SLU LAW Summations

Vaccine policy in the United States is experiencing a period of great change under the direction of Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Schedules for young children are being adjusted, access to certain vaccines is being limited, and reporting requirements are being reduced. These changes will certainly impact attitudes and policy for years to come. This topic is the subject of the upcoming Center for Health Law Studies symposium. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Michael Sinha. Dr. Sinha is a professor in the Center for Health Law Studies and an expert in public health law. The symposium discussing this topic will be held on Friday, March 27. Zoom and in person. MO CLE credits available. Register here: https://www.slu.edu/law/health/speakers-and-programs/symposia.php

The Trump Administration, alongside Iran, deployed targeted airstrikes against high-profile targets in Iran. This comes after weeks of talks between Washington and Iran on the latter's nuclear program. The public and political response has been mixed, with many concerned with the lack of Congressional authority and the regional flashpoints that are likely to ensue. The conflict is complex both politically and historically. To unpack all that is at stake and what it means both here and abroad, we are joined by two of our faculty experts, Professor Gregory Willard and Fr. Afonso Seixas-Nunes, SJ. Professor Willard has a storied history in DC, where he served as President Ford's personal aide. Fr. Afonso is a faculty member in the Center for International and Comparative Law. He is an expert on the law of war, with a special focus on autonomous weapon systems.

The scaling back of federal administrative agencies currently being undertaken by the Trump Administration carries broad implications for the practice, administration, and enforcement of labor and employment law.

 At the most fundamental level, the reality of 200,000 fewer federal employees creates a strong likelihood of much less frequent enforcement of federal labor and employment laws. And this drop-off in federal personnel comes amid judicial reconsideration of the constitutionality of the federal statutes and administrative agencies that animate the federal structure.

It is hard not to imagine that all of this rollback will produce federal vacuums. And because nature abhors vacuums, these spaces are likely to be filled. Perhaps with state law. Perhaps with new amalgams of federal and state law that will replace the surprising and often underappreciated amalgams that have existed up to now. In this episode, we are joined by Professor Michael Duff. Professor Duff is the director of the William C. Wefel Center for Employment Law and the organizer of this year's Saint Louis University Law Journal symposium cohosted by the Center. For more information on the symposium, visit https://www.slu.edu/law/employment/events.php

This year's United States Supreme Court session has had a particular impact on health care access across the country. From the Skrmetti decision affirming a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, to the Planned Parenthood decision that allows states to bar access to federal Medicaid funding for that provider regardless of the procedure, and the Braidwood case that concerns preventative care mandates in the Affordable Care Act, there is much at risk. To help us break down the decisions and the implications for health care access, we are joined by Kelly Gillespie. Professor Gillespie is the director of the Center for Health Law Studies. She is a registered nurse and holds both a JD and a PhD in Health Care Ethics.

The United States has a maternal mortality issue. In 2021, the U.S. ranked 55th in the world for maternal mortality, by far the worst of any higher-income country. Even more concerning, Black women are disproportionately impacted and experience maternal mortality 2.6 times the rate for White women. Beyond the lack of access and ongoing systematic racism, a wave of hospital mergers has increased consolidation in the hospital industry, leaving vulnerable populations with no access to quality maternal care. Joining us today is Professor Theodosia Stavroulaki, who joined the Center for Health Law Studies Faculty in 2024. Professor Stavroulaki’s research has uncovered the overlooked impact of hospital mergers on maternal mortality and how antitrust law can influence the outcomes. Thank you for joining us today.

The United States appears to be poised to make one of the most substantial changes in foreign policy with the pause on funding to Ukraine amidst the third year of the conflict with Russia. To break down this change and reflect on the role of President Zelensky and President Trump, we are joined by Professor Monica Eppinger. Professor Eppinger is a member of the Center for International and Comparative Law. She is a former diplomat who was stationed in Ukraine during the formation of the nation. She is an expert on Ukraine and has been traveling the world speaking and writing on the topic.

The Electoral College is a system unique to the Unites States democratic experience. And it has been a major topic of discussion for the last few elections with some calls to do away with it entirely. As we approach an election which could potentially be decided by just one electoral vote or even with the winning candidate losing the popular vote, the Electoral College is more consequential than ever. To discuss the history of the Electoral College and the implications for this year’s election, we are joined by adjunct professor Greg Willard. Greg served as White House Staff Assistant and personal aide to President Gerald R. Ford. He teaches a seminar on the American presidency. He is also a frequent guest on St. Louis’ KTRS 550.

