Question of the Week

Who Would You Nominate to the High Court? And What Choice Do You Think Obama or Romney Might Make?

Now that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is looking like his party’s nominee, speculation has begun on who he would nominate for the U.S. Supreme Court if he is elected and finds himself with a vacancy to fill. Among Reuters’ predictions are former Solicitor General Paul Clement, Judge Brett Kavanaugh…

Apr 25, 2012 6:24 PM CDT

Have You Ever Left a Good Job Over Your Co-Workers’ Behavior? Or Fired a ‘Bad Apple’?

This month, the ABA Journal has a magazine story that singles out law firms that say they have a “no-jerks rule.” Terry Conner, managing partner of Haynes and Boone, said that on rare occasions, partners with millions of dollars worth of business have been asked to leave the firm because…

Apr 18, 2012 5:08 PM CDT

What Shocking and Curious Things Have You Seen Clients and Witnesses Wear to Court?

Last week, a new domestic violence court judge told an ABA Journal staffer that she chastised a defendant who appeared in her courtroom in a “wifebeater.” And this week, an Alabama judge held a defendant in contempt of court” for wearing saggy pants. “You are in contempt of court because…

Apr 11, 2012 7:03 PM CDT

Do You (or Would You Ever) Dye Away Your Gray Hair for Work-Related Reasons?

This week, we noted a story about how even though gray hair seems to be trending—one lawyer interviewed for the story thinks law professionals, women in particular, are under pressure to look young and hide their gray. So we’d like to ask you: Do you (or would you ever) dye…

Apr 4, 2012 5:41 PM CDT

What’s the Wildest Excuse You’ve Heard from a Potential Juror in Voir Dire?

Last week, felony charges were brought against Susan Cole, who called into a radio show to say she feigned mental instability to get out of jury duty. The Denver judge who excused her heard the broadcast, and now she faces charges of first degree perjury and attempting to influence a…

Mar 28, 2012 7:48 PM CDT

How Do You Think SCOTUS Should Rule in the Health Care Act Cases?

Next week, U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments take place in United States Department of Health and Human Services v. State of Florida and National Federation of Independent Business v. Kathleen Sebelius—the two cases challenging the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. And the stakes are high. “If…

Mar 21, 2012 6:20 PM CDT

What Would You Want the Contents of a Sandwich Named After Your Law Firm or Law School to Be?

New York City’s Hello Deli has honored law firm Arent Fox by naming one of its sandwiches after the firm (which has an office around the corner from the deli). What’s an Arent Fox? It’s a hot ham or turkey sandwich with melted brie, lettuce, tomato and your choice of…

Mar 14, 2012 5:31 PM CDT

Tell us a Ridiculous Statement a Client Has Made to You About You or Your Law Practice

At the suggestion of a reader and in the spirit of the neverending “[stuff] people say” video memes, this week, we’d like you to tell us a ridiculous statement (or two or three) that a client has made to you about you or your law practice. Share your anecdotes in…

Mar 7, 2012 7:17 PM CST

How Many Hours of Sleep Do You Get Each Night? Is It Enough?

This week, we noted a survey that stated lawyers, on average, are the second-most sleep-deprived professionals, getting an average of seven hours of sleep each night, according to a survey compiled by the Sleepy’s mattress chain, which hired researchers to analyze the results of the national Health Interview Survey. So…

Feb 29, 2012 7:13 PM CST

What Is the Best Law-Related Movie Quote of All Time?

This week, in advance of the 84th Annual Academy Awards, Bloomberg Law is polling its readers about what they think are the best law-related movie lines of all time. Bloomberg Law’s editors chose 10 quotes and assembled a brief video compilation of them. Tom Cruise was in two of the…

Feb 22, 2012 7:32 PM CST

Do You Ever Read Law Review Articles? Or Write Them?

A story in the February issue of the ABA Journal takes note of how scholarly law review articles are declining in influence and notes a comment that U.S. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. made last year: “Pick up a copy of any law review that you see, and the…

Feb 15, 2012 7:31 PM CST

What SCOTUS Decision Would You Like to See a Documentary or Feature Film About?

As reported in the February issue of the ABA Journal, HBO will premiere The Loving Story, a documentary about Richard and Mildred Loving of the U.S. Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia, on Valentine’s Day. The documentary includes historical and current interviews with the couple’s lawyers, Bernard Cohen and Philip…

Feb 8, 2012 5:30 PM CST

Do You Friend on Facebook or Follow on Twitter People You’ve Never Met or Ever Expect to Meet?

Last week, we posted a poll asking readers about their criteria as far as who they choose to follow on Twitter and who they will friend on Facebook, since we know many people have not met all of their Facebook friends or “tweeps” in the physical plane. At the time…

Feb 1, 2012 5:25 PM CST

Have You Ever Had a Personal Encounter with a US Supreme Court Justice?

Gonzaga University School of Law professor Ann Murphy wrote in to us last week about how she had an opportunity to talk with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor in her chambers. “This came about due to a rather embarrassing mistake I made two years ago, when I included Justice…

Jan 25, 2012 6:15 PM CST

Did the SOPA / PIPA Internet Blackout Protest Affect Your Workday?

Intellectual property law is in the national spotlight. Today, Wikipedia’s English-language site—as well as BoingBoing, Reddit, and several others—went dark to protest two bills moving through Congress: the Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect Intellectual Property Act. The intent of the legislation is to prevent the sale of illegally…

Jan 18, 2012 6:34 PM CST