New opinions: Sept. 12

The Supreme Court has issued four new opinions.

U.S.: Court cuts jury award, warns Steinbeck family to end litigation

KTLA News: "A federal appeals court attempted to close the book on endless litigation between the relatives of author John Steinbeck in a ruling that upheld a $5 million verdict against his daughter-in-law, but threw out $8 million she faced in punitive damages."

U.S.: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg reflects on Supreme Court’s unchanging 'collegiality'

UChicago News: "After more than a quarter of a century on the United States Supreme Court, what hasn’t changed for Ruth Bader Ginsburg are her cordial relationships with her fellow justices."

Ninth Circuit strikes down Montana ban on political robocalls

Courthouse News Service: "Montana can’t outlaw political robocalls, the Ninth Circuit ruled Tuesday, finding the state’s law violates the First Amendment, hamstrings underdog candidates and fails to protect recipients from financial scams."

Job Announcement

A job announcement for a Term Law Clerk with the U.S. District Court in Fargo has been posted.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for a Summer Clerk with the Cass County State's Attorney’s Office in Fargo has been posted.

Bar passage rate up 10 percent on July 2019 exam

The State Board of Law Examiners have announced the results of the July 2019 bar examination. Of the 82 applicants who sat for the bar examination in Bismarck, 60 applicants achieved a passing score. This is a 73 percent overall pass rate, compared to 63 percent a year ago.

8th Circuit decides N.D. case: Sept. 10

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has issued a per curiam opinion that an appeal waiver in a North Dakota criminal case was valid.

U.S.: Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch decries lack of access to justice for many Americans

USA Today: "Lawyers cost too much. Getting to trial takes too long. Juries promised by the Constitution are rarely used. And just try counting all the criminal laws on the books."

UND to celebrate Constitution Day Sept. 17

The University of North Dakota will celebrate Constitution Day on Tuesday, Sept. 17, by hosting a lecture featuring Professor Richard F. Duncan of the University of Nebraska College of Law at the UND School of Law in the Baker Courtroom beginning at noon.