David Colarusso
@davidcolarusso.com
Co-director @suffolkLITLab.org (Legal Innov. & Tech). Attorney & science educator by training & practice. Data scientist, craftsman, & writer by experience. No mannels.
My bots: @icymilaw.org, @news.bot.suffolklitlab.org & @lolscotus.bsky.social
My bots: @icymilaw.org, @news.bot.suffolklitlab.org & @lolscotus.bsky.social
Pinned
David Colarusso
@davidcolarusso.com
· Sep 5
One of my favorite things about working at Suffolk is how frequently I get to walk through the Boston Public Garden. Here’s a painting based on a picture I took before class this week.
P-value came back as 1.2e-109. Seems significant to me. ;)
February 13, 2026 at 9:09 PM
P-value came back as 1.2e-109. Seems significant to me. ;)
Reposted by David Colarusso
I think I've asked this on here before, but can't recall:
Has anyone seen/written a paper on how statistical significance is a burden of proof, and so the law's mindless focus on significance for admissibility effectively imposes the SAME burden on BOTH parties, in civil AND crim cases alike?
Has anyone seen/written a paper on how statistical significance is a burden of proof, and so the law's mindless focus on significance for admissibility effectively imposes the SAME burden on BOTH parties, in civil AND crim cases alike?
February 13, 2026 at 2:39 PM
I think I've asked this on here before, but can't recall:
Has anyone seen/written a paper on how statistical significance is a burden of proof, and so the law's mindless focus on significance for admissibility effectively imposes the SAME burden on BOTH parties, in civil AND crim cases alike?
Has anyone seen/written a paper on how statistical significance is a burden of proof, and so the law's mindless focus on significance for admissibility effectively imposes the SAME burden on BOTH parties, in civil AND crim cases alike?
Reposted by David Colarusso
So this reminds me of something:
When law students ask me what to take in undergrad, my usual answer is "anything, really."
But probably a better answer would be "it might be helpful to grab a statistics class or two."
When law students ask me what to take in undergrad, my usual answer is "anything, really."
But probably a better answer would be "it might be helpful to grab a statistics class or two."
Last week I ask some law students the question below. Now it's your turn. Click through to the thread for a link to a simulation to help you clarify your thinking, then continue with the thread to see the correct answer.
15/ Since we had just made use of a tool that purported to make predictions with some level of confidence, I suggested we might want to look more into what such tools are really telling us. So, I asked them the following.
February 11, 2026 at 2:37 PM
So this reminds me of something:
When law students ask me what to take in undergrad, my usual answer is "anything, really."
But probably a better answer would be "it might be helpful to grab a statistics class or two."
When law students ask me what to take in undergrad, my usual answer is "anything, really."
But probably a better answer would be "it might be helpful to grab a statistics class or two."
Last week I ask some law students the question below. Now it's your turn. Click through to the thread for a link to a simulation to help you clarify your thinking, then continue with the thread to see the correct answer.
15/ Since we had just made use of a tool that purported to make predictions with some level of confidence, I suggested we might want to look more into what such tools are really telling us. So, I asked them the following.
February 11, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Last week I ask some law students the question below. Now it's your turn. Click through to the thread for a link to a simulation to help you clarify your thinking, then continue with the thread to see the correct answer.
Reposted by David Colarusso
ICYMI, I posted a massive thread this morning about a recent lesson of mine on algos, bias, & due process. There was a lot there for other teachers, including nuggets like this exercise where students got to experience automation bias firsthand. Related blog post: suffolklitlab.org/algos-bias-d...
12/ Almost everyone fell victim to automation bias. The assistant's accuracy was 100% in phase 1 & 2, then dropped to 70%. Student performance started at 79% in phase 1, improved to 85% for a bit, but when the tool's accuracy declined, scores fell to 65%, worse than their initial performance.
February 9, 2026 at 9:30 PM
ICYMI, I posted a massive thread this morning about a recent lesson of mine on algos, bias, & due process. There was a lot there for other teachers, including nuggets like this exercise where students got to experience automation bias firsthand. Related blog post: suffolklitlab.org/algos-bias-d...
You weren't imagining things. I was posting about toilet seat etiquette this morning as part of a massive thread about a lesson I taught covering algos, bias, & due process. My hope is fellow teachers will find something in there worth reusing. Related blog post: suffolklitlab.org/algos-bias-d...
19/ It (fairness-simulator-the-toilet-seat-dilemma-50382557550.us-west1.run.app) simulates what happens when folks following different rules share a toilet. It assumes 2 populations, "sitters" & "standers" (folks who sometimes stand). It lets you see how different behavior effects 2 costs: ...
February 10, 2026 at 12:30 AM
You weren't imagining things. I was posting about toilet seat etiquette this morning as part of a massive thread about a lesson I taught covering algos, bias, & due process. My hope is fellow teachers will find something in there worth reusing. Related blog post: suffolklitlab.org/algos-bias-d...
Reposted by David Colarusso
This is so, so good. If you have units on algorithmic bias, or are just interested in incorporating simulations/interactive elements into your teaching, check this out.
