UCLA School of Law

08/02/2024

How much control should Amazon have over the future of trademark law?

In this next episode of 'Law Review With You 🫵' (LRWY), Mark McKenna covers this topic and more, previewing his co-authored law review article with Jeanne Fromer, 'Amazon's quiet overhaul of the trademark system,' which will publish in California Law Review.

Prof. McKenna is UCLA Law's vice dean of faculty & intellectual life, and faculty co-director of the UCLA Institute for Technology, Law & Policy.

Ready to learn more?
👉 Read 'Amazon's Quiet Overhaul of the Trademark System' here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4870984

08/01/2024

Meet Julia Larkin ‘25, winner of the 2024 ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER) Biodiversity Law Student Writing Competition! Julia's winning paper, "Make Room for the Mushroom: Legal Vehicles for Conservation of the Fungi Kingdom," highlights critical gaps in natural resource protection for fungi. 🍄

We sat down with Julia and asked her a few questions about her legal scholarship and her winning paper! Dive into the mini Q&A below. ⬇️

Q: Can you share a bit about the inspiration behind choosing this topic for your article?
A: Five years ago on a college internship, I worked in the Regulations office for the National Park Service. My supervisor was the chief of that office and in passing, he shared that fungi are not included in the regulations that protect natural resources within the park system. Once I started taking classes at UCLA regarding environmental law topics, I started seeing other places where fungi were not represented, such as the Endangered Species Act. It made me wonder when, if ever, fungi were protected as a natural resource! The answer is: very seldom.

Q: What do you hope readers take away from your research and analysis on mushroom conservation? 🍄
A: The upshot of the paper is that because most natural resource protection provisions cover plants and animals, and fungi are neither of those, they are functionally excluded from these protections. I call for amendments to definitions in existing regulations, and the Endangered Species Act to bridge this gap.

Q: Can you tell us about your journey to UCLA Law?
A: I hold a degree in parks, recreation, and tourism. After graduating in 2020 during the tourism industry's collapse, I pivoted to the "parks" part of that degree and never looked back! I served as a park ranger at Mount Rushmore, Timpanogos Cave, and in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. I also worked for the Departmental Cases Hearing Division. While I loved working outside, I felt my impact was granular and I wanted to serve our public lands and natural resources on a bigger scale, which led me to law. I knew I wanted to stay in the west and UCLA became a perfect fit!

Read Julia's winning paper here:https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/environment_energy_resources/resources/biodiversity-2024.pdf

07/31/2024

Earlier this summer, UCLA's Schoenberg Hall buzzed with activity as industry executives and community members gathered for UCLA Law's 48th annual Entertainment Symposium, hosted by the Ziffren Institute for Media, Entertainment, Technology & Sports Law. 📺

This year's theme, “Back to Business: Hollywood’s Dynamic Landscape,” sparked discussions on the industry’s future amidst rapid technological advances and shifting consumer behaviors.

Read the full recap: https://law.ucla.edu/news/48th-annual-ucla-entertainment-symposium-embraces-optimism-amid-industry-challenges

07/29/2024

The UCLA Law community is cheering on our bar exam takers! You've worked hard and we're so proud of you. Good luck – you've got this! 💪

Share your words of encouragement in the comments below. ⬇️

07/26/2024

The CRT Forward Project, an initiative of UCLA Law's Critical Race Studies program, has released a new model measure, or model legislation, in support of critical race theory.

CRT Forward researchers have identified more than 800 anti-CRT measures, introduced at the local, state and federal levels, across the country. In a statement released on the CRT Forward Blog, model measure co-authors Taifha Natalee Alexander, CRT Forward Project director and alumna of the LL.M. program, and Ahilan Arulanantham, professor from practice and co-director of the Center for Immigration Law and Policy, describe the model measure as aiming, "to support state legislatures in preserving the freedom of teachers to educate—and students to learn—about the history and ongoing effects of racism in America."

🔗 Learn more about the model measure:https://law.ucla.edu/sites/default/files/PDFs/Critical_Race_Studies/CRT-Forward-Model-Measure-Curriculum-070224.pdf

07/25/2024

An amicus brief by UCLA’s Veterans Legal Clinic was cited in Justice Sotomayor's Supreme Court dissent in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, the case on public camping restrictions.

