the commentatorThe Student Newspaper of the New York University School of Law Volume XLIV, Number 12 April 18, 2011 New SBA Officers Elected West Fourth Story Tackles Rankings Tumble

President Scot Goins ‘12

Vice President Sam Jackson ‘12

Secretary Stavan Desai Katrina Henderson ‘13 Law Revue’s West Fourth Story pitted gunners versus slackers in assigning blame for NYU’s slip in rankings, with a little bit of jazz hands, humor, sex, drugs and rock and roll. For more coverage of the Revue, including a review, see page 8.

Treasurer Law School Magazine’s First Public Forum Vanish Grover ‘13 Debates Law, Media in WikiLeaks Era By Jo s e p h Je r o m e ’11 ing Forum gave the assembled Neuborne wondered if part Ma n a g i n g Ed i t o r audience a boisterous debate on of the problem were not the in- national security and the role of creasing desire of government Each year The Law School investigative reporting from all for more secrecy. He suggested magazine presents a roundtable angles in Greenberg Lounge on the impetus behind WikiLeaks discussion that gathers members March 23, 2011. was the notion that, “a gov- of the wider law school community As a snapshot of the ernment that doesn’t want to Social Chairs together to discuss a current topic. greater NYU community, the respect my privacy shouldn’t Jehiel Baer ‘13 According to Jeanhee Kim, Manag- roundtable featured a diverse have any secrets of its own,” ing Editor of The Law School, the mixture of viewpoints from and he compared Wikileaks to idea behind the roundtables was, guests including Brian Markley Gutenberg’s printing press in its “to showcase the interests and ’00, who represented disgraced capacity to disrupt government Christopher McBrady ‘13 professional strength of our com- New York Times journalist Judith control of information. munity on major topics.” Past years Miler; and vocal press critic and “The press is freaked out have confronted issues involving NYU journalism professor Jay by WikiLeaks,” Rosen said, global governance, immigration Rosen; young law school fac- calling the entity, “a state- and children’s rights behind closed ulty like Samuel Rascoff; and less news organization.” He doors, but this year The Law School senior faculty, such as Norman criticized the American press’s worked with the Forum to present Dorsen and Burt Neuborne, “distorted, disappointing, and its first public roundtable on the who cracked wise about fight- error-strewn” treatment of topic of law and accountability in ing for civil liberties alongside WikiLeaks, suggesting it was the age of WikiLeaks. President Lincoln. Professors emblematic of a bigger prob- It “made sense” to partner Simon Chesterman, Katherine lem. “Sources are voting with Student Senator with the Forum, Kim said, even Strandburg and Diane Zim- their leaks,” he said, and he Andrew Avorn ‘12 as she worried accommodating merman rounded out the panel, argued that the eagerness of a roundtable where the speakers which was moderated by Pro- sources to choose WikiLeaks spoke with their backs to the au- fessor Ira Rubinstein. over more established media dience was contrary to the usual Rubinstein began the dis- outlets reflects a problem with spirit of the Forum. “I like to have cussion by asking what the the Fourth Estate. people riff off each other,” she root of the anxiety surrounding Chesterman refuted the no- said, “and I think it’s important for Wikileaks derives from. tion that WikiLeaks is anything everyone to sit face to face.” According to Rascoff, like the Gutenberg’s printing 3L Represenative “I don’t like to make people WikiLeaks demonstrates that press or that anything WikiLeaks Nick Rowe ’ 12 wait,” Kim said. “I like it when “we seem to be structurally has done is comparable to The everyone just starts talking.” In incapable of keeping secrets New York Times’s release of the that spirit, introductions were ... law doesn’t seem up to the kept to a minimum and the result- task.” See WIKILEAKS page 4 2011-12 2L Representatives The Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor make their heroic exits. page 2-3 Cora Fanning ’13 Eli Fuchsberg ’13 Two reviews from two eager readers. page 7 Hannah Rodgers ’13 Infra We’re still mad that The Commentator wasn’t in this year’s Law Revue. page 8 Page 2 Opinions c& Editorials April 18, 2011 Still Nitpicking After All These Years: Editor-in-Chief Bids Adieu

By Mi c h a e l Mi x ’11 after-school special but I actually always starving for content to utes into class. That way, after I write over 800 words about Ed i t o r -i n -Ch i e f think it is particularly appropri- put in The Commentator, the col- the 10-minute break, there is when is the best time to take a ate for law school. umn I wrote on Jan. 20, 2010 was 50 minutes left for the second break during class? Why is it so hard to say When I think back to my the gift that kept on giving. In it, half. Everybody recharges their Since Managing Editor Jo- goodbye? first days as a 1L, I thought that I argued that the Special Com- batteries right as their attention seph Jerome and I took over I’ve been asking myself that everyone was supposed to brief mittee to Review the Lawyering is waning, and comes back for The Commentator at the beginning question over the past week as every case with five different Program should definitely keep the second half refreshed and of our 2L year, I am immensely I try to write my last column as highlighter colors. I thought that the non-traditional elements of ready to go.” Truer words were proud of what we accomplished. the Editor-in-Chief of The Com- everyone outlined for only one Lawyering, such as client inter- never spoken. Among other things, we rede- mentator. I even wrote about 250 class each semester and met with views and negotiation. I wrote, Over the next two years, my signed the paper, created new words of a previous draft that their study group at least weekly “the Special Committee should theory was proven time and time staff positions, published two I scrapped and then wrote a re- (I probably got this notion put on their Harry Chapin eight- again. I’ve had many professors fantastic four-page April Fools view of The Killing in the interim from the filmThe Paper Chase). I track and listen to ‘Flowers are who have no idea when to take a issues and instituted column just to keep myself occupied thought that everyone had to use Red.’ Just because Lawyering break; it infuriates me when we monikers, Commentator candids and delay the inevitable. I was a computer to take notes. and Commentator crosswords. For stumped because I had pretty Fortunately, I soon realized our readers out there, whoever much tapped out all of my good that I was wrong. I soon devel- you may be, I sincerely hope law school-related ideas. oped my own style in order to that we’ve put out a quality In search for inspiration, I better understand the material product over the past few years, read through my old columns I was learning in class — I did and that we could make the law and noticed a number of pat- indeed use a computer, but I omment The Guy Behind school experience slightly more terns, as is typical for any writer. only use yellow highlighters and c entertaining. As the hook for my final column, my notes about cases aren’t as The Guy Behind the Guy So as to avoid making this I thought that would revisit three comprehensive as formal briefs. article carry onto another page of the themes that ran through Everyone at this law school (which is a pain), I am not going my articles in order to sum up made it here for a reason, and doesn’t conform to the notion are at a natural breaking point to include a laundry list of good- my experiences at The Commenta- there is no need to conform of a traditional legal-research- 50 minutes into class, but the byes, but I would like to point tor and NYU Law. to a certain style just because and-writing course does not professor decides to move on out a few people that influenced 1) Be Yourself — In the that’s the way law students are mean it