Chris Sagers, the James A. Thomas Professor of Law, recently published “Antitrust Law as a Problem in Economics” in the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Economics and Finance. The Encyclopedias are a series of free online resources of the Oxford University Press, featuring contributions by leading experts and used by researchers around the world.

Clinical Professor of Law Doron Kalir recently served as an attorney for Relator Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association in disciplinary proceedings before the Ohio Supreme Court. In this role, Professor Kalir, who taught Legal Profession at the Law School, reviewed the voluminous investigation materials, authored a complaint, attended several hearings, and learned a great deal from Heather Zirke, CMBA’s Bar Counsel. Recently, the Ohio Supreme Court issued an order “accepting the Respondent’s application for resignation from the practice of law,” and closing the case.

Clinical Professor of Law Doron Kalir published a position paper on Scholars Strategy Network. The Paper, entitled The Need for Principled Balancing When Constitutional Values Collide, deals with the aftermath of Masterpiece Cakeshop, where the Supreme Court seems unwilling (or unable) to resolve the tension between two constitutional values – religious freedom, and equality. The paper argues, briefly, that the Court should adopt principled balancing formulas, much like other constitutional courts around the world, rather than attempt to resolve these collisions on a case-by-case basis.

Professor Reggie Oh published an article on the Loyal Opposition website.  In this article, Professor Oh argues that Democrats should seek to increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court from nine to ten.  The article is available here.

John Plecnik

Professor John Plecnik was awarded a bilateral grant from the Public Research Agency of the Republic of Slovenia in partnership with Professor Matej Avbelj and Professor Jernej Letnar Černič of the Graduate School of Government and European Studies in Ljubljana, Slovenia.  The grant will support an international faculty and research exchange between Cleveland State University and the Graduate School of Government and European Studies to discuss “the rule of law in the constitutional systems of Slovenia and the United States of America.”

Professor Plecnik’s research focuses on the intersection of taxation and public policy, and his work on constitutional law has been cited by the Supreme Court of the United States.  Professor Avbelj’s research focuses on democracy and the rule of law with an emphasis on European Union law.  Professor Černič’s research focuses on political systems as well as constitutional law, international law, human rights law and administrative law.

To fulfill their grant project, Professor Plecnik and his Slovenian colleagues will visit each other’s schools over the next two years.  They will give a series of presentations and guest lectures on their latest research to faculty and students.

Professor and Associate Dean Milena Sterio published a blog post on Intlawgrrls, entitled “International Law on Statehood and Recognition: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and the South Caucasus.”  In this blog post, Professor Sterio discusses her recent conference remarks at statehood and recognition conferences at Hebrew University, in Jerusalem, Israel (where she discussed these issues in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict), and at the Center for Eurasian Studies in Ankara, Turkey (where she discussed these issues in the context of the South Caucasus).

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Professor and Associate Dean Milena Sterio presented at a conference entitled “The Centennial of the Independence of the Three South Caucasus States: Historical Background, Contemporary Developments and Prospects of Peace and Prosperity” in Ankara, Turkey, on November 9.  The conference was organized by the Center for Eurasian Studies as well as the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Turkey.  Professor Sterio presented on a panel entitled “Contemporary Political, Humanitarian and Legal Scenery in the South Caucasus and Conflict Resolution Initiatives,” and her remarks focused on “Statehood, Recognition, and Prospects for Peace in the Caucasus.”

Ankara City View

Participants of Workshop at Hebrew University

Professor and Associate Dean Milena Sterio presented at a workshop at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel, on November 5th.  The workshop was entitled “Recognition in the Context of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict,” and Professor Sterio’s presentation was on the topic of “Recognition of Palestinian Statehood.”  The workshop assembled experts in international law from Hebrew University, from the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry, as well as from the United States and the United Kingdom.

Jerusalem

The Notre Dame Law Review Online just published Professor Doron Kalir’s comment on last Term’s case of Artis v. D.C. In it, Kalir argues in essence that the dissent – authored by Justice Gorsuch -failed to understand the rule articulated by the Court.

Professor Jonathan Witmer-Rich is teaching a new course next semester built around the current season of the popular Serial podcast.  Season 3 focuses on stories from the Cleveland criminal justice system, and Professor Witmer-Rich recognized that the podcast could serve as an excellent teaching tool, helping students to examine how the criminal justice system actually functions.  The course—titled “Understanding and Reforming the Criminal Justice Process”—will use the podcast episodes to explore issues such as the power of prosecutors, the costs and fees of the criminal justice process, the distrust between police and some urban communities, accountability for police misconduct, and the voice of victims in the criminal justice system.

Professor Witmer-Rich’s course has caught the attention of state and national media outlets.  It was recently featured on Law.com’s “Ahead of the Curve” series, which focuses on notable innovations in legal education.  The course has also been highlighted on public radio programs and newspapers around the state, as well as Cleveland’s News Channel 5.

Each week students will listen to one episode of the podcast and read additional materials such as the 2014 Department of Justice Report on the Cleveland Division of Police.  The course will feature regular guest speakers—including some of the lawyers and judges featured on the podcast.  For their main project in the course, each student will complete a Criminal Justice Reform project that analyzes one of the problems highlighted on the show and proposes a solution.  The course begins in January.