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WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY NOTA BENE A Forum for News, Features & Opinions in the Law School Community W A 5 II I N C I O N D C

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 Vol. 23, No. 7

University Preps For Historic Obama Inauguration

BY CLARE CAVALIERO Features Editor

Where will you be on Tuesday, Janu­ when many of us resume classes after the closed even to pedestrian traffic! So my Also on Monday, various student ary 20,2009? Hopefully not in the district. lovely four-day weekend. The University sister and I will probably get up very early groups are sponsoring a book signing by While estimates of up to 5 million people is asking people to be prepared for a long and walk from Glover Park. We're expect­ U.S. Representative Barbara Lee. She will infiltrating the area have been dismissed, commute - travel time is most certainly ing it to be very cold and we're going to speak about her autobiography: Renegade the reduced number of 3-4 million people going to be increased. have to stand around for hours, but we are for Peace and Justice: Congresswoman does not eliminate much concern. The Despite logistical headaches, stu­ both very excited. This truly is a historic Barbara Lee Speaks for Me. record for most witnesses present at an dents remail excited about the historic inauguration, and I am thrilled to be able The Lisner Auditorium will host swearing-in ceremony was set in 1965, inauguation. Ashley Inderfurth is one to be a part of it." "An Historic Inauguration Gospel Trib­ when 1.2 million people attended Lyndon of the students who will be attending The University, along with its ute" on Monday evening. This black tie Baines Johnson's inauguration. the ceremonies. In a recent email to the administrative and safety preparations, concert will celebrate Obama's inaugura­ The University is closing all aca­ Nota Bene, she wrote: "I got my ticket is also preparing for the fun aspect of tion and honor Dr. King's legacy. demic buildings on campus Monday and through my little sister, who works for a the inauguration. On Friday, January During the day on Tuesday, January Tuesday, January 19th and 20th. The law congressman. She gets to invite a guest, so 16, the BBC will broadcast its popular 20, GW is holding viewings of the Inau­ school and the library will be locked all i got lucky! I tried to get a ticket through show "Any Questions?" from the Jack guration and Parade in various locations. day both days. The streets on campus will my own congressman's office, but there Morton Auditorium in the Media and Additionally, GW will have its very own be used on both days to stage and disperse was no chance. They ran a lottery, but Public Affairs Building. "Obama Radio float in the inauguration parade! the Inaugural Parade participants. Streets they had over 1000 people after the first Nation 2009" hosted by Bill Press, will Finally, and, most importantly, GW surrounding the law school as well as week, and they were only allotted 198 be broadcasted from Lisner Auditorium is capturing the excitement of the inaugu­ some of the parking lots will be closed. seats! I'll be spending the night before on Sunday, January 18. ration by hosting its Fifth Inaugural Ball. The University is concerned that some the inauguration at my sister's house in To celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. The Ball will be at the Omni Shoreham zealous attendees might try to camp out Glover Park, since I live in Courthouse Day, GW is sponsoring a Day of Service Hotel on Tuesday evening. in the law school, so make sure to report and the bridges are all closed to vehicle Monday, January 19. Participants should For more information regarding any sketchy sleeping strangers. traffic. I was planning to walk across the eet at the Marvin Center and give back to GW's activities surrounding the inau­ Additionally, this mess is expected Roosevelt bridge early on Tues morning, the DC community Registration required. guration: http: / / inauguration.gwu. to spill over into Wednesday morning, but according the the Post, that bridge is http://gwired.gvm.edu/sac/OCS/. edu/obama/. Student Hurricane Network Continues Annual Service Trip to New Orleans

BY ELIZABETH WESTBROOK Staff Writer

On December 14, thirty-eight and rebuilding-related legal matters. 3L George Washington University Law stu­ Maureen McGough, who has been par­ dents descended on New Orleans to do ticipating in the SHN trip since its first the unthinkable: pro-bono public service year, says this "definitely wasn't quite the work during winter break. For the third work I expected to be doing when I signed year in a row, the Equal Justice Founda­ up to help the people of New Orleans. tion helped fund the Student Hurricane However, it soon became pretty clear that Network's trip to the Big Easy where stu­ New Orleans needs help - at every level dents take part in a wide array of service - even three years after the storm." assignments to get this ailing metropolis Four students worked with the back on track. Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Ac­ School service trips to New Orleans tion Center, which is a non-profit orga­ are nothing new, but what is unique nization dedicated to eradicate housing about what the SHN visit is the kind of discrimination in New Orleans. Three work students do while there. The idea students worked for the New Orleans of students volunteering in New Orleans Advocacy Center, a non-profit whose probably conjures up images of college mission is to aid disabled persons and kids wielding hammers and sweating senior citizens in legal matters. The final under the weight of their tool belts under fourteen students worked for the City the hot dirty south sun. This was indeed Attorney's office. the case for the seventeen of our intrepid One of the students in the City classmates who were assigned to work Attorney's office was 1L Micahel Onufer Photo by Kathie Carroll with the Sierra Club—but for another who says his work consisted of draft­ twenty-one the work was tailored to take ing memoranda to be submitted to civil our presence and desire to help, and tried in New Orleans he was helping himself advantage of the specified skills we law court. He says the supervising attorney hard to give me substantive work." Mi­ noting that he wrote a memo in support of students have to offer working on Katrina he worked with "genuinely appreciated chael also found that while helping others See Hurricane on Page 5 NEWS FEATURES OPINION Should Ethics Professor Be Fired? Page 2 Record Ski Trip Page 4 Champagne and Obama Page 3 SBA Corner Lack of Scheduling Choices Page 5 Music Review Just a Second Page 7 De Novo Days ft

Page 2 Nota Bene January 14,2009 NEWS

NOTA BENE

2008 G STREET, N.W. WASHINGTON, DC 20052 [email protected]

NOTA BENE IS A BI-WEEKLY STUDENT PUBLICATION AT THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL. NOTA BENE SERVES AS A FORUM FOR NEWS, FEATURES & OPINIONS IN THE LAW SCHOOL COMMUNITY. WE SEEK SUBMISSIONS FROM STUDENTS AT GW LAW SCHOOL.

EDITOR IN CHIEF KATIE EARNEST

FEATURES EDITOR CLARE CAVALIERO OPINIONS EDITOR ADAM PEARLMAN

STAFF ZEENA ADIL ABDUL-RAHMAN MATTHW LINDEN RYAN BOWEN TERENCE G. SCHOONE-JONGEN STEFAN CHACON SET SAMII REID COPLOFF LISA STRAUSS TIMOTHY FREY JOON SONG ELIZABETH WESTBROOK

SBA to Host Annual GW Law Ski Trip, With Record 183 Students

BY TIMOTHY FREY Staff Writer

Thanks to Martin Luther King Day and the Presidential Inauguration, law students are looking forward to the upcoming five-day weekend. One hun­ dred and eighty-three of those students, however, may be more excited than the rest as they prepare to head to Snowshoe Mountain, West Virginia for the annual GW Law Ski Trip. Organized by the Student Bar Association, this three day weekend getaway provides students with an opportunity to ski, snowboard, or sim­ ply spend time with friends away from the stress and pressure of school. According to Rebecca Bianchi, the Vice President of Programming for the SBA and person in charge of organiz­ ing this event, as well as the bar reviews, Halloween party, and Barrister's Ball, there is a lot of excitement surrounding this year's trip - the seventh straight to Snowshoe, West Virginia. SBA President Brett Sheats noted that this trip marked a record year for students participating in the trip, up from one hundred and sixty last year to one hundred and eighty-three students this year. Tickets for the event went so fast that a fifty-person wait list GW Students on the 2008 Ski Trip to Snowshoe, West Virginia was formed less than two days after sales Photo provided courtesy of Matt Rizzolo. began. Luckily, the SBA was able to add the slopes" with fellow law students. In ally skiing, with an additional 10 hitting one for a cabin and a lift ticket, and finally three cabins and some people realized addition, there are many students, like Bi­ the slopes on snowboards. Accordingly, one including a cabin, lift ticket, and skis they could not attend so that the majority anchi herself and 2L Lindsey Ingraham, the attendees range from avid skiers like or a snowboard. of these people have already gotten tickets who heard about the great time people 2L Elizabeth Westbrook, who has been According to Bianchi and West­ of their own. According to Bianchi, if had on the trip last year and did not want skiing since she was three years old, to brook, the cabins on Snowshoe are all you are still looking to purchase a ticket to miss out again. Finally, there are those Bianchi who tried skiing once on a class close together, so you can easily walk you should contact the SBA who will then like Christine Kim, a former GW Law 1L trip to Utah Park and had an experience from cabin to cabin to hang out with all connect you with individuals who are no who is returning to Snowshoe Mountain, she would not like to replicate. 2L's Kim of your fellow ski trippers. The cabins longer able to attend. even though she now attends Northwest­ Clark, Bessie Castagnello, and Christine are made up of groups of eight, many of Bianchi believes that the tickets went ern Law in Chicago, Illinois. Kim who have decided to turn their skis whom chose most, if not all, of their cabin so fast because of the large number of 3L's Contrary to what the name implies, in for sleds. To facilitate the wide range mates. In addition, Westbrook notes that who have enjoyed the trip in the past and not all people attending the ski trip are of what people want to do on the trip, the cabins are all located at the top of the wanted to be certain that they took ad­ avid skiers. In fact, according to Bianchi the SBA made three packages available to vantage of their final opportunity to "hit only 90 of the 183 ski trippers are actu­ students, including one for only a cabin, See Ski Trip on Page 5 Page 3 Nota Bene January 14, 2009 OPINION

