack of litigation is unusual… “The cases, particularly against state and local governments, can be complex, and extended investigations are not uncommon,” he said. “But zero lawsuits is surprising.”
Bloomberg – 12.21.17
BIG FIGHTS AHEAD OVER WHERE CLASS ACTIONS CAN BE FILED
“For me, this was the sleeper case of the last term, because it impacts so many potential cases,” said Professor Adam Zimmerman of Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.
CrimProf Blog – 12.21.17
GLAZIER ET AL. ON THE DOD LAW OF WAR MANUAL
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor David W. Glazier, Zora Colakovic, Alexandra Gonzalez and Zacharias Tripodes’ article “Failing Our Troops: A Critical Assessment of the Department of Defense Law of War Manual” is featured.
Los Angeles Daily Journal – 12.21.17
STANFORD POSTS HIGHEST BAR EXAM PASS RATE AMONG TOP CALIFORNIA LAW SCHOOLS
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles ranks in the Top 10 for 2017 California bar passage.
National Jurist – 12.20.17
$1M GRANT TO LOYOLA LAW USED TO ASSIST L.A.'S FOSTER YOUTH
The Center for Juvenile Law & Policy at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles was awarded $1 million grant by the Everychild Foundation to develop a new training program for law students.
Los Angeles Times – 12.19.17
SHERIFF MCDONNELL WAS NOT AWARE OF SOME MISCONDUCT, SAYS LIST OF PROBLEM DEPUTIES IS KEY TO REFORM
Sean Kennedy, who also serves on the commission and is the executive director of Loyola Law School’s Center for Juvenile Law and Policy, said current deputies who committed misconduct many years ago could still pose problems as witnesses...“It was startling that someone could create fake blood evidence with taco sauce, even if that’s in the distant past,” he said. “Someone who is willing to convict someone using false evidence and went through that level of artifice and creativity to create false physical evidence, in my opinion, remains of great concern.”
Pasadena News Now – 12.19.17
AS 2017 CLOSES, NO SHORTAGE OF ONGOING ISSUES FOR PASADENA
“The real question is not whether or not it’s permissible under the 4th amendment to see this information,” said Loyola Law School Professor Laurie Levenson. “The question is what they’re going to do with it.”
KABC-FM – 12.19.17
9TH CIRCUIT JUDGE RESIGNS AMID A SEXUAL HARASSMENT INVESTIGATION
His move to step down is not surprising to Laurie Levenson, professor of law at Loyola Law School...“Frankly, given the allegations against him and the ongoing investigation, I don’t think he would be able to be very productive in his chambers. Don’t forget that several of his clerks have already resigned and he would be very distracted.”
KPCC – 12.19.17
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Laurie Levenson weighs-in on Judge Kozinski’s resignation. “Fifteen women came forward. And the judges’ clerks resigned. There was far too much suspicion about him personally for him to have credibility on the bench.”
San Francisco Chronicle – 12.18.17
FEDERAL JUDGE KOZINSKI RETIRES AS SEXUAL MISCONDUCT INQUIRY LAUNCHED
“It’s unprecedented for members of the federal judiciary to step down, but these allegations are also unprecedented and the current climate is unprecedented,” said Jessica Levinson, a professor of law at Loyola Law School. “When people think about powerful Ninth Circuit judges, he’s one of them.”
Refinery 29 – 12.18.17
THE NEW REALITY OF ANIMAL TESTING IN TRUMP'S AMERICA
Still, money contributed to inaugural funds is often done in an effort to curry favor with the elected official and those who have power over regulatory agencies, like the FDA, Jessica A. Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, and president of the Los Angeles Ethics Commission, recently told us. It's easy to see how one could argue the connection.
KCRW-FM -12.18.17
FEDERAL JUDGE RESIGNS OVER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Jessica Levinson discusses U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Alex Kozinski resigning over allegations of sexual misconduct.