should be abolished.” A to a new case or a new issue. If my time at The Commentator. Sept. 16, 2009 issue, my first as supposed to act. I know people friend of mine disagreed with a class goes more than an hour Thanks to Andrew Geh- Editor-in-Chief, I wrote: “ev- who don’t outline, have never me and wrote a letter to the edi- without a break, everyone starts ring ’09 and Robert Gerrity eryone needs to find out what been in a study group and don’t tor. Then, in the two subsequent getting restless and people stop ’09, the former Editor-in-Chief specifically works for them; your even read for class (shhhh, don’t issues, others responded to his paying attention. Therefore, I and Managing Editor respec- study habits will probably trans- tell the faculty). Therefore, “be letter to the editor. All in all, still wholeheartedly believe that tively, for showing me the ropes late to law school. Don’t change yourself” is the best advice I there were four and entrusting the things up just because you are can give any incoming or new separate articles/ It has been a fantastic experience to paper to two ris- ‘supposed’ to do something a law student. letters about the ing 2Ls. Thanks certain way.” That message could 2) Don’t Mess With Law- issue. For The be able to write on something non- to Joseph Jerome also have been from an ABC yering — As someone who is Commentator, that for being a great counts as a huge law school related every other week Managing Editor hot-button issue. ... The Commentator is a great outlet and really helping Looking back for“ comment and criticism of the law me out with the the with almost a year technical and de- commentator and a half of school; where else could I write over sign aspects of the The Student Newspaper of the New York University School of Law hindsight, I still paper. Thanks to agree with myself 800 words about when is the best Stavan Desai for Editor-in-Chief 100 percent. Stu- time to take a break during class? joining our merry Michael Mix ’11 dents still learn little band at the Managing Editor writing and re- beginning of 2L Joseph Jerome ’11 search in Lawyering, but I think it is imperative to take a break year, as it was immensely helpful that the nontraditional elements around 50 minutes into class. to have a third person doing lay- were pivotal in my development You might think that I am out. Thanks to , Associate Managing Editor ” Paul O’Grady as a law student. No one writes insane to dwell on such a small and everyone else in Stavan Desai ’11 Tom Sarff a brief in a vacuum; there is matter like breaks during class. the NYU Law administration always a client whose needs are But even though most profes- who helped cut through the red Staff Editors at the forefront. I also think sors are incredibly intelligent tape. Thanks to the rest of the Erika Anderson ’11 that most NYU students would and are titans in their respec- Commentator Staff, old and Leighton Dellinger ’12 agree that the Lawyering nego- tive fields, many of them could new, for (occasionally) getting Elyse Feuer ’11 tiation is perhaps the most fun definitely improve their teach- your articles in on time, help- Terra Judge ’12 part of 1L year that does not ing skills. Even if some of them ing me out of a few jams and Matthew Kelly ’13 involve drinking. are not naturally gifted teachers, writing consistently interesting Staff Writers 3) Sweat the Small Stuff they still can go that extra mile stories and columns. Good luck Emily Ascolese ’11 Erica Iverson ’11 — The handful of people who to make their classroom experi- to Leighton Dellinger, Terra Hannah Baker ’13 Ryan Kairalla ’12 read my column on a regular ence better by taking breaks at Judge and Matthew Kelly, Farrell Brody ’12 Doug Martin ’11 basis know that I frequently like the right time or by not ban- who will be taking over The Dennis Chanay ’11 Jennifer Rodriguez ’11 to complain about pretty minor ning laptops (though obviously, Commentator next year. I have things. Among other things, I’ve some really good professors ban complete confidence that you criticized professors who ban laptops and take breaks at the all will do a great job. Crossword Editor Staff Photographer laptops (Feb. 2, 2009), profes- worst times). If I write about a When I was in college, it Chris Robertson ’11 Gerardo Gomez Galvis ’12 sors who don’t start class on classroom behavior that infuri- was a tradition for a graduating time (Mar. 3, 2010) and the ad- ates me and just one professor columnist to explain the sig- The Commentator serves as a forum for news, opinions and ideas ministration for the asinine way makes a change, I have done nificance of his or her moniker. of members of the Law School community. The Editorial Board that journal credits are assigned my job. My moniker, “The Guy Behind consists of the Editor-in-Chief and the Managing Editor. Only (Feb. 21, 2011). But perhaps my With that said, I’d like to the Guy Behind the Guy,” is a editorials and policies developed by the Editorial Board reflect the favorite nitpicky criticism of the quickly reflect back on my time quote from the fantastic 1996 opinion of the Editorial Board. All other opinions expressed are law school was a column I wrote at The Commentator. Most people film Swingers, and I picked it those of the author and not necessarily those of The Commentator. The at the end of my 1L year (Apr. at law school have one activity mostly because I really like the Commentator is issued on alternate Wednesdays during the academic 8, 2009) in which I outlined that defines their time here; for movie. But in looking back, I me, I value The Commentator well year except during vacations and examination periods. Advertising my theory on the best time for think it was appropriate, as I usu- professors to take a break dur- above my other activities. It has ally eschewed complex analysis rates are available on request. Subscriptions are also available at a ing the typical 110-minute class. been a fantastic experience to be of deep issues in my columns. rate of $15 per year. Letters to the Editor should be sent to the I wrote: “Based on my highly able to write on something non- Instead, I thought of myself as following address, either on paper or via e-mail. All submissions unscientific study of watching law school related every other the guy in the back of the room, become property of The Commentator. people around me, I don’t think week, and have my work read nitpicking the little things like 240 Mercer Street that myself or my classmates by literally dozens of people when to call for a break. Even if New York, NY 10012 can pay attention for more (or less, but hopefully more). you do not know why I think of than 50 minutes at a time. As The Commentator is a great outlet these things to be critical about, 212.998.6080 (phone) a result, it makes perfect sense for comment and criticism of I am the guy who you ultimately [email protected] to have a break exactly 50 min- the law school; where else could agree with. April 18, 2011 Opinions c& Editorials Page 3 The Managing Editor’s Jaded Loveletter to The Commentator By Jo s e p h Je r o m e ’11 But I don’t wish for my final my casebooks at home and Some will wonder what in The Commentator is really Ma n a g i n g Ed i t o r words in The Commentator to end take advantage of the myriad value stacks of The Commentator something. on a negative note, so let me end wonderful panels and lectures dumped around the law school The paper could always be I concluded my first year on with an ode to The Commentator, put on all over New York Uni- provide. As an outgrowth of better, however. It’s no secret The Commentator with an essay the one thing about NYU Law versity. The Commentator even let the Student Bar Association that The Commentator is a shell about sharing my overwhelm- I absolutely loved. me play around with Photoshop newsletter, The Commentator’s of what it once was, particularly ingly positive experiences at the Yes, you read me right: The in an environment where most initial purpose has