The brief, authored by assistant professor and faculty director of the UCLA Veterans Legal Clinic, Sunita Patel, and Jeanne Nishimoto, executive director of the Clinic, highlighted the lived experiences and challenges of homeless veterans.

Read the story, now live in our newsroom. ⬇️
https://law.ucla.edu/news/supreme-court-cites-ucla-law-faculty-members-key-homelessness-decision

Photo credit: Nathan Dumlao via Unsplash

07/23/2024

As the world gears up for Paris 2024, we sat down with UCLA Law's sports law expert, Prof. Steven Bank, who answered some of our most pressing questions about the legal landscape of the Olympic Games.

Read the Q&A, live now in our newsroom.

As the world eagerly anticipates the kickoff of the Paris 2024 Olympics this week, headlines buzz with stories about the athletes, the cleanliness of the Seine River, and the cutting-edge role of artificial intelligence in capturing the games. But for UCLA Law professor Steven Bank, the legal landsc...

07/22/2024

The countdown to 1L orientation has officially begun. In one month, the class of 2027 will be on campus! 🎉

We went through last year's orientation photo album and had to share some of our favorites!

07/19/2024

Congratulations to UCLA School of Law Professor Cheryl Harris on receiving the Faculty Award for Career Commitment to Diversity, as part of the UCLA Academic Senate’s 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Awards! 👏

Professor Harris is a groundbreaking scholar and leader in civil rights law and critical race studies. Among her many accomplishments, she authored the seminal 1993 article “Whiteness as Property” in the Harvard Law Review and was one of the founding members of the law school’s trailblazing Critical Race Studies program.

UCLA School of Law professor Cheryl Harris, one of the nation’s most eminent scholars and leaders in civil rights law and critical race studies, has received the Faculty Award for Career Commitment to Diversity, as part of the UCLA Academic Senate’s 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Awards.

07/18/2024

The latest report from UCLA Law's Criminal Justice Program, authored by Leah Zeidler-Ordaz, an expert in youth justice policy at UCLA Law, and researched with the help of Jess Johnson '23, uncovers how collaborations between law enforcement and Los Angeles County’s child protective services agency can lead to family separation and criminalization.

Read more about these findings ➡️ https://law.ucla.edu/news/criminal-justice-program-report-illuminates-collaboration-between-law-enforcement-and-child-protective-services-la-county

UCLA Law’s Criminal Justice Program has published a report that sheds light on the federal, state and local laws and regulations that encourage collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and L.A. County’s child protective services agency, the Department of Children and Family Services.

07/17/2024

It’s , so we hid a few Shapiro Squirrel emojis outside the law school!

How many can you find? Let us know in the comments! 🐿️

07/16/2024

In another round of Supreme Court rulings, key decisions have been made on issues like social media rights, reproductive health, gun legislation, homelessness, and financial regulations. 🏛️ UCLA Law’s faculty shed light on these important cases and their broader implications.

These SCOTUS decisions are reshaping the legal landscape. Which rulings did you follow closely?

07/15/2024

Meet Glenda Dyson '26, a dynamic and dedicated student in the UCLA Law M.L.S. program. Here, she participates in a mini Q&A. ⬇️

Q: What drew you to the M.L.S. program at UCLA Law?
A: Flexibility without sacrificing quality is what attracted me the most. I always wanted to go to law school, but couldn't make the time commitment of a J.D. work with my professional and family responsibilities. When I learned about the M.L.S program, it felt perfect for me. I can take 1-2 classes each semester, focusing on topics I can apply directly to my work and personal goals, while still feeling part of the UCLA Law community.

Q: What is your current role at WBD like, and what are your daily responsibilities?
A: My title is currently Director, Contracts & Operations for HBO, Max and Magnolia Original Productions. I love my job because of the variety – drafting and negotiating talent agreements, supporting our team of lawyers, paralegals, and assistants, and working to ensure our legal team has the best tools to support our creative teams. My favorite part is the people and seeing a project to fruition! I also love seeing the impact of my work, whether it's a new tool improving operations or a show premiering on HBO or Max and seeing the audience's reaction.

