Pennsylvania

Lawyer who let judge use his beach house wins reinstatement

A Pennsylvania lawyer has won reinstatement to practice after his suspension for letting a Luzerne County judge use his beach house in exchange for the appointment of a favorable arbitrator.

Mar 17, 2020 1:14 PM CDT

Lawyer who gave up law practice 50 years ago has new legal career at 82

A lawyer who was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar after immigrating from India in 1970 found that few law firms were willing to hire an immigrant. He turned to social work instead and helped raise his family.

Feb 27, 2020 1:55 PM CST

Jerry Sandusky prosecutor and ex-Penn State general counsel are disciplined for actions in the case

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court suspended a prosecutor in the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse case and reprimanded the former general counsel of Pennsylvania State University, where Sandusky had worked as an assistant football coach.

Feb 21, 2020 10:30 AM CST

3rd Circuit orders release of ex-cop who wouldn’t unlock hard drives, cites cap on civil contempt detention

A federal appeals court has ordered the released of a former Philadelphia police officer who spent more than four years in prison because he didn’t comply with a court order to provide hard drive passwords.

Feb 10, 2020 12:24 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Censure recommended for judge’s ‘knucklehead’ remarks; Kesha loses round in Dr. Luke suit

Censure recommended for judge’s remarks on racy photos The New Jersey Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct is recommending censure for a judge who commented on a “knucklehead” husband and the girlfriend who was asking the man’s wife for return of her suggestive photos. Judge Alberto Rivas told the…

Feb 7, 2020 4:40 PM CST

Judge allegedly asked why ‘Aunt Jemima’ was put on the jury, spurring his reassignment

A Pittsburgh judge has been reassigned following allegations that he asked a prosecutor why he allowed “Aunt Jemima” on a jury in a criminal case.

Feb 6, 2020 1:37 PM CST

New lawsuits by transgender people challenge bans on name changes for those convicted of crimes

Alexandra Carson thought the interview had gone well. Her experience managing a restaurant more than qualified her for the server position at a buffet chain near her rural Texas home, she said, and the friendly conversation made her feel like the job was secure. But the hiring manager’s demeanor changed…

Feb 5, 2020 3:58 PM CST

Despite statewide legalization, some counties ban probationers from using medical marijuana

When Melissa Gass, a mother of five in central Pennsylvania, was 10, she was in a car crash, and her head slammed into the windshield. Ever since, she’s suffered seizures, which occur with weekly and sometimes daily frequency and are life-threatening. When one is coming on, she feels a throbbing…

Feb 3, 2020 10:48 AM CST

SCOTUS adds cases on wayward presidential electors, contraceptive coverage exemptions

The U.S. Supreme Court added two high-profile cases on Friday to its docket concerning faithless presidential electors and expanded exemptions to mandated contraceptive coverage.

Jan 17, 2020 4:17 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Law student expelled after posting flyers; Harvey Weinstein reportedly reaches $25M deal

Suspended law student is expelled after posting ‘okay to be white’ flyers A suspended law student at Oklahoma City University was expelled after he posted flyers reading “It’s okay to be white.” The student violated the terms of his suspension, which barred him from being on school property, according to…

Dec 11, 2019 3:21 PM CST

2 sets of BigLaw firms confirm merger talks

If merger talks are successful between two sets of BigLaw firms, there will be two new entrants on the American Lawyer’s list of the nation’s 50 top law firms.

Nov 14, 2019 10:22 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: 2019 could be ‘decent year’ for law firms; tight schedule led to bar exam leak, report says

2019 will be a ‘decent year’ for law firms, report says Law firm revenue grew 5.1% for the first nine months of 2019, largely because of billing rate growth of 4.7%, according to a third-quarter report by Citi Private Bank. And for the first time this year, revenue growth exceeded…

Nov 13, 2019 4:30 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Law students object to ‘Carey Law’ name; First Step Act beneficiary charged with murder

‘Carey Law’ doesn’t sit well with some Pennsylvania students and grads Law students and alumni at the University of Pennsylvania are not happy about its Nov. 8 name change and have shared their displeasure in a petition. The law school, formerly known as the University of Pennsylvania Law School, will…

Nov 11, 2019 4:19 PM CST

Law school in this state gets record $125M gift and new name

The University of Pennsylvania’s law school is getting a new name after receiving a record-setting $125 million gift from the W.P. Carey Foundation.

Nov 8, 2019 4:14 PM CST

Lawyer practiced for 17 years despite suspension, disciplinary board says

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has disbarred a lawyer who was suspended 17 years ago but allegedly continued to practice law.

Nov 4, 2019 11:47 AM CST