Law new can refer to a number of things, but in the context of legal practice it typically means a field of law that is growing and expanding quickly. These practices might be focused on a particular niche, or they might use technology to innovate in the way that they provide services to clients. Whatever the specifics, these new fields are important to lawyers because they can introduce innovative ways of conducting business and meeting client needs.
Feature: ‘Universal Vacatur’ and the New Major Questions Doctrine
Universal vacatur, the principle that judicial review is limited to a case-by-case analysis of the record in a legal proceeding, has been condemned by modern textualists for empowering courts with unfettered discretion. This Feature traces the history of this doctrine from its pre-APA roots through Abbott Labs, demonstrating that a wholesale rejection of the principle would threaten our constitutional order.
Feature: ‘How to Read a Committee Report’
When a legislative committee writes a report on a bill, the staff must carefully consider both the purpose and the scope of the legislation. The resulting document is a crucial source of information on the current state of the law, as it sets forth the reason for the committee’s recommendation for or against passage of a bill. The report also includes a section-by-section analysis of the law and explains the impact that each change to existing law will have.
Feature: “How to Identify Shared Mobility Devices”
Shared mobility devices are a popular and convenient mode of transportation, but can be difficult for people who may not know what these vehicles look like. To help users find their vehicles, California has enacted a new law that requires shared mobility device providers to display specific signage in the vehicle. The law also requires shared mobility device drivers to be familiar with the vehicle’s operating features and safety rules.
Feature: “The Absurdity Canon”
The absurdity canon has been condemned by modern textualists as a blank check for judicial intervention, but its total dismissal is unwarranted. By dissecting the multiple meanings of absurdity, this Note reframes and justifies the absurdity canon as an essential tool of our constitutional system of checks and balances.