Friday, November 30, 2007

HEAT ON ASTOR LAWYER (New York Post)

The shady lawyer who was named co-executor of Brooke Astor's estate by her son, Anthony Marshall, will finally be exposed to the sun today when he's arraigned on charges he helped Marshall swindle millions from his mother. Francis Morrissey Jr...

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Feds: Kerik Lawyer Possible Witness, Should Be Disqualified (Fox News)

Federal prosecutors say Bernard Kerik's lawyer could be a called as a witness in the case against the former New York City police commissioner and asked the judge to disqualify him.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Prosecutor Seeks to Pull Kerik Lawyer (New York Times)

A judge should consider removing the defense lawyer representing Bernard B. Kerik, the citys former police commissioner, because the lawyer might be called as a witness, federal prosecutors said yesterday in a request they sent to a court.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Haneef lawyer calls for migration, terror probes (Stuff)

The Rudd government may need to consider inquiries into both migration and counter-terrorism laws to get to the bottom of what went wrong in the Mohammed Haneef case, his lawyer says.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Shanghai property tycoon sentenced to 16 years: lawyer (AFP via Yahoo! News)

A Shanghai court sentenced property magnate Zhou Zhengyi, once one of China's richest people, to 16 years in jail for graft Friday, his lawyer said, in a case linked to the city's former top leader.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Katrina lawyer at the eye of a storm (Los Angeles Times)

Richard Scruggs' clients wonder what his indictment may mean for the scores of pending cases against their insurance carriers. He is a legendary trial lawyer, and one of the richest men in Mississippi. His name graces the music building at his alma mater, Ole Miss. He is the brother-in-law of Republican Sen. Trent Lott, and a friend of the Democratic state attorney general.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Feds want Kerik's lawyer disqualified (AP via Yahoo! News)

Federal prosecutors on Thursday asked the judge in the case against former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik to consider disqualifying Kerik's lawyer, saying he has a potential conflict of interest because he could be called as a witness.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Bonds adds lawyer (Sports Illustrated)

Barry Bonds plans to add an attorney to his legal team before his federal court appearance next week, the slugger's longtime business affairs lawyer said Thursday.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Prosecutors: Judge Should Dismiss Kerik's Lawyer (WNBC)

Federal prosecutors said Thursday that the judge in the case against former New York City police Commissioner Bernard Kerik should consider disqualifying Kerik's lawyer.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Peterson lawyer: 'There never was a barrel' (USA Today)

A lawyer for Drew Peterson has denied a large container was ever hauled out of the former police officer's suburban home the day his wife vanished.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Hiring freeze at Fourth Judicial District announced

The Fourth Judicial District, serving Hennepin County, in a press release today announced an immediate hiring freeze along with changes in court hours and operations in response to an anticipated budget shortfall. The court projects a $1.4 million budget deficit for its current fiscal year which ends in June 2008.

The hiring freeze reportedly will result in staff shortages throughout the court, requiring a reduction in services. Some of the changes that will impact the public include:

-- Walk-in counter and telephone services will be curtailed Wednesday afternoons, 1:30-4:30 pm, beginning Jan. 2, 2008. For example, citizens will no longer be able to pay traffic tickets in person, request copies of court files, or receive updates on the status of cases via telephone on Wednesday afternoons at all locations. Court hearings and trials will not be affected and will continue as usual.

-- Conciliation Court calendars will be reduced by one-third, resulting in some delay in scheduling hearings.

-- A program that provides supervised visitation services to noncustodial parents and their children in Family Court will be halted.

-- The court will no longer provide arbitrators for Alternative Dispute Resolution in Civil Court.

-- The court will no longer conduct criminal record checks for the public; members of the public will be referred to the public access website where this information is available.

Several factors are contributing to the anticipated shortfall, according to the release. The Hennepin County Court received $900,000 less than its budget required to cover salary and fringe benefit increases and funding for positions required by a new information system. Some of the new money that was appropriated to the states trial courts for the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 biennium was earmarked for special purposes, making it unavailable to cover increases in basic operating costs like employee salaries and insurance.

The District had hoped to rely on vacancy savings to help cover its shortfall. However, year-to-date vacancy rates have been much lower than expected, the release said.

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[Source: Minnesota Lawyer Blog]

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Reiser's lawyer goes after witness; judge goes after lawyer (San Francisco Chronicle)

(11-27) 13:58 PST OAKLAND - Hans Reiser's defense attorney aggressively questioned the divorce lawyer for the murder defendant's missing wife today, angering the prosecutor and drawing a "stifle yourself" rebuke from the judge. William Du Bois, who is...

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Humans (except for lawyers) Are Predisposed Towards Optimism

According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, our brains seem to be wired for optimism. That is, unless you are a lawyer. Robert Lee Hotz writes that two research teams exploring the anatomy of expectations offer a new perspective on the power of a positive outlook. For the first time, [...]


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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

Nigeria threatens to exit Pfizer talks: lawyer (AFP via Yahoo! News)

Nigeria will pull out of talks seeking an out-of-court settlement with Pfizer unless the US pharmaceutical giant agrees liability over an alleged illegal drug trial in 1996, a lawyer said Tuesday.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Lawyer says Indian actor Sanjay Dutt to be freed from prison on bail (Canadian Press via Yahoo! News)

NEW DELHI - Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt was granted bail Tuesday and will likely be released by Wednesday, after serving just 19 months of a six-year sentence for illegal weapons possession, his lawyer said.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Brooke Astor's son indicted: lawyer (AP via Yahoo! News)

Indictments of Brooke Astor's only son and his attorney on charges apparently stemming from their handling of the late socialite's $198 million estate were expected to be announced Tuesday, an attorney for the lawyer said.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Top State Dept lawyer seeks U.S. clarity on torture (Reuters via Yahoo! News)

The United States, accused of using torture on terrorism suspects, should make clearer what it permits during interrogation and what it does not, the State Department's top lawyer said on Tuesday.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Pawlenty taps Dietzen for high court opening


Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge Christopher Dietzen is to be elevated to the state Supreme Court to replace departing Justice Sam Hanson. Gov. Tim Pawlenty made the announcement at a press conference earlier this afternoon.

