Law of the United Kingdom

• GRANVILLE, Ohio, Oct. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, James R. Cooper is acknowledged as a Most Trusted Attorney for his contributions to the field of Business Law.
• Mr. Cooper earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Ohio State University.
• A partner at the private law firm Morrow Gordon & Byrd, he specializes in Corporations Law, Taxation Law, and Insurance Law.
• With more than 51 years of experience, Mr. Cooper provides his expertise in Business Law; Profit & Nonprofit Organizations; Oil & Gas Law; Business Planning; Probate; Federal; State and Local Tax Practice; Estate Planning; and Real Estate Law.

• Beaumont Independent School District recruited volunteer clergy to counsel K-12 students on topics such as self-esteem, peer pressure and violence.
• The goal, officials said, was to create volunteer opportunities, encourage conversation about civic values and morality, and enhance safe learning environments.
• Local boards have until March 1, 2024, to choose whether to allow chaplain programs in their schools.

Lone Star State

• In fact, Texas ranks 23rd in the nation in student-to-counselor ratios, with almost 400 students for every counselor.
• One bill requiring officials to display a 16-by-20-inch copy of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom was passed in the state Senate but died on the floor of the House in May 2023.

Shifts at SCOTUS

• The most famous of these was often called “the Lemon test,” referring to the court’s 1971 decision in Lemon v. Kurtzman.
• According to the endorsement test, a policy is permissible if a “reasonable observer” would not think it was endorsing or disapproving of religion.
• Finally, in 1992, the court abandoned a test it applied only once, in Lee v. Weisman: coercion.
• The justices invalidated prayer at a public school graduation ceremony on the basis that it coerced people present into listening.

Crossing the line?

• Even so, SB 763 raises at least three thorny issues about how to assess whether a policy violates the First Amendment.
• Having faith-based chaplains – a move many Texas chaplains themselves oppose – arguably puts the power of the state behind their actions.
• Third is the question of which faiths will be represented and whether the chaplain program would appear to endorse some religions over others.

Votes ahead

• Boards have begun to vote on whether to allow chaplains in their schools.
• SB 763 raises serious questions about what crosses the line toward establishing religion that, I believe, will likely result in litigation.
• Thus, both sides – whether in favor of or opposed to having chaplains in schools – should be mindful of the aphorism to “be careful what you wish for.”

Charles J. Russo does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• The survey aimed to uncover how admissions leaders at higher education institutions are reacting to the repeal of affirmative action after the Supreme Court ruling on June 29, 2023.
• The survey found that the overwhelming majority (79%) do not favor the removal of affirmative action.
• Seventy-three percent of respondents agreed that the ban on affirmative action policies will have a significant impact on the broader landscape of student diversity in higher education.
• The majority of respondents identified themselves in the following roles within their university (9.80% preferred not to disclose their role):

• Damon’s HyperSport is expected to be one of the safest, smartest and most powerful motorcycles available in the market.
• Upon the completion of the Business Combination, the combined company will be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, subject to the approval of an initial listing application.
• The Business Combination has been approved unanimously by the Board of Directors of both Inpixon and Damon.
• Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP acted as Canadian counsel to Damon and Dorsey & Whitney LLP acted as U.S. counsel to Damon.