Derek Matthews (Vinson Class, 2017) is no stranger to giving back to Cooley Law School in the Tampa Bay region. Outside of legal practice, Matthews sponsors the annual Cooley Alumni Golf Outing in Tampa and participates in alumni events and mentoring programs to build relationships with faculty and fellow graduates.
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This essay examines the power of the President to order that money appropriated by Congress should not be spent; put another way–can the President refuse to spend funds that Congress authorized to be spent? This essay presumes that the power of appropriation lies in Congress and that the power to spend appropriations lies in the executive branch, namely with the President.[1]
In recent days, two high-profile cases have cast a troubling light on the growing enthusiasm for vigilantism in America. From the tragic chokehold death of Jordan Neely to the violent shooting of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson, these events raise critical questions about the legitimacy of individuals taking the law into their own hands.
Current circumstances compel examination of the power of a President of the United States to nominate appointees and to fill vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate. The first context for analysis requires a look at two constitutional provisions regarding the President’s appointment power:
Over the course of the past few years, considerable attention has been given to decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States, with critics often including a focus on the question of who appointed the Justices serving on the Court.
In a republican form of government–one in which representatives of the people make most policy decisions–the legislative branch is the most important.
Kalamazoo County celebrated the dedication of their brand-new justice center on Saturday, September 7. The center will be named in honor of the late Charles A. Pratt, a World War II veteran and the first black judge in Kalamazoo county when he was elected in 1969. Judge Pratt had 50 years of experience as a lawyer before he moved to the bench, where he is remembered for his unwavering commitment to justice, community service, and mentorship. After 12 years on the bench, Judge Pratt retired, but continued to give back to his community through his work with local organizations. Most notably, Judge Pratt was a strong advocate in Cooley’s long-lasting legacy, often carrying applications to the school wherever he went during Cooley’s fledgling era.
We have now completed a presidential election campaign. While there was considerable public discussion about the qualifications of the candidates and the political process, the role of the President was largely ignored. This short piece describes the power allocated to the President by the Constitution of the United States.
Professor Norman Fell September 8, 1942 - June 21, 2024
Sukayna Almusawi knew from the age of 14 she wanted to be a lawyer—yet many people insisted she would not succeed, not only because she is a woman, but also because she wears the hijab.