1/ There has never been a more concentrated distillation of my teaching than this lesson: Algos, Bias, Due Process, & You. It is the apotheosis of what I do. I very much hope you enjoy it, share it, and make bits of it your own.
Algos, Bias, Due Process, & You — Suffolk LIT Lab
TL;DR: I built a bunch of highly-modular online simulations you can use with your students. They cover automation bias, the false positive paradox, competing definitions of fairness, disparate impact ...
suffolklitlab.org
February 9, 2026 at 9:43 PM
This is so, so good. If you have units on algorithmic bias, or are just interested in incorporating simulations/interactive elements into your teaching, check this out.
ICYMI, I posted a massive thread this morning about a recent lesson of mine on algos, bias, & due process. There was a lot there for other teachers, including nuggets like this exercise where students got to experience automation bias firsthand. Related blog post: suffolklitlab.org/algos-bias-d...
12/ Almost everyone fell victim to automation bias. The assistant's accuracy was 100% in phase 1 & 2, then dropped to 70%. Student performance started at 79% in phase 1, improved to 85% for a bit, but when the tool's accuracy declined, scores fell to 65%, worse than their initial performance.
February 9, 2026 at 9:30 PM
ICYMI, I posted a massive thread this morning about a recent lesson of mine on algos, bias, & due process. There was a lot there for other teachers, including nuggets like this exercise where students got to experience automation bias firsthand. Related blog post: suffolklitlab.org/algos-bias-d...
Reposted by David Colarusso
I have been WAITING for this and am so excited to learn more about important details in how we bridge between technology and the details of the law.
Thanks @aspendigital.bsky.social for taking this on!
Thanks @aspendigital.bsky.social for taking this on!
📘 Defining Artificial Intelligence - a new collection of expert perspectives exploring how #AI is defined across US law and policy, and why those definitions matter.
Clear definitions shape real-world outcomes. Check out the full handbook here 👉
https://ow.ly/gi7y50YbPvJ
Clear definitions shape real-world outcomes. Check out the full handbook here 👉
https://ow.ly/gi7y50YbPvJ
February 9, 2026 at 6:08 PM
I have been WAITING for this and am so excited to learn more about important details in how we bridge between technology and the details of the law.
Thanks @aspendigital.bsky.social for taking this on!
Thanks @aspendigital.bsky.social for taking this on!
Reposted by David Colarusso
You might think this thread is just sharing some educational simulations for law students, but around post 8 it becomes clear that a mystery is a foot!
February 9, 2026 at 4:00 PM
You might think this thread is just sharing some educational simulations for law students, but around post 8 it becomes clear that a mystery is a foot!
1/ There has never been a more concentrated distillation of my teaching than this lesson: Algos, Bias, Due Process, & You. It is the apotheosis of what I do. I very much hope you enjoy it, share it, and make bits of it your own.
Algos, Bias, Due Process, & You — Suffolk LIT Lab
TL;DR: I built a bunch of highly-modular online simulations you can use with your students. They cover automation bias, the false positive paradox, competing definitions of fairness, disparate impact ...
suffolklitlab.org
February 9, 2026 at 1:45 PM
1/ There has never been a more concentrated distillation of my teaching than this lesson: Algos, Bias, Due Process, & You. It is the apotheosis of what I do. I very much hope you enjoy it, share it, and make bits of it your own.
Reposted by David Colarusso
Since Valentine's Day is approaching, I'm reposting some of my past Valentine's comics.
February 8, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Since Valentine's Day is approaching, I'm reposting some of my past Valentine's comics.
From an evolutionary perspective, fruit has proven wildly successful. "We'll put our seeds in something so yummy animals will carry them far and wide," has become, "our fruit is so yummy the animals feel compelled to help us reproduce without seeds!" See seedless grapes, oranges, etc.
February 7, 2026 at 8:53 PM
From an evolutionary perspective, fruit has proven wildly successful. "We'll put our seeds in something so yummy animals will carry them far and wide," has become, "our fruit is so yummy the animals feel compelled to help us reproduce without seeds!" See seedless grapes, oranges, etc.
Reposted by David Colarusso
“Late Friday night, the Fifth Circuit adopted the extreme minority view—that the government can indefinitely detain without bond millions of non-citizens who have been here for generations; who have never committed a crime; and who pose neither a risk of flight nor any threat to public safety.”
208. The Fifth Circuit Jumps the Immigration Detention Shark
Late Friday, two of the nation's most right-wing circuit judges adopted an odious legal claim that district court judges from across the country (and ideological spectrum) have overwhelmingly rejected
www.stevevladeck.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:34 PM
“Late Friday night, the Fifth Circuit adopted the extreme minority view—that the government can indefinitely detain without bond millions of non-citizens who have been here for generations; who have never committed a crime; and who pose neither a risk of flight nor any threat to public safety.”
Reposted by David Colarusso
I finally got the latest version of my Civil Procedure Game! Now with a box, better cards, and individualized pawns and tokens..
