Ethics

No Jail Time for Loyola Law Prof Who Helped Client Find Counsel

A Louisiana appeals court has overturned a contempt finding by a state judge that would have required a law professor working with the Orleans Parish public defender’s office in New Orleans to serve a brief jail term and take a legal ethics course. Steve Singer, who is on leave from…

Dec 5, 2007 7:35 PM CST

Late-Arraigned Lawyer Said to Be Cooperating in Scruggs Case

A delay in the arraignment of Mississippi lawyer Timothy Balducci is fueling reports and speculation that he is cooperating in the bribery case against Richard ”Dickie” Scruggs and other co-defendants. Sources told the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) that Balducci began cooperating in the criminal probe at some point after…

Dec 5, 2007 12:21 PM CST

Judge Denies Milberg Fee Request, Raises Skadden Questions

A federal judge has refused to approve the $30 million settlement of a securities class action in a case brought by indicted law firm Milberg Weiss, saying attorney fees of 25 percent were too high. Chief District Judge Vaughn Walker of San Francisco said that when the hours spent in…

Dec 5, 2007 11:46 AM CST

Bar Group Sues Texas Lawyers Who Practiced With Businessman

A committee of the Supreme Court of Texas has filed suit in state court against five lawyers and a politically connected businessman, contending that they collaborated in the unlicensed practice of law. Because the businessman, Mauricio Celis, is not a lawyer and operated a law firm in Corpus Christi, the…

Dec 5, 2007 1:26 AM CST

ABA President Asks Attorneys to Sign Pakistan Petition

The president of the American Bar Association is calling on fellow attorneys to sign an online petition seeking the restoration of the rule of law in Pakistan. “I urge you not to look aside, as if standing up for the rule of law is somebody else’s job. Add your name,…

Dec 4, 2007 10:22 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

Fee Suit Against Reed Smith Claims Bigger Isn’t Better

A religious nonprofit has sued Reed Smith alleging the firm engaged in inappropriate billing practices and charged excessive fees of nearly $1 million. The Bair Foundation claims in its suit that Reed Smith overstaffed its defense of the foster care organization in a routine suit by two employees claiming religious…

Dec 4, 2007 11:35 AM 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

Ethics Questions Surround Lawyer Indicted in Astor Case

The lawyer indicted along with the son of wealthy socialite Brooke Astor has faced past accusations over will bequests and in one case a legal fee. Francis X. Morrissey Jr. has faced disciplinary action in at least two states, the New York Times reports. In the Astor case, he is…

Dec 3, 2007 7:06 PM CST

Talking Points

Class action lawyers face restrictions in communicating with potential clients

Dec 1, 2007 8:45 PM CST

Motormouth

Geoffrey Fieger’s fiery tongue has earned him millions. Now it could cost the Detroit lawyer his career.

Dec 1, 2007 4:26 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