Law Commons^™

Four Ways To Deconstruct Regulation And Undermine Democracy In The States, Glen Staszewski

William & Mary Law Review

A few years before the Supreme Court formally overruled Chevron, anti-administrative activists successfully prohibited judicial deference to reasonable exercises of interpretive discretion by regulatory agencies in a handful of receptive states. State governments’ treatment of this issue is likely to generate even more attention in Loper Bright’s wake. This Article presents novel case studies of four different ways in which state governments have prohibited deference to state agencies by state courts: (1) judicial decisions in Mississippi and Ohio, (2) a constitutional amendment proposed by an appointed commission and adopted pursuant to the initiative process in Florida, (3) statutes …

Capital Formation, The Sec, And Accredited Investors, Neal F. Newman, Lawrence J. Trautman, Brian Elzweig

Faculty Scholarship

Protecting the investing public, while simultaneously facilitating the efficient flow of capital needed by all new and growing businesses continues as a primary responsibility of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Enhancing the capital formation process is a necessary step in the creation of jobs and growth of any economy. Central to the SEC’s regulatory schematic is the proposition that some particularly sophisticated and wealthy investors require less protection than those with less knowledge, experience, and resources. During December 2023, for just the third time, the SEC staff issued a report examining the status of the natural person accredited …

Tomorrow’S Climate Law, Today, Daniel E. Walters

Faculty Scholarship

The prospects for domestic legislation or international treaties that would require governments, businesses, and individuals to stop emitting the greenhouse gases that cause global climate change are particularly bleak these days. Even as the United States has recently passed its most ambitious climate legislation to date in the Inflation Reduction Act and related “green industrial policy” legislation, these successes were ultimately a compromise with politicians who refused to consider more direct controls on emissions. Assuming they survive the second Trump Administration, the green subsidies and nudges contained in these laws, coupled with a groundswell of private environmental governance, will do …

Chevron Was Not, And Cannot Be, Overruled: The Dullness Of Loper Bright, Edward L. Rubin

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

As expected, the Supreme Court declared, in Loper Bright Enterprises. v. Raimondo,' that "Chevron is overruled." The Court was notably vague about the principle that would replace it, declaring that "courts must exercise their independent judgment in deciding whether an agency has acted within its statutory authority," but providing little guidance about how this crucial task should be performed. This is an obvious defect in an opinion with innumerable defects, but the problems with the Court's decision go well beyond its specific flaws. The Court did not understand the decision that it claimed to overrule. Chevron is not simply a …

Responsive Democracy And The Administrative State, Edward L. Rubin

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

I would like to thank Dean Micheal Scharf and Professor Jonathan Entin for inviting me to Case Western Reserve University School of Law to deliver the Frank J. Battisti Memorial Lecture and thank all of you for attending. It's really a pleasure to be here and to have the opportunity to offer a talk named after such a distinguished jurist. Judge Frank J. Battisti served on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio for 33 years, and he was chief judge of that court for more than two decades. During his time on the bench, Judge …

Working With Statutes, Anya Bernstein, Cristina Rodriguez

Faculty Scholarship

In its decision overruling the Chevron doctrine—which directed judges to accept an agency’s reasonable interpretation of ambiguous statutory language—the Supreme Court declares: “[A]gencies have no special competence in resolving statutory ambiguities. Courts do.” This Article shows why this statement exhibits a profoundly blinkered judicial hubris. Our interview-based empirical study, involving dozens of agency officials across the administrative state, shows agencies’ special, indeed unique, competence in working with statutes to make democratic enactments real.

Agencies, we show, act as a statute’s custodians, managing the statutory regime over a life cycle that exceeds any single governing coalition. Borrowing ideas from private law, …

The Lost English Roots Of Notice-And-Comment Rulemaking, Rephael G. Stern

Faculty Scholarship

Notice-and-comment rulemaking is arguably the most important procedure in the modern administrative state. Influential accounts even frame it as the 1946 Administrative Procedure Act’s “most important idea.” But its historical origins are obscure. Scholars have variously suggested that it grew out of the constitutionally sanctioned practice of congressional petitioning, organically developed from the practices of nineteenth-century agencies, or was influenced by German conceptions of administrative rulemaking. These histories, however, are incomplete. Using original archival research, this Article demonstrates that notice-and-comment rulemaking was the product of a series of American transplantations of English rulemaking procedures that developed in the late nineteenth …

We The People... Deserve Fair Taxes, Doron Narotzki, Tamir Shanan

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

In a world where economic inequality is deepening, tax law has emerged as one of the most powerful tools for shaping social justice. This Article explores how progressive taxation serves not only as a fiscal mechanism but as a reflection of societal values and the moral obligations of wealth. With legal methodologies such as Purposivism, Originalism, and Living Constitutionalism providing different interpretative lenses, this Article delves into the crucial discourse surrounding income, tax avoidance, deductions, and wealth taxation.

