James Stone

Writer, composer, lawyer. Currently a Bigelow Fellow at the University of Chicago Law School.

[James Stone @jdssound]

@Unlearned_Hand @StanLRev My argument is that severe need helps explain the regulatory treatment in prison without fully justifying the asymmetry between inside and out. If I'm misunderstanding you, shoot me a DM -- hard to communicate in these little posts.

[James Stone @jdssound]

Delighted to share my latest article, "The Jailhouse Bar." It's about how prisons regulate jailhouse lawyers, and the bar's surprising response. It's headed to @StanLRev
in 2027 and will be my job talk paper this fall. Here's a recent draft: https://t.co/BVgoUQ6sxU.

[James Stone @jdssound]

@Unlearned_Hand @StanLRev Helpful point -- thanks for reading and sharing thoughts. I think the comment's consistent with the paper's treatment of the court-access right, but it makes sense to clarify that stakes/winnability are distinguishable from the marginal EV of competent help....

[James Stone @jdssound]

My work on this is ongoing, including interviews. If you or anyone you know is a former jailhouse lawyer, prison official, or prison advocate, reach out. I'm so grateful to those who've lent their invaluable insights. Equally grateful for any comments/suggestions on the paper!

[The Yale Law Journal @YaleLJournal]

In his Article, @jdssound explores the extensive written and unwritten barriers to evidence gathering in prison for incarcerated plaintiffs. Through a 200-case study, he reveals courts’ central role in both perpetuating—and potentially resolving—the prison discovery crisis.

[The Yale Law Journal @YaleLJournal]

Vol. 134, Issue 8 is live! With Articles by @oonahathaway (@YaleLawSch), @AzmatZahra (@columbiajourn, @nytimes) & @MaraRevkin (@DukeLaw), & by @jdssound; a Feature by Judge Guido Calabresi; and two Notes, by @MatthewJSBuck (@YaleLawSch ’24), & by @seegracie (@YaleLawSch ’25).

[James Stone @jdssound]

Please read, and share with those you think might be interested.

[James Stone @jdssound]

So excited to share that my newest article is now out in @YaleLJournal. It is a deep dive into how difficult it is to evidence civil claims while litigating from prison, and courts' roles in both perpetuating and resolving the problem: https://t.co/sW0M1Cs29d.

[James Stone @jdssound]

A huge thanks to the many people generous enough to lend their thoughts or time to this project, both in interviews and by reading earlier drafts. And then, to the tireless and amazing editors at @YaleLJournal, for whom I am deeply indebted.

[James Stone @jdssound]

@MotherJones @YaleLJournal And you can read our article here: https://t.co/W0Ib4ZMupp

[James Stone @jdssound]

Here's a great, far-reaching article on UPL and A2J in @MotherJones, which, along the way, discusses my and Nora Engstrom's recent @YaleLJournal piece on how auto clubs fit into all of it.

[Mother Jones @MotherJones]

Criminal defendants are guaranteed a lawyer. But most people with civil legal problems can’t afford one thanks to protectionist state laws.

An unusual coalition now aims to bust the monopoly. https://t.co/6FV9MEgSlM

[Alex Nunn @AlexNunn]

Thrilled to share that my new paper, “Judicial Enforcement of Evidence Law,” is now forthcoming in the @VandLRev. As a VLR alum, I’m particularly excited to return to the journal as an author. You can find the current draft here: https://t.co/g91jkwThve

[Brian Highsmith @bd_highsmith]

I've posted Governing the Company Town (revised), which contextualizes contemporary enclaves—like Elon Musk's TX municipal incorporations, Disney's FL special district & global private city movements—within a longer history of capital-governed communities: https://t.co/FeHVEl70fA

[James Stone @jdssound]

For those interested, a draft of my forthcoming piece, "The Prison Discovery Crisis," is now up on SSRN. Comments welcome! https://t.co/sW0M1CszYL

[James Stone @jdssound]

Beyond thrilled to share that my newest article, "The Prison Discovery Crisis," will be published in the @YaleLJournal! SSRN post will follow in a few weeks, but if anyone would like to read now, reach out. Still floored, and delighted to work again with YLJ's amazing editors.

[LPE Blog @LPEblog]

Today, a fall scouting report on some of the hottest forthcoming LPE and LPE-adjacent articles.

Congrats to all the authors on such wonderful placements🎉

https://t.co/kSC2CC2W3V

[The Yale Law Journal @YaleLJournal]

Issue 1 of Volume 134 is live! With an Article by Dave Owen (@uclaw_sf); an Essay by @samuelmoyn (@YaleLawSch); a Feature by Nora Freeman Engstrom and @jdssound (@StanfordLaw); and two Notes, one by Ryan Pollock (@YaleLawSch ’25) and one by @gustavo_berriz (@YaleLawSch ’24).

[Adam Zimmerman @Adam_Zimmerman]

Highly recommend. An important story that explores how--once upon a time--people overcame the access-to-justice gap by relying on lawyers made available through their auto club memberships, in cases ranging from car accidents to even criminal violations.

[James Stone @jdssound]

My and Nora Engstrom's Feature, "Auto Clubs and the Lost Origins of the Access-to-Justice Crisis," is now officially out in @YaleLJournal! So excited to share this long-forgotten, important story. You can read it here:
https://t.co/W0Ib4ZLWzR

[James Stone @jdssound]

@KateMConlow Congratulations!!!

[Kate M. Conlow @KateMConlow]

Pleased to share my article "Financial Conflicts of Interest and Academic Economists in Law and Policymaking," which explores the history of U.S. conflict of interest laws, prof. ethics codes, and economists in gov't. Thanks to the editors at @ArizStLJ!

https://t.co/gosxYYKYFR