Faculty in the Media

The Nation May 2, 2026

The Fifth Circuit Seeks to Unilaterally Reimpose an Outdated Abortion Pill Protocol

Professor Rachel Rebouché argues that the legally dubious ruling issued by the Fifth Circuit reimposing an outdated in-person pickup requirement for Mifepristone that effectively banned telehealth medication abortion nationwide ignores overwhelming safety evidence, contradicts other court decisions, and will fail to stop abortion access regardless of what the Supreme Court ultimately decides.

More of: Rachel Rebouché

Bloomberg Law April 30, 2026

Race for Rare Earth Minerals Propels Niche Big Law Practices

Senior Lecturer Christopher Kulander notes that decades of decline in mining law have left the legal industry unprepared for the sudden surge in demand driven by rare earths and critical minerals.

More of: Christopher Kulander

RealClear Energy April 29, 2026

It’s Time for Texas to Get Competitive on Transmission Development

Adjunct Professor Barry Smitherman argues that Texas should introduce competitive bidding for electric transmission projects to break the monopoly currently held by incumbent utilities.

More of: Barry T. Smitherman

Spectrum News 1 April 27, 2026

Texas cities shift rules on ICE cooperation, raising constitutional questions

Adjunct Professor Randall Erben explains that, while Governor Greg Abbott had the authority to withhold state funding to compel cities to revise their policies on ICE cooperation, defendants can still bring forth constitutional law and Fourth Amendment claims if they believe their rights were violated.

More of: Randall H Erben

KXAN April 24, 2026

Texas school districts face costly legal battles with attorney general’s office

Adjunct Professor Scott Schneider notes that while legal battles between school districts and the state are not unusual, the current volume of litigation from the Attorney General’s Office towards districts is unprecedented and the focus is on culture war issues where legislation is unclear.

More of: Scott D. Schneider

The Texas Tribune April 24, 2026

Two years after a judge recommended her murder conviction be tossed, Melissa Lucio still waits for freedom

Professor Jordan Steiker explains that the two-year wait for the appeals case for death row inmate Melissa Lucio is unusual but not unprecedented, and points out factors that can delay rulings of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

More of: Jordan M Steiker

Bloomberg Law April 23, 2026

Judge Albright’s Exit to Reverberate Among Texas Patent Cases

Professor Paul Gugliuzza predicts that Alan Albright's tenure on the Western District of Texas tenure will have a lasting impact on where and how patent cases are handled in the state.

More of: Paul R. Gugliuzza

Legal Planet April 22, 2026

Can Sustainability Be Abundant, Safe, and Affordable?

Professor David Spence discussed the prevalence of misinformation about clean energy due to corporate lobbying and shifting political attitudes while participating on panel the "Affordability and the Transition Away from Fossil Fuels" at a UCLA symposium.

More of: David B Spence

Bloomberg Law April 22, 2026

AI, Billing Emerge as Crossroads for Texas Law Firms and Clients

AI Innovation and Law Fellow Kevin Frazier predicts that the most successful law firms of the future will be those that are willing to change their structures, norms, and hiring decisions in response to advances in AI.

More of: Kevin Frazier

Mother Jones April 20, 2026

The “Messy” Plaintiffs Behind So Many Anti-Abortion Lawsuits

Professor Rachel Rebouché points out faults in the logic of plaintiffs in wrongful death lawsuits against abortion pill providers, and views these cases as experiments by anti-abortion lawyers and lawmakers.

More of: Rachel Rebouché

Wall Street Journal April 18, 2026

Supreme Court’s Internal Tensions Spill Into Public View

Professor Tara Grove expresses her belief that during his speech at the University of Texas, Justice Clarence Thomas did not intend to disparage any member of the Supreme Court.

More of: Tara Grove

The Christian Science Monitor April 17, 2026

Why the surveillance powers in FISA roil Congress – across party lines

Senior Lecturer Adam Klein expresses concerns that requiring a warrant within FISA Section 702 could impede national security operations.

More of: Adam I Klein