Should "Ethics" From The Editor

Professor Be Fired? The Nota Bene really sucks. They were kind of right. It was seri­ And come to think of it, our LRW ously lacking in timeliness, content, and BY STEFAN CHACON program does, too. And it's always visibility. Many staff writers resigned Opinion freezing in the hard lounge, what's up themselves to a slow, inexorable crawl with that? And don't even get me started towards dissolution. From professors to about last semester's abbreviated exam students, people questioned the validity After nearly three years I am truly To say I was disappointed to spend period. of a paper that publishes grammatically impressed with GW Law and very satis­ a semester with him is really an under­ As law students, we are no strang­ and factually-incorrect assertions, ram­ fied with my decision to come here. I have statement. But the real cherry on top ers to complaints. After all, we are be­ bling opinions, and stale stories about been fortunate enough to learn from Pro­ came when I received an email from the ing trained to "think like lawyers," to weeks-old events. fessors like Steinhardt, Swaine, Butler and Law School telling me that it had been examine legal problems and identify Despite doubts and setbacks, our Kirkpatrick. With professors like these we confirmed that Professor Burger had taken the issue, the source of tension between team of dedicated editors and staff writ­ are definitely getting our money's worth. questions verbatim from a commercial parties. After sorting through the argu­ ers have strived to correct these issues. So when I consider all the great courses supplement and put them on his final ments, public policy implications, and Since the beginning of the academic I won't have the opportunity to take, it is exam. We were offered the option of precedent, we are supposed to arrive at year, each bi-weekly issue has debuted particularly disappointing that I had to converting our grade into a "CR," with a the holding. But once the case is read, the on time. Each issue has been a full eight spend an entire semester with Professor footnote on the transcript stating "Course solution pinpointed, we are left with the pages, thanks to those writers and read­ Burger. Even more disappointing is the graded on a Credit/No Credit basis due question, "Now what?" ers who believe in providing a voice to fact that, despite a fairly serious ethical to administrative action without fault of The easy response is that, well, the students, faculty, and alumni. We are lapse which affected scores of students, the students." Unbelievable. If it weren't complaints are a form of action, a snow­ hard at work at bringing our website up to the Law School decided to keep him on to my money being thrown away I might be ball of effects. Maybe someone will actu­ date. We have started emailing electronic teach, of all things, a course on Ethics. slightly amused by the irony of an ethics ally listen - a lone energetic individual copies of the paper to adjunct professors For those of you who haven't had professor plagiarizing a final exam. Did will be inspired by complaints and fix who may not be able to get their hands the misfortune of taking his class, Profes­ it really affect anybody's GPA? Probably, the situation. In law school, though, on a hard copy. And we look forward to sor Burger teaches (taught?) Professional considering that the test was so easy that people are (surprise) busy with their own even more positive changes in the spring Responsibility, a required course that must the curve probably turned on just a hand­ responsibilities. Deans don't hang out in semester. the hard lounge, section senators may be taken for a grade. His teaching method ful of questions. But more importantly, it Though improvements have been be holed up in the library -or at Thirsty is unbearably boring. He digresses con­ reflected poorly on the law school. made, doubts remain. Some still ask Thursday. Therefore, it is up to us, the stantly, reads lengthy passages in a broken, I understand that some profes­ "Why have even have a school newspa­ students and members of the GW Law monotone manner from the ABA Model sors contribute more to the law school per in the first place?" community to step up and take action, Rules and Comments, and does nothing through their scholarship and experience My only answer is this - it's ours. make our voices heard and find the solu­ to try to engage the students. He seems than by their charisma in the classroom. This paper belongs to every mem­ tions ourselves. satisfied with the fact that most people are In maintaining a top-notch faculty, I get ber of the GW Law community and its In short - if you care enough to sleeping, blatantly reading for other class­ that the Law School has to think about focus is directed by its wants and needs. es, or becoming fantasy football superstars more than whether a professor will be complain about it, you should care Written by GW Law and for GW Law. while he goes on about some story of little entertaining. But Professor Burger is not enough to get it fixed. And tkiat is wVw 1 knew that, wuY-v tY ie\ relevance to the topic of the day. He once renowned for his scholarship. He is not Before I took this position, I was a help of that community, we could make this paper a hell of a lot better. tried to poll the class on a question. Two the foremost authority in the field. And complainer. And before the people who Obviously, the paper is far from in favor; three or so opposed; 65 no re­ he is not even remotely engaging in the know me can say it, I am still a com­ what it should be as a publication for the sponse. We just weren't listening, or, if we classroom. Worst of all, he violated the plainer. But after being an editor for a law school community. There are still were, we just didn't care. The couple of school's ETHICS policy. So why are our semester, I now know the importance of typos and misaligned columns, rushed times he chose to show us a video people tuition dollars still being spent to keep action. In the past, many people saw the literally cheered, happy to have anything him on? Nota Bene as a lost-cause, - nothing but a orders, and article headaches. Little and but his lecture. It's an outrage. What does it mean rag, filler for the trashcans and birdcages, big things that sap time and energy, try­ a repository for irrelevant opinions and ing everyone's patience. We are always See Ethics on Page 6 humdrum news. And you know what? See Editor on Page 5 Lack of Scheduling Just a Second

BY ADAM R. PEARLMAN Choices Leaves Opinions Editor 2008 was the longest year (in any standard, cosmic or not; during that terms of our measure of time) since same time, we have "counted" over 687- Student Disappointed 1992. Not only did we have a leap year, trillion seconds. But from a philosophical but also a leap second. Leap years, of or spiritual point of view, the notion that course, exist because the duration of a we're losing a few seconds every couple BY RYAN BOWEN year is actually 365 and a quarter days; of years has some meaning, and might Opinion so we make up the time every four provoke some introspection. years. But leap seconds are different. Throughout human history, there Before the class schedules became was to take it four times a week. Not what Leap seconds are added periodically to has been a culture war of sorts about the available last semester, I already had I was looking for, and not practical for the world's atomic clocks to compen­ finality of life, usually played out through some ideas in mind. I was going to take my work schedule. Furthermore, copy­ sate for the fact that the Earth's rotation religious convictions about what happens corporations, because everyone does and rights wasn't even offered this semester. is actually slowing down. when we shuffle off this mortal coil. Is This wasn't too upsetting except for that it seems like a good idea, international tax To somebody who already has a there an eternal life after death? If so, for my job this summer, as well as admin I was only going to take that class as a subtle sense of the finite nature of ev­ what does it entail? Do we actually come law and copyright. I spent the fall taking prerequisite for entertainment law. If erything, the leap second is somewhat back, or merely look down upon the earth classes that I thought were interesting, copyrights isn't pffered next semester, then of a disconcerting concept. There have from on-high? It's an important enough and now it was time to take the classes I guess I'm out of luck. Now, I wouldn't been 24 of them in the past 36 years that everyone recommends you take: be writing this article if I was the only - not much of a big deal by almost See Second on Page 7 those that prepare you for the bar, those one having this problem. Throughout that will be useful in your chosen practice the first week of school, I have heard this area, or those that just contribute to a well- same complaint from others. A friend rounded legal education. of mine has class at 9:55 Tuesday and The Nota Bene invites readers' opinions. Letters must not again until 3:50. I overheard a group When the course listings came out, be signed, dated and include a graduation year or title. however, I realized this would simply not of 3Ls similarly complaining about how be possible. The classes that I needed to the lack of course options has impacted E-mail submissions to [email protected] take just did not have convenient times, their final semester. One lamented that he The Nota Bene reserves the right to edit all submissions and there weren't enough choices to avoid was unable to take trusts and estates this conflicts between classes. The corpora­ semester (and thus at all). for space, grammar, clarity and vulgarity. tions class I signed up for overbooked by See Disappointed on Page 1 about 80 people and the only other option Page 4 Nota Bene January 14, 2009 Features SB A Corner: Celebrating Obama Welcome to Spring With Champagne

