Author Archives: Michael Froomkin

Off to New Haven for CFP’08

Posted on May 20, 2008 by Michael Froomkin

Today's plan:

USAir1.jpg

USAir2.jpg

Don't like those prop planes….

Posted in Talks & Conferences | 2 Comments

Text of Christopher Lomax’s Commencement Address

Posted on May 19, 2008 by Michael Froomkin

The University of Miami has two speakers at its commencement ceremony.

One is the “Advice to Graduates” given by someone with great experience of the legal system — usually but not always a senior lawyer or judge, sometimes a politician, once a reporter with extensive experience covering the Supreme Court.

The other is a student speaker, chosen from among self-selected applicants by a committee comprised of students, administrators, and the odd faculty member.

This year, the role of wise elder was played by Carolyn Lamm, one of our more distinguished alumni, who in addition to being a Partner at White & Case is also about to become the President-Elect of the ABA.

The student speaker this year was Christopher Lomax. He gave what is undoubtedly the best student speech I've heard in the 15 years I've been going to UM Law commencement exercises.

I've taken the liberty of reprinting it below. (As you might expect from a Moot Court champ, the delivery was excellent too.) You can also see the video — Mr. Lomax's speech is towards the end at 1:48 in the web cast.

Continue reading →

Posted in U.Miami | 1 Comment

Too Good To Wait for Next Friday

Posted on May 19, 2008 by Michael Froomkin

The folks at The Real McCain have done another video. It's a doozy.

Posted in Politics: McCain | 9 Comments

We Get Phone Calls

Posted on May 18, 2008 by Michael Froomkin

I am sitting at home, finishing up my wife's birthday Sunday brunch, we're about to move on to opening her presents before going off to the UM Law graduation ceremony this afternoon.

My cell phone rings. It's not a familiar number, and call ID says it's blocked.

Me: “Hello.”

Phone: [Silence]

Me: “Hello?”

Phone: [inaudible mumble … Michael … inaudible mumble]

Me: “This is Michael Froomkin. Who's this?”

Phone: “Hello, my name is [Redacted]. I got your name from the Internet and called your office, and got your cell number. I was wondering if you could tell me where I'm supposed to park for graduation?”

Me: “It depends on what sort of permit you have.”

Phone: “I don't have a permit. I'm just driving down to watch the ceremony. I was wondering if you could tell me where it's suggested we park.”

Me: “I'm a law professor, not a traffic warden. There is some parking, there might be signs, I don't know.”

Phone: [hangs up]

Posted in Law School | 6 Comments

Friday McCain Bashing

Posted on May 16, 2008 by Michael Froomkin
Posted in Politics: McCain | 4 Comments

Big Day In Congress on Iraq Votes

Posted on May 15, 2008 by Michael Froomkin

Matt Stoler argues that something really big happened in Congress today.

Open Left:: House Republicans Collapse on Iraq: Today, about 100 House Republicans refused to vote for more war funding, voting 'present'. They are trying to hand off the war to the Democrats, but even Democrats were able to increase their 'no' vote number on funding from 141 to 149.

…

This war is going to end because it is politically unsustainable. The Senate is going to add the funding back in and the House will make sure the money goes to the war, but recognize how big a deal this is. The Republicans in the House and the Senate are going to utterly collapse this fall, and Democrats will have a mandate to end the war. It's something Obama has promised to do, and now the political logic there is undeniable. The question is whether there will be residual troops in the country, and that is where we can have an impact.

He may be right. The “present” votes are odd and cowardly, and should make some good hay.

But this final bit of triumphalism is over the top: “The Republicans are going to face, as Tom Matzzie said, extinction, because they kept the war going.” No such luck. They may take a pasting, but as we've seen from the Democrats' return from the wilderness, it doesn't last.

Posted in Iraq | 1 Comment