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Robert L. Bastian Jr.

See more on Robert L. Bastian Jr.

Partner
Law Offices of Bastian & Dini

Penthouse Suite 9025 Wilshire Blvd
Beverly Hills , CA 90211
Phone: (310) 789-1955
Fax: (310) 822-1989
Email: robbastian@aol.com

Whittier Law School



Columns
Title Category Published
Shattered trust: law, liberalism, and the crumbling social contract International Law, Constitutional Law Sep. 23, 2025
'Had so much fun' - the pursuit policy putting lives at risk Criminal, Constitutional Law Sep. 5, 2025
New gymnastics rules enhance the sport, but rule-makers have yet to stick the landing Entertainment & Sports Aug. 2, 2024
42 U.S.C. § 1983 brings out the best and worst of our system Constitutional Law Apr. 10, 2023
Interfering with a police officer does not preclude all claims of excessive force Law Practice, Appellate Practice Jul. 25, 2022
Recent Egbert decision allows misconduct to fester U.S. Supreme Court, Government, Ethics/Professional Responsibility, Civil Rights Jun. 13, 2022
Thompson v. Clark: Criminal prosecution gains clarity U.S. Supreme Court, Civil Rights Apr. 7, 2022
Facts remain stubborn things Law Practice, Government Dec. 29, 2021
Olympic reflections: the rules, the judges, the organization Entertainment & Sports Aug. 6, 2021
Qualified immunity reform: Don’t forget about state courts Criminal, Constitutional Law Jun. 1, 2021
Abolish qualified immunity; otherwise, we get the policing that the Supreme Court thinks we deserve. Criminal Apr. 20, 2021
A gift that no one should reject Law Practice Apr. 5, 2021
One cheer for the courts that held the line in 2020 Judges and Judiciary, Government Dec. 22, 2020
An unexpected majority opinion U.S. Supreme Court, Labor/Employment, Constitutional Law, Civil Rights Jun. 18, 2020
Facts are stubborn things U.S. Supreme Court, Criminal, Civil Rights Jun. 12, 2020
Qualified immunity: Are we there yet? U.S. Supreme Court, Criminal, Constitutional Law May 15, 2020
Guarding against a common enemy Law Practice Apr. 16, 2020
28th Amendment to the US Constitution: a proposal Constitutional Law Jun. 20, 2018
Qualified immunity has gone too far U.S. Supreme Court, Government, Constitutional Law, Civil Rights Apr. 11, 2018
After Nassar, what is to be done? Criminal Jan. 26, 2018
Kozinski and the number Six Law Practice, Judges and Judiciary Dec. 14, 2017
Courts clearing up police liability, immunity U.S. Supreme Court, Criminal, Constitutional Law, Civil Rights, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Dec. 1, 2017
Eight. Law Practice, Judges and Judiciary, Ethics/Professional Responsibility Oct. 18, 2017
Snarky ACLU brief is rhetorically misguided Civil Litigation, Environmental & Energy, Entertainment & Sports Aug. 4, 2017
Justice lost in a thicket of doctrine U.S. Supreme Court, Constitutional Law Jun. 3, 2017
Let's not assume good faith Immigration, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Mar. 21, 2017
Qualified immunity and Neil Gorsuch U.S. Supreme Court Mar. 17, 2017
The 'very apex' of presidential powers Constitutional Law Mar. 8, 2017
Reasons for political action must be based in reality U.S. Supreme Court, Government, Constitutional Law Feb. 9, 2017
A more compelling vision for civil discourse Law Practice Jan. 26, 2017
Trump and the 'art' of the Taiwan call Government Dec. 8, 2016
Time to revisit vehicular pursuit laws Administrative/Regulatory Nov. 12, 2016
The agendas of Antonin and Atticus Law Practice Feb. 24, 2016
