Editorial Board

November 20, 2014 | The Legal Intelligencer

So you recently graduated from law school and just found out you passed the bar. You must be able to jump right in and practice law, right? What about giving advice to family and friends who are excited they can now get free legal advice from you? Do you know enough to dispense this advice when requested? Take it from Ygritte in the "Game of Thrones" series: You know nothing, (insert your name here).

By The YL Editorial Board

8 minute read

October 23, 2014 | The Legal Intelligencer

On Feb. 15, the National Football League found itself in a familiar position. Not only was it the lead story on every sports and news station, it was due to another NFL player in trouble with the law. This time it was the Baltimore Ravens' Ray Rice, who was arrested for assaulting his now-wife, Janay Rice. A few days later, a video was released showing Ray Rice dragging Janay Rice's unconscious body off of an elevator. With no video of what happened inside the elevator, the country was left to speculate, and the NFL was left with a huge problem. How would Commissioner Roger Goodell discipline Ray Rice with the country watching closely?

By The YL Editorial Board

8 minute read

October 22, 2014 | The Legal Intelligencer

To Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane: We strongly recommend that you act like the attorney general. Please stop this silly game you have been playing with the emails between state employees and members of the judiciary. You are the chief law enforcement officer of Pennsylvania and, by means of the common-law doctrine of parens patriae, you are guardian of the vital interests of the citizens of the commonwealth.

By The Editorial Board

2 minute read

October 22, 2014 | The Legal Intelligencer

We applaud the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for taking swift, but measured, action with regard to Justice Seamus P. McCaffery—suspension with pay, and a direction to the Judicial Conduct Board to accelerate its investigation. We are sympathetic to the due process concerns raised by Justice Debra Todd in her dissent to the Supreme Court's action, but we are of the view that the due process rights of an individual justice must be balanced against, and ultimately give way to, the greater interests of the public in a judiciary that is free from taint, and the interest of the institution of the Supreme Court, which must now work diligently to restore its reputation for integrity and professionalism. That reputation—the most valuable capital of any high court—is in serious need of repair.

By The Editorial Board

6 minute read

September 25, 2014 | The Legal Intelligencer

Over the last 10 years, the number of students applying to accredited law schools has declined from 100,600 to 59,400, according to the Law School Admission Council. The drop represents an astounding 40 percent decline in law school applicants, with double-digit decreases during the last three years. Although the decline may be blamed in part on the recession, we must accept the fact that the decline is also a self-inflicted wound caused by irresponsible law schools and the failure of the American Bar Association to properly regulate legal education. Without changes and a renewed sense of accountability, the decline will continue.

By The YL Editorial Board

8 minute read

August 21, 2014 | The Legal Intelligencer

U.S. companies are increasingly utilizing a procedure referred to as a tax-inversion merger to "relocate" abroad—a practice that enables them to change their legal domicile and lower their tax bill, often without changing very much in practice.

By The YL Editorial Board

9 minute read

July 17, 2014 | The Legal Intelligencer

"Hey, you're a lawyer. May I ask you a question?"

By The YL Editorial Board

10 minute read

July 03, 2014 | The Legal Intelligencer

Recent tectonic shifts in law and culture have suddenly created new social ground for same-sex couples, yet as the aftershocks dwindle on the new landscape, diverse professionals continue to face an old question: Where does diversity fit in the workplace?

By The YL Editorial Board

8 minute read

May 15, 2014 | The Legal Intelligencer

Collect year-end bonus. Take two weeks' paid vacation. Return sun-kissed from the Caribbean, and march to the managing partner's office with your letter of resignation in hand.

By The YL Editorial Board

7 minute read

April 17, 2014 | The Legal Intelligencer

While April is known for the start of baseball season, the return of open-toed shoes and the chance to finally get outdoors, many people may not know that it is also National Volunteer Month.

By YL Editorial Board

8 minute read