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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 April 22, 2012 25 Comments

The Republican establishment, in the form of Mitch Daniels,  John McCain and a SuperPAC, is trying to rescue Dick Lugar with ads in the run up to the May 8 primary challenge from Richard Mourdock, The just-released Daniels' ad is embedded below, and contains the money line:  "I'm...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on April 22, 2012 46 Comments

Definitely a contender. Sarah Palin on the Secret Service agent who checked her out: "Well, check this out bodyguard, you're fired, and I hope his wife kicks his okole and sends him to the dog house long as he's not eatin' the dog along with his former boss." Multiple...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on April 22, 2012 6 Comments

I have written quite a bit about the challenge by Richard Mourdock to Obama's Favorite Republican, Richard Lugar. But one subject I haven't touched upon was Mourdock's valiant effort, against great political odds, to stand up for private bondholders against the Obama-enforced bailout of Chrysler. With barely...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on April 22, 2012 27 Comments

New reader Kathy just sent me the motherload of bumper sticker photos. She's been taking photos for over two years. Here is the first of them taken in High Springs, FL, with her message: I came across you web site and have been enjoying the bumper stickers...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on April 21, 2012 28 Comments

Just minutes ago, Mia B. Love won the Utah-04 nomination at the Utah Republican Convention.  Love received 70.5% of the vote on the second ballot, defeating Carl Wimmer who received 29.5. The result is a shock except to those of us in the blogosphere who have been...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on April 21, 2012 26 Comments

One of the many enduring myths and legends of the Obama 2008 victory is that Obama's record-breaking fundraising came from small donors.  Perpetuating the false impression that small donors are Obama's base is a priority of the Obama campaign, which now focuses on running low cost ($5, $3) dinner raffles...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on April 21, 2012 9 Comments

From reader J: I work on the north side of Milwaukee, WI. I was behind this car on my way home from work last night. I think it says it all...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on April 20, 2012 26 Comments

From the Breitbart.com website: The office of the Los Angeles County coroner has completed its investigation into the death of Andrew Breitbart on March 1, and has confirmed that he died of natural causes, namely heart failure. Chief Coroner Investigator Craig Harvey told Breitbart News that the...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on April 20, 2012 7 Comments

Song of the Day (via Quiznilo in the Tip Line) Another catchy tune. Image of the Day (via Browndog in the comments) Don't believe the liberal media of the day. Yes, it it possible to go too far on the internet. Tax Day of the day. Embrace of the day (via...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on April 20, 2012 21 Comments

or a way to motivate the opposition to Walker? You be the judge.  The argument is that anti-Walker forces, particularly the younger newer voters, just aren't motivated. From Wade Rathke, founder of ACORN, Huge Obstacles to Beating Scott Walker in Wisconsin Recall: The life-and-death struggle in Wisconsin to...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on April 20, 2012 56 Comments

Here is George Zimmerman's testimony at the bail hearing this morning. I find it very curious as to why he took the stand at all, other than for publicity and to start reshaping his image for potential jurors.  While the cross-examination was limited, you can see...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on April 20, 2012 16 Comments

Dick Lugar has the reputation, deserved or not, of being the gentleman of the Senate, a now-grandfatherly figure who is well-liked personally if not politically. Lugar now is in the political fight of his life against Richard Mourdock.  Lugar is fighting back, as I pointed out previously,...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on April 20, 2012 19 Comments

Considering some of the bumper stickers on this car, I wonder what the owner considers negativity. One person's positivity is another person's negativity, I guess. Spotted in Ithaca not too far from my house: ...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on April 19, 2012 45 Comments

McMillan International and its affiliates, based in Arizona, manufacture a variety of rifles and accessories, including highly regarding sniper rifles. A reader called to my attention a Facebook post by McMillan alleging that Bank of America terminated its lending relationship for political reasons based on McMillan's involvement...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on April 19, 2012 31 Comments

CNN columnist LZ Granderson demanded an arrest: Ted Nugent should be arrested. Not because he doesn't like Barack Obama but because he got up in front of a group of people and insinuated he would attempt to assassinate Obama if he's re-elected. Or let's put it this...

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