New York

Law Blogs: Nixon Loses in ‘Winner’ Song Spat

Law blawggers are agog over Nixon Peabody’s claimed response to an unexpected Internet hit—the law firm’s unofficial theme song “Everyone’s a Winner at Nixon Peabody!” Apparently created by law-firm marketers for an internal event celebrating the firm’s inclusion in a Fortune magazine list of the 100 best places to work,…

Aug 24, 2007 10:53 PM CDT

Cell Phone Alibi Rings True

A cell phone alibi has helped win freedom for Eric Wright, accused of murdering a longtime rival. A Brooklyn judge dismissed the charges yesterday at the request of prosecutors, the New York Times (reg. req.) reports. Wright told his lawyer he was in New Jersey at the time the victim…

Aug 24, 2007 6:10 PM CDT

Sham Lawyer Scam Cost Clients $6 M

While a Long Island attorney was away from his law office having surgery and recuperating, his part-time paralegal was apparently busy–very busy. Mohammed Rafikian, 41, pretended to be the attorney for whom he worked, and scammed clients out of $6 million by persuading them to fund phony investments, reports the…

Aug 24, 2007 4:11 PM CDT

Rabbi Sex Suit Barred

A divided New York appeals court has ruled a state statute barring a cause of action for seduction prohibits a woman’s claims against a rabbi who allegedly counseled her to have sex with him. The woman, who had told her rabbi of problems finding a husband, claimed Rabbi Mordecai Tendler…

Aug 24, 2007 12:39 PM CDT

Fake Law Firm Web Site Mirrors Reality

A fake law firm Web site created to promote a new television legal drama at least arguably is uncomfortably close to some real-life versions. Streaming video makes the “Hewes & Associates” site difficult to navigate. The 15-year-old fictional Manhattan firm promotes itself in over-the-top (albeit satirical) terms as “one of…

Aug 23, 2007 8:50 PM CDT

Maid’s Suit Can Raise Model’s Past

A Manhattan judge has ruled that a former maid for Naomi Campbell can introduce evidence of past dust-ups with hired help in her lawsuit against the model. Gaby Gibson claims Campbell hit her and made discriminatory comments when she couldn’t find a pair of Stella McCartney jeans, the New York…

Aug 23, 2007 3:36 PM CDT

Rapper Jailed After BlackBerry Incident

Rapper Foxy Brown has been jailed for violating probation after her arrest on charges she hit a neighbor with a BlackBerry last month. Jack Ryan, a spokesman for New York’s probation department, told the New York Times that the arrest was one of several probation violations. He said Brown also…

Aug 23, 2007 1:26 PM CDT

Bill Targets Stairway Peepers

It’s perfectly legal for someone to stand under a stairway and look up women’s skirts, according to a Queens, N.Y., city council member who intends to do something about it. Peter Vallone Jr. has introduced an ordinance barring nonconsensual voyeurism, the New York Times reports. Penalties for violations can include…

Aug 23, 2007 1:14 PM CDT

Top Lawyers Bill $1,000 an Hour

Lawyers at some of New York’s top firms are billing $1,000 an hour. The move was a reluctant one for some law firms, the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) reports. “We have viewed $1,000 an hour as a possible vomit point for clients,” a partner at one New York firm…

Aug 22, 2007 3:53 PM CDT

White Plains Integration Plan Uncertain

White Plains, N.Y., is one of dozens of cities that may have to reconsider integration plans that are similar to the ones struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in June. The New York Times says White Plains’ plan has “by most accounts, been a success,” in that it has…

Aug 22, 2007 2:46 PM CDT

NY Truth in Music Law Signed

New York’s governor has signed a Truth in Music law that imposes fine of up to $15,000 on music groups that misrepresent themselves as popular artists. The law was prompted by groups passing themselves off as artists like the Platters, Drifters and Coasters, Newsday reports. At least 18 other states…

Aug 22, 2007 2:20 PM CDT

Proposed Laws Target Abusive Bosses

Nobody wants to work for a jerk. But unless abusive bosses violate specific prohibitions, such as discriminating against someone because of race or gender, treating employees badly generally isn’t illegal. That could be changing, however. At least four states are considering legislation that would give workers a right to sue…

Aug 21, 2007 4:37 PM CDT

Plea Deal in Tax Shelter Case

An investment adviser accused in an illegal tax shelter case involving KPMG has reached an agreement to plead guilty. David Amir Makov could enter a guilty plea as early as today, the New York Times reports. He worked for an investment firm, Presidio Advisory Services. Presidio, formed by two former…

Aug 21, 2007 4:26 PM CDT

Sex Offender Neighbor Violates Lease

A New York judge has ruled an upstate couple can terminate their lease without penalty because a sex offender moved in next door. Watertown City Court Judge James C. Harberson Jr. said the couple was entitled to break the lease, citing a New York law that bars conditions that are…

Aug 21, 2007 3:29 PM CDT

Bank to Repay $4.5 M in Credit Card Fees

A South Dakota bank has agreed to pay $4.5 million to settle a claim by the New York attorney general that it charged credit-challenged customers excessive fees. The money will now be available to reimburse customers who paid huge fees for subprime credit cards with tiny credit limits because of…

Aug 17, 2007 11:42 PM CDT