KABC-FM – 12.19.17
9TH CIRCUIT JUDGE RESIGNS AMID A SEXUAL HARASSMENT INVESTIGATION
His move to step down is not surprising to Laurie Levenson, professor of law at Loyola Law School...“Frankly, given the allegations against him and the ongoing investigation, I don’t think he would be able to be very productive in his chambers. Don’t forget that several of his clerks have already resigned and he would be very distracted.”
Nonprofit Quarterly – 12.18.17
WITH WATCHDOG’S DONORS, IT’S DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO
“At the very least, by appearances it makes it look like money is driving the policy,” Jessica Levinson, a Loyola Law School professor who specializes in ethics and lobbying rules, told the paper.
KABC-AM – 12.18.17
IMPACT OF JUDGE ALEX KOZINSKI RESIGNING
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Laurie Levenson analyzes the impact of Judge Alex Kozinski sudden resignation. Excerpt: “I don’t think it’s going to effect the 9th circuit dramatically. We constantly have movement throughout the 9th circuit and other circuits. There are other judges that will come in.”
KABC-AM – 12.18.17
JUDGE ALEX KOZINSKI STEPS DOWN
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Laurie Levenson discusses Judge Alex Kozinski’s decision to step down. Excerpt: “Frankly, given the allegations against him and the ongoing investigation, I don’t think he’d be able to be very productive in his chambers.”
KNX-AM – 12.18.17
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Laurie Levenson examines Judge Alex Kozinski’s decision to step down following accusations of sexual misconduct. Excerpt: “His clerks had resigned, people didn’t want to work for him; it would be very hard to get the job done.”
KCAL-TV – 12.17.17
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Jessica Levinson analyzes breaking news ranging from the new tax bill to Doug Jones winning an Alabama seat in the U.S. Senate to the Robert Mueller investigation.
“It will still be an uphill battle to flip some of these Senate seats. And the thing we’re not talking about is, ‘Yes, there is this big tax bill that’s a huge victory,’ but we don’t know what’s going to happen with the Mueller investigation.”
Los Angeles Times – 12.17.17
AN L.A. COURT MISTAKENLY DESTROYED EVIDENCE A DEATH ROW INMATE SAYS WOULD FREE HIM. NOW WHAT?
Sean Kennedy, an associate clinical professor at Loyola Law School whose work on Pinholster’s case carried over from his days as the federal public defender for the Central District of California, bristled at the rationale… “It’s almost like the judiciary is facilitating wrongful executions,” he said.
The Hollywood Reporter – 12.16.17
EXPERTS WEIGH DISNEY-FOX ANTITRUST CONCERNS
"The government went after a vertical merger involving AT&T," says Loyola Law School professor emeritus Daniel Lazaroff. "They generally are viewed with more tolerance. Horizontal mergers are viewed as the most threatening types of mergers for competition."
The Mercury News – 12.15.17
CALIFORNIA FIRE DISTRICT NOT LAUGHING AT ‘JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!’ SKIT ON BURNING TRUMP HATS
“Normally, if this were a private corporation whose mark was used somewhat like this, it’s conceivable there might be some kind of trademark infringement claim, false advertising, false statement of fact that is likely to cause confusion,” said Jay Dougherty, professor of law and director of the Entertainment and Media Law Institute at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.
KPCC-FM – 12.15.17
HERE'S WHAT THE FINAL GOP TAX PLAN MEANS FOR CALIFORNIA
Loyola Law School tax law professor Katie Pratt said these changes turn out to be good for taxpayers who take the standard deduction every year, but will hit many of California's dual-income, home-owning families hard..."There are a lot of very well-off Californians who are going to have whopping tax increases," she said.
NBC News – 12.15.17
HOW DON JR.'S RIDICULOUS CLAIM ABOUT ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE COULD ACTUALLY WORK (also featured on EuroNews)
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Jessica Levinson analyzes Donald Trump Jr.’s claim that he couldn’t answer a Congressional committee’s questions about a phone conversation he had his with father due to attorney-client privilege.
