Legal Commentary

A while back, Brian Leiter started noting faculty retentions in addition to his usual catalog of lateral moves.  I think this was  a very useful innovation, because simply taking note of successful lateral hires obscures our perception of faculty loyalty, where it exists.  Of course, the data on retentions is a little harder to come by, so any such effort will necessarily be incomplete.  For that reason, I thought I would use my last post for this go-round on Prawfs to note a faculty retention that didn't make it onto Brian's page.  Jeff Rachlinski (Cornell) has turned down a lateral offer from the University of Chicago, opting instead to remain in the balmy (relative to Chicago)  environs of the Fingerlakes.  This is, obviously, a key retention for the Cornell faculty, where Jeff is a tremendously important and valued colleague.