Through NECN’s “Sidebar” segment, the Suffolk Law professors examine significant local, national and international stories.

“Sidebar” debuted March 23 with the segment “Is the AIG bonus tax constitutional?”

In discussing AIG and the congressional move to tax bonuses paid to executives of the insurance firm that had been saved by a generous federal bailout, Law Professor Carter Bishop told NECN’s Chet Curtis that "it is possible, but marginal whether those (tax levies) are constitutional.”

Bishop also pointed out that AIG had no option when it came to paying the much-maligned bonuses. Failure to pay would have been construed as a breach of contract under Connecticut law, and AIG would likely have lost any suit resulting from a refusal to pay the bonuses, according to Bishop.

In other Sidebar segments, Professor Chris Dearborn has analyzed the Massachusetts marijuana law, and Professor Anthony Polito discussed charges filed against funds that fed into Bernard Madoff’s ponzi operation.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to showcase our faculty and share our collective legal expertise,” said Associate Dean and Professor of Law Linda Simard. “We hope that ‘Sidebar’ will help bring attention and increased awareness to some of the important legal issues of our day.”

“NECN is pleased and privileged to share with our viewers the expertise of professors from one of the best law schools in our country,”' said NECN News Director Tom Melville. “This terrific ‘Sidebar’ segment promises to shed light on the most intriguing legal issues of the day.'”

“Sidebar” airs at 4:15 p.m. Mondays during NECN’s “News Day Live” broadcast.

NECN and Suffolk University are broadcast partners, and the segment originates from the University’s television studio at 73 Tremont St. ---- Suffolk University Law School, in the heart of Boston, enrolls more than 1,600 students in its day and evening divisions. Its curriculum includes specialty concentrations, joint-degree programs and an LL.M. in global technology. A wide range of clinical programs, internships and moot court competitions provide students with practical skills. Suffolk University, comprised of the Law School, College of Arts and Sciences and Sawyer Business School, celebrated its Centennial in 2006.