Legal Writing and Research Commons^™

The Lost Child: A Critique On Transracial Adoption Rhetoric, Hallie Conyers-Tucker

Seattle University Law Review

Transracial adoption in the United States reflects a deeply rooted history of colonialism, cultural assimilation, and racial hierarchy, masked by rhetoric focused on the “best interest of the child.” The author critiques that rhetoric and traces how adoption practices and policies, both domestic and international, have evolved to reinforce systemic inequities. Through historical analysis of the forced adoption of Native American, Black, and Asian children, it reveals how the best interest standard has been wielded not to protect children but to uphold political and racial ideologies. The author argues that the prevailing adoption framework relies on child-saving and color-blind narratives …

A Global Reconstruction: Black Internationalism And The Human Rights Regime, Britta Redwood

Seattle University Law Review

Black American advocates for civil, political, and economic rights have long taken an internationalist approach and fostered connections with international organizations and transnational movements. This engagement has also been a generative force and played role in shaping international law. Beginning in the early years of the twentieth century, Black intellectuals and leaders, spearheaded by the NAACP and the UNIA, focused on human rights as a means for addressing and repairing the harms wrought by slavery, Jim Crow, and racism. From the Paris Peace Conference of 1919 through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Genocide Convention, and the drafting of …

The Gap: Addressing The Missing Piece In HawaiʻI’S Anti-Discrimination Laws On Credit And Lending, Wendy Mun

Seattle University Law Review

This author addresses the significant gap in Hawaiʻi’s anti-discrimination laws, specifically the lack of explicit protections for LGBTQ+ individuals against credit and lending discrimination. Although federal laws like the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and recent interpretations by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) extend some protections, they remain vulnerable to shifting federal priorities and interpretations. The author explores how other states, particularly California and Washington, have enacted robust statutory protections that clearly prohibit credit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. They argue that Hawaiʻi, despite its large LGBTQ+ population, must amend its credit protection laws to reflect …

The U.S. Drug Policy Hamster Wheel: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Seattle’S New Drug Ordinance, Hallie Conyers-Tucker

Seattle University Law Review

The author critically examines Seattle’s new drug ordinance using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to reveal how legislative language influences the policy's actual effect. Although the ordinance claims to prioritize diversion and community health, the use of permissive language such as “may” and “shall” grants broad discretionary power to law enforcement and undermines the stated intent. The author situates the ordinance within a broader historical context, highlighting how drug policy in the United States has consistently been shaped by racialized and stigmatizing narratives. Additionally, the author argues that meaningful reform requires reframing the discourse around substance use to support public health …

Something Concrete: How Labor Advocates Can Best Respond To The Ambiguity Of Glacier Northwest, Ateş Serifsoy

Seattle University Law Review

The Supreme Court’s much-anticipated decision in Glacier North-west, Inc. v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local No. 174 (Glacier) marked a critical moment for workers’ rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and the longstanding practice of Garmon preemption. Yet, initial fears of a significant rollback of workers’ rights, driven by sensational headlines, were met with an unexpectedly narrow Court opinion. This Comment examines Glacier’s implications for Gar-mon preemption and the right to strike. It offers the historical background of the doctrine of labor law preemption before Glacier; presents a detailed analysis of Glacier itself, including its …

A New Exclusionary Rule To Protect Bodily Integrity And Discourage Pretext Stops, Josephine Ross

Seattle University Law Review

The author proposes a novel state-level exclusionary rule to reduce racial profiling and protect bodily autonomy during police encounters. The current Fourth Amendment jurisprudence fails to deter pretextual stops and frisks because the exclusionary rule often turns on officer fault and "good faith," allowing racially motivated practices to go unchecked. As federal rollbacks on diversity and data collection hinder efforts to track racial bias, the author argues for a statutory evidentiary rule that automatically excludes drug evidence found during (1) traffic stops, (2) pat-downs for weapons, and (3) consent searches, regardless of an officer’s intent or the legality of the …

Navahine V. HawaiʻI Dept. Of Transportation: The Keiki Will Lead Us, Catherine Smith

