Category: LEGAL

Enforcing and Modifying Separation Agreements: What You Should Know

Ana R. Cheatwood

Embarking on a separation agreement is a significant step towards a smoother transition during challenging times. However, the journey doesn’t end once the agreement is in place. In this blog post, we’ll explore the crucial aspects of enforcing and modifying separation agreements, providing you with essential insights to navigate this often overlooked part of the divorce process.

Enforcing Separation Agreements:

  1. Understanding Legal Validity: Once an Alberta separation agreement is drafted, it must be legally valid and enforceable. Consult with a legal professional during the creation phase to ensure the agreement adheres to all relevant laws and regulations, establishing a solid foundation for enforcement.
  2. Court Approval and Incorporation: Some separation agreements benefit from being court-approved and incorporated into the divorce decree. This adds an extra layer of enforceability, making it easier to address non-compliance issues through the legal system if necessary.
  3. Documentation and Communication: Maintain clear and thorough documentation of all transactions and interactions related to the separation agreement. Effective communication between both parties is vital, and having a record of exchanges can be invaluable if disputes arise. A well-documented process enhances the enforceability of the agreement.
  4. Legal Assistance in Case of Violation: If one party fails to comply with the terms of the separation agreement, seeking legal assistance is essential. A legal professional can guide you through the enforcement process, which may involve court intervention to ensure the responsible party fulfills their obligations.

Modifying Separation Agreements:

  1. Change in Circumstances: Life is dynamic, and circumstances may change post-separation. Loss of employment, health issues, or other significant life events may necessitate modifications to the original agreement. Recognizing and promptly addressing these changes is crucial for maintaining a fair and equitable arrangement.
  2. Mutual Agreement and Mediation: The process becomes smoother when both parties agree to modifications. Mediation can be a valuable tool in
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Legal Challenge Filed to Halt Caltrans’ Richardson Grove Project

Ana R. Cheatwood

EUREKA, Calif.— Conservation groups and Humboldt residents filed a legal challenge this week to a fourth attempt by Caltrans to approve the controversial Richardson Grove Project.

The project would realign portions of Highway 101 through Richardson Grove State Park to facilitate oversized commercial truck traffic, risking damage to a grove of ancient redwoods that are up to 3,000 years old. To realign the road, Caltrans proposes cutting and paving over roots of adjacent old-growth redwood trees.

The challenge was brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, Environmental Protection Information Center, Californians for Alternatives to Toxics, Friends of Del Norte, and several individual Humboldt residents with generational family ties to Richardson Grove.

“In its unrelenting pursuit of this unnecessary and fiscally foolish highway construction project, Caltrans has ignored its obligations to adequately evaluate the environmental impacts and is prepared to sacrifice the iconic Richardson Grove and desecrate our state park,” said Peter Galvin, director of programs at the Center for Biological Diversity. “We simply can’t and won’t let this beloved remnant of primeval forest be damaged.”

“Caltrans has pulled the same play from the playbook: Deny obvious impacts and push ahead,” said Tom Wheeler, executive director of the Environmental Protection Information Center. “We are stuck in a Groundhog Day nightmare where the agency refuses to take accountability for its sloppy work.”

“The fact that Caltrans refutes as ‘non informative’ new scientific research on the effects of paving over the roots of redwood trees demonstrates the callous nature of their dogged approach to completing this needless project,” said Don Gillespie of the Friends of Del Norte. “Richardson Grove deserves better.”

The recent Caltrans approval of the project violates the California Environmental Quality Act, a state law that requires public agencies to evaluate and disclose the environmental impacts of a project and

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Legal Empowerment | NYU School of Law

Ana R. Cheatwood
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In 2019, 5.1 billion people worldwide were found to live outside the protection of the law. Global pandemics, climate emergencies, threats to democracy, racism, and income inequality continue to exacerbate this justice crisis. This is a crisis of injustice, and it calls for a deep change in approach to alter the basic conditions of those who experience persistent injustice. Legal empowerment—a global movement led by grassroots, with lawyers and other professionals in supporting, rather than leading, roles—is a crucial part of the justice transformation that is needed. It is a rights-based methodology that democratizes laws and centers people in their own fight for justice by creating opportunities for people to “know, use, and shape” the laws that impact their lives. Legal empowerment takes many forms, from community paralegal programs, to community driven campaigns, popular education efforts, and community-driven litigation, among others.

The Bernstein Institute is the only U.S. legal academic center dedicated to advancing research, education, and advocacy on legal empowerment in the United States and globally. We teach law students to act as allies instead of “experts,” and partner with grassroots activists, lawyers, and scholars to think collectively about how to use the law to address structural injustice. A central tenet of the work is the redistribution of legal power – with communities in the lead in defining the justice they seek.

Programs

Through our legal empowerment programs we support and learn from our community partners as they build power, dignity, and knowledge to actively challenge inequities impacting their communities. We organize trainings on legal empowerment, co-create legal education and empowerment resources, co-produce participatory action research on the power of community justice, and hold convenings to highlight the success and promise of legal empowerment.

