Ashley Merryman

Washington, D.C., United States

Contributor at U.S. News and World Report

Love science of humans, an Oxford comma, and baseball. Author, NurtureShock, TopDog: The Science of Winning and Losing, and The Sherwood Report (on Substack)

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Articles

Your Hobby May Be the Secret to a Happier, Healthier Life

2 weeks ago | money.usnews.com | Ashley Merryman |Elizabeth Whitehead

One perk of contemplating retirement or being in retirement is having the chance to indulge more in pastimes you love—or new ones that you’ve always wanted to try. And there’s no time like the present, because researchers around the world are discovering a range of benefits from having hobbies and, in fact, older adults with hobbies report being healthier, happier and having higher life satisfaction.
Car Accident Settlement Process and Timeline

Jul 15, 2024 | law.usnews.com | Ashley Merryman |Susannah Snider |Katy Marquardt

Every five seconds, a car crash happens somewhere in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These aren’t all minor fender-benders: In 2022, 5.2 million people were injured severely enough that they needed medical attention. But almost all car accident claims are settled out of court, and few claimants are represented by lawyers. And while accidents occur in the blink of an eye, the settlement process can be complicated and lengthy.
What Is Jury Tampering?

Jun 3, 2024 | law.usnews.com | Ashley Merryman |Susannah Snider |Katy Marquardt

While there are occasional high-profile cases where it becomes an issue, jury tampering is more likely to be something encountered in a courtroom movie than in the average court proceeding. That's according to Nancy Marder, law professor and director of the Justice John Paul Stevens Jury Center at the Chicago-Kent College of Law. That said, when it does occur, jury tampering could, if left unchecked, compromise the very premise of a fair and impartial jury and the integrity of the court system.
Pending Supreme Court Cases That Could Impact Every American

May 15, 2024 | law.usnews.com | Ashley Merryman |Susannah Snider |Katy Marquardt |Diane Faulkner

While there is always scrutiny and public attention on a handful of major Supreme Court decisions, many other cases that directly impact Americans’ lives go comparatively unnoticed when they’re decided. Let’s take a look at a few cases currently before the Supreme Court that could have a real-world impact on people's lives. Regulating Social Media: Whose Right to Free Speech Wins? What’s at issue: Through Moody v. NetChoice and NetChoice v.
Attorney vs. Lawyer: What's the Difference?

May 1, 2024 | law.usnews.com | Ashley Merryman |Susannah Snider |Katy Marquardt

If someone needs representation for a legal issue, they might wonder about the difference between a lawyer and an attorney. Furthermore, if there are differences between the two, they might be unsure as to which one they need in a particular situation. The short answer is that in the U.S., “lawyer” and “attorney” are effectively legal synonyms, according to Stuart I.
What Are Privileged Communications in Court?

Apr 26, 2024 | law.usnews.com | Alison Bowen |Liisa Rajala |Susannah Snider |Ashley Merryman

Some conversations are protected even within courtrooms. Privileged communications are conversations between two people within a relationship that the law protects from being disclosed on the witness stand. Privileged communications can include things that a client tells an attorney and even extend to other relationships. Here's what to know about this legal term and how it impacts court proceedings.
Should You Join a Class Action Lawsuit?

Apr 17, 2024 | law.usnews.com | Ashley Merryman |Susannah Snider |Katy Marquardt

In class action litigation, a number of people file a single lawsuit to address a wrong they have all sustained. However, many people are not sure if they should become one of the plaintiffs, collectively referred to as a class. At the same time, some advocates try to dissuade claimants from joining these lawsuits, arguing that they make plaintiff attorneys wealthy but do little for the claimants. The reality is more complicated, but even if it were true, that’s an argument to reform the system.
How Do Lawyers Bill Their Time?

Apr 12, 2024 | law.usnews.com | Ashley Merryman |Susannah Snider |Katy Marquardt

The term “billable hour,” a unit of time used in the legal industry, is common in popular culture but can be misunderstood. What goes into a billable hour is more than 60 minutes of time, and timekeeping and billing practices differ. Here's a closer look at how attorneys charge for their work. Billing Increments and EthicsIf attorneys bill clients for time, they may choose to bill in increments of an hour.
How to Sue Someone

Apr 1, 2024 | law.usnews.com | Ashley Merryman |Susannah Snider |Katy Marquardt

Whether it’s due to an accident, genuine misunderstanding or misconduct, at some point many people may find themselves wondering whether they should sue a wrongdoer, and if so, how they might go about it. The particulars will depend on the case and the laws in the state where a lawsuit would be filed, but there are basic steps to understand the overall process. Consult an AttorneyPotential plaintiffs should consider hiring an attorney to represent them.
What Are Non-Extradition Countries?

Mar 22, 2024 | law.usnews.com | Ashley Merryman |Susannah Snider |Katy Marquardt

The United States is estimated to have extradition treaties with more than 100 countries; therefore, it may seem almost scandalous to hear about nations identified as “non-extradition countries.” However, according to the United Nations, there are currently 193 countries in the world, so from the U.S. perspective, nearly half of the world’s nations could be labeled “non-extradition countries.”Does that mean that half of the world is made up of lawless havens for criminals?