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forms of relief,” Hoffman said. “Many immigrants rely on visas, called ‘TN’ visas, for example, which NAFTA
allows. However, these may also now be affected. Finally, some immigrants could face imminent deportation.”
Fortunately, Hoffman says, there are places where people in these situations can get help.
“The immigration clinic and other local organizations represent indigent clients in family-based and
humanitarian cases. It is important for this population to have strong representation because of the complexities
and difficulties of navigating the requirements of immigration laws.”
https://tinyurl.com/lqghzb2
ACCESS TO JUSTICE
Professor Renee Knake
Many individuals face legal problems, but they do not have access to legal help. Professor Renee Knake is
the Doherty Chair of Legal Ethics, and her research addresses the access to justice crisis. Professor Knake
discussed reasons some do not get the help they need.
“In some instances, cost can be a barrier,” she said. “The middle-class typically doesn’t qualify for legal aid and
may feel that a private attorney is too expensive. But, studies show that the main factor isn’t cost. It’s a lack of
information.”
To expand citizens’ access to justice, Knake offered these suggestions. “The Internet helps, but people still lack
knowledge about their legal needs,” she said. “Lawyers should be available where the public banks and shops are.
Legal checkups, similar to an annual physical, should be widely available. And more schools should provide public
education programs like The People’s Law School offered by UH.
https://tinyurl.com/kj94r5r
CONTRACT AS EVIL
Professor Peter Linzer
When you go online to buy a book or new music, you are entering into a contract. Contracts are
fundamental to our free enterprise system. Professor Peter Linzer thinks buyers need to be more aware.
“It’s gotten trickier because of computers, social media and on-line sellers like Amazon,” Linzer said. “Instead of
handing over cash and getting a book, now there’s a link to a ‘take it or leave it’ contract, and you have to check ‘I
accept.’ These are usually binding, whether you read them or not.”
Linzer has some examples of what could be in those agreements. “Sometimes you waive a trial by jury.
Sometimes it bars you from criticizing a product on Yelp,” Linzer said. “There’s a reaction building against this
stuff. But the strong rule remains, if you clicked ‘I agree,’ you’re stuck.”
https://tinyurl.com/n2d5ufn
FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF BUSINESSES
Assistant Professor James Nelson
The First Amendment gives all of us fundamental rights, but do these rights extend to for-profit
businesses? Assistant Professor James Nelson, who teaches corporate law, has written about this topic.
“Courts have said that businesses have free speech rights and that at least some businesses have rights of
religious liberty,” Nelson said. “But they have also said that businesses do not have First Amendment rights to
discriminate against individuals in violation of the law.”
But when it comes to nonprofit organizations, it’s a little different. “Nonprofits have free speech and religious
liberty rights, as well. But certain non-profits may also have First Amendment rights to exclude people who are
protected by antidiscrimination law,” Nelson said. “So, for example, the First Amendment might allow a nonprofit
youth organization to expel one of its leaders based on their sexual orientation, while a for-profit business that
sells children’s clothing cannot engage in that kind of discrimination.”
https://tinyurl.com/kay3bmc
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