From Preponderance of the Evidence to Clear and Convincing: DeVos’ Rollback of Obama-era Sexual Assault Guidelines

By: Tori Zicker, L’18   In 2011, the Department of Education released a Dear Colleague Letter, outlining the requirements and obligations of universities with respect to Title IX and its implementing regulations regarding sexual assault and sexual harassment.[1] This letter, implemented during the Obama Administration, lowered the standard of proof for sexual assault cases to a preponderance of the evidence standard.[2] Some criticized this action, … Continue reading From Preponderance of the Evidence to Clear and Convincing: DeVos’ Rollback of Obama-era Sexual Assault Guidelines

The Role of State Governments in Enforcing Immigration Policy in Federal Court

By: Creighton Boggs, L’19 On September 5th, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Trump administration would end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.[1] The deferred deportation program granted temporary relief to approximately 800,000 undocumented immigrants who entered the United States as children.[2] Conservatives have long criticized the program, established by President Obama through executive action in June 2012, as an unconstitutional abuse … Continue reading The Role of State Governments in Enforcing Immigration Policy in Federal Court

Harvey Hits Superfund Sites

By: Lisa Allen, L’18 Hurricane season brings some predictable images to the nightly news: stern state governors requesting compliance with evacuation orders, empty grocery shelves, wind-blown, water-soaked meteorologists, and after the storm, always shocked victims surveying the wreckage of their homes. We see perhaps one or two more days of cleanup reported, piles of debris, and FEMA assurances that people’s needs will be addressed. In … Continue reading Harvey Hits Superfund Sites

Legal Scholars Challenge Constitutionality of Arpaio Pardon in Racial Profiling Case

By: Joe Katz, L ’17 The activist group Protect Democracy is laying the groundwork for a legal challenge to President Trump’s decision to pardon Joe Arpaio, the former Arizona sheriff who was convicted in July of criminal contempt of court for his refusal to obey a court order to stop racially profiling Latinos[1]. In a letter to the Public Integrity Section of the Justice Department, … Continue reading Legal Scholars Challenge Constitutionality of Arpaio Pardon in Racial Profiling Case

A Monumental Dilemma

By: Alexandra Ellmauer, L ’18 It is no surprise that the former capital of the Confederacy memorializes Confederate Heroes.In the wake of recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia, monuments in Richmond are in the spotlight now more than ever. At the center of this discussion is Monument Avenue, a National Historic Landmark District. Robert E. Lee, J.E.B. Stuart, Jefferson Davis, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, and Matthew Fontaine … Continue reading A Monumental Dilemma

Welcome to the PILR Blog!

The Richmond Public Interest Law Review is officially kicking off its blog debut! This blog is a supplement to our legal academic publication. Here, PILR staff members will research and write about everyday public interest law topics that affect the community – from a local to a global level. We hope to inspire conversation through in-depth research on current events. If this blog interests you, … Continue reading Welcome to the PILR Blog!