Dietzen, who formerly served as legal counsel for Pawlenty, was an attorney with Larkin Hoffman Daly & Lindgren in Bloomington for 16 years, where Dietzen specialized in complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on real estate and valuation disputes.

Pawlenty opted not to appoint a screening committee to vet candidates for the high court seat.


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[Source: Minnesota Lawyer Blog]

High-profile lawyer sentenced over taxes (The Charlotte Observer)

A civil rights lawyer known for his high-profile cases against police and President Bush was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison for federal tax evasion, bankruptcy fraud and money laundering. Stephen Yagman, 63, was convicted of trying to avoid paying more than $100,000 in federal income taxes while living what prosecutors said was a lavish lifestyle that included credit card sprees, ...

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Lawyer: Brooke Astor's son indicted (AP via Yahoo! News)

Brooke Astor's only son and his lawyer have been indicted on charges apparently stemming from their handling of the late socialite's $198 million estate, a defense attorney said.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Vivas' lawyer awarded more than $663,000 in attorney fees (The Fresno Bee)

A Fresno County Superior Court judge Tuesday awarded more than $663,000 in attorney fees and costs to the lawyer who won the Lindy Vivas sexual discrimination trial in July.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

High-profile lawyer sentenced over taxes (AP via Yahoo! News)

A civil rights lawyer known for his high-profile cases against police and President Bush was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison for federal tax evasion, bankruptcy fraud and money laundering.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Lawyer Kuby Attacks Police On Stein Case (The New York Sun)

The case against the accused killer of real estate agent Linda Stein, which has come under criticism from many quarters, may be hitting another bump in the road, as the suspect's family showed up in court yesterday with a high-powered lawyer. Ronald Kuby, a renowned defense attorney and former radio host who was retained by the family of Natavia Lowery last week, lambasted the allegations ...

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Troubled Dallas lawyer Catherine Shelton disbarred (Dallas Morning News)

A Dallas criminal defense lawyer with a history of brushes with the law has been disbarred. Catherine Shelton lost her right to practice law in Texas in May.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Lawyer: Philanthropist Brooke Astor's son, his attorney indicted (The Journal News)

The son of philanthropist Brooke Astor and his former lawyer have been indicted on charges apparently stemming from their handling of the late socialite's $198 million estate, an attorney for the lawyer said yesterday.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Peterson's lawyer welcomes arrival of FBI in search for client's missing wife (Chicago Tribune)

Attorney says he hopes 'witch hunt' against ex-cop ends The lawyer for a former Bolingbrook police sergeant Monday hailed the arrival of the FBI in the search for the man's missing wife and said he hoped it would end the "witch hunt" against his client.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Lawyer: Waunakee Couple Charged In Connection To Underage Drinking Party Isn't Story (WISC Channel3000.com via Yahoo! News)

The lawyer for a Waunakee couple that's facing charges in connection to an underage drinking party at their home said that he wonders why the story is in the headlines.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

5th Circuit: ADA Standard of Proof is Motivating Factor

Both the Developments in EEO Law Blog and Jottings of an Employer’s Lawyer had coverage last week of a recent Fifth Circuit decision finally putting a steak through the heart of the tired old “sole cause” standard of causation in cases under the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act. The case is Pinkerton v. Paige [...]


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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

Lawyer: Brooke Astor's Son and His Attorney Have Been Indicted (Law.com)

The son of philanthropist Brooke Astor and his former lawyer have been indicted on charges apparently stemming from their handling of the late socialite's $198 million estate, an attorney for the lawyer said Monday. Michael S. Ross, attorney for Francis X. Morrissey Jr., said he received a phone call from the Manhattan prosecutor's office informing him of the indictments against Morrissey and ...

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Hashim wants to cooperate, says lawyer (The Jakarta Post)

Hashim Djojohadikusumo's lawyer said Saturday that the businessman had pledged his cooperation to the ongoing police investigation into the theft of artifacts from the Radya Pustaka Museum in Surakarta, Central Java.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Edwards touts record as trial lawyer (AP via Yahoo! News)

Democrat John Edwards says his experience as a trial lawyer makes him the presidential contender best able to give voters hope and to give the establishment grief.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Lawyer: Brooke Astor's son indicted (AP via Yahoo! News)

The son of philanthropist Brooke Astor and his former lawyer have been indicted on charges apparently stemming from their handling of the late socialite's $198 million estate, an attorney for the lawyer said Monday.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Lawyer argues to keep LA County off Britney Spears' custody case (Canadian Press via Yahoo! News)

LOS ANGELES - A lawyer for Britney Spears asked a court commissioner Monday to keep Los Angeles County authorities from reviewing court filings in the pop star's child custody dispute.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

U.S. high court declines to hear search case

The Associated Press reports that the U.S. Supreme Court today declined to hear a challenge to a California county's practice of routinely searching welfare applicants' homes without warrants.

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[Source: Minnesota Lawyer Blog]

Edwards Touts Trial Lawyer Record in Presidential Bid (Law.com)

Democrat John Edwards says his experience as a trial lawyer makes him the presidential contender best able to give voters hope, and to give the establishment grief. Speaking of his work on behalf of plaintiffs, Edwards told listeners at a town hall-style meeting on Monday, "I walked into that courtroom and I gave the company hell because they deserved it. That's the kind of fight we need." The ...