Seattle University Law Review

The author analyzes the landmark case Navahine v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, which culminated in the world’s first constitutional climate settlement. Catherine Smith, serving as an expert for the youth plaintiffs, situates the case within Hawaiʻi’s legal tradition of prioritizing children’s rights and intergenerational equity. She explores the evolution of children’s constitutional protections, contrasting Hawaiʻi’s progressive jurisprudence with the dominant adult-centric legal framework on the mainland. She critiques four recurring analytical missteps in U.S. courts that marginalize children’s interests and highlights Hawaiʻi’s public trust doctrine and cultural values, such as the Aloha Spirit, as models for addressing climate-related harms. …

Constitutional Futurism As Pedagogy, Jeremiah Chin

Seattle University Law Review

Constitutional Law has transformed from a course on history to a discussion of current events. Cases like Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard College, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, and Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo reveal that the study of constitutional law is not a static, or even linear, discussion of constitutional text and history. Law is a shifting, changing enterprise that reflects social constructions of power, authority, and identity. How do we teach, learn, and understand constitutional law that is so laden with history, riddled with theories of consistency and adherence to precedent, but ultimately subject …

Representing Vietnam’S Political Leadership In International Media: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Coverage From 2018 To 2024, Jackson Andre William Kumaat

International Review of Humanities Studies

International media play a powerful role in shaping global perceptions of political legitimacy, particularly in states where authoritarian governance coexists with economic success. Vietnam—often described as a one-party socialist state with rapid economic growth—has attracted increased attention in international news coverage, yet little research has examined how its leadership is discursively constructed through media narratives. This study addresses that gap by analyzing how Vietnam’s political leadership was represented in international media from 2018 to 2024. Using Norman Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Stuart Hall’s theory of representation, the research investigates how ideology, power, and meaning are embedded in news …

The 15-Minute City And Social Behavior Changes In The Tod Area: Blok M-Sisingamangaraja Tod Case Study, Dede Julfikar, Lin Yola

International Review of Humanities Studies

The changing process of the city can be due to economic development that results in urbanization then enlarges the city. This situation affects the growth and evolution of other activities in urban areas such as the emergence of new residential areas, industrial zones, and trade and service (commercial) areas. The government of DKI Jakarta is targetting to develop many public transportation infrastructure due to its target of 2040 70% of Jakarta residents live near by transit points. So that the distance of residential residents to urban facilities can be reached within 15 minutes of walking, cycling or using public transportation. …

The Establishment Of Jakarta International Schoolin Indonesia As A Reflection Of Globalisation Through Education, Brandon Cahyadhuha Rusdy, Linda Sunarti

International Review of Humanities Studies

"This article examines the establishment of Jakarta International School (JIS) within the context of the globalisation of Indonesia. Established in 1951 under the name International School of Djakarta by Antoinette Stepanek, an educator from the United States, it was the first school to provide an English-language education for the children of expatriates in Jakarta, Indonesia. The school underwent several name changes throughout its history. In 1965, the school was renamed to Joint Embassy School to reflect the support from a coalition of embassies, consisting of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Yugoslavia. In 1978, the school was renamed again …

The Middle Class, The Youth, The Highways: Production Of Space And Urban Memory In Blok M, Jakarta, Bimana Novantara, Yudi Bachrioktora, Lilawati Kurnia

International Review of Humanities Studies

This paper examines the historical and contemporary dynamics of the Blok M area in Jakarta as a public space undergoing a process of spatial, cultural, and symbolic transformation. Using Henri Lefebvre’s theory of the production of space and then relating it to the discourse of urban memory according to Abidin Kusno, this study traces how Blok M developed from the modernist urban planning of Kebayoran Baru after independence to be the epicenter of youth festivity, then declined until it rose again through a place that utilized the memory of this area in the past. This study highlights how the politics …

Advertising Appeals Through Instagram Caption Code Switching, Irma Aulia Irawan, Myrna Laksman-Huntley

International Review of Humanities Studies

The COVID-19 disease required everyone to go into lockdown. All activities and communications were carried out through mobile devices, driving online content consumption to double. The Instagram app, which is part of social media, increased its visits by 43 percent during the lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. As users turn to social media, influencers are emerging as figures in shaping online interactions and trends. One of the popular French influencers is Léna Mahfouf (@lenamahfouf). As a global fashion influencer, Mahfouf often uses English transitions in her captions. This qualitative research will identify the types of code-switching found with Poplack's theory …

