Ellie Margolis
@elliemargolis.bsky.social
Law professor @TempleLaw, suburban gardener, avid reader. Happy to nerd out about legal writing anytime.
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
This is an important and brilliantly executed piece of audio journalism.
Ostensibly, it's about Julie Le, the DOJ lawyer who said she'd like a judge to put her in jail for contempt so she could get some sleep. But it's really not about her (mostly).
Listen to this to learn…
1/
Ostensibly, it's about Julie Le, the DOJ lawyer who said she'd like a judge to put her in jail for contempt so she could get some sleep. But it's really not about her (mostly).
Listen to this to learn…
1/
Out today— DOJ Meltdown: “The system sucks. This job sucks.” A cautionary tale for all of us.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...
DOJ Meltdown:
Podcast Episode · Lawyers Behaving Badly · 02/06/2026 · 2h 7m
podcasts.apple.com
February 7, 2026 at 7:05 PM
This is an important and brilliantly executed piece of audio journalism.
Ostensibly, it's about Julie Le, the DOJ lawyer who said she'd like a judge to put her in jail for contempt so she could get some sleep. But it's really not about her (mostly).
Listen to this to learn…
1/
Ostensibly, it's about Julie Le, the DOJ lawyer who said she'd like a judge to put her in jail for contempt so she could get some sleep. But it's really not about her (mostly).
Listen to this to learn…
1/
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
“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 12:34 PM
“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.”
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology
She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:09 AM
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
New episode! Clocking in at over 2 hours. We have some THOUGHTS about the recent DOJ lawyer meltdown in Minneapolis this week. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...
DOJ Meltdown:
Podcast Episode · Lawyers Behaving Badly · 02/06/2026 · 2h 7m
podcasts.apple.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:42 PM
New episode! Clocking in at over 2 hours. We have some THOUGHTS about the recent DOJ lawyer meltdown in Minneapolis this week. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
This part of @willbunch.bsky.social's piece really stuck with me: A 24-year-old server's Republican father told her the camps were "just taking care of the illegal people" and she said, "I don’t feel like that’s true at all. I feel like they’re going after everyone.”
From Big Lots to warehousing humans: ICE plan sparks fear in Schuylkill County | Will Bunch
A massive warehouse in Tremont, Pa., that once moved cheap goods will now detain migrants in a $119 million ICE deal.
www.inquirer.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:59 PM
This part of @willbunch.bsky.social's piece really stuck with me: A 24-year-old server's Republican father told her the camps were "just taking care of the illegal people" and she said, "I don’t feel like that’s true at all. I feel like they’re going after everyone.”
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
We put on an all-Yiddish community production of fiddler on the roof in Philadelphia and cast member and local artist Sofie Rose Seymour created the most amazing show poster that ever was
February 6, 2026 at 5:10 AM
We put on an all-Yiddish community production of fiddler on the roof in Philadelphia and cast member and local artist Sofie Rose Seymour created the most amazing show poster that ever was
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Breaking, from me: An executive order from Oklahoma's governor directs most of the state's public colleges to "phase out tenure." #AcademicSky #HigherEd @chronicle.com
www.chronicle.com/article/tenu...
www.chronicle.com/article/tenu...
Tenure Will Be Eliminated at Most of Oklahoma’s Public Colleges, Governor Says
Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, directed the state’s two-dozen regional universities and community colleges to phase out the practice. Existing faculty members will be grandfathered in.
www.chronicle.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Breaking, from me: An executive order from Oklahoma's governor directs most of the state's public colleges to "phase out tenure." #AcademicSky #HigherEd @chronicle.com
www.chronicle.com/article/tenu...
www.chronicle.com/article/tenu...
This one is a doozy
Hey, so, I don’t do civil litigation, is it generally considered good when the judge does this?
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
![Case 1:24-CV-09429-KPF Document 227 Filed 02/05/26 Page 2 of 33
Feldman [wals not excused from this professional obligation [of verifying that the cases he submitted to the Court were valid] by dint of using emerging
technology." (Dkt. #169 at 4).
Mr. Feldman persisted. A few days prior to the Court's hearing on the
Order to Show Cause, Mr. Feldman submitted a proposed reply brief in further support of Affable's motion to dismiss. Once again, his brief contained false citations. And at the August 22, 2025 hearing, Mr. Feldman was unable to respond directly to, much less answer, the Court's questioning about his
submissions.
Mr. Feldman has not, and apparently cannot, learn from his mistakes.
