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 NPR Topics: Legal Affairs
Bin Laden's Driver Gets Short Prison Stint
Salim Hamdan, Osama bin Laden's former driver, was sentenced on Thursday to 5 1/2 years in prison for providing material support for terrorism. But he will serve only a few months. Hamdan will get credit for the 61 months he has already spent in custody while awaiting trial. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:18:00 -0400
Lawyer For Bin Laden's Driver Lays Out Next Steps
A military jury has handed Salim Hamdan a 5 1/2-year sentence, but he is likely to serve less than six months. Neal Katyal, a law professor at Georgetown University and Hamdan's lead counsel, says the sentence shows the administration's approach to the war on terrorism is flawed. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:49:00 -0400
Guantanamo Jury Gives Hamdan Light Sentence
A military jury in Guantanamo Bay has sentenced Osama bin Laden's driver to 5 1/2 years in prison, making Salim Hamdan eligible for release in just six months. Hamdan was found guilty of supporting terrorism on Wednesday. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:48:00 -0400
Detroit Mayor Ordered To Jail
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has been ordered to the county jail after a judge found he violated the terms of his bond by traveling to Canada without informing the court. The judge says he would have given the same treatment to any criminal defendant. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:43:00 -0400
Anthrax Suspect's Abortion Stance Eyed As Motive
Bruce Ivins may have targeted Sens. Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy with anthrax-laced letters in 2001 because he saw them as bad Catholics owing to their pro-choice votes, officials close to the investigation say. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:57:00 -0400
Doubts Arise In Bruce Ivins Case
The FBI says that, with scientist Bruce Ivins' suicide, the case against him is effectively closed. Doubts are emerging, however, as to whether he really was the 2001 anthrax killer. His handwriting does not match up and he could not have possibly done it all alone, fellow scientists say. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0400
Judge Orders Detroit Mayor Jailed
The saga of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick continues. A judge ordered the embattled mayor to jail after he took an unapproved trip to Canada. Kilpatrick is facing perjury charges and was out on bond. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0400
Detroit Mayor Ordered To Jail After Violating Bond
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who awaits trial on perjury and other charges, has been ordered to county jail after violating his bond by leaving the country. Kilpatrick apologized for the infraction, but Judge Ronald Giles said he was giving the mayor the same treatment as any other defendant. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:20:00 -0400
Questions Remain After Death Of Anthrax Suspect
The FBI has stated that evidence points to microbiologist Bruce Ivins as the sole person responsible for five deaths in 2001. In July, Ivins committed suicide as the government was preparing to indict him. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:08:00 -0400
How Strong Is The Case Against Bruce Ivins?
Documents show that anthrax suspect Bruce Ivins was troubled, but the evidence against him is largely circumstantial. Robert Mintz, a former federal prosecutor, discusses the investigation against the microbiologist, who committed suicide in July. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0400  Law: News & Videos about Law - CNN.com
Mexican government protests Texas execution
The United States violated international law by putting a Mexican national to death in Texas, the Mexican government said Wednesday. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:13:00 EDT
A-Rod: Marriage over, affairs claims irrelevant
Alex Rodriguez said he agrees with his wife on two things: Their marriage is over, and she's a good mother to their two daughters. But A-Rod said allegations of infidelity shouldn't bear on their divorce. Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:35:00 EDT
Road trip retraces civil rights history in Alabama
A trip through sweltering Alabama to experience some of the civil rights movement's most important sites brought history books to life for my family and me. Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:47:00 EDT
Legendary DA's convictions thrown out by DNA testing
As district attorney of Dallas for an unprecedented 36 years, Henry Wade was the embodiment of Texas justice. Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:05:00 EDT
Sudan's leader contemptuous of genocide indictment
Sudan's president says he would not be cowed by his indictment on genocide charges nor allow it to distract him from the search for peace in troubled Darfur. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:19:00 EDT
Zakaria: China, Russia may be forced 'out of the closet' on Sudan
The International Criminal Court announced this week it is seeking an arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:07:00 EDT
Call to suspend Darfur war crime case
The African Union will ask the U.N. Security Council to suspend action for a year on the indictment of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Darfur genocide charges, Nigeria's foreign affairs minister said on Monday. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:54:00 EDT
Arab League to Mull Charges Against Sudan's Prez
Arab foreign ministers are expected to discuss a proposal Saturday calling on Sudan's president to hand over two Darfur war crimes suspects to an international tribunal in an effort to fend off the longtime leader's own prosecution Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT
U.N. peacekeeper slain in Darfur
Another U.N. peacekeeper has been killed in the Darfur region of Sudan, the United Nations said Wednesday. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:25:00 EDT
Black in America: Eyewitness to Murder: The King Assassination
CNN Presents: Black in America: Eyewitness to Murder: The King Assassination airs Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6 at 8 p.m. ET on CNN Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:54:00 EDT  NYT > U.S.
