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Joan Heminway

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Professor Heminway brought nearly 15 years of corporate practice experience to the University of Tennessee College of Law when she joined the faculty in 2000. She practiced transactional business law (working in the areas of public offerings, private placements, mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, and restructurings) in the Boston office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP from 1985 through 2000.

She has served as an expert witness and consultant on business entity and finance and federal and state securities law matters and is a frequent academic and continuing legal education presenter on business law issues. Professor Heminway also has represented pro bono clients on political asylum applications, landlord/tenant appeals, social security/disability cases, and not-for-profit incorporations and related business law issues. Read More

As the BLPB’s ostensible Monday blogger, I have written in many years past on and about Memorial Day and other Monday holidays. I try to take a business-related approach, when possible. Last year, for example, I posted used an artificial intelligence approach to comment. In 2023, I took a more personal angle, reflecting on a family member–a civilian–who lost his life working in enemy territory in World War II. The holiday is so important! Yet, each year, I struggle a bit to find a new connection that may be of interest to readers. Of course, the main message is that it is important to remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our country . . . .

I should be asking my co-blogger Marcia to author today’s post. On LinkedIn, she wrote about her father, who died earlier this year. She noted that while he did not die on the battle field, he did suffer and die as a result of his military service. This type of sacrifice is among the many we should and do remember on Memorial Day.

Although not all businesses close on Memorial Day, those that do offer all of us the…

I have not posted for a while. My life has been over-busy (writing, editing, helping students to and through the end of the semester, constructing exams, attending celebrations for graduating students, etc.), and at times like these, I need to step back and re-prioritize. So, while I have had a lot to say over the past few weeks, I have not prioritized saying it to you.

But I am taking time out today to write because, at this busy time in the semester, it is important that we recognize the need for self-care. (Of course prioritizing tasks is part of that . . . .) This week, the Institute for Well-Being in Law is again hosting its annual Well-Being in Law Week. Ben, Colleen, and I have posted on this before. See here for a post authored by Ben, here for Colleen’s most recent post, and here for my 2021 post.

Even though I am still up to my eyeballs in work, I am planning on popping into some of the programs. This year’s theme, The Social Rx: Boosting Well-Being with Connection, is especially salient to me. A few years ago, I was trying to do too much…

Yesterday, The New York Times published the attached article. [this one, on the Paul, Weiss settlement] Many of you may have read about the referenced brokered deal between the Paul, Weiss firm and the Trump administration. But did you consider the related firm decision making as a matter of business associations law? I want us to engage with that in lieu of today’s class, using our knowledge of partnership

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Accounting & Business Law
One University Place
Shreveport, LA 71115-2399
318.797.5241 (Fax) 318.798.4147  
 

Instructor of Business Law

9-Month Non Tenure-Track Position

The AACSB accredited College of Business at Louisiana State University Shreveport (LSUS) seeks applications for an instructor position for Business Law starting August 2025. Applications will be considered from all candidates who meet our AACSB qualifications.

The selected candidate will report to the Chair – Department of Accounting and Business Law, and will be expected to teach at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in face-to-face and online settings, maintain AACSB qualification in any of the four categories (scholarly practitioners, scholarly academic, instructional practitioners or practice academics), and actively engage in service to the department, college, university, and community.

Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must possess a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school. Candidates must demonstrate teaching excellence.

Preferred Qualifications: Strong preference will be given to candidates who are admitted to practice law by the highest court of at least one of the United States.  Preference will be given to candidates who have at least one year of experience teaching Business Law classes.

Application: To apply for this position, a CV, cover letter, statement of teaching philosophy…

Penn State Dickinson Law in Carlisle, Pennsylvania is seeking a visiting assistant, associate, or full professor to teach Business Entities I & II (Unincorporated Business Entities and Corporations) in the spring 2026 semester.  Both are 3 credit classes. Applicants who prefer a full year visiting faculty role may also be considered. We also have a need for tax class coverage in the fall 2025 semester. Learn more about the opportunity and apply here.  Feel free to email Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Jeffrey A. Dodge at jad6742@psu.edu with questions.

A friend alerted me to this recent Report and Recommendation in a case involving a request to audit books and records under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (commonly known as ERISA). The Report and Recommendation relates to the inclusion of citations to nonexistent cases in court filings made by a solo practitioner, Rafael Ramirez. I find the court’s narrative, reasoning, and recommendation illuminating in a sobering sort of way. As many of us feel our way through how to best guide our students in using generative artificial intelligence in their legal work, the Report and Recommendation offers for for thought.