In a session that was seemingly aimed at severely limiting long standing precedent and restraining the powers of the administrative state, there were five cases focused on administrative law. From the Chevron Doctrine to the SEC and the EPA, the high court touched on many parts of the administrative state. For this episode, we are joined by Professor Doug Williams. Professor Williams is an expert in administrative and constitutional law as well as urban and environmental law.

Two years following the Dobbs decision, the country’s highest court is grappling with the aftereffects. This year the Supreme Court handed down two related cases regarding the use of mifepristone and the application of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act in states where abortions are banned. To discuss these cases, the implications, and we can expect in the future we are joined by Professor Jamille Fields Allsbrook. Professor Fields Allsbrook is a member of the Center for Health Law Studies faculty and focuses her research and scholarship on advancing gender and racial health equity. She was recently named a senior fellow for health justice at the National Partnership for Women & Families as well as a senior fellow for the Center for American Progress.

In a watershed ruling regarding executive powers, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Trump v United States that presidents should be immune from prosecution for official actions they took while in office. While historically presidents have enjoyed some level of immunity, this ruling expands that greatly. To discuss this monumental ruling and the implications for the future of the presidency, we are joined by Professor Anders Walker. Professor Walker is an expert in constitutional law and American legal history.

Each June delivers some high-profile decisions from the United States Supreme Court. One notable case this year is Vidal v Elster where the Court rejected an attempt to force the Patent and Trademark Office to accept the registration of “Trump too small” as a trademark for t-shirts mocking the former president. In this episode, we are joined by Professor Yvette Liebesman to discuss the case, the decision, and the implications going forward. Professor Liebesman is an expert in patent and trademark law and is the faculty advisor for the law school’s intellectual property concentration.

With an election case involving who is on the ballot headed to the United States Supreme Court and various others bubbling to the surface, this election season promises to be filled with excitement. Between voter access, gerrymandering cases, elected officials pushed out of their district these are certainly unprecedented times. In this episode we are joined by election law expert Josh Douglas. Professor Douglas spent this past fall semester as a visiting professor here at SLU LAW. He is also currently back at his home institution of Rosenburg College of Law at the University of Kentucky. Professor Douglas is also the host of the new podcast, Democracy Optimist.

Nearly every day we see a new headline about a labor union in the news. From the recent Writers Guild agreement to the ongoing United Auto Workers strike and the numerous health care walk outs; labor unions are once again changing the game in the workplace. Why the influx in strikes in the labor movement? What does this mean for the future of labor in the United States? In this episode we are joined, once again by Professor Michael Duff. He is a former labor lawyer for the National Labor Relations Board and is a faculty member in the William C. Wefel Center for Employment Law.

The Supreme Court decision banning race-conscious college admissions that was handed down over the summer has rocked higher education and has forced colleges and universities across the country to examine their processes. But the implications of this case go far beyond campus. The decision has unleashed a new wave of political and legal attacks against corporate America’s anti-discrimination policies. Are our hard-fought DEI initiatives in the workforce the next target? What does this mean for educators and employers? In this episode we are joined by Professor Marcia McCormick, the director of the William C. Wefel Employment Law Center, and Belinda Dantley, the assistant dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the law school.

Earlier this year, the United States Supreme Court handed down a landmark decision in the voting rights case of Allen v Milligan. To the surprise of voting rights advocates across the country, the Court decided that the Alabama’s redistricting plan violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Just today, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the decision, handing a defeat to Alabama Republicans for the second time in three months. The case concerns the redistricting of Alabama’s seven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. The challengers argued that when drawing the map, the state had illegally packed Black voters into a single district, minimizing the number of districts in which Black voters can elect their chosen candidates. We have Professor Anders Walker here to talk through this case with us. Professor Walker teaches Constitutional Law and American Legal History among other courses. For this episode, assistant producer Edna Besic, a 3L at SLU LAW, will join as a co-host.

As a country, we are still grappling with the impact of the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health decision. There is no community of professionals more impacted than the medical professionals that treat women on a regular basis. In this episode we are joined by Professor Molly Wilson, an expert in law and psychology who holds a Ph.D. in psychology in addition to her J.D. She also serves the law school as the associate dean for research and engagement.