Semester BY JOON SONG Columnist

BY BRETT SHEATS Special to the Nota Bene Someone whispered to me in the effervescent wines you can find outside lard lounge a few months ago: "Joon— of France or, if you prefer to stay ir you should rent out your apartment for France, outside the Champagne ap Welcome back to school for the In addition to these events, the he Inauguration... people are getting pellation. spring semester! It always seems as if the SBA is working together with the un­ 51000 a night!" When I heard that I As part of my civic duty, I hostec spring semester goes by in a flash of an dergraduate SA to organize a public bought a few things. First, I thought a champagne/sparkling wine tasting eye -prob ably because there are so many service event later in the spring. The 3f asking Professor Swaine to draft me a to find some good bargains. The leasi events to enjoy. The SBA w ill be quite student chapter of the ABA has chosen fool-proof sublease. Second, I thought expensive was a cava from Spain foi busy over the next few months. Here's a a public service initiative this year focus­ af taking a bath in Dom Perignon. $10.99; the most expensive was French quick rundown of some of the highlights ing on helping veterans receive legal as­ Of course, this sublease bubble and approximately $35. Joining me was of the upcoming semester. sistance. We hope to join in the ABA's ias all but burst for most of us, but my roommate and six others from hi; First, we have our annual GW Law initiative by helping homeless veterans :he reason for the mania—Obama's work, our college, and their significam Ski Trip to look forward to at Snowshoe, in the DC area and giving back to our nauguration!—is still here. This means others WV this upcoming weekend. The trip community. i four-day weekend, millions of mer­ I've never done a champagne/ has expanded to 184 law students this Of course, students will be busy rymakers, and, well—it means that all sparkling wine tasting before, so I didn' year and promises to be an epic event. with classes just like any other semester iround the city people will be popping know quite how to conduct the event—] The bus ride home on Monday (the day here at GW Law. I'd like to encour­ mottles of champagne and sparkling figured, though, that I would go frorr before the Inauguration) may be the age students to take advantage of the wine. You might soon find yourself in lower sugar content to higher, and frorr longest in the history of the GW Law www.gwsba.com outline bank in order your local liquor store, staring longingly lighter body to fuller body. Cham Ski Trip, but hopefully the memories of to make their lives a little bit easier it the beautiful bottles lined up along pagnes start at less than three grams of the trip itself will make the slow drive throughout the semester and once finals he aisles. sugar per liter with brut natural ther more bearable. arrives. There is a great selection of But what champagne to buy? increase in sugar content from extra Later in the semester the SBA will outlines for many classes and profes­ There are a few immutable truths brut, brut, extra sec/dry, sec, demi-sec be organizing the annual Barrister's Ball sors. As always, please feel free to send :o champagne buying. First, everything to doux, which clocks in with greatei and GW Law Games. As many of you your outlines to [email protected] and :hat is sparkling is NOT champagne. than 50 grams of sugar per liter. Wines remember, last year's GW Law Games we will be sure to post your submissions 'Champagne" properly refers to those made purely from chardonnay are gen i and Dean's Jeans Day) was rained out. to the outline bank. hat are made in the specific appella- erally lighter-bodied than counterparts Hopefully this year the weather will be I wish all of you the very best in ion or region in France, also known made also with pinot noir and/or pinol more cooperative and the event will go the semester to come. For some of us, is Champagne. Californian "cham­ meunier, the two other standard cham off without a hitch. All of your favorite it will be the very last semester we have pagnes" are more properly classified pagne varietals. Roses are usually fullei events wittbe making a return aYong vntb Yiere at GW Law. "No matter if you are is sparkling wines, while those of other than regular champagnes. some new additions. As soon as we have a 1L, 2L, or a 3L, I h ope you have an :ountries go by many different names Thus, the first wine we tried, the dates for these events nailed down, we enjoyable, balanced, and memorable ;uch as cava in Spain or prosecco in Charles de Fere Blanc de Blancs Reserve will be sure to let you know. semester. 'taly. Second, C is for Cook's—and col- Brut, was one I thought would have the ege: leave that stuff to the undergrads. lightest body. "Blanc de Blancs"—liter­ rhird, it's not required that you break ally "white of whites"—is generally a he bank to buy and drink some high- sparkler made exclusively from char quality bubbly. California, especially, donnay or, in this case, at least from al nakes some good sparkling wines, and white-skinned grapes. The Charles de :here are a huge variety of sparkling or See Wine on Page 5

through pro bono work." Attorney's office." There has been some question­ Schoone-Jongen says the plan ing around school about why the SHN as of now is to return next year and doesn't branch out and visit areas af­ keep on working. It's been over fected by hurricanes, many suggesting three years since Hurricane Katrina Galveston, Texas which was ravaged made her initial impact, and there is by Hurricane Ike this past September. still so much work to be done. Still, SHN member 2L Terence Schoone-Jon- McGough alludes to that indelible gen lays out two reasons saying "things NOLA spirit we all hear about saying, [were already] in place for going [to "I never got a sense from the folks New Orleans] before the TX hurricanes, there that rebuilding isn't possible or on the one hand, plus we have alumni better yet, probable. The SHN trip contacts in New Orleans, as well as allowed us to feel - in a very small way our special relationship with the City - like we were a part of that sense of possibility."

Photo by Haydee Dijkstal Hurricane from page 1. money helps to cover the high cost of air­ fare, hotels, transportation and food. The summary judgment while there, which is SHN also benefits financially from the his assignment in LRW this semester. 1L deans, as well as from its position under Christopher Yook was also assigned to the the umbrella of EJF. EJF board member City Attorney's office and echoes Onufer's and SHN Co-Chair 2L Kathie Carroll sentiments about having a substantive explains this relationship: legal experience saying "I appreciated the "SHN is subsumed under the EJF high level of responsibility my supervising umbrella for the simple reason that the attorney entrusted me with." annual trip has been and continues to be The enthusiasm students express the major pro bono effort EJF puts forth on their return from New Orleans mir­ every year. EJF works to promote public rors that with which they signed up for interest lawyering in whatever form it and supported the trip. Turn out is up may take. While our primary focus has by six attendees this year, and there was always been to help students who want even a small wait list. As a result the to pursue public interest careers, we also SBA matched the student body's fervor want to encourage those students who monetarily contributing $3500 to ease choose other career paths to continue to the financial burden on participants. This Photo by Kathie Carroll promote and pursue the public interest Page 5 Nota Bene January 14, 2009 Features Music Review: Top Albums of 2008

BY RF.ID COPLOFF Columnist

Debuts and throwbacks. Those are the two themes among the best albums of 2008. It seems that many of the acts releasing the best music in 2008 were interested in having their music sound like it was from a different era, whether that era is 1930 Appalachia, 1960s Motown, or 1980s hip hop. So here they are, my 25 favorite albums of 2008, each of which helped make my 2008 brighter.

