Kentucky

Kentucky Judge Resigns Over Bad Check Charge

A Kentucky judge has resigned after being reprimanded over his indictment on charges of writing a bad check. Senior Judge Roger P. Elliott, who had been suspended pending the outcome of the case, had agreed to resign after he was publicly reprimanded Thursday by the state’s Judicial Conduct Commission, the…

Jul 2, 2010 5:48 PM CDT

Judge Reportedly Closes Juror Contempt Hearing to Public & Gov’t. Lawyer

A planned contempt hearing today for an unidentified juror accused of violating the judge’s instructions by watching a YouTube video about a reckless homicide case apparently went forward as scheduled. But both the public and a government lawyer in the reckless homicide case weren’t permitted to attend, reports the Louisville…

May 10, 2010 6:04 PM CDT

Suit Claims Chiropractor’s 800 Number Used to Refer Cases to Law Firm

A Kentucky law firm that touts its “aggressive attorneys” is facing two lawsuits claiming it improperly accepts cases from an 800-number referral line operated by a Florida chiropractor. The latest suit filed against Louisville firm Winters & Yonker seeks the return of attorney fees under Kentucky ethics rules that bar…

Apr 29, 2010 11:33 AM CDT

Juror Faces Contempt for Watching YouTube Video Before Deliberations

Just before Donald Fielder was set to be sentenced in Louisville, Ky., for the reckless homicide of his girlfriend, two jurors came forward to alert the judge that one of their panel members had brushed up on the case by watching a YouTube video featuring an A&E report on the…

Apr 23, 2010 2:06 PM CDT

Law Student Study Finds Better Immune Response During Periods of Optimism

Pessimistic law students have generated yet another study, and this one suggests a somewhat rosy disposition can have health benefits. A prior study had found that pessimistic law students at the University of Virginia got better grades, made law review more often, and got better job offers. But a new…

Mar 24, 2010 1:24 PM CDT

ACLU Sues Ky. Bar, Claims Inquiry Violated Lawyer’s Free Speech Rights

The ACLU of Kentucky has sued the state bar for investigating a lawyer because of a letter he wrote criticizing a legislative ethics commission. The ACLU contends the state bar violated the free speech rights of lawyer John Berry, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. Berry had alleged in a letter that…

Nov 25, 2009 12:25 PM CST

Appeals Court OKs $5M in Punitives for Victim of Phone Hoax Strip Search

A Kentucky appeals court cut from $1 million to $400,000 a punitive damages award to a McDonald’s manager who was fired and charged with a crime after she says she was duped into pressuring a young worker to comply with instructions from a prank caller to submit to a strip…

Nov 23, 2009 7:55 PM CST

Lawyer Subpoenas Newspaper for Identity of Online Critic

A Kentucky lawyer wants to know the identity of an online critic who went by the screen name “supercalifragilistic.” The lawyer, Astrida Lemkins of Lexington, Ky., claims supercalifragilistic defamed her in online comments on Kentucky.com, a website operated by the Lexington Herald-Leader, according to stories on Kentucky.com and WKYT.com. She…

Nov 12, 2009 1:36 PM CST

Suspended Kentucky Lawyer Liable for $3.2M for ‘Reprehensible’ Conduct

A suspended Louisville, Ky., lawyer and a financier have been found liable for $3.2 million as a result of “inexcusable” conduct in a bankruptcy case. The judgment against lawyer Bruce Atherton and financier Randall Scott Waldman includes $2 million in punitive damages, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Joan…

Nov 4, 2009 6:59 PM CST

Coach Acquitted in Player’s Heatstroke Death

A Kentucky jury deliberated only 90 minutes before acquitting a high school football coach yesterday in the heatstroke death of a 15-year-old player. The coach, Jason Stinson, was accused of ordering his players to run a series of sprints on a 94-degree day, refusing to relent even after some began…

Sep 18, 2009 11:57 AM CDT

Pranknet Practical Jokes Not as Funny After Criminal Charges are Filed

Following the recent arrest of two members of an online group that promotes practical jokes, fewer onlookers apparently may be finding the Pranknet antics funny. Although the international group allegedly orchestrates its pranks over the telephone, members still can cause serious damage by talking strangers into acts of vandalism and…

Sep 17, 2009 11:19 PM CDT

Ice Miller and Greenebaum Doll End Merger Talks

Nine months of talks have reportedly failed to produce a merger between Ice Miller and Greenebaum Doll & McDonald. A source tells Business First in Louisville that the merger is not going forward, in part because of concerns at the 180-lawyer Greenebaum that the merger would require increased billing rates.…

Sep 10, 2009 6:23 PM CDT

Floyd Abrams’ Latest First Amendment Suit Challenges New Tobacco Law

First Amendment lawyer Floyd Abrams is waging a new First Amendment fight, this one against a new federal law restricting tobacco marketing. Abrams represents the Lorillard Tobacco Co., one of several large cigarette makers challenging the law, signing by President Obama in June, according to the New York Times and…

Sep 1, 2009 11:34 AM CDT

Former Prof Arrested, Accused of Taking 2 Guns, 53 Rounds Into Law Library

A former adjunct faculty member at the University of Louisville’s law school was arrested Friday after allegedly bringing two handguns and 53 rounds of ammunition into the law school library around 8:30 a.m. Police were initially called about Thomas Irwin, 56, because a library employee who recognized him knew that…

Aug 26, 2009 8:13 PM CDT

Some Staff Layoffs May Follow Dinsmore Acquisition of Woodward Hobson

A growing Cincinnati-based regional law partnership is acquiring a 92-year-old Kentucky firm, enhancing its mass tort and labor and employment practice groups. Although Dinsmore & Shohl will retain all 54 attorneys from Woodward Hobson and Fulton, however, there may be some staff layoffs, Dinsmore managing partner George Vincent tells the…

Aug 21, 2009 8:18 PM CDT