Language Of Love: Kafka’S Affective Meaning In Briefe An Milena, Kafka Aisyah Triny, Julia Wulandari

International Review of Humanities Studies

Franz Kafka is known for his twisted literature filled with dark atmosphere and word choices, however when it comes to writing letters to his muse, Milena, he uses words unknown to him. He expresses his barest soul to her using word choices that indicate someone who is amazed. For a person like Kafka, love is not all about complementing word choices and emotions, seen by his internal battles with himself and uncertainty regarding the topic of love. This research will use Geoffrey Leech’s semantic framework along with Monica Schwarz and Jeannette Chur’s Wortfeld theory. The study aims to examine Kafka’s …

Table Of Contents

Seattle University Law Review

Table of Contents

Can The Law Protect My Craft? How Gaps In Copyright Of Knitting Patterns Symbolize A Greater Struggle For Protecting Traditionally Feminine Forms Of Intellectual Property, Kysa Walzer

Seattle University Law Review

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the application of intel-lectual property rights within the context of copyright protection of knit-ting patterns. The article will discuss the underutilization of copyright pro-tection for knitters and crafters and its larger impact upon craft and indus-try traditionally comprised of women. Part I introduces knitting patterns and a short history of copyright protections. Part II discusses the specific areas within knitting patterns and the knitting community which give rise to legal grey areas for copyright protection. Part III discusses the larger implications of copyright and intellectual property in spaces where women traditionally make …

Refugee Law Lab Consultation Report On Bill C-2, Sean Rehaag, Petra Molnar, Simon Wallace

Commissioned Reports, Studies and Public Policy Documents

This Report documents consultations undertaken by the Refugee Law Lab (RLL) with refugee advocacy communities in response to proposed legislation, Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act. The report: a) Provides an overview of Bill C-2, highlighting its impacts on immigration and refugee law b) Outlines critiques of Bill C-2 made by advocacy and human rights organizations c) Describes the RLL, its consultation objectives, and methodologies d) Presents key themes from the RLL's consultations e) Proposes an action plan for the RLL and recommendations for other university-based researchers.

Medium Matters In Preparing For Law Practice: Critical E-Reading, Amanda L. Sholtis

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Moot Court Teams Earning National Accolades, James Owsley Boyd

Keep Up With the Latest News from the Law School (blog)

t was a banner year for the Law School’s moot court competitors, as one team brought home a championship trophy, multiple teams made deep runs in national tournaments, and several students earned impressive individual honors.

“For our external competitions against other schools, we had to have tryouts this year because we had a record number of applicants,” said Professor Lane McFadden, who teaches Legal Writing and Research and Appellate Advocacy and supervises the Law School’s appellate moot court programs. “The rising 2Ls are now excited because the students who are only a year or two ahead of them have done …

Vandy Earns Top Prize In Auwcl National Health Law Writing Competition, James Owsley Boyd

Keep Up With the Latest News from the Law School (blog)

Nicholle Vandy, a rising 3L from Knox, Ind., has become the first Indiana University Maurer School of Law student to earn top honors at the American University Washington College of Law National Health Writing Competition.

Vandy’s paper, “True Man, Captive Mother: Abortion as a Fundamental Self-Defense Right,” was named the winning entry of the 10th annual competition, which encourages law students from across the country to write scholarly papers on current topics of interest relevant to health, food, and/or drug law.

Cardozo Law News Brief, June 13, 2025, Benjamin N. Cardozo School Of Law

Cardozo Law News Brief 2025

This Cardozo Law News Brief highlights the 47th Commencement, where Dean Melanie Leslie reminded the Class of 2025 of their duty to uphold the Constitution, and the pre-Commencement Awards Ceremony celebrating outstanding student achievements. It also announces the appointment of three new members to the Board of Overseers and features Rachel Strom ’06 joining a special edition of the SPARKS podcast with Deans Leslie and Grand. In the media, Professor Peter Markowitz spoke to PIX11 about ICE’s proposed office on Rikers Island, Professor Lindsay Nash spoke to WBUR on ICE’s use of warrantless arrests, Professor Michael Pollack was quoted in …

Copyright, Editorial Team

Florida Atlantic University Undergraduate Law Journal

No abstract provided.

