Contracts

Lawyer accused of pursuing client-poaching ‘modus operandi’ hit with $2.3M verdict

The Florida Injury Law Firm based in Orlando, Florida, was awarded $2.3 million last week in a lawsuit against a former associate accused of violating an employment contract by stealing the firm’s best clients.

Mar 1, 2023 2:20 PM CST

Lady Gaga failed to pay promised $500K for return of stolen bulldogs, suit alleges; plaintiff was charged in case

Singer and songwriter Lady Gaga promised to pay $500,000 with “no questions asked” for the return of her stolen French bulldogs but did not follow through when a woman later arrested in connection with the theft brought the bulldogs to a police station, a lawsuit alleges.

Feb 27, 2023 12:55 PM CST

Former associate must repay law firm for failing to bill promised hours, top state court says

An associate who signed a contract with an “hours billed discrepancy” clause is obligated to repay his law firm for failing to meet promised billable hours, the North Dakota Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

Feb 21, 2023 9:56 AM CST

6th Circuit bans enforcement of Biden’s vaccine mandate for federal contractors against plaintiff states

A federal appeals court has ruled that President Joe Biden exceeded his statutory power when he required federal contractors to ensure that their employees are vaccinated for COVID-19, and that they wear face masks in areas of high transmission.

Jan 17, 2023 8:39 AM CST

FTC cites unfair competition law to justify proposed ban on noncompete agreements; will it hold up in court?

The Federal Trade Commission has proposed a rule that would ban employers from imposing noncompete agreements on workers and independent contractors.

Jan 9, 2023 8:35 AM CST

Listen to our 10 favorite podcast episodes of 2022

Looking for a new listen? We've picked our favorite 2022 episodes from each of the ABA Journal's three podcasts. And if this whets your appetite, find more than 10 years of past episodes on our podcast page. You can also check out more legal podcasts from our partners at Legal Talk Network.

Dec 23, 2022 8:42 AM CST

$7M adultery penalty in postnuptial agreement is valid, appeals court says

A wife’s agreement to stay in a marriage after her husband’s adultery was adequate consideration for a $7 million penalty against him in a postnuptial agreement for any subsequent extramarital romantic relationship, a state appeals court has ruled.

Nov 2, 2022 1:47 PM CDT

Weekly Briefs: Ex-officer pleads guilty in Breonna Taylor case; ex-BigLaw partner can’t shield 401(k) cash

Ex-officer pleads guilty in Breonna Taylor case Former Louisville, Kentucky, detective Kelly Goodlett pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge Tuesday for helping falsify an application for a warrant to search the home of Breonna Taylor, who was shot and killed by police in a 2020 raid at her home.…

Aug 26, 2022 12:12 PM CDT

Elon Musk’s bid to escape Twitter deal could face skepticism in court; ‘material adverse effect’ at issue

Elon Musk's stated reason for abandoning his $44 billion deal to buy Twitter is “a model of hypocrisy,” according to the social media company’s lawsuit seeking to enforce the agreement.

Jul 13, 2022 3:20 PM CDT

Waiver agreement bars ex-Chief Justice Roy Moore’s defamation suit against comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, 2nd Circuit says

A federal appeals court has refused to revive a lawsuit filed by former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore and his wife against a comedian who claimed to be an Israeli anti-terrorism expert with a device able to detect pedophiles.

Jul 8, 2022 2:59 PM CDT

Law firm partners accused of ethics violations for ‘anti-competitive’ employment contracts

The name partners of the law firm Tully Rinckey have been accused of ethics violations for allegedly adding anti-competitive terms to attorney employment agreements and impeding clients’ ability to follow departing lawyers.

Jun 7, 2022 3:40 PM CDT

Patient billed about $230K for surgery after $1,300 estimate is protected by contract law, state supreme court says

Contract law protects a patient who was billed about $230,000 for surgery, despite being told that her cost after insurance would be about $1,300, the en banc Colorado Supreme Court ruled last week.

May 25, 2022 12:50 PM CDT

US women’s soccer players will earn the same as men, thanks to a lawsuit and an unusual pooling deal

The U.S. Soccer Federation will pay male and female players the same as a result of unique collective bargaining agreements announced Wednesday.

May 18, 2022 3:00 PM CDT

Appeals court voids firm fee imposed on departing lawyers who take clients with them

The Colorado Court of Appeals has addressed two issues of first impression that relate to law firm agreements that aim to prevent departing attorneys from taking clients with them.

May 4, 2022 10:50 AM CDT

Ex-Tesla attorney leveraged her contract expertise into a book and thriving LinkedIn community

In 2020, a contract attorney posted to LinkedIn once per day, every day, for a month. A selection of those posts found its way into a self-published book, Practical Tips on How To Contract.

Apr 6, 2022 11:22 AM CDT