February 4, 2026 at 2:26 PM
I finally got the latest version of my Civil Procedure Game! Now with a box, better cards, and individualized pawns and tokens..
In my experience, two things make a “good” job. One is usually sufficient, but two is golden. They are: (1) loving the work, and (2) liking your colleagues. Sounds like this could be a twofer.
hallo, I am hiring again! - SF Digital Services is looking for a new Engineering Director careers.sf.gov/role/?id=374...
This reports directly to me, & I’m looking for a practical & flexible technical expert with excellent communication & coaching skills, who is excited to do both. More below...
This reports directly to me, & I’m looking for a practical & flexible technical expert with excellent communication & coaching skills, who is excited to do both. More below...
Engineering Director - Digital Services (0932)
The Office of the City Administrator and its 25+ divisions and departments operate core internal and public-facing services in San Francisco. The Office of the City Administrator’s Mission and Visio...
careers.sf.gov
February 4, 2026 at 4:40 PM
In my experience, two things make a “good” job. One is usually sufficient, but two is golden. They are: (1) loving the work, and (2) liking your colleagues. Sounds like this could be a twofer.
While washing the dishes, I finished the latest @99pi.org, and I think I know what I’ll be reading before bed—Emily Dickinson.
The Em Dash - 99% Invisible
Last summer, Bryan Vance found himself in an argument with a stranger on Reddit. Vance, a Portland-based journalist who runs Stumptown Savings, a newsletter covering local grocery deals, had been accu...
99percentinvisible.org
February 4, 2026 at 2:34 AM
While washing the dishes, I finished the latest @99pi.org, and I think I know what I’ll be reading before bed—Emily Dickinson.
"Their claim was self defense, sir
Just don’t believe your eyes
It’s our blood and bones
And these whistles and phones
Against Miller and Noem’s dirty lies"
Art matters. Stay free.
Just don’t believe your eyes
It’s our blood and bones
And these whistles and phones
Against Miller and Noem’s dirty lies"
Art matters. Stay free.
January 29, 2026 at 2:23 AM
"Their claim was self defense, sir
Just don’t believe your eyes
It’s our blood and bones
And these whistles and phones
Against Miller and Noem’s dirty lies"
Art matters. Stay free.
Just don’t believe your eyes
It’s our blood and bones
And these whistles and phones
Against Miller and Noem’s dirty lies"
Art matters. Stay free.
Reposted by David Colarusso
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
LinkedIn has entered the conversation, and I'll save you having to click through and search for my name. It's there. Also, it's the least someone in my position can do, the least. Anywho, you might consider signing as well.
Legal Tech Leaders Join Other Legal Professionals In Open Letter Supporting the Rule of Law | Robert Ambrogi | 15 comments
A number of leaders from the legal technology community are joining other legal professionals in an open letter supporting the rule of law.
“Lawyers, judges, and government officials all take an oath...
www.linkedin.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:41 PM
LinkedIn has entered the conversation, and I'll save you having to click through and search for my name. It's there. Also, it's the least someone in my position can do, the least. Anywho, you might consider signing as well.
And I love that all three could be found with this post on @icymilaw.org's feed. FWIW, ICYMI Law is a bot I built to distill the firehouse of legal commentary. You really should give it a follow. ;)
I love that Bluesky has such a robust legal-journalistic culture now that we have at least three people live-posting this court hearing on the Minneapolis ICE deployment!
Follow @klasfeldreports.com @chrisgeidner.bsky.social @rparloff.bsky.social and no doubt others for the latest
Follow @klasfeldreports.com @chrisgeidner.bsky.social @rparloff.bsky.social and no doubt others for the latest
Judge:
"I appreciate that answer, Mr. Carter. I think it goes without saying that we’re in shockingly unusual times."
"I appreciate that answer, Mr. Carter. I think it goes without saying that we’re in shockingly unusual times."
January 26, 2026 at 11:48 PM
And I love that all three could be found with this post on @icymilaw.org's feed. FWIW, ICYMI Law is a bot I built to distill the firehouse of legal commentary. You really should give it a follow. ;)
No haggis was had, but I did just have some shortbread and read some poetry. Happy Burn’s Night.
January 25, 2026 at 11:54 PM
No haggis was had, but I did just have some shortbread and read some poetry. Happy Burn’s Night.
I just realized that I'm currently consuming both William Gibson and Neal Stephenson novels at the same time, one is a physical book for before bed and the other an audio book that follows me about my chores. I suspect this says something about how my unconscious is processing our current times.
January 24, 2026 at 3:13 PM
I just realized that I'm currently consuming both William Gibson and Neal Stephenson novels at the same time, one is a physical book for before bed and the other an audio book that follows me about my chores. I suspect this says something about how my unconscious is processing our current times.
My oldest recently turned 12, and they're leaving home (i.e., 127.0.0.1). That's right, I've set them up with SFTP access to their first public-facing web server.
January 23, 2026 at 10:42 PM
My oldest recently turned 12, and they're leaving home (i.e., 127.0.0.1). That's right, I've set them up with SFTP access to their first public-facing web server.