25. The Last Shadow Puppets -Th e Pajamas" off-guard with an album of understated, 6. Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Age of the Understatement 18. The Felice Brothers - The Felice catchy tunes that could have been record­ Line The side project of Arctic Mon­ Brothers ed by girl groups in the 60s. Best track: Wimpy sensitive guy music key's frontman Alex Turner hearkens These upstate New Yorkers wear "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" featuring a string section, Ra Ra Riot's back to 60's style Brit pop with a heaping their backwoods upbringing on their 12. Drive-By Truckers - Brighter debut album is about ten times better side of strings. Best track: "Standing Next sleeves and sound like a modern-day ver­ Than Creation's Dark than it has any right to be. Best track: to Me" sion of the Band, if the Band made sure to Riotous album proves that all is "Ghost Under Rocks" 24. Blizten Trapper - Fun- always have a beer opener attached to the well with the Truckers even in light of the 5. Fleet Foxes -Fle et Foxes Portland's rootsy experimental­ side of their organ. Best track: "Frankie's departure of one of their three singer/ Rootsy debut from Seattle ists made the leap to Sub Pop records and Gun" songwriters. It rocks harder than anything indie folkers came out of nowhere to released their prettiest and most direct 17. Justin Townes Earle - The they've put out in the past 10 years. Best be named Pitchforkmedia's album of album. Best track: "Furr" Good Life track: "The Righteous Path" the year. Best track: "White Winter 23. Old Crow Medicine Show -Ten­ The son of Steve Earle and god­ 11. Kings of Leon - Only By the Hymnal" nessee Pusher son of Townes Van Zandt released a first Night 4. MGMT - Oracular Spectacu­ Bluegrass superstars mix it up on album so rough around the edges and With their fourth album, the lar their latest, branching out of their comfort old-timey that it makes his father sound Southern rock family finally fulfills their Electronic indie duo, MGMT's zone. They're still at their best when play­ like a glossy pop star. Best track: "Hard promise by creating music that is imme­ debut album used a spot in a movie ing the aggressive, wordy bluegrass. Best Livin'" diate, moving, and rollicking. Best track: trailer to take over the airwaves and track: "Alabama High-Test" 16. Sera Cahoone - Only As the "Use Somebody" deserved every moment of the atten­ 22. Raphael Saadiq - The Way I Day Is Long 10. The Cool Kids - The Bake tion they received. Best track: "Time See It The Seattle singer-songwriter's Sale to Pretend" Featuring guest spots from Jay-Z second album uses whispery vocals to cre­ Throwback Chicago hip-hop duo 3. Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever and Stevie Wonder, the neo-soul singer/ ate a haunting and enveloping experience. recorded a debut that sounds like they Ago producer's album sounds like it could have Best track: "Baker Lake" could be contemporaries of Run DMC. Justin Vernon receded to the been released by Motown in the mid-60s. 15. Girl Talk - Feed the Animals Best track: "Black Mags" woods of Wisconsin and recorded this Best track: "Love That Girl" The mash-up master uses 9. Hercules and Love Affair - Her­ stellar lullaby of an album full of lush 21. Jenny Lewis — A cid Tongue hundreds of recognizable samples to cules and Love Affair melodies and emotive vocals. Best For the second time, Lewis soundtrack the party of your dreams. It's hipster disco! NYC DJ Andy track: "Skinny Love" ditched her bandmates in Rilo Kiley and Let's keep hoping he avoids being sued out Butler is the mastermind behind the group 2. Nada Surf - Lucky recorded a rootsy sound that dwarfs her of existence. Best track: "No Pause" that also includes singer Antony Hegarty Known for their one hit, "Pop­ band's recent output. Best track: "Acid 14. Lucinda Williams - Little (of Antony and the Johnsons). Best track: ular," more than a decade ago, Nada Tongue" Honey "You Belong" Surf's latest indie pop gem is their best 20. TV On the Radio - Dear Sci­ The queen of modern alternative 8. Okkervil River - The Stand-ins album in a string of great ones. Best ence country music returns to form with an Okkervil River tell wordy little track: "Weightless" More of the same from the album full of jagged edges and passionate stories penned by frontman Will Sheff 1. The Hold Steady - Stay Posi­ hipster-approved noise rockers, layers of vocals. Best track: "Honey Bee" with an upbeat rootsy backdrop. Best tive sound that reveal beautifully complicated 13. She & Him - Volume One track: "Pop Lie" The best band of the decade, melodies. Best track: "Red Dress" Boy/girl duo comprised of Matt 7. Vampire Weekend - Vampire the Hold Steady's literate pub rock takes 19. The Spinto Band - Moonwink Ward (who typically records as folky M. Weekend their fourth album to the same excellent So catchy it should be a crime, Ward) and actress Zooey Deschanel (the Vampire Weekend lives up to heights they've become accustomed to: the Wilmington/Philadelphia area sex­ big sister in Almost Famous, and now the staggering hype by playing Afro-beat Album of the Year. Best track: "Maga­ tet pile hooks on top of hooks on their real-life fiance of Death Cab for Cutie's tinged pop-rock songs that get stuck in zines" sophomore release. Best track: "The Cat's Ben Gibbard) caught the music world your head. Best track: "A-Punk"

Wine from page 4. some to start her mornings. Virginia establishment, "Connections". After that, we had Roederer Estate's According to Westbrook, "it's trashy, and tors to do layout and advertising. But more than that, we need the Fere was the group's favorite, with a nose Brut Rose ($21.99), a Californian bubbly wonderful, and we love it." Although the thing that helps any publication of hazelnut and toast, a light, almost ethe­ made from chardonnay and a dose of still bar usually caters to a more local clientele, find its way into the hands of stu­ real mouthfeel, and notes of apple and (non-sparkling) pinot noir added to give every year now for the past six years GW dents, professors, and staff. it its pink color. It was pleasant, berries Law students have danced, hung out, and pear. Not properly champagne because it's We need you. on the nose and cherries and strawberry had a good time. Last year the bar even not made within that appellation, it was We need people to stir up jam in the mouth. The final wine, one hosted a wet t-shirt contest while the ski also one of the more reasonably-priced controversy on the Opinions pages. of my personal favorites, was the Piper- trip was in town. selections at $12.99. We need professors to submit Heidsieck Extra-Dry ($35.00), a true Still, Bianchi and Westbrook have Our next one, the St. Meyland Brut material about their research, ($11.99) is also a sparkling wine from champagne that is always refined, crisp, issued several warnings for first time ski trippers. First, Westbrook says, "it really their views, their connections to France. This sparkler had high notes of and well-balanced. is cold, so even if you've had a bit to drink students. We need readers to tell acidity and pronounced notes of berry. Drinking well never has to cost too and it feels like it'snot , it is." To help alle­ us what they turn to first, and what The next—and our least favorite—was much. The best value is the Charles de viate this concern, cabin leaders have been topics we should cover more often. Freixenet's "Cordon Negro" Brut, a cava Fere, which you can find at The Wine Spe­ appointed for all twenty cabins to ensure We need students to direct their from Spain. For $10.99, one would be cialist (2115 M St. NW). The Heidsieck that people are safe and responsible. Fi­ complaints to the people who will well advised to spend a dollar or two extra Monopole and ffiper-Heidsieck are excel­ nally, Westbrook warns, to be wary of the change things, to tell their senators, and purchase one of the bottles above. lent choices, as well. Of course, you can bus ride home: "The first thirty minutes is to get their voices heard. We need, The contrast between this wine and the splurge and get a bottle of Dom (that is, if all winding roads, which you don't notice in short, people to give a damn. others we had tried was pronounced; the you already cashed your refund check). on the way there, but you do notice when As the spring semester be­ tasters described it as "flat" and "plasti­ you're hung-over and sober." Neverthe­ gins, we face vast changes - our cine." Ski Trip from page 2. less, Westbrook, Bianchi, and many more once bright economic prosperity Next up was the Heidsieck Mono- are very excited to hit Snowshoe next has plummeted, jobs are scarce, pole "Blue Top" Brut ($32.99), a true hill, making for a quick trek up the stairs weekend for what should be another great there's tumult in the Middle East, champagne and a top 100 wine of 2007. It to begin skiing in the morning rather than ski trip experience. and change on the horizon. How had substantial body, with a great burst of having to take the lift to start your day. will this affect our own lives here effervescence at first sip. Apple cider and In addition to looking forward Editor from page 2. at GW? I don't know. But I intend slate, sharp and crisp. This was the official to hitting the slopes and relaxing with to find out. champagne aboard the ill-fated Titanic, friends, many returning ski trippers are in need of more people - reporters to So what are you going to do also excited to return to the local West which means that Lady Duff-Gordon had cover events, feature columnists, edi­ about it? Page 4 Nota Bene January 14, 2009 Features SB A Corner: Celebrating Obama Welcome to Spring With Champagne