However, attorneys are not wizards. Merely having one in the room or on the phone does not automatically make communications subject to the attorney-client privilege.
Los Angeles Times – 12.15.17
“At the very least, by appearances it makes it look like money is driving the policy,” said Jessica Levinson, a Loyola Law School professor who specializes in ethics and lobbying rules.
CNN – 12.15.17
FIRST AMENDMENT IS AT A CROSSROADS IN SUPREME COURT
"Candidate and now President Trump has made a number of statements about the reach of the First Amendment -- at times using it both as a shield and a sword -- but by the end of this term the Supreme Court will have the final word the contours of the First Amendment at least in a number of important areas," said Jessica A. Levinson, who teaches constitutional law at the Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.
The American Prospect – 12.15.17
THE GOP’S WEAPON OF SUPPRESSION: VOTER PURGES
This reversal is highly unusual, says Justin Levitt, a Loyola Law School professor who served in the department’s Civil Rights Division, which at the time opposed the Ohio law… But the Ohio law allows the state to initiate action on the basis of non-voting alone, raising the “significant concern,” he argues, “that states will be free to toss people off the rolls without any evidence that they have become ineligible.”
The Sacramento Bee – 12.15.17
CALIFORNIA MUST ELECT 12,000 PEOPLE TO END ‘CORRUPTION,’ CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR SAYS (also featured on Election Law Blog)
“First of all, this is not going to happen,” argues Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School and president of the Los Angeles Ethics Commission. “When it comes to anything on the ballot, the default (position of voters) is ‘no,’ and you have to move them to a ‘yes.’ There will be an enormous amount of political pressure and money behind a ‘no’ campaign from the establishment and familiar faces.”
Press Enterprise – 12.14.17
CHINO VALLEY FIRE DISTRICT NOT LAUGHING AT ‘JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!’ SKIT ON BURNING TRUMP HATS
“Normally, if this were a private corporation whose mark was used somewhat like this, it’s conceivable there might be some kind of trademark infringement claim, false advertising, false statement of fact that is likely to cause confusion,” said Jay Dougherty, professor of law and director of the Entertainment and Media Law Institute at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.
Law360 – 12.15.17
JUDGE COULD REACH SPLIT RULING ON CFPB LEADERSHIP
So if Judge Kelly is convinced that there is an issue to be addressed, he might ask for further briefings, said Adam Zimmerman, a professor at Loyola Law School…"I would think the way a judge would normally go about it is they would issue an order to show cause," he said.
Information – 12.14.17
FN-CHEF I HÅRD KRITIK AF DANMARK I SAG OM NORDKOREANSKE ARBEJDERE
Men den udlægning er altså helt forkert, vurderer Hugh Griffiths fra FN’s ekspertpanel. Og hans kritik bliver bakket op af juraprofessor Cesare Romano fra Loyola Law School i Los Angeles, USA… »Den danske regerings fortolkning er ren nonsens,« siger Cesare Romano, der er ekspert i FN-ret.
The Texas Tribune – 12.14.17
THE TAKING: HOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ABUSED ITS POWER TO SEIZE PROPERTY FOR A BORDER FENCE
“This is pretty much a very dark corner of the law,” said Gideon Kanner, a professor emeritus at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and a longtime champion of private property rights. “Any notions of due process that you may have will have to be re-examined.”
