Opening Statements

Entrepreneurs educate by gamifying the law

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney gamifies law for a new generation, but there are others on the market hoping to educate and captivate, including the State Bar of Texas’ Objection! Your Honor; iCivics’ online educational games such as Do I Have a Right? and Chicago lawyer April Preyar’s board game Trials & Triumph.

Jul 1, 2019 2:30 AM CDT

10 Questions: This Hudson Valley lawyer serves up a deliciously different practice model

Jason M. Foscolo works exclusively with farmers and food entrepreneurs as founder of the Food Law Firm. An innovative subscription billing service allows Foscolo to keep both his hours and his income steady. He lives and works in Red Hook, a charming town in New York’s Hudson Valley known for its family farms, scenic nature trails and sophisticated restaurants.

Jul 1, 2019 2:25 AM CDT

A natural migration: Descendant of immigrants works to protect civil rights

Many migrant men, women and children are fleeing their homelands to seek safety from violence. My maternal and paternal family members migrated to the United States from Mexico in search of opportunity and with hopes of realizing a dream.

Jul 1, 2019 2:20 AM CDT

Ex-felon’s firm helps wealthy white-collar criminals prepare for their prison sentences

White Collar Advice, based in Calabasas, California, is led by convicted securities broker Justin Paperny. Former federal inmates offer white-collar defendants insights that complement advice from their defense counsel, starting after indictment.

Jun 1, 2019 1:54 AM CDT

Advocates sue Rhode Island to require civics ed for students

Students and their parents are suing Rhode Island, alleging the state has failed to prepare young people for the rigors of citizenship.

Jun 1, 2019 1:50 AM CDT

10 Questions: Magician-turned-lawyer helps make legal problems disappear

Jeffrey W. Cowan isn’t just a lawyer. He’s also a former professional magician. Today, his practice is built on business and employment trial law, but he also maintains a niche practice helping magicians and magic-related businesses make their legal problems disappear.

Jun 1, 2019 1:45 AM CDT

State appeals judge challenged biases as first person with cerebral palsy to argue before SCOTUS

Nobody, except my mother, perhaps, thought I could become a lawyer. I was born in 1963 with cerebral palsy, which, even after many surgeries and much physical therapy, left me with only one functioning arm and a severe speech impediment.

Jun 1, 2019 1:40 AM CDT

Jay-Z’s ADR problems: Mogul’s case spotlights lack of diverse arbitrators

In a dispute stemming from the $200 million sale of his clothing line, rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z (whose real name is Shawn Carter) in November challenged an arbitration clause as discriminatory, stating it would force him to select an arbitrator from a list nearly devoid of his ethnic group.

May 1, 2019 2:50 AM CDT

10 Questions: Texas attorney masters the craft of a legal-themed microbrew business

Greg McCarthy and his neighbor co-founded Legal Draft in 2015, and they’ve been successfully pouring on the legal humor to a growing audience of Texas beer drinkers ever since.

May 1, 2019 2:45 AM CDT

The Second Founding: A new exhibit explains the importance of the Civil War Amendments

On May 9, the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia will give the Reconstruction Amendments pride of place with a new permanent exhibit: “Civil War and Reconstruction: The Battle for Freedom and Equality.”

May 1, 2019 2:45 AM CDT

Straddling two identities as a lawyer and DACA recipient

Zain Sayed is an employment attorney in Illinois, one of only about 10 states that admit DACA recipients to the bar.

May 1, 2019 2:35 AM CDT

Justice system helmed by black women serves community

In South Fulton, Georgia, black women account for the entirety of the municipal court staff. They bring a different perspective to implement innovative programming that can help ease often-strained community relationships.

Apr 1, 2019 2:05 AM CDT

Do court bans on electronic devices impede access to justice?

Courts of all types have banned cellphones in courtrooms. Some inform litigants of the ban before they show up, others don’t. Some offer lockers for storage, others don’t. Courts have cited different reasons for the bans, ranging from preventing disruption in the courtroom to protecting witnesses who could be photographed and potentially threatened for appearing.

Apr 1, 2019 2:00 AM CDT

10 Questions: Prosecutor uses her experience as a survivor to advocate for domestic violence victims

Shot three times by her estranged husband, April W. Ross uses her experience to improve the legal process, from setting legislative agendas to helping lawyers improve the efficacy of their communication with victims.

Apr 1, 2019 1:55 AM CDT

Beating the odds, lawyer mentors at-risk youth

Charla Claypool, a member of the litigation department of Lewis Rice in St. Louis, notes her work mentoring and guiding youth, especially at-risk young women.

Apr 1, 2019 1:50 AM CDT