Bin Laden’s Former Driver Is Sentenced to 5 1/2 Years
A panel of six senior military officers sentenced Salim Hamdan to 66 months in prison after just over an hour of deliberation.
Judge Orders Detroit Mayor Jailed
Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick was taken to jail and will spend at least one night there for violating his bond.
Little Pieces of Politics, Some Obscure, Lure Collectors
Collectors of campaign memorabilia meet in Las Vegas at the 2008 American Political Items Collectors National Convention.
In Anthrax Scientist’s E-Mail, Hints of Delusions
The e-mail messages of Bruce E. Ivins provide a narrative of his paranoid episodes, dating to 2000.
F.B.I. Presents Anthrax Case, Saying Scientist Acted Alone
The F.B.I. presented a sweeping but circumstantial case that Bruce E. Ivins was solely responsible for mailing the deadly anthrax letters.
Minorities Often a Majority of the Population Under 20
Confirming the breadth of the nation’s diversity, census numbers show racial and ethnic minorities now account for 43 percent of Americans under 20.
8 Firefighters and a Pilot Feared Dead After Crash
The Federal Aviation Administration said that nine people are missing and feared dead in the crash of a helicopter carrying firefighters in Northern California.
Race Takes Central Role in a Memphis Primary
In a racially fraught Congressional campaign, a black candidate is linking her liberal-leaning white primary opponent to the Ku Klux Klan in a television advertisement.
Back to Court, Decades After Atomic Tests
Residents of the Bikini Atoll are seeking the remainder of a $563 million settlement reached in 2001.
Climate-Change Program to Aid Poor Nations Is Shut
The move, which officials say resulted from the shrinking of federal science budgets, is being denounced by many experts on environmental risk.  washingtonpost.com - Courts, Judiciary
Gitmo jury gives bin Laden driver 5 1/2 years
GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba -- A U.S. military jury gave Osama bin Laden's driver a surprisingly light sentence on Thursday, making him eligible for release in just five months despite the prosecutors' request for at least a 30-year sentence to deter would-be terrorists. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:17:02 EDT
NCAA can't do much about beer ads, fantasy sports
-- Beer ads will continue to pay for college sports telecasts, and college fantasy leagues could become the next real moneymaker on Web sites. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:15:55 EDT
Court clears way for another immigrant's execution
HUNTSVILLE, Texas -- An illegal immigrant from Honduras who claimed his treaty rights were violated when he was arrested for a robbery and murder lost his appeal Thursday at the U.S. Supreme Court, clearing the way for his execution. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:11:08 EDT
U.N. concerned at Sudan anti-terror courts
KHARTOUM (Reuters) - The United Nations on Thursday raised concerns Sudanese anti-terrorism courts which condemned 30 Darfur rebels to death did not meet international standards and urged the appeals courts to review the sentences.
