Ellie Margolis
@elliemargolis.bsky.social
Law professor @TempleLaw, suburban gardener, avid reader. Happy to nerd out about legal writing anytime.
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Rough vibes on this website today, likely because people feel Hopeless and Helpless Because Can't Stop It and No One Who Is Supposed To Is Trying To So Now We're Fighting Each Other™. I recommend activities such as book, or potentially instrument if you like instrument, or even do talk on phone.
January 5, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Rough vibes on this website today, likely because people feel Hopeless and Helpless Because Can't Stop It and No One Who Is Supposed To Is Trying To So Now We're Fighting Each Other™. I recommend activities such as book, or potentially instrument if you like instrument, or even do talk on phone.
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
We need to be honest with ourselves and our leaders about Venezuela
We are a rogue state, a global pariah
Trump is ruling as a dictator, period
An axis of evil wants to carve up small, resource-rich nations
The message for 2026 is clear: No kings!
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/trum...
We are a rogue state, a global pariah
Trump is ruling as a dictator, period
An axis of evil wants to carve up small, resource-rich nations
The message for 2026 is clear: No kings!
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/trum...
America launches its 250th birthday year by becoming a rogue state | Will Bunch
Trump's illegal war on Venezuela cemented his claim to dictatorship and marked the U.S. as a global pariah.
www.inquirer.com
January 4, 2026 at 6:21 PM
We need to be honest with ourselves and our leaders about Venezuela
We are a rogue state, a global pariah
Trump is ruling as a dictator, period
An axis of evil wants to carve up small, resource-rich nations
The message for 2026 is clear: No kings!
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/trum...
We are a rogue state, a global pariah
Trump is ruling as a dictator, period
An axis of evil wants to carve up small, resource-rich nations
The message for 2026 is clear: No kings!
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/trum...
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Want to reduce risk for dementia? Get vaccinated! 🩺
I will explain how this works...
I will explain how this works...
Oh, just get vaccinated (part 5,000)
"Many shots seem to have “off-target” benefits, such as lowering the risk of dementia, studies have found." (gift article)
"Many shots seem to have “off-target” benefits, such as lowering the risk of dementia, studies have found." (gift article)
Vaccines Are Helping Older People More Than We Knew
www.nytimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Want to reduce risk for dementia? Get vaccinated! 🩺
I will explain how this works...
I will explain how this works...
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
The correct timeline
January 4, 2026 at 9:47 PM
The correct timeline
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Pro tip for law students: you can substitute almost any judicial doctrine for “fair use” and the sentence below will still work!
Exam quote of the day: "fair use is like asking your parents for money: they’ll give it to you as long as they agree with how you’ll use it."
January 4, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Pro tip for law students: you can substitute almost any judicial doctrine for “fair use” and the sentence below will still work!
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Now out!
"Crowdsourced War" @nyulawreview.bsky.social
We describe a revolution in war fighting that we call “Crowdsourced War.” It's putting civilians at risk around the globe. It is time to adopt new rules to protect civilians from the new risks they face.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
"Crowdsourced War" @nyulawreview.bsky.social
We describe a revolution in war fighting that we call “Crowdsourced War.” It's putting civilians at risk around the globe. It is time to adopt new rules to protect civilians from the new risks they face.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
December 15, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Now out!
"Crowdsourced War" @nyulawreview.bsky.social
We describe a revolution in war fighting that we call “Crowdsourced War.” It's putting civilians at risk around the globe. It is time to adopt new rules to protect civilians from the new risks they face.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
"Crowdsourced War" @nyulawreview.bsky.social
We describe a revolution in war fighting that we call “Crowdsourced War.” It's putting civilians at risk around the globe. It is time to adopt new rules to protect civilians from the new risks they face.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
This is why it's also important for domestic elected officials to condemn it as "illegal" and not just gripe about consultation. This is the stuff upon which international law is built. The prohibition against piracy wasn't some entity declaring it illegal worldwide, it was a custom built over time.
For nonlawyers, it’s worth noting that statements like this have—as a formal matter—important legal effects as a matter of international law. If such statements are *not* made, and in volume, future arguments that Trump’s invasion sets a legal precedent will stand on much firmer legal ground.
Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide: "International law is universal and binding for all states. The American intervention in Venezuela is not in accordance with international law."
