Federal Judge Resigns to Form New Boutique with Former White & Case Colleagues

A federal district judge in New York is leaving the bench to form a Manhattan litigation boutique with two former colleagues from White & Case. In addition to Richard J. Holwell, Michael Shuster and Daniel Goldberg are the name partners of Holwell Shuster & Goldberg, which opened its doors today…

Feb 7, 2012 7:01 PM CST

Law Firm, Police Hit By Hack Attacks; Lawyer Cell Phone Records Reportedly Accessed

A number of organizations, including at least one law firm, which were targeted late last week in online attacks for which the hacktivist collective known as Anonymous has claimed the blame are still working to get their websites back online. Meanwhile, confidential information that seemingly was obtained in the hack…

Feb 6, 2012 8:00 PM CST

Anonymous Hackers Say They Stole Email from Haditha Sgt.‘s Defense Team for ‘People’s Trial’

The hacktivist collective known as Anonymous claims to have obtained material from a law firm’s computer system concerning its defense of a controversial U.S. Marine accused of responsibility for the 2005 slayings of 24 civilians in Haditha, Iraq. Anonymous says it retrieved about three gigabytes of “court mails, faxes, transcriptions…

Feb 3, 2012 9:01 PM CST

Siblings at Law: Sister-Brother Legal Team Plays to Each Other’s Strengths

Feb 1, 2012 8:10 AM CST

Lawyer Admits Stealing Case File, Got Law License Despite Prior Bomb-Threat Charge

A Massachusetts lawyer told a judge last Thursday that he should have heeded the advice of the state Board of Bar Examiners, which had warned him not to start a solo practice because of the stress it entailed. The board issued a law license for the lawyer, Ilya Ablavsky, even…

Jan 30, 2012 12:00 PM CST

Ex-Prosecutor Who Took 200 Oxycodone Pills as Legal Fee Agrees to 3-Year Plea Deal

A former Florida prosecutor has agreed to a plea deal concerning more than 200 oxycodone pills he admittedly took as a legal fee while working as a private practitioner in Largo. The supposed client who gave him the prescription narcotic turned out to be a police informer. Aaron Slavin, 34,…

Jan 23, 2012 6:34 PM CST

‘Doubly Snake Bit’ NY Law Firm Must Pay 2nd Suspended Ex-Partner Full Agreed Buyout Amount

A New York law firm contesting its contractual duty to pay an agreed $750,000 buyout to a partner who was suspended from practice the day after the June 6, 2001, deal was struck was “doubly snake-bit,” a judge said in a Nassau County Supreme Court opinion. That’s because the same…

Jan 19, 2012 11:33 PM CST

Around the Blawgosphere: Victorious Lawyers in Heller Case Got Chump Change, Bloggers Say

Reeling over Fees Decision In 2008, small-firm lawyer Alan Gura prevailed at the U.S. Supreme Court in District of Columbia v. Heller, which struck down D.C.’s handgun ban. The same year, Gura and the other lawyers for Heller sought more than $3 million for the work they put in over…

Jan 13, 2012 2:58 PM CST

Federal Judge Delays Racketeering Trial of NJ Lawyer, Says Prosecutors Mischaracterized Court

A federal judge in Newark today postponed a racketeering trial scheduled to start next week for a high-profile New Jersey defense attorney accused of orchestrating a variety of criminal enterprises, including a cocaine operation, in connection with his law practice. Prompting the decision by U.S. District Judge William J. Martini…

Jan 13, 2012 1:19 AM CST

Calif. Labor Commissioner Sues Law Firm, Says It Fired Receptionist Called for Jury Duty

A California law firm known for its work representing plaintiffs in workplace discrimination suits is now a defendant in a lawsuit brought by the state labor commissioner after allegedly firing a receptionist called for jury duty. Areva Martin, a lawyer who is often seen on television discussing discrimination issues, serves…

Jan 12, 2012 11:19 PM CST

Boutique Hit with Malpractice Verdict Loses 19 Lawyers; Closing Is Imminent, Ex-MP Says

A boutique hit with a $10 million malpractice verdict has lost its managing partner and 18 other lawyers to Los Angeles law firm Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger. The lawyer losses are forcing the imminent closing of the boutique, Rutter Hobbs & Davidoff, its former managing partner told the…

Jan 12, 2012 2:47 PM CST

Hanging a Shingle: How to Start Your Own Law Practice

Podcast Transcript: This ABA Journal Podcast is brought to you by WestlawNext, building on the strengths of Westlaw to bring you the next evolution of legal research. Their most significant innovation in 30 years, it’s a complete research system that gives you confidence you’ve found the most relevant information. And,…

Jan 3, 2012 2:39 PM CST

Kill Bill: At Pfizer, Mum’s the Billable Word

Jan 1, 2012 8:10 AM CST

ACLU Backs Young Defense Lawyer Jailed by Judge for Asserting Client’s 5th Amendment Rights

The American Civil Liberties Union is backing an appeal by a young Michigan attorney who was briefly jailed after asserting his client’s Fifth Amendment rights when a judge tried to ask about drug use during an arraignment early this month. Briefs are expected to be filed today by Miel &…

Dec 21, 2011 7:35 PM CST

Federal Judge Calls Blago Lawyer’s New-Trial Motion ‘Harebrained,’ Says Contempt Ruling Could Result

Updated: A federal judge today sharply scolded a lawyer for pointing a finger at the forewoman of a jury that convicted former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich in a political corruption case, reports the Chicago Tribune. A motion signed by Lauren Kaeseberg that sought a new trial for Blagojevich based on…

Dec 19, 2011 5:59 PM CST