BY JOON SONG Semester Columnist

BY BRETT SHEATS Special to the Nota Bene Someone whispered to me in the effervescent wines you can find outside lard lounge a few months ago: "Joon— of France or, if you prefer to stay ir /ou should rent out your apartment for France, outside the Champagne ap fie Inauguration... people are getting pellation. Welcome back to school for the In addition to these events, the 51000 a night!" When I heard that I As part of my civic duty, I hostec spring semester! It always seems as if the SBA is working together with the un­ bought a few things. First, I thought a champagne/sparkling wine tasting spring semester goes by in a flash of an dergraduate SA to organize a public jf asking Professor Swaine to draft me a to find some good bargains. The leasi eye -prob ably because there are so many service event later in the spring. The fool-proof sublease. Second, I thought expensive was a cava from Spain foi events to enjoy. The SBA will be quite student chapter of the ABA has chosen $10.99; the most expensive was French busy over the next few months. Here's a a public service initiative this year focus­ af t aking a bath in Dom Perignon. and approximately $35. Joining me was quick rundown of some of the highlights ing on helping veterans receive legal as­ Of course, this sublease bubble my roommate and six others from his of the upcoming semester. sistance. We hope to join in the ABA's las all but burst for most of us, but work, our college, and their significani First, we have our annual GW Law initiative by helping homeless veterans fie reason for the mania—Obama's others. Ski Trip to look forward to at Snowshoe, in the DC area and giving back to our nauguration!—is still here. This means I've never done a champagne/ WV this upcoming weekend. The trip community. i four-day weekend, millions of mer­ sparkling wine tasting before, so I didn'1 has expanded to 184 law students this Of course, students will be busy rymakers, and, well—it means that all know quite how to conduct the event—1 year and promises to be an epic event. with classes just like any other semester iround the city people will be popping figured, though, that I would go fforr The bus ride home on Monday (the day here at GW Law. I'd like to encour­ mottles of champagne and sparkling lower sugar content to higher, and from before the Inauguration) may be the age students to take advantage of the wine. You might soon find yourself in lighter body to fuller body. Cham longest in the history of the GW Law www.gwsba.com outline bank in order yrour local liquor store, staring longingly pagnes start at less than three grams of Ski Trip, but hopefully the memories of to make their lives a little bit easier it the beautiful bottles lined up along sugar per liter with brut natural ther the trip itself will make the slow drive throughout the semester and once finals fie aisles. increase in sugar content from extrt more bearable. arrives. There is a great selection of But what champagne to buy? brut, brut, extra sec/dry, sec, demi-sec. Later in the semester the SBA will outlines for many classes and profes­ There are a few immutable truths to doux, which clocks in with greatei be organizing the annual Barrister's Ball sors. As always, please feel free to send :o champagne buying. First, everything than 50 grams of sugar per liter. Wine: and GW Law Games. As many of you your outlines to [email protected] and fiat is sparkling is NOT champagne. made purely from chardonnay are gen remember, last year's GW Law Games we will be sure to post your submissions "Champagne" properly refers to those erally lighter-bodied than counterpart: (and Dean's Jeans Day) was rained out. to the outline bank. fiat are made in the specific appella- made also with pinot noir and/or pinoi Hopefully this year the weather will be I wish all of you the very best in :ion or region in France, also known meunier, the two other standard cham more cooperative and the event will go the semester to come. For some of us, is Champagne. Californian " cham­ pagne varietals. Roses are usually fullei off without a hitch. All of your favorite it will be the very last semester we have pagnes" are more properly classified events w\ttbe making a return along witb here at GW Law. No matter if you are is sparkling wines, while those of other than regular champagnes. a 1L, 2L, or a 3L, I h ope you have an ;ountries go by many different names Thus, the first wine we tried, the some new additions. As soon as we have Charles de Fere Blanc de Blancs Reserve dates for these events nailed down, we enjoyable, balanced, and memorable ;uch as cava in Spain or prosecco in Brut, was one I thought would have the will be sure to let you know. semester. Taly. S econd, C is for Cook's—and col- ege: leave that stuff to the undergrads. lightest body. "Blanc de Blancs"—liter Third, it's not required that you break ally "white of whites"—is generally a fie bank to buy and drink some high- sparkler made exclusively from char quality bubbly. California, especially, donnay or, in this case, at least from al nakes some good sparkling wines, and white-skinned grapes. The Charles de here are a huge variety of sparkling or See Wine on Page

through pro bono work." Attorney's office." There has been some question­ Schoone-Jongen says the plan ing around school about why the SHN as of now is to return next year and doesn't branch out and visit areas af­ keep on working. It's been over fected by hurricanes, many suggesting three years since Hurricane Katrina Galveston, Texas which was ravaged made her initial impact, and there is by Hurricane Ike this past September. still so much work to be done. Still, SHN member 2L Terence Schoone-Jon- McGough alludes to that indelible gen lays out two reasons saying "things NOLA spirit we all hear about saying, [were already] in place for going [to "I never got a sense from the folks New Orleans] before the TXhurr icanes, there that rebuilding isn't possible or on the one hand, plus we have alumni better yet, probable. The SHN trip contacts in New Orleans, as well as allowed us to feel - in a very small way our special relationship with the City - like we were a part of that sense of possibility."

Photo by Haydee Dijkstal Hurricane from page 1. money helps to cover the high cost of air­ fare, hotels, transportation and food. The summary judgment while there, which is SHN also benefits financially from the his assignment in LRW this semester. 1L deans, as well as from its position under Christopher Yook was also assigned to the the umbrella of EJF. EJF board member City Attorney's office and echoes Onufer's and SHN Co-Chair 2L Kathie Carroll sentiments about having a substantive explains this relationship: legal experience saying "I appreciated the "SHN is subsumed under the EJF high level of responsibility my supervising umbrella for the simple reason that the attorney entrusted me with." annual trip has been and continues to be The enthusiasm students express the major pro bono effort EJF puts forth on their return from New Orleans mir­ every year. EJF works to promote public rors that with which they signed up for interest lawyering in whatever form it and supported the trip. Turn out is up may take. While our primary focus has by six attendees this year, and there was always been to help students who want even a small wait list. As a result the to pursue public interest careers, we also , ** . / i. SBA matched the student body's fervor want to encourage those students who monetarily contributing $3500 to ease choose other career paths to continue to Photo by Kathie Carroll the financial burden on participants. This promote and pursue the public interest Page 5 Nota Bene January 14, 2009 Features Music Review: Top Albums of 2008

BY REID COPLOFF Columnist

Debuts and throwbacks. Those are the two themes among the best albums of 2008. It seems that many of the acts releasing the best music in 2008 were interested in having their music sound like it was from a different era, whether that era is 1930 Appalachia, 1960s Motown, or 1980s hip hop. So here they are, my 25 favorite albums of 2008, each of which helped make my 2008 brighter.

