Law in Popular Culture

Is being ‘Locked Up Abroad’ any worse than being locked up at home?

At the beginning of this year, I wrote a column about the National Geographic channel series Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller. The column focused on fentanyl, known by some as “the most dangerous drug in America.” In that article, I mentioned my affinity for the National Geographic channel’s programming. Specifically,…

May 6, 2021 10:56 AM CDT

Lawyer wrongly cited golden rule, court says in overturning $1.1M verdict in suit against Fetty Wap label

A New Jersey appeals court has overturned a $1.1 million verdict against the record label for rapper Fetty Wap partly because the plaintiff’s lawyer asked jurors to put themselves in his client’s shoes when awarding damages.

Apr 27, 2021 3:06 PM CDT

The pandemic brought this lawyer to legal commentary, and the work includes sponsorship deals

Lawyer and influencer Emily D. Baker thinks YouTube is a great place to teach people how the law works.

Apr 26, 2021 9:41 AM CDT

A look at HBO Max’s ‘Q: Into the Storm,’ QAnon, conspiracies and sovereign citizens

Back in late 2018, my best friend, Frank, sent me a text message with one line of letters: “WWG1WGA.” That was my introduction to QAnon, but sadly, it wasn’t my last exposure.

Apr 22, 2021 12:39 PM CDT

New PBS documentary shows how one man’s legacy changed the trajectory of American race relations

Individuals and companies reach out to me regularly regarding their new law-related TV projects. Recently, I received an email regarding the new PBS documentary The Blinding of Isaac Woodard, which first aired March 30. I was sent a link to a press preview that gave access to the production prior to its release.

Apr 8, 2021 9:06 AM CDT

‘Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel’ and the problem with internet sleuths

Real people suffered as a result of web detectives’ resolve in their “investigation” in the Elisa Lam case.

Mar 25, 2021 11:04 AM CDT

In honor of RBG’s birthday, Northwestern releases video with songs about the late justice

Tribute to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Song, a documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, looking at the late U.S. Supreme Court justice’s personal side, was released Monday by the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University.

Mar 15, 2021 11:06 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Florida lawmaker says he’s ‘Christian, not an attorney;’ suit challenges hotel resort fees

Lawmaker says he’s ‘Christian, not an attorney’ A Florida lawmaker says he was just joking when he said told a Jewish colleague that he was a “Christian, not an attorney.” State Sen. Jeff Brandes made the comment when asked about the definition of gross negligence in his bill to limit…

Mar 11, 2021 4:50 PM CST

ABA announces 22 finalists for 2021 Silver Gavel Awards

For the past 62 years, the ABA has honored books, documentaries, other media and art for their role in fostering the public’s understanding of law and the legal system.

Mar 11, 2021 11:04 AM CST

A look at HBO’s ‘The Undoing’ and bail reform

Here in Oklahoma, I’m watching snow flurries continue to dump in a manner I haven’t witnessed in a decade (2011 was the last time we came close to anything blizzard-like). I lived in Eagle County, Colorado, for a while after undergrad, and this current snowstorm is the closest thing I’ve experienced to that kind of weather since I left. To be completely honest, we aren’t built for this type of temperature.

Mar 9, 2021 11:00 AM CST

‘Real Housewives’ lawyer had close ties to some state bar officials, never faced ethics charges despite accusations

Los Angeles trial lawyer Tom Girardi, the husband of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne, was frequently accused of wrongdoing in lawsuits, yet he never faced disciplinary charges by the State Bar of California.

Mar 8, 2021 10:40 AM CST

Does A&E’s ‘Court Cam’ accurately reflect American courtrooms?

I like to start the new year by cleaning out my life, more or less. It’s kind of a ritual for me. I take time to send out file destruction letters to clients whose cases were closed out more than five years ago and permanently delete client communications from my email inbox that are just as old (five years is the rule in Oklahoma). Generally, I try to give myself a bit of a fresh start.

Feb 24, 2021 2:47 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Law deans want to delay employment reporting; Edelson parody videos tout untraditional mold

Law school deans want more time for reporting employment outcomes Citing the COVID-19 pandemic, law school deans have asked the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar to push back its law graduate employment data deadline from March to June. The data, which comprises the ABA’s annual…

Feb 12, 2021 4:27 PM CST

HBO Max’s ‘Perry Mason’ and the benefits of practicing law as a second career

“What thoroughly impresses me ... are those who leave another professional endeavor to pursue the practice of law,” says Adam Banner. “Some people choose the law to change directions. Others choose the law to get further down the path they’re already on.”

Feb 11, 2021 9:16 AM CST

Perkins Coie associate advances to ‘Jeopardy!’ tournament of champions

Perkins Coie associate Zachary Newkirk will appear in Jeopardy!’s tournament of champions later this year after winning six games.

Feb 5, 2021 2:13 PM CST