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Monday, November 26, 2007

Local U.S. Attorney's Office; Where do we go from here?

While I am not completely comfortable with the hang-the-mutineers-from-the-yardarm approach of the Wall Street Journals recent editorial, I don't think that Rachel Pauloses decision to leave the Minnesota U.S. Attorneys Office should end the inquiry into what happened there.

In a highly public uprising last April, three of Pauloses then-deputies and an administrator stepped down from their leadership roles. (All four opted to stay in that office rather than leave, creating a management situation for Paulose that was awkward to say the least.) The move which came at the height of the furor over the national U.S. Attorneys scandal appears to have been calculated to dislodge Paulose from her post. Predictably, the self-demotions led to a firestorm of round-the-clock negative media coverage focused on Paulose. However, Paulose was left standing after media attempts to tie her actions into the national scandal failed.

There are, of course, exceptional circumstances that would justify a mutiny like the one staged by these deputies. So far, I have not seen anything like that on the public record just allegations Paulose wasnt a good manager. I think it is something that definitely needs to be explored now particularly if, as Senators Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar recommend, U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey is to choose an internal candidate as Pauloses successor. (At least one of those deputies has been named as a strong contender in the local press.) As a corollary, such an inquiry should also consider how these each of these individuals acted after they stepped down and went back to nonmangement roles.

The other thing that concerns me deeply is that a person or persons in the office leaked highly sensitive personnel information over the Internet, including selected details of a retaliation and a discrimination complaint. This leaking was done in a manner to stoke the negative media coverage and to compromise Pauloses ability to effectively carry out her job. The divulging of this personnel-related information was not only clearly in violation of Department of Justice policy, but threatened the integrity of the investigative process for those complaints. I think people working in a public office have to follow the rules if we learned anything from the Gonzales era it should be that. I do not know if the perpetrator(s) of this can be identified, but whoever it is doesn't belong in that office.

I urge the new AG not to rush to pick an internal candidate as U.S. attorney without first sorting out his or her role in the recent events in the office. I think the vast majority of those in the office kept their heads down and went about their business despite the intrusive controversies. A few people in the office appear to have become disruptive forces who made it their business to stir those controversies up. If our new U.S. attorney is indeed to be drawn from the internal ranks, I, for one, would like to make sure that he or she is drawn from the former group.

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[Source: Minnesota Lawyer Blog]

Friday, November 23, 2007

Lawyer for Bali bombers says will complain over review process (Antara News)

A lawyer for three Muslim militants sentenced to death for their role in the deadly 2002 Bali bombings Friday said they will lodge a complaint over the way their case review request was handled.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

British lawyer sent home as Kremlin takes tough stance on visa laws (Times Online)

A prominent British human rights lawyer has been ordered to leave Russia in a tightening of visa laws that could affect hundreds of experts from the European Union.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Vancouver lawyer says accused Basque terrorist to fight deportation order (CNews)

VANCOUVER - The lawyer for an accused Basque terrorist is fighting a deportation order on the grounds that his client faces the risk of torture or death at the hands of Spanish police.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Lawyer asks how Lingam could get medical records (The Star--The People's Paper)

KUALA LUMPUR: Lawyer Wee Choo Keong has questioned how Datuk V.K. Lingam, who is implicated in a video clip purportedly showing a senior lawyer brokering the appointment of judges, managed to obtain his younger brother's medical records.

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Lawyer seeks to move Bodden murder trial from Douglas County (Nevada Appeal)

MINDEN Because of the extent of pretrial publicity, the lawyer for accused murderer Karen Bodden wants her trial moved from Douglas County.

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Thursday, November 22, 2007

Saudi rape victim's lawyer: Case may change judicial system (CNN.com)

The lawyer representing a Saudi rape victim whose treatment has drawn worldwide criticism predicted Wednesday the controversy may help reform the Saudi judicial system.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Court says judge wrong to order new lawyer (New Orleans Times-Picayune)

An Orleans Parish judge was wrong in ordering a defendant to dump his volunteer lawyer and hire one, the Louisiana Supreme Court said Wednesday.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Arrested New Zealander sues Fijian regime over beating: lawyer (AFP via Yahoo! News)

Fiji's military government is being sued for 40 million Fiji dollars (26 million US) by a New Zealand citizen who says he was badly beaten during his arrest over an alleged plot to kill regime leaders, his lawyer said Wednesday.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Small-Firm Lawyer Finds the Upside in Dollar's Drift (Law.com)

Achim Hoelzle's three-lawyer Feldberg Pacific Law Group represents small and midsize European companies -- largely from his native Germany -- in venture investments and cross-border deals. As the dollar hits record lows against the euro and other currencies, Hoelzle and others say the San Francisco Bay Area's appeal as a place to open subsidiaries and make company acquisitions is growing. ...

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Convicted lawyer wants to teach morality (AP via Yahoo! News)

A lawyer known for his high-profile cases against the police and President Bush asked a judge on Wednesday to spare him jail time for federal tax evasion and fraud conviction.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Victor Rabinowitz; Lawyer Won Cuban Case (Washington Post)

Victor Rabinowitz, 96, a New York labor lawyer who successfully argued a U.S. Supreme Court case defending the Cuban government's nationalization of U.S.-owned property, died Nov. 16 at his home in Manhattan. No cause of death was reported.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Convicted lawyer wants to teach morality (The Charlotte Observer)

A lawyer known for his high-profile cases against the police and President Bush asked a judge on Wednesday to spare him jail time for federal tax evasion and fraud conviction. Prosecutors said Stephen Yagman, 63, should serve a minimum of nine years in prison. Yagman's lawyer argued the punishment would be too harsh, calling it "vindictive prosecution." Defense attorney Barry Tarlow said his ...