Jail in LA County: kind of like love Perspective Feb. 13, 2016
Moral clarity infected by age Law Practice, Judges and Judiciary Jul. 18, 2015
Right ruling, wrong reasons U.S. Supreme Court Jun. 24, 2015
The NFL's desperate need for moral clarity Law Practice, Entertainment & Sports Sep. 25, 2014
Federal courts must check police abuse Civil Rights Aug. 22, 2014
When officers wear a 'heavy badge' Government, Criminal, Civil Rights Aug. 20, 2014
Summer heat reveals NFL shortcomings Law Practice, Entertainment & Sports Aug. 1, 2014
Capitalism and law in the 21st century Law Practice, Government, Corporate, Banking May 31, 2014
Denial, it seems, is a river running through LA Law Practice, Entertainment & Sports May 1, 2014
Criminal courts can do better in cases of mistaken arrest Criminal, Construction, Constitutional Law Apr. 19, 2014
Where the truth lies: the Monty Hall problem Law Practice Jun. 6, 2013
New panel decision shows why facts are for juries Law Practice, Government, Constitutional Law May 29, 2013
Sort through the health and fitness melee Books Mar. 13, 2013
Subjectivity in Olympic judging Judges and Judiciary, Entertainment & Sports Aug. 4, 2012
NCAA missed the mark with Penn State sanctions Law Practice Aug. 1, 2012
Police pursuits: apprehension versus public safety Criminal Jul. 12, 2012
A Distorted System of Constitutional Remedies Constitutional Law Apr. 26, 2011
A Distorted System of Constitutional Remedies Constitutional Law Apr. 21, 2011
The Markets Demand Reform Securities May 12, 2010
How Litigious Are Shakespeare's Sonnets? Law Practice Feb. 17, 2010
A 'Courageous Putt'? Law Practice Jan. 5, 2010
Not So Black and White Government Oct. 1, 2009
Law's Prince of Darkness Law Practice May 8, 2009
The Language of Law Law Practice Apr. 15, 2009
Adult Supervision Government, Administrative/Regulatory Feb. 4, 2009
A Perverse Version of Justice U.S. Supreme Court, Constitutional Law, Civil Rights Jan. 16, 2009
It's a Small World Law Practice Dec. 24, 2008
Crossing Out Rights U.S. Supreme Court, Constitutional Law, Civil Rights Nov. 21, 2008
A Reversal of Fortunes Law Practice, Government Nov. 4, 2008
Questioning Rhetoric Law Practice, Government Oct. 16, 2008
Lawyers Were Never the Problem Government, Administrative/Regulatory Sep. 25, 2008
The Vice Contest: Pick Your Poison Law Practice Sep. 6, 2008
Judging by the Numbers Entertainment & Sports Aug. 26, 2008
All the Law Is a Stage Law Practice Aug. 13, 2008
McCain's Bench Press Government Jul. 23, 2008
Tolstoy's 'Ivan Ilyich' Foreshadowed Our Own Incarceration Frenzy Law Practice Jul. 12, 2008
Straight Talk About Gay Marriage Law Practice May 21, 2008
The Elephant in the Room Law Practice, Criminal May 2, 2008
Individuals, Not Government, Deserve Legal Protections Law Practice, Judges and Judiciary Apr. 3, 2008
Stylish Shortcuts Law Practice, Judges and Judiciary Mar. 26, 2008
The Tao of Atticus Finch Law Practice Feb. 23, 2008
Deprived of Truth, a Democracy Turns Hollow Judges and Judiciary, Government Feb. 21, 2007
From Prison Policy, Gangs Come Home to Roost Criminal Feb. 1, 2007
Mounting Data Point to Prisons' Gross Failure to Correct Anything Government Jul. 10, 2006
A Good Legal Education Lies in Truth, Not Blind Adherence to Authority Law Practice Apr. 26, 2006
Federal Courts Need to Command Prisons to Care Administrative/Regulatory Mar. 31, 2006
Protecting Police at the Expense of Public Good Administrative/Regulatory Mar. 21, 2006
Civic Faith Erodes Without a Foundation in Fact Law Practice Feb. 18, 2006