Court rejects suit opposing religion in vets care
MADISON, Wis. -- Taxpayers cannot sue the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for incorporating religion into its health care programs for the nation's veterans, an appeals court has ruled. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:36:39 EDT
Bin Laden's driver convicted at Guantanamo
GUANTANAMO BAY U.S. NAVAL BASE, Cuba (Reuters) - A military jury on Wednesday convicted Osama bin Laden's driver of supporting terrorism but acquitted him on more serious charges of conspiring with al Qaeda to wage murderous attacks, in the first U.S. war crimes trial since World War Two. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:04:59 EDT
3 states to consider affirmative action ban
PHOENIX -- With one brief criticism of affirmative action, John McCain has brought new attention to ballot issues aimed at dismantling preferential treatment programs for women and minorities.
Mexican-born killer put to death in Texas
HUNTSVILLE, Texas -- A Mexican-born condemned killer whose case drew international attention has been executed over the objections of an international court and the Mexican government, which contended he was denied access to legal help from his consulate. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:12:29 EDT
Execution prompts concern for detained Mexicans
NUEVO LAREDO, Mexico -- Mexico is protesting the execution of one of its citizens in Texas despite a world court ruling for a new hearing, expressing concern for the rights of other Mexicans detained in the United States. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 06:36:08 EDT
US Legal News - JURIST
Hamdan sentence could mean fewer than six months in prison
[JURIST] Salim Ahmed Hamdan [DOD materials; JURIST news archive] was sentenced Thursday to five and a half years in prison [AP report] following his conviction [JURIST report] Wednesday of providing material support for terrorism [charge sheet, PDF] through his association with Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda leaders. Hamdan had pleaded for leniency after apologizing for the deaths caused by 2008-08-07T14:56:00-04:00
Enron officers may be eligible for new trials
[JURIST] Former Enron [corporate website; JURIST news archive] executives convicted on charges related to the 2001 accounting scandal may be eligible for new trials, depending on the outcome of an appeal [JURIST report] by former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling [Houston Chronicle profile]. Skilling was convicted under a theory of "deprivation of honest services," which allows for the prosecution of 2008-08-07T14:56:00-04:00
Maldives president signs new constitution increasing judicial independence
[JURIST] Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom [official websites] on Thursday signed into law [press release] a new constitution [PDF text] for the country, providing for multi-party elections, an independent judiciary, and a more powerful legislature. The constitution also provides a number of enumerated rights for citizens and establishes several special commissions on issues including human 2008-08-07T14:56:00-04:00
Overbilling lawsuit prompts debate over ethical duties to smaller clients
[JURIST] A Pennsylvania judge has ruled [order, PDF] to allow Christian foster parent organization Bair Foundation [advocacy website] to proceed with its lawsuit [complaint, PDF] against the well-known law firm Reed Smith [firm website], rejecting four preliminary challenges by Reed Smith. The lawsuit alleges that Reed Smith overcharged Bair for representation in an employment discrimination 2008-08-07T14:56:00-04:00
US Congressman urges Rice to postpone India nuclear agreement
[JURIST] Howard Berman (D-CA), Chairman of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee [official websites], released a letter obtained by JURIST on Thursday in which he urged the Bush administration to postpone an international nuclear trade deal with India until the country is required to provide permanent security to nuclear facilities and stop nuclear weapons testing. Berman 2008-08-07T14:56:00-04:00
Ninth Circuit orders district court to accept guilty pleas of illegal immigrants
[JURIST] The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit [official website]?on Wednesday ordered?[decision, PDF]?a district court to accept guilty pleas entered by three illegal aliens facing immigration charges. The defendants had entered unconditional guilty pleas to charges that they re-entered the country after having been removed previously, a violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act 2008-08-07T14:56:00-04:00