Q: How does your academic work in the M.L.S. program intersect and impact your current role with WBD?
A: I'm able to better understand how lawyers think. Before the M.L.S. program, I chuckled at the phrase "think like a lawyer." Now, I see that lawyers have a unique way of processing and presenting information, and I’m gaining the training to think and analyze similarly, enhancing my communication with colleagues and clients.

Q: What is your favorite part of the M.L.S. program so far?
A: Hands down, it's the community. I learn from leading legal minds alongside some of the most amazing people I've ever met. We are a close-knit community and celebrate each other's wins. They inspire me to keep pursuing a better version of myself every day.

07/11/2024

In light of the recent Supreme Court decision in United States v. Rahimi, where the Court upheld the prohibition on firearm ownership for individuals with domestic violence restraining orders, we're revisiting last year's Reddit 'Ask Me Anything' with UCLA’s Second-Amendment expert, Adam Winkler. Dive into his perspectives on gun rights and regulations, which remain profoundly relevant today.

Read through the AMA here: https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/10y26as/im_adam_winkler_a_professor_at_uclas_school_of/

Photo description: A photo from last year of Adam Winkler in advance of his Reddit AMA, holding a verification sign to confirm his identity and participation.

07/10/2024

Throughout the last month, the Supreme Court made landmark decisions on critical cases including gun control, presidential immunity, regulatory deference, and environmental protections. 🏛️ Here, UCLA Law’s faculty experts break down some of the decisions and share the possible repercussions.

This year's SCOTUS season has been truly historic. Which cases did you follow closely?

07/10/2024

Us, in 2012.

07/08/2024

In honor of National Video Game Day, meet Maria Eleni Pasia, an LL.M. graduate of 2020 and associate counsel at SEGA. We had the opportunity to conduct a mini Q&A with Maria ⬇️

Q: Please tell us a bit about your current role at SEGA.
A: As an associate counsel at SEGA, I work in the business & legal affairs department. My responsibilities include counseling, reviewing contracts, negotiating and drafting a vast pool of agreements, and ensuring product clearance. On a typical day, I usually have to be engaged in a mix of transactional work and product clearance activities. For example, I might spend some of my time reviewing, negotiating and drafting licensing, marketing, and transmedia agreements, as well as providing guidance on legal issues related to copyright and privacy law.

Q: What inspired you to pursue an LL.M. degree at UCLA Law?
A: My inspiration to pursue an LL.M. in media, entertainment, and technology law at UCLA originated from my passion for movies, sports, and video games, and my early decision to become a transactional attorney. These interests naturally led me to the entertainment and gaming industry. UCLA was the perfect choice due to its stellar reputation, comprehensive research, diverse electives, state-of-the-art facilities, multicultural environment, excellent networking opportunities, and prime location in the heart of the media and entertainment industry.

Q: What advice would you give to current UCLA Law students who aspire to work in the gaming industry? 🎮
A: Well, the gaming industry is not necessarily among the traditional legal practice areas, so I would say that it requires some kind of passion for video games. Now, when you get your feet in it, you will have to demonstrate an understanding of the industry's business aspects and anticipate challenges as it is a pretty fast-evolving industry. You should keep in mind that your legal advice not only should be legally sound but commercially relevant as well. Practical experience within the industry through internships, externships, and seminars is valuable for gaining this insight.

Q: What’s your favorite video game or franchise from SEGA?
A: Sonic the Hedgehog! 🦔💨

07/03/2024

Join us for another episode of 'Law Review With You 🫵,' featuring Lauren van Schilfgaarde (Cochiti Pueblo), assistant professor of law at UCLA Law.

Here, Prof. Schilfgaarde breaks down the history of the 'vanishing Tribe trope' and its impact on Tribal sovereignty, one of the main topics of her law review article, '(Un)Vanishing the Tribe,' published in the Arizona Law Review.

Ready to learn more? Read the '(Un)Vanishing the Tribe' here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4670890