To start, I was surprised by the explanation offered by Mr. Ramirez in response to the court’s order to show cause why he should not be sanctioned for violating Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11(b). In that regard, the court represented that

Mr. Ramirez admitted that he had relied on programs utilizing generative artificial intelligence (“AI”) to draft the briefs. Mr. Ramirez explained that he had used AI before to assist with legal matters, such as drafting agreements, and did not know that AI was capable of generating fictitious cases and citations.

Is it…

The recording of the March 6 program on “Law Students Learning to Lead through Non-Profit Board Service” (which I earlier wrote about here) can be found here. The webinar was offered by the Section on Leadership of the Association of American Law Schools. I was able to attend and ask a bunch of questions. Many of the the tips for those engaging in experiential business law teaching could be valuable to you (as they were for me). So, I am recommending the recording here. The entire event was an hour in length, in case that is valuable information for you in considering whether to watch or listen to the program.

The University of Oklahoma (OU) College of Law seeks outstanding applicants, entry-level, for a Visiting Assistant Professorship (VAP) starting in the 2025-26 academic year.  Our search is focused on a candidate with experience and expertise in Securities Fraud.  Applicants must demonstrate potential for scholarly achievement and classroom teaching.  Applicants must have a JD from an ABA-accredited law school, outstanding academic credentials, and significant law-related practice and/or clerkship experience. 

The VAP is appointed to a 9-month term with the possibility of renewal.  The program is designed for promising scholars who plan to pursue a career in law teaching.  This is a full-time position, and the VAP will be expected to be in residence at OU and participate broadly in the intellectual life of the law school, develop a scholarly agenda, publish at least one law-review article, and make substantial headway on one work in progress.

The VAP will teach one course per semester and receive mentoring in their teaching and scholarly work from an advisory faculty team, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and the Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Research.  The VAP will also receive financial support for their scholarship, including access to research assistants, coverage of professional travel…

The first webinar hosted by the Association of American Law Schools Section on Leadership for the 2025 membership year is scheduled for Thursday (March 6) from 1 pm – 2 pm ET/12 pm – 1 pm CT/11 am – 12 pm MT/10 am – 11 am PT.  The speaker is Elsbeth Magilton, Lecturer and Director of Externships at the University of Nebraska College of Law.  She will be speaking on “Law Students Learning to Lead through Non-Profit Board Service.”  The abstract for her talk is set forth below.  

This presentation showcases the work of attorneys on nonprofit boards, how the Nebraska Law Nonprofit Board Service Program has succeeded at Nebraska, and what challenges it is still overcoming. The program places law students with an area nonprofit board of directors for an academic year to observe, support, and engage with the nonprofit governance process, under the mentorship of an attorney board member. The Nonprofit Board Service Program “courses + shadow experience” model is an opportunity for students to learn about board service, engage with area attorneys and nonprofits, and reflect on how they can use their developing professional skills to benefit and lead in their community.

The session will…

Friend of the BLPB Paolo Farah reached out to let me know about severl discussion groups, described below, that he is organizing for the 2025 Southeastern Association of Law Schools Conference this summer. If you have interest in participating, please contact Paolo at PDFarah@mail.wvu.edu.

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“Transforming Global Agriculture and Cultivating Tomorrow: Farmers’ Rights, Animal Law, Trade, Sovereignty, Ethics, and Innovation for Sustainable Progress“

This session unites diverse perspectives to explore challenges and opportunities in agriculture. By integrating disciplines like law, trade, ethics, and innovation, the panel addresses critical issues such as protecting farmers’ rights, evolving animal law, the effects of international trade, and food sovereignty’s role in sustainable development. Topics include ethical considerations, technological advancements, and policy frameworks essential for navigating transformation. Panelists will offer insights into fostering global and domestic collaboration to build equitable, sustainable agricultural systems while tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and food security challenges, driving meaningful progress for a sustainable future.

“Enhancing Experiential Learning in Environmental, Energy, and Sustainability Law and Policy Education“

This discussion group explores innovative ways to integrate real-world experiences into legal education. Bringing together educators, practitioners, and policymakers, it highlights approaches to teaching environmental, energy…