Los Angeles Daily Journal – 12.13.17
TURNER APPEAL UNLIKELY TO SUCCEED, LEGAL OBSERVERS SAY
“It’s always an uphill battle to win on appeal. It’s even more difficult on insufficiency of evidence,” Laurie Levenson, a professor at Loyola Law School, said of the appellant’s opening brief submitted to the 6th District Court of Appeal. People v. Turner, H043709 (filed June 2, 2016)
Variety – 12.13.17
TRUMP’S DENIALS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND ATTACK ON ACCUSER LEAVE HIM OPEN TO LAWSUIT
Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, notes that Trump is using the First Amendment to defend what he said. “It’s really difficult to draw that line between speech that is protected and speech that isn’t,” she said.
preLaw – December 2017
TOP LAW SCHOOLS FOR TAX, BUSINESS, BANKING AND CORPORATE LAW (also featured on TaxProf Blog)
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles gets an “A” ranking from preLaw magazine for their tax, business, banking and corporate law programs.
CNN International – December 12.12.17
TRUMP PRESIDENCY: AT LEAST 15 WOMEN HAVE MADE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST TRUMP
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Jessica Levinson discusses accusations against Trump. Excerpt: "The president seems to be wearing suits made of Teflon. These allegations are just bounding right off him. The American public knew about these allegations and still voted to elect him. But that was before the #MeToo movement."
Medium – 12.12.17
THE HOUSE-SENATE TAX CONFERENCE: A BYRD'S EYE VIEW (also featured on TaxProf Blog)
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Ellen Aprill co-authors article analyzing the Senate's Byrd Rule.
In sum, the history of the Byrd rule teaches us much about the way that the Senate’s procedural requirements will shape the final stage of the tax legislative process. But it does not teach us everything. The Byrd rule certainly imposes constraints on the Senate majority, but the majority can unwind those constraints in a number of ways.
CrimProf Blog – 12.12.17
OCEN ON PREGNANCY AS A STATUS OFFENSE
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Priscilla Ocen’s article “Birthing Injustice: Pregnancy as a Status Offense” is highlighted.
LLM Guide – 12.12.17
Los Angeles-based Loyola Law School is adding a new track to its LL.M., designed to streamline international students towards the California and New York Bar Exams.
Vox – 12.12.17
VOTER SUPPRESSION IN ALABAMA: WHAT’S TRUE AND WHAT’S NOT
One study by Loyola Law School Professor Justin Levitt found just 35 credible accusations of voter impersonation between 2000 and 2014, constituting a few hundred ballots at most.
CNN International – 12.11.17
MOORE AND JONES MAKE FINAL PITCH TO ALABAMA VOTERS
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Jessica Levinson analyzes the senate race in Alabama. Excerpt: Unlike most special elections, it’s not at all low information. People tend to make up their minds and know who they’re going to vote for without Charles Barkley or President Obama telling them what to do. We like to think all those things matter, but the truth is most people have made up their mind by the time they see the name and the party affiliation.
KCRW-FM – 12.11.17
THE WEINSTEIN EFFECT ON THE AMERICAN JUDICIARY
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Jessica Levinson weighs in on the sexual harassment accusations against the Hon. Alex Kozinski, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Courthouse News – 12.11.17
MANAFORT FACES BLOWBACK OVER UKRAINIAN EDITORIAL
“It doesn’t seem like a good way to spend your chits in the courtroom,” said Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor now at Loyola Law School. “The judge has a lot of discretionary calls she’ll have to make in this case, and if she feels she can’t trust you or loses respect for you – even if you’re not in technical violation of the order – it can end up hurting you.”
The New York Times – 12.11.17
LEAVE THE JOHNSON AMENDMENT ALONE
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Ellen Aprill’s op-ed points out: “Under our current campaign finance regime, only dollars that have been subject to income tax can be used for electioneering. A de minimis exception for electioneering by charities will undermine this basic principle. It will harm both the law regulating charities and the law regulating campaign finance. Our country will be far poorer for such changes."
TaxProf Blog – 12.10.17
APRILL: AMENDING THE JOHNSON AMENDMENT IN THE AGE OF CHEAP SPEECH
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Ellen Aprill’s article “Amending the Johnson Amendment in the Age of Cheap Speech” is highlighted.
WXIA-TV – 12.11.17
WHAT DOES FLYNN'S GUILTY PLEA MEAN FOR VICE PRESIDENT PENCE?
