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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 18, 2012 4 Comments

In late June I noted that something seemed to have changed in Syria, that the threat to the Assad regime seemed more real than ever. A massive explosion in Syria confirms that indeed things have changed.  The Syrian defense minister and a brother-in-law of Bashar Assad...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 18, 2012 31 Comments

As you know from the primaries, I'm no fan of John Sununu. But when it comes to Obama's complete lack of understanding and disdain for what makes this country's economy work, Sununu got it right yesterday Despite the media hoopla, tell me exactly what was wrong with this statement: In...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 18, 2012 12 Comments

From frequent photographer Jason: Taken a couple of weeks ago. Asheville, NC is a great town for mountains, restaurants and music. But it's not known for it's civility. ...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 17, 2012 28 Comments

The Shark Tank reports that Debbie Wasserman Shultz has never before disclosed that she owns a second home and land in New Hampshire, under the name Debbie Schultz: According to public records, we’ve learned that Wasserman Schultz owns a second home here along with another land parcel....

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 17, 2012 41 Comments

The comment section has become ugly lately particularly as regards posts regarding the Zimmerman case. You all know who you are. I hate having to do this, but anyone who engages in personal attacks on other commenters or tries to publish personal information about other commenters will...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 17, 2012 57 Comments

that both the Bain and tax return issues were entirely predictable and in fact predicted. No sense piling on, but remaining silent might be worse. Defenses of Bain which worked in the primaries -- you hate capitalism -- don't necessarily work in the general.  Show why Bain...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 17, 2012 8 Comments

From reader Peter: I saw your latest “Fakes” post and decided to share – I was visiting my 83 year old mom who lives on Chappaquiddick Island (part of Martha’s Vineyard) just last week.  It’s a lovely place and certainly is a playground of the rich, but...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 15, 2012 31 Comments

The hostess and others looked at me with such smiles as I snapped several photos. We all shared the pride, or so they thought. I looked just like they did. They thought I was one of them. But little did they know. Taken at Tacolicious, San Francisco: ...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 15, 2012 13 Comments

It's all a matter of perspective. I had dinner with a group of people last night, and one of the women was pregnant for the first time at age 37.  Her husband commented that he was going to buy the kid a onesie that said "Now...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 15, 2012 8 Comments

This driver supports Anybody Else.  From reader Chris, taken in Austin, TX: Professor, you've probably seen this one but for what it's worth. Car next to me saw me taking photo. They honked and gave thumbs up. Mobile tea party? While this other driver supports Anyone Else.  From reader Jeff: From...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 14, 2012 4 Comments

I have previously highlighted Richard Mourdock's attempt to close the cash gap with Democrat Joe Donnelly. At one level Mourdock has been successful, outraising Donnelly in the 2d Quarter, but since he started behind by $800k and had to spend money on the primary, he still...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 14, 2012 53 Comments

Because you have been bad, and because I want to inflict maximum pain, you must watch all 12 minutes of this video in which Lawrence "Herman Cain didn't know how to be black" O'Donnell leads a panel of race card players attacking Mitt Romney's speech to...

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