Through an analysis of real-world tax policies and legal precedents, the Article examines how these methodologies either perpetuate or challenge the current …

Deference Or Preference: Analyzing The Treatment Of Chevron U.S.A., Inc. V. Nrdc As A Precedent At The Supreme Court, Allison Dehart

Senior Theses

Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. is one of the most cited Supreme Court cases in history, with over 18,000 citations in federal courts alone (Merrill, 2012). It has reached doctrinal status and was widely considered a vital precedent, one that guided the fields of environmental and administrative law. However, in June of 2024, the Supreme Court released their opinion in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, which overturned Chevron. With the ubiquity of Chevron in US Courts, this decision caused widespread confusion and worry over what would replace the precedent. In an era where environmental …

Avoiding The Demon Lurking Around The Corner (Post), Michael E. Herz

Articles

No abstract provided.

Science And Politics In Public Health Regulation, Samuel R. Bagenstos

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

Much of American public discourse takes for granted a distinction between science and politics. People describe and understand that distinction in contradictory ways, however. And those contradictions themselves underscore how closely entwined science and politics actually are.

Introduction: The Future Of Agency Independence Symposium Christopher J. Walker, Christopher J. Walker

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

On the Friday after the election last November, the student editors and I convened scholars from across the country at the University of Michigan Law School to discuss the future of agency independence. The goal was to center our discussion on the traditional unitary executive debate and then look beyond statutory restrictions on the President’s removal power to explore other contours of agency independence in modern regulatory governance. Those included the role of scientific expertise and politics in agency decisionmaking, the decisional independence of agency adjudicators, and the importance of a professionalized civil service. When we planned the symposium, we …

Disharmoni Peraturan Penawaran Prioritas Wilayah Izin Usaha Pertambangan Khusus (Wiupk) Pasca Diprioritaskan Terhadap Badan Usaha Organisasi Kemasyarakatan “Keagamaan”, Ananda Putri Salsabila

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Abstract

Priority offering of Special Mining Business License Areas (WIUPK) to business entities owned by religious community organizations without going through an auction process has caused legal polemics in Indonesia, especially after the enactment of Government Regulation (PP) Number 25 of 2024 concerning Amendments to Government Regulation Number 96 of 2024 2021 concerning Implementation of Mineral and Coal Mining Business Activities. This research aims to examine whether the policy is in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, especially in the context of implementing mineral and coal mining business activities. Apart from that, this research will also analyze the legal consequences …

Quo Vadis Hak Atas Kesehatan Reproduksi: Analisis Rekonstruksi Pengaturan Aborsi Di Indonesia (Perbandingan Hukum Indonesia Dengan Perancis), Dian Kencana Putri, Erna Dyah Kusumawati

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Pembatasan akses aborsi di Indonesia menyebabkan banyak perempuan dengan kehamilan tidak diinginkan terpaksa berhadapan dengan hukum. Pembatasan aborsi yang mengakibatkan kriminalisasi ini dapat menyebabkan dilema moral bagi banyak perempuan yang mengalami kehamilan tidak diinginkan. Padahal aborsi berpotensi terjadi pada setiap perempuan berusia produktif di Indonesia. Aborsi di Indonesia merupakan tindakan ilegal dan aborsi hanya dapat dilakukan dalam dua kondisi saja, yakni kedaruratan medis dan kehamilan yang disebabkan perkosaan. Artikel ini menganalisa bagaimana sebenarnya substansi aborsi dapat dimasukkan pada kategori hak kesehatan reproduksi perempuan dan mengapa negara Indonesia perlu mengubah kebijakan dan hukum mengenai aborsi. Untuk melihat seberapa pentingnya negara harus …

Konstitusionalitas Model Putusan Bawaslu Dalam Penyelesaian Pelanggaran Administratif Pemilu, Muhammad Rifai Yusuf, Syarif Hidayat

