Maryland

SCOTUS will decide whether schools can require LGBTQ-themed books at story time with no opt-outs

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to decide whether schools can require teachers to read storybooks to elementary-age children with LGBTQ characters and themes over parents’ objections.

Jan 21, 2025 10:27 AM CST

SCOTUSblog founder Tom Goldstein faces tax evasion charges

SCOTUSblog publisher and co-founder Tom Goldstein was indicted on federal tax evasion charges Thursday. Goldstein was described as an “ultrahigh-stakes poker player” who allegedly misused funds from his boutique law firm, Goldstein & Russell.

Jan 16, 2025 3:58 PM CST

Judge faces wiretap charge for allegedly recording judicial deliberations; his lawyer says it was ‘self-protection’

A Maryland judge has been indicted for allegedly recording himself and two other judges during confidential deliberations without the others judges' knowledge or consent.

Dec 16, 2024 3:11 PM CST

In ‘stunning fall from grace,’ med-mal lawyer is convicted of trying to extort medical system for $25M

A medical-malpractice lawyer once regarded as a top plaintiff’s attorney in Maryland was convicted of attempted extortion Friday, a day after a federal judge found him in contempt and ordered his detention overnight for violating court orders while representing himself.

Nov 27, 2024 8:50 AM CST

4th Circuit upholds $1M sanction for law firm that tried to ‘sabotage’ federal court’s authority

Updated: A federal judge had inherent power to impose a $1.05 million sanction against a national law firm for asking state courts to order an end to U.S. district court litigation, a federal appeals court ruled last week.

Oct 29, 2024 3:50 PM CDT

DOJ reaches $100 million settlement in Baltimore bridge collapse

The owner of the Dali container ship that crashed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge earlier this year, collapsing the span and killing six people, has agreed to pay more than $100 million in damages to resolve a Justice Department lawsuit, authorities said Thursday.

Oct 25, 2024 9:00 AM CDT

Straight white woman can’t sue over BigLaw diversity fellowship because she didn’t apply, motion says

A former law student has no standing to sue over King & Spalding’s summer associate diversity fellowship because she never applied for the position, the law firm has said in a Sept. 19 motion to dismiss.

Sep 23, 2024 3:05 PM CDT

Maryland Supreme Court upholds decision to reinstate Adnan Syed murder conviction

The Maryland Supreme Court on Friday upheld an appellate court’s decision to reinstate the murder conviction of Adnan Syed, a blow to the “Serial” podcast subject but one that probably does not conclude his legal fight.

Aug 30, 2024 10:05 AM CDT

Federal court upholds Maryland training, background checks for handguns

A federal appeals court has upheld Maryland’s requirement that gun owners first go through firearms training and pass a background check—a ruling issued Friday that crossed ideological lines.

Aug 26, 2024 1:27 PM CDT

Assault weapons that are ‘disproportionate to the need for self-defense’ can be banned, 4th Circuit says

An en banc federal appeals court upheld Maryland’s ban on assault-style weapons in a 10-5 decision Tuesday.

Aug 7, 2024 12:14 PM CDT

Maryland governor pardons 175,000 marijuana convictions in sweeping order

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore issued a mass pardon of more than 175,000 marijuana convictions Monday morning, one of the nation’s most sweeping acts of clemency involving a drug now in widespread recreational use.

Jun 18, 2024 9:00 AM CDT

Judge allows unjust enrichment suit for use of cancer patient’s ‘immortal’ cells

A federal judge in Maryland has ruled that the estate of Henrietta Lacks can proceed with its lawsuit alleging that a pharmaceutical company unjustly profited from use of her “immortal” cells.

May 21, 2024 10:29 AM CDT

Straight, white female alleges BigLaw firm’s job ad for diversity program violated Title VII

King & Spalding is the latest law firm targeted for a diversity fellowship alleged to discriminate against white heterosexual candidates.

May 13, 2024 1:45 PM CDT

Which judges are most likely to issue nationwide injunctions? Party of appointing president makes a difference

Fifty-nine out of the 64 nationwide injunctions blocking Trump administration policies were issued by judges appointed by Democratic presidents, according to a study in the Harvard Law Review.

Apr 12, 2024 9:25 AM CDT

Recruiter Major Lindsey blackballed associate for suing law firm, showing ‘bogus’ commitment to diversity, suit alleges

A Black associate who sued a BigLaw firm for alleged discrimination and retaliation has now filed a second lawsuit claiming that legal recruiter Major, Lindsey & Africa blackballed her as a result.

Apr 3, 2024 10:36 AM CDT