Strict Constructionism Bends in Alito Hearings Judges and Judiciary Jan. 20, 2006
'Strict Construction' Criterion Doesn't Hold Water Judges and Judiciary Nov. 12, 2005
Katrina, Tradition of Injustice Combine, Make Perfect Storm Law Practice Sep. 8, 2005
Rare These Days, District Court Stands for Justice in Prison Case Judges and Judiciary, Criminal, Constitutional Law Jun. 21, 2005
Problem With Originalism Lies in The Favoring of Logic Over Experience Law Practice, Constitutional Law May 28, 2005
Dark Tales May Lie Beneath 'Outrageous' Prisoner Claims Criminal Mar. 31, 2005
State Law Must Reflect Fatal Dangers of Police Car Chases Administrative/Regulatory Mar. 17, 2005
Lack of Federal Court Review Enables Prison Mismanagement Criminal Mar. 5, 2005
There Are Federal Judges Who Won't Compromise Inmates' Rights Judges and Judiciary Jan. 14, 2005
Diverse Solutions to Admissions Would Provide Better Social Outcome Civil Rights Dec. 29, 2004
'Callas Forever' Teaches Lessons That Apply to Practice of Law Law Practice Dec. 1, 2004
Death Sentences Always Must Include Reasonable Doubt Criminal Aug. 24, 2004
Federal Judges Must Make Prisons Meet Minimum Standards for Inmates Judges and Judiciary Aug. 4, 2004
Courts Treat State's Less Fortunate With Blind Indifference Civil Rights Jul. 13, 2004
Bush Shouldn't Steer County With Leadership Based on Faith Constitutional Law Jun. 23, 2004
Treating War Prisoners With Respect Is a Useful Policy Tool Government Jun. 8, 2004
Courts Show Deliberate Indifference to Jailhouse Violence Criminal Jun. 2, 2004
U.S. Must Open All Its Military Prisons to Reform, Watchdogs Government May 19, 2004
Officers Must Be Accountable for Innocent Victims of Pursuits Civil Rights Apr. 27, 2004
State High Court Supports Victims of Abuse by Police Constitutional Law Apr. 22, 2004
'Smith' Bars Police-Brutality Victims From Vindicating Wrongs Civil Rights Apr. 3, 2004
Fighting Words Constitutional Law Jan. 15, 2004
'Mean Justice' Agenda Leads To Ethical, Fiscal Dead End Criminal Aug. 12, 2003
Despite Iraq Victory, Bush's Policies Lead America Astray Law Practice Jun. 10, 2003
Idea Diversity U.S. Supreme Court, Law Practice, Constitutional Law Dec. 13, 2002
Toppling Rights Law Practice Sep. 6, 2002
Toppling Rights Judges and Judiciary Sep. 5, 2002
Colleges Shouldn't Consider Race in Admission Decisions U.S. Supreme Court, Constitutional Law Jun. 7, 2002
Corrections Tries to Evade Financial Responsibility Criminal Feb. 6, 2001

Verdicts & Settlements
Case Name Topic Role Published
Joshua Aaron Hollamon v. City of Los Angeles, et al. Civil Rights Plaintiff Mar. 29, 2024
Lloyd Joseph Collins v. State of California, et al. Civil Rights Plaintiff Aug. 11, 2017
Christopher Clark, Helen E. Lombardi v. Correctional Defendants Civil Rights Plaintiff Oct. 13, 2007
Thambiah Sundaram v. Chuck Villanti, Dennis Balsamo Civil Rights Plaintiff Feb. 10, 2004
Joseph Lloyd Collins v. 24 Hour Fitness Employment Law Plaintiff Jun. 29, 2002
Leonard Lawson v. Skyline HealthCare Center Personal Injury (Non-Vehicular) Plaintiff Apr. 22, 2000
Charlie Hinduja v. ARCO Products Co., et al. Civil Rights Plaintiff Dec. 24, 1999
Confidential Civil Rights Plaintiff Aug. 28, 1999
Sandra Mancha and Gary Coleman v. City of Ontario Civil Rights Plaintiff Jan. 23, 1999
John Doe v. California Forensic Medical Group Employment Law Plaintiff May 10, 1997
Daniel Budorick v. City of Los Angeles, et al. Civil Rights Plaintiff Feb. 8, 1997
Fred Griffin; Carl Little v. Security Consultants Armed Express, Inc.; Walters Management Company, et al. Civil Rights Plaintiff Sep. 23, 1995
