Yale Law Dean Expresses ‘Enormous Concern’ Over Kavanaugh Reports

US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh listens during the first day of his confirmation hearing in front of the US Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, on September 4, 2018. - President Donald Trump's newest Su... US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh listens during the first day of his confirmation hearing in front of the US Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, on September 4, 2018. - President Donald Trump's newest Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh is expected to face punishing questioning from Democrats this week over his endorsement of presidential immunity and his opposition to abortion. Some two dozen witnesses are lined up to argue for and against confirming Kavanaugh, who could swing the nine-member high court decidedly in conservatives' favor for years to come. Democrats have mobilized heavily to prevent his approval. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Heather Gerken, dean of Yale Law School, wrote a letter to the school Thursday expressing her “enormous concern” over stories that Yale faculty would coach female students to adopt the “certain look” Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh wanted for his law clerks when he was a federal judge.

According to a Thursday NBC report, she also urged anyone else with similar experiences to come forward.

“I strongly encourage any members of our community who have been affected by misconduct to take advantage of Yale University’s resources for reporting incidents and receiving support,” Gerken wrote in the letter. “The Law School has a responsibility to provide a safe environment in which all of our students can live and learn in a community of mutual respect, free of harassment of any kind.”

Originally reported by the Huffington Post and expanded by the Guardian, female law students said that professor Amy Chua would advise them to adopt a “model-like” appearance before interviewing for a Kavanaugh clerkship, as it would heighten their chances of getting picked. Her husband, professor Jed Rubenfeld, also reportedly advised students that Kavanaugh “hires women with a certain look.”

Per NBC, Chua penned an op-ed in the Wall Street in July entitled “Kavanaugh is a Mentor to Women” in which she praises him for being so helpful in furthering the careers of women, including her daughter.

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Notable Replies

  1. There are so few intelligent lawyers that ‘declare’ as Republican, let alone conservative, that the pool is small. Tiger Mom Chua aimed her daughter at the fast track to success. Such a surprise. Incestuous, really?

  2. I’m guessing Chua likes being in the limelight a little too much to realize that she talks out of both sides of her mouth. The idea that someone in her generation should accept looking like a model as a job qualification doesn’t say much about her value as a mentor to young or mature women.

  3. Kavanaugh probably is guilty of additional sexual assaults. He is undoubtedly going over the list in his mind and figuring out how to send them a warning, followed by an all-out attack by the Repug goonsquad if anyone else dares to expose him.

  4. “Enormous Concern” ???

    Are we condemmed to live with Trumpisms for the rest of our lives ?

  5. Avatar for jeof jeof says:

    Good to see that Kavanaugh’s defense team of right-wing luminaries are keeping their eye on the ball and not going off into crazy theories that make them look like lunatics.

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