long been when it comes to providing school with a group of pre-Ls. Commentator. students only ever use Westlaw, supplanted by the Coases list- a critical eye on the inner- Our then Editor-in-Chief called When I walked across the Microsoft Word and maybe serv. But unlike any law journal workings of NYU Law. We it, “a love letter to the school, Vanderbilt courtyard for the iTunes. never really explored written by a still-starry-eyed first time three years ago this I had a great time If The Commentator does the value of law school 1L.” In his final editorial, An- month, I didn’t even know this contributing to The Com- in the wake of The Times drew Gehring ’09 was unable silly, haphazardly read paper mentator, and for all my nothing else, it serves as tan- expose this January. We to produce, as he termed it, a even existed, let alone that it grousing, I am happy the avoided low-hanging companion love letter by a jaded would provide a welcome re- law school administration gible proof that the NYU Law gossip that probably 3L, but he did encourage our spite from briefing, outlining continues to support us. community is as unique as had some merit. More readers to reflect on something and attempting to master the No, we never got the new “ importantly, we haven’t positive about their law school art of legal writing. office in Wilf Hall the the admissions department made it onto the front experience. When I was a 1L, one of paper was once promised, sales pitch suggests. page of Above the Law Two years later, I find my- my friends wondered why I was but from our boiling-hot, in years, and we all know self frustrated by Andrew’s wasting my time on something dark dungeon in the Mer- ATL is the metric by challenge. With the positive so profoundly non-legal, and cer residence, The Commentator or group event, The Commentator which news’ relevancy is judged. glow of being admitted into the my answer was simply that it provided me with a forum to provides a written record of the My point is that there’s a lot then-number-five law school in was “fun.” express myself when law school experiences and opinions of ”an of stuff going on around Van- the land having itself did not. odd cross-section of our stu- derbilt Hall that deserves to be long ago faded For that, I am dent body, faculty, and greater commented upon, so write about away, I h ave grateful. community. it! Or at least harass Leighton morphed into I tend to If The Commentator does and Terra until they do! one of those believe most nothing else, it serves as tan- I wanted to close by vaguely typical jaded law students gible proof that the NYU Law thanking all of those who helped 3Ls. I imagine omment e n t e r l a w community is as unique as the me in one way or another these most sign up for c The Reluctant school with the admissions department sales past few years, whether it was law school with Law Student goal of taking pitch suggests. Just this year, agreeing to an interview, tipping the goal of em- the bull by the our “law school paper” had me off to a story, or sending a bracing a pro- horns and leav- columnists talking about every- quick note of support for (or fession, but as ing a mark on thing from sex to life abroad; even disapproval of) something my time here comes to an end, I The Commentator provided this institution. I know I did, we had students interview New I wrote. I also wanted to thank perhaps have even less direction me with an outlet to goad the but surrounded by an extraordi- York City cabbies, and take on my longtime Mercer cellmate, than when I sat down for my Student Bar Association into nary student body, certainly my the semester using a Kindle. Michael Mix, not only for his first Lawyering class. I am one providing an ice-cream social. accomplishments were much The Commentator truly pro- dedication to this enterprise but of those poor 3Ls who leaves The Commentator encouraged more modest in scope. Michael vides an unvarnished view for his biweekly insight into the wondering what the value of me to keep writing when Blue- Mix assuredly deserves most of of what life for an NYU Law law school experience. Whether law school is, whether our law- booking and the grind of legal the credit, but at least I can say student can be, and no matter I agreed with him or not, I al- based society actually generates research often did just the op- I helped usher a great tradition what I find disagreeable about ways marveled at his insight and justice, and why-oh-why do posite. The Commentator gave me at this school toward its 45th law school itself, the sum total capacity to constructively cri- 20-somethings drink so much. a ready-made excuse to leave volume. of that experience as reflected tique so many different things! Page 4 Newsc April 18, 2011 Mozzi ’11 Navigates Hot Bench to Take Annual Marden Moot Court Competition

By Mi c h a e l Mi x ’11 a potential juror based on his or had to take; and could require him Ed i t o r -i n -Ch i e f her religious practice. The top-12 to wear an ankle bracelet. competitors then advanced to the Therefore, the two questions Hugh Murtagh ’11 had barely Semifinal Round, which took place presented in the Semifinal Round gotten out the first few words of this spring. were whether the warrantless use his argument when Judge Thomas The Semifinal Round con- of GPS for prolonged surveillance Griffith of the D.C. Circuit inter- sisted of a dual-issue problem constituted a “search” under the rupted him mid-sentence and asked based on the fictional characters Fourth Amendment and whether a probing question. This moment of the former TV show The Wire. imposing a sentence is a judicial was a portent of what was to come Under the facts of the case, police function that may not be delegated. at the annual Orison S. Marden placed a GPS device under the car The participants were divided into Joseph Jerome Moot Court Competition, as the of D’Angelo Barksdale, the nephew teams of two, and each person panel of three judges peppered the of a prominent drug lord. The GPS, briefed and argued one issue. In NYU Journalism Professor Jay Rosen makes his views heard. four finalists with seemingly endless which was affixed to the automobile the final round, Murtagh and Mozzi questions and ever-changing hypo- without a warrant, gave the police argued the GPS surveillance ques- theticals. Ultimately, Griffith, Debra real-time data about the location of tion as petitioner and respondent WIKILEAKS: Security Ann Livingston of the Second Barksdale’s care for 42 days. The respectively, and Hodges and Hays Circuit and David Hamilton of the police used the data to conclude argued the delegation question as Seventh Circuit ruled that Anthony that Barksdale was making drug petitioner and respondent respec- and Media Experts Mozzi ’11 was the winner of the runs to the Bronx and then arrested tively. competition, beating out fellow him. He was convicted on counts Even though the judges admit- finalists Murtagh, David Hodges of conspiracy to distribute and to ted that they were a “hot bench,” ’12 and Jeremy Hays ’12. posses to distribute five kilograms asking a plethora of difficult ques- Bemoan Quality of Media The Marden Competition is or more of cocaine and 50 grams tions about where to law the line on the year-long, intraschool Moot or more of cocaine base. each issue, all the judges effusively Continued from page 1 set of hands who would make Court competition that is open to The court sentenced Barksdale praised the competitors’ oral advo- a good or bad judgment.” He all 2Ls and 3Ls and is administered to prison followed by five years cacy skills. Griffith admitted that the Pentagon Papers. Reflecting believed our modern-day no- by the Moot Court Board. In the of supervised release. During his Marden finalists were better than on his long time in Singapore, tion of the press has become a fall, over 50 participants briefed and supervised release, Barksdale’s pro- most of the lawyers who argued be- Chesterman spoke fondly of “giant trash can.” “I don’t