Law Firms Sue Taco Bell, Ask Court to Determine: Where’s the Beef?

Contending that the purported “seasoned beef” or “seasoned ground beef” in a number of Taco Bell menu items isn’t as meaty as it sounds, consumer law firms have filed a federal suit in California this week asking for a court determination on the issue. Naming Irvine, Calif.-based Taco Bell Corp.…

Jan 22, 2011 12:43 AM CST

Now-Disbarred Lawyer Purportedly Produced Jailhouse Sex Video to Pursue Appeal for Clients

A now-disbarred Louisiana lawyer earned case-of-the-week mention from the Legal Profession Blog for producing a jailhouse sex video with the help of a 16-year-old female assistant. A hearing committee found credible an ex-client’s testimony that attorney Noland James Hammond had the teen perform jailhouse oral sex on two inmate clients,…

Jan 21, 2011 11:26 PM CST

Lawyer Misappropriated $2K in ‘Protection of the Client’s Interest,’ So He Isn’t Disbarred

For the first time since 1990, the Washington, D.C., Court of Appeals has declined to disbar a lawyer for intentionally misappropriating client funds. Instead, in an opinion (PDF) today, a three-judge panel of the court ruled that Willie Hewett should be given a six-month suspension, but stayed it in favor…

Jan 14, 2011 12:08 AM CST

Law Firm Partners on Hot Seat After Ex-Associate, Former Office Mgr Complain; Was Nanny on Payroll?

Two partners in the Oregon law firm of Gunn Cain & Kinney are on the hot seat after an ex-associate and former office manager at their firm complained to legal ethics authorities. Among other issues, Jessica Cain and Kevin Kinney have been accused by Oregon State Bar of charging excessive…

Jan 12, 2011 9:05 PM CST

Disbarred in Pa. and Del. (Where He Wasn’t Even Licensed), Young Attorney Is Merely Censured in NJ

An inexperienced attorney, licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, got into trouble by helping a Delaware accountant prepare estate documents, including wills for his clients. But he didn’t violate attorney ethics rules intentionally, a Delaware tribunal found. Nonetheless, Leonard Kingsley was disbarred both in Delaware—where he was never licensed to…

Jan 6, 2011 9:45 PM CST

2nd Circuit Tosses FCC Fine for Female Nudity on ‘NYPD Blue’

ABC television stations won’t have to pay a combined $1.21 million penalty for broadcasting an NYPD Blue episode with a shot of a female character’s nude buttocks. A New York-based federal appeals court ruled (PDF) on Tuesday that the nudity policy created by the Federal Communications Commission is unconstitutionally vague,…

Jan 5, 2011 5:15 PM CST

Controversial Civil Rights Lawyer, Fearless Critic of Federal Judges, Is Disbarred After Convictions

A controversial civil rights lawyer who didn’t hesitate to criticize federal judges and others has been disbarred after his convictions for tax evasion, bankruptcy fraud and money laundering. Known for his representation of victims of police brutality and Guantanamo Bay detainees, Stephen Yagman, 66, had gotten into trouble by failing…

Jan 5, 2011 12:14 AM CST

Ex-Obama Aide Remained a Chicago Resident, Stays on Ballot for Mayor’s Race, Judge Rules

Asked to overturn an administrative ruling that determined the former White House chief of staff for President Barack Obama remained a resident of Chicago while he worked in the nation’s capital and hence is qualified to run for election as the city’s mayor, a state-court judge in Illinois has instead…

Jan 4, 2011 9:19 PM CST

New Accusers Sue Favre & Jets, Alleging Team Didn’t Address Known Sexual Harassment

Reportedly irked by what they saw as a slap-on-the-wrist $50,000 fine imposed on former New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre concerning allegations that he sexually harassed sideline team reporter Jenn Sterger and sent her an explicit photo, two more women have stepped up to the plate. In a lawsuit filed…

Jan 4, 2011 1:06 AM CST

Lawyer is Suspended Over Hit-and-Run for Which He Initially Blamed His Wife and ‘Road Raged’ Bikers

A Vermont lawyer who reportedly is a former traffic court judge caused an accident in September 2007 by braking abruptly after passing two bikers. Then he blamed the crash on his wife—falsely claiming that she had been the driver—and the “road raged” bikers for the fact that he didn’t stop…

Jan 3, 2011 8:26 PM CST

His Town: Firefighter, Lawyer, Now Mayor of the City He Helped Incorporate

Jan 1, 2011 8:09 AM CST

Judge Clears 6 Verrill Dana Lawyers on All Ethics Charges re Ex-Partner’s $300K Theft

Tried on ethics charges in an attorney disciplinary case because they allegedly didn’t act quickly enough to investigate a then-partner’s theft of some $300,000 from clients and the firm and notify Maine authorities in 2007, six Verrill Dana lawyers have been cleared. The lawyers, who were targeted for discipline because…

Dec 30, 2010 12:41 PM CST

Lawyer Suspended for Giving ‘Certain Items of Value’ to Judge

A Pennsylvania lawyer who cooperated with federal authorities in a criminal case against a former state-court judge reportedly won’t face any criminal charges himself. But Harry Cardoni has been temporarily suspended from law practice by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court based on his admission that he provided “certain items of value”…

Dec 29, 2010 6:06 PM CST

Stuck on Snowy Airport Tarmac Nearly 12 Hours, Passengers Weren’t Covered by New Deplaning Rule

After airline passengers complained about sometimes being stranded for hours on the tarmac without food and other amenities, due to unusual weather conditions, new federal regulations were adopted holding carriers responsible for such delays and requiring that passengers be able to deplane after three hours. But they don’t apply to…

Dec 29, 2010 3:55 PM CST

Dispute Over $5 Municipal Meeting CD Costs Township $17K, All But $4.04 for Attorney’s Fees

Charged a $5 fee for a compact disc recording of a 2008 municipal meeting in Bridgewater, N.J., resident Tom Coulter thought the fee, which is set by a municipal ordinance, was excessive. So he complained to the New Jersey Government Records Council, which agreed. The township now offers a CD…

Dec 23, 2010 5:16 PM CST