Mauritania military stages coup and detains president
[JURIST] A military group staged a coup in Mauritania [CIA factbook profile] early Wednesday, detaining President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi [BBC profile] and Prime Minister Yahya Ould Ahmed Waqef [IBT report]. The coup's apparent leader, Gen. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, also backed a 2005 coup [JURIST report] that removed then-President Maaoya Sid'Ahmed Taya [BBC report]. Aziz had previously 2008-08-07T14:56:00-04:00
Federal judge unseals FBI anthrax investigation documents
[JURIST] Judge Royce Lamberth?[official profile] of the US District Court for the District of Columbia [official website] on Wednesday ordered the unsealing of hundreds of documents [court materials] related to the FBI's probe into the 2001 anthrax attacks [GWU backgrounder]. Among other papers, the released documents include 14 search warrants issued against government scientist and biodefense 2008-08-07T14:56:00-04:00
Hamdan found guilty by Guantanamo military commission jury
[JURIST] The jury in the military commission trial of Salim Ahmed Hamdan [DOD materials; JURIST news archive] found Hamdan guilty on Wednesday of providing material support for terrorism, marking the first verdict rendered by a military commission trial at Guantanamo Bay. The jury [Miami Herald report], made up of six military officers, was selected on July 21, and the trial lasted for two weeks 2008-08-07T14:56:00-04:00
ICE launches voluntary deportation program for illegal immigrants
[JURIST] US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) [official website] launched a new program [fact sheet; press release] Tuesday that allows certain illegal immigrants to coordinate their removal from the US with ICE without the risk of home raids, arrest or detention. The Scheduled Departure Program, a pilot program that will run through August 22 in five major cities [program overview], is 2008-08-07T14:56:00-04:00  FindLaw News - Top Stories
Why A Federal Judge Was Right to Dismiss Former Congressman Gary Condit's Most Recent Defamation Suit Against Journalist Dominick Dunne For Comments Relating to Chandra Levy's Murder
(FindLaw's Writ) - Why A Federal Judge Was Right to Dismiss Former Congressman Gary Condit's Most Recent Defamation Suit Against Journalist Dominick Dunne For Comments Relating to Chandra Levy's Murder By JULIE HILDEN Friday, Jul. 17, 2008 ...
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit Approves An "Informed Consent" Requirement for Abortions: The Slippery Quality of Statutory Definitions
(FindLaw's Writ) - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit Approves An "Informed Consent" Requirement for Abortions: The Slippery Quality of Statutory Definitions By SHERRY F. COLB Wednesday, Jul. 9, 2008 ...
Merrill Lynch Built $40B 'House of Cards,' Subprime Suit Says
(Andrews) - New York investment bank Merrill Lynch is facing a class-action lawsuit accusing it and top executives of deceiving investors last year by hiding a $40 billion exposure to risky subprime mortgage loans.The amended suit, filed by the Ohio State Teachers' Retirement System, consolidates seven securities fraud complaints pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. It alleges that thousands of investors, relying on Merrill Lynch's "false ...
The Southern Baptist Convention's Unconvincing Claims as to Why It Cannot Effectively Report or Prevent Clergy Child Abuse ?????? and How Insurance Companies Can Exert Pressure to Ensure Better Systems
(FindLaw's Writ) - The Southern Baptist Convention's Unconvincing Claims as to Why It Cannot Effectively Report or Prevent Clergy Child Abuse ?????? and How Insurance Companies Can Exert Pressure to Ensure Better Systems By MARCI HAMILTON Thursday, Jun. 12, 2008 ...
Last Phase of HP's $6.3M Settlement Over Spy Scandal OK'd
(Andrews) - A Delaware state court judge has approved the final phase of a $6.3 million settlement of shareholder suits over a boardroom spying scandal at Hewlett-Packard Co. following the ouster of CEO Carly Fiorina and the acquisition of Compaq Computer Co. Vice Chancellor John Noble dismissed the consolidated suits in the Delaware Chancery Court and awarded $2.5 million in attorney fees to the plaintiffs. Hewlett-Packard in April paid $3.8 million ...