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Saudi Rights Lawyer Sidelined (Washington Post)

JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 21 -- Saudi officials have revoked the license of human rights lawyer Abdul-Rahman al-Lahem, who has handled the country's most controversial cases and defended a gang-rape victim sentenced to jail time and lashes.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

De Venecia to file exhaustive answer to complaint--lawyer (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines -- Instead of seeking the immediate dismissal of his case, Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. will submit an exhaustive answer to the complaint filed by lawyer Roel Pulido at the House of Representatives ethics committee, De Venecias lawyer said Thursday.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Tribble tries to dump his sixth lawyer (The Stowe Reporter)

Accused killer Dennis Tribble of Wolcott wants to fire his sixth court-appointed lawyer in seven years.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Thirty third America's Cup could be postponed to 2011 - lawyer (AFP via Yahoo! News)

The 33rd America's Cup, initially set for 2009 in Spain, could be postponed until 2011, a lawyer for Alinghi said Tuesday, but the defending Swiss champions said an official announcement is not imminent.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Hustler lawyer allowed in obscenity case (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Staunton, VA - A high-profile First Amendment lawyer will be permitted to represent an adult video store owner in an obscenity case, a judge has ruled.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

High-profile lawyer to represent adult-video store owner (WRIC 8 News Richmond)

Associated Press - November 21, 2007 3:15 PM ET STAUNTON, Va. (AP) - A Staunton judge is allowing a high-profile First Amendment lawyer to represent an adult-video store owner in an obscenity...

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Lawyer: Accused Canada farmer innocent (AP via Yahoo! News)

The lawyer for a farmer accused of being Canada's worst serial killer said Tuesday that the care taken in disposing of human remains found on his farm means his client cannot possibly be the murderer.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

High-profile lawyer to represent adult-video store owner (WAVY 10)

STAUNTON, Va. (AP) - A Staunton judge is allowing a high-profile First Amendment lawyer to represent an adult-video store owner in an obscenity case.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Kohlberg Hires Deal Adviser to Be Top Lawyer (New York Times)

The private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts has hired as general counsel the lawyer who worked on several of its biggest deals, an indication that it may be moving ahead with plans to go public.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

The cost of compliance

Many in-house types have been worried about the cost of compliance since Sarbanes-Oxley, and recent data on accounting salaries show that there may be cause for continuing concern.

According to the 2008 Salary Guide from Robert Half, public accountants are expected to see a bump in pay anywhere from 5.5 percent to 7.7 percent several percentage points higher than the projected salary hikes for corporate accountants.

Will this translate into higher bills for those internal control reports? Heres the numbers:

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
Audit, tax and management services

Large firms
Senior manager/director: +7.4%
Manager: +7%
Senior: +6.1%
1 to 3 years: +5.7%
Up to 1 year: +5.5%

Midsize firms
Senior manager/director: +7.7%
Manager: +7%
Senior: +6.2%
1 to 3 years: +6.4%
Up to 1 year: +6.3%

Small firms
Senior manager/director: +7%
Manager: +7.6%
Senior: +6%
1 to 3 years: +7.7%
Up to 1 year: +6.4%

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[Source: Minnesota Lawyer Blog]

Chirac under formal investigation for corruption: lawyer (AFP via Yahoo!7 News)

PARIS (AFP) - Former French president Jacques Chirac was placed under judicial investigation Wednesday as part of a probe into the improper use of city funds when he was mayor of Paris, his lawyer said.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Chirac under formal investigation for corruption: lawyer (AFP via Yahoo! News)

Former French president Jacques Chirac was placed under formal investigation Wednesday as part of a probe into the improper use of city funds when he was mayor of Paris, his lawyer said.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Leftist lawyer Victor Rabinowitz dies (AP via Yahoo! News)

Victor Rabinowitz, a lawyer who represented leftist causes and clients such as Alger Hiss, the Black Panthers, Fidel Castro and Weather Underground member Kathy Boudin, has died at 96.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

A perspective on Paulose: A tough tenure draws to a close

The news that Rachel Paulose would be leaving as U.S. attorney was hardly shocking. (See "Minnesota's embattled U.S. attorney steps down" in the Star Tribune.) And I am sure that there are many in the U.S. Attorneys Office rejoicing. The gulf that had grown between our 34-year-old U.S. attorney and her staff was wide, and, in the end, proved insurmountable.

I believe that Paulose made the right choice in opting to end her often stormy tenure and accept a policy job in main Justice in Washington, D.C.

It has always been my belief that it was a management situation causing the disruptions at the office. Paulose has sterling academic credentials and a highly impressive resume for her age. But she had little real management experience.

Intent on impressing her bosses and no doubt believing in her priorities, she plowed ahead and redirected the office without getting buy-in from the troops. She was also reportedly sometimes dictatorial in manner and abrasive toward subordinates. These are rookie mistake frequently made by inexperienced managers. But when that manager is in charge of 100 talented individuals at the U.S. Attorneys Office and operating in a fishbowl, there is little room for error.

While I am not adverse to occasionally giving an important role to a highly talented young person and giving them a chance to grow into it, such a person needs guidance and support. As far as I can tell, such support was completely lacking from the problem-riddled Department of Justice.

While I did not agree with all the actions taken by some in Pauloses office (particularly those leaking information), I believe that their motivations arose out of the difficult employment situation they found themselves in rather than race or gender animus.

And I likewise don't believe the charge bandied around the Web that Paulose somehow has racist tendencies. As a woman from an immigrant family from India, she found that speculation particularly hurtful. I know that she is willing at the drop of a hat to give a long list of past accomplishments showing her interest and commitment to the area, including her recent work in human trafficking, which often involves woman from foreign cultures.

So what are we left to think of Paulose?