trust argued the issue — based on the bation officer could require him to fore him every day and Livingston American investigative journal- anything I read,” he said. fictional characters of the TV show enroll in a substance abuse program joked that as a former professor, ism and criticized WikiLeaks for While other panelists were Friday Night Lights — of whether it if he tested positive for drugs; could she was frustrated that as a judge, being quantity journalism rather not quite so critical of the mod- is constitutionally permissible to determine the number, type and she could not regularly give praise than quality journalism at best, ern press at large, there were no issue a peremptory challenge of frequency of drug tests Barksdale to excellent oral arguments. gossip at worst. shortage of digs at what Ches- Rubinstein spoke up to terman termed, “ad hoc citizen inquire whether the sheer scale journalism.” “The threat to the of WikiLeaks’ releases made a mainstream media doesn’t come difference in the analysis, but from WikiLeaks,” he said, “but the roundtable seemed to think from the whole blogosphere. the volume of information was It’s an economic threat.” irrelevant. Instead, the roundta- Zimmerman agreed, argu- ble returned to the question of ing that the responsible press whether WikiLeaks was really is not going anywhere because journalism, becoming a medita- it is outmoded but rather “we tion on the First Amendment want news for free.” At the functional goal of ensuring same time, she saw something government oversight. admirable in WikiLeaks behav- M a r k l e y w a r n e d t h a t ior. “WikiLeaks has been much WikiLeaks’ behavior could more careful than we had any present “collateral damage” to right to expect.” the mainstream press, pointing Rosen shifted criticism to the extinction of support away from WikiLeaks and back for a federal First Amendment toward government at large. He press shield law in the wake of queried whether the effect of WikiLeaks. He argued that for WikiLeaks might be mitigated an organization attempting to if public statements and private portray itself as interested in behavior were more in line with journalism that WikiLeaks “isn’t each other. “I write everything very journalistic,” though Mark- with that in mind,” he said, ley admitted the distinction was explaining he drafts personal irrelevant for purposes of First email with the expectation that Amendment protection. it is not really private. Chesterman emphasized Markley agreed that public the “real work” that goes into and private behavior should be investigative journalism, which in line but claimed a general he suggested WikiLeaks does need for secrecy. not do. Zimmerman spoke up “The only two institutions to note that there is a big dif- in America who can keep se- Jennifer Rodriguez ference between defining jour- crets are the Supreme Court and nalism in lay language versus Apple,” Rascoff interrupted. in legal terms. Rosen suggested “Can you imagine if the specs that WikiLeaks “explodes the for iPad3 were on WikiLeaks notion” that a professional tomorrow?” press is the only group entitled The panelists having com- to carry out a First Amendment pletely bounced ideas off one function of monitoring govern- another during the discussion, ment, which really belongs to several questions were taken the people at large. from the audience before the “Let’s get some disagree- Forum was put to bed. A tran- ment,” Neuborne interjected. script of the entire event will “The whole blogosphere is be published in the next The a massive perversion of the Law School available this fall. “I press. The press was a filtering hope the event comes across mechanism: information would as current and grabs readers’ pass through some responsible attentions,” Kim said. Page 5 Opinionc April 18, 2011 Times Paywall Is Not So Bad Are Journals An Outdated Model? By Jo s e p h Je r o m e ’11 readers how often they read through By Jo s e p h Je r o m e ’11 Board, which makes even less sense the most established collections of Ma n a g i n g Ed i t o r online advertisements, let alone click Ma n a g i n g Ed i t o r — into one massive writing com- student-talent at the school, but the on them for more information. I petition, the school perpetuates the end product is just always more and After reading our Editor-in- imagine quite rarely. In prior years, The Commen- notion of journal membership as more hard copies of issues. Chief’s last editorial denouncing Perhaps Mr. Mix is suggesting tator has gone to great length to an academic honor rather a com- The traditional law journal, up ’ new paywall, The Times move toward the sort of offer the incoming heads of the mitment to academic dialog. In a lot to and including the Law Review, it would seem Mr. Mix is trying comprehensive advertising Gawker journals and Moot Court Board of respects, the writing competition strikes me as a dinosaur desperate to to have his cake and eat it, too. As is hawking with its much maligned the opportunity to tell you, our apes the process of applying to law be wiped out. The long tradition of he’s a long-time newspaper man, I redesign. Advertisers can sponsor 1L readers, why you should school. Most of the slots for Law the law journal can best be viewed was surprised to find him not only entire pages, advertising and content want to join their organizations. Review are long-taken by the time it by a quick tour of boxes upon un- exhorting The Times to give its goods intermingle and the reader can never Sometimes we’ve done this to fill comes to craft a clever legal note for opened boxes of old journals which for free but also blaming the paper be certain whether she’s getting news a few pages of space; other times the exercise, so Law Review becomes line the D’Ag basement. Most of for not having the foresight to charge or a sales pitch. I, for one, would we viewed any additional infor- the Holy Grail of the exercise. The these journals will sit gathering dust, for its content when it launched its prefer if the paper of record weren’t mation about the journals as a other journals serve as “safety” picks, destined to one day be thrown away. website in 1996. Certainly, many so tarnished. valuable public service our paper and they spend the summer picking The school has moved slowly toward people were anticipating the disrup- The alternatives are private can provide. This year, since my through one hundred near-identical an e-publishing alternative, and this tive capacity of the internet 15 years philanthropy or public subsidies, time on the journals is over and applicants. I understand the system is likely has a lot to do with professors ago, but it is also easy to forget that but beyond the impracticalities of my motivation for pestering nine designed to simplify the application who imagine value in hard copies when The Times began posting online, both, each path has the potential stressed-out 2Ls for information process, but considering the writing of journals, even as next to no one the “internet” for most Americans to unduly place the prestige of The is non-existent, I thought I would competition is largely written and reads physical copies of journals (or Times in someone fill some space in this final issue directed by Law Review, it should just even single articles) anymore. But, as else’s pocket. We with some concerns I have for be its own competition. Let the other a result, all the energy in the journals need only look NYU’s journals. journals do what they will! goes into putting out issues. Journal at The Commenta- For one, NYU simply has From my perspective as a mem- editor-in-chief meetings revolve tor, which only too many journals. As a practical ber of secondary journal, the biggest around issues with the school’s sole survives thanks matter, this has produced the problem with journal membership journal publisher and status updates to the largesse of space-allocation disaster that is outside of Law Review is getting new on where the newest issue stands. the law