25. The Last Shadow Puppets - The Pajamas" off-guard with an album of understated, 6. Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Age of the Understatement 18. The Felice Brothers - The Felice catchy tunes that could have been record­ Line The side project of Arctic Mon­ Brothers ed by girl groups in the 60s. Best track: Wimpy sensitive guy music key's frontman Alex Turner hearkens These upstate New Yorkers wear "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" featuring a string section, Ra Ra Riot's back to 60's style Brit pop with a heaping their backwoods upbringing on their 12. Drive-By Truckers - Brighter debut album is about ten times better side of strings. Best track: "Standing Next sleeves and sound like a modern-day ver­ Than Creation's Dark than it has any right to be. Best track: to Me" sion of the Band, if the Band made sure to Riotous album proves that all is "Ghost Under Rocks" 24. Blizten Trapper - Furr always have a beer opener attached to the well with the Truckers even in light of the 5. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes Portland's rootsy experimental­ side of their organ. Best track: "Frankie's departure of one of their three singer/ Rootsy debut from Seattle ists made the leap to Sub Pop records and Gun" songwriters. It rocks harder than anything indie folkers came out of nowhere to released their prettiest and most direct 17. Justin Townes Earle - The they've put out in the past 10 years. Best be named Pitchforkmedia's album of album. Best track: "Furr" Good Life track: "The Righteous Path" the year. Best track: "White Winter 23. Old Crow Medicine Show -Ten­ The son of Steve Earle and god­ 11. Kings of Leon - Only By the Hymnal" nessee Pusher son of Townes Van Zandt released a first Night 4. MGMT - Oracular Spectacu­ Bluegrass superstars mix it up on album so rough around the edges and With their fourth album, the lar their latest, branching out of their comfort old-timey that it makes his father sound Southern rock family finally fulfills their Electronic indie duo, MGMT's zone. They're still at their best when play­ like a glossy pop star. Best track: "Hard promise by creating music that is imme­ debut album used a spot in a movie ing the aggressive, wordy bluegrass. Best Livin'" diate, moving, and rollicking. Best track: trailer to take over the airwaves and track: "Alabama High-Test" 16. Sera Cahoone - Only As the "Use Somebody" deserved every moment of the atten­ 22. Raphael Saadiq - The Way I Day Is Long 10. The Cool Kids - The Bake tion they received. Best track: "Time See It The Seattle singer-songwriter's Sale to Pretend" Featuring guest spots from Jay-Z second album uses whispery vocals to cre­ Throwback Chicago hip-hop duo 3. Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever and Stevie Wonder, the neo-soul singer/ ate a haunting and enveloping experience. recorded a debut that sounds like they Ago producer's album sounds like it could have Best track: "Baker Lake" could be contemporaries of Run DMC. Justin Vernon receded to the been released by Motown in the mid-60s. 15. Girl Talk - Feed the Animals Best track: "Black Mags" woods of Wisconsin and recorded this Best track: "Love That Girl" The mash-up master uses 9. Hercules and Love Affair - Her­ stellar lullaby of an album full of lush 21. Jenny Lewis — A cid Tongue hundreds of recognizable samples to cules and Love Affair melodies and emotive vocals. Best For the second time, Lewis soundtrack the party of your dreams. It's hipster disco! NYC DJ Andy track: "Skinny Love" ditched her bandmates in Rilo Kiley and Let's keep hoping he avoids being sued out Buder is the mastermind behind the group 2. Nada Surf - Lucky recorded a rootsy sound that dwarfs her of existence. Best track: "No Pause" that also includes singer Antony Hegarty Known for their one hit, "Pop­ band's recent output. Best track: "Acid 14. Lucinda Williams - Little (of Antony and the Johnsons). Best track: ular," more than a decade ago, Nada Tongue" Honey "You Belong" Surf's latest indie pop gem is their best 20. TV On the Radio - Dear Sci­ The queen of modern alternative 8. Okkervil River - The Stand-ins album in a string of great ones. Best ence country music returns to form with an Okkervil River tell wordy litde track: "Weightless" More of the same from the album full of jagged edges and passionate stories penned by frontman Will Sheff 1. The Hold Steady - Stay Posi­ hipster-approved noise rockers, layers of vocals. Best track: "Honey Bee" with an upbeat rootsy backdrop. Best tive sound that reveal beautifully complicated 13. She & Him - Volume One track: "Pop Lie" The best band of the decade, melodies. Best track: "Red Dress" Boy/girl duo comprised of Matt 7. Vampire Weekend - Vampire the Hold Steady's literate pub rock takes 19. The Spinto Band - Moonwink Ward (who typically records as folky M. Weekend their fourth album to the same excellent So catchy it should be a crime, Ward) and actress Zooey Deschanel (the Vampire Weekend lives up to heights they've become accustomed to: the Wilmington/Philadelphia area sex­ big sister in Almost Famous, and now the staggering hype by playing Afro-beat Album of the Year. Best track: "Maga­ tet pile hooks on top of hooks on their real-life fiance of Death Cab for Cutie's tinged pop-rock songs that get stuck in zines" sophomore release. Best track: "The Cat's Ben Gibbard) caught the music world your head. Best track: "A-Punk"

Wine from page 4. some to start her mornings. Virginia establishment, "Connections". After that, we had Roederer Estate's According to Westbrook, "it's trashy, and tors to do layout and advertising. But more than that, we need the Fere was the group's favorite, with a nose Brut Rose ($21.99), a Californian bubbly wonderful, and we love it." Although the thing that helps any publication of hazelnut and toast, a light, almost ethe­ made from chardonnay and a dose of still bar usually caters to a more local clientele, find its way into the hands of stu­ real mouthfeel, and notes of apple and (non-sparkling) pinot noir added to give every year now for the past six years GW dents, professors, and staff. pear. Not properly champagne because it's it its pink color. It was pleasant, berries Law students have danced, hung out, and We need you. on the nose and cherries and strawberry had a good time. Last year the bar even not made within that appellation, it was We need people to stir up jam in the mouth. The final wine, one hosted a wet t-shirt contest while the ski also one of the more reasonably-priced controversy on the Opinions pages. of my personal favorites, was the Piper- trip was in town. selections at $12.99. We need professors to submit Heidsieck Extra-Dry ($35.00), a true Still, Bianchi and Westbrook have Our next one, the St. Meyland Brut material about their research, champagne that is always refined, crisp, issued several warnings for first time ski ($11.99) is also a sparkling wine from their views, their connections to France. This sparkler had high notes of and well-balanced. trippers. First, Westbrook says, "it really is cold, so even if you've had a bit to drink students. We need readers to tell acidity and pronounced notes of berry. Drinking well never has to cost too and it feels like it's not, it is." To help alle­ us what they turn to first, and what The next—and our least favorite—was much. The best value is the Charles de viate this concern, cabin leaders have been topics we should cover more often. Freixenet's "Cordon Negro" Brut, a cava Fere, which you can find at The Wine Spe­ appointed for all twenty cabins to ensure We need students to direct their from Spain. For $10.99, one would be cialist (2115 M St. NW). The Heidsieck that people are safe and responsible. Fi­ complaints to the people who will well advised to spend a dollar or two extra Monopole ancjl Piper-Heidsieck are excel­ nally, Westbrook warns, to be wary of the change things, to tell their senators, and purchase one of the bottles above. lent choices, as well. Of course, you can bus ride home: "The first thirty minutes is to get their voices heard. We need, The contrast between this wine and the splurge and get a bottle of Dom (that is, if all winding roads, which you don't notice in short, people to give a damn. others we had tried was pronounced; the you already cashed your refund check). on the way there, but you do notice when As the spring semester be­ tasters described it as "flat" and "plasti­ you're hung-over and sober." Neverthe­ gins, we face vast changes - our cine." Ski Trip from page 2. less, Westbrook, Bianchi, and many more once bright economic prosperity Next up was the Heidsieck Mono- has plummeted, jobs are scarce, hill, making for a quick trek up the stairs are very excited to hit Snowshoe next pole "Blue Top" Brut ($32.99), a true there's tumult in the Middle East, to begin skiing in the morning rather than weekend for what should be another great champagne and a top 100 wine of 2007. It and change on the horizon. How having to take the lift to start your day. ski trip experience. had substantial body, with a great burst of will this affect our own lives here In addition to looking forward effervescence at first sip. Apple cider and at GW? I don't know. But I intend to hitting the slopes and relaxing with Editor from page 2. slate, sharp and crisp. This was the official to find out. friends, many returning ski trippers are champagne aboard the ill-fated Titanic, in need of more people - reporters to So what are you going to do also excited to return to the local \Vest which means that Lady Duff-Gordon had cover events, feature columnists, edi­ about it? January 14, 2009 Page 6 Nota Bene FEATURES Bar Brief: Semester Parties Edition Ask Yunji! BY YUNJI KIM Columnists BY SET SAMII AND LISA STRAUSS Columnists

Dear Yunji,

I want to take better careof myself in 2009, but I'mhaving a hard time quitting all of my bad habits. Do you have any tips on how to eat better, quit smoking, quit drinking, and engage in healthier relationships?

Yours truly, Unhappily Bloated in the Hard Lounge.

