Milan Markovic
@profmarkovic.bsky.social
Canadian law professor based in the US. I write about legal ethics, access to justice, and the future of law. My views are not those of my employers.
Pinned
Milan Markovic
@profmarkovic.bsky.social
· Dec 11
We lost our beloved dog Monty yesterday. A fiercely independent rescue, with strong likes (sunbathing, toy hedgehogs) and dislikes (rain, horses), he was a part of too many cherished moments to count. Rescuing Monty in 2013 was one of the greatest honors of my life. RIP--you were a very good boy.
I am reconsidering my opposition to judges using LLMs. A total clunker of an opinion.
Unless I missed an earlier one, it looks like we got Emil Bove's first published majority opinion last week. Judge for yourself. www2.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/251...
February 11, 2026 at 3:36 PM
I am reconsidering my opposition to judges using LLMs. A total clunker of an opinion.
Reposted by Milan Markovic
Breaking this down by year, job growth in 2024 was revised down by more than a quarter (-553k jobs), and 2025 was revised down by close to 70% (-403k jobs). 2025 was the weakest year for job growth since the pandemic, and before that since the Great Recession.
February 11, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Breaking this down by year, job growth in 2024 was revised down by more than a quarter (-553k jobs), and 2025 was revised down by close to 70% (-403k jobs). 2025 was the weakest year for job growth since the pandemic, and before that since the Great Recession.
Reposted by Milan Markovic
Donald Trump and the Republicans are threatening to destroy representative democracy while killing civilians, taking massive bribes, destroying alliances, and exploding costs. That's why it's so critical that the Democrats find candidates who are inspiring enough to get me to vote.
February 11, 2026 at 2:46 AM
Donald Trump and the Republicans are threatening to destroy representative democracy while killing civilians, taking massive bribes, destroying alliances, and exploding costs. That's why it's so critical that the Democrats find candidates who are inspiring enough to get me to vote.
Do we call this a Kavanaugh collar, @akalhan.bsky.social?
How do you reform this?
NEW via me and @alejacorazonhm.bsky.social: Cardinal Blase Cupich, who runs the Archdiocese of Chicago, says that DHS has stopped priests under his purview and demanded proof of citizenship “because of their color.” religionnews.com/2026/02/10/c...
February 11, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Do we call this a Kavanaugh collar, @akalhan.bsky.social?
How do you reform this?
NEW via me and @alejacorazonhm.bsky.social: Cardinal Blase Cupich, who runs the Archdiocese of Chicago, says that DHS has stopped priests under his purview and demanded proof of citizenship “because of their color.” religionnews.com/2026/02/10/c...
Cardinal Cupich says feds stopped priests, demanded citizenship proof
(RNS) — ‘I’ve had some priests who are of a different color being targeted and arrested — stopped — because of their color and asking them to prove that they’re citizens. That’s not America,’ the Chic...
religionnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:25 AM
How do you reform this?
Reposted by Milan Markovic
Appropo of our discussion, @profmarkovic.bsky.social.
Justpoint Law will operate as a personal injury and mass tort law firm under the alternative business structure framework. The Arizona Supreme Court approved its ABS application last July. www.law360.com/pulse... #Law360Pulse #BusinessOfLaw
Legal Tech Co. Justpoint Opens Arizona-Based Law Firm - Law360 Pulse
Justpoint, a justice technology company focused on public health, announced Tuesday the launch of Justpoint Law LLP, a law firm operating as an alternative business structure under Arizona law.
www.law360.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Appropo of our discussion, @profmarkovic.bsky.social.
As Josh notes, the second article in the Arizona Republic's series on the state's ABS program is also a must-read. Many of the people involved come across as oblivious (or worse). [Disclosure: I spoke to the reporter after she published the second article].
"Overall, at least half of the Arizona licensees do business in other states, according to a Republic review of the 130 participating firms as of September 2025.
Only one-tenth of the firms specifically emphasize Arizona on their website or marketing materials."
Only one-tenth of the firms specifically emphasize Arizona on their website or marketing materials."
February 10, 2026 at 7:33 PM
As Josh notes, the second article in the Arizona Republic's series on the state's ABS program is also a must-read. Many of the people involved come across as oblivious (or worse). [Disclosure: I spoke to the reporter after she published the second article].
Tough but fair.