school the D’Ag basement, where a pop- members to buy into journal’s mis- Subsequently, we dump PDFs of and remains both ular journal such as the Journal of sion. The current system encourages articles online as an afterthought, indebted to and, Law and Business is crammed into journals to collect as big a body of and the end product is a vast mess yes, under the a few cubicles while other, more 2L staff editors as possible to serve of legal scholarship that awaits judg- thumb, of our established journals have empty as C&S-ing laborers in order to push ment on its relevancy and value until administrators as conference rooms — free to loan through as many articles as possible a Westlaw search can be run. (Yes, I a result. out, however! More importantly, in a short time horizon. The window see the irony in gushing about the The Times the proliferation of journals raises of opportunity where the majority value of paper copies of The Com- provides more the question of whether so many of new 2L staff and the engaged mentator while telling the journals to than just the news. journals are capable of producing 3Ls are enthusiastic about the goals publish their work online.) Just the news is a worthwhile scholarship. of the journal is small. By December The simple fact is that the jour- barren collection NYU likes to pass the buck even, 2Ls are tired of the grind and nals need to become more dynamic, of links at the in this department, arguing that 3Ls are checked out entirely. more multimedia. In this respect, Drudge Report. any decrease in the caliber of legal One obvious solution, which IPELS is an intriguing role-model, si- amounted to an AOL email inbox While Mr. Mix can suggest outlets academia’s product is due to the other schools follow, is to allow 1Ls multaneously presenting scholarship and some chatrooms. Amazon did like The Huffington Post provide qual- explosion of scholarship coming onto journals. Not only would this primarily online while also flooding not yet exist and the notion of pay- ity news and opinion, their reporting out of lower-ranked schools, but increase each journal’s institutional the law school with a steady stream ing for something online, sending — if we can actually call it reporting we are part of the problem, as memory, but it also gets more stu- of compelling events. As a result, it one’s credit card information into the rather than punditry — is driven well. Most of our peer schools dents Bluebooking when they are probably has more a tangible pres- ether, could make anyone nervous. largely by the efforts of The Times. have more journals than one ostensibly most-engaged in the ence on campus without the need for The very idea of extensively The Times’ investigative reporting, can easily count. Part of this is a exercise via Lawyering. The big- many of the trappings our traditional reading the news on a phone — let editorial scope, and resources far legitimate desire to explore dif- gest problem, however, is that the journals have as their birthright. alone a tablet — would have struck exceed Slate or any other free online ferent niches of the law, but if writing competition does not really There is no reason the other journals, not only The Times but also its read- alternative. Even Mr. Mix gushes the questions out of each year’s reflect what the journals need to with their larger resources and bigger ers as a bit strange. Now, obviously, over The Times’ multimedia feature journal information sessions are be. Healthy journal membership re- staffs, cannot do more unless we as a when what we now know as the on sports announcer Gus Johnson, any guide, journal membership is quires students who are interested in law school community are prepared internet further developed, whole encouraging the paper to do more of largely about adding another line more than just adding a line on their to admit that journal membership industries suddenly found them- the same. The thing is, marshalling to the resume. I understand this, resume and are willing to do more has squat to do with enriching the selves with their pants down. One such resources costs money. but our current system is flawed. than C&S, or take a stab at writing legal academy and has everything to need only look at the devastation As a logical proposition, it By lumping all of our jour- a note. Our journals combine to put do with giving 2Ls something to talk wrought on the recording industry seems absurd that readers who value nals — and the Moot Court on interesting symposiums and are about at EIW. as proof of this. However, simply this reporting are not willing to pay because a whole generation grew up a dime for it. I have already seen a on the idea of free Napster-fueled number of friends hit their quota Chanay Reflects on Law School Career music doesn’t mean Apple shouldn’t of free Times articles and express By De n n i s Ch a n a y ’11 promising that law would find its way But on balance, law school (if have tried out the iTunes experiment. a surprisingly palpable sense of St a f f Wr i t e r into our heads “through osmosis.” nothing else) offers an extended op- While news is inherently a different dismay. Sure, some readers may be See Dean Ricky. During our first final portunity to explore and formulate beast, The Times’ paywall is a similar rushing off to for As of April, 2011, I, Dennis exams (fall of 2008), I never wished just what it is that we want to do attempt to impose order and gener- their free fix of news, but maybe the Chanay, have served three years so hard for anything to be true. I may with our lives. NYU also provides ate revenue where once there was paywall is the first step toward reori- at NYU Law. In deciding where I have even slept with a book under excellent knowledge, training, and neither. enting younger readers to the idea should go with this article, I asked my pillow a night or two, possibly. support for when you make this What is most troubling is that that great content cannot be free. some of my friends to help me These trivial facts are lost to time, decision, especially if you happen Mr. Mix provides no real solution Mr. Mix somehow sees some value measure my experiences. How due to the great purging of brain cells to choose law (and I suspect even to The Times’ revenue woes. His argu- in ESPN Insider; I still pick up paper do you wrap your head around that followed.2 Only now, reflect- if you don’t). ment boils down to blind faith that copies of gaming magazines out of this experience and describe ing on the trials of 1L year and the It would have been futile to have boosting online ad revenue under some love of the printed medium. If how it has taken you from here subsequent battle to keep an equal tried to sum up this time at NYU established practices will somehow our generation somehow sees these to there? One friend suggested amount of law flowing inward as it in 700 words or less. The closest allow online journalism to flourish. as more unique, more worth paying a “1 million, 576 thousand, 800 does naturally outward, do I under- measurement I can think of would It will not. For one, Mr. Mix believes for than the paper which uncovered minutes” theme. I said, “lame Rent stand the osmosis reference. be money, and this has easily been that as more people move to read the government’s warrantless surveil- reference.” She retorted “cups of If you have always known that the best quarter of a million dollars4 newspapers online, ad revenue will lance programs or went to the mat to coffee.” I said, weak.1 you wanted to be a lawyer; if you that I have ever spent. Hopefully, increase. The reality is that online publish the Pentagon Papers, that’s There has been work. There have kept this faith from 2008 to like all great accomplishments, this newspapers already attract huge a shame. has been fun. There has been the present day, without wavering saga will end with formal attire, hand audiences — far more readers than A paywall may not be the so- singing and dancing, personal — I am very happy for