SLU Law Journal Online

Welcome to the Saint Louis University Law Journal Online! The Law Journal Online accepts submissions via email at sluljour@slu.edu; be sure to include "Online Journal Submission" in the subject line. We generally publish shorter essays of around 2,000-6,000 words, including footnotes; submissions over 6,000 words will automatically be rejected. Submissions to the Law Journal Online are considered on a rolling basis as editing capacity permits. We endeavor to evaluate all submissions promptly, but we may not be able to review all submissions when submission volumes are high.

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Discharging Student Loans in Bankruptcy

Zachary Langrehr

This article by Zachary Langrehr discusses the Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2019 and provides an overview of the current law governing the dischargeability of private educational debt.
President Donald Trump Has the Authority to Build the Wall Using Executive Funds

Jason Kusnerick

In this article, Jason Kusnerick argues that President Donald Trump has the authority to build the wall on the southern border of the U.S. by using executive funds against Congressional approval.
The Supreme Court to Consider Warrantless Blood Draws

Javairia Khan

In this article, Javairia Khan discusses how the Supreme Court has granted certiorari to hear a Wisconsin case about the constitutionality of warrantless blood draws of unconscious motorists.
Missouri: The Puppy Mill Capital of the World

Jared Jones

Some suggest Missouri should adopt a law like California’s banning the retail sale of non-rescue dogs. Jared Jones argues that this would do little to change the state's reputation as the puppy mill capital of the world. Instead, Missouri must regulate breeders more restrictively.
An Ohio 'Test' Case Could Have Major Impact on Nation’s Fight Against Opioids

Jack James

State and local governments across the country are filing lawsuits against a number of companies they claim are liable for the nation's opioid crisis. One of the first major cases will play out this October in Ohio. Jack James discusses how its outcome could be determinative of what direction the fight is heading.
Six Myths of Capping Pain and Suffering Damages

Katherine Hubbard

States have been split on whether to uphold or drop non-economic damage caps on damages for decades, hoping to lower medical malpractice lawsuits and insurance premiums for physicians. In this article, Katherine Hubbard discusses six of the many myths surrounding the debate.
The Beginning of the Next BAC Revolution?

Ginny Hogan

In 1983, Utah led the charge in drunk-driving enforcement, lowering its legal BAC from 0.10 to 0.08. Now the Beehive State has once again lowed legal BAC limits. Ginny Hogan discusses whether this is the start of another BAC revolution.
Quotas: California’s Attempt to Crack Down on the Glass Ceiling

Jessica Gottsacker

California's law requiring a minimum number of women as board directors for the state's publicly held companies went into effect Jan. 1, 2019. The law aims for corporate equality, but it may face several legal battles before the end of the year. Jessica Gottsacker explains some of the law's shortcomings.
Will the President Succeed in Ending Birthright Citizenship?

Lindsay Gilmore

President Trump declared that he intends to eliminate birthright citizenship for non-citizens. Recognizing that an executive order to that effect would be challenged in the courts, this article by Lindsay Gilmore analyzes Supreme Court precedent and predicts the manner in which the courts would respond.
Raising the Bar: The ABA’s Pulling of Accreditation and Its Oversight in Legal Education

Alex Gass

The American Bar Association's role in accrediting and disciplining law schools has entered a new and contentious era: litigation. In this article, Alex Gass discusses the history of law school accreditation and the recent lawsuits against the ABA by law schools disciplined for their failure to adhere to ABA standards.
How Did College Basketball Land in Federal Court and Where Does it Go From Here?

Ben Gamble

Corruption in college basketball recruiting resulted in federal convictions and prison sentences for two former Adidas executives and a sports agency recruiter. With an alternate, professional basketball route now available to certain high school prospects and a pending NCAA investigation into the schools named at trial, Ben Gamble looks at where college basketball goes from here.
The Future of Anti-SLAPP Laws

Aaron Freeman

Aaron Freeman explains that even though anti-SLAPP laws have become an important protection for the exercise of First Amendment rights, their future in federal courts is uncertain.
Title VII and the Fair Housing Act: The Seventh Circuit Creates a New Cause of Action

Maysa Daoud

This article by Maysa Daoud discusses a newly devised test under which the Seventh Circuit assigned liability to a landlord for tenant on tenant sex-based harassment.
The Continuing Battle Over Net Neutrality

Mike Crawford

In this article, Mike Crawford discusses how net neutrality continues to be a heated debate about who has the right and ability to create laws that will impact the way information on the Internet is viewed.
Why Do Bail Abolition Advocates Oppose the California Money Bail Reform Act?

Jackie Coffman

For years, bail abolition advocates have pushed for a cashless bail system. In this article, Jackie Coffman discusses how California recently passed a bill to do just that – but not without some criticism.
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship v. University of Iowa

Onalee Chappeau

Onalee Chappeau discusses the ongoing case of The University of Iowa v. InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, including an analysis under a past Supreme Court decision and the suit's implications for pluralism on college campuses.
When Both Apply, Does Title VII displace Title IX in Employee-on-Employee Sexual Harassment Cases?

Ryan Butler

Ryan Butler explores the possibility of an employee-on-employee sexual harassment circuit split, causing some employees to have a remedy under only Title VII, while others may have remedies under both Title VII and Title IX.
Emoluments, The (Nearly) Unlitigated Clauses of the Constitution

Dan Blair

Dan Blair discusses the ongoing case of District of Columbia v. Trump, including the court’s definition of “emoluments” under the Constitution, and whether domestic and foreign government representatives staying at the president’s hotel violates the Domestic Emoluments Clause or the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the Constitution.
The Eighth Circuit Set to Grapple with Sexual Orientation Discrimination

Kenny Bohannan

In this article, Kenny Bohannon discusses whether the Eighth Circuit in the case of Horton v. Midwest Geriatric Management will determine that Title VII bars discrimination based upon sexual discrimination.
Contentious Contraception: The Controversial History of the ACA's Birth Control Mandate

Hannah Anderson

In this article, Hannah Anderson gives an overview of the Obama administration's contraception mandate and a preview of new lawsuits following the Trump administration's rollback.
Changes to the MHRA Raise Burden of Proof and Limit Damages for Plaintiffs

Megan Crowe

In this article, Megan Crowe discusses Missouri Senate Bill 43, passed by Gov. Eric Greitens on June 30, 2017, raising the burden of proof and enacting damage caps in employment discrimination cases filed under the Missouri Human Rights Act.
The Every Student Succeeds Act and Its Impact on Music Education

Laura Jarasek

In this article, Laura Jarasek discusses the Every Student Succeeds Act, its impact on music education and the importance of advocating for the arts.
The Constitutionality of PASPA

Kate Main

Kate Main discusses the Supreme Court's upcoming decision on the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA).
Is a Change in Admissibility the Answer? Mo. Art. I § 18(c)

Edward Radetic

In this article, Edward Radetic discusses a change in the Missouri Constitution that allows for the presentation of propensity character evidence at trial, for those accused of child sex crimes.
Missouri’s New Expert Witness Statute

Maggie Hummel

In this article, Maggie Hummel discusses the impact of Missouri's new expert witness statute.