Labor unions seem to be having a moment. That is at least according to a recent Gallup poll that shows US approval of labor unions at the highest point since 1965. The latest approval figure comes amid a burst of 2022 union victories across the country,with high-profile successes at major American corporations such as Amazon and Starbucks. The National Labor Relations Board has even reported a 57% increase in union elections petitions filed during the first six months of fiscal year 2021. To dig into the labor law issues that this brings us, we turn to Professor Michael Duff. Professor Duff joined the SLU LAW faculty this fall and is the co-director of the William C. Wefel Center for Employment Law. He is an expert in labor law having had a previous career as a labor lawyer for the National Labor Relations Board in Philadelphia and Minneapolis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed critical ambiguities in state law, especially in regard to the ownership and responsibility of public health orders. Governors often relied on a general statutory power to take 'necessary' actions in response to COVID's threats. Yet, some courts found this statutory authority was so vague that it violated the separation of powers, and they set aside vital public health orders. Meanwhile, some state legislatures attempted to terminate emergency declarations by joint resolution, which was unconstitutional according to one state supreme court. In this episode, we are joined by Professor Rob Gatter, the director of the Center for Health Law Studies and an expert in public health law. Professor Gatter is also currently serving as the Reporter on a project of the Uniform Law Commission to draft a model state law addressing these such ambiguities. *This episode was recorded live on October 20, 2022 as the final installment of this year's Health Law Live series.

According to President Biden, the COVID-19 pandemic is over. However, there are still millions of Americans that are feeling the lasting effects of their own battle with the virus. As the medical and legal field struggle to catch up with this ongoing issue, there are concerns that what is known as long COVID will result in additional racial health disparities on top of those that occurred during the pandemic. In this episode, we are joined by visiting professor Mary Crossley. Professor Crossley is visiting from Pitt Law where she is a John E. Murray Faculty Scholar and Director of the Health Law program.

In September, after spending 23 years of his life behind bars, Adnan Syed walked free. His case was popularized by the podcast Serial in 2014. At the age of 18, 17 when the crime took place, Syed was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee and sentenced to life in prison. The case has brought to light many issues with the justice system, including deficient counsel and Brady violations. For this episode, we will focus on the larger issue of juvenile sentencing. We are joined today by Professor Lauren Bartlett who is the director of the law school's Human Rights at Home Litigation Clinic. Also joining us is one of our JLWOP clients, Ike Crawford. With the help of the Human Rights at Home Litigation Clinic, Ike was released on parole in February 2021 after being incarcerated for more than 29 years. Ike was sentenced to life without parole for a crime he committed when he was just 17 years old.

Netflix's hit show Bridgerton has taken the world by storm. The Regency era piece set in London has had everyone talking since it premiered in late 2020. It should not be surprising that the show has inspired lots of fan fiction. When the Unofficial Bridgerton Musical by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear was shown live in concert for a profit, Netflix filed a lawsuit for "blatant infringement of property rights." In this episode, we are joined by Professor Yvette Liebesman about the lawsuit and the complications regarding fan works in general. Professor Liebesman is an expert in copyright and trademark law and is SLU LAW's resident intellectual property scholar.

When the United States Supreme Court handed down a decision overturning Roe v. Wade earlier this year, they left us with a host of questions and scenarios to grapple with in the meantime. With the future of data privacy on the line, we turn to Dr. Michael Sinha, professor of law in the Center for Health Law Studies. Dr. Sinha is an expert in health law, intellectual property, and pharmaceutical policy. *This episode was recorded live on September 15, 2022 as part of the Health Law Live Series

This year's United States Supreme Court session was one of the most consequential in recent history. Beyond the Dobbs decision reversing the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling, the Court also ruled on Miranda rights, prayer in public schools and the right to open carry. Many of the rulings have left even our top legal minds with more questions than answers. In this episode, we are joined by Professor Chad Flanders. Chad helps us dissect a few of the most significant decisions of this session.

We are now into the second month of the war in Ukraine. The war, the weapons and the response from the world seem to change with the tide of the conflict. In this episode we are joined by Professor Afonso Seixas Nunes. Fr Afonso is a Jesuit priest who joined the law school faculty this fall. He is originally from Portugal and is an expert in international criminal law and has spent much of the past few years researching and writing on the legality of autonomous weapons.

With President Biden's announcement of his updated recovery plan, private and public companies in the United States have found themselves in the center of the nation's renewed effort to control the COVID-19 pandemic. Even prior to that, company leaders were grappling with how to safely return to work and what kind of requirements could be placed on their workforce. In this episode we are joined by Elizabeth Pendo, the Joseph J. Simeone Professor of Law. As a member of both the Center for Health Law Studies and the William C. Wefel Center for Employment Law, Elizabeth is uniquely positioned to break this down for us.

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in parts of our country, students are heading back to the classroom and much of the workforce are heading back to the workplace. Meanwhile the politicians and the public health officials are embattled over guidelines for doing so safely. In this special live recording for our Health Law Live series, we are joined by Professor Rob Gatter. Rob is a member of our Center for Health Law Studies and a public health law expert. Early in the pandemic he was called upon for his expertise by St. Louis County.

