Judah Benjamin: A Life

Judah Benjamin: A Life

Every once in a while I stumble upon the story of a remarkable individual.  Such a person was Judah Benjamin.  Born in 1811 in St. Croix, Benjamin’s family moved first to North Carolina and then to Charleston, S.C., home to the largest Jewish community in the...
Judges Experience Stress

Judges Experience Stress

As compared to the lawyers who appear before them, trial judges have much less control of the outside causes of stress.  For example, a family lawyer can control his or her stress level by guiding the case, as in the use of experts, and the use of mediation.  There is...
The Supreme Court and Family Law

The Supreme Court and Family Law

On occasion, the Supreme Court of the United States makes decisions that affect the lives of real  people  in society.  Such was the case of Loving v. Virginia (1967). In the summer of 1958, newlyweds Mildred and Richard Loving faced a choice: spend one year in jail,...
The First Amendment and the Supreme Court

The First Amendment and the Supreme Court

“The right, which had for years been hostile to and very nervous about a strong First Amendment, has rediscovered it,” said Burt Neuborne, a law professor at New York University.  The Citizens United campaign finance case, for instance, was decided on free-speech...
A Role for Lawyers in Restoring Civil Discourse

A Role for Lawyers in Restoring Civil Discourse

Civil discourse is on the decline in America.  Well-reasoned policy arguments are largely replaced by mutual insult, and unpopular ideas are shouted down rather than refuted.  Lawyers committed to civility are in a unique position to be a positive influence on the...