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The Denver Law Review is the flagship journal of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and strives to publish articles of the highest quality in all areas of the law. The Denver Law Review is one of the oldest legal journals in the United States, dating back to 1923. We have proudly featured such distinguished authors as U.S. Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O’Connor, William O. Douglas, and Byron White, noted constitutional law scholar Erwin Chemerinsky, and consumer advocate Ralph Nader. ​

In April 2024, the Denver Law Review hosted its annual symposium, entitled "Debt and Financial Insecurity in the Modern Economy." Throughout the event, students, attorneys, and scholars explored the social, legal, and financial implications of America’s debt-laden society across several disciplines and practices of law.

Volume 101 • Issue 4 • Summer 2024

Through the lens of critical and comparative rhetoric, Professor Berenguer examines how traditional legal rhetoric—the dominant analytical framework employed in the United States legal system—sustains capitalism and preserves inequities, such as financial precarity. Two cases, Bank of America v. Caulkett and Citizens United v. FEC, illustrate how the Court uses these frameworks to reach outcomes that align with market values at the expense of the individual.

Federal student loans represent a significant investment by taxpayers. While many borrowers manage to repay them, a substantial number struggle, especially when the education obtained using the loans does not translate into higher earning potential. To address this issue effectively, policymakers should consider the interests of taxpayers when discussing forgiveness and implement targeted and efficient solutions.

Economic growth is leading to significant ecological destruction. Professor Auerbach and Mr. Clark explore the rise of the military-industrial complex, its relationship to economic growth and monopoly capital, and its significant role in the ecological crisis.

Professor Sousa explores the effects that neoliberalism has on everyday consumers struggling with debt on a microlevel. Professor Sousa uses a governmentality framework to explain the harmful effects that neoliberal discourses have on individuals, ultimately describing the role that technologies of neoliberal governance have on people struggling with debt.

The credit system is central to American society. Professor Coco explores the origin of the system and its effects on Americans today. It uses the theoretical tools of French theorist Pierre Bourdieu to understand this.

DLR Forum

Brendan Williams examines the implications of the outsized footprint that UnitedHealth Group (UHG) has on our healthcare system, and whether the February 21, 2024 cyberattack on UHG’s patient records will prompt policymakers to enact more regulations.

Alyssa Schwartz examines Carson v. Makin and argues that the Court’s decision disregards precedent and attempts to rewrite history to diminish the seperation of church and state as a bedrock principle of our nation, and rules in favor of religion which erodes the Court’s constitutional neutrality.

Dakota Hamko addresses the increasing ability of states to regulate in unprecedented areas and several modern limitations on this authority and also explores critical lessons from Dormant Commerce Clause precedent and its effect on the future of regulating animal cruelty through sales bans. 

Hanna Woods argues that although the Court correctly decided Denezpi, it failed to incorporate key public policy considerations in its reasoning by neglecting to acknowledge that barring Denezpi’s subsequent prosecution in federal court would yield unfavorable consequences. 

Misty L. Schlabaugh argues that ending the use of retributive punishment for non-violent drug crimes is crucial for addressing mass criminalization and incarceration, but it also emphasizes the need for broader societal change.

Charles R. Mendez and Karman J. Reed confront two central problems to the element of causation in medical malpractice law. They address how it has created a discrepancy between the legal standard of causation and its practical application.​​

Denver Law Review Podcast

Denver Law Review Podcast is joined by Professor Johnna Montgomerie and Professor Michael Sousa to explore the themes of capitalism and how it touches on every aspect of our lives. Listen & Learn about debt, the household, and our current capitalist system.

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Stanford Professor Dan Ho joins the Denver Law Review Podcast to discuss evaluating the accuracy of facial recognition technology and how greater algorithm transparency and testing must be essential elements of future efforts to regulate the use of facial recognition technology by private companies and law enforcement.

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Denver Law Review Podcast is joined by University of Illinois Professor Meicen Sun to discuss digital trade. This episode covers the barriers to regulating big-data on a global scale, why users are willing to share their data, and TikTok’s role as part of China’s digital Silk Road. 

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