And while the Court does not oppose the use of Al to assist in legal research
and writing, it must take a stand where, as here, counsel repeatedly files
submissions with false citations because counsel refuses to verify those
submissions. This Court can do no more. For the reasons that follow, the
Court sanctions Mr. Feldman pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11
and the Court's inherent powers by striking Affable's submissions and entering
default judgment against it.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ssxnmhdtz6le6nxu7jfhglz6/bafkreigeefuabd636ruucelhxav3v3p43dezhotggrwlgjgsev2z2ggev4@jpeg)
February 5, 2026 at 11:27 PM
This one is a doozy
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
While reporting this, I had something happen that's never happened. A comms rep for one of the co's disputed my reporting and said what I was telling them was untrue because it was not in Grok, xAI's chatbot.
I was looking directly at the files. And this person was using AI to challenge the truth.
I was looking directly at the files. And this person was using AI to challenge the truth.
Epstein had many known connections to Silicon Valley CEOs, but less known was how he made money from those relationships.
We did a deep dive into how he got dealflow in Silicon Valley, giving him shots to invest in Coinbase, Palantir, SpaceX and other companies.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/b...
We did a deep dive into how he got dealflow in Silicon Valley, giving him shots to invest in Coinbase, Palantir, SpaceX and other companies.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/b...
Jeffrey Epstein’s Money Mingled With Silicon Valley Start-Ups
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:38 PM
While reporting this, I had something happen that's never happened. A comms rep for one of the co's disputed my reporting and said what I was telling them was untrue because it was not in Grok, xAI's chatbot.
I was looking directly at the files. And this person was using AI to challenge the truth.
I was looking directly at the files. And this person was using AI to challenge the truth.
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
5/ Rather than blanket prohibitions on any AI use in the production of a writing sample, I hope employers will take a more nuanced approach.
If they are concerned about an applicant’s skills without an AI assist for ongoing work, that’s different than building skills in producing a writing sample
If they are concerned about an applicant’s skills without an AI assist for ongoing work, that’s different than building skills in producing a writing sample
February 5, 2026 at 8:38 PM
5/ Rather than blanket prohibitions on any AI use in the production of a writing sample, I hope employers will take a more nuanced approach.
If they are concerned about an applicant’s skills without an AI assist for ongoing work, that’s different than building skills in producing a writing sample
If they are concerned about an applicant’s skills without an AI assist for ongoing work, that’s different than building skills in producing a writing sample
Time for an old-school #legalwriting thread crowdsourcing all of the lawyers on here. I'm interested in what you think about law student use of generative AI in writing samples. If you are hiring students, do you think about this? Do you care? 1/2
February 5, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Time for an old-school #legalwriting thread crowdsourcing all of the lawyers on here. I'm interested in what you think about law student use of generative AI in writing samples. If you are hiring students, do you think about this? Do you care? 1/2
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Dear men,
This isn't mentoring.
Regards,
Women.
This isn't mentoring.
Regards,
Women.
Yale prof David Gelernter defends his letter urging Epstein to hire "v small goodlooking blonde" student by saying that he was "keep[ing] the potential boss's habits in mind."
This creep shouldn't be allowed anywhere near students.
yaledailynews.com/articles/gel...
This creep shouldn't be allowed anywhere near students.
yaledailynews.com/articles/gel...
February 5, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Dear men,
This isn't mentoring.
Regards,
Women.
This isn't mentoring.
Regards,
Women.
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
For fuck's sake this is not "how men behave" it's how abusers behave. To whatever extent it's how too many men behave, it's because those men are abusers.
And people who cater to abusers ... are also abusers. David Gelernter should never be allowed near students again.
And people who cater to abusers ... are also abusers. David Gelernter should never be allowed near students again.
Yale prof David Gelernter defends his letter urging Epstein to hire "v small goodlooking blonde" student by saying that he was "keep[ing] the potential boss's habits in mind."
This creep shouldn't be allowed anywhere near students.
yaledailynews.com/articles/gel...
This creep shouldn't be allowed anywhere near students.
yaledailynews.com/articles/gel...
February 5, 2026 at 4:05 PM
For fuck's sake this is not "how men behave" it's how abusers behave. To whatever extent it's how too many men behave, it's because those men are abusers.
And people who cater to abusers ... are also abusers. David Gelernter should never be allowed near students again.
And people who cater to abusers ... are also abusers. David Gelernter should never be allowed near students again.
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
God, this is powerful. And a demonstration of how well great art remains relevant for centuries.. and that the inhuman behavior of humans remains current as well.
