Kat Macfarlane
@katmacfarlane.bsky.social
Law prof interested in civil rights, disability, and procedure. At war with my immune system. I have the best dog. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=2115906
Pinned
Higher Education's Accommodations Mistake
<p><span>A university may deny a disabled student’s reasonable accommodation request if it decides that the accommodation would fundamentally alter its academic
papers.ssrn.com
Higher Education’s Accommodations Mistake is forthcoming in the Georgetown LJ. It argues that the fundamental alteration defense is misapplied in higher ed and that Guckenberger & Wynne were wrongly decided, resulting in decades of unjustified accommodation denials. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Today’s panel is all about managing disability and accommodations while on the job market (disclose or not?), during tenure or promotion and other stressful times, and as a lateral. All questions (and disability allies) are welcome at 1 pm in Grand Salon 3.
Syracuse Law at #AALS2026 – Jan. 6
Professor of Law and Director, Disability Law and Policy Program @katmacfarlane.bsky.social
Managing Disability: From Academic Job Searching Through Tenure, Promotion, and Beyond panel 1 p.m.
law.syracuse.edu/news/syracus...
Professor of Law and Director, Disability Law and Policy Program @katmacfarlane.bsky.social
Managing Disability: From Academic Job Searching Through Tenure, Promotion, and Beyond panel 1 p.m.
law.syracuse.edu/news/syracus...
Syracuse University College of Law AALS 2026 Annual Meeting Participants
Several College of Law deans and professors will be panelists, moderators, and discussants at the 2026 American Association of Law Schools Annual Meeting, J ...
law.syracuse.edu
January 6, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Today’s panel is all about managing disability and accommodations while on the job market (disclose or not?), during tenure or promotion and other stressful times, and as a lateral. All questions (and disability allies) are welcome at 1 pm in Grand Salon 3.
Reposted by Kat Macfarlane
Really enjoyed talking to @aanteau.bsky.social about judge shopping & #ScheduleA:
Judge Shopping 'Consequences' Are Worth Keeping Tabs On, Experts Say| Law.com
"The thing to keep in mind is that random case assignment is subject to so many exceptions across the federal courts,” said Syracuse University College of Law professor Katherine Macfarlane. “Random a...
www.law.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Really enjoyed talking to @aanteau.bsky.social about judge shopping & #ScheduleA:
Reposted by Kat Macfarlane
A draft of When Disability Is Different: Reasonable Accommodations & Higher Ed DEI, forthcoming in a Case Western L. Rev. symposium edition, is up! It looks at how accommodation services were treated as higher ed DEI resources. Will be addressing this @theaals too. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
When Disability Is Different: Reasonable Accommodations & Higher Ed DEI
This essay examines how the dismantling of higher education diversity, equity, and inclusion ("DEI") has impacted the range of services provided to st
papers.ssrn.com
January 4, 2026 at 10:55 PM
A draft of When Disability Is Different: Reasonable Accommodations & Higher Ed DEI, forthcoming in a Case Western L. Rev. symposium edition, is up! It looks at how accommodation services were treated as higher ed DEI resources. Will be addressing this @theaals too. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Good time to read and follow @katz.theracket.news
Now that you mention it I did feel summoned
I was actively invoking it with hourly incantations. “I wonder what Jonathan Katz has to say about this?” “Where is Katz on this invasion?” And “I really need to re-read *Gangsters of Capitalism*” aka “that Smedley Butler book” as I describe it to my spouse.
January 5, 2026 at 1:38 AM
Good time to read and follow @katz.theracket.news
This appointment has flown under the radar but it’s great news. A progressive lawyer will finally head Corp Counsel (aka the NYC Law Dept, which includes the s. 1983-focused Special Fed Lit Division).
Mamdani Nominates Top City Lawyer and Deputy Mayor of Health
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:10 AM
This appointment has flown under the radar but it’s great news. A progressive lawyer will finally head Corp Counsel (aka the NYC Law Dept, which includes the s. 1983-focused Special Fed Lit Division).
Particularly excited about new works by Tomar Pierson Brown (Pitt) and Brandy Johnson (SIU). They're both presenting @theaals.bsky.social this week.
Have had the pleasure of reading some really exciting new work by jr scholars in connection with @theaals.bsky.social WIP programs. Looking forward to the conference and NOLA. And Pizza Delicious.
January 4, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Particularly excited about new works by Tomar Pierson Brown (Pitt) and Brandy Johnson (SIU). They're both presenting @theaals.bsky.social this week.
A draft of When Disability Is Different: Reasonable Accommodations & Higher Ed DEI, forthcoming in a Case Western L. Rev. symposium edition, is up! It looks at how accommodation services were treated as higher ed DEI resources. Will be addressing this @theaals too. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
When Disability Is Different: Reasonable Accommodations & Higher Ed DEI
This essay examines how the dismantling of higher education diversity, equity, and inclusion ("DEI") has impacted the range of services provided to st
papers.ssrn.com
January 4, 2026 at 10:55 PM
A draft of When Disability Is Different: Reasonable Accommodations & Higher Ed DEI, forthcoming in a Case Western L. Rev. symposium edition, is up! It looks at how accommodation services were treated as higher ed DEI resources. Will be addressing this @theaals too. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Just read Leigha’s current WIP and it is SO good. She’s a beautiful writer (and person).
