Beginning law students tend to personalize the cases they study, seeing the litigants as victims and villains in a drama, to the neglect of whatever doctrinal point the cases were selected to illustrate. One such perceived villain is Dr. Why that is so is explained here. The case is featured in the opening scene of the novel The Paper Chase , as well as in the movie and television series based on the book. Briefly, George Hawkins burned his hand on an electrical wire at age 10, which left a scar across his palm. Shortly after Hawkins turned 18, Dr.
Real quick now — can you name the hallmarks of a vampire? Pointed fangs, red eyes, a thirst for blood, and a fear of crucifixes? Did you think of the hairy hand, too? Hair on the palm of the hand is one of the lesser-known signs in vampire folklore. But it might explain some of the hype surrounding the most famous case in the U. Students dissect Hawkins v. McGee on their first day of law school.
Western Michigan University Cooley Law School Blog
P opular culture is filled with dramatic, sensational court cases, but few endure beyond a few news cycles. To hold the head and heart of the simpleton and scholar, the case must not only be a good story, but also cut a clearer path to understanding the law or at least encouraging a good argument. McGee] does all of this and more. It has made its way into Hollywood trivia and the standard curriculum for teaching contract law to first-year law students. Kingsfield Jr.
Have you signed up for your Quimbee membership? McGee , A. The case involved a young boy named George Hawkins whose hand was badly scarred.