Practice Management

World’s First Publicly Owned Law Firm is Growing

A little more than a week after reportedly becoming the world’s first publicly owned law firm, Australia’s Slater & Gordon is already adding to its attorney roster. The growth move by the Melbourne-based personal injury firm, which is bringing into its fold a Brisbane boutique specializing in military compensation, follows…

May 30, 2007 12:08 PM CDT

Celebrity Lawyer Chauffeurs Lohan to Rehab

Law practice for a well-known celebrity lawyer in Los Angeles recently required a stint behind the wheel as a celebrity chauffeur. Celebrity criminal defense lawyer Blair Berk was spotted behind the wheel Monday motoring movie star Lindsay Lohan to rehab at what sources describe as ” ‘a serious medical treatment…

May 29, 2007 11:53 PM CDT

Public-Interest Lawyers Seek Fee Rehearing

Lawyers and public-interest groups want the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider a decision limiting attorney fees in public-interest cases. Groups supporting the motion for a rehearing include the Urban Justice Center, Public Citizen, the Natural Resources Defense Council and affiliates of the American Civil Liberties Union, according…

May 29, 2007 1:48 PM CDT

Lawyers Find Clients on MySpace

Attorneys are using social networking Web sites to reach potential clients. Texas Lawyer found several attorneys, mostly criminal defense and entertainment lawyers, with listings on MySpace.com. They include Leslie Warren Cross of Missouri City, Texas, an entertainment lawyer who says his listing produced a few new clients.

May 29, 2007 12:35 PM CDT

Convicted Ex-Qwest CEO Seeks Legal Fees

The former CEO of Qwest Communications contends the company should continue to pay legal fees related to insider trading charges. Joseph Nacchio, convicted of insider trading last month, claims the agreement covering his 2002 resignation provided for payment of the fees, according to Associated Press. The company had paid fees…

May 29, 2007 12:16 PM CDT

Did Massive Mortgage Fraud Up Home Prices?

Mind-boggling amounts of mortgage fraud by rings throughout the country may be responsible for big increases in U.S. home prices. If so, what went up can also come down, reports the Washington Post in a lengthy article detailing tens of millions of dollars in documented mortgage fraud by rings involving…

May 12, 2007 12:25 AM CDT

Military Lawyer’s Career Hurt due to Gitmo Work

A Marine Corps lawyer who represented Australian David Hicks in a Guantanamo Bay case that resulted in a favorable plea deal has apparently suffered career repercussions as a result – and he is not the only one. In the aftermath of his aggressive defense of Hicks, Major Michael Mori has…

May 11, 2007 8:01 PM CDT

Detainee Lawyer Curbs Draw Protests, ABA Reax

A hearing will be held Tuesday on a Justice Department request to impose new restrictions on lawyers for Guantanamo detainees. The request has drawn protests from bar groups. A letter by the New York City Bar protested the move and accused the Justice Department of “a disreputable and unwarranted smear…

May 11, 2007 2:28 PM CDT

More Bankruptcy Lawyers Poached

Big law firms continue to bulk up their bankruptcy practices. The latest is O’Melveny & Myers, which is adding four bankruptcy partners from Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, according to the New York Law Journal. Although bankruptcy filings are down, firms are anticipating an uptick in restructuring work.

May 11, 2007 1:08 PM CDT

7th Circuit Wiki a First for Federal Appeals Courts

A wiki has been created by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, reportedly the first such user-friendly Web site created by any federal appeals court in the country. The site is still being developed, but when it is fully up and running it will allow registered lawyers and judges…

May 10, 2007 10:26 PM CDT

Help Wanted: Hedge Fund Mole

Hedge fund managers are sending patent litigators to court to report on the outcome of patent litigation. Ron Laurie, of Inflexion Point Strategy, an IP investment bank, told IP Law and Business that he’s heard the lawyers help the managers make trades before news services can report on the proceedings.…

May 10, 2007 1:38 PM CDT

Sarcastic ‘Monkey’ Brief Brings Atty Reprimand

Overruling a professional disciplinary board, the Delaware Supreme Court has publicly reprimanded an attorney over the language he used in a legal brief. Among other questionable language, the brief said New Castle County could appoint “monkeys” to a licensing board and “simply allow the attorney to interpret the grunts and…

May 10, 2007 2:42 AM CDT

Police: Absent Atty Took Money, Had Travel Plan

When Royal “Scoop” Daniels disappeared from Breckenridge, Colo., late last month, friends feared foul play. But now police say the 61-year-old real estate lawyer may have left voluntarily. Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Daniels, who allegedly stole money from client trust funds and owed $300,000 in credit card…

May 10, 2007 12:53 AM CDT

‘New Sanctuary’ Churches Aid Illegal Immigrants

Churches in five major cities throughout the country are joining in a “New Sanctuary Movement” intended to help illegal immigrants. It will include efforts to provide legal help and other assistance, but at least some of the churches plan eventually to offer shelter within their buildings to one illegal immigrant…

May 9, 2007 7:27 PM CDT

‘Get a Divorce’ Ad Gone; Lacked Permit City Says

A controversial billboard put up by a small matrimonial law firm in Chicago has been removed, a week after it went up, allegedly because it lacked a proper permit. Featuring a scantily clad man and woman – and the line “Life’s Short. Get a Divorce.” – it raised eyebrows, and…

May 9, 2007 7:05 PM CDT