Education: Global Learning Initiatives and Conferences

  • Organize the Legal Empowerment Learning Lab, a groundbreaking workshop
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School of Law, Waseda University

Ana R. Cheatwood

Prof. Tatsuhisa Tamura, Dean of  the School of Law

Welcome to the Waseda University School of Law

What it means to learn the law

Studies at the School of Law revolve around the act of learning the law, while at the same time you also need to learn jurisprudence; that is, the principles on which the law is based. Then, what is the law we study here in the first place? This is an extremely difficult question to answer, so let’s just assume that it refers to a system of rules that governs a society. Normally, these rules are specifically defined in statutory law, such as legislation, municipal ordinances and international treaties. Given this, you may suppose that learning the law means getting to know what these rules are—in other words, acquiring the knowledge of these rules. However, there is more to it than just that. There is no doubt that gaining the right knowledge is a necessary, and indispensable, part of learning the law, yet that alone is not enough.

If the law is a system of rules that governs a society, studying the law also involves developing an accurate knowledge and understanding of the social background, as well as the history, culture, and thought of that society. Particularly, students of law in modern Japan need to develop a clear grasp not only of Japanese history, culture and thought but also of those of Western countries. Why is it so? The following may help you to understand. You may have learned in Japanese history lessons at high school that Japan introduced and accepted Western modern law to establish itself as a modern state when opening up to the world during Meiji Era, viewing advanced European countries of the time as models to follow. After World War II and the

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Online Master’s Degree in Legal Studies

Ana R. Cheatwood
Legal experts are employed in a wide variety of settings, from local government to industry to private practice. These professionals take on roles that range from paralegals to compliance coordinators. As demand for legal professionals increases, some individuals are choosing to enter the field by earning an online master’s in legal studies – also known as an MLS.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, legal professionals with a master’s degree have a better chance in the job market – and will be paid more – than those holding a bachelor’s degree. In addition to research skills that can be applied in many occupations, MLS online programs provide comprehensive knowledge of the U.S. legal system.

An MLS offers an option for those who choose not to pursue a J.D. degree, and students interested in becoming lawyers should recognize that a master’s in legal studies isn’t really a steppingstone to law school, because credits may not transfer, Alan Meisel, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, told U.S. News.

An online legal studies master’s program offers flexibility for students who are also working professionals. Web-based programs typically follow the same rigorous curricula as brick-and-mortar options, leading to similar advancement opportunities for graduates. The online format is also ideal for students who must tackle additional commitments – such as child or family care – on top of their work and class schedules.

How long does it take to earn a master’s in legal studies online?

Many online MLS programs are offered in accelerated formats, which allow students to complete coursework more quickly and conveniently. Students usually need 30 to 40 credits to graduate, and most MLS online programs can be completed in one to two years.

How much does an online master’s in legal studies cost?

The cost

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Do the Benefits of Law School Outweigh the Price? A Look at the Numbers

Ana R. Cheatwood

Aspiring lawyers who dream of six-figure salaries in their first legal jobs should know that attending a prestigious law school increases the odds of achieving that career goal.

Some law schools have a long history of getting graduates hired by large corporate law firms that offer hefty starting salaries. Among the 183 ranked law schools that reported the private sector starting salaries of graduates in the class of 2020 to U.S. News in an annual survey, 55 schools reported a median salary at or above $100,000.

The 22 schools whose 2020 grads were paid the most in full-time private sector jobs each reported a median salary of $190,000.

Prospective law school students should keep in mind that these salary figures may have been negatively affected by the coronavirus pandemic and its related economic crisis.

An employment and salary report from the National Association for Law Placement, NALP, revealed that the J.D. class of 2020 had an overall employment rate of 88.4% – nearly two percentage points lower than the prior year’s class.

But that doesn’t necessarily mark the beginning of a downward trend. Instead, it “is likely to be a pandemic-related blip, with stronger numbers following for the Classes of 2021 and 2022 as the economy around us generally and the legal economy specifically have been booming as the pent-up demand from the pandemic-lockdown’s end has been unleashed,” James G. Leipold, NALP’s executive director, explained in a press release when the report’s initial findings were released in August 2021.

“Fueled by overall private practice growth, students from the Class of 2020 were able to secure jobs at a higher rate than many had predicted. That is good news for law schools, law school graduates, and the legal profession as a whole, and barring any unforeseen bumps in the road, there

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College Classes That Best Prepare You for Law School

Ana R. Cheatwood

In most countries, legal education begins at the undergraduate level. However, few American colleges offer prelaw programs or majors. If you can’t study law at your undergraduate institution, then what courses can you take to prepare yourself for law school and show commitment to a legal pursuit?

Maintaining a high GPA is more important than the specific classes you take, so prioritize the classes that interest you and suit your skillset.

There is no penalty for pursuing your passion as long as you still show intellectual curiosity with a willingness to tackle rigorous academic work. Most law schools aim for a well-balanced class rather than a class of well-balanced students, and law schools don’t require any specific prerequisite coursework.

That said, there are some courses that will show that you have what it takes to succeed in law school. Those subjects include:

  • American history and government.
  • Social science.
  • Statistics and data science.
  • Close reading and reasoning.
  • Communications.