Dear Unhappily Bloated,

You smoke, drink, and enjoy unhealthy (a.k.a. tasty) food and dysfunc­ tional relationships? It sounds like you're having a lot of fun. Are you sure you want to stop? If you are, here are some ways to engage in healthier habits that will never be endorsed by Oprah: 1. To eat better: boycott ABR 2. To quit smoking and drinking: get a boyfriend/girlfriend who can't toler­ ate cigarettes or alcohol. Alternately, you can repeatedly Youtube discouraging Trust Us, We 're Experts public service ads (remember that video of the woman smoking through the hole in her throat?). We promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. As 3. To engage in healthier relationships: I've got nothing for you. Go ask future members of the DC Lawyers Assistance Program, we are proud to present a Ann Landers. bi-weekly run-down of DC hotspots. We'll try to review new bars, but this week we're No matter what the results are, any effort to improve your well-being is doing a review of McFadden's and Brass Monkey, the December 11th and 12th bar bound to have a positive effect on your life. Good luck in your ventures! selections for post-finals parties. Happy belated New Year everyone! Before getting into this review, we'd like to re-introduce ourselves to you, our now faithful readers. Set is a recent graduate of George Washington University and Sincerely, DC's very own former bar wench. You might have already met her at Bar Review, Yunji since every Friday at least 10-15 new people know her by name and have an inside joke with her. Lisa, fresh from the Chicago working world, is thrilled to be in a new Got a question about what's going around the law school, Foggy Bottom, city, with new bars. You might also have met Lisa at Bar Review, especially if she or the world in general? Email [email protected] and ask what's on your toxXxwe racVeA yovr ar\d asVed for o\it\"\T\es. mind. Yunji has the answer! McFadden's: 1L Post-Finals Party Case: December 11,2008 Review of McFadden's, located at 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Obviously everyone at GW has been to McFadden's either for a bar review, Ethics from page 2. football game, or a happy hour before night-time LRW, but we were interested to see I actually think Professor Burger is the level of debauchery first year law students could achieve with a tab post finals. for our reputation? What impact does it a nice person, and I know he genuinely Facts: McFadden's is a chain bar/restaurant known for its cheap drink specials have on students' impression of the school cares about his students. But this is Law and undergraduates dancing on the bar. We weren't thrilled with it as the selection for and faculty? When these same students School. The stakes are high, and the bar the 1L post-final party, but as Aston residents, it was certainly convenient on a cold are asked in a few years to rate GW for students and teachers must be high as and rainy Thursday night. There's nothing we can't tell you that you probably don't against Georgetown or NYU, how will it well. Adjunct faculty are no exception, already know about this bar and the type of behavior it condones. Let's just say what impact the rankings calculation? If other happens at McFadden's stay at McFadden's. especially with so many classes at the Law schools knew about this, what would they School being taught by adjunct profes­ Issue: Why were bartenders rude and why weren't shots included in the tab? think of us? These are the questions that Holding: After all of our bitching about the rather trite location, it turned out to sors. Professors like Gilligan, Cohen and the Deans should be asking themselves. Friedland are not kept on because they are be perfect for our post finals falling off the wagon. After an entire month of not party­ Dean Lawrence himself should have ing, it was probably better for all parties involved that the tab ran out early, that shots nice, or because it is convenient not to hire volunteered to teach Professor Burger's someone else. They are kept on because weren't allowed to be ordered, and that the doormen seemed extra sensitive to fights spring class rather than keep him on even and lushes (shout out to all our friends who got kicked out — we've got your back!) they add to the value of an education at one more day. Instead, we get to keep GW Law. Students and administration Rule: While we wouldn't support McFadden's as a bar review location, it ended spending our tuition on his paycheck. up being the ideal spot for the 1L finals fiesta. Everyone seemed to have a good time should demand nothing less. and for future reference, please keep the conversation regarding the semeser's last final to a minimum. Nobody likes a drunk person asking what you thought about the professor's proposed modification to the model penal code. Need to Get the Brass Monkey: All GW Finals Party Case: December 12,2008 Review of Brass Monkey, located at 2317 18th Street Word Out? NW. Again, probably everyone has been to Brass Monkey, but we were curious to see what would happen when three classes of relieved and exhausted GW Law students were thrown together in one of Adams Morgan's most notorious locations. Advertise in Facts: Brass Monkey is a multi-level, multi-themed watering hole located in the heart of Adams Morgan. The majority of GW Law students were centered in 1/8 Page $75 (20 square inches) the lounge area upstairs and on the top floor with only a few brave souls making it down to the dance floor on the main level (where, if they were lucky, they witnessed 1/4 Page $125 (40 square inches) a hectic dance off featuring one particular Nota Bene staff writer). 1/2 Page $200 (80 square inches) Issue: Why didn't GW also have a tab at Jumbo Slice? Full Page $300 (160 square inches) Holding: We missed the tab (having had a little too much fun the night before), but it seemed like most of the 2Ls and 3Ls had plenty to drink by the time we got there. Many a law student was seen canoodling so we know the drinks at this place were potent. We heard a rumor that pizza was available in the bar but, saving space for our beloved Jumbo Slices (and empanadas), we wouldn't want some cheap imita­ Email [email protected] tion taking up valuable stomach room. for our publishing schedule. Rule: The bar's large space, stiff drinks and fun music made for an altogether enjoyable experience. Or maybe it was the delirium from not having slept for a month. Either way it was a good time had by all and we can't wait to do it all again in 4 months.

Do you have suggestions, comments, concerns or just need a bar recommenda­ tion? Email us at [email protected]. Page 7 Nota Bene January 14, 2009 FEATURES

TERENCE G. SCHOONE-JONGEN De Novo Days Tour de Spring Semester

Greetings, fellow travelers! Let me Show (I'm allowed to say that, as the if the LRW program is auctioning off at high school prom? The answer is no. welcome you to Spring Semester, 2009. Assistant Director) after a hard day of the naming rights to next year's 1L That turkey wrap was perfectly good; I My name is Terry and I've appointed mock trial-ing. Moreover, you'll be able spring moot court problem. Which have no idea why the guy in room 708 myself your tour guide for the afternoon. to get into the Law Revue After Party they most assuredly did last year. Oh didn't finish it. Waste not, want not! Can I get everyone's name? Great! Wow, (tab included) if you come to the show! yes, they did. But quite apart from be­ 5. As we conclude our tour, you what a diverse, interesting group! Now Get your ticket.. .as soon as they go on ing a way to force an entire generation will notice that we are now squarely in that we know each other, let's get started! sale! to learn how to pronounce your last front of the year-end party. Please note As you can see from your ticket, we're 2. Up ahead, and well before name, the auction is a way to help your the fine late-Edwardian architecture on going to take a look at the top five high­ Law Revue, you will notice the histori­ public interest friends get a summer the faqade. There really isn't much else lights to watch for this semester. Please cal Van Vleck Moot Court Finals. This stipend—assuming they put in enough to tell about this monument to human keep your hands and feet inside the bus is not to be missed—it is one of the rare volunteer hours. accomplishment; it stands as a reminder at all times! There were no selection opportunities to see that noble judicial 4. That racket you hear com­ that, against all odds, somehow you can criteria for these highlights. Nor is there beast, Justice Antonin Scalia, outside of ing from over that embankment is none survive the Spring. You may not be sure any particular order. Onward! his natural habitat. Do not try to feed other than Barrister's Ball. What do how you did it by the time you get there, 1. On your left, you will see him eucalyptus leaves; when provoked, you think of when I say "high school but you will have. All the late nights fin­ the Law Revue Show. It will be held on he can turn deadly. Well, acerbic, any­ prom?" The correct answer is prob­ ishing your brief, all the practice sessions Saturday, February 21, in the evening. way. You should, however, try to get ably "misery" or "disgrace." Possibly for skills boards competitions when you To all of you lLs, you might recognize your ticket as soon as is feasible, because both. Well, Barrister's Ball is where we realize you don't know anything about this date as the date of another spring they go fast. Get on down the road to all make up for the unmitigated disas­ evidence, all the moments in Property highlight that barely missed today's tour: the Lisner Box Office today! ter that was supposed to be the most when you must face the fact you don't un­ the Spring Mock Trial Competition. Do 3. Over to your right, you will magical evening of your young life. For derstand the rule against perpetuities-—all not let the fact that these two events fall notice the EJF Auction. Besides being yours truly, last year's installment easily of that will be solidly behind you. Ahead on the same day dissuade you from doing one of the best causes on which you defeated high school prom in terms of of you will be a bright future...and FRP. both. There is no reason you can't come can spend your ill-gotten gain/loans in fun. For example, was I able to wan­ Bon voyage! watch your peers humiliate themselves these parts, it can be an opportunity for der the halls of a hotel scavenging the while attempting to be "funny" at the glory and unparalleled fame, especially remains of someone else's room service Disappointed from page 2.

