District of Columbia

Afternoon Briefs: States ratified ERA too late, judge says; US supports school in cheerleader’s SCOTUS case

Federal judge rules ERA ratified too late U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras of the District of Columbia has ruled that the last three states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment acted too late. Contreras said Congress had set deadlines for ratification that expired long ago, and the three states that…

Mar 8, 2021 3:40 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Election lawyer referred for court discipline; public defender waiting list declared unconstitutional

Lawyer refers election lawyer for discipline U.S. District Judge James Boasberg of the District of Columbia has referred a Minneapolis lawyer to a court grievance committee for possible discipline after he allegedly made “irrelevant allegations of fraud” in an election suit that did not rely on any fraud theories. The…

Feb 23, 2021 4:39 PM CST

Illinois will end cash bail, require police body cameras in criminal justice overhaul signed by governor

Democratic Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday signed into law an overhaul of the criminal justice system, saying the reforms are a substantial step toward dismantling systemic racism.

Feb 23, 2021 2:52 PM CST

Jones Day can be sued for retaliation over press release statements, judge rules in former associates’ suit

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has allowed two former Jones Day associates to add a claim to their bias lawsuit that the law firm retaliated against them through a press release.

Feb 16, 2021 2:47 PM CST

This judge is getting mentioned as Merrick Garland’s likely replacement, possible future SCOTUS nominee

U.S. District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson of Washington, D.C., is a leading contender to replace Judge Merrick Garland and a possible future nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, according to a Washington Post commentary.

Feb 8, 2021 12:07 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Lawyer regrets pepper-spray incident; ex-FBI lawyer avoids prison

Lawyer expresses regret after he is pepper-sprayed by mayor A lawyer who was pepper-sprayed by the mayor of Portland, Oregon, has expressed regret for the incident that provoked the response. Mayor Ted Wheeler had pepper-sprayed Cary Cadonau after the lawyer confronted the mayor in a restaurant parking lot and accused…

Jan 29, 2021 3:49 PM CST

Supreme Court orders dismissal of emoluments cases against Trump as moot

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ordered the dismissal of two cases that contended that President Donald Trump was violating the emoluments clauses by accepting payments to his businesses by foreign governments and states.

Jan 25, 2021 9:52 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Appeals court vacates ‘dirty power’ rule; court employee accused of online threats

DC Circuit Court vacates ‘dirty power’ rule The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit effectively ended the Trump administration’s plan to weaken climate change policies Tuesday when it vacated a “dirty power” rule. The appeals court said the rule, which relaxed restrictions on greenhouse gases, had…

Jan 20, 2021 4:36 PM CST

Courts discuss security after warning of potential protest threats

Courts across the country are discussing security after a news report said pro-Trump groups were considering storming courthouses.

Jan 14, 2021 9:49 AM CST

Federal judge will mull election suit sanctions, says courts aren’t for ‘symbolic political gestures’

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., who found it difficult to think that an election lawsuit was “meant seriously,” will consider whether to refer the case to a court grievance committee.

Jan 6, 2021 9:28 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: At least 86 judges reject election claims; granddaughter of Biden joins BigLaw

At least 86 judges reject election claims At least 86 judges have rejected claims by President Donald Trump or his supporters in election lawsuits, according to a count published Dec. 12 by the Washington Post. “The dozens of opinions serve as a resounding reaffirmation of the judiciary’s nonpartisan commitment to…

Dec 14, 2020 4:39 PM CST

In suit with implications for law firms, US is accused of raising bar on PPP loan forgiveness

A lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges that the U.S. Small Business Administration appears to be making it more difficult for companies to gain forgiveness of paycheck protection loans intended to help businesses survive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dec 10, 2020 10:59 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: 25 former DC bar leaders decry election suits; ousted 1L presses due process claim

25 ex-DC bar leaders decry election suits Twenty-five former presidents of the District of Columbia Bar are criticizing lawyers who attacked the electoral process through unfounded allegations of voter fraud or ballot tampering. “In the absence of any meaningful evidence, we must condemn the abuse of the judicial system to…

Dec 2, 2020 4:49 PM CST

Federal judge criticizes DOJ’s fee agreement with BigLaw firm, says the amount is unreasonable

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has questioned the U.S. Department of Justice’s agreement to pay more than $212,000 in fees and expenses to Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer to settle a case over the exclusion of New York residents from trusted traveler programs.

Nov 23, 2020 3:50 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Proposed $26B opioid settlement revealed; Florida judge reprimanded for noise response

Proposed $26B opioid settlement disclosed Four companies involved in making and distributing opioids have disclosed a proposed $26 billion settlement that would end thousands of lawsuits by state and local governments. The proposal is $4 billion higher than an earlier offer that was met with resistance. The four companies are…

Nov 6, 2020 3:48 PM CST