Ethics

Shocked Judge Says A&O Overbilled; Firm Spent $10.4M for 5-Day Trial

Updated: A shocked judge on the United Kingdom’s High Court has criticized one of the country’s most prominent law firms for spending way too much time representing Research In Motion UK in an infringement case concerning BlackBerry patents. Justice Christopher Floyd pointed out that Allen & Overy racked up nearly…

Apr 18, 2008 4:51 PM CDT

CIA Says Destroyed Videos Didn’t Violate Court Order

The CIA says it did not violate a court order when it destroyed videos of two suspects undergoing harsh interrogations. In court filings, the agency said a document search found no evidence of “intentional, accidental, or negligent destruction of records” falling under a preservation order by U.S. District Judge Richard…

Apr 18, 2008 4:51 PM CDT

Moonlighting Mass. Judge Steps Down

A Massachusetts probate and family court judge who has been under fire for reportedly running a sideline real estate business and accepting compensation related to his former law practice has agreed to step down and apologized. Michael Livingstone, 51, will resign from the bench, effective June 12, and is taking…

Apr 17, 2008 5:02 PM CDT

Lawyer Who Made Lewd Courtroom Gesture Sentenced to 90 Days in Jail

A Texas lawyer found guilty of contempt for making a lewd courtroom gesture has been released on a personal recognizance bond while he appeals a 90-day jail sentence. Lawyer Adam Reposa of Austin told reporters after he was sentenced yesterday that the punishment was “fair,” Texas Lawyer reports. Visiting Judge…

Apr 17, 2008 12:11 PM CDT

Bankruptcy Trustee Files $200M Suit Against McDermott

Corrected: McDermott, Will & Emery is facing a $200 million malpractice suit by the bankruptcy trustee by Saint Vincent’s Catholic Medical Centers of New York. The suit filed in a New York state court claims the law firm delayed a bankruptcy filing and failed to disclose a possible conflict between…

Apr 17, 2008 11:48 AM CDT

Firm Harmed By Bribery Scandal Will Recoup Damages

The fallout from revelations that the one-time King of Torts was involved in a judicial bribery scandal continues this week with news that a Jackson, Miss., law firm is entitled to fees and possibly punitive damages because it was harmed by the actions of Richard “Dickie” Scruggs. A state court…

Apr 16, 2008 7:46 PM CDT

In Search of Edward T. Kennedy, Florida Lawyer

Edward T. Kennedy is a New York tax lawyer with Jones Day. He is not the Edward T. Kennedy listed as a partner in an embattled Florida law firm Hess Kennedy. The New York Kennedy told the Daily Business Review he has no connection to the Coral Springs firm, and…

Apr 16, 2008 5:36 PM CDT

Judge Refuses to Dismiss Malpractice Suit Against Paul Hastings

A New York judge has refused to dismiss a malpractice suit against Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker on statute of limitations grounds. The suit by investor Ronald Katz claims the law firm failed in its due diligence work when it represented him in connection with a $3 million investment he…

Apr 16, 2008 2:08 PM CDT

Lawyer Found Guilty of Contempt for Lewd Courtroom Gesture

A Texas defense lawyer who was briefly jailed for making an obscene courtroom gesture was found guilty of contempt yesterday after he offered this defense: His hand motion was aimed at the prosecuting attorney rather than the judge. Lawyer Adam Reposa of Austin testified that he made the gesture because…

Apr 16, 2008 12:31 PM CDT

It’s April 15: Did You File Your Tax Return?

It’s April 15. Have you filed your tax return yet? Despite the adverse professional consequences that can result, some lawyers will delay long past today’s deadline for doing so, past experience strongly suggests. “I had one case in which a tax lawyer didn’t file,” George Collins, a Chicago lawyer who…

Apr 15, 2008 10:24 PM CDT

Lawyer Suspended for Failing to E-File

A Topeka, Kan., lawyer has been suspended for three months, partly because he ignored a bankruptcy court’s warning that he needed to file his cases electronically. The Kansas Supreme Court held that the lawyer, Stephen D. Harris, violated his duty to represent his clients with competence, diligence and promptness. The…

Apr 15, 2008 5:28 PM CDT

Trial Delayed for Idaho Prosecutor in Fun Run ‘Donation’ Case

A trial has been delayed until June for an eastern Idaho prosecutor accused of misusing public funds by taking money from defendants in exchange for dismissing their cases. A judge granted of a change-of-venue request. The jury will now be selected from Pocatello residents in the case of a Caribou…

Apr 15, 2008 3:53 PM CDT

U.S. Judge Reveals Details of Discipline Case, Seeks Release of Secret Dissent

A New Orleans federal judge is revealing more details of the disciplinary case against him and is seeking release of a secret dissent to an impeachment recommendation. U.S. District Judge Thomas Porteous has until Thursday to file a memo to address impeachment issues, the Times Picayune reports. Porteous’ lawyer, Lewis…

Apr 15, 2008 2:06 PM CDT

‘Preposterous’ Immigration Caseloads Create Problems for 2nd Circuit

The federal appeals court based in New York City is struggling to handle immigration appeals from small law firms ill-equipped to devote substantial resources to the matters. The number of immigration appeals has recently quintupled because of changes in the process, Adam Liptak writes in his Sidebar column for the…

Apr 15, 2008 12:50 PM CDT

Firm’s Take in Hip-Hop Bankruptcy Is Zilch

A federal bankruptcy judge has refused to award fees to a New York City law firm representing hip-hop media company Source Enterprises Inc. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Arthur Gonzalez issued a “stinging 38-page decision” denying requested fees of $526,000 to Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, the New York Law Journal reports.…

Apr 15, 2008 12:20 PM CDT