Legal precedent

  • Henrietta Lacks’ Cells Changed Science Forever—But Did She Get Justice?

    In 1951, Henrietta Lacks, a 31-year-old Black woman from Virginia, unknowingly became one of the most important figures in modern medicine. While undergoing treatment for cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital, a sample of her cancerous cells was taken without her knowledge or consent. Unlike previous samples that quickly perished, Lacks’ cells, now known as…

  • Why ‘Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization’ Overturned ‘Roe v. Wade’

    In a landmark ruling that reshaped American constitutional law, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022), effectively overturning Roe v. Wade (1973). The Dobbs decision eliminated the federal constitutional right to abortion, returning the authority to regulate abortion laws to individual states. This ruling has sparked significant legal, political, and…

  • U.S. Supreme Court to Rule on State Bans of Conversion Therapy for LGBTQ+ Youth

    The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case challenging the constitutionality of state and local bans on conversion therapy, a controversial practice aimed at changing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The case, originating from Colorado, could have significant implications for free speech rights and professional healthcare regulations nationwide. The lawsuit was…

  • Case Study: The Landmark Case of ‘Brown v. Board of Education’ and Its Impact on Civil Rights Law

    Introduction Brown v. Board of Education (1954) is one of the most significant cases in the history of U.S. constitutional law. This landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the doctrine of “separate but equal” that had been established in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) and marked a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement.…

  • Marbury v. Madison (1803): The Case That Established Judicial Review and Shaped U.S. Legal Precedent

    In 1803, a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, Marbury v. Madison, established a crucial principle of American constitutional law: the power of judicial review. This case continues to shape the workings of the U.S. legal system today. To understand its importance, we must first look at the events that led up to the case, the…

  • Attorney Ben Crump to Premiere Documentary “How to Sue the Klan” On Sept. 17

    Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump will host a special screening of the documentary “How to Sue the Klan” at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) on Tuesday, September 17. The event, organized by UTC’s Division of Access and Engagement, will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center in…

  • Young Alaskans Sue State To Stop A $39 Billion Gas Pipeline

    In a bold move, eight young individuals are taking legal action against the Alaskan government, alleging that a massive new fossil fuel endeavor violates their constitutional rights. The lawsuit targets the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation’s proposed $38.7 billion gas export project, which, if realized, would significantly increase the state’s greenhouse gas emissions for decades. According…

  • Transgender Community In Tennessee Wants State’s Refusal To Amend Birth Certificates Declared Unconstitutional

    A federal appeals court convened on Thursday, May 2, to hear arguments regarding a longstanding Tennessee policy that prohibits transgender individuals from altering the sex designation on their birth certificates. Originally filed in federal court in Nashville in 2019, the lawsuit was brought forth by transgender Tennesseans who contend that the state’s restriction lacks a…

  • Supreme Court Refuses Mckesson v. Doe, Restricting Mass Protest Rights in 3 Southern States

    In a decision that has shaken the world of civil liberty advocates, the United States Supreme Court opted not to hear the case of Mckesson v. Doe. In effect, the apex court has upheld a lower court ruling that drastically curtails the right to organize mass protests in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The lower court’s…

  • Young Thug RICO Trial to Resume Amid Controversy Over Music Video Evidence

    The highly publicized RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) trial of rapper Young Thug and his YSL (Young Stoner Life Records) crew is set to resume this week in Georgia. The expected restart of the case makes it one of the lengthiest trials in the state’s history. Scheduled to pick back up on Wednesday,…