U.K. might lose a prime minister because a guy who worked for him knew another guy who hung out with Epstein. Meanwhile the U.S. opposition party is telling our President, who was Epstein's best friend, that his secret police should get better training so their public street murders look less messy.
February 10, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Tough but fair.
The Arizona Republic has a shocking series on the state's experiment with alternative business structures. The reporting should be a wake-up call for the Arizona Supreme Court and the many legal ethicists who have pushed for these types of reforms nationally.
Arizona lets investors own law firms. Consumers pay the price
An Arizona program lets Wall Street investors and other nonlawyers own law firms. It's now trailed by consumer complaints.
www.azcentral.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:57 PM
The Arizona Republic has a shocking series on the state's experiment with alternative business structures. The reporting should be a wake-up call for the Arizona Supreme Court and the many legal ethicists who have pushed for these types of reforms nationally.
If you are an attorney based in SoCal and would be interested in assisting me with a very small professional negligence case, please reach out.
February 9, 2026 at 5:13 PM
If you are an attorney based in SoCal and would be interested in assisting me with a very small professional negligence case, please reach out.
Best. Halftime show. Ever.
February 9, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Best. Halftime show. Ever.
Reposted by Milan Markovic
After a generation of one side relentlessly using all of its power to shape the ideological composition of the federal courts, and the other side straining to show everyone how noble they are—fair and measured and eager to bind themselves by the norms of the past—you get this.
“Late Friday night, the Fifth Circuit adopted the extreme minority view—that the government can indefinitely detain without bond millions of non-citizens who have been here for generations; who have never committed a crime; and who pose neither a risk of flight nor any threat to public safety.”
208. The Fifth Circuit Jumps the Immigration Detention Shark
Late Friday, two of the nation's most right-wing circuit judges adopted an odious legal claim that district court judges from across the country (and ideological spectrum) have overwhelmingly rejected
www.stevevladeck.com
February 7, 2026 at 2:28 PM
After a generation of one side relentlessly using all of its power to shape the ideological composition of the federal courts, and the other side straining to show everyone how noble they are—fair and measured and eager to bind themselves by the norms of the past—you get this.
VanDyke would be a fitting nominee for this administration, but my money is on Judge Ho.
My weekly newsletter is up. Along with the usual assortment of fascism and sadness that is this country’s news cycle, I think Sam Alito just shadow dropped his retirement announcement with his book launch.
Is Samuel Alito Preparing to Disrobe?
In this installment of Elie v. US, our justice correspondent explores the week’s big legal news, including a possible Alito retirement. Also, the anti-trans mob’s latest target: tight clothing.
www.thenation.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:40 PM
VanDyke would be a fitting nominee for this administration, but my money is on Judge Ho.
As I argued then, a lawyer qua advisor has a duty to flag countervailing considerations and authorities. "Not frivolous" isn't the standard. scholarship.law.tamu.edu/facscholar/3...
February 5, 2026 at 11:39 PM
As I argued then, a lawyer qua advisor has a duty to flag countervailing considerations and authorities. "Not frivolous" isn't the standard. scholarship.law.tamu.edu/facscholar/3...
Reposted by Milan Markovic
I am not a Schumer fan--indeed, I think he should step aside--but credit where it's due. He anticipated that Rs would not agree to a set of *extremely* normie demands, and shutting down DHS over that is good politics.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Thursday that demands made by Democrats for new restrictions on federal immigration officers are “unrealistic” and warned that the Department of Homeland Security will shut down next week if they do not work with Republicans and the White House.
Homeland Security shutdown grows more likely as Republicans rebuff Democratic demands for ICE
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Thursday that demands made by Democrats for new restrictions on federal immigration officers are “unrealistic” and warned that the Department of Homeland Secu…
trib.al
February 5, 2026 at 10:16 PM
I am not a Schumer fan--indeed, I think he should step aside--but credit where it's due. He anticipated that Rs would not agree to a set of *extremely* normie demands, and shutting down DHS over that is good politics.
Reposted by Milan Markovic
"except in extraordinary and unusual circumstances" is a big enough loophole for a family of elephants to walk through. www.huffpost.com/entry/democr...
Democrats Ease Up On 1 Of Their Biggest ICE Demands
Masks might still be OK in "extraordinary and unusual circumstances," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said.
www.huffpost.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:32 AM
"except in extraordinary and unusual circumstances" is a big enough loophole for a family of elephants to walk through. www.huffpost.com/entry/democr...