No Probable Cause - No Bank Records, Wis. High Court Rules
(Andrews) - A divided Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled that bank records the police obtained without probable cause and incriminating statements a woman made after being confronted with the documents cannot be used in court.In a 5-2 vote the high court said suppression was appropriate even though applicable state law does not expressly provide for exclusion of the evidence. According to the record, Michelle Popenhagen worked at a Wisconsin grocery store. While investigating ...
N.J. High Court Voids Vioxx Medical Monitoring Class
(Andrews) - The New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled that Merck & Co. is not required to finance a medical monitoring program for former Vioxx users who do not claim injury from taking the recalled pain drug.Restoring a trial court ruling that rejected certification of a medical monitoring class under the New Jersey Products Liability Act, the high court said the proceeding could not advance because the plaintiffs allege no "manifest injury." The ...
The Supreme Court's Term So Far: An Unusual Degree of Agreement, With Liberals Joining "Conservative" Rulings and Vice-Versa
(FindLaw's Writ) - The Supreme Court's Term So Far: An Unusual Degree of Agreement, With Liberals Joining "Conservative" Rulings and Vice-Versa By EDWARD LAZARUS Friday, Jun. 6, 2008 ...
Does the Constitution Permit Government to Favor Religion over Nonreligion? Justice Scalia Says Yes
(FindLaw's Writ) - Does the Constitution Permit Government to Favor Religion over Nonreligion? Justice Scalia Says Yes By MICHAEL C. DORF Wednesday, Jun. 4, 2008 ...  ABA Journal Top Stories
Even After Paying Bills, Client Can Sue Reed Smith for Claimed ???Churning???
A Pennsylvania non-profit that claims it was overbilled by Reed Smith, in a routine employment discrimination defense that was originally estimated at $50,000 and eventually racked up almost $1 million in attorney fees and costs, has been given the green light to proceed with the case. Overruling???
Hamdan Sentenced to Only 5.5 Years By Military Tribunal, Could Get Out in 5 Months
Prosecutors sought a prison term of at least 30 years for Salim Ahmed Hamdan, the Osama bin Laden chauffeur convicted this week by a U.S. military tribunal of some, but not all, of the terrorism support charges against him. However, a jury of six military officers sentenced him to five-and-a-half???
9-Lawyer Team Departs Becker Firm, Citing ???Mismanagement???
A nine-lawyer team has defected from the West Palm Beach office of Florida's Becker & Poliakoff, citing mismanagement, and has opened a new office there for another law firm. Commercial litigator Dan Rosenbaum, who led the group from the 115-attorney firm known for its real estate???
Suit: Ex-NBA All-Star Asked to Give Up Seat for White Women
Former NBA All-Star Joe Barry Carroll has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against a popular Atlanta tavern, claiming that while other while men were sitting at the bar, he and his friend were forced to move so that two white women could sit down. It's apparently a custom at???
Detroit Mayor Jailed on Bond Violation
Updated: A judge has ordered that Detroit's mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, be jailed, due to a violation of his bond in an ongoing perjury prosecution. Kilpatrick admittedly violated his bond by making an unauthorized trip to Canada, on city business, without first notifying the court, according to the
National Century Execs Jailed, Ordered to Repay $2,384,147,105.09
Down to the penny, a federal judge in Ohio wanted former executives of one of the nation's largest private fraud cases to know how much damage they caused. U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley on Wednesday sentenced Donald Ayers, the former chief operating officer of National Century Financial Enterprises, to 15???
WSJ: Accounting Rule Would Allow Lawyers to ???Extort Settlements???
A proposed Financial Accounting Standards Board rule that would require companies to account for the potential cost of litigation will do less to offer transparency than it will be a boon for trial lawyers, a Wall Street Journal editorial maintains. "The real gift is to the???
Female GCs at Fortune 500 Cos. Double in Last Decade
The number of top women lawyers at Fortune 500 companies has risen to 92 from 44 when the Minority Corporate Counsel Association first started counting nearly 10 years ago. The state with the largest number of female GCs is New York, which has 14, followed by 11 in California, eight???
