Image 01 Image 03

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.

There is nothing happening today.  Or at least not this morning.I can't even find a good Stuxnet story to write about.Help!--------------------------------------------Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTubeVisit the Legal Insurrection Shop on CafePress!...

Taken by a reader in Eugene, Oregon:(Please remember my caution about taking photos while driving.)--------------------------------------------Related Posts:Bumper Stickers - The SeriesFollow me on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTubeVisit the Legal Insurrection Shop on CafePress!...

Following up on my Official Predictions and Not Predictions for 2011, I have put together, with input from readers, Legal Insurrection's Official New Year's Resolutions.Actually, it comes down to just a single resolution, as follows:To keep up the fight against a seemingly unstoppable expansion of government into every...

Last year the Worst Tweet of the Year Award went to Spencer Ackerman, who just after the Undie-bomber almost blew up a plane over Chicago, tweeted what he meant:  "Al-Q is a joke."This year the Award goes to Sissy Willis, for tweeting something she didn't mean.  If you...

Spotted in Ithaca a couple of months ago, and saved for a special occasion.  I'll let you enlarge it, if you must:--------------------------------------------Related Posts:Bumper Stickers - The SeriesFollow me on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTubeVisit the Legal Insurrection Shop on CafePress!...

Taken in late November by a reader in Tampa, Florida.  I'm pretty sure this guy does not want anyone touching his junk:--------------------------------------------Related Posts:Bumper Stickers - The SeriesFollow me on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTubeVisit the Legal Insurrection Shop on CafePress!...

Tomorrow I will release Legal Insurrection's Official New Year's Resolutions for 2011.Taking suggestions.--------------------------------------------Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTubeVisit the Legal Insurrection Shop on CafePress!...

I gave you my "predictions" for 2011 yesterday.I would not classify the following as predictions unless they come true, in which case I am a genius.  Here are some things I'm looking at in the coming year (list to be updated throughout the day).There will be...

That is a name I had not heard in decades. When I studied in the Soviet Union many of the East European students loved the group Boney M and were surprised that none of the Americans in our group had heard of it.  To them, Boney...

As a follow up to my post the other day regarding the reopening of a rare earth minerals mine in the U.S., China announced yesterday that it was slashing exports:China, which produces about 97 percent of the global supply of the metals used in the...

I am trying to take this advice, offered by a regular reader, to heart (emphasis mine):"Professor Jacobson,A long time ago my grandfather gave me some very good advice I often follow, but not all the time, due to my competitiveness. I am sure you have...

Defenders of WikiLeaks have portrayed Bradley Manning and Julian Assange as heroes who only want transparency, and who did no real harm.In fact, WikiLeaks has put lives at risk and damaged international attempts to rid Zimbabwe of the Mugabe regime.  And beyond that, Wikileaks has damaged...

It was great to clear my head this morning with a walk through Colt State Park in Bristol, Rhode Island.  I wonder what the guy in the second photo below was feeling as he dug for clams in this frigid weather.  Probably stayed focused on...

Here are Legal Insurrection's Official predictions for 2011:Obama will give an unscripted speech announcing he is resigning to take a year-long road trip to play golf in each of the 57 states.Joe Biden, the second in line to the presidency, will become President upon Obama's resignation, and head...