News

Professor Shubha Ghosh Provides Perspective on Buffalo Mass Shooting Social Media Lawsuits

Crandall Melvin Professor of Law Shubha Ghosh spoke with Spectrum 1’s State of Politics on the social media lawsuits now in New York State Supreme Court filed by families of the victims of the Buffalo mass shooting.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court chose not to hold Twitter and Google responsible in a similar lawsuit of promoting or failing to monitor terrorist activities on the platforms. In their decision, SCOTUS did not expand the immunity given to social media platforms under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

For the Buffalo mass shooting suits, Ghosh said ultimately the litigation will come down to the facts of the case which could be very different than the facts in the SCOTUS case.

“Here it seems like one important difference would be that the platforms were used to broadcast the events live and that raises a different set of policies,” Ghosh said.

Professor Gregory Germain Answers Questions on Disputing Credit Report Inaccuracies

Professor Gregory Germain answered questions about the rights and processes consumers have to dispute credit reports with Wallet Hub.

In the article, Germain says “I recommend that consumers mail their disputes to both the furnisher and the credit reporting agency, and if they do not get a timely and proper response, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and their state attorney general’s office. They will usually ask for a response from the providers, and often that will get a more thorough review.”

19 Student Attorneys Sworn Into the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic

The College of Law recently held a virtual swearing-in ceremony for summer semester student attorneys in the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic (VLC) with U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Judge Grant Jaquith.

“The College takes pride in its robust experiential education programs, which include clinics that allow students to practice in a wide variety of substantive areas of the law,” says Professor Beth Kubala, Executive Director of the VLC. Student attorneys apply complex legal doctrine to real-life matters while interviewing and counseling clients, drafting motions, briefs, contracts, and many other documents, and representing clients in court proceedings and in other transactional matters.

The VLC provides representation to veterans and their families who are seeking benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or upgrading an unfavorable discharge through the various military services. While representing real clients, student attorneys gain an understanding of military culture, interact with government agencies, develop case management skills, improve advocacy skills, and instill the value of pro bono service.

Before the oath, Judge Jaquith, an Army veteran, shared that veterans benefit from having the advice, assistance, and advocacy of a lawyer that nearly always sharpens the identification and presentation of relevant facts and applicable of law, hastens resolution, and increases the likelihood of an appropriate outcome.

Judge Jaquith said, “There is a real need for your help and a real opportunity for you to gain valuable experience and make a real difference for Soldiers, Sailors, Flyers, and Marines who have sacrificed their health in military service as well as the spouses and family members that have depended on them.”

The ceremony concluded with Judge Jaquith administering the oath in which the student attorneys promised to abide by the rules of professional responsibility and courageously represent their clients. All students are part of the JDinteractive program.

Clinic students discussed the summer clinic experience.   

“I wish that I would have started with the clinic earlier. These veterans are so grateful for the assistance and have waited unacceptable amounts of time to be compensated for their sacrifices. This experience allows you to sharpen your research skills, advocacy skills, client counseling skills, and record maintenance skills. I am more confident and prepared for my future legal career because of my time spent in the clinic this semester.”  2L Joe Jasper. 

“Although I entered the ceremony feeling somewhat unqualified to take the oath, after hearing Judge Jaquith speak passionately about the tremendous unmet need and potential impact we, in the Veteran’s Legal Clinic could make in the lives of our vets, I proudly spoke the words of the oath feeling honored to be given this opportunity to make a real difference.”  2L Gina Bilotti.

“It was an honor to have Judge Jaquith take the time to speak to our clinic and conduct the student swearing-in ceremony. His insights as to the role of the court in the overall process of a veteran’s claim will be valuable as we advocate for our clients. Those were remarks I won’t forget. Reciting the oath before him really highlighted the impact that we can have on a veteran’s future by helping them navigate the legal/administrative process.” 2L Seth Owens.

“This group of students tonight raised their right hand and swore to zealously represent our community’s veterans. Here at the College of Law, we are proudly training the next generation of veteran advocates,” says Kubala.  “These students are directly impacting the way we treat our veterans, and programs like this reflect the College of Law’s commitment in making Syracuse University the Best Place for Veterans.”     

Professor Shubha Ghosh Weighs in on Ticketmaster After Most Recent Taylor Swift Concert Ticket Headache

Professor Shubha Ghosh was quoted in the Associated Press story, “Ticketmaster Halts Taylor Swift Ticket Sales in France in Another Headache for Fans.”

In relation to ongoing issues Taylor Swift fans have had with purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster, Ghosh says “Ticketmaster is a poorly run company and its bad practices come in part from its position as a monopolist in the space of concert ticket distribution.”