Comparing the Fall 2008 and Spring popular offerings, Constitutional Law make a lot of sense to me. The dynamic of the latter is multi-faceted 2009 course listings, it's not surprising that II and Professional Responsibility and - there obviously is the individualistic so many people have been disappointed. Ethics, are each also offered one fewer Second from page 2. feel-good factor in addition to the societal Just look at Corporations and Trusts & times this semester than last. Most self interest, "broadly defined," which Estates, two of the school's most popular surprising, Federal Income Tax is being question that it gives pause to many, in turn really amounts to a sort of gen­ classes. In the fall, Trusts & Eestates offered three fewer times this semester and has lead to much killing in various erational selfishness. We all have heard was offered at two different times, twice than last. Another issue was that many deities' names over the centuries. the rhetorical "leave things better for our a week during the day, as well as twice a popular classes are being offered at the Maybe it's because everything children, and our children's children" week at night. This semester this has been same times, exacerbating the problems goes by so quickly in life: even through - and I also used a parallel phrase a mere reduced to one day time and one evening posed by reduced offerings. the narrow lens of law school, we know paragraph ago. Politicians thrive on it, session. Corporations in the fall was of­ I'm sure there are many factors that the 3Ls are nearly out of here and they all campaign on it, and voters hope fered in the same respect: two sessions that go into when classes are offered, many are already well into their third that they really mean it. But from time twice a week during the day, and a night such as the availability of the profes­ bout of senioritis, and 2Ls are already to time we have lengthy periods such as session twice a week. This semester there sors, certain classrooms, and which half-way done. The lLs are still in the the one in which we are living now, where is no night offering, and the day times have classes are generally more popular in a peak of their pain, but after they get the rhetoric of noble ends has failed - the been changed to one two-a-week and one particular semester. However, the sud­ their grades back (hopefully sometime world does not seem to be a better place four-times-a-week session (not surpris­ den reduction in the number of times before Spring finals), they'll be able to now than it was before. Actions of prior ingly, the twice a week session was the one this school's most popular classes are refocus their anxieties once again, and generations have left us responsible for the overbooked by 80 students). Other offered is something that just doesn't in retrospect, the time will have flown cleaning up their messes. by. Of course all of us have something But with every tragedy comes op­ in common - trying to figure out how portunity, in this case, the opportunity to to decide what we want to do with our­ redefine ourselves and our communities Hearsay selves, either over the summer, or when in our own searches for meaning. So long we get out of school, or as an ideal job as we know that we don't have to define Function: noun at some future time. And in that way, ourselves by the grades we get or the job 1 : som e random evidence term the sense of finiteness and finality can offers that may or may not be coming to 2 : hilari ous statements made around GW La w either be devastating or liberating. us right now, we can pull ourselves up and We can choose not to care and little by little contribute to the rebuilding think that nothing we will ever do will that must be done. If we always had it actually matter, because helping those easy, we would never appreciate what we less fortunate than ourselves won't keep Overheard in Criminal Procedure: have, and what we're capable of doing. the Earth from slowing down, or the We should know by now that, just as there "We don't have superman anymore because we don't sun from going dark, or the universe is more to life than the law school admis­ have telephone booths and he would have nowhere from expanding into cold oblivion. sions process, there is also more out there to change." , Because, hey, when it's all over, there than fall recruitment programs or firms won't even be anyone around to read or clerkships. We law students tend to be our cave paintings. Overheard in Contracts: a risk-averse group. 2009 brings us the Or, we can choose to thrive - we opportunity to buck that trend and make ""Why didn't they give them price protection in this can take risks, we can help others even the life we want for ourselves, rather than instance? Did the milk of human sympathy run dry?" if for no reason other than to help our­ merely follow the path that in any other selves, and we truly can "carpe diem" time over the past 50 years would have and live for the adventure, along the Overheard in the hard lounge: been laid out for us. way taking advantage of all the gifts "Dude, what happened to all those chicks with with which we have been blessed, and mustaches? work to leave the world better than what we've had before. Hear something funny in class or around the law Selfishness can be the drive of either viewpoint. In the case of the school? Email Hearsay at [email protected] former, there is the obvious self-interest, "narrowly defined" as Mill might say. Page 8 Nota Bene January 14, 2009 THE BACK PAGE

ARIES (MARCH 21—APRIL 19) ON .. I'm not your boyfriend, so I can be honest: Yes, you do look fat in that outfit. TAURUS (APRIL- 20—MAY 20) There are those that age well, and then there's you.

GEMINI (MAY 21—JUNE 21) DOCKET Learn some restraint. People around you are starting to get creeped out by your highlighter huffing.

CANCER (JUNE 22—JULY 22) law school events Might as well quit now - you'll never be as edgy as the new bearded Colby.

LEO (JULY 23—AUG. 22) Thursday January 14 Diamonds are forever, unlike your brief-writing skills. Remember practice makes perfect. SBA Blood Drive January is a particularly difficult month and each donation can VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) save up to 3 lives! We strongly encourage advance sign-up. To Scratch n' sniff.... you know you miss it.

sign up e-mail [email protected] or call Sharon Garra LIBRA (SEPT. 23—OCT. 23) at 941-625-9980. The ski trip is going to be awesome for you. Unless you're actually skiing. 10:00-4:00pm, Hard lounge. Otherwise, good luck with that hangover on the lifts! SCORPIO (OCT. 24—NOV. 21) Student Animal Legal Defense Fund General Meeting Avoid the library.

Come find out how to be involved with SALDF this semester! SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22—DEC. 21) 5:00-6:00pm, B418. If fate had a dollar for every time I thought how awesome you were... Well I'd have a dollar.

Monday January 19 CAPRICORN (DEC. 22—JAN. 19) Martin Luther King, Jr. Day I know your New Year Resolution is to lose weight, and thats great and all, but its your breath we really have to talk about. No classes held. AQUARIUS (JAN. 20—FEB. 18) Celebrating Change: BLAA Cocktail Reception I saw you pick up that 20 dollar bill on the floor, and, guess what, it was mine. And I want it back. A Black Law Alumni Association cocktail reception in honor of Inauguration Day 2009 and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, PISCES (FEB. 19—MARCH 20) featuring remarks by GW Law Professor Spencer Overton. By You will find true love on Flag Day. Or watching The Simpsons. invitation only. RSVP required no later than Jan 12 to alum- [email protected] or 202.994.7166. Please include your name, guest(s) name(s), degree, year, and "BLAA event" in your message. 3:00PM - 5:00PM. Thursday January 29 Thursday January 22 New Faculty Research Assistant Training Session Van Vleck Constitutional Law Moot Court Finals If you are working as a faculty research assistant, reference Justice Antonin Scalia will be joined on the bench by Judge librarians of the Jacob Burns Law Library will be conducting Marsha Berzon of the United States Court of Appeals for the a training session specifically for you! Ninth Circuit and Judge Jeffrey Sutton of the United States 9:55-10:50am, S301. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, who previously clerked for Justice Scalia. Must have a ticket to attend. Saturday January 31 1:30pm, Lisner Auditorium. GW/Georgetown Public Sector Recruiting Program The program is a joint effort between the CDO and George­ Researching Multinational Protection of Intellectual town s Office ot Public Interest and Community Service. Pub­ Property lic interest and government employers will interview students This research session will focus on tools and strategies for from all class years for either permanent or summer positions researching the ways that countries and international organiza­ at their organizations. Last year, over 170 employers partici­ tions provide protection for intellectual property. pated in the program. Out of that, nearly 120 employers in­ 4:00-5:00pm, STU101. terviewed students right here on campus. Employers included local public defender's offices, state attorney's offices, gov­ Monday January 26 ernment agencies, legal services programs, and legal clinics. Deadline for Credit/No Credit Option For more information, contact Kathryn Parente, Recruitment Manager, [email protected] or Liza Ramirez, Assistant Oyez! Researching the Supreme Court Recruitment Manager, [email protected]. Come to this library research session to learn about a range of 8:30AM - 6:00PM, Marvin Center, 3rd Floor. resources for researching the Supreme Court. 3:50-4:45pm, STU201.