In this blog, 2L staffer Grace Hager analyzes the escalating legal crisis facing the "Clean Beauty" industry driven by 2026 FDA findings and new state-level bans. Hager explores the debate between the industry’s current reliance on self-defined clean standards versus the growing legal demand for lab-verified transparency. Ultimately, she takes the position that retailers must assume a heightened legal risk that can no longer be hidden by vague marketing claims.
In this blog, senior staffer Amy Rice argues that the FDA should fully embrace a "method-neutral" approach by accepting New Approach Methodologies (“NAMs”) as primary evidence of drug efficacy. She contends that traditional animal testing is often an outdated and poor predictor of human outcomes, whereas modern tools like organ-on-chip models offer superior scientific precision. Ultimately, Rice asserts that regulators must move beyond historical biases to implement the FDA Modernization Acts, thereby accelerating innovation and reducing the costs of biomedical and agricultural development.
In this blog, 2L staffer Samuel Lay examines a new method to apply 5th Amendment Takings Claims in response to changing regulations regarding Solar Farms built on farmland in Lexington, Ky. Lay breaks down the changing landscape regarding the city’s solar regulations. This is followed by a proposed new method in determining what constitutes total economic deprivation for a per se takings. The proposed change would alter the current meaning of total deprivation to depriving the owner of the value they have in the land. Lay argues that this new method is fairer to those who want to build solar farms in Lexington but may be discouraged due to the ever-changing landscape of solar regulation in Lexington.
In this blog, 2L staffer Emma Johns explores the expansion of solar energy projects on reclaimed coal lands in Eastern Kentucky. She argues that although these developments offer potential economic and environmental benefits, current legal and regulatory systems fail to adequately protect landowners and local communities. She concludes that stronger regulations and greater community protections are necessary to ensure a fair and effective transition to renewable energy.
In this blog, 2L staffer Sophia Sears analyzes the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, recently introduced to the 119th Congress, which proposes regulations that strengthen the Horse Protection Act (HPA) by broadening the definition of soring, increasing penalties for violations, and replacing the current self-regulatory structure with USDA-administered oversight. Sears argues that such reforms are necessary to address potential conflicts of interest in the current structure and better prevent equine abuse. Ultimately, Sears contends that federal regulations that deliberately combat abuse against horses are essential for preserving the equestrian industry's social license to operate-- such regulations ensure public acceptance of horse-participation in competitive sport.
The Kentucky Derby is always an exciting time for horse racing fans. Bob Baffert, a famous horse trainer, ends up being suspended from competing in the Derby for 2 years due to his horse testing positive for a banned substance. Senior Staffer, Hunter Branham analyzes what this suspension means for the future of the Kentucky Derby.
Making sure the United States is producing enough energy is a pressing issue as seen throughout the Biden Administration. With the Senate’s passing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, more authority will be delegated to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in approval of electric transmission lines and facilities. 2L staffer, Grace Brock discusses the pros and cons of this act while bringing in issues of eminent domain and administrative law.
As vaping and e-cigarettes seem to take the place of regular cigarettes, many are wondering is this safe? The public and the government are worried that those who are partaking in this activity are putting themselves more at risk. With Covid-19 swarming through our country, taking care of our body and lungs are at an all time high causing the FDA to look at putting more restrictions on vaping and e-cigarettes.
NFTs are non-fungible token that many investors are extremely interested in investing and trading across the internet. Sadly though, NFTs rely largely on energy consumption where one command leaves the carbon footprint of watching Youtube for over a year. See what our recent alum, Fletcher Lyon, has to say about this and what he suggests to solve it!
With the rise of decriminalization of marijuana, expungement of this conviction from an individual’s record has become a hot topic. It is important to realize that although expungement is not an automatic process, but a voluntary process that many do not know about. With more African Americans being arrested for this crime versus white individuals, it is time to sit down and truly explore this problem.
