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Author: William A. Jacobson

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William A. Jacobson

William A. Jacobson is a Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Securities Law Clinic at Cornell Law School.

He is a 1981 graduate of Hamilton College and a 1984 graduate of Harvard Law School. At Harvard he was Senior Editor of the Harvard International Law Journal and Director of Litigation for the Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project.

Prior to joining the Cornell law faculty in 2007, Professor Jacobson had a highly successful civil litigation and arbitration practice in Providence, Rhode Island, concentrating in investment, employment, and business disputes in the securities industry, including many high profile cases reported in leading newspapers and magazines.

Professor Jacobson has argued cases in numerous federal and state courts, including the Courts of Appeal for the First, Fifth and Sixth Circuits, and the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

Professor Jacobson has a national reputation as a leading practitioner in securities arbitration. He was Treasurer, and is a former member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association, a professional organization of attorneys dedicated to protecting public investors. He frequently is quoted in national media on issues related to investment fraud and investor protection, and in the past has served as one of a small number of private practice attorneys who trained new arbitrators for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

Professor Jacobson is co-author of the Securities Arbitration Desk Reference (Thomson-Reuters), updated annually.

Professor Jacobson is frequently quoted in the media on political and legal topics, has authored many Op-Eds in major publications, and appears on television and radio to discuss politics and the law.

A more complete listing of Professor Jacobson's professional background is available at the Cornell Law School website. The views expressed here are his own and not those of any employer or organization,

The best way to reach Prof. Jacobson is by e-mail here.

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 29, 2011 46 Comments

Senate just voted to table the Boehner bill. No surprise, but the vote was 59-41, which means some Republicans voted to table it.  (Added, the Republican votes to table were DeMint, Hatch, Lee, Graham, Vitter, Paul,) Claire McCaskill is complaining the Mitch McConnell told Harry Reid...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 29, 2011 9 Comments

The third version of the Boehner bill just passed the House.  (218-210, 22 Republicans voted against, no Democrats voted for.) We are on the verge of a significant -- although not very satisfying or triumphal -- achievement. Now Harry Reid gets to do what he does best. The Senate...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 29, 2011 3 Comments

I've posted before about nationwide redistricting gains by Republicans including in North Carolina. When you hear Democrats gripe how unfair this is, keep in mind California, where Democrats are likely to gain seats: The California Citizens Redistricting Commission approved new district lines Friday, setting off what is...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 29, 2011 0 Comments

I received this note from a loyal reader: Tomorrow the family and I leave for a computer-free week at Cape May Point, NJ so I will be undergoing withdrawal from Legal Insurrection. There's no need to go through withdrawal.  You can subscribe to posts via e-mail:  Get Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 29, 2011 13 Comments

He just can't help himself. He can't get out of campaign mode. After his absurd "I'm Mr. Reaonsable" speech earlier today, his campaign has taken to Twitter urging his supports to send tweets to Republicans in Congress:   This is laughable and childish.  But it's what passes for...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 29, 2011 11 Comments

As it looks now, a revised Boehner bill will get a vote this afternoon and is likely to pass. In yesterday's flash poll, here's how the vote broke down on what the House does next: I voted for the last option, do nothing until the Senate passes...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 29, 2011 42 Comments

Obama just gave his speech on the status of the debt ceiling negotiations, and endorses some version of McConnell and Reid plans.  Calls Boehner bill something that will not become law because does not extend debt ceiling beyond election. Calls for "bipartisan compromise" and calls on people to...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 29, 2011 6 Comments

As part of the continuing attempt to blame the "right wing blogosphere" for the shooting and bombing in Norway, two Norwegians take to the pages of The NY Times (h/t Left Coast Rebel) to decry the cabal of right wing bloggers and other supposed Islamophobes. Notice how easily...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 29, 2011 60 Comments

The failure last night to pass the so-called Boehner bill was a mistake.  I hope it will be corrected today. I don't disparage the intentions of the 25 or so who were not willing to vote for the bill.  In fact, I agree with them as...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 29, 2011 8 Comments

You probably paid for this, one way or another. Spotted in Ithaca: ...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 28, 2011 11 Comments

Supposedly the bill will come to a vote tonight in the House, and Harry Reid plans to kill it soon after. Why doesn't the House just wait until the morning to move it over to the Senate (help here, can the House sit on it overnight...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 28, 2011 8 Comments

Couldn't resist the post title. Via L.A. Times: San Francisco residents will not be voting in November on whether to prohibit circumcision after all, according to a tentative ruling by a Superior Court judge made public Wednesday. Judge Loretta M. Giorgi ordered the city’s director of elections to...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 28, 2011 2 Comments

Yesterday @JazzShaw walked away with the Debt Ceiling Tweet of the Day, and the challenge to @Iowahawkblog to "man up" was left unanswered. But today Iowahawk takes the prize (even though the day is young): ...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 28, 2011 5 Comments

I posted a few weeks ago about the status of redistricting in various states, and how Republicans at the state level were using their power wisely to solidify the current hold on power in the House by creating a greater number of safe seats rather than...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 28, 2011 23 Comments

Making points similar to what I have made, this is not the last round.  The Boehner bill for all its flaws puts the runners on base with another batter up in a few months. The Boehner bill, assuming it passes the House today, likely will be rejected...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 28, 2011 9 Comments

Thanks to reader Randy who writes: No doubt where this guy stands. Just spotted in the Herndon/Reston area of northern VA, just outside a medical facility.   ...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 27, 2011 17 Comments

I knew this was coming.  It only was a matter of time. During a Great American Panel on Hannity tonight John Fund and Hannity were hammering the point that Obama doesn't know how to negotiate in good faith.  One of them mentioned Donald Trump's criticism that...

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