Insurance law has been a focus of UConn Law School’s curriculum since its founding over 100 years ago. Because of Hartford’s role in the insurance industry, the Hartford College of Law was founded in part to serve the needs of the city’s insurance companies. After the Law School became part of the University of Connecticut in the 1940s, it continued its relationship with Hartford’s insurance industry.

In the 1990s, the Law School renewed its dedication to being a national center for insurance law and began publishing the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal (now the Insurance Law Review) and established the Insurance Law Center. As the Law School increased its focus on insurance, the library greatly expanded its collections and services in this area, hiring a law librarian specializing in insurance law, Yan Hong. The law library still collects widely in the areas of risk, insurance, and insurance law. 

As part of its Centennial Celebration, the law library has a display of materials related to the insurance industry in Hartford and the history of the Law School’s insurance law program. 

For a detailed history of insurance law at UConn Law School, see Dean Emeritus Timothy Fisher and Leah Smith’s article Risk and Responsibility: Insurance and the University of Connecticut School of Law. 

More information about the library’s insurance collection is available on our research guides. 

As Thanksgiving rolls around once again, we’re bringing back a seasonal favorite from the archives—a light-hearted look at presidential turkey pardons and the legal power behind them. Consider this a little blast from the past to pair with your holiday cheer, as we revisit how the nation’s most famous birds earn their moment of executive grace. Enjoy this repost of one of our classic Thanksgiving features!

It’s that time of year again when the leader of the free world will release another turkey back into the wild.  It being Thanksgiving time, we’re talking about birds of course!  The history of officially pardoning turkeys doesn’t go back as far as you would think.  Yes Truman may have pardoned a bird, but that was for Christmas, and while Reagan spared a turkey named Charlie, he only joked later that it was a pardon.  It was George H.W. Bush in 1989 that “officially” pardoned the first thanksgiving turkey.  You may be wondering how such awesome power is granted to and exercised by the presidency…  Legal research to the rescue! 

The power to pardon is granted to the President based on Article II, Section 2 of the United States Constitution which states: “The President . . . shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States….”  The Office of the Pardon Attorney assists the President in the exercise of the clemency power.  The Justice Manual, which provides guidance relevant to the work of the various United States Attorneys’ offices, lists five factors to be considered when determining whether a particular petitioner should be recommended for a pardon.  These considerations are: 1) the post-conviction conduct, character, and reputation of the petitioner 2) the seriousness and relative recentness of the offense, 3) any acceptance of responsibility, demonstrated remorse, or attempts at atonement, 4) the need for relief, and 5) any official recommendations or reports submitted, Justice Manual 9-140.112.    

According to the Code of Federal Regulations itself though, all of the rules and policy guiding Department of Justice personnel are only advisory in nature and do not restrict the authority granted to the President, 28 C.F.R. § 1.11.  In fact, the only steps necessary for a valid pardon are 1) that a president grants it, and 2) that the recipient accepts it, U.S. v. Wilson, 32 U.S. 150 (1833).  That means there is no requirement that the pardon be published, although you can find a list of pardons from the Trump administration on the Office of the Pardon Attorney’s website.  Conspicuously absent . . . the turkeys. 

Let’s hope the President sticks to the script and only pardons another bird this year, so the holiday dinner table is a little easier on us all.  And remember, for all your legal research needs feel free to visit us at the reference desk whether bird related or not.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!   

As we reflect on International Education Week, we’re proud to highlight the global experiences and diverse perspectives that strengthen our UConn Law community. In that spirit, we are delighted to share the journey of LLM to JD student Pearl Addo, whose path embodies resilience, ambition, and the transformative power of international education.  In addition to being a JD student, Pearl also works in the International Programs department at UConn Law as an International Professional Development and Exchange Specialist with International Programs.

Below, in her own words, Pearl reflects on the path that brought her here and the perspectives she hopes to share.

“Hi everyone! I’m Pearl Addo, an LLM to JD student at UConn School of Law.  My journey has been one of courage, faith, and determination. As the first daughter and grandchild in my family to earn a college degree, I always dreamed of becoming the first lawyer in my family — and I made that dream come true when I was called to the Bar in Ghana in 2021.

When I moved to the U.S. in 2017, I was encouraged to take a more “stable” career path in Healthcare, but I knew my calling was law. That conviction led me to the University of Ghana School of Law and eventually to UConn Law, where I earned my LLM in Energy and Environmental Law.

My time at UConn Law has been truly transformative. The coursework, field placement experience, and amazing community have shaped me both personally and professionally. Now, as an LLM to JD Advanced Standing student, I’m continuing to build on that foundation. Every challenge I’ve faced has only made me more determined to make an impact wherever I find myself.

I’m so proud to be part of a community that values inclusion, excellence, and growth — and to keep growing here at UConn Law!”

We are grateful to Pearl for sharing her inspiring story and for the strength, perspective, and purpose she brings to the UConn Law community. Her journey is a reminder of the power of determination — and of the many ways our students shape the future of law both locally and globally.