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

As one of the institutions that carries out quasi-judicial functions in the field of general elections, Bawaslu could issue a decision through an adjudication process. In 2017, Bawaslu was criticized for its several decisions in the Sipol case held by the KPU for the registration of participants in the 2019 general elections, mainly because it was considered that Bawaslu equated its position with the Supreme Court by assessing that Sipol in the KPU Regulation was not in line with the Election Law. In 2024, decisions on election administrative violations appear to be softer or seem to avoid the same potential …

Orientasi Rigid Dan Moderat Dalam Penafsiran Original Intent Dan Praktiknya Di Indonesia, Muhammad Alwi Khoiri Ramdani, Susi Dwi Harijanto, Lailani Sungkar

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Metode original intent lazimnya menghasilkan penafsiran yang bersifat rigid sesuai niat perumusnya. Selama konstitusi tidak diubah, maka tafsiran original intent pun tidak berubah. Namun penggunaan metode penafsiran original intent di Indonesia dapat menghasilkan pemaknaan yang berbeda/berubah meskipun ketentuan konstitusi dan perumusnya tidak berganti. Hal ini terjadi karena terdapat perkembangan pemikiran dalam penerapan metode penafsiran original intent. Penelitian ini membahas mengenai perkembangan pemikiran tersebut dan menganalisa pola penerapan metode original intent dalam penafsiran konstitusi yang dilakukan oleh Mahkamah Konstitusi di Indonesia. Ini merupakan penelitian doktriner dengan pendekatan konsep dan kasus. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat perkembangan pemikiran dalam penerapan metode penafsiran …

Evaluasi Implementasi Putusan Mahkamah Konstitusi Terhadap Desain Surat Suara Calon Tunggal Dalam Pilkada, Enika Maya Oktavia, Rizki Maulana Syafei, Tsalis Khoirul Fatna

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

The phenomenon of single candidates in regional elections in Indonesia has created a dilemma in applying democratic principles, especially regarding ballot design that often confuses voters. The Constitutional Court’s Decision Number 100/PUU-XIII/2015 mandated a plebiscite design with “agree” or “disagree” options for single candidates. However, in practice, this design has been distorted with the presence of a blank box without adequate explanation. This study aims to evaluate the extent to which the discrepancy between the Constitutional Court's decision and actual ballot design practices affects voter understanding and the quality of democracy. This study employs a normative juridical method with a …

Some Issues In Armed Conflict And Human Rights: Issues Toward Human Rights And Applicable Law In The Battlefield, Hiroshi Saito

Japanese Society and Culture

In recent years, Japan’s legal system regarding defense has improved, but little research has been conducted on what would happen if Japanese territory became a battlefield. Due to the Japan–US Security Treaty and the Japan–US Status of Forces Agreement, Japanese territory could technically become a space for armed conflict in the wake of US military action. If this happened, various legal issues would arise, but under the Japanese Constitution and domestic laws, which are primarily concerned with the protection of human rights, there would be a dual application of international humanitarian law and domestic laws including the Constitution. An important …

The “Marketplace” Myth: Addressing Amazon’S Defense To Product Liability Claims, Andrew Ackley

Seattle University Law Review Online

Many courts continue to analyze law as if we have not evolved from the early days of the internet, when Facebook was a “social networking” site, AOL made messages “instant,” and eBay let everyone auction random items. The internet connected people. Because it did not touch them, it could not harm them. However, with storefronts closing, brick-and-mortar retail chains declaring bankruptcy, and “Uber lots” popping up at airports, the internet “cloud” has touched down all over the country, and online businesses are now harming people just as human actors and brickand-mortar stores always have.

While generating thousands of new ride …

Litigating Vertical Mergers: Innovation Dynamics From Illumina-Grail, Aurelien Portuese

Washington and Lee Law Review Online

Illumina-Grail represents an important moment in antitrust litigation, reshaping the legal landscape for vertical mergers in innovation-driven markets. This Article analyzes the Federal Trade Commission’s uncommon achievement in blocking the Illumina-Grail merger—a ruling sustained by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals—emphasizing its significant ramifications for antitrust legislation. The case examines the complex dynamics of innovation competition and emerging market definition, challenging established doctrines regarding the inherently procompetitive nature of vertical mergers. This Article examines the changing criteria for defining relevant markets and evaluating competitive harm in research and development-oriented industries. It also discusses the Fifth Circuit’s support of the FTC’s …

The Regulatory Triad: Reimagining Environmental Law In The Post-Chevron Era, Shai Stern, Itay Biton

Villanova Environmental Law Journal (1991 - )

No abstract provided.