Christopher Gallegos v. Michael Ewing, City of Huntington Park Civil Rights Plaintiff Mar. 25, 1995
Title Category Published
Shattered trust: law, liberalism, and the crumbling social contract International Law, Constitutional Law Sep. 23, 2025
'Had so much fun' - the pursuit policy putting lives at risk Criminal, Constitutional Law Sep. 5, 2025
New gymnastics rules enhance the sport, but rule-makers have yet to stick the landing Entertainment & Sports Aug. 2, 2024
42 U.S.C. § 1983 brings out the best and worst of our system Constitutional Law Apr. 10, 2023
Interfering with a police officer does not preclude all claims of excessive force Law Practice, Appellate Practice Jul. 25, 2022
Recent Egbert decision allows misconduct to fester U.S. Supreme Court, Government, Ethics/Professional Responsibility, Civil Rights Jun. 13, 2022
Thompson v. Clark: Criminal prosecution gains clarity U.S. Supreme Court, Civil Rights Apr. 7, 2022
Facts remain stubborn things Law Practice, Government Dec. 29, 2021
Olympic reflections: the rules, the judges, the organization Entertainment & Sports Aug. 6, 2021
Qualified immunity reform: Don’t forget about state courts Criminal, Constitutional Law Jun. 1, 2021
Abolish qualified immunity; otherwise, we get the policing that the Supreme Court thinks we deserve. Criminal Apr. 20, 2021
A gift that no one should reject Law Practice Apr. 5, 2021
One cheer for the courts that held the line in 2020 Judges and Judiciary, Government Dec. 22, 2020
An unexpected majority opinion U.S. Supreme Court, Labor/Employment, Constitutional Law, Civil Rights Jun. 18, 2020
Facts are stubborn things U.S. Supreme Court, Criminal, Civil Rights Jun. 12, 2020
Qualified immunity: Are we there yet? U.S. Supreme Court, Criminal, Constitutional Law May 15, 2020
Guarding against a common enemy Law Practice Apr. 16, 2020
28th Amendment to the US Constitution: a proposal Constitutional Law Jun. 20, 2018
Qualified immunity has gone too far U.S. Supreme Court, Government, Constitutional Law, Civil Rights Apr. 11, 2018
After Nassar, what is to be done? Criminal Jan. 26, 2018
Kozinski and the number Six Law Practice, Judges and Judiciary Dec. 14, 2017
Courts clearing up police liability, immunity U.S. Supreme Court, Criminal, Constitutional Law, Civil Rights, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Dec. 1, 2017
Eight. Law Practice, Judges and Judiciary, Ethics/Professional Responsibility Oct. 18, 2017
Snarky ACLU brief is rhetorically misguided Civil Litigation, Environmental & Energy, Entertainment & Sports Aug. 4, 2017
Justice lost in a thicket of doctrine U.S. Supreme Court, Constitutional Law Jun. 3, 2017
Let's not assume good faith Immigration, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Mar. 21, 2017
Qualified immunity and Neil Gorsuch U.S. Supreme Court Mar. 17, 2017
The 'very apex' of presidential powers Constitutional Law Mar. 8, 2017
Reasons for political action must be based in reality U.S. Supreme Court, Government, Constitutional Law Feb. 9, 2017
A more compelling vision for civil discourse Law Practice Jan. 26, 2017
Trump and the 'art' of the Taiwan call Government Dec. 8, 2016
Time to revisit vehicular pursuit laws Administrative/Regulatory Nov. 12, 2016
The agendas of Antonin and Atticus Law Practice Feb. 24, 2016
Jail in LA County: kind of like love Perspective Feb. 13, 2016
Moral clarity infected by age Law Practice, Judges and Judiciary Jul. 18, 2015
Right ruling, wrong reasons U.S. Supreme Court Jun. 24, 2015