Did Collection Firm ???Shake Down??? Millions?
An Orlando, Fla., civil recovery firm is facing a federal lawsuit accusing it of sending millions of letters across the country in an alleged effort to shake down shoppers. Palmer Reifler & Associates, which sends between 80,000 and 120,000 demand letters a month, is accused in the potential class action???
Feds Raid 3 Calif. Hospitals, Arrest CEO
In the latest fallout from reports in 2006 that hospitals were dumping homeless patients in need of care on the streets, federal agents investigating alleged Medicare fraud raided three hospitals in the Los Angeles area today. They arrested the chief executive officer of one, Rudra Sabaratnam of City of Angels???  WSJ.com: Law Blog - WSJ.com
Two Days After Medellin Execution, Similar Issues Back at High Court
This photo released by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shows death row inmate Heliberto Chi who is scheduled for execution at the Texas prison in Huntsville, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008. Chi, 29, was set for execution for the 2001 murder of his former boss at an Arlington, Texas, clothing store. (AP Photo/Texas Department [...] August 7, 2008, 4:15 pm
Hamdan Gets 66 Months; Eligible for Release in 180 Days
The latest from Gitmo: Salim Hamdan, Osama bin Laden’s former driver, has been sentenced to 66 months in prison for aiding terrorism. With time served, he will be eligible for release in six months. August 7, 2008, 4:14 pm
50 Years After Nuclear Tests, Bikini Atoll Case Hits Federal Circuit
A mushroom cloud rises above Bikini atoll in the Marshall Islands, July 25, 1946, following an atomic test blast, part of the U.S. military’s “Operation Crossroads.” (AP Photo) Continuing on our island theme, let’s chart a southwest course, from Hawaii to Bikini Atoll, a series of islands in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Today, the [...] August 7, 2008, 1:50 pm
Kamehameha School Controversy Bubbles Up Again; Dueling Suits Filed
As a youngster, when we used to attend Minnesota Gopher hockey games on a semi-regular basis, we always took pride in the then-coach, Doug Woog, who according to legend only recruited in-state players. Since Minnesota high school hockey is clearly superior, Coach Woog’s policy simply made good sense. This admittedly tangential anecdote came to mind [...] August 7, 2008, 11:45 am
The Ivins Case: Taking Stock of the Evidence
I’m a little dream-self, short and stout. I’m the other half of Bruce — when he lets me out. When I get all steamed up, I don’t pout. I push Bruce aside, then I’m Free to run about! – a poem by Bruce Ivins, the biodefense researcher at Fort Detrick who committed suicide last week as federal prosecutors prepared [...] August 7, 2008, 10:00 am
Judge Refuses Israel???s Guilty Plea; Cites Doubt About Competence
It was over a month ago that Samuel Israel III — the hedge-fund-CEO-turned-felon-turned-fugitive who disappeared on the day he was to report to prison for a 20-year sentence — surrendered to police in Massachusetts. Yesterday, the 49 year-old Israel, former CEO of defunct hedge-fund Bayou, appeared before U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas in White Plains [...] August 7, 2008, 9:17 am
Obama Advisor, Schiff Hardin Associate, Resigns Over Ties to Imam
Shame on us for not bringing you this news yesterday. But then again, campaign news, at least when it’s lawyer-related, strikes us as evergreen. Here’s what you need to know: On July 26, Mazen Asbahi, an associate at Schiff Hardin in Chicago, was appointed the national coordinator for Muslim Affairs for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. [...] August 7, 2008, 9:10 am
Judge Under Fire for YouTube Order; Cap??n Awesome???s Unhappy
On Friday, the Law Blog will moderate a panel at the annual ABA program entitled, “Judicial Criticism: Judges Under Fire.” We were looking for current case studies to discuss on the panel, when the following news of fall-out from the Viacom-Google battle came across our desk. The Judicial Reports blog reports that SDNY Judge Louis Stanton, [...] August 6, 2008, 5:54 pm
Complaint Outs AutoAdmit User. Withholding Other Names for Leverage?
