The Boyd School of Law hosts "Friday Law Talks," an ongoing series given by law faculty about various law topics. The talks are free and open to the public and will be held on Friday afternoons in the Thomas and Mack Moot Court Facility.

February 22, 2008 Jean Sternlight, Michael and Sonja Saltman Professor of Law and Director of the Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution

Mandatory Binding Arbitration: Panacea or Corporate Tool?
Companies increasingly use fine print contracts to require that disputes between the company and its consumers or employees be resolved in a private arbitration process rather than in court. These “mandatory arbitration clauses,” which need not be signed or understood to be enforced, deny consumers and employees access to courts and jury trials. Professor Sternlight will explain why she thinks the clauses harm consumers and employees.

Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Thomas and Mack Moot Court Facility

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Powerpoint presentation (PDF)

Some articles by Jean Sternlight discussing "Mandatory" Arbitration

March 28, 2008 David Thronson, Associate Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Clinical Studies

Immigration Law and Family Integrity
In shaping decisions about where people live, family law and immigration law constantly and inevitably interact. Through immigration laws, the government impacts decisions by immigrant families about where and with whom they live, sanctioning some choices and prohibiting others. The vindication of immigration law goals often results in the compromise of family integrity. This presentation will examine the role of family in immigration law and consequences of unresolved tensions between immigration law and family law.

Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Thomas and Mack Moot Court Facility

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April 18, 2008 Tom McAffee, Professor of Law

War Powers of the Chief Executive
Does the President as Chief Executive or Commander in Chief have power to initiate war that has not been authorized by Congress? And, does the President have authority to act -- when waging war pursuant to congressional authorization -- according to his own best judgment about how best to achieve the “end” of “victory,” even if the judgment prompts him to order or authorize executive officials to disobey a law enacted by Congress? Professor McAffee will critique the Bush administration’s position that both of these questions are best answered in the affirmative.

Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Thomas and Mack Moot Court Facility

April 25, 2008 Nancy Rapoport, Gordon & Silver, Ltd. Professor of Law

Movies’ Portrayal of Lawyers
Movies have captured many different images of lawyers over time: images of lawyers as heroes (think of Atticus Finch), villains (The Devil’s Advocate, Jurassic Park), or somewhere in between (Legally Blonde). This presentation explores how Hollywood views lawyers and what that means when people hire lawyers for their own legal needs.

Time: 1:40 pm
Location: Thomas and Mack Moot Court Facility

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May 2, 2008 Rebecca Nathanson, James E. Rogers Professor of Education and Law

Kids’ Court School: Implications for Reducing Court-Related Stress
Children have increasingly become participants in the judicial system, testifying in court as victims or witnesses. Research has shown that children often experience anxiety related to participation in the judicial process, which is not only traumatizing but adversely affects their testimony in the courtroom as well. This presentation will provide an overview of the Kids’ Court School, a program at the Boyd School of Law that educates child witnesses about the judicial process, and research findings on the effects of the Kids’ Court School on children’s anxiety.

Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Thomas and Mack Moot Court Facility