Image 01 Image 03
Sign In or RegisterLogout

Author: William A. Jacobson

Profile photo

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 March 19, 2011 6 Comments

The Court decision granting a TRO halting publication of the Wisconsin budget repair bill was profoundly wrong for the reasons I previously have stated, and will not repeat here.One interesting fact is that the Wisconsin Senate Rule relied upon by Republicans was in fact drafted...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on March 19, 2011 2 Comments

I have noted before the tendency of Obama to drop political bombshel's on a Friday just as he was leaving for a trip abroad or vacation, including: November 13, 2009, when the administration announced that lshe trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed would take place in...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on March 18, 2011 6 Comments

If it were Bush or Clinton, you know we would be hearing about Wag the Dog:How Obama turned on a dime toward war: "At the start of this week, the consensus around Washington was that military action against Libya was not in the cards. However,...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on March 18, 2011 38 Comments

A Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge has issued a Temporary Restraining Order preventing the publication (i.e. implementation) of the budget repair bill.I have not seen the opinion yet -- it is unclear whether there is a written opinion or this was issued orally from the bench...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on March 18, 2011 8 Comments

Jim Nolte at Big Goverment has a 20-day account of the threats and intimidation in Wisconsin.It truly is amazing how little mainstream media coverage this has received.An old lady raises her voice at a health care town hall, and it is an excuse for hand...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on March 18, 2011 12 Comments

Is this really the worst pop song of all time? It could be the robotic vocal delivery. Or the inane chorus of "tomorrow is Saturday and Sunday comes afterwards". But "the worst pop song of all time" has become a global sensation, catapulting its 13 year-old...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on March 18, 2011 6 Comments

Tim Pawlenty has hired Lucas Biaino to help spice up Pawlenty's image, according to HuffPo: His job is to make Pawlenty appear larger than life. And he’s good at it.“Lucas can make rather emotionless things emotional, so good for the rap on Pawlenty!” emailed veteran...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on March 17, 2011 1 Comment

Dan Collins at POWIP is one of my favorite bloggers. He's having a fundraiser right now to meet an unexpected crunch.  Believe it or not, it's hard to make money at blogging, unless you have very large traffic.  So there are compatriots out there who...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on March 17, 2011 12 Comments

Andrew Sullivan on Sarah Palin's upcoming trip to Israel (emphasis mine)The appeal of Sarah Palin as a GOP nominee is not just about domestic resentments. It is also about foreign policy revanchism. And it seems rash to me to dismiss the importance of this. There...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on March 17, 2011 1 Comment

Being held at Congregation Kehillath Jeshurun in Manhattan.  H/t to Israel Matzav for the link. Starts at noon E.S.T.:http://www.ustream.tv/flash/viewer.swfLive TV by Ustream--------------------------------------------Related Posts:Israelis Sitting Shiva For Fogel Family Help Save Palestinian Baby What Kind of PersonPalestinian Terrorist Stabs Infant and Family To Death PrayerFollow me...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on March 17, 2011 13 Comments

It is not surprising that there would be an enthusiasm gap in Wisconsin, with the national unions pouring substantial funds and efforts into recalling Republican Senators and eventually Gov. Scott Walker.  The efforts are not only monetary, but also through physical and other intimidation, such...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on March 17, 2011 3 Comments

when someone outside of my narrow sphere of influence takes note of something on this blog in other than a childish way.The Providence Phoenix, a left-leaning local paper (does anyone know of a "Phoenix" paper anywhere which is not left-leaning?) ran a column titled, PolitiFact...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on March 17, 2011 1 Comment

From The Cornell Sun:Although Cornell’s female faculty report higher levels of satisfaction than they did in 2005, male faculty still say they are happier with their jobs than their female colleagues are, according to the results of the 2010 Faculty Work Life Survey.Looking at the...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on March 17, 2011 1 Comment

Reader Dan in Hawaii, who followed the Polling 101 series, sent this clip, which I enjoyed very much:--------------------------------------------Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTubeVisit the Legal Insurrection Shop on CafePress!...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on March 16, 2011 7 Comments

What a contrast to the brutal murder of the Fogel family, including their 3 month old baby daughter.Via Ynet News:After massacre, settlers help bring new life into world: IDF forces and local paramedics helped save the life of a Palestinian woman and her newly born...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on March 16, 2011 6 Comments

Sam Stein of HuffPo has important, breaking news:  Scott Walker has not changed since he ran for student body President in 1988 at Marquette -- Walker took on the crowds and the newspaper editors then, just as he does now:Several days removed from the budget battle that roiled...

Accessibility by WAH