For all you AutoAdmit junkies, we promised an amended complaint that names some of the 39 anonymous AutoAdmit users whom two Yale law students are suing for defamation. (For the AutoAdmit backstory, click here, here and here.) Today, the plaintiffs lawyers — Stanford’s Mark Lemley, Keker & Van Nest’s Ashok Ramani and the local [...] August 6, 2008, 4:19 pm
Cadwalader and Lawyer Cuts: Pursuing a Clear-Eyed Plan?
It’s been a week since Cadwalader trimmed 96 associates and counsel, bringing its 2008 lawyer layoffs to a total of 131, or about 20% of the firm’s population. Some legal media outlets gave Cadwalader a bashing for the move. The Lawyer, for instance, which earlier this year opened an office in New York, called the [...] August 6, 2008, 11:22 am
LLRX.com - Legal and Technology Articles and Resources for Librarians, Lawyers and Law Firms
Law of the Pacific Islands: A Guide to Web Based Resources
Ruth Bird's guide is expertly updated by Dianne Thompson and Anna Matich, each of whom possess comprehensive legal research expertise on this topical area. Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:40:00 -0700
Commentary: Immunity for Telecom Eavesdropping
Beth Wellington's commentary tracks the legislative path of retroactive immunity for telecom eavesdropping. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:23:04 -0700
Reference from Coast to Coast: Summer Musings
Jan Bissett and Margi Heinen provide a timely and valuable refresher on a range of well-sourced, reliable, topical websites, guides, print and program materials useful for summer associate legal research training. Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:30:52 -0700
A Review of Zotero, the free, Firefox extension to assist in collecting, managing and citing research sources
Stacy Bruss focuses on specific and practical examples of using this flexible application to organize and manage current collections of resources as well as citations to documents, web sites, and blogs. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:24:00 -0700
Criminal Justice Resources: Sex Offender Residency Restrictions
Ken Strutin's guide collects recent court decisions, research papers and reports that have addressed the efficacy of exclusionary zoning laws and the impact of these restrictions on sex offenders reentering their communities. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 17:12:24 -0700
E-Discovery Update: Lessons From An E-Discovery Disaster
Conrad J. Jacoby examines the recent case of Southern New England Telephone Company (???SNET???) v. Global NAPS, Inc. as an example of how stonewalling and committing perjury, especially with respect to electronic discovery matters that can be independently validated, remains a poor litigation strategy. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:20:57 -0700
The Goverment Domain: Government Topics at the SLA 2008 Conference
Peggy Garvin's article focuses on key speakers and significant issues, services and websites that hightlighted issues, initiatives and services significant to the government documents arena. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:45:14 -0700
E-Discovery Update: Precision, Accuracy, and Relevance
Conrad J. Jacoby discusses the challenges and ramifications inherent in an evironment where litigants have increasingly come to rely on computerized search queries rather than free-form document review to identify potentially relevant documents. Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:17:42 -0700
LLRX Book Review by Heather A. Phillips - Tabloid Justice: Criminal Justice in an Age of Media Frenzy and The Star Chamber: How Celebrities Go Free and their Lawyers Become Famous
Heather a. Phillips reviews a new book whose main focus is on uses on six major criminal cases of the 1990s, as well as one that concentrates on the details of what really happens when the media circus invades the courthouse, and the effect it has on both the trial participants and the verdict. Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:43:46 -0700
FOIA Facts: My Proposals for the FOIA
Following up on the passage earlier this year of the OPEN Government Act of 2007, FOIA expert Scott A. Hodes make two proposals absent from the law, but which would help FOIA requesters. Sun, 29 Jun 2008 12:32:43 -0700  Law.com - Newswire
Former Client's Overbilling Suit Against Reed Smith Can Continue
A Pennsylvania judge has overruled four of Reed Smith's five preliminary objections to former client Bair Foundation's suit, which alleges that high demands on large law firm partners to increase profits led to the nonprofit being excessively charged for representation in a routine employment discrimination case. The complaint alleges Reed Smith took advantage of Bair's lack of legal sophistication and shouldn't have represented the "smaller" client, given the firm's focus on high revenues and profits.
