States

$50M Malpractice Suit re 92 Parking Spaces

A malpractice suit has been filed against Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and two of the law firm’s partners by a former client over its handling of a Washington, D.C., zoning appeal. At issue in the case was the number of parking spaces then-client Capitol Hill Group was required to provide…

Oct 19, 2007 10:55 PM CDT

Ex Jenkens Partner Named in Fraud Case

A New York partner of Baker & McKenzie has been indicted in a federal securities fraud case involving alleged corporate kickbacks, along with executives and two individual investors. Attorney Martin Weisberg and the five other defendants “face a variety of charges, including conspiracy, securities fraud and money laundering,” reports the…

Oct 19, 2007 9:34 PM CDT

Dealing With a Troubling Underage Sex Trade

It isn’t just Thailand where a troubling trade in underage sex, involving the abuse of victims too young to consent, is widely reputed to exist. Right here in the U.S., apparent prostitutes, some of whom appear to be under 18, advertise on Internet sites, reports a Bloomberg columnist. “Advocates for…

Oct 19, 2007 5:24 PM CDT

Judge Washes Hands of Defense Fee Controversy

An Atlanta judge is bowing out of the controversy over funding for lawyers representing alleged courthouse gunman Brian Nichols. Judge Hilton Fuller Jr. asked that another judge be appointed to consider whether a state body should be held in contempt for failing to pay attorney fees in the case, according…

Oct 19, 2007 3:45 PM CDT

Investor Pleads Guilty in Milberg Probe

An 80-year-old Palm Springs investor who spent more than 50 years practicing law has pleaded guilty to charges he was paid about $2.6 million to be a lead plaintiff in securities class actions. Prosecutors are recommending home detention for the defendant, Seymour Lazar, because of his declining health and advancing…

Oct 19, 2007 2:59 PM CDT

Media Execs Arrested for Revealing Grand Jury Subpoenas

Updated: Two executives who founded an alternative weekly newspaper were arrested last night for publishing a story in The Phoenix New Times that revealed grand jury secrets. They were released by 4 a.m. this morning, according to the Phoenix New Times blog, which continues to post updates. A lawyer for…

Oct 19, 2007 1:56 PM CDT

Fish & Richardson Sues Ex-Partner Over Patent Inventions

Fish & Richardson has fired one of its partners and filed a lawsuit against him after he invented a new method for online page turning and sold it to a patent troll. The troll then sued Google, a firm client, for infringement. The suit filed in Chicago claims ex-partner Scott…

Oct 19, 2007 1:21 PM CDT

Coke Cites Lerach Plea to Bar Class Action

Updated and corrected: Lawyers for Coca-Cola defending a securities class action suit are accusing former plaintiffs’ lawyer William Lerach of engaging in the same kind of tactics that led to his recent guilty plea. The lawyers are focusing on a $75,000 payment to witnesses in the lawsuit, which they say…

Oct 19, 2007 12:25 PM CDT

Reluctant Juror Jailed for Message to Court Officials

A reluctant juror in Michigan has been jailed after he sent court officials a note telling them what he thought of their third jury summons. “I didn’t sign up for this bullshit,” Michael Starrett wrote, according to an article in the Detroit News. “I suggest you find somebody who gives…

Oct 19, 2007 10:39 AM CDT

Ave Maria Profs File Whistle-Blower Suit

Three suspended professors at Ave Maria School of Law have filed a whistle-blower lawsuit against the Catholic institution, its president and dean, and the chairman of its board of governors, among other defendants. It alleges wrongful discharge, breach of contract and tortious interference with advantageous business relationships. Stephen Safranek, Edward…

Oct 19, 2007 3:35 AM CDT

Pedestrian Appeals Disorderly Conduct Case

It isn’t just Sen. Larry Craig who’s changed his mind about pleading guilty to a disorderly conduct charge. The case of Brooklyn man who spent a night in jail after apparently being charged with disorderly conduct simply because he was standing on a public sidewalk in Manhattan may soon help…

Oct 18, 2007 11:31 PM CDT

Lawyer’s Fame-Claim: Model Client

A 23-year-old model who filed suit yesterday against her 54-year-old billionaire ex-boyfriend, over “bizarre and unnatural sex acts” allegedly performed at his 51,000-square-foot New York City mansion when she was 16, is in capable legal hands. “Literally!” exclaims New York magazine in a gossipy rundown on Maximilia Cordero’s legal representation…

Oct 18, 2007 6:47 PM CDT

KPMG Trial Delayed Over Lawyer Ruling

A federal judge has disqualified a defense lawyer and delayed the trial of four defendants accused of helping KPMG promote illegal tax shelters. Judge Lewis Kaplan of New York disqualified Steven Bauer of Latham & Watkins following accusations of a secret defense pact, the Wall Street Journal reports (sub. req.).…

Oct 18, 2007 6:33 PM CDT

HIV+ Woman Didn’t Tell, Gets 10 Years

Although it isn’t proven that any sex partner has contracted AIDs from a Missouri woman who has tested positive for the HIV virus that causes the potentially fatal disease, a judge has sentenced her to 10 years in prison for not telling her boyfriend of the risk. Angela Harris, 27,…

Oct 18, 2007 6:27 PM CDT

NC Won’t Defend Nifong in Civil Suit Over Duke Rape Case

The state of North Carolina has refused a request by disgraced former prosecutor Mike Nifong that it pay his legal fees or provide a defense in a civil case over the pursuit of baseless rape charges against three former Duke University lacrosse team members. In a letter sent to Nifong…

Oct 18, 2007 5:49 PM CDT