Loyola Law School Professor Jessica Levinson said Flynn’s plea agreement “means you’re getting closer to Pence and Trump.”
Huffington Post – 12.09.17
Justin Levitt, who served as a deputy assistant attorney general for civil rights in the Obama Justice department, said at the time the move was “unusual,” because the U.S. government had supported the challengers in the lower courts.
Moyers & Company – 12.08.17
MARSHALL: A LITTLE-KNOWN STORY WITH A WELL-KNOWN HERO
A new study published this year by Carlos Berdejó of Loyola Law School found that prosecutors overwhelmingly gave white defendants better deals in misdemeanor charges.
Courthouse News – 12.08.17
WINNER OF ALABAMA SENATE RACE WILL HELP SHAPE JUDICIARY
“I think that if Roy Moore is elected that means there is yet another reliable vote for President Trump’s judicial nominees,” Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, told Courthouse News via email. “This would help to ensure and hasten President Trump’s reshaping of the judiciary.”
ABA Journal – 12.08.17
HOUSE COMMITTEE LAWYERS ARE SPLIT ON TRUMP JR.'S PRIVILEGE CLAIM; WHAT DO EXPERTS SAY?
“Attorneys are not magic sorcerers,” Loyola Law School Professor Jessica Levinson said. “Merely having one in the room or on the phone does not automatically mean that anything that is said in that room or during that conversation is protected by the attorney-client privilege.”
Los Angeles Daily Journal – 12.08.17
LOYOLA LAW SCHOOL HOLDS TAX CONFERENCE
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles hosted its 21st annual Western Conference on Tax Exempt Organizations on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at the Millennium Biltmore hotel.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – 12.08.17
INSIDE THE GERRYMANDERING DATA TOP PA. REPUBLICANS FOUGHT TO KEEP PRIVATE
Told of the data and what it includes, four experts — Li; Justin Levitt, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles; James A. Gardner, a professor at the University at Buffalo School of Law; and Nicholas Stephanopoulos, a professor at the University of Chicago Law School —said that the collection of partisanship data itself isn’t unusual or telling, but since the outcome of the mapping heavily favored Republicans, the data suggests an attempt to gerrymander.
Share Blue Media – 12.08.17
AFTER BLAMING VOTER FRAUD ON DEMOCRATS, EX-GOP CHAIRMAN CONVICTED OF VOTER FRAUD
An extensive study by a Loyola Law School professor found only 31 instances of possible voter fraud amidst one billion ballots cast between 2000 and 2014.
Los Angeles Times – 12.06.17
DISENFRANCHISED BECAUSE OF VOTER ID BUREAUCRACY? VOTERIDERS AND KATHLEEN UNGER CAN HELP
Three years ago, a Loyola Law School professor’s study confirmed again what every other serious study has shown: that voter fraud is a political chimera.
ABC Australia – 12.06.17
Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor and now a law professor at the Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, talks about where she thinks Robert Mueller's investigation is heading.
Los Angeles Daily Journal – 12.06.17
STATE LEGISLATURE CANNOT REPEAL THE LAWS OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Emeritus Gideon Kanner writes on legislation advertised as a solution for the California housing crisis.
What is unfolding in California are the harsh effects of the laws of economics, and of an unspoken policy choice by local governments and courts to limit population growth by using harshly restrictive land-use regulations that drive housing prices above most people's ability to buy.
Huffington Post – 12.05.17
TOP PENNSYLVANIA REPUBLICANS ARE FIGHTING LIKE HELL TO KEEP GERRYMANDERING SECRET
Similar disputes over disclosure have arisen in other redistricting cases, according to Li and Justin Levitt, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles who closely follows redistricting issues… “Extremely vigorous fights against disclosing legislative process are nothing uncommon...That’s particularly true when it comes to conversations between legislators and consultants. It might mean something nefarious, or just embarrassing, or nothing at all ― just institutional considerations and not wanting to set a precedent.”
