Megan E. Boyd
@meganeboyd.bsky.social
Professor; lawyer; writer; believer in learning something new every day; PhD candidate; Pronouns: she/her
Law friends—I must be the dumbest researcher known to man, but what Bluebook rule specifies CA4 through CA11 as 4th, 5th, etc.? R6.1 deals with abbreviations and references T7 for court names, but those COAs aren’t listed in T7. Obviously these are the abbreviations, but what rule says that?!?
June 6, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Law friends—I must be the dumbest researcher known to man, but what Bluebook rule specifies CA4 through CA11 as 4th, 5th, etc.? R6.1 deals with abbreviations and references T7 for court names, but those COAs aren’t listed in T7. Obviously these are the abbreviations, but what rule says that?!?
I’ve enjoyed almost every Untold I’ve watched. This one is good but light on coverage of the $8 million TANF scandal. It’s there, but barely.
June 4, 2025 at 10:09 PM
I’ve enjoyed almost every Untold I’ve watched. This one is good but light on coverage of the $8 million TANF scandal. It’s there, but barely.
Atlanta: where even the Nordstrom dressing rooms speak southern.
May 29, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Atlanta: where even the Nordstrom dressing rooms speak southern.
Someone please tell me that I can finish this dissertation 30 minutes at a time because that is all I’m managing so far this summer. Despite all efforts, I can’t find larger chunks of time and now I’m starting to doubt myself.
a cartoon character from inside out is crying and tears are falling from his eyes .
ALT: a cartoon character from inside out is crying and tears are falling from his eyes .
media.tenor.com
May 29, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Someone please tell me that I can finish this dissertation 30 minutes at a time because that is all I’m managing so far this summer. Despite all efforts, I can’t find larger chunks of time and now I’m starting to doubt myself.
When I’m overwhelmed or anxious I like to re-read classics. This is reminding me that these aren’t the first unprecedented times we’ve experienced—it’s been “the worst of times” before.
May 28, 2025 at 1:03 AM
When I’m overwhelmed or anxious I like to re-read classics. This is reminding me that these aren’t the first unprecedented times we’ve experienced—it’s been “the worst of times” before.
Please consider leaving a short comment about this reckless proposal. The comment period ends tonight.
GUYS. The comment period for this ends in THREE DAYS. PLEASE if you have even a little bit of time, submit a comment here: www.regulations.gov/commenton/FD...
Let them know EVERYONE should be able to get COVID vaccines. They BACK DOWN when WE PUSH BACK. www.statnews.com/2025/05/20/f...
Let them know EVERYONE should be able to get COVID vaccines. They BACK DOWN when WE PUSH BACK. www.statnews.com/2025/05/20/f...
FDA will limit Covid vaccines to people over 65 or at high risk of serious illness, leaders say
The FDA announced it will limit access to Covid-19 vaccines going forward to people 65 and older and others at high risk of serious illness
www.statnews.com
May 23, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Please consider leaving a short comment about this reckless proposal. The comment period ends tonight.
Current motivation level
a little girl is playing on a swing with the words trendizisst written on the bottom
ALT: a little girl is playing on a swing with the words trendizisst written on the bottom
media.tenor.com
May 14, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Current motivation level
In planning for Mother’s Day, consider whether the plan will actually create more work for the mother you’re honoring. Many moms would prefer a break from household & childcare duties than a fancy brunch that they have to get everyone ready for & to or hosting others, which creates even more work. 🩷
May 8, 2025 at 7:32 PM
In planning for Mother’s Day, consider whether the plan will actually create more work for the mother you’re honoring. Many moms would prefer a break from household & childcare duties than a fancy brunch that they have to get everyone ready for & to or hosting others, which creates even more work. 🩷
Just finished an “impossible” task that had been outstanding for several days.
Woody Woodpecker Applause GIF
ALT: Woody Woodpecker Applause GIF
media.tenor.com
May 8, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Just finished an “impossible” task that had been outstanding for several days.
Wordle is positively evil today!
a raccoon is sitting on its hind legs with its hands folded in prayer .
ALT: a raccoon is sitting on its hind legs with its hands folded in prayer .
media.tenor.com
May 5, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Wordle is positively evil today!
Got tickets to James Taylor!!!
a woman in a black dress is dancing and holding a cell phone .
ALT: a woman in a black dress is dancing and holding a cell phone .
media.tenor.com
May 2, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Got tickets to James Taylor!!!
I have been an absolute slug today who has barely moved. 🐌
Yes I know this is a snail—closest emoji I could find.
Yes I know this is a snail—closest emoji I could find.
April 24, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I have been an absolute slug today who has barely moved. 🐌
Yes I know this is a snail—closest emoji I could find.
Yes I know this is a snail—closest emoji I could find.
An exceptionally special group of my students is about to graduate, and I will miss them terribly. I am incredibly privileged to have taught them, and I cannot wait to see them thrive as lawyers.
April 24, 2025 at 6:14 PM
An exceptionally special group of my students is about to graduate, and I will miss them terribly. I am incredibly privileged to have taught them, and I cannot wait to see them thrive as lawyers.