I will miss her here in Syracuse but my wonderful mentee Leigha Crout is off to @depaullaw.bsky.social this fall and has a wonderful career ahead of her. Good luck Leigha!
January 3, 2026 at 12:06 AM
Just read Leigha’s current WIP and it is SO good. She’s a beautiful writer (and person).
Barkety bark barking during my work call and now that the call is over completely silent and innocent-looking
January 2, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Barkety bark barking during my work call and now that the call is over completely silent and innocent-looking
Reposted by Kat Macfarlane
Imagining the day that Andrew Cuomo had. The glaring. The scowling. The awkward silences. Blessings to us all.
January 2, 2026 at 1:27 AM
Imagining the day that Andrew Cuomo had. The glaring. The scowling. The awkward silences. Blessings to us all.
Reposted by Kat Macfarlane
Start 2026 off right by checking out some of our favorite posts from the year that was.
To close out the year, our editorial staff shares some of their favorite posts from 2025.
2025 Yearly Roundup: Editors’ Picks
Edie, James, Eve, and Liz highlight some of their favorite posts from 2025.
lpeproject.org
January 1, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Start 2026 off right by checking out some of our favorite posts from the year that was.
Keeping us safe from the monsters hiding underneath the picnic table
January 1, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Keeping us safe from the monsters hiding underneath the picnic table
Heading into the new year confused but well-rested (well at least one of us).
December 31, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Heading into the new year confused but well-rested (well at least one of us).
Reposted by Kat Macfarlane
As @richardre.bsky.social points out at "Divided Argument," #SCOTUS's ruling in Trump v. Illinois is ... hard to find on the Court's webpage:
blog.dividedargument.com/p/finding-tr...
Indeed, this is more than just a small inconvenience; as I've argued, it reflects deeper shadow docket pathologies:
blog.dividedargument.com/p/finding-tr...
Indeed, this is more than just a small inconvenience; as I've argued, it reflects deeper shadow docket pathologies:
2. Opinions and Orders
This week's issue offers an introduction to the two very different ways in which the Supreme Court resolves disputes, and why our attention tends to focus too much on one at the expense of the other
www.stevevladeck.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:02 PM
As @richardre.bsky.social points out at "Divided Argument," #SCOTUS's ruling in Trump v. Illinois is ... hard to find on the Court's webpage:
blog.dividedargument.com/p/finding-tr...
Indeed, this is more than just a small inconvenience; as I've argued, it reflects deeper shadow docket pathologies:
blog.dividedargument.com/p/finding-tr...
Indeed, this is more than just a small inconvenience; as I've argued, it reflects deeper shadow docket pathologies:
Deer Prudence
Love me doe
Band on the run
December 27, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Deer Prudence
Band on the run
December 27, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Band on the run
Reposted by Kat Macfarlane
Over public dissents from Justices Thomas, Alito, and Gorsuch, #SCOTUS refuses to allow President Trump to deploy federalized National Guard troops into and around Chicago.
This is a major loss for President Trump, even if, per Justice Kavanaugh’s concurrence, it’s temporary and on narrow legal Q:
This is a major loss for President Trump, even if, per Justice Kavanaugh’s concurrence, it’s temporary and on narrow legal Q:
www.supremecourt.gov
December 23, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Over public dissents from Justices Thomas, Alito, and Gorsuch, #SCOTUS refuses to allow President Trump to deploy federalized National Guard troops into and around Chicago.
This is a major loss for President Trump, even if, per Justice Kavanaugh’s concurrence, it’s temporary and on narrow legal Q:
This is a major loss for President Trump, even if, per Justice Kavanaugh’s concurrence, it’s temporary and on narrow legal Q:
Cooper-themed gifts keep coming and we are delighted
December 23, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Cooper-themed gifts keep coming and we are delighted
What an amazing gift to come home to 😂😂😂
December 19, 2025 at 6:12 AM
What an amazing gift to come home to 😂😂😂
Humbled by the knowledge and interest in the US whenever I’m in Italy. One of many reasons I’m so grateful to go back each time. Got to celebrate my Dad’s bday with him too :)
December 18, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Humbled by the knowledge and interest in the US whenever I’m in Italy. One of many reasons I’m so grateful to go back each time. Got to celebrate my Dad’s bday with him too :)
Christmastime in Rome con papà
December 12, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Christmastime in Rome con papà
Have had the pleasure of reading some really exciting new work by jr scholars in connection with @theaals.bsky.social WIP programs. Looking forward to the conference and NOLA. And Pizza Delicious.
December 11, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Have had the pleasure of reading some really exciting new work by jr scholars in connection with @theaals.bsky.social WIP programs. Looking forward to the conference and NOLA. And Pizza Delicious.