ProfessorTommy.Tips

Lionel Messi added another accomplishment to an already legendary career by breaking the World Cup scoring record yesterday. For more than two decades, Messi has dazzled fans with his vision, precision, and ability to make difficult things look effortless. He sees opportunities before others do and consistently puts himself in position to succeed. But while Messi may be brilliant, a messy bar exam essay response is not. Photo source: www.messi.com Yes, it's a groan-worthy pla

Somewhere along the way, the em dash became suspicious. Not misused. Not overused. But suspicious. Apparently, if you use an em dash, you must be using ChatGPT. Or some other AI tool. Or at the very least, you must have “AI vibes.” That’s the conventional wisdom floating around online right now. And it’s ridiculous. I Checked the Receipts When I first started hearing this, I did what any slightly annoyed, mildly stubborn law professor would do. I went back and looked at my ol

From time to time, real-world headlines offer a natural opportunity to revisit foundational legal principles. This series draws on those...

Justice Sotomayor's blistering dissent in DHS v. D.V.D. (June 2025) is a masterclass in judicial disagreement. It's passionate, precise,...

Every year, as Super Bowl LIX weekend approaches, the internet lights up with images of owls—majestic, wise, and, well, superb. Why?...

It’s time we clear the air on something that’s been bugging me for a while. Let’s talk about the word “bar,” as in the “bar exam,” and...

Today is National Punctuation Day. It's (and not " its ") the perfect opportunity to reflect on how small things—like commas, periods,...

When preparing for the bar exam or tackling law school assignments, it's crucial to master the CIRAC method (Conclusion, Issue, Rule,...

During a recent hearing in former President Donald Trump's classified documents case in Florida, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon...

I teach a legal research and writing course, and I recently finished reviewing my students’ closed memo assignment. If you’re not...