Author: William A. Jacobson
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.
Derek Chauvin Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges In George Floyd Death
on December 15, 2021
74 Comments
Could extend his prison time by several years beyond the state sentence, and might allow him to serve time in federal prison....
Mark Meadows Lawsuit: Subpoenas Invalid Because Pelosi Constituted Select Committee In Violation of House Authorizing Resolution
on December 15, 2021
29 Comments
"Speaker Pelosi failed to appoint members consistent with the authorizing resolution of the Select Committee...
Jussie Smollett and The Hate Hoax Pandemic – Online Event (Sunday, December 19, 7 p.m. Eastern)
on December 14, 2021
9 Comments
Jussie Smollet faked a hate crime, bigly. He got convicted, bigly. But Jussie is just the tip of the hate hoax iceberg. We have covered dozens of hate hoaxes over the years. We have have a tag called Hoaxes.
In honor of Jussie being convicted on 5 of 6 counts (or what CNN calls "some") of lying to police, we are holding an online event on Sunday, December 19, at 7 p.m. Eastern. Registration is FREE, but you must
Preregister HERE.
Supreme Court Refuses To Halt NY State Healthcare Worker Vaccine Mandate Lacking Religious Exemption
on December 13, 2021
43 Comments
Gorsuch dissent: "Those who cite medical reasons are exempt. But no comparable exemption exists for individuals whose sincere religious beliefs prevent them from taking one of the currently available vaccines. It seems New York is one of just three States to have a scheme like...
This Is Why We Fight – 2021 Legal Insurrection Year-End Fundraiser
on December 12, 2021
6 Comments
This past year may have been an inflection point for the nation and the Legal Insurrection Foundation (LIF). The theme of our year-end fundraiser is Why We Fight. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. You can DONATE HERE.
Middle East Studies Association Moves Toward Endorsing BDS Academic Boycott Against Israel
on December 12, 2021
5 Comments
Our Op-Ed in The NY Post: "As increasing numbers of Middle Eastern countries normalize relations with Israel, MESA seeks to expunge Israel from Middle Eastern Studies."...
How Parents Can Frame The Media Narrative And Counter False Messaging
on December 11, 2021
13 Comments
My presentation at the Parents Unite conference: "Framing the narrative, I think at this stage, is really counter-framing the narrative, because we are up against an extremely organized and well-funded movement to push euphemistically called 'Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,' and race-based teaching throughout education."...
Supreme Court Leaves Texas Fetal Heartbeat Law In Place, Allows Limited Future Lower Court Challenges
on December 10, 2021
50 Comments
In a complicated and contentious decision authored by Justice Gorsuch, Court rules that Texas state judges, clerks, and Attorney General Paxton cannot be sued to challenge the law, but certain state medical licensing officials can be sued....
“Critical Race Theory” Becomes Issue During Supreme Court Argument In Maine School Funding Case
on December 08, 2021
31 Comments
Justice Alito: If Maine refuses to fund students to attend schools that teach white supremacy, "would you say the same thing about a school that teaches critical race theory?"...
Biden Commission Punts On Supreme Court Packing: “there is profound disagreement among Commissioners on these issues”
on December 07, 2021
29 Comments
So court packing is dead? Just you wait. If SCOTUS overturns Roe v. Wade in the Mississippi abortion case, well, the screams could become, ahem, an insurrection....
Hamas Terrorist Dies In Gaza Attack Tunnel Collapse
on December 06, 2021
26 Comments
Hani Sami Salah, a member of the Hamas al-Qassam Brigades, joins many compatriots who have died or been injured in Palestinian “Work Accidents”...
Supreme Court Sure Is Taking Its Time Deciding Texas Fetal Heartbeat Law “Expedited” Case
on December 05, 2021
25 Comments
The case was expedited and oral argument held November 1, but it's been sitting there without decision yet as Texas abortion procedures were cut in half....
Mississippi Abortion Case – Roe v. Wade’s Flight 93 Oral Argument For Sotomayor, Breyer, Kagan
on December 04, 2021
91 Comments
Sotomayor seemed desperate: "Will this institution survive the stench that this creates in the public perception that the Constitution and its reading are just political acts?"...
Court Denies Injunction Sought By Native Americans Challenging Colorado “Mascot” Ban As Discriminatory
on December 03, 2021
40 Comments
Plaintiffs' Attorney: "The District Court’s order would lead to absurd results. Schools might find out at the end of our case that Colorado’s law forcing them to change their name was unconstitutional all along."...
Nicole Solas Anti-SLAPP Hearing Against Teachers Union – Judge Doubts NEA-RI Ever Had Claim To Prevent Records Release But Reserves Decision
on December 01, 2021
6 Comments
Judge states it's pretty clear to her union "not entitled to relief" under public records law to prevent release of records sought by Solas from school district, but reserved decision what that means for dismissing the case against Solas and her claim for anti-SLAPP damages...
VIDEO – Rittenhouse Post-Verdict Analysis
on November 28, 2021
2 Comments
On Friday, November 19, the jury in the Kyle Rittenhouse case rendered a resounding NOT GUILTY ALL COUNTS!
20 Years Ago Today: CIA Officer Johnny “Mike” Spann Was First American Killed In Afghanistan After 9/11
on November 25, 2021
12 Comments
On November 25 of each year we remember Johnny Micheal Spann. On this date in 2001, Spann became the first American killed in Afghanistan after 9/11. That was 20 years ago.
