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:
Firstpost – 03.29.18
BAYER SHARES SAG AFTER U.S. JURY VERDICT IN ROUNDUP CANCER TRIAL
On Wednesday, the jury awarded Hardeman $5 million in compensatory and $75 million in punitive damages. Under a 2003 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, punitive damages are generally limited to less than 10 times the compensatory damages award, meaning the current verdict will likely be reduced, said Adam Zimmerman, a law professor at Los Angeles-based Loyola Law School.
Orange County Register – 03.28.19
STATE LAWMAKER QUIRK-SILVA BORROWED $430,000 TO BUY A HOME; HER LENDER WAS LORETTA SANCHEZ
“It gives a feeling: Was there a sense of indebtedness and gratitude?” said Jessica Levinson, a Loyola Law School professor who specializes in campaign and elections law. “Do they feel like business partners, and do you lose some of your independence?”
95.1 KJZZ – 03.28.19
U.S. SUPREME HEARING CASES ON GERRYMANDERING
Gerrymandering has been quite influential in recent legislative and congressional races, and the court has the ability to reshape approaches to map drawing — depending upon how the majority decides. And based upon the questions and comments of the justices, another 5-4 ruling may be in the offing. Justin Levitt is an election law expert and law professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and joined The Show to talk about Tuesday’s arguments.
Pacific Standard – 03.27.19
IS IT TIME TO BRING THE NATION’S IMMIGRATION COURTS UNDER THE JUDICIAL BRANCH?
"Our current system permits the political branches of government to yield tremendous power over immigration enforcement policies and practices," says Kathleen Kim, an immigration law professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. "Without an independent judiciary, our system of government provides no check on abuse of that power and immigration court decisions suffer from the taint of impartiality."
Law 360 – 03.26.19
IS PURDUE’S $270M DEAL BEGINNING OF END FOR OPIOD CASES?
Adam Zimmerman, a Loyola Law School professor, noted on Tuesday that J&J and Teva recently filed briefs that voiced concerns about facing a joint trial in Oklahoma with Purdue.
“There’s a good chance that the other defendants may still want to push ahead without Purdue in the trial,” Zimmerman told Law360.
Thrive Global – 03.26.19
TIPS FROM THE TOP: ONE ON ONE WITH HAMILTON CHAN
I spoke to entrepreneur and creator of LLX Hamilton Chan about his journey and best advice.
Law.com – 03.26.19
AHEAD OF THE CURVE: LAW SCHOOL UNBUNDLED
Hamilton Chan, who founded Loyola Law School, Los Angeles’ new executive education program LLX, discusses what makes it different from other law school initiatives to teach non-lawyers.
Kion News – 03.25.19
SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR 2 CRISTICAL PARTISAN GERRYMANDER CASES
"These cases are really about the representation we get in federal, state and local office all across the country," said Justin Levitt, a professor of law at Loyola Law School, who has signed a brief in support of the challengers.
Centre Daily Times – 03.25.19
ANALYSIS | LEGAL EXPERTS QUESTION WILLIAM BARR’S RATIONALE FOR EXONERATING TRUMP
"I think this is the weakest part of Attorney General Barr's conclusions," said Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. "You do not need to prove an underlying crime to prove obstruction of justice. Martha Stewart is quite aware of this fact."
The Appeal – 03.25.19
HUNDREDS STUCK IN PRISON IN CALIFORNIA AS PROSECUTORS SEEK TO BLOCK NEW LAW
In 2015, Tirpak was resentenced to 25 years to life after the Loyola Project for the Innocent took on his case. Even District Attorney Jackie Lacey agreed in a written brief that Tirpak “did not demonstrate reckless indifference to human life” and was entitled to resentencing.
Channel 4 News—03.24.19
THE MUELLER INVESTIGATION IS DONE, WHAT’S NEXT?
On Tuesday, the US Supreme Court will hear arguments regarding two big redistricting cases that could have ramifications over the balance of power nationally. Jessica Levinson, a professor of election law at Loyola Law School, and NBC4’s Conan Nolan talks about that...plus, what is next now that the Mueller report has been submitted to the US Attorney General?
Politico Magazine – 03.24.19
HAS THE PRESIDENT BEEN EXONERATED?
‘The question still remains open as to why so many in his campaign lied … if there was nothing to hide’
Laurie L. Levenson is professor of law and David W. Burcham chair of ethical advocacy at Loyola Law School. She was formerly an assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles.
‘We should not … conflate the summary with the report itself, or the even more important counterintelligence investigation beyond the scope of the proceedings aimed at criminal prosecution’
Justin Levitt is a professor of law at Loyola Law School and former deputy assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.
The San Diego Union Tribune – 03.22.19
SAN DIEGANS REACT TO DELIVERY OF MUELLER REPORT
“This is just the end of the beginning,” said Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. “What we don’t know is so much more than what we do know.”