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 1:42 PM
God, this is powerful. And a demonstration of how well great art remains relevant for centuries.. and that the inhuman behavior of humans remains current as well.
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Finally, some good news on the museum front..! Its stint as the "Phart Museum" can now be forgotten as a short, sad chapter in its history; good riddance, in my opinion
www.artnews.com/art-news/new...
www.artnews.com/art-news/new...
Philadelphia Art Museum Reverses Controversial Rebrand, Becomes Philadelphia Museum of Art Again
Months after announcing a rebrand from Philadelphia Museum of Art to Philadelphia Art Museum, the institution announced that it is reversing course.
www.artnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Finally, some good news on the museum front..! Its stint as the "Phart Museum" can now be forgotten as a short, sad chapter in its history; good riddance, in my opinion
www.artnews.com/art-news/new...
www.artnews.com/art-news/new...
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Ok. A wild, silly, and strange legal ethics question, inspired by real events and bad ideas I wouldn’t act on (this would absolutely be my exam if I was teaching this right now).
You had a represented opposing party you know goes to ChatGPT and uploads all filings.
(1/x)
You had a represented opposing party you know goes to ChatGPT and uploads all filings.
(1/x)
February 5, 2026 at 4:25 AM
Ok. A wild, silly, and strange legal ethics question, inspired by real events and bad ideas I wouldn’t act on (this would absolutely be my exam if I was teaching this right now).
You had a represented opposing party you know goes to ChatGPT and uploads all filings.
(1/x)
You had a represented opposing party you know goes to ChatGPT and uploads all filings.
(1/x)
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
New tort final just dropped
February 5, 2026 at 1:54 AM
New tort final just dropped
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
They’ve been on this for a minute. More teaching + post tenure review (and contracts) plus ai supercharged productivity surveillance tools also makes professors more vulnerable to student evals, which gives admin more power to fire you. That’s the plan.
"Imposing minimum teaching requirements...has been touted as a way to cut costs and 'better focus university resources in the classroom,' .... The notion is also gaining steam in conservative circles as a means of ensuring faculty productivity and curbing 'intellectually unserious' research."
The Campaign to Make Professors Teach More
Lawmakers say faculty members don’t work enough. Is this about productivity or punishment?
www.chronicle.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:17 AM
They’ve been on this for a minute. More teaching + post tenure review (and contracts) plus ai supercharged productivity surveillance tools also makes professors more vulnerable to student evals, which gives admin more power to fire you. That’s the plan.
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
There are so many violations of our ethical rules here by government lawyers, but I want to highlight Rule 5.1, which MN has adopted. Supervisory lawyers have a duty to supervise, meaning they need to make sure juniors are performing competently, diligently, & in compliance w all other rules
February 4, 2026 at 2:22 PM
There are so many violations of our ethical rules here by government lawyers, but I want to highlight Rule 5.1, which MN has adopted. Supervisory lawyers have a duty to supervise, meaning they need to make sure juniors are performing competently, diligently, & in compliance w all other rules
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
in short: YES you have to resign if you cannot practice competently despite your best efforts
BUT this is on the attorney-managers, who should also resign or face disciplinary action on their licenses
AND the rules do have quite a lot to say about safeguarding the rights of third persons
BUT this is on the attorney-managers, who should also resign or face disciplinary action on their licenses
AND the rules do have quite a lot to say about safeguarding the rights of third persons
February 4, 2026 at 3:02 PM
in short: YES you have to resign if you cannot practice competently despite your best efforts
BUT this is on the attorney-managers, who should also resign or face disciplinary action on their licenses
AND the rules do have quite a lot to say about safeguarding the rights of third persons
BUT this is on the attorney-managers, who should also resign or face disciplinary action on their licenses
AND the rules do have quite a lot to say about safeguarding the rights of third persons
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
This story demonstrates collapse of safeguards—our brilliant tech press being fired by tech oligarch and fired brilliant journalist exposing deliberate and knowing harms of tech oligarch run platform.
My story on Elon Musk cutting safeguards at xAI is on the front page of today's @washingtonpost.com. I’m also among 100’s of reporters laid off. I absolutely loved my job my brilliant coworkers & the thrill of reporting @ the center of forces upending the world: AI & Silicon Valley’s political power
February 4, 2026 at 8:10 PM
This story demonstrates collapse of safeguards—our brilliant tech press being fired by tech oligarch and fired brilliant journalist exposing deliberate and knowing harms of tech oligarch run platform.