Category: Uncategorized

Covid-19 Liability: Questions Surrounding Lawsuits for Negligent Conduct in Spreading the Coronavirus

August 17, 2020

Photo Credit: http://www.currency-news.com/issues/march-2020/ (last visited June 29, 2020).

Written By: Rachel Leigh
Member, American Journal of Trial Advocacy

          The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) has taken a remarkable toll on the lives of individuals across the world.  The worldwide death toll has reached over roughly 766,080 individuals, and in the United States over 169,481 individuals have lost their lives due to the virus.[1]   Continue reading “Covid-19 Liability: Questions Surrounding Lawsuits for Negligent Conduct in Spreading the Coronavirus”

Dillon’s Rule and Home Rule: The History Behind the Two Prevailing Views on the Powers of Local Government and What That Looks Like in Alabama

August 11, 2020


Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/courthouselover/32964751866 (last visited May 31, 2020).

Written By: Tayler Hansford
Member, American Journal of Trial Advocacy

          Perhaps one of the most unknown, yet very controversial topics in law and local government is the amount of power county, city, and town (“local”) governments should be given to govern their respective areas.  The amount of power local governments hold largely depends on how the state in which the local government sits views the power structure of state and local government. Continue reading “Dillon’s Rule and Home Rule: The History Behind the Two Prevailing Views on the Powers of Local Government and What That Looks Like in Alabama”

Reached the Burning Point: State and Federal Riot Laws

July 20, 2020

Photo Credit: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2020/05/29/protesters-torch-minneapolis-police-station-cnn-crew-arrested-during-third-day-of-protests/ (last visited May 31, 2020).

Written By: Paul Sparkman
 Senior Associate Editor, American Journal of Trial Advocacy

          As of the writing of this post, protests against police brutality and the disproportionate policing of people of color—sparked by the death of George Floyd—are taking place around the country.[1]  In many of those cities, the demonstrations have turned into or in some way led to riots—the protest’s rowdier and generally disfavored cousin.[2]   Continue reading “Reached the Burning Point: State and Federal Riot Laws”

a picture of a uber car and lyft car facing each other.

Employees and the Gig Economy

April 13, 2020

Photo Credit: https://www.whateverison.com/here-are-answers-to-every-uber-lyft-customers-questions/ (last visited Apr. 11, 2020).

Written by: Alexa Wallace

Research and Writing Editor, American Journal of Trial Advocacy

            For many of us, we hear the term “gig economy” and think it’s another millennial hashtag with absolutely zero meaning in our everyday life.  But really, the emergence of the gig economy has a direct impact on us all.  Put simply, the “gig economy” is a new way of saying independent contract or part-time work, and over 55 million people are now working this way.[1]   Continue reading “Employees and the Gig Economy”

A blonde hari lady is holding a sheet of paper--arms extended out--with "#METOO" written on it, covering her face.

The Calm After the Storm? How the Legal Implications of the #MeToo Movement Have Influenced Human Resources Departments to Restructure Sexual Harassment Policies

April 6, 2020

Photo Credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/metoo-women-harassment-sexual-2859980/ (last visited Mar. 1, 2020).

Written By: Michelle Fleenor

Member, American Journal of Trial Advocacy

            Prior to the inception of the #MeToo movement, which cast a spotlight on the prevalence of sexual misconduct in Hollywood, sexual harassment in the workplace was not as highly scrutinized and was often resolved without sufficient investigation from either human resources (“HR”) departments or the businesses themselves.[1]   Continue reading “The Calm After the Storm? How the Legal Implications of the #MeToo Movement Have Influenced Human Resources Departments to Restructure Sexual Harassment Policies”

Color photo of the meme depicting a man holding hands with a woman, but the man is looking behind him lustfully at another woman walking the other way while the woman he is holding hands with gives him a look of disgust

Alienation of Affections: Suing Your Spouse’s Lover

December 9, 2019

Photo Credit: https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/1287555-distracted-boyfriend (last visited Nov. 10, 2019).

By: C. Jordan Godwin
Member, American Journal of Trial Advocacy

Not every story has a happy ending, especially when one spouse finds the other in bed with a stranger.  One North Carolina man, Kevin Howard (“Howard”), understands that unfortunate truth better than most, having recently made national headlines for suing his ex-wife’s lover for alienation of affections.[1] 

Continue reading “Alienation of Affections: Suing Your Spouse’s Lover”
Photo in front of a stadium of a large sculpture of the NCAA logo, consisting of "NCAA" in all capital letters and in blue

The Times They Are a Changin’ In College Athletics

November 25, 2019

Photo Credit: The Sports World Begins To React To California’s Fair Pay To Play Act, Forbes (Sept. 30, 2019), https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristidosh/2019/09/30/the-sports-world-begins-to-react-to-californias-fair-pay-to-play-act/#787524d91e0e.

By: Cobb Bostick
Executive Editor, American Journal of Trial Advocacy

The landscape of college athletics could be on the verge of a major shift in policy.  The debate over whether or not college athletes should be paid has been a popular topic of conversation through the years.   Continue reading “The Times They Are a Changin’ In College Athletics”

illustration of people in pill capcules falling out of a prescription pill bottle

Not So Dope: Multidistrict Opioid Litigation Against Manufacturers and Distributors of Prescription Drugs in the United States

November 18, 2019

Photo Credit: Shadrach Michaels, Treating WPC’s Opioid Addiction, Ely Times (Sept. 13, 2019), https://elynews.com/2019/09/13/treating-wpcs-opioid-addiction/.

By: Stephanie Smith
Senior Associate Editor, American Journal of Trial Advocacy

The opioid crisis is a national health crisis that has affected public health, as well as economic and social welfare.  States, cities, municipalities, and Native American tribes across the United States are sounding the alarm on the opioid crisis as one of the worst medical catastrophes in the nation’s history.[1]   Continue reading “Not So Dope: Multidistrict Opioid Litigation Against Manufacturers and Distributors of Prescription Drugs in the United States”

Color photo of an individual's hand making a fist and holding a joint in front of the United States Capitol building

Alabama’s Cannabis Crossroads

November 11, 2019

Photo Credit: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/marijuana-bill-tulsi-gabbard-don-young-weed-decriminalization-804633/ (last visited Oct. 3, 2019).

By: Gray Gilmore
Member, American Journal of Trial Advocacy

            As of now, thirty-four states in the United States allow cannabis to be prescribed for medicinal purposes. Continue reading “Alabama’s Cannabis Crossroads”

photo of air pollution. several stacks of smoke can be seen. the photo is orange with the pollution.

Heating Up: The Rise of Climate Change Litigation

October 21, 2019

Photo Credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/air-air-pollution-climate-change-dawn-221012/

By: Bobby McNeill
Member, American Journal of Trial Advocacy

On October 9, 2019, the Alaska Supreme Court heard oral arguments for Sinnok v. Alaska,which involves a civil suit brought by a group of teens alleging, among other things, that the state of Alaska has failed to protect its citizens from the effects of climate change.[1] Continue reading “Heating Up: The Rise of Climate Change Litigation”