The National Jurist – 03.22.19
LOYOLA LAW L.A. LAUNCHES A LEGAL PROGRAM FOR NON-LAWYERS
“LLX’s uniquely immersive education experience enhances traditional law school offerings by combining Loyola Law School’s 99 years of respected legal education with modern technology,” said Hamilton Chan, director of Executive Education at Loyola Law School.
Newburgh Gazette – 03.20.19
SECOND U.S. JURY FINDS BAYER’S ROUNDUP CAUSED CANCER
"We will only really know whether it works for Bayer to isolate scientific issues once we see more trials," said Adam Zimmerman, a law professor focusing on mass torts at Los Angeles-based Loyola Law School.
Morning News – 03.20.19
LOYOLA LAW SCHOOL LAUNCHES FIRST-OF-KIND ONLINE LEGAL EXECUTIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM
"LLX's uniquely immersive education experience enhances traditional law school offerings by combining Loyola Law School's century of respected legal education with modern technology," said Hamilton Chan, Director of Executive Education at Loyola Law School. "This program has the potential to change the way those interested in a legal education can learn, bringing growth opportunities to those unable to pursue a full-time law degree."
San Francisco Chronicle – 03.19.19
DEVIN NUNES FACES LONG ODDS IN LAWSUIT AGAINST TWITTER
So what? suggested Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. “People get to say nasty things about you,” said Levinson, an expert in political ethics. “We allow that in our country.”
Los Angeles Times – 3.19.19
RECORDS: OFF-DUTY OFFICER FLED DUI CRASH, LET MOM TRY TO TAKE THE BLAME
“The public finally gets to see inside one of the key institutions of our community, the police force,” said Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor who teaches criminal law at Loyola Law School. “For too long it was very difficult to try to pierce through the departments to see who these officers were and what they were doing.”
New York Times – 03.20.19
WHO SHOULD OWN PHOTOS OF SLAVES? THE DESCENDANTS, NOT HARVARD, A LAWSUIT SAYS
Yxta Maya Murray, a professor at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, said that images taken by force were tantamount to robbery. “If she’s a descendant, then I would stand for her,” Professor Murray said of Ms. Lanier.
Inside Higher Ed – 03.18.19
A LAW SCHOOL VENTURES INTO EXECUTIVE ED
Business schools dominate online executive education, for good reason. But leaders at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles believe they’ve identified a gap in the market: teaching basic legal skills to business professionals.
Michael Waterstone, Fritz B. Burns Dean of Loyola Law, said the motivation behind the program is to open up legal education to a “wider range of executives and professionals.”
Daily News – 03.18.19
“What’s been striking me about this case all along is that we have only portions of the tapes. We don’t have all the tapes. It scares me what we don’t know,” Laurie L. Levenson, a former federal prosecutor and a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, told The News.
New Times Online – 03.15.19
TRUMP VETOED CONGRESS' DISAPPROVAL OF HIS NATIONAL EMERGENCY. THAT DOESN'T MEAN HE'LL GET THE MONEY.
Jessica Levinson of Loyola Law School told me this is likely to come down to whether the courts (a) decide to narrowly interpret the statute or (b) focus more on whether there is actually an emergency and whether Trump has this authority.
Business Insider – 03.14.15
“I do not think that these so-called class action suits are likely to go far," Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor and current professor at Loyola Law School told Insider. "It's going to be very hard for them to show they have standing, that it affected them enough directly, that they would have gotten in, or that somehow the degree is worthless or worth less than it was before."
Business Insider – 03.14.19
WHAT WILL ACTUALLY HAPPEN TO THE POWERFUL MILLIONAIRES ENSNARED IN THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS SCANDAL
Another potential factor that could sway the sentencing is whether any of the parents sought tax benefits for their alleged bribes, according to Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor and professor at Loyola Law School. "There may be, as we call it, a touch of jail a taste of incarceration. Or a split sentence, so they can impress on how serious it is. Or it can be straight probation," Levenson told Insider.
Financial Conduct Authority – 03.14.19
IS TIME UP FOR MANDATED DISCLOSURE?
Guest author Professor Lauren Willis calls time on disclosure as a tool to regulate complex transactions and argues that there’s a better way to keep confused consumers informed.
The New York Times – 03.13.19
COLLEGE ADMISSION SCANDAL’S OTHER BIG NAMES ARE TITANS OF FINANCE AND LAW
“Professionals, their stock in trade has to be their integrity,” said Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor and a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. “Celebrities have a different stock in trade.”
Myrtle Beach Online – 03.12.19
FACT CHECK: NO THIS BILL DOESN’T ‘LEGALIZE’ THE FRAUD FOUND IN NC. HERE’S WHAT IT DOES.
There’s “absolutely nothing in HR 1 that I’ve seen” that would loosen the ballot collection rules or “legalize anyone other than the voter adding votes to a ballot,” said Justin Levitt, a professor and associate dean for Loyola Law School in California.
