Today in the News, 2.12.09

  • “[O]nce again, it looks like it’s a federal court that will force the state to deal with this festering problem.” Another local editorialist, this time in the Austin-American Statesman, complains about the lack of judicial neutrality that can result from campaign contributions made to candidates running for election as state court judges, following yesterday’s plea from the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court to do away with partisan judicial elections. This issue is soon to be explored by the U.S. Supreme Court in Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal.
  • “‘It’s not a subject that has a constituency,’ said Carrington. ‘Judges pretty much like things the way they are.’” Marcia Coyle of National Law Journal reports that a group of 33 law professors, judges, and attorneys are calling for fundamental changes in the way the U.S. Supreme Court functions.
  • “’People would say, ‘Who cares that there’s this technical violation of the Constitution?’'” he says. Standing cases often ‘arise in the context of constitutional provisions that no longer seem so terribly significant.’” Jess Bravin, writing in the WSJ, explores the tricky issue of standing in certain types of cases involving the Constitution, following the recent debate over Hillary Clinton’s emoluments problem.

More from

Rule of Law
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Jackler v. Merit Systems Protection Board

In Jackler v. Merit Systems Protection Board, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is considering whether the Trump administration can ignore critical civil service laws when removing Immigration Judges.
Rule of Law
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Comey v. Department of Justice

In Comey v. Department of Justice, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York is considering whether the Attorney General can fire an Assistant U.S. Attorney in contravention of legal protections...
Civil and Human Rights
July 18, 2026

Arnie Arnesen Attitude July 16 2026

Attitude with Arnie Arnesen
CAC’s David H. Gans joined The Attitude with Arnie Arnesen to discuss the Reconstruction Amendments. Listen...
Access to Justice
----- Supreme Court -----

Crowther v. Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia

In Crowther v. Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, the Supreme Court is considering whether employees of federally funded educational institutions can bring Title IX suits for sex discrimination.
Civil and Human Rights
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Wridt v. City of New York

In Wridt v. City of New York, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York is considering whether the NYPD’s mass surveillance system is unconstitutional.
Federal Courts and Nominations
July 16, 2026

CAC Release: Todd Blanche’s Record Disqualifies Him From Serving as America’s Lawyer

WASHINGTON, DC – In response to this week’s confirmation hearings on Todd Blanche’s nomination to...
By: Praveen Fernandes