I had the pleasure of getting to spend some time speaking with and getting to know Paulose while I was covering the various management-related controversies in her office. The Paulose I got to know was neither the Wicked Witch of the West that some of her detractors made her out to be nor the St. Rachel of some conservative blogs (and for that matter, of Katherine Kerstins over-the-top salute in the Star Tribune last May, The Real Rachel Paulose.)

I found Paulose to be a highly driven and even at times charming individual who also is a fallible human being. She is definitely conservative, but not very political. (Ironically, had she cared more about politics, she might have been able to rally some political support when she needed it so badly.) She is a brilliant woman with encyclopedic knowledge. Most surprising of all was the fact that Paulose has a keen sense of humor albeit a wryly dry one.

Unfortunately, most of Pauloses subordinates apparently never got to see this side of her. Because of her poorly developed management skills, she came across as aloof, condescending and inflexible. She was apparently so busy being defensive after being thrown in on the deep that of the pool that she never let her personality shine through.

Sadly, I think Paulose was starting to improve in recent months. She was no longer micromanaging, but instead was spending a lot of time on the road on outreach projects and delegating the day-to-day operations to her experienced deputies. Had she adopted this approach from the beginning, we would likely not be at this point now.

Then Paulose made her final misstep -- issuing a public comment online about the internal dispute in her office. It is ironic that that was the nail in Pauloses coffin. She was generally very shy about talking on the record about anything for public consumption, no doubt due in part to her inexperience dealing with the media. I suppose the battering she was taking in the media and on the Internet finally got the best of her. Understandable, but unfortunate.

It is my hope that Paulose will view this as a learning experience rather than accept some of the easy answers some of her more vocal supporters have been offering her. She was only 32 when she was thrust into a management situation that most 50 year olds couldnt handle. She was given little or no good support from an incredibly dysfunctional DOJ. She struggled mightily, but was unable to pull it off in the end. No shame in that.

In short, Paulose is a remarkable young woman with a lot to offer. While I think higher-ups in the Administration did her a disservice by moving her along too far, too fast, I am equally sure she has already begun contemplating how she can get the seasoning she needs to make sure she is properly prepared for her next great challenge be that in public service or the private sector. In the near term, I am glad to hear the people of the United States will continue to benefit from her extensive talents as she moves on to a role that is, for the present, better suited for her.

In closing, I would like to point out that Pauloses tenure in Minnesota has not been wasted. Despite the internal problems, the office did some great work in investigating and prosecuting child-porn and human trafficking cases. I would not have that forgotten due to the recent turbulence. Minnesotans can truly be grateful to Paulose and the entire staff of the U.S. Attorneys Office for their Herculean efforts in those areas. Its a legacy worth having.

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[Source: Minnesota Lawyer Blog]

Monday, November 19, 2007

Lawyer: Alaska priest abuse deal reached (AP via Yahoo! News)

A Roman Catholic religious order has agreed to pay $50 million to more than 100 Alaska Natives who allege sexual abuse by Jesuit priests, a lawyer for the accusers said Sunday.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Lawyer: 'Sense of decency' can save Lolit Solis (ABS-CBNNEWS.com)

Actors Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby may still drop libel charges filed against showbiz columnist and talent manager Lolit Solis if she makes a genuine retraction and a real public apology. This was revealed by lawyer Joji Alonso during an interview over ABS-CBN's "The Buzz" on Sunday.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Ex-Cop's Lawyer Disputes Autopsy Report (ABC News)

Lawyer for Ill. Ex-Cop With Missing Wife Disputes Finding That 3rd Spouse Was Killed

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Rape Victims Lawyer Refuses to Give In (Arab News)

JEDDAH, 19 November 2007 The lawyer representing a Saudi rape victim in Qatif has criticized the second ruling issued by the Kingdoms Higher Court of Justice doubling the womans punishment to 200 lashes and six months in jail, saying that the ruling sums up the major problems that the Saudi judiciary faces.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Drew Peterson Lawyer Rejects Autopsy Finding (WHBF-TV Quad Cities)

CHICAGO (AP) _ A lawyer representing Drew Peterson disputes the findings of an autopsy on a former Bolingbrook police officer's third wife that concluded woman was murdered.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Supreme Court lawyer says CBI threatened him (The Hindu)

Ghaziabad: A lawyer representing the widow of Nithari case main witness Jatin Sarkar, whose body was recovered from a river in West Bengals Murshidabad district, on Sunday claimed he was threatened by the CBI to withdraw the case . ...

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Cozen O'Connor: Lawyer Suing for Sex Discrimination Was Fired for 'Poor Judgment' (Law.com via Yahoo! Finance)

Cozen O'Connor has fired back at a woman lawyer who filed a sex discrimination suit against the firm, saying in its formal answer to the suit that she was fired for "poor judgment and poor decision-making" and for continuing to violate firm rules even after she was placed on probation.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Lawyer for ex-cop questions expert's autopsy findings (The Pantagraph)

NEW 3:20 p.m. CHICAGO -- A lawyer representing Drew Peterson on Sunday questioned an autopsy conducted on the body of the former Bolingbrook police officer's third wife that concluded woman was murdered.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Lawyer: Priests, Alaska Natives settle abuse case (Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune)

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA - A Roman Catholic religious order has agreed to pay $50 million to more than 100 Alaska Natives who allege sexual abuse by Jesuit priests, a lawyer for the accusers said Sunday. The settlement with the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus is the largest one yet against a Catholic religious order, said Anchorage lawyer Ken Roosa, who called it "a great day" for the 110 ...

