States

Potential Juror Jailed for Elevator Comment

A potential juror who discussed a three-paragraph Washington Post story with another in a courthouse elevator was jailed yesterday for disobeying an order not to discuss the case. Kenneth P. White reportedly mentioned the story about the murder retrial of Alfredo Prieto, the case for which he was called as…

Jan 9, 2008 5:27 PM CST

Beauty Queen Law Student Suspended After Kidnapping Charge

A former pinup girl-turned-law student who has been accused of kidnapping an ex-boyfriend and holding him captive is now a former law student, at least for the moment. Kumari Fulbright, 25, has been temporarily suspended by the University of Arizona, where she is a second-year student at the James E.…

Jan 9, 2008 5:22 PM CST

Indianapolis Court Targets No-Show Jurors

Seventeen no-show jurors in Indianapolis are getting a surprise from the Marion County Superior Court: warrants for their arrest. Judge Mark Stoner has been coordinating a crackdown on no-show jurors, and his court issued the arrest warrants for contempt of court, the Indianapolis Star reports. About half of people summoned…

Jan 9, 2008 4:19 PM CST

Two of Scruggs’ Lawyers Withdraw Following FBI Search of Their Law Firm

Two lawyers from a law firm searched by federal agents last month have resigned from representation of high-profile plaintiffs lawyer Richard “Dickie” Scruggs, who has been charged with conspiring to bribe a judge. Joey Langston and Billy Quin of the Langston Law Firm in Booneville, Miss., received permission to withdraw…

Jan 9, 2008 3:54 PM CST

CUNY Law Program Encourages Grads to Return to the Hood

The City University of New York law school is encouraging graduates to hang their shingles in underserved communities with an 18-month training program on how to run a law practice. The sessions, financed by the school and the state, cover how to find clients, keep financial records, and hire and…

Jan 9, 2008 2:19 PM CST

Judge Fit to Be Tied Over Ascot-Wearing Lawyer

A Milwaukee judge known as a fastidious dresser held up a sentencing hearing for three hours yesterday because a prosecutor came to court wearing an ascot. Judge William Sosnay said the ascot violates a court rule that requires lawyers to wear neckties and “borders on contemptuous,” the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel…

Jan 9, 2008 2:02 PM CST

Judge Tells White House: Disclose Missing E-Mail Backups

A federal magistrate has given the White House a five-day deadline to disclose whether it has stored copies of at least 5 million missing e-mails on backup tapes. U.S. Magistrate Judge John Facciola of Washington, D.C., issued the order (PDF posted by one of the plaintiffs) in consolidated lawsuits filed…

Jan 9, 2008 12:46 PM CST

Secretary Loses Appeal in Disability Suit Against Peabody & Arnold

A Massachusetts appeals court has affirmed dismissal of a legal secretary’s disability lawsuit against Peabody & Arnold based on evidence turned up by a private detective. The secretary, Teresa Brooks, claimed she had a disabling spinal condition, but the detective videotaped her “working in her yard, repeatedly bending over, carrying…

Jan 9, 2008 12:01 PM CST

Will Qualcomm Sue Its Lawyers?

When a federal magistrate sanctioned six lawyers Monday for discovery violations in their representation of Qualcomm Inc., she wrote a footnote that suggested their law firms could face a malpractice suit. U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Major referred the lawyers to the State Bar of California for possible discipline and even…

Jan 9, 2008 11:38 AM CST

Lawyer Censured for Misrepresenting Role in ‘Law Firm’

A New Hampshire lawyer has been censured for implying that he was a partner in a small law firm when in fact he simply shared office space with his colleagues. Craig Salomon implied that he was a partner of “Salomon, Randlett & Bernard” by placing a yellow pages ad that…

Jan 9, 2008 1:11 AM CST

Estate Headache: Selling High-Priced Family Home

Seemingly, heirs might be happy to hear that they have inherited a share in a family home worth millions. But in actual practice, handling such estates can prove a major headache for the lawyers, real estate agents and other professionals involved. Especially if Mom and Dad—who are the usual source…

Jan 8, 2008 10:14 PM CST

3 More Partners Exit Heller Ehrman

After a disappointing financial year in 2007 and the departure of several well-known colleagues, three more partners of Heller Ehrman are exiting the firm to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Margaret Mann has left her position as head of the San Francisco-based firm’s bankruptcy practice to join Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton…

Jan 8, 2008 6:53 PM CST

‘Sadly Predictable’ Murder By Released Prisoner in Calif. Domestic Case

It’s a sad story that’s been told before, but California prosecutors are trying to figure out how to keep it from happening again: Accused of twice taking his estranged wife to isolated locations and restraining her during November 2007—once by handcuffing her to furniture in a hotel room and another…

Jan 8, 2008 5:54 PM CST

Judge Calls Countrywide ‘Re-Created’ Letters a Smoking Gun

A lawyer for a borrower being pursued by Countrywide Financial Corp. had a question: Why did a letter purportedly sent in September 2003 have an office address for him that he didn’t move to until after that date? The letter was one of three supposedly notifying the client of Kenneth…

Jan 8, 2008 5:44 PM CST

Martin Lipton’s Latest Client Memo ‘Wrongheaded,’ Columnist Says

The latest advice offered by high-profile lawyer Martin Lipton to his corporate clients is “wrongheaded” and “dangerous,” Andrew Ross Sorkin asserts in a Dealbook column for the New York Times. The 76-year-old lawyer sent out a pre-Christmas memo advising corporate board members to resist shareholder efforts to dictate executive compensation…

Jan 8, 2008 5:15 PM CST