Comstocks – 03.12.19
CAN WOMEN SAVE CALIFORNIA’S GOP?
“There are fewer women in politics than men, and there are far fewer Republicans than Democrats in California in general,” Jessica Levinson, a political commentator and professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles says. “It’s really not that shocking. Their numbers are shrinking.”
KPCC-FM – 03.12.19
USC, UCLA, AND HOLLYWOOD CELEBS CHARGED IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS BRIBERY SCANDAL
With us is Loyola Law School professor and former federal prosecutor Laurie Levenson. The justice department says this is unprecedented. Have you heard of anything like this, anywhere near this scale? “No, I really haven’t. I mean this is a racketeering indictment that has 50 people across the nation charged. Maybe this was a crime waiting to be found out.”
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – 03.11.19
TRUMP HUSH MONEY PAYMENTS DRAW COMPARISONS TO JOHN EDWARDS CASE
“Before John Edwards there was at least a question about whether a candidate for office could or should be prosecuted for paying off a mistress to hide an affair during an election,” said Justin Levitt, associate dean of Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.
Laredo Morning Times – 03.09.19
TEXAS’ DESPERATE SEARCH FOR FRAUDULENT VOTERS
Only six of the 73 cases in the database involved voter impersonation fraud at the polls, although it is unclear whether all of these might have been prevented by a photo ID law. This comports with a nationwide study by law professor Justin Levitt over the period of 2000 to 2014 that found only 31 voter impersonation cases out of one billion votes cast.
NBC News – 03.07.19
MANAFORT'S LIGHT SENTENCE SLAMMED AS 'DISRESPECTFUL,' 'LENIENT,' 'AN OUTRAGE'
Former federal prosecutor Laurie L. Levenson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, said, "I'm somewhat surprised. This is so much more lenient than what the guidelines would be," she said. "Manafort’s personal plea and frail condition probably did make a difference."
Billboard – 03.07.19
(The allegations made in Leaving Neverland won't have any impact on the estate's tax burden. "The IRS values property of the estate at the time of death," says Jennifer Rothman, a Loyola Law School professor.)
Riverside Press-Enterprise – 03.06.19
IS BALLOT HARVESTING LEGAL IN CALIFORNIA? YES, AND THAT WORRIES SOME REPUBLICANS (also appeared in Pasadena Star-News)
Justin Levitt, a law professor and election law expert at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, said that while the alleged election fraud reported in North Carolina is concerning, it’s not the norm. “It makes a big impact when you hear about it because it doesn’t happen that often,” he said.
KFI-AM – 03.06.19
L.A. COUNTY SUPERVISORS AND SHERIFF GOING TO BATTLE OVER A BADGE COURT HEARING
Loyola Law School’s Jessica Levinson says it’s a rare power struggle. “Sheriff Villanueva has essentially dug in and there’s no indication that he is trying to resend this offer of employment.”
Yahoo Finance – 03.04.19
EXCLUSIVE: 6 TIPS FROM A NEGOTIATION EXPERT ON HOW TO FATTEN YOUR PAYCHECK
Here are six key negotiation tips to successfully secure that salary bump, from Hamilton Chan, Loyola Law School’s director of executive education and former investment banker and lawyer. Excerpt: Break down the walls. Don’t enter into the negotiation with the ‘me vs. them’ mindset of pitting yourself ‘against’ your boss. Negotiations become about Right vs. Wrong, rather than Valid vs. Also Valid,” Chan said.
Los Angeles Times —03.04.19
L.A. COUNTY SUPERVISORS CHALLENGE SHERIFF VILLANUEVA IN COURT DEPUTY’S REINSTATEMENT
Jessica Levinson, who teaches governance at Loyola Law School, said Villanueva could be held personally liable by having Mandoyan work as a deputy even though the county has stated he is no longer employed. “It just shows how extraordinary this battle is,” Levinson said. “By county counsel washing their hands of Villanueva in this instance, they’re very clearly saying, ‘We don’t owe you all the duties that arise when you have a client, like loyalty and attorney-client privilege.’ ”
East Bay Times—03.04.19
ANALYSIS: WHY RAND PAUL’S REJECTION OF TRUMP PLAN MATTERS
Jessica Levinson of Loyola Law School says this is likely to come down to whether the courts (a) decide to narrowly interpret the statute or (b) focus more on whether there is actually an emergency and whether Trump has this authority. “It certainly adds weight to the idea that this is executive overreach and a blatant and problematic end-run around Congress,” Levinson said. “They not only decided not to appropriate the funds, but are saying even more definitively, ‘Do not do this. Do not go around us.’ “
Alumni News
Pasadena Star News – 03.08.19
THE LEGENDARY LIFE OF FELIPE PLASCENCIA
I first met Felipe Plascencia, the prominent litigator who died just recently, still in his early 50s, in the 1980s. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and after graduating from Loyola Law School in 1993 he served as a Los Angeles County deputy public defender and a deputy city attorney in Compton.