Afternoon Briefs: Judge won't block book by Trump's niece; ex-BigLaw lawyer wants harassment lawsuit tossed
President Donald Trump. Image from Shutterstock.com.
Judge tosses bid to block Mary Trump’s book
A New York judge has ruled that he doesn’t have the authority to block publication of a book by Mary Trump, the niece of President Donald Trump. Judge Peter Kelly of the Surrogate’s Court in New York City said the bid to stop the publication should not have been filed in his court, which deals with estate matters. Mary Trump’s book is Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man. The motion for an injunction had contended that Mary Trump is violating a confidentiality agreement signed as part of a settlement involving the will of her grandfather, Fred Trump Sr. (Law.com, the Associated Press, the Daily Beast via Raw Story)
Ex-BigLaw lawyer urges dismissal of sex assault lawsuit
Former Fox Rothschild lawyer Ian Siminoff is seeking dismissal of a lawsuit filed by an administrative assistant who alleges that he tried to rape her in an office bathroom and fondled her at work. Siminoff says the relationship with Stephanie Jones was consensual, she filed her lawsuit too late, and she can’t hold him individually liable under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. (Law360)
Law firms settle dispute over ‘Simon says’
Two Florida law firms have settled a trademark dispute over use of the phrase “Simon says” in slogans. Plaintiffs Ortavia Simon and his law firm use the slogan “Simon Says You Deserve Justice,” while defendant Simon Nicholson uses the tagline “Simon Says Justice.” Both lawyers are from the Orlando, Florida, area. (Law360)
State bar tells LegalMatch to cease operations
The State Bar of California is asking LegalMatch to cease and desist operations in the state after denying its request for certification as a lawyer referral service. Among the problems identified by the bar: Some panel lawyers did not provide evidence of malpractice insurance, and LegalMatch didn’t establish clear qualifications for lawyers claiming a practice focus. LegalMatch’s chief operating officer Anna Ostrovsky told the Recorder that the problems identified by the bar were “technicalities” that could be quickly resolved. (The Recorder)
