The victory of Obergefell v. Hodges has been heralded as marriage equality for all—but that goal remains out of reach so long as people with disabilities continue to face income penalties for tying the knot. Individuals enrolled in Supplemental Security…
In the summer of 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom took a day trip. Donning some casual clothes, a black baseball cap, and his Ray Ban aviators (retailing at a minimum of $180 per pair), he made his way to multiple homeless encampments throughout…
The Rise of Payday Lending To make almost any major life decision in the United States—such as leasing an apartment, purchasing a car, applying for a job, or securing a loan—you need a credit score.[1] More importantly, you need a good (or at least…
The U.S. has one of the greatest wealth gaps of any developed country in the world.[1] As the nation with the most billionaires[2] and the highest GDP,[3] the U.S. has a shamefully high poverty rate, with 11.5% of the population (37.9 million people)…
The following remarks were originally presented by Joshua M. Levin, Volunteer Staff Attorney, Tzedek DC[1] during the 2024 Labor Seder hosted by Jews United for Justice (JUFJ). I want to thank Rabbi Miriam Leibman and everyone at JUFJ for welcoming me…
Freedom and personal agency are some of the most lauded virtues and policy goals in the American culture. This post is neither going to address the broader philosophical/theological debate about free will nor if choice is an ontologically sound concept…
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), enacted in 1993 during President Clinton's administration, represented a groundbreaking step as the first national policy providing job-protected time off for eligible workers in the United States. Under this legislation…
Shannon Daves was arrested for a misdemeanor offense in Dallas County, Texas on January 17, 2018.[1] She was taken to the county jail and brought before a magistrate for a “hearing” to determine the amount of money bail she would be required to come…
The other day, a man stopped me on the sidewalk outside the Georgetown Law campus. “Excuse me,” he said, “which way should I walk to get to Germantown, Maryland?” It took me a moment to process his question—I was not sure where Germantown was…
“What is the most surprising thing you have seen?” “Little children working.” [1] ~ 1906 “An investigator wrote that he ‘observed another individual of slim build, small stature, and young‐looking facial features standing near conveyor…