About The Journal, Editorial Team

Florida Atlantic University Undergraduate Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents, Editorial Team

Florida Atlantic University Undergraduate Law Journal

No abstract provided.

The History And Modern-Day Reality Of Racial Discrimination In Jury Selection, Marie Andelique Aviles

Florida Atlantic University Undergraduate Law Journal

The role that a prosecutor and attorneys have in the courtroom is vital in shaping the composition of a jury in any court case. Prosecutors and attorneys employ strategies during the Voir Dire process to maximize their chances of securing favorable outcomes. Upon examining how juries are selected, jury pools can be studied from historical and modernday cases that show trends of racial discrimination. The methods and decision-making process to select a jury can involve racial biases that ultimately affect the outcome of the court decision. Through case studies and legal documentation, this article will explore how implicit racial bias …

Trump V. United States In Historical Perspective: The Expansion Of Presidential Immunity, Kris Barrios

Florida Atlantic University Undergraduate Law Journal

On July 1st of 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the president of the United States is entitled to varying degrees of immunity for his official acts. This decision sent criminal lawsuits filed against President Donald Trump back to lower courts, nullifying many of the arguments and evidence used against the president for his interference in the 2020 election. The U.S. Supreme Court held that absolute immunity protects the president’s exercise of “core constitutional powers,” while presumptive immunity protects all other official acts within the “outer periphery” of his executive office. Most notably, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that …

Brazil And The United States: The Historical Evolution Of Civil Vs. Common Law Systems, Gabriella Figueiredo Borges

Florida Atlantic University Undergraduate Law Journal

The legal systems of Brazil and the United States have developed from unique historical and cultural backgrounds. Brazil’s legal framework is rooted in civil law principles brought by its Portuguese colonizers, focusing on codification and legal certainty. In comparison, the U.S. system emerged from English common law, prioritizing precedent and judicial interpretation. This paper explores how colonial influences, independence movements, and constitutional reforms specifically shaped the civil and common law frameworks in both countries. By drawing on primary legal texts, historical records, and scholarly analyses, this research examines how these events influenced the evolution of each system. Additionally, this paper …

Vaccination Mandates And Civil Liberties, Sophia Choti

Florida Atlantic University Undergraduate Law Journal

Vaccination mandates in the United States sit at the crossroads of public health and individual freedoms, a complex and often controversial intersection. The enforcement of immunization policies has a long history of legal and ethical scrutiny, balancing the state's responsibility to protect its citizens with the constitutional rights individuals hold dear. The COVID-19 pandemic reignited this debate, amplifying existing tensions and presenting new challenges. This analysis argues that while vaccination mandates are constitutionally valid and essential for safeguarding public health, they must be designed with care to respect individual liberties and address modern challenges such as misinformation, inequities, and public …

Systemic Barriers To Voting Rights For Minorities: Gerrymandering And Voter Id Laws, Kalela Leonard

Florida Atlantic University Undergraduate Law Journal

Since 1870, the struggle for voting accessibility has been an ongoing challenge for marginalized communities in the United States. Despite the Voting Rights Act of 1965, systemic barriers limit minority participation in elections and influence their political representation. Modern systemic barriers refer to institutional practices and policies that hinder equal access to resources, rights, and opportunities. These barriers typically disproportionately impact minority groups. Furthermore, recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and legislative policies have led to an examination of how modern obstacles—such as gerrymandering and voter identification laws—lead to discriminatory burdens on marginalized groups. These practices differ from tactics such as …

Examining The Legal And Educational Implications Of School Resource Officers In Education, Tanvi Desai

Florida Atlantic University Undergraduate Law Journal

Predominantly serving the youth in schools, some states across the United States have implemented full-time sworn law enforcement officers, known as School Resource Officers (SROs), who are specially and specifically trained to promote safety within schools. Succeeding an increase in concern surrounding the juvenile justice system and juvenile crime, funding for school-based law enforcement programs has increased in conjunction, allowing for over 45% of public schools in the country to have implemented SROs within their walls. However, concerns surrounding the excessive use of force surrounding SROs have instigated debates regarding the necessity of a police presence on campus, as instances …