January 3, 2026 at 10:54 PM
This is why it's also important for domestic elected officials to condemn it as "illegal" and not just gripe about consultation. This is the stuff upon which international law is built. The prohibition against piracy wasn't some entity declaring it illegal worldwide, it was a custom built over time.
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
He watched it from his house.
Not from the seat of government.
And experienced it as a TV show.
He is a non-president.
Not from the seat of government.
And experienced it as a TV show.
He is a non-president.
The WH released photos of Trump watching the operation live from a makeshift “war room” at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump went on Fox News this morning and said he watched it like “a television show,” praising the “speed” and “violence” as “an amazing thing.”
Trump went on Fox News this morning and said he watched it like “a television show,” praising the “speed” and “violence” as “an amazing thing.”
January 3, 2026 at 9:28 PM
He watched it from his house.
Not from the seat of government.
And experienced it as a TV show.
He is a non-president.
Not from the seat of government.
And experienced it as a TV show.
He is a non-president.
Seems like a good time for a feel-good story on the timeline.
share.inquirer.com/TE8sAK
share.inquirer.com/TE8sAK
A Mummers wedding on Market Street | Weekly report card
We grade a Mummers wedding on Market Street, SEPTA’s survival year, the Eagles resting starters, New Jersey’s wage flex, and one truly unhinged Philly commute.
share.inquirer.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Seems like a good time for a feel-good story on the timeline.
share.inquirer.com/TE8sAK
share.inquirer.com/TE8sAK
This is no surprise to anyone who knows how generative AI actually works. I am so tired.
New AIWeirdness post: ChatGPT will apologize for anything, including stuff that didn't happen. It's not reflecting on stuff it did wrong, it's improv.
www.aiweirdness.com/chatgpt-will...
www.aiweirdness.com/chatgpt-will...
January 3, 2026 at 3:04 PM
This is no surprise to anyone who knows how generative AI actually works. I am so tired.
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Happy New Year #LadyLawyerDiaries! We have high hopes and earnest wishes for all our peeps in 2026 ❤️❤️
January 3, 2026 at 4:49 AM
Happy New Year #LadyLawyerDiaries! We have high hopes and earnest wishes for all our peeps in 2026 ❤️❤️
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
I know we have bigger first to fry but this sucks so fucking bad.
Location: Midtown Hotel Boston
Location: Midtown Hotel Boston
January 3, 2026 at 12:35 AM
I know we have bigger first to fry but this sucks so fucking bad.
Location: Midtown Hotel Boston
Location: Midtown Hotel Boston
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Again, please explain why regular product liability law doesn’t apply to this software
the water thing about genAI is bullshit but the thing where it makes on-demand nudes and CSAM isn't and the thing where it talks you into killing yourself isn't and those seem pretty bad
January 2, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Again, please explain why regular product liability law doesn’t apply to this software
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Today in schadenfreude, former CA9 judge Alex Kozinki did not prevail in a copyright case he argued before his former colleagues.
cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/op...
cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/op...
January 3, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Today in schadenfreude, former CA9 judge Alex Kozinki did not prevail in a copyright case he argued before his former colleagues.
cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/op...
cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/op...
Yikes. I hate to see this as I prepare a bunch of travel in the upcoming months.
U.S. commercial airline fatalities since 2010 (excluding charter)
2010: 0
2011: 0
2012: 0
2013: 3
2014: 0
2015: 0
2016: 0
2017: 0
2018: 1
2019: 1
2020: 0
2021: 0
2022: 0
2023: 0
2024: 0
2025: 64
2010: 0
2011: 0
2012: 0
2013: 3
2014: 0
2015: 0
2016: 0
2017: 0
2018: 1
2019: 1
2020: 0
2021: 0
2022: 0
2023: 0
2024: 0
2025: 64
January 3, 2026 at 1:12 AM
Yikes. I hate to see this as I prepare a bunch of travel in the upcoming months.
Yikes
UPDATE: “The hybrid, or Canis latrans var., is about 55 pounds heavier than pure coyotes, with longer legs, a larger jaw, smaller ears and a bushier tail. It is part eastern wolf, part wester wolf, western coyote and with some dog.”
And it was all triggered by deforestation. WHEWWWWW!!!!!
And it was all triggered by deforestation. WHEWWWWW!!!!!