Broke my book spine 😭
April 23, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Broke my book spine 😭
Just heard my husband say to my 5-year-old son, “You’re not the boss of me.” So we’re having a real one around here. 😂
April 20, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Just heard my husband say to my 5-year-old son, “You’re not the boss of me.” So we’re having a real one around here. 😂
I don’t usually do any of these, but this was fun. Shoutout to the Scribes Journal!
April 15, 2025 at 8:51 PM
I don’t usually do any of these, but this was fun. Shoutout to the Scribes Journal!
Bryan A. Garner and Joe Kimble have released Essentials for Drafting Clear Legal Rules and you can snag it for FREE!
www.uscourts.gov/sites/defaul...
www.uscourts.gov/sites/defaul...
www.uscourts.gov
April 11, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Bryan A. Garner and Joe Kimble have released Essentials for Drafting Clear Legal Rules and you can snag it for FREE!
www.uscourts.gov/sites/defaul...
www.uscourts.gov/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Megan E. Boyd
An amazing LinkedIn post from former GA Supreme Court Justice Leah Ward Sears about the myth of meritocracy. It’s worth your time. #LadyLawyerDiaries
![LinkedIn post by Leah Ward Sears that reads:
The myth of a meritocracy.
Many organizations take pride in being meritocracies, places where talent, hard work, and results drive advancement. On the surface, this seems like an ideal system—fair, rational, and rewarding the best.
But there’s a difficult truth we need to face.
If your team, leadership, or industry consistently elevates people from the same race, gender, or background, despite operating in a diverse society, you’re not seeing the outcomes of a meritocracy. You’re likely seeing the effects of a system that feels fair but was built on inherited norms and unequal access.
Talent is not exclusive to any one group. Opportunity, however, often is.
“Merit” isn’t a fixed, objective measure, it’s a constructed one. And who defines it matters. Often:
• We mistake cultural familiarity for competence
• We reward those who “fit in” more easily, not necessarily those who challenge or improve the system
[continued in next]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:gqiv2wjg6vz3rw7y3coue6w2/bafkreiathp6rlihlifimme2hjhu7rsjazwxfknwz54i7yutaaywxxvgkoa@jpeg)
![[continued post from Leah Ward Sears]
We equate elite credentials with potential, even though access to those credentials has never been distributed equitably
When “merit” is defined by the dominant group’s experience, it will naturally favor those who already resemble that group. This is how systems of exclusion are perpetuated, even unintentionally.
So what does a meritocracy look like?
It’s not just about removing bias in hiring. It’s about reexamining how we measure excellence. It’s about asking whether the metrics we use—billable hours, executive presence, “polish,” or pedigree—are objective, or simply familiar. It’s about understanding that equal treatment in an unequal system only deepens disparities.
A real meritocracy:
• Looks beyond the surface to identify untapped potential
• Creates pathways, not just filters
• Sees diversity not as an exception to merit, but as its natural outcome](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:gqiv2wjg6vz3rw7y3coue6w2/bafkreiay4fn6vxrgjlfdaayjhsrrfhnop47k6dtkyohjvm4ai67oa5jsye@jpeg)
April 9, 2025 at 6:22 PM
An amazing LinkedIn post from former GA Supreme Court Justice Leah Ward Sears about the myth of meritocracy. It’s worth your time. #LadyLawyerDiaries
I was lucky enough to get the spend the weekend in Wroclaw. What an amazing city—A beautiful old town, gnomes, and a lamplighter!
April 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I was lucky enough to get the spend the weekend in Wroclaw. What an amazing city—A beautiful old town, gnomes, and a lamplighter!
Follow this thread for the list of firms that signed an amicus brief in support of Perkins Coie
300degrees PLLC
Advocate Law Group P.C.
Ajamie LLP
Aldous Law
Ali & Lockwood LLP
ALR Civil Rights LLC
Alto Litigation
Altshuler Berzon LLP
Anapol Weiss
Anderson & Kreiger LLP
Andrus Anderson LLP
We see you, thank you for standing up for an independent judiciary and the rule of law 👏👏
Advocate Law Group P.C.
Ajamie LLP
Aldous Law
Ali & Lockwood LLP
ALR Civil Rights LLC
Alto Litigation
Altshuler Berzon LLP
Anapol Weiss
Anderson & Kreiger LLP
Andrus Anderson LLP
We see you, thank you for standing up for an independent judiciary and the rule of law 👏👏
April 5, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Follow this thread for the list of firms that signed an amicus brief in support of Perkins Coie
I am leaving GSU COL @ the end of June to pursue other interests. I will finish my PhD, continue my consulting work, provide CLEs & one-on-one coaching in legal writing, & get back into the courtroom. I have loved my time in academia, & I will miss the students terribly. But onward & upward we go!
April 4, 2025 at 10:13 AM
I am leaving GSU COL @ the end of June to pursue other interests. I will finish my PhD, continue my consulting work, provide CLEs & one-on-one coaching in legal writing, & get back into the courtroom. I have loved my time in academia, & I will miss the students terribly. But onward & upward we go!