you. But, shaking and the exchange of paper have ever read print editions. The lution; in fact, it will likely prove growth and life-long friends. But there have been too many moments work. Cf. Divorce. entire online commercial strategy problematic in the short-term; but I alas, I was getting ahead of my- when I have felt nothing but trapped; Footnotes: for papers like The Times rests upon think the jury is out on the potential self. I cannot say farewell to NYU chained by the hasty decisions of 1. Friends are only a pre-law school the theory that the bigger the audi- long-term benefits of a paywall. Law. I am not mentally prepared my 21-year-old self. Conversely, memory. ence, the more the site can charge Either way, there’s nothing wrong to say goodbye. Why? Because I there have been times when I truly 2. See Tucker Max’s forthcoming epic: for advertising. More problematic, with The Times trying to extract some am too afraid to tempt fate. believed the horrid things spilling out The Alcoholocost. however, is that online readers largely value out providing quality content I will never forget my first of my mouth, as I ran like a smiling 3. Perhaps I should inform OCS that tune out advertising anyway. As a in print, online, and on everyone’s week at NYU Law. They fed sociopath from EIW room to EIW I’m joining Amway. Anybody in? simple rhetorical matter, I would ask phone. us gourmet sandwiches before room.3 4. HOLY #$^%& !!!!!!!!!!!! Page 6 Artsc April 18, 2011 A Mystery Veteran and a Mystery Gumshoe Review The Killing The Veteran The Gumshoe

By Er i c a Iv e r s o n ’11 are easily exposed and resolved By Mi c h a e l Mi x ’11 the body of Rosie Larson (Katie procedurals include one-dimen- St a f f Wr i t e r by the lead detectives, and the Ed i t o r -i n -Ch i e f Findlay) is found in the trunk sional characters who only exist “outside detective” stories on of a car owned by the campaign to solve mysteries over an hour- As a seasoned mystery the other (yes—even Sherlock), I usually don’t really have of mayoral candidate Darren long span. show viewer and longtime fan which portray the police as per- any loyalty to television net- Richmond (Billy Campbell). Kinnaman, a Swedish actor, of AMC’s dramatic line-up, I petually bungling idiots. works, but in the past few Linden decides to postpone her is enjoyable playing his character was very excited to hear that Instead, The Killing presents years, I have made an excep- move and finish the investigation as undisciplined to the point of the network that brought us a world where the police are tion for AMC. I have watched with her new partner Stephen creepy; in one striking scene, he Mad Men and Break- Holder (Joel Kinnaman). smokes marijuana (or at least ing Bad would be Not surprisingly, virtually pretends to) at Rosie’s school presenting a new every character acts suspi- in order to get two girls to give crime-type drama. ciously, including Rosie’s him important information for To give the reader parents (Brent Sexton and the investigation. Kinnaman a sense of my mys- Michelle Forbes) and Rich- kind of reminds me of a taller tery taste, I am a fan mond’s two campaign aides and slightly better spoken Jesse of everything from (Kristin Lehman and Eric Pinkman from Breaking Bad, and the more lightheart- Ladin). if Kinnaman has even half of ed whodunits like I usually dislike mys- the acting skill of Aaron Paul, Psych to the grit- tery shows because they then The Killing will be in good tier and less well- tend to wrap up too nicely shape. Moreover, as the grieving known British dra- week-to-week. I prefer parents, Sexton and Forbes have ma Cracker, starring plots that stretch out over been great so far. Robbie Coltrane as several episodes, in order I was less keen on the cam- the title antihero. I to give the story and the paign subplot. It is hard to grew up watching characters a chance to de- criticize the actors because their both the traditional velop. Thankfully, this is material so far has seemed pretty detectives —Sher- show is the latter. clichéd for a show that isn’t about lock Holmes, Her- One of the things that politics. Richmond seems too cule Poirot, Miss struck me immediately saintly and his aides seem too Marple — as well as about the show is its tone. pushy at this point. I hope that the classic suspense Unlike many police proce- Sud gives these characters some thrillers — virtually anything competent, but not superhuman every episode of their four durals on the air today, The Killing depth. Hitchcock, Charade and film — they dress in plainclothes, previous original shows — moves at an incredibly slow pace, Despite this misstep, I hope noir. I would be hard-pressed they use drugs to get informa- Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Rubicon taking its time. In the first two that The Killing thrives. With to select a favorite mystery tion from high school girls, they and The Walking Dead — and episodes, very little of the plot is the notable exception of Twin movie growing up; I loved Rear look and act like normal people. have enjoyed them all to vary- actually revealed, and we spend Peaks, there haven’t really been Window and North By Northwest, It presents a world where teen- ing degrees (Mad Men is my a lot of time watching Linden any recent successful American but Strangers on a Train would agers are treated and act as favorite drama on TV, Break- thinking and reacting to the television shows which involved probably take the top prize, with hybrid children and adults, in ing Bad is pretty phenomenal other characters. There are also a mystery solved over an entire Rebecca easily making the top-5. perfect imitation of reality. And in its own right, Rubicon was many harrowing scenes depicting season without week-to-week Even today, when I feel most importantly, it presents very good but unfortunately Rosie’s parents’ reactions and mini-mysteries (Veronica Mars is like watching a guilty pleasure an easily believable range of was cancelled and The Walking subsequent actions after finding one of many examples of shows movie, I will often go with the emotions from the characters Dead was wildly uneven but out about her death. with episodic and long-term classic capers rather than the involved. In that sense, the show classic chick flicks (though I am follows seamlessly on the heels certainly not unwilling to watch of Breaking Bad. the latter). As such, though I The acting thus far has been generally like the mystery genre beyond satisfactory. I especially as a rule, I am also very critical enjoy Joel Kinnaman’s portrayal of any new mystery television of a former narcotics officer- shows. I would never deny that turned-homicide detective. He there are elements of the USA musters the perfect combina- shows that I enjoy, that many of tion of sketchy and secretly the network’s mystery/comedy clever, and I predict the plot selections make for fun and will thicken with regards to mindless viewing, and that I will his move from drug-busting often sit down and stream early to murderer-napping. Mireille Monk episodes on Netflix when Enos, who plays lead detective I’m looking for background Sarah Linden, similarly evokes viewing. However, it takes a lot the emotional numbness that for me to elevate a mystery/ must accompany any such job, suspense show to the “I love while still demonstrating the it” level. character’s dogged nature. And The Killing presents a long- of course Billy Campbell’s term story arc that will span the mayoral candidate character entire season, something that is shown to politician perfec- I think works particularly well tion — not quite the good guy, with this type of drama. It is not quite the bad guy, and very set in Seattle (full disclosure: I possibly deeply involved with was born and raised there), and the murder of the young Rosie while I am disappointed with Larsen. the way they portray the weather Perhaps unsurprisingly, still entertaining). Therefore, In letting the show breathe mysteries). Therefore, AMC is (I SWEAR it doesn’t