In 2020, almost 70,000 Americans died of an opioid related overdose. It is a public health crisis that knows no boundaries, including race, wealth or even the pandemic. In the past year, the court system has seen some massive settlements against drug makers for their roles in this crisis. But what does this mean for families suffering from addiction now, and what does the future hold? In this episode we are joined by Dr. Fred Rottnek. Board-certified in Family Medicine and in Addiction Medicine, Dr. Rottnek is the Director of Community Medicine and the Program Director of the Addiction Medicine Fellowship at Saint Louis University. He is also one of the Center for Health Law Studies affiliated faculty members and has recently taught a course with law Professor Chad Flanders on Opioids and the Law.

The United States Supreme Court recently handed down a victory for student speech with the 8-1 decisions in the Mahanoy Area School District v B.L. case. As the world communicates more and more through social media, this case sets some precedent in what can be considered protected under the First Amendment. To dig into the decision and the implications, we are joined in this episode by Professor Chad Flanders. Chad is a constitutional law professor and scholar of religion and the First Amendment.

The past year has brought many changes in the way we live, work, and manage our finances. As we approach the April tax deadline, there are a lot of variables that could change how and what we file. In this episode, we take a look at the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our tax law and the way we will file this year. We are joined by Professor Henry Ordower. Professor Ordower is a long time SLU LAW professor and an expert in tax law, both federal and international.

The coronavirus pandemic has arguably been the most altering event for the workplace in decades. While much of the workforce remains remote, many others, either by choice or necessity, work in person. The pandemic has also put a spotlight on the unsafe workplaces that thousands of Americans work in on a daily basis. As the vaccine shows us a light at the end of the tunnel, what can we expect when we return to work? In this episode we are joined by Professor Matt Bodie, co-director of the William C. Wefel Center for Employment Law. Professor Bodie is an expert in employment and labor law.

The race for a COVID-19 vaccine has captured the world's attention. Pharmaceutical companies across the globe are competing for a top spot that will pull us out of this pandemic. What does this mean for our immediate future and what will it mean for vaccine development for years to come? In this episode we are joined by Professor Ana Santos Rutschman. Ana is a member of the Center for Health Law Studies and Center for International and Comparative Law. She is an expert in FDA law and policy and vaccine patents.

In an election year like no other, we turn to our experts. In this special election episode we hear from Professors Chad Flanders, Anders Walker, Elizabeth Pendo, John Ammann, Greg Willard, Monica Eppinger, Ana Santos Rutschman, and Sidney Watson. Together we discuss issues of possible litigation, poll security, voter access, coronavirus, healthcare and more.

The process of applying to law schools can be daunting. Navigating the requirements to ensure you find the best home for your legal education can be a difficult task. In this episode, we are taking a break from legal news to focus on law school admissions. We are joined by SLU LAW Dean of Admissions Mike Kolnik who provides us with insider information and tips on the application process.

The Republic of Ireland has once again found itself at the center of the Brexit debate as recent proposals put the long-standing border dispute front and center. While residents worry about trade and conflicts, the deadline looms. In this episode we are joined by former US Ambassador Kevin O’Malley. Ambassador O’Malley recently joined the faculty of SLU LAW as a professor of practice and ambassador in residence. He served as the US Ambassador to Ireland from 2014-2017 and worked hard to strengthen the important ties between the US and Ireland.

It has been five years since the death of Michael Brown exposed a plethora of injustices in the St. Louis region. Five years since the region’s municipal court system came under fire, an issue that was decades in the making. In this episode, we are joined by Professor Brendan Roediger. Brendan and his colleagues in the SLU LAW legal clinics first took steps toward municipal court reforms years before the nation’s eyes were on Ferguson. He is a professor in the SLU LAW Legal Clinics and director of the Litigation Clinic. He was recently profiled by the St. Louis Post Dispatch for his legal efforts in the protest movement in Ferguson and beyond. He has joined us in this episode to talk about municipal courts and what progress has been made since August of 2014.

Internationalism and Sovereignty in Today's World - Professor Monica Eppinger by Saint Louis University School of Law

With the work of organizations like Forward Through Ferguson, racial equity has come to the forefront of conversations on race in St. Louis. Much research is being done on how change can happen in the areas of racial and gender equity in healthcare, the workplace and our government. In this episode we are joined by Professor Ruqaiijah Yearby. Ruqaiijah specializes in racial disparities in health care, the political economy of health care and social justice in medical research. She is also working at the university level to start a Center for Equity and an Institute for Healing Justice and Equity.

