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The "Clean Beauty" Conundrum: The New Wave of ...

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.

The "Clean Beauty" Conundrum: The New Wave of Beauty Litigation
KJEANRL
What’s in a NAM?

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 She contends that traditional animal testing is often an outdated and poor predictor of human outcomes, whereas modern tools like organ-on-chip models offer superior scientific precision.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.

What’s in a NAM?
KJEANRL
Solar Power into Plowshares: The Application of ...

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.

Solar Power into Plowshares: The Application of the Takings Clause to Proposals Regarding Zoning Regulations of Solar Farms on Lexington Farmland
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From Strip Mines to Solar Panels: Regulating ...

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.

From Strip Mines to Solar Panels: Regulating Renewable Energy Development on Reclaimed Coal Land in Eastern Kentucky
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Protecting the American Equestrian’s Social ...

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.  

Protecting the American Equestrian’s Social License to Operate: The Importance of the PAST Act

Conservation or Exploitation?: Restricting Conservation Easement Syndicates

Conservation or Exploitation?: Restricting Conservation Easement Syndicates

Blog By: Joseph White

Conservation easements are a tool that private parties can use to protect lands by receiving tax deductions in exchange for agreeing to land use restrictions. However, some groups of investors are taking advantage of this tool by making questionable appraisals of their property before getting an easement, allowing them to receive vastly larger deductions. In this blog, 2L staffer Joseph White discusses how a new law passed by Congress addresses these questionable practices by limiting the eligibility for those deductions. 

Take You for a Ride on My Big Green Tractor to the Authorized Service Center – Why Right to Repair Legislation is Still Needed

Take You for a Ride on My Big Green Tractor to the Authorized Service Center – Why Right to Repair Legislation is Still Needed

Blog By: Ryan Stuart

The increase of sensors and software on modern farming equipment has allowed manufacturers like John Deere to control the repair process of their farm equipment. In this blog, 3L staffer Ryan Stuart argues that farmers need right-to-repair legislation to ensure that individuals can access the tools needed to repair their own equipment.

Control the Pests: Why FIFRA Falls Short of Protecting Public Health and the Environment from Toxic Pesticides

Control the Pests: Why FIFRA Falls Short of Protecting Public Health and the Environment from Toxic Pesticides

Blog By: Julia Ray

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) regulates pesticide distribution, sale, and use. In this blog, 2L staffer Julia Ray explains that current structure of FIFRA allows unsafe pesticides to be produced in the US. Further, Ray argues that FIFRA should be amended to remove the registration exception for exported pesticides to promote public health and minimize the environmental impact of pesticides.

Sizing Up Bears Ears National Monument: A New Take on the Antiquities Act

Sizing Up Bears Ears National Monument: A New Take on the Antiquities Act

Blog By: Mary Jocelyn

In a statement accompanying the denial of certiorari for the most recent Antiquities Act case, Chief Justice Roberts discussed two critical components of the act yet to be determined by Congress or the courts - what is the smallest area compatible for the monument and how it should be operationalized. In this blog, 2L staffer Mary Jocelyn argues that the proclamation of Bears Ears as a national monument under the Antiquities Act is a paradox because it actually impairs the necessary resources required for management.