Ethics panel, citing ‘egregious’ violations, recommends 33-month suspension for Larry Klayman

Jul 29, 2019 3:46 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Bar associations battle over trademark; New Jersey judge rebuked over rape case

• Even though the Association of Trial Lawyers of America changed its name to the American Association for Justice in 2006, the Washington, D.C.-based bar association is suing the California-based Association of American Trial Lawyers for trademark infringement and unfair competition. The suit says the American Association for Justice sent…

Jul 3, 2019 4:27 PM CDT

Lawyers, songs and money: Music that changed the law

Some songs or albums move the law. A band or artist will be involved in a lawsuit so groundbreaking and important that it will set a precedent, either enshrined in law or otherwise binding future generations.

Jul 1, 2019 12:05 AM CDT

New York legislature OKs ban on gay and trans ‘panic defenses’

New York is poised to join the increasing number of states that are banning gay and trans “panic defenses” in murder cases. As the ABA Journal reported in January, legislatures have increasingly considered this type of ban.

Jun 26, 2019 6:00 AM CDT

In states where inmates can vote, few exercise their right to cast ballots

When Sen. Bernie Sanders championed voting rights for prisoners during a CNN town hall, he spotlighted an intensifying national debate about why going to prison means losing the right to vote.

Jun 14, 2019 7:30 AM CDT

2 charged in psychic scam; police say lawyer was swindled out of $1.5M

A California lawyer who responded to a flyer for psychic readings was swindled out of $1.5 million by scammers who said she had to pay them to clear her chakras and eliminate her bad karma, police say. Two people have been charged in Las Vegas in the monthslong scam, and…

May 16, 2019 11:47 AM CDT

SCOTUS overrules precedent in state immunity case; Breyer wonders what cases are next to fall

On Monday, the U.S. Supreme overruled precedent and held 5-4 that, absent consent, states can’t be sued by private parties in the courts of another state. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the majority opinion overruling the 1979 Supreme Court decision Nevada v. Hall. “Stare decisis does not compel continued adherence to…

May 13, 2019 2:40 PM CDT

Attorney accused of witness intimidation by emoji pleads guilty to different charge

A Las Vegas lawyer who was accused of intimidating a witness partly by posting a rat emoji won’t be charged with that offense after pleading guilty in a separate case. Alexis Plunkett, 38, pleaded guilty to allowing clients to use cellphones in jail, report the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Fox…

Mar 21, 2019 10:54 AM CDT

Lawyer arrested on intimidation charge after allegedly writing ‘This nasty creature is a known snitch’ on Facebook

A Las Vegas criminal defense lawyer is being held without bail after her arrest Tuesday for allegedly making threats on Facebook in posts that discussed a “snitch” and used a rat emoji. Alexis Plunkett, 38, is charged with bribing or intimidating a witness and dissuading or preventing a person from…

Mar 7, 2019 11:01 AM CST

Mass shootings prompt bar associations to offer pro bono services to survivors and victims’ families

Attorneys are flocking to volunteer for bar association programs that help with probate, child custody, guardianship, victim compensation or trust matters.

Mar 1, 2019 1:40 AM CST

Bullying from the Bench: A wave of high-profile bad behavior has put scrutiny on judges

Across the country, judges are creating embarrassing headlines when they are accused of abusive behavior toward lawyers and litigants.

Mar 1, 2019 12:15 AM CST

2019 ABA Midyear Meeting opens in Las Vegas

ABA members and other legal professionals are converging on Las Vegas as the 2019 ABA Midyear Meeting kicks off. The city might be famous for entertainment, but plenty of business matters also are on the agenda.

Jan 24, 2019 7:00 AM CST

Supreme Court considers value of sticking to precedent in battle between 2 states

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer defended the value of precedent on Wednesday as the high court considered whether to overrule a decision holding that a state may be sued in another’s courts. “Every time we overrule a case, it’s like a little chink in an armor,” Breyer said…

Jan 10, 2019 9:23 AM CST

Lowest bar pass rate for California in 67 years; other states see drop, too

Only 40.7 percent of the people who took the California July 2018 bar exam passed, according to a state bar news release.

Nov 19, 2018 9:23 AM CST

Ballot measures give felons the right to vote, overturn Jim Crow-era jury law and legalize marijuana

Beyond the fight for Congress, voters across the country were presented with major criminal justice reform initiatives on Tuesday's ballot.

Nov 7, 2018 9:33 AM CST