American History and Government

The American legal system is based on precedent, a deference for settled cases. It is also a patchwork of federal, state and local laws, norms and institutions. Without understanding how American government works – or fails to work! – and how and why it evolved into the odd hodgepodge it is today, you may hold myths and assumptions that undermine your effectiveness as an advocate.

Beyond courses on topics like the U.S. Constitution and American politics, consider courses that approach the American experience from alternative viewpoints. Try a narrower view, like the history of a specific region or population, or environmental history, or the history of science. Or try zooming out through a course in comparative politics, international human rights or international relations.

A complex understanding of America’s past and resent will be particularly important if you wish to

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How to Choose a Law School Specialization

Ana R. Cheatwood

It’s perfectly fine for college students to arrive on campus with only fuzzy ideas about their careers. Many U.S. colleges provide a liberal arts education that promotes and rewards intellectual curiosity and versatility. College students often change their major, try out a wide range of courses and deepen their intellect through the cross-fertilization of different disciplines.

In contrast, law school is a professional school. The first-year curriculum is mostly fixed, and the requirements for graduation limit the number of classes that students can take in other schools or departments. Law school is not a rigid path, but there is less room for experimentation than at the undergraduate level.

Thus, it is best for students to come to law school with some sense of their career interests and goals. Expressing clear career goals, even if they are broad or subject to change, is one way to show admissions officers your commitment to law school.

Some applicants, like those with experience in the legal field, may find it easy to explain what they want to do with their law degree. Others may not even be aware of the range of legal specializations beyond those portrayed frequently in popular media, like criminal law, family law and entertainment law.

Law school applicants seeking to choose a legal career path can consider these four tips:

  • Look beyond legal topics.
  • Try out different courses.
  • Stay open-minded.
  • Explore extracurricular activities.

Look Beyond Legal Topics

It’s tempting to think of specializations in terms of their topical focus, like environmental law, labor law or constitutional law. However, a more salient distinction between legal careers is the lifestyle differences across different fields.

Consider the day-to-day tasks and challenges common to each legal specialty. For example, a criminal lawyer may need to think quickly and handle a hectic and unpredictable schedule.

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College of Law

Ana R. Cheatwood

 Welcome to the University of Wyoming College of Law!

We offer an outstanding legal education at one of the lowest tuition rates in the country. Located in the Rocky Mountains only a short drive from Denver, the UW College of Law is known for its top programs, intimate family-like atmosphere, innovative skills training, affordability, and overall student satisfaction. 

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Small Class Sizes and Expert Faculty

Dedicated scholars and prolific writers, the College of Law faculty’s dedication to research is matched by their commitment to teaching.The Small class sizes promote student-faculty interactions & open doors to new opportunities. >>>

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Experiential Learning

The College of Law houses 8 Clinics & Practicums, a robust externship program, and a variety of simulation courses. Students in these programs benefit from hands-on experience and real world practice before entry into the legal profession. >>>

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Affordability 

Consistently named as one of the nation’s “Best Value” law schools, the University of Wyoming College of Law offers exceptional instruction at a price that enables our students to graduate with considerably less debt than at most other law schools. >>>

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Academic Programs

In partnership with other departments on campus, the College of law allow students to pursue their Juris Doctor (J.D.) in conjunction with their master’s degree in one of three different fields, a certificate program, and a traditional Juris Doctor. >>>

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WHAT’S NEW? Find UW College of Law news and student and faculty highlights, and visit the archives! 

 

EVENTS CALENDAR: Visit our calendar for upcoming events, Continuing Legal Education opportunities, and more! >>>

 

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The George Hopper Law Library provides access to exceptional resources, legal databases, and research assistance from skilled

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Legal Ambitions Summer School

Ana R. Cheatwood

Legal Ambitions is an innovative outreach programme offered by the Law Society of Ireland.

Law Society Summer School

Since its launch in July 2020, over 2,000 TY students from across Ireland have graduated from the Law Society’s Legal Ambitions Summer School. Due to the high demand for places on the Summer School the Law Society have redesigned this offering and in 2022 will launch a new online Legal Ambitions Transition Year Programme.

Legal Ambitions is open to schools around the country and encourages TY students to consider a career in law by providing an insight into the role of a solicitor in practice.

This programme is free of charge to schools. 

The 2022 Programme

Legal Ambitions will be delivered entirely online over four weeks and cover themes such as social justice, human rights and climate change. The programme looks at how the law can be relevant to the daily lives of participants and promotes awareness of the legal processes, constitutional principles, and values which underpin the rule of law in Ireland

Each week a new module of short video interviews and presentations (in a play-on-demand basis) will be shared with teachers and students. The module will be supported with interactive content, such as online quizzes and additional educational resources, to help deepen the learning experience. Teachers will receive approx. 1.5 hours of content each Monday over four weeks in November 2022.

Programme structure

  • Free programme delivered online over four weeks

  • Open to schools nationwide

  • Presentations from Law Society staff, leading lawyers and industry experts

  • Short, easy-to-consume video interviews and presentations

  • Quizzes and online resources

  • Dynamic themes such as social justice, human rights and climate change.

2022 programme

Applications for this year’s programme have now closed. 

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