Diary of a Mad Law Professor

Class Warfare Class Warfare

My son collects my change--the random coins that come from little daily transactions, the pennies, nickels and dimes that build up in my pockets.

Jan 30, 2003 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

The Enemy Within The Enemy Within

"Ask for a lawyer immediately upon your arrest," reads the little informational card the ACLU hands out to citizens.

Jan 16, 2003 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Strange Fruit Strange Fruit

I have a friend who is the only black person living in his luxury cooperative building. A few years back, there was a get-to-know-your-neighbor party.

Dec 23, 2002 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Reasons for Doubt Reasons for Doubt

When I was in college, I joined a court-watching project in Roxbury, Massachusetts. We observed criminal trials, then interviewed judges, lawyers and witnesses.

Dec 12, 2002 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Ask the Relativist Ask the Relativist

Dear Dr. Madlaw,    As a newly elected member of Congress, I am appalled at the high cost of living in Washington. What's a hard-working public servant to do?

Nov 26, 2002 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Take Two Aspirin Take Two Aspirin

Well, the elephant is out of the barn now. Congress is lost and whither Congress, so will go the courts.

Nov 14, 2002 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Theories of Relativity Theories of Relativity

During one pleasant dinner aboard the Nation cruise, one of my tablemates told an amusing story about Einstein giving a lecture in which he stated that he expected the solar sy...

Oct 31, 2002 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Home on the Range Home on the Range

There's a joke circulating on the Internet: A grandmother overhears her 5-year-old granddaughter playing "wedding." The wedding vows go like this: "You have the right to remain...

Oct 17, 2002 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

But Fear Itself But Fear Itself

It's a scary little world right now. Such wars of careless words. Such panic on every breeze. If Eskimos have a hundred words for snow, we have let bloom a thousand words for f...

Oct 3, 2002 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Infallible Justice Infallible Justice

I saw a puzzling banner on the door of a restaurant the other day. It was a flag flanked by two aphorisms: God bless America and America bless God.

Sep 19, 2002 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

x