The Muslim Legal Journal

A Publication of the National Association of Muslim Lawyers

The Muslim Legal Journal is a digital news publication dedicated to highlighting the work of Muslim legal professionals, analyzing legal topics of relevance to the Muslim American community, and serving as a platform for diverse views about such legal topics. Story ideas and article submissions should be submitted to muslimlegaljournal@naml.info. The editorial board reserves the right to decline to approve an idea or publish an article without notice or explanation.

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5 Tips for Supervisors

Supervising interns is hard. Trying to balance giving meaningful work that pushes the intern into developing as a lawyer, with giving them only exactly what they can already do to minimize the amount of work you might have to redo. To balance having meaningful and realistic expectations, with not assigning work with deadlines that would require working after hours. "No worries, this is just a teachable moment, try again" with "moving forward, I'll just handle this from now on." But when you strike the right balance, you will create a meaningful and impactful professional experience for your intern that will serve them for the rest of their career.

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5 Tips to Make the Most of Your Internship

Internships are hard. Trying to balance squeezing the maximum amount of experiences into just a handful of weeks with all of your other law school responsibilities. To balance learning new skills outside your wheelhouse with adding value to the organization and meaningfully contributing to its work. To balance remaining positive and optimistic throughout the internship while working through inevitable fatigue. But when you strike the right balance, your internship can be a meaningful personal and professional experience that advances your career.

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Should Mahr Agreements Be Characterized as Premarital Agreements?

There is growing confusion amongst courts as well as attorneys on how to deal with the issue of Mahr provisions in divorce litigation. Is it a prenuptial agreement under the Texas Family Code? Is it a partition and exchange agreement made after the parties are married? Could it be a simple contract that sets out specific terms? Or should we not even bring it up at trial because it bears the word Islam in it and touches upon First Amendment arguments such as the Establishment Clause?

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NAML Joins Bar Associations in Urging Law Firms to Promote Inclusion and Counter Anti-Palestinian Sentiment

Thirteen bar associations representing more than a thousand attorneys urged law firms across the country to work with them to address rising Islamophobia and anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian sentiments nationwide and within their workplaces. In a letter sent to more than 100 of the top law firms in the U.S., the coalition responded in part to a letter sent to law school deans and asserts that many Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab employees have been marginalized by a failure to acknowledge the death and suffering of innocent Palestinian lives and rising Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian sentiments in internal and external law firm statements.

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NAML Calls on Legal Community to Protect Free Speech, Respect Diversity of Views, and Recognize Humanity of Palestinians

The National Association of Muslim Lawyers today encouraged American law firms, law schools and legal organizations that have commented on, or plan to comment on, the ongoing crisis in Palestine and Israel to issue balanced statements that recognize the ongoing and longstanding suffering of the Palestinian people. NAML also called on both employers and schools to protect the free speech rights of employees and students who have been targeted for advocating for Palestinian human rights.

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The 2023 National Association of Muslim Lawyers Conference: Monumental Moments for Muslim Lawyers

The National Association of Muslim Lawyers (NAML) Conference is an annual event that underscores Muslim legal professionals' unique and historic contributions across various legal areas. More than a platform for networking and mentorship, it consistently unites a diverse community of legal experts to address pressing issues and challenges in the legal field.

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Analyzing the Importance of Religious Matching in the American Foster Care System

In an article titled “Analyzing the Importance of Religious Matching in the American Foster Care System: A Case Study of Muslim Children,” Duriba Khan, a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Law, calls for a re-evaluation of the current approach to religious matching in the American foster care system.

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Charting Your Course: Starting Your Own Law Firm

How do you know if you are ready to start your own law firm?

When I decided to “hang a shingle” I was met with equal parts resistance and support from the various communities that I was a part of, including the legal and Muslim communities. I always knew that I wanted to be my own boss, and after a decade working for other professionals in the legal community, I finally felt secure enough to take the leap. During my legal career, with the goal of firm ownership in the back of my mind, I focused on two main aspects to set myself up for success…

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Seeking a Fair American Jury Trial: Using Jury Questionnaires to Identify Bias

The right to a fair jury trial is guaranteed by the Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the United States Constitution. Duncan v. Louisiana 391 U.S. 145 (1968). In an increasingly polarized and politicized society, it can be difficult to secure access to a fair trial. In the criminal justice system, this is particularly true. In post-9/11 America, the layers of biases against Muslim men and women add a weighty complexity for attorneys to consider.

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Sustaining Momentum During Bar Exam Prep

Preparing for the bar exam can be a daunting and isolating experience, but with the right mindset and strategies, you can stay motivated throughout your exam journey. Here are some tips to help you maintain motivation during bar prep to achieve a successful outcome.

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The Great Peremptory Strike Debate: Should the Batson Doctrine Extend to Religion?

The Batson challenge, derived from the 1986 Supreme Court case of Batson v. Kentucky, prohibits the use of peremptory challenges based on racially discriminatory motives. Under the Batson challenge, the challenging party must establish a prima facie case of purposeful discrimination and show a strong likelihood that potential jurors are being struck due to their group association rather than a specific bias.

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