The NFL's desperate need for moral clarity Law Practice, Entertainment & Sports Sep. 25, 2014
Federal courts must check police abuse Civil Rights Aug. 22, 2014
When officers wear a 'heavy badge' Government, Criminal, Civil Rights Aug. 20, 2014
Summer heat reveals NFL shortcomings Law Practice, Entertainment & Sports Aug. 1, 2014
Capitalism and law in the 21st century Law Practice, Government, Corporate, Banking May 31, 2014
Denial, it seems, is a river running through LA Law Practice, Entertainment & Sports May 1, 2014
Criminal courts can do better in cases of mistaken arrest Criminal, Construction, Constitutional Law Apr. 19, 2014
Where the truth lies: the Monty Hall problem Law Practice Jun. 6, 2013
New panel decision shows why facts are for juries Law Practice, Government, Constitutional Law May 29, 2013
Sort through the health and fitness melee Books Mar. 13, 2013
Subjectivity in Olympic judging Judges and Judiciary, Entertainment & Sports Aug. 4, 2012
NCAA missed the mark with Penn State sanctions Law Practice Aug. 1, 2012
Police pursuits: apprehension versus public safety Criminal Jul. 12, 2012
A Distorted System of Constitutional Remedies Constitutional Law Apr. 26, 2011
A Distorted System of Constitutional Remedies Constitutional Law Apr. 21, 2011
The Markets Demand Reform Securities May 12, 2010
How Litigious Are Shakespeare's Sonnets? Law Practice Feb. 17, 2010
A 'Courageous Putt'? Law Practice Jan. 5, 2010
Not So Black and White Government Oct. 1, 2009
Law's Prince of Darkness Law Practice May 8, 2009
The Language of Law Law Practice Apr. 15, 2009
Adult Supervision Government, Administrative/Regulatory Feb. 4, 2009
A Perverse Version of Justice U.S. Supreme Court, Constitutional Law, Civil Rights Jan. 16, 2009
It's a Small World Law Practice Dec. 24, 2008
Crossing Out Rights U.S. Supreme Court, Constitutional Law, Civil Rights Nov. 21, 2008
A Reversal of Fortunes Law Practice, Government Nov. 4, 2008
Questioning Rhetoric Law Practice, Government Oct. 16, 2008
Lawyers Were Never the Problem Government, Administrative/Regulatory Sep. 25, 2008
The Vice Contest: Pick Your Poison Law Practice Sep. 6, 2008
Judging by the Numbers Entertainment & Sports Aug. 26, 2008
All the Law Is a Stage Law Practice Aug. 13, 2008
McCain's Bench Press Government Jul. 23, 2008
Tolstoy's 'Ivan Ilyich' Foreshadowed Our Own Incarceration Frenzy Law Practice Jul. 12, 2008
Straight Talk About Gay Marriage Law Practice May 21, 2008
The Elephant in the Room Law Practice, Criminal May 2, 2008
Individuals, Not Government, Deserve Legal Protections Law Practice, Judges and Judiciary Apr. 3, 2008
Stylish Shortcuts Law Practice, Judges and Judiciary Mar. 26, 2008
The Tao of Atticus Finch Law Practice Feb. 23, 2008
Deprived of Truth, a Democracy Turns Hollow Judges and Judiciary, Government Feb. 21, 2007
From Prison Policy, Gangs Come Home to Roost Criminal Feb. 1, 2007
Mounting Data Point to Prisons' Gross Failure to Correct Anything Government Jul. 10, 2006
A Good Legal Education Lies in Truth, Not Blind Adherence to Authority Law Practice Apr. 26, 2006
Federal Courts Need to Command Prisons to Care Administrative/Regulatory Mar. 31, 2006
Protecting Police at the Expense of Public Good Administrative/Regulatory Mar. 21, 2006
Civic Faith Erodes Without a Foundation in Fact Law Practice Feb. 18, 2006
Strict Constructionism Bends in Alito Hearings Judges and Judiciary Jan. 20, 2006
'Strict Construction' Criterion Doesn't Hold Water Judges and Judiciary Nov. 12, 2005
