Rolling back hazing protections is concerning, Wexler writes

The Department of Defense’s review of definitions of toxic leadership, bullying, and hazing, which were announced recently by Secretary Pete Hegseth, are cause for concern, Professor Lesley Wexler writes in a new editorial for Justia Verdict. She examines the history of these rules to understand their necessity and underline why any review that weakens protections […]

Wexler and Ghiotto pen two-part series on military lawyers in civilian law

The Trump administration’s decision to use military lawyers to enforce civilian law was found to violate the Posse Comitatus Act in the Northern District of California, but the simple act of using military lawyers as prosecutors in federal courts and judges in immigration cases is alarming, write Professors Lesley Wexler and Tony Ghiotto. In a two-part […]

J. Ross hosts Comparative Law Work in Progress Workshop

The annual Comparative Law Work in Progress Workshop took place at the University of Illinois College of Law from May 1-3, 2025. Hosted by Professors Jacqueline E. Ross (Illinois), Kim Lane Scheppele (Princeton), and Jacques DeLisle (UPenn), the workshop was co-sponsored by the American Society of Comparative Law, the Illinois Program in Criminal Law, and […]

Wexler and Ghiotto publish new article on the transgender military ban

Writing at Justia Verdict, Professors Lesley Wexler and Tony Ghiotto discuss the latest developments around the Executive Order banning transgender individuals from the United States’ military, including a new Action Memo from the Department of Defense and the Equal Protection aspects of the Talbott v. Trump and Shilling v. United States litigation challenging the ban. “We worry the administration […]

Ghiotto and Wexler examine the executive order on transgender military members

In a new post on Justia Verdict, Professors Tony Ghiotto and Lesley Wexler do a deep examination of the Prioritizing Military Excellence Order, President Trump’s executive order on transgender individuals in the military. The article seeks to answer whether the order represents a complete transgender service ban or a variation of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” […]

Let’s Kill All the Lawyers: The Friday Night Massacre of Judge Advocates General

In a co-authored blog post for Justia Verdict, Professors Lesley Wexler and Tony Ghiotto explore the significance of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s firing of Judge Advocates General in late February. Were these firings truly unprecedented? What consequences may arise from these firings, whether within military legal practice or how the military fights wars and […]

Wexler invited to affiliate with National Institute of Military Justice as a Fellow

In recognition of her excellence and distinction as a leader in the field of military law, Professor Lesley Wexler has been invited to affiliate with the National Institute of Military Justice (NIMJ) as a Fellow. NIMJ was founded in 1991, and is the only American non-profit institute dedicated to the study of improvement of the […]

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