Law Commons^™

Karl Llewellyn's Fading Imprint On The Jurisprudence Of The Uniform Commercial Code, Gregory E. Maggs

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

When Karl Llewellyn directed the creation of the Uniform Commercial Code (U.C.C.), he naturally wanted to implement his jurisprudential ideas. He succeeded in giving the U.C.C. at least five important features inspired by Legal Realism. In particular, as a result of his influence, the U.C.C.: (1) favored open-ended standards over firm rules; (2) avoided formalities; (3) required and facilitated the "purposive interpretation" of its provisions; (4) did not attempt to provide an exclusive statement of the law, but instead directed courts to supplement its rules with general legal and equitable principles; and (5) provided a range of remedies that principally …

Cautious Skepticism About The Benefit Of Adding More Formalities To The Manual For Courts-Martial Rule-Making Process: A Response To Captain Kevin J. Barry, Gregory E. Maggs

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

In Modernizing the Manual for Courts-Martial Rule-Making Process: A Work in Progress, 165 Mil. L. Rev. 237 (2000), Captain Kevin J. Barry, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired), advances seven specific proposals for improving the methods by which the procedural and evidentiary rules for courts-martial are made. This article addresses Captain Barry-s proposals. On the whole, none of the proposals is radical or dangerous. Indeed, each is closely analogous to procedures in the federal civilian criminal justice system. In addition, no insurmountable legal obstacles would prevent their adoption. Yet, closer inspection suggests that, in light of all the progress that already has …

Collecting Child Support: A History Of Federal And State Initiatives, Naomi R. Cahn, Jane C. Murphy

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

In this article we sketch an overview of the increasing federal involvement in the child-support area. Because the federal role has grown so dramatically over the past 25 years, family law practitioners need to understand the different federal programs and requirements that affect state management of child-support programs. While for many low-income parents state agencies handle child-support establishment and collection, the federalization of child support has practical implications when it comes to both establishing and enforcing child support. For example, as the time limits of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act begin to have their effects, child support …

Toward A Prudential And Credibility-Centered Parol Evidence Rule, Lawrence A. Cunningham

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

The most influential judicial voices on the parol evidence rule are Roger Traynor and Richard Posner. Traynor pieced together aspects of positions championed by the antipodal titans of contracts, Arthur Corbin and Samuel Williston. Posner cuts through tangled doctrinal webs to show how the unifying talisman of the doctrine is credibility. Everything in parol evidence rule doctrine, in this formulation, can be understood in terms of two categories of evidence: subjective and objective. While the Traynor composite blended aspects of the titans of contracts into an incoherent stew, the Posner composite unites the central theme of the titans' positions, holding …

The Power Of Caretaking, Naomi R. Cahn

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

In this Article, I explore how the roles of women at home are related to their roles at work. By explaining the dynamics of household changes, this Article provides an additional understanding of the need for women's home and workplace equality. I argue that the power that women have gained from their role as a caretaker within the home is a double-edged sword: acting as the primary caretaker, while extremely rewarding, is simultaneously a “confining” position. Until both men and women see themselves as nurturers and workers, neither the workplace nor the family will undergo fundamental change.

This Article examines …

Let's Clear The Air: Enforcing Civil Penalties Against Federal Violators Of The Clean Air Act, Lisa M. Schenck

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

The Clean Air Act (CAA) includes enforcement provisions by which violators of the Act can be held civilly liable for penalties. When federal agencies violate the CAA, however, the Constitution and the sovereign immunity doctrine serve as obstacles to civil enforcement. Federal agencies contend that the Constitution's separation of powers doctrine, unitary executive theory, and "case or controversy" justiciability requirement bar the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from proceeding against them in civil enforcement actions. This Article addresses these arguments and examines the executive branch's approach to enforcing the Act against federal agencies. Federal agencies also have asserted the …

Unexploded Ordnance (Uxo): An Explosive Issue?, Lisa M. Schenck

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

The recent increase in transition of military ranges to nonmilitary uses has increased public and environmental regulatory agency concern regarding ranges. Much of this concern stems from the identification of Unexploded Ordnance and its constituents as possible contributing sources of contamination of groundwater and soils. Making the situation potentially more explosive are EPA Region 1 actions at one of those installations, Massachusetts Military Reservation, where groundwater contamination has halted live-firing on ranges. This article highlights recent developments in the areas of munitions and ranges that influence the ability of installations to use their ranges.

Review Of The Expanding Role Of State And Local Governments In U.S. Foreign Affairs, Edward T. Swaine

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

This Article reviews The Expanding Role of State and Local Governments in U.S. Foreign Affairs by Earl H. Fry, a book accounting how states and localities are devoting increasing resources to developing their own foreign policy. Fry description is useful and timely, but his allusions to the constitutional basis for a federal monopoly on foreign policy are too summary. As a policy matter, his suggestion for a consensus-driven solution to reconcile competing state and national interests depends on the ability of stakeholders to reach agreements in an increasingly politicized environment, and downplays the importance of foreign actors in these decisions. …