One-Pound Weight Gain Sends Lawyer Back to Texas

A one-pound weight gain has made a big difference in the life of a West Texas lawyer. Melissa Morgan, 39, was automatically kicked off of the NBC show “The Biggest Loser” because of the weight gain, Texas Lawyer’s Tex Parte blog reports. The Aspermont solo started the show at 233…

Feb 19, 2010 11:30 AM CST

2 Partners of Well-Known Firm Downsize, Now Answer Own Phones at Own Shop

Two seasoned partners have left a well-known Connecticut-based law firm to form their own small practice, where they now answer their own phones, clean the coffeepot and, noting that the mahogany table in the conference room had seen better days, sanded it down and refinished it. Their new firm is…

Feb 17, 2010 7:02 PM CST

BigLaw Lawyers Jump to Small Firms, Law’s Fastest Growing Sector

Smaller, more nimble law firms were at an advantage during the recession: They were able to quickly adjust. As large law firms shed lawyers, smaller firms were hiring, the Los Angeles Times reports. Legal recruiters told the newspaper that most attorney placements last year were with smaller law firms able…

Feb 16, 2010 12:00 PM CST

Holland & Knight Litigation Chair Jumps to Boutique, First Lateral in 28 Yrs

Miami lawyer Peter Prieto is leaving his seat as chair of Holland & Knight’s defense-oriented litigation group to do plaintiffs work for a boutique across town. Next week, Preito is joining Podhurst Orseck, where he’ll have the distinction of being the first lateral hire there in 28 years, the Daily…

Feb 12, 2010 6:40 AM CST

NJ Solo Allowed to Proceed with Claim That NY Discriminates Against Out-of-State Lawyers

A New Jersey-based solo practitioner may proceed with her claim that New York law discriminates against out-of-state lawyers because it requires practitioners to maintain an office in the state, a federal judge has ruled. U.S. District Judge Lawrence Kahn of the Northern District of New York said Rutgers graduate Ekaterina…

Feb 11, 2010 2:34 PM CST

Prefering to Represent Individuals, Jones Day Partner Goes Solo

A San Francisco-based partner at Jones Day, well known for his white-collar criminal defense work, has decided to strike out on his own. John Cline decided last year that he was ready to leave BigLaw behind and start a firm from scratch on a practice focused solely on representing individuals…

Feb 5, 2010 6:22 PM CST

Judge Reduces Jail Sentence for Lawyer Who Made Obscene Gesture in Court

Appearing before Senior District Judge Paul Davis in jailhouse stripes, an Austin, Texas, attorney won a significant reduction in his 90-day contempt sentence for making an obscene gesture in court during a hearing. Because Adam Reposa’s girlfriend is pregnant and due to give birth in a month, Davis said, he…

Feb 4, 2010 5:34 PM CST

Bloggy Eyes

Feb 1, 2010 10:10 AM CST

Holding a Mirror to the Profession

Our justice system should reflect the diversity of those seeking to break barriers

Feb 1, 2010 10:00 AM CST

Bank On It

Your practice can make the perfect choice

Feb 1, 2010 7:49 AM CST

PI Lawyer Is Charged with Evading Taxes

Already in hot water for allegedly stealing $2.2 million from client settlements, a New York personal injury lawyer now faces a tax evasion case, too. Marc Bernstein, 55, is accused by the Manhattan district attorney’s office of failing to file returns between 2003 and 2007 and understating his income in…

Jan 29, 2010 2:43 AM CST

Lawyer Indicted & Cleared in Case Linked to Serial Murders of 3 Clients Has Died

A criminal defense and personal injury lawyer who said his life became a living hell after his name was linked to the still-unsolved serial killings of nine Massachusetts women has been found dead at his home. Kenneth Ponte was in his early 60s. Authorities say his death does not appear…

Jan 28, 2010 6:24 PM CST

Ex-Partner Suit: Two Firms Using My Name Is One Too Many

Updated: It isn’t unusual for a law firm to leave a former partner’s name on its shingle after he has made a final exit from law practice into the grave. But Lawrence Charfoos is still alive and well, not to mention practicing at a competing new firm, Charfoos Giovan &…

Jan 25, 2010 7:02 PM CST

Ex-Attorney Charged in Alleged Loan Modification Scheme Victimizing Over 400

A California lawyer who lost his license to practice in October and was sued by the state attorney general is now facing criminal charges over a claimed $1.25 million mortgage loan modification scheme targeting struggling homeowners. Christopher Lee Diener, 42, with the help of two business partners, allegedly defrauded more…

Jan 25, 2010 4:48 PM CST

Attorney with Big Ad Budget Can Open Law Office LLC in 49th State, Court Says

In a ruling that is sure to disappoint competing firms that sought to block a national attorney known for his blockbuster advertising budget from establishing a local foothold, the Rhode Island Supreme Court today ruled that James Sokolove can form a law firm limited liability corporation there. It will be…

Jan 22, 2010 12:54 AM CST