Student Scholarship Series, 2017

Washburn Law Journal held part one of its 2017 Student Scholarship Series on Monday, April 24, 2017, in Room 100 from 12:10-1:00 p.m. for members to present their work. Part two of the series was held Wednesday, April 26, 2017, in Room 100 from 12:10-1:00 p.m.

April 24, 2017 Presentations

Ethan Thompson will present his Comment, "HOA Foreclosures: Are Security Interests Still Secure? [SFR Investments Pool 1 v. U.S. Bank, 334 P.3d 408 (Nev. 2014)]." Mr. Thompson will cover the Ninth Circuit's decision to allow a Home Owner's Association to extinguish a first deed of trust despite due process concerns raised by the lenders.

Curry Sexton will present his Comment, "The Right to Not Bear Arms: How the Ninth Circuit Incorrectly Reviewed Gun Control Provisions and Eliminated a Law-Abiding Citizen's Right to Purchase Firearms [Wilson v. Lynch, 835 F.3d 1083 (9th Cir. 2016)]." Mr. Sexton will address how, without guidance from the Supreme Court regarding the appropriate standard of judicial review for Second Amendment issues, the Ninth Circuit incorrectly applied intermediate scrutiny to eliminate a lawful medicinal marijuana cardholder's fundamental rights.

Cody Robinett will present his Note, "Does Law School Have You Feeling Down?: How Mindfulness can Help Lead to a Healthier Mental State." Mr. Robinett discusses the alarming trend of poor mental health among attorneys and reports on the findings of his original research on mental health among law students. He then discusses one possible tool in helping combat high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.

April 26, 2017 Presentations

Matthew Wiebe will present his Comment, "Always Watching: Applying the Video Privacy Protection Act to Modern Technology [Ellis v. Cartoon Network, 803 F.3d 1251 (11th Cir. 2015)]." Mr. Wiebe will discuss recent court decisions interpreting the 1988 Video Privacy Protection Act and its application to mobile phone applications. Mr. Wiebe will argue for a more expansive interpretation that applies the spirit of the law to rapidly advancing technology.

Benjamin Donovan will present his Comment, "Employer-Employee Showdown: Will be Epic [Lewis v. Epic Sys. Corp., 823 F.3d 1147 (7th Cir. 2016)]." Mr. Donovan will provide an analysis of the Seventh Circuit's recent decision concerning the interaction between the Federal Arbitration Act and the National Labor Relations Act.

Donald McClellan will present his Note, "You Can't Restore What Was Never There: The Unconstitutionality of New State RFRA Laws." Mr. McClellan will discuss the changes to the definition of "religious exercise" as used in Religious Freedom Restoration Act laws and how the changes unconstitutionally expand, and ultimately harm, religious freedom.