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.
Jewish History In One Sentence
on February 22, 2009
1 Comment
As reported by the putative first gentile Prime Minister of Israel:"Quick synopsis of every Jewish holiday: Theytried to kill us; we won; let's eat."...
Obama To Appoint “The Vacuum Cleaner” To Plum Ambassadorship
on February 22, 2009
8 Comments
Ah, hope and change. Near silence from the American mainstream media, but this news item from the Brits about Obama appointing one of his key fundraisers as Ambassador to Great Britain:Barack Obama has been embroiled in a cronyism row after reports that he intends to...
The Revolt of the Kulaks Has Begun
on February 22, 2009
37 Comments
The beginning of a protest movement against Barack Obama's redistributive policies is underway. Though still small, every movement starts somewhere. While called the "Tea Party" after the Boston Tea Party, this movement is similar to movements throughout history where the producers of society refuse to...
Another Obama “I Told You So”
on February 21, 2009
4 Comments
Another Obama "I told you so," this time from Investor's Business Daily:Last Oct. 13 [2008], in trying to explain why the market had sold off 30% in six weeks, we acknowledged that the freeze-up of the financial system was a big concern. But we cited...
Is “Gobbledygook” Racist?
on February 21, 2009
1 Comment
I am about to tread where sane people in this society dare not go for fear of having their words twisted: Discussing race. Attorney General Eric Holder told us not to be cowards on the subject, so let's talk about whether non-racist cartoons or words...
Clinton Assures China on Investments: What About Us?
on February 21, 2009
0 Comments
Hillary Clinton went to China to assure Chinese investors (i.e. the Chinese government) about the safety and security of investing in the U.S. (video here). Great. What about assuring U.S. investors? Don't we matter?With the export-heavy Chinese economy reeling from the U.S. downturn, Clinton sought...
Stimulus Grants For Republicans? Say It Ain’t So
on February 21, 2009
0 Comments
This must be some sort of plot to undermine Republican opposition to Obama's stimulus plan. Online marketers of "free government money" get-rich-quick schemes now are targeting Republicans:Where did I find this? Through a Google Ad over at Finkelblog. Seems like Mark's audience must have been...
The Last Bull Capitulates
on February 20, 2009
3 Comments
There's an old saying on Wall Street that a bear market has not bottomed out until the last bull capitulates. News flash. The last bull has capitulated. Me.I'm a true believer in capitalism and markets. There is no better measure of what an item is...
Shocker – NATO Says No To More Troops
on February 19, 2009
0 Comments
A centerpiece of Barack Obama's foreign policy is convincing Europeans, particularly NATO members, to help with the effort in Afghanistan. George Bush, it was said, too long had practiced the politics of "go it alone." We were assured that once we asked nicely, instead of...
Israel Derangement Syndrome Strikes Again
on February 19, 2009
0 Comments
The headline of an Op-ed on the website of The Guardian newspaper, the left-wing British newspaper, started out promisingly enough: "Hamas No, Human Rights Yes." The sub-title was even better: "Why are the left and the anti-war movement ignoring Hamas's repression of...
What’s The Rush To Remove Roland Burris?
on February 18, 2009
0 Comments
Roland Burris has offered changing accounts of his communications with emissaries of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich in the weeks leading up to Blagojevich's appointment of Burris to Barack Obama's open Senate seat. These changing accounts, including an updated Affidavit filed by Burris with the...
U.S. Hits Highest Unemployment Rate Since … Europe
on February 17, 2009
4 Comments
"This is the worst economy since the Great Depression!" How many times have we heard that phrase in the past six months? Put aside that by almost every measure (particularly the unemployment rate) that statement is outright false. Nonetheless, that argument is used to justify...
Go To CarolineGlick.com
on February 17, 2009
0 Comments
Caroline Glick, who writes for the Jerusalem Post, is the most astute observer of the looming Iranian menace, and the pathetic refusal of governments in Israel, Europe, and the U.S. to address the problem. Visit her website. I love Glick's description of her background, which...
Obama Points To The Future
on February 17, 2009
1 Comment
In this AP photo, taken during President Obama's signing ceremony for the stimulus bill, Obama pointed out the direction the country is heading:...
First, They Came For The Deer
on February 17, 2009
3 Comments
The deer population in greater Ithaca, NY, is substantial. The tony Village of Cayuga Heights, adjacent to the Cornell campus and where many Cornell professors live, has a particular deer problem, and has been exploring ways of reducing the deer population. Because Cayuga Heights is...
Sing Along To “I Want My Bailout Money”
on February 16, 2009
1 Comment
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnT21hmlT4o]Video, CD, and Lyrics by Michael AdamsHere's the chorus:I want my bailout moneySweet green cash just dripping with honeyGotta keep this economy runningI need another hit of my bailout money...
Dems Forgot To Put “Bread” On The Stimulus Shopping List
on February 16, 2009
0 Comments
The Endive website has obtained a copy of a page from the stimulus plan in which Democrats in Congress hand wrote changes (photo). Dummies. They forgot to include bread. You just can't trust Congress to do anything right....