Professor Arlene Kanter Speaks with Bloomberg Law on How Remote Work is Impacting Disability Law

Professor Arlene Kanter, director of the Disability Law and Policy Program, spoke with Bloomberg Law for their article “Covid’s Remote Work Experience is Slowly Changing Disability Law.”

Federal judges are somewhat less likely to side with employers that deny requests for telework as a disability accommodation after the Covid-19 pandemic sparked a remote work revolution.

Employers prevailed in nearly 60% of federal court rulings over the past two years on whether they could reject employees’ disability-related remote work requests, according to a Bloomberg Law review of cases.

That’s a drop from employers’ 70% win rate in a previous Bloomberg Law analysis of cases in a two-year pre-pandemic period spanning from February 2017 to February 2019.

In the article, Kanter says “The Covid experience has taught people to question whether in-person attendance is essential.”

2L Luis Weierbach Awarded 2023 Pat Tillman Foundation Scholarship

The Pat Tillman Foundation has announced its scholars for 2023, including College of Law student 2L Luis Weierbach.

Prior to enrolling at the College of Law, Weierbach attended West Point and was later commissioned as an active-duty infantry officer, became airborne qualified, led a light infantry platoon in Thailand and Korea, and served as a company executive officer and battalion logistics officer.

A New York State wrestling champion in high school, Weierbach seeks to bring his passion for his fellow soldiers and young athletes to his future career in law. He plans to continue his life of service as an advocate in the courtroom for soldiers and an ambassador of healthy outlets like wrestling to underserved youth, encouraging participation in non-profits such as “Beat the Streets” to prevent them from entering the justice system and staying on the right path.

“I believe that we are as strong as our weakest moment and the grit we summon to wrestle through it,” Weierbach states.

As a Pat Tillman Foundation University Partner for the last five years, Syracuse University proudly supports its Tillman Scholars. The Program unites and empowers remarkable military veterans and spouses as the next generation of public and private sector leaders committed to service beyond self.

Professor Paula Johnson Speaks with CBS News About Anti-LGBTQ Laws

Professor Paula Johnson was interviewed on CBS News about the proliferation of anti-LGBTQ laws in states across the country.

She noted that “While many of them have passed state legislatures, they are still being challenged and making their way through state and federal courts.”

When asked why these laws are being introduced at this time, Johnson says “A particularly vulnerable population is now in some ways being scapegoated for ills that are affecting the country. A vulnerable population but also a resilient one. We are seeing this taking hold as part of the stratification of the country on these social issues.”

When discussing specific laws, she said that expressive performances, such as drag shows, do not just pertain to the LGBTQ community. “Think of comedians who have performed in what we would broadly say was drag. There have been men or male comedians who would dress as female characters. Think of Shakespearean plays, of Greek plays. These things have long histories of being represented as cross-gender representations. There’s no way we can say these things have been problematic aspects within our society and have had wide acceptance in the community and society.”

Professor Cora True-Frost Discusses the International Criminal Court in Two-Part National Security Law Today Podcast

Formed in response to the Rwandan and former Yugoslavian genocides in the early 1990s, the International Criminal Court (ICC) was established with a crucial mission: to bring to justice those accountable for the most heinous crimes of global significance. 

In this two-part episode of the National Security Law Today Podcast, Professor Cora True-Frost L’01 accompanies host Elisa Poteat to uncover the inner workings of the ICC—its organizational framework, extensive jurisdiction, and the intricate processes involved in investigating and prosecuting war crimes. Together, they shed light on the vital role played by the ICC in upholding accountability and seeking justice for victims worldwide.

Luca Arnuado Speaks on Objections with Adam Klasfeld Podcast “Prosecuting an Ex-Leader: Lessons from Italy, from Berlusconi to Trump”

College of Law Distinguished Lecturer Luca Arnuado was recently featured as a guest speaker on the Objections with Adam Klasfeld podcast, “Prosecuting an ex-leader: Lessons from Italy, from Berlusconi to Trump.”

Currently based in Rome, Arnuado analyzes Berlusconi’s legacy, the differences between the U.S. and Italian systems of justice, and how both politicians used their criminal cases to rally their supporters.

Arnuado is introduced and begins speaking at around three minutes into the recording.

Professor Kevin Noble Maillard Discusses SCOTUS’ Upholding of the Indian Child Welfare Act

The Supreme Court of the United States recently upheld the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) with its ruling in Haaland v. Brackeen.

Professor Kevin Noble Maillard, an expert in family and adoption law and a member of the Seminole Nation, was quoted at Impakter “The adoptive parents have long claimed this case as a racial issue, but what they have not recognized is their own racialized insistence on the neutrality of white parenthood … They tried to fight sovereignty with dog whistle animus, and they lost.”

In the  Texas Monthly article, “A Fort Worth Couple Challenged the Indian Child Welfare Act. They Lost.”, he noted that Native families often feel bias against Native parenting practices, like communal parenting, in the courts.