Judiciary

Second Judge Cites ‘Schmucks!’ Book to Contest Ethics Charges

A New York judge has lost a bid to block ethics proceedings against him based on a claim that the chair of the ethics commission showed racial bias in a book he co-wrote with comedian Jackie Mason. U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis denied the judge’s request for a preliminary injunction…

Dec 6, 2007 1:16 PM CST

Former Top Pakistan Judge Blames Country’s Western Allies

Although bar groups throughout the world, including the ABA, have made unprecedented efforts to lobby for the restoration of the rule of law in Pakistan, a deposed Pakistan supreme court judge contends government leaders in Western countries could and should do more. Held under house arrest at his home in…

Dec 5, 2007 11:22 PM CST

Jurists Defend Mass. Judge in Murder Case

There is a growing groundswell of support by colleagues for a Massachusetts judge who has become a target for national election-year political criticism after agreeing to release a convicted killer who allegedly then murdered two newlyweds in Washington state. Although the anguish of survivors of the two claimed victims of…

Dec 5, 2007 10:06 PM CST

Appeals Court Warns of Boring Opinion

The California Court of Appeal issued a warning about boring issues and the need for caffeine in a recent opinion on insurance subrogation waivers. The opinion commends the lawyers on both sides for an outstanding job. “The fact remains that the issues are far from enthralling; they demand an almost…

Dec 5, 2007 5:07 PM CST

Fla. Judge on Hot Seat in Ethics Hearing

Lawyers will be soon be testifying against a judge before a Florida hearing panel that has been convened to determine whether a Miami-area jurist violated ethics rules and bullied attorneys and other trial participants. According to an attorney for the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission, Judge Cheryl Alemán violated ethics canons…

Dec 4, 2007 7:28 PM CST

Court Rules Against State in Tax Federalism Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that federal courts may consider challenges to state accounting formulas used to value railroad property for tax purposes. Fox News describes CSX Transportation v. State Board of Equalization as “a federalism case through and through” that would appear to have little impact beyond the…

Dec 4, 2007 3:48 PM CST

N.Y. Judge Ties Longer Beard to Fatter Paychecks

A New York judge is pledging he won’t shave his beard until the state judiciary gets a pay hike. Acting Judge Philip Straniere of Staten Island points out that judges haven’t had a pay raise for almost nine years, yet they are restricted in the kind of outside work they…

Dec 3, 2007 2:38 PM CST

2nd Circuit Explains Recusal Refusal in Writers Case

A federal appeals court is explaining why it ruled in a class action suit seeking reimbursement for stories published in electronic databases, even though two panel members are likely members of the plaintiffs class. The explanation was issued yesterday after the New York City-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals…

Nov 30, 2007 4:45 PM CST

Judge Says Son’s Job Doesn’t Merit Recusal in Spoliation Case

A New York judge has ruled that his son’s employment as an associate at Greenberg Traurig does not require his recusal from a case involving spoliation accusations against the firm. Judge Herman Cahn said recusal wasn’t necessary because his son would not be “substantially affected” by the case, involving a…

Nov 30, 2007 2:01 PM CST

Judge Tells of Shock at Bribe Offer

The Mississippi judge who helped in a federal investigation of well-known plaintiffs lawyer Richard “Dickie” Scruggs tells of a “shock that I can’t put into words” when he was first approached about a bribe. Judge Henry Lackey alleged in an interview with the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) that Mississippi…

Nov 30, 2007 1:16 PM CST

Judge Raps Dorsey & Whitney, Ex-Partner Fires Back

A New York federal judge has written an opinion knocking Dorsey & Whitney, two of its partners and the state of professionalism—but one of the lawyers is firing back. U.S. District Judge Harold Baer criticized the lawyers for using deposition transcripts covered by a protective order in a trade secrets…

Nov 30, 2007 11:48 AM CST

Ex-Judiciary Committee Chair Henry Hyde Dies

Henry Hyde, a former chair of the House Judiciary Committee, has died at the age of 83. The longtime Illinois congressman led the impeachment effort in the House against President Bill Clinton and sponsored the amendment that banned federal funding for abortions, the Chicago Tribune reports. His committee voted to…

Nov 29, 2007 3:44 PM CST

Fla. Judges Feel the Heat of Blog Spotlight

Like politicians before them, judges in Florida are feeling the pressures of the ever-watchful, ever-critical blogosphere. Case in point, Dale Ross, who was chief judge for the Florida circuit court in Broward County for 16 years. He stepped down after a year of “embarrassing scandals, gaffes and bad behavior by…

Nov 28, 2007 7:04 PM CST

Ex-Judge Who Wrote Privilege Opinion Backs PD Who Told of Client Confession

The former chief judge of the North Carolina Supreme Court hopes an opinion he wrote on attorney-client privilege will help his new client—a North Carolina man convicted of murder partly based on now-discredited evidence. Former chief judge I. Beverly Lake Jr. is one of the lawyers representing Lee Wayne Hunt,…

Nov 28, 2007 1:11 PM CST

Nev. Supreme Court to Reopen Following Smoke Incident

Officials expected the Nevada Supreme Court to reopen today after oily smoke from a malfunctioning elevator shut down the building. The smoke was caused by an elevator hydraulic pump that overheated on Saturday, the Nevada Appeal reports. The court reopened yesterday, but staffers were sent home after complaining of the…

Nov 28, 2007 12:41 PM CST