The confirmation process for Justice Brett Kavanuagh captivated the country. The stakes were high and the drama even more so. And some are now saying that perhaps the confirmation process is forever changed. But what got us here? And how will it look in the future? In this episode we are joined by adjunct professor Greg Willard. Greg served as White House Staff Assistant and personal aide to President Gerald R. Ford. He teaches a seminar on the American presidency and presidential power.

New technologies in healthcare are developed at a rapid pace with legal standards and the FDA often left playing catch up. From artificial intelligence to blockchain technology and nanorobots, regulating the industry can be an ever-changing challenge. In this episode we are joined by one of the newest members of the SLU LAW faculty, Professor Ana Santos Rutschman. Ana is an expert in bio technology. She teaches and writes in the areas of health law, intellectual property, innovations in life sciences and law and technology.

The trial of Missouri Governor Eric Greitens has captivated the local and nationwide media and general public. The case is complex and the trial of a public official in office is rare. The charges are unique and provide an interesting legal lesson. In this episode we are joined by Anders Walker, the Lillie Myers professor of law and associate dean of research and engagement. Dean Walker is a criminal law expert who has been following the case since the indictment and is here to help us unpack the issues on trial.

Broad shifts in U.S. policy have long affected population in our country and beyond. As we face an era of alternative facts, distrust in research and isolationism, we experience a whole new set of questions. How do we create policies that keep us safe when we can't agree on the facts? In this episode we are joined by Professor Rob Gatter. Rob is the director of SLU LAW's Center for Health Law Studies. The Center is hosting the 30th annual health law symposium, Public Health Law in the Era of Alternative Facts, Isolationism and the One Percent, on April 6.

This January we rang in the new year with a new piece of tax legislation. One that was laden with controversy and confusion, not to mention many revisions, often making it difficult to decipher fact from fiction. Since we're now well into tax season, we wanted to explore what this new law means for us average citizens, and what we can expect in the years to come. In this episode we are joined by Professor Kerry Ryan. Kerry has been teaching a variety of tax law classes at SLU LAW since joining the faculty in 2005. She also serves as the chair of the ABA section of taxation: teaching taxation committee.

Regulating Big Pharma: Lawsuits and Reforms - Professor Liz McCuskey by Saint Louis University School of Law

The alcohol industry is one of the most highly regulated industries in the United States. With the advent of the large conglomerates and the explosion of the micro-breweries and craft distilleries, the industry is ever changing. In this episode we are joined by Professor Gary Rutledge. Gary joined SLU LAW after serving as Vice President and Zone General Counsel in the North American Zone for Anheuser-Busch InBev. He currently teaches a course at SLU LAW on alcohol regulation.

It is hard to get through the day without hearing about or discussing immigration in the United States. The landscape is challenging and the law under the new administration is evolving, especially as the Supreme Court weighs in. In this episode we are joined by Professor Richard Middleton. Professor Middleton is a practicing immigration law attorney and an adjunct professor at SLU LAW teaching immigration law.

As the current administration grapples with what to do with heath care in the United States, the future of 15 million people with disabilities, including children and seniors, hangs in the balance. In this episode we are joined by Elizabeth Pendo, the Joseph J. Simeone Professor of Law in the SLU LAW Center for Health Law Studies. Professor Pendo is an expert on disability law and disability discrimination.

The Second Amendment was a point of contention on the campaign trail and continues to be a hot topic in today's legislature. Recently, Missouri lawmakers expanded gun rights in the state, including conceal and carry laws. In this episode we are joined by Anders Walker, the Lillie Myers Professor of Law. Professor Walker is a criminal law and constitutional law expert.

From contract negotiations to trademark protection, wage disputes and stadium deals, the practice of sports law spans across disciplines and interests. Each aspect has wide ranging implications, especially here in St. Louis as we navigate the prospects of a new stadium and a new sport. In this episode, we are joined by two distinguished alums and adjunct professors Nick Brockmeyer and Garrett Broshuis who co-teach a course in sports law.

Prescription drug abuse is a prevalent problem across the country. What started as a health care issue has slowly become a problem facing our criminal justice system. As our society grapples with the issues, many are left behind with little to no help. In this episode we are joined by Professor Liz Chiarello. Professor Chiarello is a sociologist with SLU’s department of sociology and anthropology. She holds a secondary appointment at the School of Law with the Center for Health Law Studies.

The gig economy - a term you may have heard a time or two in the past few years - is defined as an environment in which temporary positions are common and organizations contract with independent workers for short-term engagements. The gig economy has become popular through companies like Uber and Lyft, but as these companies grow so do the issues with labor law regulations. In this episode we are joined by Professor Miriam Cherry. Professor Cherry is currently the director of the Wefel Center for Employment Law and is an expert in the gig economy.