Category Archives: Analysis

The Silk Road Kingpin and the Legal Implications of His Conviction

BY PAT MCBRIDE — On February 4, 2015, Ross Ulbricht was convicted on seven federal charges ranging from money laundering and hacking to trafficking forged identities and distribution of narcotics. These charges could carry a sentence of up to life in prison. Ulbricht was convicted of being the founder and kingpin of the Silk Road Bazaar—a […]

The Miami Police Department’s New Public Surveillance Cameras: Could the Constitution Prevent “Big Brother’s” Short Term Visit From Becoming Permanent?

BY BRENDAN M. STUDLEY — Living in Downtown Miami is a slice of paradise for many of Florida’s sun-kissed residents and tourists alike. With beautiful sandy beaches and year-round warm weather, residential paradises like Miami are far and few between. But the next time you venture out for a night on the town or some […]

Meditating Your Way to the End Zone Without a Flag: Take a Page from Coach Carroll’s Playbook and Practice Mindfulness in Law

BY IVANA K. ALVAREZ — The Seattle Seahawks made it all the way to the Super Bowl this year. What is the secret behind their collective ability to think more clearly under pressure than other NFL teams? Meditation, encouraged by head coach Pete Carroll. Carroll arranges intentionally chaotic practice sessions for his team because he […]

Havana Rights: How Lifting the Cuban Embargo Could Affect Trademark Rights to the Cohiba Brand

BY DIANA JORDAN — Few trademarks rival the exclusivity of the Cohiba brand. But who should profit from the brand name cigars’ fame and notoriety? To resolve this decades-old dispute, American cigar manufacturer General Cigar and its Cuban counterpart, Cubatabaco, have decided to once again duke it out in classic American fashion—through litigation. In 1972, […]

Which Will be Healthier, State or Federal Exchanges: The Looming Implications of King v. Burwell

BY ANDREA NICKERSON — Although the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) and related statutes in National Federation of Independent Business, it will undoubtedly continue to address issues associated with the actual implementation of the statute. On November 7, the Court granted certiorari for King v. Burwell, […]