Author: Neil Schoenherr

In the years leading up to the unprecedented media coverage of transgender issues, Vanessa Fabbre, assistant professor at the Brown School, began researching the intersection of aging and gender transitions. The decisions people make about transition, Fabbre says, are a window into broader social forces: racism, sexism, classism and more.

President Barack Obama this week announced his intention to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The decision to open the facility in the first place was a bad idea in theory, made even worse in practice, said Leila Sadat, professor of law and renowned expert on international criminal law.

South Dakota is poised to become the first state to require transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms of their birth sex. The proposed law is already impacting the health and well-being of transgender Americans and their loved ones, said Vanessa Fabbre, assistant professor at the Brown School and an expert on gender transitions, especially later in life.

Zubik v. Burwell, a new challenge to the contraceptive mandate in the Affordable Care Act, wants to deliver a knockout punch to the mandate, according to Elizabeth Sepper, associate professor of law and an expert on health law. At stake is whether employees of religiously affiliated organizations such as universities, hospitals and charities, can be stripped of their rights to contraceptive coverage.

Edward T. (Tad) Foote II, dean of the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis from 1973-1980, died of complications from Parkinson’s disease Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in Cutler Bay, Fla. He was 78.

More than 100 local community leaders will convene Feb. 19 at the Brown School to help lay the groundwork for implementing strategies put forth by For the Sake of All, the multi-disciplinary project on the health and well-being of African Americans in St. Louis.

Apple is fiercely opposing a court order to unlock an iPhone used by San Bernardino shooter Syed Farook. The company is taking an important stand on behalf of its users’ privacy, and should be applauded, said Neil Richards, professor of law and privacy law expert.

In the wake of the unexpected death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, much speculation has arisen about who should be nominated to replace him, with Republicans vowing to block any nomination until after the November presidential election. That may not be the wisest course of action, according to a legal expert at Washington University in St. Louis.

Three experts on the Supreme Court from the School of Law will discuss the recent death of Antonin Scalia, his legacy and how his vacancy will be filled. The talk, “Justice Antonin Scalia: The Legacy and the Vacancy,” will be held from 12:05-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17. It is free and open to the public.

Jason Purnell, assistant professor in the Brown School, has been named recipient of the 2016 FOCUS St. Louis Leadership Award for his work on the For the Sake of All project.