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Wednesday

Slave cases are still cited as good law across the U.S. This team aims to change that

State courts in every state highlighted on this map have cited cases involving enslaved people in the 1980s or later. Citing Slavery Project, Michigan State University hide caption

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Citing Slavery Project, Michigan State University

Law

Slave cases are still cited as good law across the U.S. This team aims to change that

Michigan State law professor Justin Simard says 18% of all published American cases are within two steps of a slave case. His team has spent years documenting them, hoping to force a legal reckoning.

Slave cases are still cited as good law across the U.S. This team aims to change that

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Friday

A High School Dropout Finds Support On Road From Prison To Law School

At left: Becky and Mike McKenney (right) visit VanSumeren while he was incarcerated. The couple are the parents of VanSumeren's former girlfriend, Jillian, who has also remained close to him. At right: The McKenneys join VanSumeren on the day of his swearing-in as a lawyer. Courtesy of Bob VanSumeren hide caption

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Courtesy of Bob VanSumeren

StoryCorps

A High School Dropout Finds Support On Road From Prison To Law School

Bob VanSumeren served nearly six years in prison for robbery. But Mike McKenney, his ex-girlfriend's dad, never gave up on him. "Your visits kept me from sinking fully into prison," VanSumeren said.

A High School Dropout Finds Support On Road From Prison To Law School

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Sunday

'Felon' Author Says, 'Everybody Has To Tell Their Kids Something'

Felon: Poems, by Reginald Dwayne Betts W.W.Norton & Co. hide caption

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W.W.Norton & Co.

Author Interviews

'Felon' Author Says, 'Everybody Has To Tell Their Kids Something'

Lawyer-poet Reginald Dwayne Betts for years hid the fact that he had served time in prison. Now, this time in his life is at the center of his new collection of poems.

'Felon' Author Says, 'Everybody Has To Tell Their Kids Something'

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Monday

University Of Alabama Releases Emails Regarding Donor's Rejected Gift

The University of Alabama's law school sign was changed on Friday after the university decided to return the largest single donation it has ever received. The move followed a dispute with donor Hugh Culverhouse Jr. Blake Paterson/AP hide caption

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Blake Paterson/AP

Education

University Of Alabama Releases Emails Regarding Donor's Rejected Gift

"Our decision was never about the issue of abortion," the university said as it released emails that are from, to and about mega-donor Hugh Culverhouse Jr.

University Of Alabama Releases Emails Regarding Donor's Rejected Gift

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Friday

An Accident On The Moon, Young Lawyers To The Rescue

An annual space law moot court competition imagines a future legal case set in space, where issues of liability and sovereignty can get extra complicated. Stocktrek Images/Getty Images hide caption

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Stocktrek Images/Getty Images

Space

An Accident On The Moon, Young Lawyers To The Rescue

Each year, law students argue hypothetical, futuristic case that takes place in space. This year, it's about who pays when two machines collide on the moon.

An Accident On The Moon, Young Lawyers To The Rescue

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