Afternoon Briefs: RBG outpaces colleagues for written opinions; DOJ lawyer who wrote risky footnote dies
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
DOJ lawyer who risked his career over a footnote dies at 88
A former deputy solicitor general who served under eight presidents, Lawrence Wallace, has died at age 88. Wallace argued more cases in the U.S. Supreme Court than any other lawyer in the modern era. Wallace is known for risking his career over a footnote in which he noted that he personally disagreed with the Reagan administration’s position in a tax exemption case. The brief he signed, despite his noted disagreement, argued that the IRS could not revoke tax-exempt status for private universities that discriminate. (The Washington Post via How Appealing)
Justice Ginsburg outpaces colleagues for opinions written
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has written more opinions than any of her colleagues in argued cases so far this term. Ginsburg has written three majority opinions and three dissents in 11 argued cases. (Law360)
Utah stepmom who challenged lewdness law accepts plea deal
A Utah stepmom who launched an unsuccessful challenge to the state’s female-only topless ban has agreed to a plea deal. Tilli Buchanan, 28, was charged under the state’s lewdness law after she appeared topless in front of her stepchildren. Buchanan entered a plea in abeyance to class B misdemeanor lewdness, which allows eventual dismissal of the charge after conditions are met. She won’t have to register as a sex offender. (The Deseret News, the Salt Lake Tribune)
Chip Gaines of HGTV fame wins lawsuit dismissal
Chip Gaines of the HGTV show Fixer Upper has won dismissal of a lawsuit by former partners in his real estate company. The founders had claimed that Gaines defrauded them when he bought them out because he didn’t reveal that his show had been picked up by HGTV after an initial pilot episode. (The Waco Tribune-Herald)