Invasive Species From Sea To Shining Sea: An Exploration Of Different Government Responses To Invasive Species In The United States, Caroline G. Nelson

Villanova Environmental Law Journal (1991 - )

No abstract provided.

Revving Up Or Stalling Out? Examining The Effectiveness Of Electric Vehicles In Combating Climate Change, Meghan E. Miller Termat

Villanova Environmental Law Journal (1991 - )

No abstract provided.

Unveiling A Hidden Hazard: A Deep Dive Into Forever Chemicals And The Urgent Need For Solutions, Katie L. Uszakiewicz

Villanova Environmental Law Journal (1991 - )

No abstract provided.

Dean Melanie Leslie’S Office Hours On Retribution Against Law Firms By The Trump Administration, Benjamin N. Cardozo School Of Law

2025 Event Invitations

Join Dean Leslie and Professors Jessica Roth and Haiyun Damon-Feng to discuss President Trump’s recent attacks on lawyers, law firms and federal judges. Topics will include Trump’s executive orders issued against DEI programs at law firms, as well as orders seeking to punish specific lawyers and firms that represented his political enemies. In addition, the professors will discuss the president’s recent call for the impeachment of a federal judge who ruled against the administration, which drew a rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts. The three will also answer questions raised by the student attendees.

Stipulations Of Law And Agency Independence, Jack Ferguson

Pepperdine Law Review

The Supreme Court granted certiorari in SEC v. Jarkesy to consider whether good-cause removal protections for SEC administrative law judges violate the Constitution, but ultimately left the question unanswered. The lower court holding that the removal protections are unconstitutional remains on the books for now, neither affirmed nor reversed. And a circuit split lives on. The removal power question is likely headed back to the Supreme Court before long. This Essay examines a key premise of the Jarkesy litigation and its leading precedent, the 2010 case Free Enterprise Fund v. Public Co. Accounting Oversight Board. In both cases, the parties …

A Loss For Public Participation, Jeffrey Lubbers

Popular Media

Overshadowed in the blitzkrieg of orders and actions of the Trump Administration that are seemingly intended to assert complete presidential control over the executive branch was a recent rule issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on March 3, 2025, signed by new Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Quo Vadis Desain Pengamanan Hakim Dari Perbuatan Merendahkan Kehormatan Dan Keluhuran Martabat Hakim (Pmkh) Di Indonesia, Zainatul Ilmiyah

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Judges, as the main judicial actors in law enforcement, have an independent nature, both in terms of institutions and in terms of determining their decisions. However, in exercising their authority, judges are often faced with the risk of injury, both physical and psychological, by the public, who are not satisfied with the decisions made by the judges. With an empirical legal research method and using a conceptual approach, statute approach, and comparative approach, this study aims to find the best form in the design of an institutional model for judge and court security units. In this study, it was found …

Legal Analysis Of The Application Of The Principle Of Contrarius Actus Related To The Cancellation Of Documents To Fulfil Citizen’S Rights In Population Administration At The Population And Civil Registration Office, Enis Tristiana, Muhammad Bagus Adi Wicaksono, Alifia Putri Mahardika, Napadol Kewha

Jurnal Civics: Media Kajian Kewarganegaraan

This research describes and examines the implementation of the Contrarius Actus principle in cancelling population documents and the obstacles to applying the Contrarius Actus principle in cancelling population documents. The type of research used is descriptive empirical research with a qualitative approach. The description of the research results is complemented by primary and literature data relevant to the research topic. The results of this study indicate that the application of cancelling population documents through the Contrarius Actus principle has its criteria, namely, not changing the meaning in population documents and population documents issued by the Population and Civil Registration Office. …

Title Ix Reimagined: The Power Of Principles-Based Governance, Tammi Walker

University of Cincinnati Law Review

Title IX, a federal civil rights law enacted in 1972, prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational institutions. Title IX’s regulatory framework has evolved into a problematic hybrid of broad principles and prescriptive rules, creating significant challenges for educational institutions seeking to prevent sex discrimination and ensure gender equity. The current system’s simultaneous vagueness and rigidity has resulted in inconsistent enforcement, regulatory uncertainty, and compliance burdens that ultimately undermine Title IX’s fundamental objectives.

This Article argues that a properly structured principles-based regulatory approach would better serve Title IX’s aims while enhancing compliance and accountability. Successful implementation requires clear guiding principles, professional expertise, …