iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Remember this when the DOJ complains about weaponized bar grievances against government lawyers.

Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

The DOJ's motion to disqualify Susman Godfrey under Rule 3.7 in the ABA litigation is so bad that I wonder how these lawyers passed the MPRE. But clearly they're getting nervous about what Susman might turn up in discovery.

open.substack.com

Back to School on the Advocate-Witness Rule

A Shameless DOJ Motion

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

I fly a ton through Washington-Dulles and when Trump was talking about having it renamed for him I thought oh well, I guess I'm taking the bus a lot. Thanks, PBI, for taking the hit.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

I work in a university and I don't know an actual communist.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

"Rule of law" is an empty slogan that can mean anything at all. I don't think so, and neither do many legal philosophers. I am aware that everyone hates philosophers, but this little explainer may still be helpful.

open.substack.com

A Rule of Law Explainer

I was at a conference recently with several sessions dedicated to topics related to the rule of law.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Read the comments on this post: The chatbot admits communications with it aren't privileged and, even better, admits that a legal chatbot like this would be engaging in UPL. Who greenlighted this thing? h/t @jtlg.bsky.social

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Raised in San Antonio, lifelong Spurs fan . . . but I guess I'm rooting for the Knicks now.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Tortillas from H-E-B make everything better. GSG!

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

A little late, I know - other stuff got in the way - but here's my reaction to the D.C. Circuit oral argument in the law firm executive order litigation. TL;DR - it was all about the security clearances.

open.substack.com

The Law Firm Executive Orders Appeal

Reactions to the Oral Argument

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

I'm proud of my kids for many things but near the top of the list is that they're both good cooks (and have the good sense not to waste their money on DoorDash).

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

"'There will be no additional cost for the Trump-themed passports,' the State Department said." But an extra $500 to avoid having the picture of Trump in your passport - brilliant fundraising!

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Dear associates starting jobs at big law firms soon: At the risk of being Captain Obvious, if your mistake causes an extremely powerful partner at your firm to have to write this kind of abject apology to a court, you will rue the day you were born: www.law360.com/articles/246... /1

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

I'm seriously worried that the argument of every lawyer facing a show cause order for fake AI citations is going to be "even S&C did it - it's standard of care now." Defining deviance down. /1

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

I'll be on the lookout. I'm on here pretty regularly.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

That's exactly the question. The Court has created a new puzzle (one we didn't need) of how to analyze rules of professional conduct under its speech-is-speech approach.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

I'm Protestant, so this kind of isn't my fight, but imagine the world-historical level of narcissism it would take to believe that 121 cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new Pope gave you even a moment's thought.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Yeah, and he really helped Viktor Orban by campaigning for him.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Now that Pam Bondi has joined Kristi Noem under the Trump bus, it's time for the Senate to step up and take its advice and consent function seriously. Here are some questions the Judiciary Committee can, and should, get answers to.

open.substack.com

Some Questions for the Attorney General Nominee

Shoot, I was planning to get some work done today, but Trump had to go ahead and allow Attorney General Pam Bondi to retire from government service and take up “a much needed and important new job in ...

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Reposted by Brad Wendel

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 23/03/2026

From @theathletic.com: During a recent San Antonio Spurs game, a video of a woman in the crowd sending a message disparaging Hispanic fans went viral. On Saturday, the fans responded. nyti.ms/3NBzH5a

Spurs fan Aidan Sterling wore a shirt stating "Crazy Hispanic Fan" to Saturday's game, in response to a disparaging video that went viral.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

RIP one of the greats from my hometown of San Antonio, Augie Meyers, whose distinctive conjunto organ playing was essential to the Sir Douglas Quintet and the Texas Tornados. Not for nothing is "Hey Baby, Que Paso?" considered the unofficial anthem of San Antonio.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

If Julie Le thought her job as temporary AUSA sucked, she's going to love being in Congress.

