Interpretation

Legal Titans Tangle Over Constitutional Interpretation in Inaugural Berkeley Law Symposium

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BERKELEY, Calif. — In a stimulating debate at the University of California, Berkeley, legal minds converged to discuss the merits and pitfalls of constitutional originalism versus a more evolutionary interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. The discourse was part of the inaugural Thomas David and Judith Swope Clark Program on Constitutional Interpretation at Berkeley Law. Leading the conversation was Berkeley Law Dean, Erwin Chemerinsky, who articulated a fervent critique against originalism, arguing that it often leads to undesirable societal outcomes. He cited landmark cases such as Brown v. Board of Education and Loving v. Virginia, which … Read more

President Trump Issues New Executive Order Centralizing Law Interpretation Powers With the White House

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President Donald Trump enacted a significant executive directive on Tuesday, consolidating the authority to interpret laws within the executive branch to himself and the Attorney General. This move, encompassing all federal employees and entities, extends even to the independent regulatory agencies traditionally free from presidential dominance. This presidential decree asserts that it aims to ensure that federal agencies remain accountable to the American populace as mandated by the Constitution. The administration cites the power granted by Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, which assigns “executive power” squarely to the President of the United States, … Read more

President Trump Signs Executive Order Consolidating Law Interpretation Powers With Attorney General, Heightening Presidential Oversight of Regulatory Agencies

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WASHINGTON — In a decisive move that centralizes greater interpretative authority on federal laws, U.S. President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order mandating that only the attorney general or the president himself can officially interpret U.S. laws for executive agencies. This new directive restricts federal regulators from autonomously interpreting legal statutes, a role previously held by various federal agencies. The executive order articulates that “the President and the Attorney General’s opinions on questions of law are controlling on all employees in their conduct of official duties.” This effectively shifts interpretative powers away from federal … Read more

Revamping Legal Education: The Impact of Loper Bright on Teaching Statutory Interpretation in Administrative Law

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New Haven, Connecticut – In the ever-evolving field of law, the way statutory interpretation is taught in administrative law courses has undergone a significant transformation, particularly following the influential Loper Bright decision. This landmark case has catalyzed a reassessment of traditional teaching methods, integrating more dynamic and practical approaches to understanding and applying legal principles in the realm of administrative law. Educators at leading law schools, including Yale University, are at the forefront of adapting their curricula to better prepare future lawyers for the complexities of statutory interpretation. This involves not only a deeper dive … Read more