CNN International – 12.05.17
TRUMP LAWYER CLAIMS PRESIDENT CAN’T OBSTRUCT JUSTICE
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Jessica Levinson analyzes Trump’s lawyer’s claim that the president can’t obstruct justice.
This statement is a little vague... Is he saying the president can’t obstruct justice period? As a structural matter of the constitution. And that clearly cannot be the case.
CNN International – 12.05.17
MOORE DENIES ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Jessica Levinson joins CNN to discuss moving the embassy to Jerusalem and why Trump is embracing Roy Moore.
We’re talking about a political calculation in terms of whether or not it’s better to elect someone who has had a number of very credible allegations of pedophilia. And we’re having this conversation on a national level as if this is some sort of normal conversation.
KABC-TV – 12.04.17
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Katherine Pratt discusses the possible effects of the Republican tax plan.
The benefit – the standard deduction goes up. But a whole series of itemized deductions will be lost.
NBC News – 12.04.17
TRUMP'S QUIET RESHAPING OF THE JUDICIARY COULD BE HIS MOST LASTING LEGACY
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Jessica Levinson writes on Trump’s legacy.
This could be the biggest change to the federal judiciary in almost 40 years, dating back to when Congress created the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in 1980.
People’s World – 12.04.17
FLYNN NOT THE BIGGEST FISH IN POOL OF CORRUPTION
Typical comments came from Professor Jessica Levinson, an expert on election and politics law at Loyola University in Los Angeles, and Andy Wright, an associate professor of constitutional law and separation of powers at Savannah Law School in Georgia.
San Francisco Chronicle – 12.04.17
STEINLE VERDICT COULD HAUNT GASCÓN’S CAREER
Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, called the Steinle verdict “a terrifically unfortunate career moment” for Gascón, especially if he seeks higher office statewide.
Mercury News – 12.04.17
CALIFORNIA LAWMAKER ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING LOBBYIST IN A BATHROOM
Loyola Law Professor Jessica Levinson, an ethics and election law expert who has been following the We Said Enough campaign, said the climate in Sacramento appears to be changing. “I actually do believe this is becoming a movement now,” she said. “This feels different to me.”
Election Law Blog – 12.03.17
TOP RECENT DOWNLOADS IN ELECTION LAW ON SSRN
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Ellen Aprill’s article “Amending the Johnson Amendment in the Age of Cheap Speech” is in the top 10 most download election law articles.
San Francisco Chronicle – 12.03.17
RUSSIA PROBE EXAMINING POSSIBLE OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, FEINSTEIN
Feinstein's willingness to cooperate clearly isn't the case anymore, said Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles…"She has, if anything, shown a conciliatory tone toward Trump. This is coming from a person who said she would try to work with Trump. If Feinstein says she is building an obstruction of justice case, then it's really serious. Even she has crossed the threshold and realized there is absolutely no working with Trump."
KCAL-TV – 12.03.17
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Jessica Levinson analyzes breaking news surrounding the Trump presidency. Excerpt: It matters what Trump knew and when. If President Trump knew that Flynn had lied to FBI, which is a federal crime, he said to then FBI director James Comey, ‘I really hope you will see your way to not continuing this investigation,’ then he is trying to stop an ongoing investigation into a federal crime, if he then fires James Comey because he won't push brakes on this, this is an additional problem.
KCBS-TV – 12.03.17
DID TRUMP KNOW FLYNN WAS FLYING?
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Jessica Levinson analyzes recent tweets suggestion President Trump knew Michael Flynn was lying.
KTTV-TV – 12.01.17
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Jessica Levinson explains what Flynn’s guilty plea means for the Trump administration and possible pardons. Excerpt: First of all, there's the optics of -- to the extent that President Trump is worried about that -- there are the optics of pre-pardoning somebody.
