Miscellaneous

It’s no secret.  Law school is expensive.  The average law student who pays for school through loans will graduate with over $100,000 in debt.  Repaying those loans is often times overwhelming.  There are some ways to discharge student loan debt, but most graduates will face the task of repayment on their own. Last year, The New York Times published an article detailing the prospects of having one’s student loan debt discharged through federal bankruptcy.  In this article, the author [...]

When law school graduates receive news that they successfully passed the Bar Exam, the next big step to becoming a practicing attorney is to be sworn in.  Here in North Carolina, hundreds of soon-to-be lawyers walk into their local courthouse and swear before a judge, other attorneys, and friends and family to meet a certain standard required of them under the law.  One of the several oaths reads, “I swear that I will truly and honestly demean myself in the practice of an Attorney, [...]

By:  Tommi E. Powell with Angelica Chavis On October 12, 2012, the United States Department of Justice issued an internal policy memo concerning the use and possession of protected birds and bird parts by Native Americans.  The memo sought to bring enforcement of the use and possession in line with the Morton Policy.  The memo includes all birds protected under current federal laws, including the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, the Lacey Act, the [...]

Would you consider a “wicked clown” a gang threat or a bad Halloween costume?  Fans of rap-metal duo Insane Clown Posse (ICP) have been characterized as drinking Faygo soda and wearing face paint while they listen to the horror-themed rap group.  Juggalos, as they are called, have developed their own idioms and slang that they demonstrate at the annual “Gathering of the Juggalos,” an annual festival where they watch ICP perform songs such as “Juggalo Homies,” a famous single that [...]

In August 2011, seven former professional football players brought a lawsuit against the National Football League, claiming the League had “willfully and intentionally” concealed the long-term health risks linked with multiple concussions.  As of October 2012, the number of lawsuits—alleging the same wrongdoing—had increased to 164, comprising approximately 3,700 former players. The players’ requested relief includes personal damages as well as an injunction creating a [...]

Nicolaus Mills, Professor of Literature at Sarah Lawrence College, recently wrote an opinion piece for CNN’s focusing on the dangers during baseball games, specifically that players at bat are often hit by incoming pitches.  Mills recommended potential rule changes to the game of baseball after an incident early in the 2012 season.  In the eighth inning of a game between the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners on July 24, a pitch from the Mariners’ Felix Hernandez—who had already hit [...]

Only if we understand can we care.  Only if we care will we help.  Only if we help shall they be saved. – Jane Goodall On October 18, 2011, a mentally unstable man released 56 exotic animals from his private collection into his rural community before he committed suicide.  Panic ensued as residents of Zanesville, Ohio watched their town become a scene from Jumanji.  Lions, tigers, leopards, wolves, primates, and bears took to the streets, and open season was announced as [...]

Note from the Editor:  Recently, the Campbell Law Observer hosted a write-on competition to recruit new staff writers and editors.  Each student was to discuss the value of a law degree.  As we all know, the value, or perceived value, of a law degree has changed.  Below, you will find the article that received the highest score from the previous editorial board.  Next week, we will publish another student’s write-on prompt in an attempt to display two very unique perspectives. Three [...]