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Jesuits to pay $50M in sex abuse case, plaintiffs' lawyer says (CNN.com)

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- A Roman Catholic religious order has agreed to pay $50 million to more than 100 Alaskans who allege sexual abuse by Jesuit priests, a lawyer for the accusers said Sunday.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Bonds' lawyer says prosecutors set up player for 'perjury trap' (San Jose Mercury News)

Federal prosecutors brought criminal charges against Barry Bonds as a desperate move to save face after spending several years and million of dollars investigating the slugger, said Bonds' lawyer, Michael Rains.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Lawyer for convicted murderer says DNA found at scene does not match client's (9 News Denver)

BOULDER (AP) - The lawyer for convicted murderer Timothy Masters says DNA found near victim Peggy Hettrick at the scene of the 1987 crime in Fort Collins does not match his client.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Links for 2007-01-21 [del.icio.us]



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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

A 'Trying' old lawyer; a warm, funny story (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The final year in the life of the Philadelphia aristocrat who was U.S. attorney general for most of World War II would hardly seem to be grist for compelling theater in 2007. But a play about a crusty and cranky old lawyer butting heads with a ...

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Blogroll Update!

It is hard to keep up with all of the excellent employment law and HR-related materials on the web these days. Seems like each week brings a new blog or web resource. So, after too much delay, I have finally managed to update the blogroll with links to many of the other fine [...]


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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

WARN Act Refresher

The WARN Act is one of those areas that everybody needs a refresher course in now and again. Most HR officers (and frankly many HR lawyers) deal with it infrequently at best. To the rescue comes Diane M. Pfadenhauer or Strategic HR Lawyer Blog, and her article: “BEYOND THE WARN NOTICE: GETTING TO [...]


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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

Lawyer for convicted murderer says DNA found at scene does not match his client's (KJCT 8 Grand Junction)

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - The lawyer for convicted murderer Timothy Masters says DNA found near victim Peggy Hettrick in 1999 does not match his client.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Links for 2007-04-15 [del.icio.us]



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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

Managing TelecommutersRequires Special Skill Set

As more companies adopt workplace models in which employees work from home, it has become more important for managers to learn to communicate and supervise, as well as foster teamwork among employees who work remotely, without the benefit of frequent face-to-face contact in a regular office setting.Here is a good article from the Wall Street [...]


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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

100 Resources to Attract, Retain and Leverage Talented Women

Women are a powerful and valuable force in today’s workplace. They represent some of the best and brightest that industry has to offer, but many organizations aren’t set up to properly attract and retain them. The HR World Editors have put together a list of 100 resources designed to help your organization recruit and retain [...]


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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

Minnesota bar shows support for Pakistani colleagues


An estimated 100 people or more showed up for the rally in support of Pakistani lawyers held at the Minnesota Judicial Center on Wednesday, Nov. 16. The demonstration was on one of many such events organized by lawyers and bar groups across the country. Locally, the Minnesota State Bar Association and other bar groups coordinated the effort. In the above shot, Peter Brown of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, addressed the crowd. Also speaking at the rally were: Richard Kyle, president of the Ramsey County Bar Association; Sonia Miller Van-Oort, president of the Hennepin County Bar Association, Kelly Just Olmstead, co-chair of the Lavender Bar Association and Minnesota Sen. Satveer Chaudry, DFL-Fridley.


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[Source: Minnesota Lawyer Blog]

Madison Square Garden of Discrimination

Last week a New York Knicks coach Isaiah Thomas was found liable for sexual harassment against a former colleague. The jury awarded $11,000,000.00 in damages against the team’s owner and its chairman.Madison Square Garden, which owns the Knicks, and MSG president James Dolan were ordered to pay the amount to Browne Sanders for allowing [...]


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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

Lawyer Says Feds Willing To Review New Evidence (The Morning News)

WEST MEMPHIS -- The federal Justice Department, which concluded that there was no criminal violation of 12-year-old DeAuntae Farrow's civil rights when he was fatally shot by police in June, is willing to review new evidence, a lawyer says.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Lawyer-client immunity debated in court (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)

BOSTON - A Central Massachusetts immigration lawyer who signed a naturalization application with substantial omissions came under fire yesterday in U.S. District Court.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Links for 2007-08-17 [del.icio.us]



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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

Sidley Austin Agrees to Pay $27.5 Million to Settle Suit

In a closely watched case I last wrote about here, the law firm Sidley Austin Brown & Wood has agreed to pay $27.5 million dollars to settle an age bias suit brought against it by the EEOC. The case had to do with the question of the EEOCs ability to seek money damages and [...]


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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

Limits of Free Speech in the Workplace

This is a question that I get quite often from employees: What are the limits of what I can say in the workplace? The answer is usually “Not as much as you think.” Many employees are surprised to learn that, generally speaking, employees of private sector employers have no constitutional free speech rights [...]


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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

DRC drops pipeline lawyer, out of funds (The Dickinson Press)

BISMARCK Landowners who intervened to oppose the TransCanada Keystone Pipeline have run out of funds for lawyer fees and their attorneys have withdrawn from the case.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Lawyer Says Feds Willing to Review New Evidence (KATV Little Rock)

West Memphis (AP) - The federal Justice Department concluded that there was no criminal violation of 12-year-old DeAuntae Farrow's civil rights. Farrow was fatally shot by police in June, is willing to review new evidence, a lawyer says.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Links for 2007-01-12 [del.icio.us]



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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

Links for 2007-02-19 [del.icio.us]



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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

Another Good Employee Privacy Article

Peter Mullison over at the Colorado Employment Law Blog has a good article on employee privacy in the workplace, or more specifically, the lack thereof. Peter discusses the Court’s opinion in United States v. Barrows, a 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decision finding that an employee did not have a protected privacy interest in [...]