Coywolves Are Taking Over Eastern North America
Coywolves are not 'shy wolves'—they are coyote-wolf hybrids (with some dog mixed in) and now number in the millions
www.smithsonianmag.com
January 3, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Yikes
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Equating “advocates” with “academics and elites” really just punts on the news media’s actual role: distinguishing between the two.
January 3, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Equating “advocates” with “academics and elites” really just punts on the news media’s actual role: distinguishing between the two.
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Without ChatGPT, my dog Spot and my cat Tiger would not have names.
Thanks, ChatGPT!
Thanks, ChatGPT!
The parents of the first baby born in 2026 in this county outside Baltimore got their name ideas from ChatGPT. Hudson Oakley Winkler.
www.baltimoresun.com/2026/01/01/c...
www.baltimoresun.com/2026/01/01/c...
ChatGPT named Carroll County’s first-born baby in 2026
The first baby born in Carroll County in 2026 was named with help from ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence chatbot.
www.baltimoresun.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Without ChatGPT, my dog Spot and my cat Tiger would not have names.
Thanks, ChatGPT!
Thanks, ChatGPT!
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
universalize this please
If you are a resident of California, the state now has a portal where you can demand deletion of your personal data from 500+ registered data brokers with a single request form, for free.
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
January 2, 2026 at 3:35 AM
universalize this please
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
Zohran’s inauguration brimmed w/the energy that NYC is “a shining beacon of possibility” per @jumaane.bsky.social.
Amidst the darkness of authoritarianism, inequality & hate, we have a chance to show what’s possible.
That’s always been our mission as New Yorkers—it was profoundly renewed today.
Amidst the darkness of authoritarianism, inequality & hate, we have a chance to show what’s possible.
That’s always been our mission as New Yorkers—it was profoundly renewed today.
January 1, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Zohran’s inauguration brimmed w/the energy that NYC is “a shining beacon of possibility” per @jumaane.bsky.social.
Amidst the darkness of authoritarianism, inequality & hate, we have a chance to show what’s possible.
That’s always been our mission as New Yorkers—it was profoundly renewed today.
Amidst the darkness of authoritarianism, inequality & hate, we have a chance to show what’s possible.
That’s always been our mission as New Yorkers—it was profoundly renewed today.
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
In 2026 I want all of the decent people to remember one thing.
You aren’t meant to be this disciplined, this self-sacrificing to survive. The environment is supposed to support good living. We can have that. You are not a failure. That is politics.
That is all.
You aren’t meant to be this disciplined, this self-sacrificing to survive. The environment is supposed to support good living. We can have that. You are not a failure. That is politics.
That is all.
January 1, 2026 at 10:30 PM
In 2026 I want all of the decent people to remember one thing.
You aren’t meant to be this disciplined, this self-sacrificing to survive. The environment is supposed to support good living. We can have that. You are not a failure. That is politics.
That is all.
You aren’t meant to be this disciplined, this self-sacrificing to survive. The environment is supposed to support good living. We can have that. You are not a failure. That is politics.
That is all.
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
My New Years Resolutions:
-Re-elect Gov. Shapiro + expand the PA House margin + flip the PA state senate
-Raise the minimum wage in PA
-Flip the US House and Senate
-Keep making MAGA mad
-Re-elect Gov. Shapiro + expand the PA House margin + flip the PA state senate
-Raise the minimum wage in PA
-Flip the US House and Senate
-Keep making MAGA mad
January 1, 2026 at 6:51 PM
My New Years Resolutions:
-Re-elect Gov. Shapiro + expand the PA House margin + flip the PA state senate
-Raise the minimum wage in PA
-Flip the US House and Senate
-Keep making MAGA mad
-Re-elect Gov. Shapiro + expand the PA House margin + flip the PA state senate
-Raise the minimum wage in PA
-Flip the US House and Senate
-Keep making MAGA mad
Reposted by Ellie Margolis
This is astounding: "According to The Washington Post, plaintiffs in roughly 75 percent of the lawsuits challenging Trump’s executive orders during his first term were represented by large top-tier law firms. Only 15 percent of such plaintiffs were represented by top firms in 2025."
January 1, 2026 at 6:45 PM
This is astounding: "According to The Washington Post, plaintiffs in roughly 75 percent of the lawsuits challenging Trump’s executive orders during his first term were represented by large top-tier law firms. Only 15 percent of such plaintiffs were represented by top firms in 2025."