Category: Uncategorized
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Montana’s Novel Approach to Undoing Citizens United
Sampson Aslesen* Across the political spectrum, Americans share a common distaste for big money in politics. Roughly 79 percent of Americans agreed that large independent expenditures (the technical name for political ads that are not coordinated with a candidate) give rise to corruption or the appearance of corruption, including 84 percent of Democrats and 74…
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From Ban to Bargain: Resolving TikTok’s National Security Concerns Amid a Tense US-China Relationship
Frankie Weiss* TikTok, one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, earns its name by fixating its users to one short clip after another, turning minutes into hours. The video creation and sharing platform has invaded the daily clock of over 1.5 billion people across the globe. The United States is the top consumer,…
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Understanding Comparative Fault in Minnesota Personal Injury Law
Nick Downes* When someone is injured, it’s possible for more than one person to share some responsibility. Minnesota law recognizes this reality through its comparative fault system, which allows an injured person to recover damages even when they bear part of the blame—depending on the scenario. The doctrine of comparative fault ensures that compensation reflects…
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Man’s Best Property? Redefining “Immediate Family” in DeBlase v. Hill
Hannah Shin* It would be hard to imagine John Wick fighting for emotional damages in a courtroom after losing his dog. Devastated pet owners in the real world, however, have a different weapon of choice: the courthouse. A New York judge’s ruling continues the conversation of whether emotional harm, not just market value, could drive…
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Volunteering as a Form of Experiential Learning: Lessons Beyond the Textbook
Abbigail Sullivan* “Every lawyer has a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay.” The rules of professional conduct place pro bono work at the heart of the legal profession. But where do lawyers learn this responsibility? For most, it begins not in the pages of a casebook, but in the lived…
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Grants Pass: The Limitations of the Eighth Amendment and the Future of Homelessness Litigation in America
Grace Hinton* America is facing a homelessness crisis. According to the 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress, the number of people in the United States experiencing homelessness is at an all-time high, with over 770,000 people lacking permanent housing. The causes of homelessness are complex and include the “worsening national affordable housing crisis, rising…
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Oyster Shells: A Path to Shoreline Restoration
Matthew Siegler* Oyster shell incentives demonstrate that tax policy can support reef restoration, yet most state regimes fall short of coherent or durable design. In Louisiana, efforts ultimately culminating in a tax credit in exchange for oyster shells began in 2014, when the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (“CRCL”) established the Oyster Shell Recycling Program.…
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Taking Advantage of Law School: Beyond the Classroom
*Grace Sawatzke When students think of law school, they often think of cold calls, never-ending case readings, late nights in the library, and the stress of finals. What immediately doesn’t come to mind are the opportunities for law students beyond the classroom. In Minnesota, the average total cost of law school tuition is $54,084 per…
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AI’s Lurking Danger: Deepfakes and the Liar’s Dividend
Noah Barnaby* How will generative AI reshape the practice of law? Since the release of ChatGPT in late 2022, this question has been analyzed in countless news articles, law journals, and blogs (including these ones). Many of these sources highlight the opportunities presented by AI, such as increased research efficiency and the end of associates…
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Lights, Cameras, Constitution: Reviving Automated Traffic Enforcement in Minneapolis
*Hayden Cole Imagine it’s August 2005, and you’re on an emotional drive home from a game at the Metrodome. The Twins’ loss was disappointing, and the playoffs are officially out of reach. To emphasize this moment, your car radio plays Coldplay’s recently released “Fix You.” A few days later, an envelope arrives in your mailbox.…