Katrina, Tradition of Injustice Combine, Make Perfect Storm Law Practice Sep. 8, 2005
Rare These Days, District Court Stands for Justice in Prison Case Judges and Judiciary, Criminal, Constitutional Law Jun. 21, 2005
Problem With Originalism Lies in The Favoring of Logic Over Experience Law Practice, Constitutional Law May 28, 2005
Dark Tales May Lie Beneath 'Outrageous' Prisoner Claims Criminal Mar. 31, 2005
State Law Must Reflect Fatal Dangers of Police Car Chases Administrative/Regulatory Mar. 17, 2005
Lack of Federal Court Review Enables Prison Mismanagement Criminal Mar. 5, 2005
There Are Federal Judges Who Won't Compromise Inmates' Rights Judges and Judiciary Jan. 14, 2005
Diverse Solutions to Admissions Would Provide Better Social Outcome Civil Rights Dec. 29, 2004
'Callas Forever' Teaches Lessons That Apply to Practice of Law Law Practice Dec. 1, 2004
Death Sentences Always Must Include Reasonable Doubt Criminal Aug. 24, 2004
Federal Judges Must Make Prisons Meet Minimum Standards for Inmates Judges and Judiciary Aug. 4, 2004
Courts Treat State's Less Fortunate With Blind Indifference Civil Rights Jul. 13, 2004
Bush Shouldn't Steer County With Leadership Based on Faith Constitutional Law Jun. 23, 2004
Treating War Prisoners With Respect Is a Useful Policy Tool Government Jun. 8, 2004
Courts Show Deliberate Indifference to Jailhouse Violence Criminal Jun. 2, 2004
U.S. Must Open All Its Military Prisons to Reform, Watchdogs Government May 19, 2004
Officers Must Be Accountable for Innocent Victims of Pursuits Civil Rights Apr. 27, 2004
State High Court Supports Victims of Abuse by Police Constitutional Law Apr. 22, 2004
'Smith' Bars Police-Brutality Victims From Vindicating Wrongs Civil Rights Apr. 3, 2004
Fighting Words Constitutional Law Jan. 15, 2004
'Mean Justice' Agenda Leads To Ethical, Fiscal Dead End Criminal Aug. 12, 2003
Despite Iraq Victory, Bush's Policies Lead America Astray Law Practice Jun. 10, 2003
Idea Diversity U.S. Supreme Court, Law Practice, Constitutional Law Dec. 13, 2002
Toppling Rights Law Practice Sep. 6, 2002
Toppling Rights Judges and Judiciary Sep. 5, 2002
Colleges Shouldn't Consider Race in Admission Decisions U.S. Supreme Court, Constitutional Law Jun. 7, 2002
Corrections Tries to Evade Financial Responsibility Criminal Feb. 6, 2001
Case Name Topic Role Published
Joshua Aaron Hollamon v. City of Los Angeles, et al. Civil Rights Plaintiff Mar. 29, 2024
Lloyd Joseph Collins v. State of California, et al. Civil Rights Plaintiff Aug. 11, 2017
Christopher Clark, Helen E. Lombardi v. Correctional Defendants Civil Rights Plaintiff Oct. 13, 2007
Thambiah Sundaram v. Chuck Villanti, Dennis Balsamo Civil Rights Plaintiff Feb. 10, 2004
Joseph Lloyd Collins v. 24 Hour Fitness Employment Law Plaintiff Jun. 29, 2002
Leonard Lawson v. Skyline HealthCare Center Personal Injury (Non-Vehicular) Plaintiff Apr. 22, 2000
Charlie Hinduja v. ARCO Products Co., et al. Civil Rights Plaintiff Dec. 24, 1999
Confidential Civil Rights Plaintiff Aug. 28, 1999
Sandra Mancha and Gary Coleman v. City of Ontario Civil Rights Plaintiff Jan. 23, 1999
John Doe v. California Forensic Medical Group Employment Law Plaintiff May 10, 1997
Daniel Budorick v. City of Los Angeles, et al. Civil Rights Plaintiff Feb. 8, 1997
Fred Griffin; Carl Little v. Security Consultants Armed Express, Inc.; Walters Management Company, et al. Civil Rights Plaintiff Sep. 23, 1995
Christopher Gallegos v. Michael Ewing, City of Huntington Park Civil Rights Plaintiff Mar. 25, 1995
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