down- AMC has struck gold once even though I am normally without feeling the need to catch banking on viewers who will tune pour constantly … it’s more more with a show that has thus not a mystery fan, I looked a bad guy every episode, creator in every week, even though the of a steady drizzle in the fall/ far highlighted the humanity of forward to AMC’s fifth show, and showrunner Veena Sud satisfaction of a solved murder winter months), the show does the individual characters, while The Killing, with anticipation. lets her actors do some pretty will be delayed until (presumably) an otherwise amazing job with still providing a healthy dose of The Killing, which had its great work in the first couple of the season finale. Unfortunately, the crime elements. The show suspense, mystery and thrill. As- two-hour premiere on Apr. 3, episodes. I really like Enos’s take its slow pace more closely mir- evokes elements of Cracker as suming that this show continues is based on a Danish show and on her character so far; Linden rors the unsuccessful (in terms well as the more recent Brit- to impress, I would not hesitate revolves around one murder doesn’t wear her emotions on of ratings) Rubicon than AMC’s ish crime drama Wallander in to place it on a par with its Brit- investigation over the course her sleeve, but you can tell that other shows. Still though, since its more realistic treatment of ish predecessors. So if you’re of the entire season. Detec- something about this murder is America seems to like mysteries the police and their work. I’ve looking for a great way to pro- tive Sarah Linden (Mireille specifically affecting her. I also more than espionage, hope- long been bothered by shows crastinate during finals season, Enos) is working her last day like the fact that she seems to fully The Killing will help AMC go like Law and Order on one hand, tune into The Killing, Sunday as a Seattle detective before a have a family life outside of five-for-five in terms of quality where complex homicide plots nights at 10 PM on AMC. move to San Francisco when the job; many typical television original programming. April 18, 2011 Book cReviews Page 7 Spy Novel Meets Wacky Comedy Meets Christian Allegory

By Ha n n a h Ba k e r ’13 cally speaking, but would you good,” so here’s my best shot at a terrifying fat man, the Central St a f f Wr i t e r expect a spy novel to resolve the a plot synopsis that does not ruin Anarchist’s Council, in accor- question of a Czar’s assassination all the surprises. Gabriel Syme, dance with its policy of hiding What follows is not a book by having everyone shrug off the poet of respectability, gentleman in plain sight, has its meetings review, but an unsolicited ad- whole idea and decide to have and police detective, has devoted over breakfast on the terrace vertisement for one of the best a mystical masked ball instead? his life to opposing the evil insidi- of a nice restaurant. This very novels ever written, G. K. Ches- Would it surprise you if a dry and ous anarchists who are plotting meeting, Sunday finishes his terton’s The Man Who Was Thurs- wacky comedy contained deeply the downfall of society. These eggs, looks our hero in the eyes, day. The very slipperiness and emotional and subtle ideas about are not the kind of anarchists and announces that he has an categorization that make this the Problem of Evil and the who want to set up peaceful announcement … novel so good can lead to difficul- flaws of pessimism? And do most Libertarian communes — these Which you’ll have to read ties when describing it, so know religious allegories really include anarchists want to smash down the book to find. Once you start that even if the synopsis below high-speed chase scenes involving every barrier, burn down every you’ll have to go on, past the doesn’t sound like your cup of elephants and balloons? wall, and in general wipe the swordfights, disguises, German tea, you should still read The Man No, no, and no. The Man Who smug smile off of the face of philosophy, torch-bearing mobs, Who Was Thursday. It’s short. It’s Was Thursday is in a class of its genial authority — or so it seems lobster mayonnaise, dancing, funny. It’s a work of genius. own. The truest thing I can say to Syme, who is delighted to find finger-tapping codes and general My usual one-sentence blurb about it is that it made me happy. himself in disguise as Thursday, hilarity — all the way to the very is: It’s a spy novel meets wacky But I hate it when other people an operative of the Central An- end, where you can decide for comedy meets Christian allegory. recommend books simply by archist’s Council. yourself if the book lives up to All these things are true, techni- saying, without elaboration, “It’s Led by the enigmatic Sunday, its subtitle, “a nightmare.” ’s Newest Work Offers a Quirky, Witty History of Hawaii

By Le i g h t o n De l l i n g e r ’12 because he’s so grumpy.” American experience. This time, St a f f Ed i t o r For readers less eager than she has gone to Hawaii to tell I (your very own Eager Reader): the story of the colonization of Sarah Vowell is at it again. this delightfully cantankerous America’s fiftieth state, “where She was hilarious in The Partly interaction was not at all a sur- Manifest Destiny got sun- Cloudy Patriot; she was witty and prise. Sarah Vowell is as funny burned.” Readers of Vowell’s omment smart in as and a smart as will recall The Eager Reader and she just kills it on “This Bill Bryson and travels to only that she has a particularly anti- c American Life.” I suppose it the dweebiest locales. Her style colonization sway. But she’s so would be appropriate if I dis- is pretty easy to define: she’s the funny about it! Missionaries and closed my love for Sarah Vowell. sharp kind of smart, like David sperm whale-hunting sailors on I decided years ago that I want leave on the islands love [his] sitrring protrait of it is eaten.” The child born after to be Sarah Vowell when I grow play antagonists to the Revolutionary War hero the taro-child was the Hawaiian up. Or now. Whichever, I don’t the Vowell’s delight- Marquis de Lafayette hang- man; you read that correctly, care. fully zen Hawaiian ing in New York’s City Hall.” Hawaiian legend places every- Vowell, who lives in down- natives. Apparently, the world’s most one’s favorite dinner accompa- town New York, is among And as always, popular tapper was a painter in nyment as your big brother. the distinguished visitors who Vowell’s stor y is a former life. In fact, “he was Which sounds weird when frequently read from their new peppered with de- in Washington painting [the summarized in a newspaper works at the Barnes & Noble viations and per- portrait of Lafayette] when he article but is presented by at Union Square. I heard Vow- sonal asides. Writ- received news his wife was ail- Vowell with great respect and ell was publishing a new book ing about sailors ing back home in Connecticut. envy from her Judeo-Christian last fall — I immediately pre- gets her to a favorite He raced toward her but by the perspective in which “humans ordered the book and reserved sailor, Herman Mel- time he arrived, she had died. are not caretakers; they are Wednesday, March 23 to camp ville, and a story of And so he started monkeying overseers, dominators of their out to see the woman I hope to visiting New Bed- around with a machine to speed dominion. This conceit comes become one day. The reading ford, , up communication, an achieve- with some pretty obvious eco- was at 7; at 4 pm I was the only to see where Cap- ment that would eclipse the logical consequences. Plus in one there. C.f., when Tina Fey tain Ahab’s creator reputation of his art.” this beginning, the fruit of the spoke last Friday I arrived at hung his hat (which, Vowell’s work abounds with land doesn’t always nourish 4:30 and was relegated to stand- it turns out, was in fun facts like this one: Hawaii the people. In fact, the fruit of ing room at the back and a place the federal customs Five-O’s Detective Chin