Recent Articles from Commentary:
What can cities do to correct racism?
The average life expectancy in the U.S. is 76.1 years. But this range varies widely – a child raised in wealthy San Mateo County, California, can expect to live nearly 85 years. A child raised in Fort Worth, Texas, could expect to live about 66.7 years. Race, poverty, as well as related issues like the […]
Adult guardianships: Protecting disabled persons
When a disability prevents an adult from effectively managing his or her property and finances or making responsible decisions regarding his or her health, it may be necessary to ask the court to appoint a guardian to protect that person’s interests. Failure to seek appointment of a guardian for an adult who lacks capacity can […]
Taking discovery obligations seriously
Default judgments as a sanction for discovery violations are rare. Egregious conduct and failure to comply with multiple court orders usually precede the entry of a default judgment. And, when a judge enters default judgment, the orders from judges can be scathing. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell’s Aug. 30, 2023, memorandum opinion in the Freeman […]
Green energy is growing in both red and blue states
Georgia is in the nation’s spotlight — because it has attracted a $2.5 billion investment from one of the world’s best-known solar panel makers. Ironically, it is in the home district of GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, who viscerally opposed the legislation that made it a reality: the Inflation Reduction Act, which President Joe Biden […]
It’s time to address college self-censorship
Classroom self-censorship is a two-sided phenomenon.
MSBCA to contractors: It’s your fault for trusting the agency
In the comedy classic “Animal House,” about a raucous fraternity house, the fraternity’s rush chairman, Otter, admonished a pledge, Flounder, after frat members had totaled a car belonging to Flounder’s brother. As the sagely Otter states: “Flounder, you can’t spend your whole life worrying about your mistakes! You f***ed up. You trusted us!” The same […]
In a Labor Day wreck? Know your rights
The summer vacation season is coming to an end, but not before we will experience bumper-to-bumper Labor Day traffic jams.
Country-of-origin labels should be mandated for online sales
With unsafe imports causing safety issues, it’s time for Congress to mandate country-of-origin labeling (COOL) for all internet transactions.
Why August is a top month for divorce
Think of August as Black Friday for divorce filings. It’s one of the top months to say “I don’t.” According to a study out of the University of Washington, divorce rates consistently peak toward the end of the summer, specifically in August. Spouses finally realize their family vacation was the last bit of togetherness they […]
Accomplishing DEI through workplace design
As a people & culture leader, I have long advocated for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Recently, my daughter experienced a major injury which confined her to a wheelchair for six weeks, and this life event profoundly evolved my perspective: Inclusion is also synonymous with accessibility. Life events – a sudden injury, a personal loss, […]
The challenge of first impressions
I doubt I’m the only one who grew up hearing, “Make sure you make a good first impression.” At the time, I probably wondered whether that was my parents just being persnickety. It turns out they were right. This realization occurred when I reconsidered my take on a person I had historically viewed as a […]
Maryland lawyers and student loan debt
According to the American Bar Association, the average law school graduate owes approximately $160,000 in educational loan debt after graduation. In Maryland, the starting median salary for first-year lawyers is about $100,000, with incomes ranging from $50,000 to over $200,000 depending on location, size of the law firm, and type of law. This means graduates […]