KCBS-TV – 12.01.17
WHAT IS MUELLER HOPING TO GET OUT OF MICHAEL FLYNN?
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Justin Levitt analyzes breaking news in Mueller’s investigation. Excerpt: He's looking for financial impropriety, he’s looking for unlawful interactions with Russians or others and he's looking for lying. Lying on federal forms and lying in any statements the people have already made to federal officials.
Politico – 12.01.17
WHAT MICHAEL FLYNN’S PLEA DEAL MEANS
Laurie Levenson, professor at Loyola Law School says “Undoubtedly, Flynn’s plea is not the end of the road for this investigation. Rather, it is an opportunity to use Flynn’s status as an insider to explore who else close to the president participated in conversations with the Russians and the motivations for those conversations.”
LMU Magazine – December 2017
We asked Eric Miller, Loyola Law School professor and Leo J. O’Brien Fellow, to give us a lesson about civil asset forfeiture…In many jurisdictions, there are little or no restrictions on the type of property that may be seized, apart from that the assets be derived from criminal activity. Anything from candy to condominiums can be forfeited, so long as it is linked to a crime
Bloomberg – 12.01.17
CHANGES TO IRS TAX-EXEMPT FORMS EXPECTED IN EARLY 2018
Lough also said the IRS is creating a new Form 1024-A from the existing Form 1024, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(a), just for tax-exempt groups under Section 501(c)(4). References to 501(c)(4) entities will be removed from the 1024 as a result, she told attendees at the Western Conference on Tax Exempt Organizations sponsored by Loyola Law School.
Tax Notes – 12.01.17
CHANGES COMING TO SOME EO APPLICATIONS IN EARLY 2018
According to Sunita Lough, commissioner of the IRS Tax-Exempt and Government Entities Division, the changes to Form 1023, “Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code,” and Form 1024, “Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(a),” will be made in January 2018 and are intended to streamline the forms. Lough spoke November 30 in Los Angeles at the Western Conference on Tax-Exempt Organizations sponsored by Loyola Law School.
KPCC-FM – 12.01.17
IS MICHAEL FLYNN’S GUILTY PLEA THE MISSING LINK IN THE RUSSIAN PROBE?
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Laurie Levenson discusses President Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty today for lying to the FBI. Excerpt: "I have been impressed by Muller's approach which is to go one defendant at a time and build a case...If we look at the series of charges, the Russia investigation has focused on the cover up, the false statements"
KPCC-FM – 12.01.17
ACQUITTAL IN THE STEINLE CASE: WHAT HAPPENED IN THE COURTROOM, PLUS SF REACTS
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Professor Laurie Levenson explains the acquittal of Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, an undocumented immigrant who fired the shot that killed Kathryn Steinle in 2015. Excerpt: "Not every tragic killing is a crime... It's devastating for the victims...Under the justice system, criminal justice is different than the actions that might lead to losses"
Los Angeles Times – 12.01.17
HOW TRUMP MADE KATHRYN STEINLE'S SLAYING A CENTER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION CRUSADE
Laurie Levenson, a law professor at Loyola Law School, said the verdict showed that the jury evaluated the case based on the evidence presented in the courtroom, not on the political rhetoric sounding outside.
Los Angeles Times – 12.01.17
Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor who now is a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, said it’s hard to say if the police would keep refusing to present a case out of spite or if the “inefficiency” of an overburdened court system was to blame.
NJ.com – 12.01.17
SEAN SPICER MAY HOLD KEY TO FUTURE OF N.J. TRUMP VOTER INTIMIDATION CASE
And Justin Levitt, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, found just 31 possible fraud cases out of more than 1 billion votes from 2000 through 2014.
LMU Magazine – December 2017
“This is speculation on my part,” says Kathleen Kim, professor at Loyola Law School and a longtime immigration advocate, “but it may be that when [the president] comes to the six-month deadline for enforcing DACA, he will be uncomfortable deporting Dreamers. So, he may be trying to find a way out.”