RIL IRL: When Res Ipsa Loquitur Shows Up in Real Life
When it comes to Torts, breach is usually proven the straightforward way. You show what the defendant did (or failed to do), then compare that conduct to the applicable standard of care. But sometimes the evidence you would love to have is missing, unavailable, or locked inside the defendant’s operations. That is when one of the bar exam’s favorite Latin phrases steps onto the stage: res ipsa loquitur , meaning “the thing speaks for itself.” Let's call that what it in the wil
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Dec 27, 20252 min read
In the News, On the Bar Exam: LeBron’s “The Second Decision” and the Law of Intentional Misrepresentation
LeBron James recently sent the sports world into a frenzy with what he called “The Second Decision.” Fans and media speculated for days. Was he finally retiring? Changing teams ... again? The buzz built until the reveal: “The Second Decision.” wasn't not a basketball announcement at all, but a new advertising campaign with Hennessy . Some fans felt duped, particularly those who paid premium prices to attend what they believed might be LeBron’s final game. One California resid
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Oct 12, 20253 min read
Fat Bear Week and the Law of Wild Animals
It’s Fat Bear Week ! Each fall, Katmai National Park in Alaska celebrates the massive brown bears who spend their summer fishing at...
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Sep 23, 20252 min read
Spit Happens: From Penalty Flags to Legal Claims
Football is back, and the season wasted no time reminding us that emotions—and tempers—run high. In the NFL’s opening game Thursday night...
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Sep 7, 20253 min read
Are You Ready for Some Football? Consent, Intentional Torts, and the NFL Kickoff
Tonight marks the start of a new NFL season, with the Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys . Millions of fans will tune in for...
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Sep 4, 20252 min read
A Labor Day Lesson: Employees vs. Independent Contractors
When most people think of Labor Day, they picture a cookout, a parade, or maybe the unofficial end of summer. But at its core, Labor Day...
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Aug 31, 20253 min read
The Life of a Showgirl Meets the Life of a Bar Examinee
On Wednesday, Taylor Swift revealed the track list for her upcoming album The Life of a Showgirl during her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s...
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Aug 15, 20259 min read
In the News, On the Bar Exam: Rest in Peace, Ozzy, and What The Osbournes Taught Us About Trespass
Today, we mourn the loss of an absolute icon— Ozzy Osbourne . The world knew him as the frontman of Black Sabbath , the godfather of...
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Jul 22, 20253 min read
Beyond the Arc (2/5): What My Hot Air Balloon Ride Taught Me About Tort Law
"Beyond the Arc" chronicles my recent trip to the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend (July 18-19) in Indianapolis. This five-part series blends...
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Jul 22, 20253 min read
In the News, On the Bar Exam: What the Coldplay Kiss Cam Scandal Teaches About Privacy Torts
If you’ve been buried in bar prep, or just living under a rock, you might have missed one of the summer’s wildest viral stories. At a...
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Jul 20, 20254 min read