Ellie Margolis
@elliemargolis.bsky.social
Law professor @TempleLaw, suburban gardener, avid reader. Happy to nerd out about legal writing anytime.
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.
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
This level of depravity simply breaks the brain
Kindergarten teacher called a prank ICE hotline thinking it was real. She called to report her 6 year old student to ICE to try to get them and their family deported.
6 years old.
She does not enjoy hearing her own words and actions played back to her.
6 years old.
She does not enjoy hearing her own words and actions played back to her.
Kindergarten teacher wants kindergartener deported
YouTube video by Ben Palmer
m.youtube.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:53 PM
This level of depravity simply breaks the brain
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Come work with me!
The Eastern District of Virginia Federal Public Defender's Office is hiring an appellate attorney! We're excited to find someone excellent to join our team doing the best law job around. Apply now!
www.fd.org/sites/defaul...
The Eastern District of Virginia Federal Public Defender's Office is hiring an appellate attorney! We're excited to find someone excellent to join our team doing the best law job around. Apply now!
www.fd.org/sites/defaul...
February 4, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Come work with me!
The Eastern District of Virginia Federal Public Defender's Office is hiring an appellate attorney! We're excited to find someone excellent to join our team doing the best law job around. Apply now!
www.fd.org/sites/defaul...
The Eastern District of Virginia Federal Public Defender's Office is hiring an appellate attorney! We're excited to find someone excellent to join our team doing the best law job around. Apply now!
www.fd.org/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Here’s a link to the transcript fyi drive.google.com/file/d/1FnY2...
February 4, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Here’s a link to the transcript fyi drive.google.com/file/d/1FnY2...
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
I can now report that Judge Blackwell did not grant Julie Le’s request for a nap, and also noted that, as overwhelmed as she may be, the people who the Trump administration is detaining in violation of court orders have it worse
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
February 4, 2026 at 11:04 PM
I can now report that Judge Blackwell did not grant Julie Le’s request for a nap, and also noted that, as overwhelmed as she may be, the people who the Trump administration is detaining in violation of court orders have it worse
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Holy shit. Hard to think of anything lower than embezzling from the public defender
queenseagle.com/all/2026/2/3...
queenseagle.com/all/2026/2/3...
Former Queens Defenders boss admits to stealing over $100,000 from nonprofit — Queens Daily Eagle
The co-founder and former executive director of Queens Defenders on Tuesday admitted in federal court to stealing over $100,000 from the taxpayer-funded nonprofit that provides legal defense services ...
queenseagle.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Holy shit. Hard to think of anything lower than embezzling from the public defender
queenseagle.com/all/2026/2/3...
queenseagle.com/all/2026/2/3...
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
No university faculty should be hired for their political views. Doing so is true preferential treatment. Partisan political views have nothing to do with quality teaching or research; they should never be considered as part of responsible, merit-based hiring practices. That’s the news here.
February 4, 2026 at 2:29 PM
No university faculty should be hired for their political views. Doing so is true preferential treatment. Partisan political views have nothing to do with quality teaching or research; they should never be considered as part of responsible, merit-based hiring practices. That’s the news here.
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
It wasn’t so long ago that the richest people in the world used their wealth to create great things - foundations, universities, etc.
Not saying they were great people or didn’t earn their money in horrible ways. But they at least gave back a bit?
What happened?
Not saying they were great people or didn’t earn their money in horrible ways. But they at least gave back a bit?
What happened?
February 4, 2026 at 3:54 PM
It wasn’t so long ago that the richest people in the world used their wealth to create great things - foundations, universities, etc.
Not saying they were great people or didn’t earn their money in horrible ways. But they at least gave back a bit?
What happened?
Not saying they were great people or didn’t earn their money in horrible ways. But they at least gave back a bit?
What happened?
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
An exchange from CA5 oral arguments today:
Lawyer: Okay. I feel awkward walking away with some time, but I'm not going to waste your time.
Court: We feel grateful when you walk away.
Lawyer: I should have done it a little earlier.
Court: It's a sign of assurance. Thank you.
Lawyer: Okay. I feel awkward walking away with some time, but I'm not going to waste your time.
Court: We feel grateful when you walk away.
Lawyer: I should have done it a little earlier.
Court: It's a sign of assurance. Thank you.
February 4, 2026 at 3:46 PM
An exchange from CA5 oral arguments today:
Lawyer: Okay. I feel awkward walking away with some time, but I'm not going to waste your time.
Court: We feel grateful when you walk away.
Lawyer: I should have done it a little earlier.
Court: It's a sign of assurance. Thank you.
Lawyer: Okay. I feel awkward walking away with some time, but I'm not going to waste your time.
Court: We feel grateful when you walk away.
Lawyer: I should have done it a little earlier.
Court: It's a sign of assurance. Thank you.