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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

Links for 2007-02-18 [del.icio.us]



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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

Links for 2007-01-01 [del.icio.us]



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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

Lawyer: New fingerprints found in Knox case (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

ROME -- New, bloody fingerprints have been discovered on the pillow of a British student found slain in her bedroom in the Italian university town of Perugia earlier this month, a lawyer for the victim's family said Saturday.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

EEOC Charge Filing Error Goes to Supreme Court

The age discrimination case that was argued before the Supreme Court on Tuesday turned on a hyper-technical issue that only an employment lawyer could love.


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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

Why At-Will Employment is Bad for Employers

Most employers believe that if they set up an at-will system and police it vigorously they will be safe from lawsuits. However, despite almost universal acceptance of at-will relationships in the United States, employment litigation is on the rise and is now a large percentage of cases on court dockets. A recent article by Ellen [...]


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[Source: Texas Employment Lawyer HR Lawyer's Blog (210) 832-0932]

Bay Area lawyer, aviation law expert Stephen Kenney dies of cancer (San Francisco Chronicle)

Stephen Kenney, a highly regarded Bay Area trial lawyer and nationally recognized expert in aviation law, died of pancreatic cancer Nov. 2 at UCSF Medical Center. He was 62. Mr. Kenney, of Larkspur, was a founding partner of the San Francisco law firm Kenney &...

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Friday, November 16, 2007

AG's Office posts help wanted sign (again)

Just as an update on a prior post, I note that the Minnesota Attorney General's Office is again looking for a few good attorneys (or if not that, at least a few mediocre ones ...). Here is the link to the Bench & Bar classifieds in case you are interested in applying. (Hey, you get a retirement plan, holidays off and "more hands-on legal work on challenging legal issues anywhere else" -- what more could you ask for?)

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[Source: Minnesota Lawyer Blog]

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Lawyer Schultz kept friends laughing (The Fresno Bee)

Fresno lawyer Marvin Schultz took cases to trial with gusto, smoked cigars with relish, defended criminal clients with dedication and made people laugh in an instant.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Firm Sued for Cheating Lawyer Out of Profits After $172M Wal-Mart Win (Law.com)

Fred Furth won a $172 million award two years ago for Wal-Mart employees who weren't paid for meal breaks. But in a suit filed Tuesday, a lawyer who worked at his firm for five years accuses him of cheating her and others out of promised bonuses. Carolyn Burton says she accepted a below-market salary because she was led to believe she'd be in line to earn bonuses of 3 percent to 5 percent of the ...

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Ex-Lawyer Gets 10 Years for Defrauding Clients, Banks of More Than $24M (Law.com)

A former New York real estate lawyer who defrauded banks and clients of more than $24 million was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison. Anthony Belletieri used the money to make real estate investments, pay salaries at his now-defunct firm, make improvements to his home and pay for a family wedding. Southern District of New York Judge Charles L. Brieant said a tough sentence was necessary to ...

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Firm Sued for Cheating Lawyer Out of Profits After $172M Wal-Mart Win (Law.com via Yahoo! Finance)

Fred Furth won a $172 million award two years ago for Wal-Mart employees who weren't paid for meal breaks. But in a suit filed Tuesday, a lawyer who worked at his firm for five years accuses him of cheating her and others out of promised bonuses.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

DPP lawyer 'sorry' for Mallard's wrongful conviction (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Senior West Australian Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) lawyer Ken Bates has made an emotional admission to a Corruption and Crime Commission inquiry in Perth that he fell short of his obligations as a prosecutor in the case of Andrew Mallard.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

US colluding to ruin Pakistan: Pakistani lawyer (Indian Express via Yahoo! India News)

A representative of Pakistan's deposed chief justice on Wednesday accused the US administration of helping to destroy his country, and urged it to cut off ties with President Pervez Musharraf. "With all respect and humility, apparently, this license to ruin the future of my country has been given by the US administration," said Mohamed Akram, a lawyer close to the sacked Pakistani Supreme Court ...

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Ex-Lawyer Gets 10 Years for Defrauding Clients, Banks of More Than $24M (Law.com via Yahoo! Finance)

A former New York real estate lawyer who defrauded banks and clients of more than $24 million was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison. Anthony Belletieri used the money to make real estate investments, pay salaries at his now-defunct firm, make improvements to his home and pay for a family wedding.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Governor's staff files complaint against fired lawyer, over disclosures (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Gov. Matt Blunt's office has filed an ethics complaint with the Missouri Supreme Court against fired staff lawyer Scott Eckersley, accusing him of "breach of confidentiality" for going public about his duties.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Saudi lawyer reports harassment after defending rape victim (AFP via Yahoo! News)

A Saudi lawyer and human rights activist said on Wednesday that a court in the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom withdrew his licence after he objected to a ruling which penalised a female rape victim.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Fugitive lawyer Rasif struck off the roll (Straits Times)

FUGITIVE lawyer David Rasif was struck off the roll by the Court of Three Judges on Thursday after the Law Society of Singapore filed a complaint over the missing millions from his law firm.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Minnesota U.S. Attorney's Office Revisited

There has been a lot of back and forth of the Internet and elsewhere about whether or not new U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey will keep on U.S. Attorney Rachel Paulose or give her walking papers. There are certainly some in her office -- and a number of partisan blogs -- lobbying for the latter. And indeed, it wouldnt shock me if that happened. Most politicians do the easiest thing , and lets face it, its much easier to throw something away and get a new one rather than to try to salvage it. We do live in a throw-away culture, after all. But personally I am loath to do that with human beings unless we have to.

My opinion of the situation of the situation at the Minnesota U.S. Attorneys Office has not significantly changed since last April, when I wrote a column expressing my views on it. At that time I pointed out that while Paulose appeared to be highly intelligent and hard-working 34-year-old woman with a sterling educational and legal background for her age, she was an inexperienced manager who made some managerial missteps due to that inexperience. Those mistakes occurred in a tinderbox environment because the people she was managing included career prosecutors with significantly more age and seasoning. As a result, she definitely suffered some growing pains, or, as former assistant U.S. attorney Hank Shea recently put it, had a baptism by fire.