Federal Suit Accuses Law Firm of Shaking Down Shoppers
A potential class action filed in Miami federal court accuses a law firm of mail and wire fraud in a scheme to shake down millions of people across the nation. The suit alleges that Palmer Reifler & Associates sends 80,000 to 120,000 demand letters each month seeking money from shoppers who have been detained by retailers for shoplifting, purportedly so they can avoid potential lawsuits that the firm has no intention of filing. The firm receives up to one-third of the money it recoups for the retailers.
4th Circuit Rejects CACI's Defamation Claims Against Air America Radio Host
Turning back a defamation suit by CACI, the 4th Circuit ruled Tuesday that all of Air America Radio host Randi Rhodes' on-air descriptions of the defense contractor are protected by the First Amendment. The unanimous three-judge panel wrote that Rhodes' rants -- even comments that CACI interrogators ordered the rape of children -- were "not demonstrably false." More damning still, the court found that many of Rhodes' claims are backed by reliable sources.
Barnes & Thornburg Cuts Summer Associate Program
Barnes & Thornburg is cutting its summer associate program next year in its Chicago office because first-year associates are so available in the city and competing firms have reduced the programs. "We've hired successfully so many first-years that it seems, at least for next year, there wasn't a need," Chicago hiring partner Jon Froemel says. The firm's partners also say they had heard other law firms were cutting back their summer programs, making Barnes & Thornburg's move a competitive response.
The Buzz on Buzzword for Law Firms
Consultant Brett Burney sees Web-based word processor Buzzword as a rich collaboration platform for the legal crowd. Lawyers can create a draft of a document in Buzzword and immediately share it online, instead of creating it in Word and sending it as an attachment via e-mail.
'Fortune' 500 Sees Growth in Female GCs
500 has grown to 92, more than double the number when the MCCA started keeping track in 1999. "At a time when ... the economy is creating difficult times for our nation's top companies, it's encouraging to see that more women lawyers are serving as the chief legal officer to whom CEOs turn to lead the company through today's legal and regulatory challenges," said MCCA's Veta Richardson.
'Mismanagement' Fuels Departures From Fla. Firm
Pay cuts and dwindling morale pushed most of the lawyers in Becker & Poliakoff's West Palm Beach, Fla., office to defect from the firm, which imposed a 12 percent pay deferral on all attorneys in May due to slow-paying clients. Dan Rosenbaum, the office's former managing partner, said he left the real estate-dominated firm after 28 years because of mismanagement and declining morale. Nine attorneys, led by Rosenbaum, left Becker to open a West Palm Beach office for Katzman Garfinkel.
$5 Million Malpractice Suit Against Star Litigator Dismissed
The $5 million malpractice case against star white-collar defender Michele Roberts has been settled and dismissed, according to D.C. Superior Court documents stating that the case was dismissed with prejudice. The 2006 case against the Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld partner stemmed from Roberts' representation of Vaughn Stebbins in a 2001 civil case against the District and a Metropolitan Police Department officer.
Schiff Hardin Associate Resigns From Obama Campaign
questioned the Obama campaign about Asbahi's ties to Jamal Said, who once served with Asbahi on the board of an Illinois-based Islamic investment fund.
Merger Talks Stall Between Wolf Block and Akerman Senterfitt
Merger talks between Wolf Block and Akerman Senterfitt have hit a snag, according to a statement Wednesday by leadership at the two firms. The biggest issue at this point for the firms is to resolve a client conflict, said Hildebrandt International's Brad Hildebrandt, who is advising Wolf Block on the deal. "The vote was deferred to try to work these issues out," he said, adding that he wouldn't characterize the current situation as meaning the deal was "on hold." |
