1. Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad (LIRR)
2. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett
3. U.S. v Bethlehem Steel Corp.
4. Campbell Soup v Wentz
5. Hawkins v McGee
6. World-Wide Volkswagen Corp. v. Woodson
7. Hanson v. Denkla
8. International Shoe Co. v. Washington
9. Pennoyer v. Neff
10. And others…
My civil procedure professor is not a go-with-the-grain-type professor. He likes to teach civil procedure backwards. Basically, he teaches second semester civil procedure during the first semester, and the first semester during the second. In his view, we then have a foundation on which to discuss the highly confusing jurisdiction topics. In reality, he allows us to watch the sheer confusion and terror experienced by our colleagues as they deal with the horrible topics we will be forced to endure.
Of the most important cases in civil procedure is Erie Railroad v. Tompkins. Just under three weeks from our final, this landmark case was revealed to us. This exciting day was marked with ye old Socratic method being used by our professor, as is usual in every class. The professor is among the most laid-back and easy-going professors a student can be assigned first semester.
The professor started class with his usual cliché greeting and called on a student to discuss the Erie case. The student looked up at the professor and said, "I did not read today."
A very astonished professor replied, "You did not read today? You skipped the Erie Doctrine? What a time to choose to skip." And, with that, he moved to the next student.
I would describe the Erie Doctrine, but I would be made fun of again for briefing cases in my spare time. Just know that it controls what law (state or federal) a state or federal court is bound to in certain cases.
Stupid class made me happy today. This very unlikely occurrence was prompted because, halfway through the two hours of boredom, the professor dismissed class. As it turns out, the only way stupid class can make me happy, is if stupid class ends early or is cancelled. Oh, the irony.
… and scene.
3 comments:
First - I am smiling right now because I made a cameo in your blog.
Second - I was very surprised to learn you were just learning Erie until I kept reading that your professor teaches Civ Pro backwards. I am editing a Civ Pro casebook and supplement for an author and would like your thoughts sometime (post exams, perhaps?) how you you liked that approach.
Third - I've never heard of U.S. v Bethlehem Steel Corp, nor Campbell Soup v Wentz. I haven't yet conceptualized the amount of tuition I am paying, but I feel I need a refund.
Forth - Why does law school suck so bad?
I haven't ever written a response on my blog, and, I figure: for John, why the heck not? Maybe this shall become a regular addition. Let's try it out.
So, in order:
1) I now realize I should have "named" you, because I think that you deserve a recurring role (like annoying guy, Professor B, and M). Congrats.
2) How in the world did you get a gig as a student editor during your first year? I am super jealous! I would be glad to converse with you about the approach. You would definitely be surprised at how amazing the approach is, and the ease of learning that I enjoyed during the most difficult portions of civil procedure in comparison to my colleagues who learned it the "right" way.
3) Those cases are both Contracts cases that discuss the UCC, contracts (obviously) and a slew of other important contract law nuances.
4) Because the big man upstairs enjoys our misery. It is a big game for "Him". I just shook my fist in the air for us.
And, the added bonus:
5) Where will you be clerking this summer?
Cheers, John.
The casebook editing will begin May 2 - I'm putting it on hold until after exams. I attribute two factors to my getting the job: first, I made an A in Civ Pro (the author was my professor). Second, I kept a list of every typographical, grammatical, or aethetic error I found in his book at gave them to him at the end of last semester. There were a lot. He appreciated my editing skills, so he's hiring me to work for him until I graduate.
I'll be at the Department of Justice; Criminal Division; Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Section in DC this summer. I'll be with the litigation team that prosecutes international drug lords, but will be doing standard summer internship stuff (research, writing). Did you decide on a summer job? I know you had several things lined up and I never kept them straight.
JT
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