Pennsylvania

Penn Law Raises Record $180M, Leading to Footprint and Financial Aid Expansion

Penn Law announced Monday that its capital campaign has raised a record $180 million, ensuring the school can continue to expand its physical footprint and retool academically to meet the demands of a “rapidly evolving legal landscape.” “The campaign has ushered in an era of momentous change at Penn Law…

Sep 24, 2012 2:46 PM CDT

Pro Se Ex-Judge Blames Jailed Ex-Colleague for 17.5-Year Prison Term in Kids-for-Cash Case

Convicted in the so-called kids-for-cash case and sentenced to a federal prison term of over 17 years for his role in a profitable Pennsylvania juvenile-detention scheme, a former president judge in Luzerne County is blaming a jailed ex-colleague on the bench for his hefty sentence. In a pro se filing,…

Sep 20, 2012 10:42 PM CDT

To Settle Sandusky Claims, Penn State Taps Ken Feinberg, Sept. 11 and Oil Spill Compensation Veteran

After helping determine resolve victim compensation claims for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the Virginia Tech massacre, among other high-profile representations, Ken Feinberg has become the go-to guy in another big case. He, partner Michael Rozen and their…

Sep 20, 2012 7:44 PM CDT

Federal Judge Says Ariz. Can Enforce ‘Show Papers’ Law; Top Pa. Court Calls for More Voter ID Review

Ruling this week on a controversial state law requiring individuals to provide identification, a federal judge in Arizona has OK’d a so-called “show me your papers” provision allowing authorities to check the identities of those thought to be possible illegal immigrants. However, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has asked a Commonwealth…

Sep 19, 2012 9:23 PM CDT

Lawyer Fights Own Fee Dispute Simultaneously with PI Client’s Case, Earns Over $1.5M, Is Disbarred

A New Hampshire lawyer who fought hard for his own claimed $2 million fee at the same time he was seeking an $11 million settlement on behalf of a paralyzed personal injury client earned a fee of over $1.5 million. But Timothy O’Meara was also disbarred by the state supreme…

Sep 18, 2012 6:45 PM CDT

Phila. Traffic Judge Indicted, Accused of Role in Misuse of State Grant Funds by Community Groups

A Philadelphia traffic court judge has been suspended after his indictment, along with other defendants, on charges of playing a role in the misuse of hundreds of thousands of dollars in state grant funds provided to two community groups between 1996 and 2008 Judge Robert Mulgrew, 54, was also accused,…

Sep 17, 2012 10:36 PM CDT

Dean Says Villanova Bounced Back After Admissions Data Scandal; Incoming 2011 Class Set LSAT Record

John Y. Gotanda soon had a scandal on his hands after starting work at Villanova University’s law dean at the beginning of 2011. Within weeks, he told the university community in a letter, he became aware that the law school had “knowingly reported” inaccurate admissions data, including LSAT test scores…

Sep 5, 2012 7:01 PM CDT

Pepper Hamilton Acquires Law Firm of Former FBI Director Louis Freeh

Highlighting the importance of internal corporate investigations as a practice area for major law firms, Pepper Hamilton has announced plans to acquire the law firm of Louis Freeh, a former director of the FBI, as well as an investigative firm affiliated with the law firm. Freeh and his law firm,…

Aug 28, 2012 5:50 PM CDT

Federal Judge Nixes Smartphones for Fired Worker and Hubby Accused of Hacking Law Firm’s Computer

For thousands of years, humans somehow managed to survive without smartphones, a federal judge told a fired former law firm worker and her husband on Monday during a hearing on bond conditions. In fact, U.S. District Judge David Cercone noted, he himself still doesn’t have one. So requiring Alyson Cunningham…

Aug 28, 2012 5:17 PM CDT

Penn State Dickinson Plans to Cut JD Enrollment, But Will Keep Both Campuses

Corrected: Joining a number of other law schools that have announced similar plans amidst an apparent paradigm shift in the nation’s legal industry, Penn State Dickinson School of Law is planning to trim total enrollment from about 660 to 500 students. However, the institution plans to keep both its flagship…

Aug 27, 2012 9:34 PM CDT

Bank Sends Foreclosure Notice to Woman Who Made $70K in Payments for House She Didn’t Own

A Pennsylvania woman is suing her lender and a former lawyer for Ohio Bar Title Insurance after learning she has made nearly $70,000 in payments for a house she doesn’t own. Sheila Layo claims the lawyer, closing agent Richard Hallock, never recorded the deed or mortgage for her Scranton townhouse…

Aug 27, 2012 12:54 PM CDT

Gov’t Lawyer Sued re Claimed Decade of Abuse After Girl, 10, Was Placed with Convicted Killer Aunt

A woman allegedly held captive and abused for a decade by an aunt who is a convicted killer has filed a civil rights suit against the city of Philadelphia and a government lawyer and social worker. Beatrice Weston contends that her torment could have been avoided either through a background…

Aug 21, 2012 9:15 PM CDT

Tax-Free Ride Is Ending for Online Shoppers in California, Pennyslvania

As congressional support builds for a federal internet sales tax law, online shoppers in Pennsylvania and California will pony up to the taxman next month. Starting Sept. 1, Pennsylvanians will pay a 6 percent or more sales tax, depending on the county, for online items purchased from retailers with a…

Aug 21, 2012 6:16 PM CDT

Judge Won’t Block Pennsylvania’s Voter ID Law

A judge in Pennsylvania ruled Wednesday in favor of a controversial state law requiring voters to produce photo identification at the polls. After a week-long hearing, Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson ruled against an injunction request that would have prevented the law from going into effect for the upcoming Nov.…

Aug 15, 2012 2:52 PM CDT

Law Firms Still Victimized in Fake-Check Web Scams; Trial Looms for Nigerian Accused in $32M Swindle

Despite widespread publicity about law firms targeted in Internet and email scams that have siphoned five- and six-figure sums out of their bank accounts, some are still falling victim to the schemes. The problem is, legitimate clients do business in much the same way as the scammers, often contacting counsel…

Aug 7, 2012 5:51 PM CDT