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6551 ABA Journal Government articles.

Santa & 1st Amendment Attys Busy During Holidays

If you thought Santa was busy this time of year, think about lawyers who specialize in religious expression. They report an upswing of calls in November and December dealing with a host of issues, from public school choirs singing religious songs to nativity displays on government property, the Washington Post…

Dec 21, 2007 5:52 PM CST

Calif. Sues Janitor Cos., Claims ‘Flagrant’ Independent Contractor Abuses

In an apparent escalation of an ongoing effort to police companies that misclassify employees as independent contractors, two California agencies have announced joint litigation against two janitorial companies that send workers to restaurants in multiple counties. In the first lawsuits resulting from a coordinated effort by Jerry Brown, the state…

Dec 20, 2007 1:35 AM CST

Landmark Energy Bill Bans Some Light Bulbs, Ups MPG Ante

A landmark energy bill signed into law today by President Bush will require greater fuel efficiency from a wide range of products, including cars and light bulbs. In an effort to reduce U.S. dependency on foreign oil, the Energy Independence and Security Act requires a 40 percent increase in fuel…

Dec 19, 2007 8:31 PM CST

Manslaughter Case Against Company Over ‘Big Dig’ Accident Continues

In an unusual and much-watched manslaughter case against one of the companies working on the controversial “Big Dig” tunnel project in Boston, a Massachusetts judge refused yesterday to dismiss the criminal charge. Defendant Powers Fasteners Inc., which is the only contractor charged in the manslaughter case, had contended that the…

Dec 19, 2007 6:31 PM CST

New Suit in Duke Lacrosse Rape Case

The fallout continues over a botched investigation and prosecution of an escort service dancer’s allegations—eventually determined to be false—that she was gang-raped in March 2006 by former members of the Duke University men’s lacrosse team. Three former team members who were never charged in the case have filed a 400-page…

Dec 19, 2007 5:15 PM CST

D.C.‘s Top Lawyer Resigns

Washington D.C.’s top lawyer resigned Monday, reportedly amid growing frustration that the mayor was leaving key legal decisions to his general counsel. D.C. Attorney General Linda Singer, who was spearheading the District’s defense of its gun ordinance in the U.S. Supreme Court, did not give a reason for her resignation,…

Dec 17, 2007 7:45 PM CST

Kansas Agog Over AG Sex Scandal

An admitted extramarital affair is the least of it. A longtime employee in the Johnson County, Kan., district attorney’s office says she was sexually harassed by the new state attorney general as part of a two-year affair that involved courthouse trysts and alleged interference with cases being prosecuted by her…

Dec 12, 2007 11:57 PM CST

Celebrity Case re Bad Grass Day

Because of international publicity, the judge has exponentially expanded the jury pool. The defense team includes famed celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred. The issue: whether 70-year-old Betty Perry violated a municipal ordinance in Orem, Utah, by allowing her lawn to get too brown. The feisty septuagenarian is facing misdemeanor charges not…

Dec 11, 2007 10:06 PM CST

Anti-Mansion Law for L.A.?

Responding to a growing trend of building bigger and bigger homes, city officials in Los Angeles could impose as early as next month a controversial proposed new law that would severely limit the size of new-construction homes in established single-family neighborhoods. A number of homeowners who might wish to sell…

Dec 11, 2007 5:14 PM CST

Dems Seek Probe re CIA Tapes; Destruction a Plus for Suspects’ Defense?

Democratic legislators reacted angrily today to news that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency had destroyed at least two videotapes of harsh interrogations of al-Qaida terrorist suspects in its custody, and called for an investigation. Meanwhile, observers predicted potential litigation and an adverse effect on the prosecution of suspected terrorists. “Senator…

Dec 7, 2007 9:53 PM CST

N.Y. Times: CIA Destroyed al-Qaida Suspect Interrogation Tapes

Updated: Apparently seeking to avoid Congressional scrutiny and lessen the risk of legal repercussions against agents involved, the CIA reportedly destroyed in 2005 at least two videotapes that showed al-Qaida suspects in CIA custody being harshly interrogated. The CIA also was concerned that the recordings of the 2002 interrogations, if…

Dec 6, 2007 11:15 PM CST

Police Informant Sues Over Job Loss

A confidential police informant in Atlanta who lost his job after his identity was revealed because of a furor of publicity over a botched drug raid has sued the city for damages. Alex White contends in his federal lawsuit that he made about $25,000 annually from this work and seeks…

Dec 6, 2007 10:47 PM CST

Girl Teary Over Town Board’s Fowl Vote

Two years ago, a Pennsylvania girl won a prize from her municipality’s recreation board for having the most unusual pet—a rooster. But now, in the latest decision in a case that has been ongoing for months, the North Huntingdon Township zoning hearing board has said Melissa Hensler must get rid…

Dec 6, 2007 12:01 AM CST

New ID Rules for Travel Outside U.S.

In a little over one month, more stringent identification requirements will apply to Americans who travel abroad, even if they are only going to Canada or Mexico or the Caribbean. Under a new law that takes effect on Jan. 31, 2008, adults and children who don’t have a passport will…

Dec 4, 2007 5:32 PM CST

Pricey Perks Risk Miami Attorney’s Job

A $300,000 office renovation. A $1,500 lunch tab. Expense-paid staff training trips—to Hawaii and Cancun. No, these aren’t the hallmarks of a successful private-practice law office. They’re some of the expenses run up by Miami City Attorney Jorge Fernandez, who envisions his municipal law office as a “world-class law firm…

Dec 3, 2007 7:38 PM CST

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