nytimes.com

ICE Lawyer Who Told Judge She Was Overwhelmed Seeks New Role: Lawmaker

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

This is what happens when you have an Attorney General who talks about "zealous advocacy" and forgets about the "within the bounds of the law" part. Total collapse of the distinction between prerogative and lawful authority.

wsj.com

Exclusive | Trump Ordered Justice Department Reversal on Law Firm Sanctions

“I never signed off on that,” the president told aides in the Oval Office, expressing displeasure with Justice Department leadership.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

My thoughts on the news that the DOJ is dropping the appeal of the injunctions against the law firm executive orders. My conclusion as to the reason: hell if I know, but it sure is weird to see this administration back down on anything.

open.substack.com

Pigs Flying Now

The Wall Street Journal is reporting [gift link; see also CNN, Bloomberg, Law360] that the Justice Department is dropping its appeals of the four summary judgment and permanent injunction orders enter...

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

This is correct. The firms are telling students they need to get good grades while simultaneously asking them to come to receptions to schmooze with firm lawyers in the evenings when they should be preparing for exams.

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Reposted by Brad Wendel

Hannah Walser @hkpmw.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

One of this administration’s core beliefs seems to be that no one would follow a code of conduct for any reason other than fear. Professional ethics, constitutional constraints, basic morality—no one actually *believes* in these things: everyone is just too weak or scared to discard them. 1/3

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

"In all, nearly 1,700 devices were purchased to distribute across the Army’s helicopter fleet. The device, called the Stratus ..." Something is screwy when the Army is just now buying something I've flown with for years.

washingtonpost.com

After deadly D.C. plane crash, Army expands use of navigation devices

Officials say they are prioritizing the Black Hawk helicopter unit from Fort Belvoir involved in the midair collision with an American Airlines passenger jet.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

WHY ARE LAWYERS STILL DOING THIS? This issue has been reported on and written about to death and somehow lawyers continue to crank slop out of consumer-grade AI products and FILE IT WITH COURTS. What the actual fuck?

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Trump Admin Making Another EO Appeal, Targeting WilmerHale www.law360.com/bankruptcy/a... How are the lawyers in the district court proceedings going to decide who takes the lead on the appeal? Rock, paper, scissors? Counsel at trial include two former USSGs.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

This is the most Alaska aviation story ever. Planes in the Lower 48 don't crash due to asymmetric drag caused by moose antlers strapped to the wing.

nytimes.com

Plane in Alaska Crash Was Overloaded With Moose Meat and Antlers, N.T.S.B. Says

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

This, definitely. If I had made up a case cite or a quote that ended up in an opinion by my judge, (1) he almost certainly would have caught it, and (2) I'd be out on my ass that very day.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

As it often does, the Onion is much clearer than the legacy media on this issue.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

I expect we'll soon have more details about what, exactly, he advised Pam Bondi she couldn't do.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

I'm no economist, but I think there may be a deal here.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

Tailwinds to one of the great aviation journalists.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Thanks, Gautam, although my point doesn't feel like much of an insight. From the get-go it was clear the EO's were lawless bullying efforts, not good faith assertions of valid legal claims. /1

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Surefire method for getting the lowest grade in the class on a law school exam.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Concise replacement for the ridiculous learning objectives we're supposed to provide:

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Interesting issue. Law school clinics have one foot in the legal profession and the other in the academy. As I see it, that makes them doubly independent, grounded in the traditional independence of the bar as well as academic freedom. /1

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

These are all shitty things, agreed, but there's a ray of hope in the administration finding some face-saving way of complying with court orders. It's good that they wanted to take the defiance down a notch.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

This is starting to feel like the O.J. Bronco chase - everyone is glued to screens and we'll all remember watching while it was happening.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

I love my job and I'm very proud of Cornell, but if they make this kind of agreement I'm quitting that day and taking a job at my local Target.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

It was always pretty clear who was playing who in this relationship.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Or maybe require it as CLE for all government lawyers, along with even more ethics credits.

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Brad Wendel @bradwendel.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Mine is: Don't bother ringing it up - it's for a duck! (And I can't pass a Subway without saying that.)

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