Weekly Briefs: Fewer than half of Americans approve of SCOTUS; ex-judge denies raping secretary
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Supreme Court approval rating hits 4-year low
Only 49% of Americans approve of the way the U.S. Supreme Court is handling its job, according to a July poll by Gallup. The approval rating is the lowest since 2017. Last year, 58% approved of the Supreme Court’s job. Bare majorities of both Republicans and Democrats approve of the court, while only 46% of independents indicated approval. (Gallup press release, USA Today, the Washington Post)
Ex-judge denies rape allegations
A former judge in New York’s trial-level supreme court is denying lawsuit allegations that he repeatedly compelled his secretary to perform oral sex in his chambers and raped her at his home. Matthew Rosenbaum says the sex was consensual. After the New York Commission on Judicial Conduct opened an investigation, Rosenbaum resigned in 2019 and agreed to never again seek judicial office. The sheriff’s office says it is investigating Rosenbaum without specifying the reason why. (Law360, Law.com, WHEC)
Drop in police shootings followed this change
Some cities and states are cutting the number of lower-level arrests with the aim of reducing violent encounters between police and the public. Available data on police shootings in 86 larger cities suggests the strategy is working. Cities that cut low-level arrests by 50% or more had 57% fewer police shootings in 2019 than in 2013. (FiveThirtyEight via the Marshall Project)
Town drops case over F-word yard signs
The town of Roselle Park, New Jersey, has dropped its case against a homeowner whose daughter displayed anti-Biden signs with the F-word in her yard. The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey represented homeowner Patricia Dilascio, and her daughter, Andrea Dick. A municipal judge had ordered removal of the F-word signs and imposed a $250 daily penalty for noncompliance. (NJ.com via the Volokh Conspiracy)
Remington makes Sandy Hook settlement offer
The Remington Arms Co. has proposed settling a lawsuit over its marketing practices by paying $3.66 million each to the families of nine children killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. Remington made the Bushmaster rifle used by the gunman, who killed a total of 26 children and six adults. The bankrupt company made the offer after a Connecticut judge cleared the way for trial. (Law360, Reuters, NPR)
These law firms are rated best for quality of life
Vault has published its 2022 list of best law firms to work for, which is based on associate ratings. The top five are McDermott Will & Emery; O’Melveny & Myers; Clifford Chance US; Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe; and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. (Above the Law, Vault)
