Law in 10

This special two-part episode of Law in 10 looks health care costs with Professor Susan Channick. Part two of the interview focuses on the costs of Medicare, and how the fight over the federal budget provides the opportunity to address the larger problem of the cost of health care.

Professor Channick's research interests include health law and public policy. She co-directs the Masters in Health Law program, a degree program sponsored by California Western and UC San Diego.

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The death of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden made headlines around the world this week and left many of us wondering; what does the news actually mean for national security, for U.S. men and women overseas, and for the international fight against terror.

California Western teaching fellow Ryan Williams, whose research interests include national security and international terrorism, helps makes sense of the historic news event.

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As state and local governments struggle to balance budgets amidst economic instability, wages and benefits for public employees are increasingly targeted for cuts.

Earlier this month, the Wisconsin legislature passed a controversial bill stripping that state's public employees of collective bargaining rights, increasing their benefit and pension costs, and restricting future pay increases. States including Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, and New Jersey are considering similar legislation.

 California Western labor and employment expert Professor Ruben Garcia explores how much these measures would improve the financial picture of cities and state and what they mean for the future of the labor movement.

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They've long been famous for rolling back prices, but recentlyWal-Mart engineered a different kind of rollback. The San Diego City Council voted to repeal an ordinance requiring economic impact studies of so-called superstores - like some Wal-Marts - rather than face a costly special election. Wal-Mart paid more than 3 million dollars to collect signatures to place the measure on a special election ballot.

To further influence the Council, Wal-Mart promised to open 12 new stores in San Diego, bringing fresh groceries to some of the city's most under-served communities. 

California Western Teaching Fellow Andrea Freeman talks about the Wal-Mart vote and what it could mean for local communities. Her research interests include race, economics, and access to healthy food.

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Last week, the chief judge of the 9^th Circuit court selected San Diego federal judge Larry Burns to hear the case against Jarred Lee Loughner, the alleged Tucson shooter charged with the murder and attempted murder of 13 people at an Arizona shopping mall. This week we may learn whether the entire trial will move to San Diego.

Mario Conte, Distinguished Practitioner at California Western, experienced defense attorney, and friend of Judy Clarke, who was selected to represent Mr. Loughner, offers his thoughts on Arizona case.

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Beginning this week officials from around the world gather in Cancun, Mexico for the 16^th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference. Their task: to map out a climate change strategy that extends beyond the landmark Kyoto Protocol - which sunsets in 2012 - and helps developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Among those traveling to Cancun for the conference is Richard Finkmoore, professor of environmental law at California Western and author of the recent book Environmental Law and the Values of Nature. He offers his thoughts - and hopes - about the two-week talks.

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In response to a series of high-profile incidents, U.S. schools have stepped up their anti-bullying efforts. But are they doing enough to protect students from harassment and intimidation? Last month, the U.S. Department of Justice warned school districts that certain kinds of bullying can violate federal anti-discrimination law, requiring a higher level of response and imposing a greater degree of legal responsibility.

California Western professor Robert DeKoven is an expert in education and civil rights law, and offers his views on the legal implications of school bullying.

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This month, the U.S. Supreme Court began its new term with a new justice and a new slate of cases. Among the first to be heard was one of the most high profile cases, pitting the father of a slain Marine against a controversial church in a battle over the constitutionality of offensive speech.

Constitutional law professor and frequent Supreme Court commentator Glenn Smith talks about the case and how the First Amendment can limit the right of access to the courts.

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This month marks the 9^th anniversary of September 11, 2001, the date of the worst terror attack on domestic soil in U.S. history. The national and international implications of that tragic event continue to play today out at Ground Zero, in Iraq and Afghanistan, and in U.S. courtrooms.

Just this month, the 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals threw out a case filed on behalf of five foreign detainees who claim to have been tortured under the so-called "extraordinary rendition" program launched by the U.S. government in the wake of September 11. The suit targeted a California subsidiary of the Boeing Company which served as the aviation services provider for the CIA and operated the plane which carried the detainees overseas, where they claim to have been tortured.

In this episode of Law in 10, California Western Associate Dean William Aceves talks about the case and what it says about justice, transparency, and the U.S. system of checks and balances.

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Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, the transition back to school, and offers a chance to relax and reflect on the contributions of American workers through the ages. Elected officials traditionally appear at parades and community events in their districts, especially in years when Labor Day precedes Election Day. But how much have today's elected officials done to protect and support workers?

In this special Labor Day issue of Law in 10, Professor Ruben Garcia explores current labor and employment issues. Garcia directs the Concentration in Labor and Employment Law at California Western.

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