Paulose does seem to be learning, reportedly delegating a lot more and promoting awareness of her office by doing outreach work on the road. The complaints I see circulating in the blogosphere trace back to events six months or more. (There are, of course, a number of matters under investigation in the office, and those matters no doubt will continue to be looked into.)

I have no idea what Mukasey will ultimately decide to do about the situation at the Minnesota office. Hopefully, he will examine the facts closely and weigh all the options before rushing to a decision. Personally, I would like to see him continue to give Paulose get a chance to show that she has learned something from her experiences. If nothing else, you have to admire her pluckiness for even wanting that chance after the battering she has taken in the media and on the Internet. I can't quite decide if she is highly committed or just plain masochistic.

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[Source: Minnesota Lawyer Blog]

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Lawyer says Finn school killer contacted U.S. plotter (Reuters via Yahoo! News)

A Pennsylvania teenager who planned an armed attack on a local high school communicated with the Finnish student who killed eight people before committing suicide at a school near Helsinki last week, the U.S. boy's lawyer said on Monday.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Insulted by lawyer and fined $1000 (Adelaide Now)

A SYDNEY man described by his lawyer as having "the sophistication of a dead fish" has been fined $1000 for uploading The Simpsons Movie onto the internet.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

K-Feds lawyer wants video of Britney driving (MSNBC)

Kevin Federlines lawyer says he may try to subpoena video footage that apparently shows the pop princess running a red light at a Hollywood Hills intersection while driving with their two young sons in the back seat.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Lawyer: Noose isn't his clients' (New Orleans Times-Picayune)

A lawyer for three white Jefferson Parish supervisors said Monday that a noose, bullwhip and other objects alleged by a black employee to convey racial intimidation in the workplace didn't belong to any of the three men and were likely practical jokes.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Famed Plaintiffs Lawyer in Federal Judge's Crosshairs (Law.com)

A corporation's worst nightmare, famed plaintiffs lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs has taken on asbestos companies, Big Tobacco and scads of insurance companies in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. But he may have finally met his match in the controversial and outspoken U.S. District Judge William M. Acker Jr., who has held Scruggs in criminal contempt for failing to abide by a court order to return ...

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Lawyer is asked whether senator split fees (New Orleans Times-Picayune)

State Sen. Derrick Shepherd is the subject of civil court questions about whether he asked "Katrina contractors" to hire politically active Gretna lawyer Wiley Beevers in exchange for "referral fees" that Beevers paid to Shepherd.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Lawyer facing pot charges removed as family court judge (Boston Globe)

Facing felony marijuana possession charges, a 61-year-old Windsor lawyer will no longer serve as a family court judge.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Detained NZ man set to leave Fiji hospital - lawyer (The New Zealand Herald)

SUVA - A New Zealand man badly beaten by Fiji authorities during his arrest over a plot to kill Fiji's coup leader may be able to leave hospital today, his lawyer has said.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Harald Gesell: Lawyer stays on the case (FT.com via Yahoo! News)

Legal education and training for lawyers in the UK and continental Europe is very different. You cannot become a lawyer in Germany without studying law at university. In the UK, lawyers are taught to specialise early and have a formal requirement to maintain their practising certificates. In Germany, lawyers receive a more general legal education and have no formal requirements for continuing ...

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Law school dean musical chairs winding down

The great Minnesota law dean scramble is starting to wind down, with two of the three law schools in need of a new head at or nearing the accomplishment of their objectives. It's a big change from just two months ago when three of the state's four law schools were still widely casting their nets -- or so it seemed anyway.

William Mitchell College didn't actually cast its net very far, opting to stay in-house with its choice. On Nov 9, the school announced that one of its professors, Eric Janus, would serve as the new dean. Janus, who is well respected in the state's legal community, had served in the role on an interim basis since last September, when William Mitchell's former dean, Allen Easley, resigned and went on sabbatical.

Meanwhile, it appears that the University of Minnesota Law School will be hiring an outside candidate as its new dean. None of the five recently announced finalists for the post is local. (See the Bar Buzz column in this week's Minnesota Lawyer for the names and backgrounds of the candidates. Password required.) The U of M has been in search of a law dean since May 2006, when former dean Alex Johnson stepped down from the post and became a full-time professor at the school. Two co-deans have been filling the spot on an interim basis until a permanent dean could be found.

Hamline University School of Law, the third local law school in search of a dean, appears to still be at the early stages of the selection process. Hamline's current law dean, Jon Garon, announced a couple of months ago that he would step down as dean at the end of the academic year. Garon, a popular dean who has served in the post five years, said he is ready for change. Because Garon will remain at the captain's wheel until the end of the academic year, there is no reason for the school to rush.

The University of St. Thomas School of Law, on the other hand, is sitting pretty, with Dean Thomas Mengler still appearing to enjoy the post he has held for five years at the still-young law school. In the six years since the UST Law started, it has quickly and successfully weaved its way into the local legal community.

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[Source: Minnesota Lawyer Blog]

EP lawyer to be judge in new district court (El Paso Times)

AUSTIN -- El Paso lawyer Christopher Antcliff has been appointed to the newly created 488th Judicial District Court and will serve until the term expires at the end of 2008, Gov. Rick Perry announced Monday after making the appointment.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]

Monday, November 12, 2007

Lawyer urges review of terror evidence (The New Zealand Herald)

Secret evidence about the police investigation into military training camps in the Ureweras could be made public if there was an independent review, lawyer Moana Jackson said yesterday.

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[Source: Yahoo! News Search Results for lawyer]