Reposted by Milan Markovic
Some people will be tempted to think that having the state dictate faculty teaching loads we can repair trust in institutions and avoid authoritarianism when in actuality having the state dictate faculty teaching is part of an authoritarian program.
February 5, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Some people will be tempted to think that having the state dictate faculty teaching loads we can repair trust in institutions and avoid authoritarianism when in actuality having the state dictate faculty teaching is part of an authoritarian program.
Update. They are definitely sensitive about the Free Speech Rankings.
Are law faculty completing FIRE's survey? I am tempted to send a snarky email about the "Free Speech Rankings" instead.
February 4, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Update. They are definitely sensitive about the Free Speech Rankings.
Ms. Le is a 2023 grad. The administration is going to be sending interns to court soon.
This is unreal. An AUSA talking like that in open court is about as close as you can come to a total breakdown. Never heard of anything like it.
February 3, 2026 at 10:46 PM
Ms. Le is a 2023 grad. The administration is going to be sending interns to court soon.
This is a bit of historical revisionism. The idea was that these new firms would provide new delivery models and expand access to justice. But A2J has gone by the wayside as firms chase private equity dollars.
Proponents saw it as a way to help law firms — and small firms in particular — procure funding and resources to innovate and grow.
February 3, 2026 at 10:09 PM
This is a bit of historical revisionism. The idea was that these new firms would provide new delivery models and expand access to justice. But A2J has gone by the wayside as firms chase private equity dollars.
Reposted by Milan Markovic
TAMU AAUP condemns continued TAMU admin censorship, cancellations, misinformation, & betrayal of the public good.
February 2, 2026 at 7:32 PM
TAMU AAUP condemns continued TAMU admin censorship, cancellations, misinformation, & betrayal of the public good.
Reposted by Milan Markovic
Trump to Harvard: 2 billion $
NYT: Harvard to pay 2B$
Harvard: no
Trump: 1B
Harvard: no
NYT: Negotiations intensify
Trump: 200 million
NYT: Harvard-Trump reach deal
Harvard: no
Trump: 0$
Harvard: ok
NYT: Harvard not paying! Trump loses.
Trump: How about 1B$
Harvard: no
NYT: Negotiations resume!
NYT: Harvard to pay 2B$
Harvard: no
Trump: 1B
Harvard: no
NYT: Negotiations intensify
Trump: 200 million
NYT: Harvard-Trump reach deal
Harvard: no
Trump: 0$
Harvard: ok
NYT: Harvard not paying! Trump loses.
Trump: How about 1B$
Harvard: no
NYT: Negotiations resume!
February 3, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Trump to Harvard: 2 billion $
NYT: Harvard to pay 2B$
Harvard: no
Trump: 1B
Harvard: no
NYT: Negotiations intensify
Trump: 200 million
NYT: Harvard-Trump reach deal
Harvard: no
Trump: 0$
Harvard: ok
NYT: Harvard not paying! Trump loses.
Trump: How about 1B$
Harvard: no
NYT: Negotiations resume!
NYT: Harvard to pay 2B$
Harvard: no
Trump: 1B
Harvard: no
NYT: Negotiations intensify
Trump: 200 million
NYT: Harvard-Trump reach deal
Harvard: no
Trump: 0$
Harvard: ok
NYT: Harvard not paying! Trump loses.
Trump: How about 1B$
Harvard: no
NYT: Negotiations resume!
Are law faculty completing FIRE's survey? I am tempted to send a snarky email about the "Free Speech Rankings" instead.
February 3, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Are law faculty completing FIRE's survey? I am tempted to send a snarky email about the "Free Speech Rankings" instead.
President Mnookin's first official act should be to request the resignations of Trustees Shipman and Greenwald.
Columbia administration looking especially craven and incompetent about now.
February 3, 2026 at 2:56 AM
President Mnookin's first official act should be to request the resignations of Trustees Shipman and Greenwald.
Reposted by Milan Markovic
Breaking: Eight more prosecutors are leaving the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota, including Ana Voss, the current civil division chief, the Star Tribune reports.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
February 2, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Breaking: Eight more prosecutors are leaving the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota, including Ana Voss, the current civil division chief, the Star Tribune reports.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...