Ho Kel- knowledge poisons them with at the end of a book-signing line office in poverty). ly was named for the developer fancy ideas and so they are cast at least three hours long. Vowell gets distract- of the Ilikai, a famous hotel in out of a garden bearing a strik- At 4 o’clock, the reading ed, basically adver- Honolulu. Apparently, it was ing resemblance to the island room was empty and it stayed tising the New Bed- also Elvis’ favorite hotel on the of Kauai. (Though having been that way (with lonely ol’ me ford Whaling Mu- island. Vowell’s deep-seated ap- to the pleasantly sleepy Kauai, perched in the front row of seum, which hosts preciation for Americana — of I can see how after a few days a sea of seats) until about an an annual Moby Dick both the historical and pop- of lollygagging amidst the foli- hour before Vowell arrived. Rakoff, and when something marathon. Visitors are invited culture variety — is more ap- age, a woman would bite into The room eventually filled up, intrigues her — usually some every January to relish a 25-hour parent in her former work (like just about anything to scare up though it was nothing compared historical event or development reading, cover-to-cover, of the Radio On: A Listener’s Diary), something to read.)” to the crowd drawn by Fey, and — she travels to all the key (or titillating classic. but it’s sprinkled throughout So there she is, insightful, we were treated to a reading obscure) locales related to the My own Vowell-style aside: granting a funny and charmingly dorky all from a woman in heinous Ugg event to explain it better, and this is my official appeal to break from more traditional in one paragraph about a close boots and cargo pants with a dig up irony. But she’s grouchy Portmanteau. I would love to tales of Hawaiian history. relative to the potato. And, ap- high-pitched voice (readers on and skeptical — in her funni- take a field trip this dorky. What She tells the story of poi, parently, the rest of mankind. Amazon have reviewed this est appearance on The Daily is more adventurous than sitting “the staple of Hawaiian food.” What are the critics saying? book: “If David Sedaris and Show she criticized American down to “Call me Ishmael” and The legend goes that when They’re raving, of course. My Sarah Vowell had a child only tourists in New York: “They committing to staying in that mother earth mated with father recommendation? Give Vowell dolphins could hear it talk.”). wrap themselves in our attack seat for 25 hours? sky their first child was stillborn a try. For my friends on whom For a law student accus- (referring to 9-11) and then My favorite side journey and buried. The root vegetable I have been pushing my idol tomed to respecting women in they leave and talk about what into Vowell’s most interesting that grew from that grave? Taro, for years, c’mon and relent al- power suits who speak about snobs we are. If the East Coast historical characters? Touring which is mashed and served as ready. She’s smart; you’re smart securities regulation, Vowell’s is American enough For Al- The Mission House Museum poi to great acclaim throughout (and good-looking too! Have I reading made for a refreshing Qaeda, it should be American in Honolulu, Vowell sees a the islands: “not simply a local wooed you yet?) and she will afternoon. She was as witty, enough for them.” portrait of Hiram Bingham, favorite, the equivalent of, say, alternate between making you smart, and off-the-cuff in per- Despite her distinctively one of the ministers out-posted cheese to the French, or chees- laugh out loud and read inter- son as she is in print. Discussing New York attitude (adopted in Hawaii, painted by Samuel esteaks to the Philadelphians esting tidbits to your friends. a character to whom she showed as an adult by the Morse. Yes, Samuel Morse ... The root is an object of the She’s also my hero and I would compassion in the book, “I re- native), Vowell’s work is predi- of the Morse code infamy. tenderest solicitude, from the like if you bumped her sales so ally identified with him. I guess cated on the more general He’s a favorite of Vowell’s, “I day it is planted until the hour she’ll keep producing. Page 8 Artsc April 18, 2011

By Do u g Ma r t i n ’11 anyway, even if her name starts swer for why we’re still St a f f Wr i t e r with a “C”). Formerly, the well- No. 6 any more than the thought-out parody songs were real one could. What’s the worst part about difficult to appreciate. Gener- While as a whole, this the home stretch of the semes- ally, you knew what was going year’s musical was bet- ter? Surely it is the fact that on, and you could follow the ter than the previous two there is no more Law Revue to lyrics in the program, but you years, the videos were a left look forward to. could hardly hear the vocalists a little to be desired. Arthur Each spring, the people of over the band. Now, we know Miller, the subject of this Law Revue put on a fantastic, what we suspected all along — year’s promotional video, is mostly original show and re- our fellow law students have interesting to a point, but mind us why we love NYU Law. pipes, and they know how to twice in three years? How- This year was no different. But use them. ever, even if the subject mat- what can be said about Law Jackson played Dean Rich- ter was a bit worn, the videos Revue that isn’t said each year? ard Revesz expertly this year, were still expertly done. Fantastic musical numbers with but it was a bit confusing when The audience this year tunes from classics and contem- Justin Roller ’13 played Ricky was a bit less boisterous. This porary songs? Check. Hilarious during one of the non-plotline can be expected after two impressions of law school fac- scenes. Palmer definitely played years in a row of “banning” ulty and administration? Check. out of character as one of the alcohol. Still, the audience Funny examples of law school gunner squad, showing the was definitely part of the archetypal characters? Check breadth of her acting ability. show, especially on Friday, and check. Other highlights included Mike which was Alumni Night. This year, Law Revue had Biondi ’11 as Professor Barry Meghan Dwyer ’11 was a all the familiar elements we have Friedman (although the poor particularly popular mem- come to know and love. One former Vice Dean gets targeted ber of the cast, according element from previous years quite a bit), and Rob Keele ’12 to the amount of times that was not present, however, playing a spot on stoner. her name was screamed. was poor sound quality. This Law Revue continued to Of course, Dwyer is a year, thanks in part to funding offer numerous amusing in- wonderful performer, from the Student Bar Associa- sights into law school life. This so maybe this does not tion (Ed.’s note: Doug Martin is year the plot was driven by a mean that the Law Revue the outgoing Student Senator on the humorous take on a subject that alumni were more than Student Bar Association), Law Re- has spawned some real anxiety moderately intoxicated. vue upgraded its microphones here at NYU — the second But they were. And it was and various other sounds equip- year in a row of being out of great. Perhaps we do not ment. This enabled the audience the top-5 law schools according need to worry about al- to enjoy not only the sight but to U.S. News & World Report. lowing alcohol, because the sound of such scintillat- One of the best things about as the lyrics said, “We ing and sultry soloists as Sarah Law Revue is its ability to say know that you snuck in Koper ’12, Sam Jackson ’12 and things that we’re all thinking, beer.” Alcohol or no, if this Carley Palmer ’11 (sorry, there even if we don’t know we’re year’s show is any indication, Photos by Stavan Desai were no more soloists with first thinking it. Unfortunately, the Law Revue is still fantastic, Layout by Joseph Jerome names starting with “S.” Be- fake administration in the show and will remain so for years to sides, Carley did an amazing job couldn’t give a satisfactory an- come.