Hard Time for Others, But Not Hilton

There’s one obvious reason why Paris Hilton was released from a California prison, after serving only three days of a 45-day sentence for violating her probation for an alcohol-related driving offense, many believe. Celebrity clout. An undisclosed medical condition reportedly prompted the Los Angeles County Sheriff to release the 26-year-old…

Jun 8, 2007 6:37 PM CDT

Same-sex Couple Splits a $3.5 M Home; New York Judge Applies ‘Divorce’ Rule

A Manhattan judge treated a same-sex couple as if they were married when deciding recently how to divide their $3.5 million home after they split up. Although the two were tenants in common, which ordinarily calls for a 50-50 share in the equity after the partners sell, the judge instead…

Jun 7, 2007 9:46 PM CDT

‘Defending the Damned’ Isn’t Pretty

A new book on the work being done by public defenders in and around Chicago doesn’t sugarcoat the aggressively adversarial nature of their practice. But “Defending the Damned” does provide a fascinating in-your-face, fly-on-the-wall view of what actually happens in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, as lawyers go about…

Jun 7, 2007 7:19 PM CDT

Prof’s Law Blog Led to 11th Circuit Case

Blogging can be a legal minefield for lawyers and parties to litigation, as a Boston doctor defending a malpractice case found out recently when he outed himself as “Flea” and abruptly settled. But this minefield can also produce gold, as an Ohio State University law professor has seen. After former…

Jun 7, 2007 1:42 AM CDT

CA Atty Gen’l Eyes De Anza Rape Case

In the controversial rape case originally filed against three former Duke University lacrosse players last year, a North Carolina prosecutor went too far too quickly, relying on flimsy evidence at best, most observers now agree. But, in the wake of the public furor over the dismissal of the unfounded charges…

Jun 6, 2007 9:40 PM CDT

Suit Claims Racist Tobacco Marketing

A Miami attorney has filed a $1 billion suit that claims tobacco companies targeted blacks with racist marketing tactics. Solo practitioner J.B. Harris filed the suit on behalf of Coral Springs, Fla., woman whose mother and grandmother died of smoking-related illness, the Daily Business Review reports. The suit claims the…

Jun 6, 2007 1:47 PM CDT

Ex-N.Y. Judge Gets Up to 10 Years in Prison

Jun 6, 2007 1:22 PM CDT

Paralegal Pleads Guilty to Escrow Thefts

A paralegal has pleaded guilty to taking nearly $700,000 from escrow accounts at the law firm where she worked. Amy C. Smith worked at Abel and Reynolds in Mount Pleasant, S.C., according to the Post and Courier. Smith said she thought she could move money in and out of the…

Jun 5, 2007 8:21 PM CDT

Alaskan Judge Joins Immunization Effort in India

If you happen to see children in the northern Indian state of Haryana with a touch of dye on their pinkie fingers and smiley face stickers on their shirts, chances are Michael I. Jeffery was involved.

Jun 5, 2007 8:10 PM CDT

Judge Ups Wife’s Divorce Ante to $184 M

In a highly unusual decision to award a divorcing wife half of her family’s massive marital assets, an Illinois state judge yesterday upheld his earlier ruling to split Michael and Maya Polsky’s property 50-50. Its value has grown since Cook County Circuit Judge William Boyd first decided the issue last…

Jun 5, 2007 7:34 PM CDT

New Site Will Rate Lawyers

A Seattle-based startup company is launching a Web site to help consumers find lawyers. The new company, Avvo, will rate listed lawyers on a 1-to-10 scale and post consumer comments, the Seattle Times reports. Avvo claims it lists every licensed attorney in Arizona; California; Washington, D.C; Georgia; Illinois; New York;…

Jun 5, 2007 5:34 PM CDT

Busting a Move

Woman Sues After Boss’s Hubby’s Heave-Ho Causes Her to Hit Hard in Dance Floor Debacle

Jun 5, 2007 8:41 AM CDT

Same Course, Different Direction

A Louisville firm strives to retain its city cachet from its dream office in the burbs

Jun 5, 2007 8:28 AM CDT

Giuliani ‘Stepping Back’ as Practitioner

Rudolph Giuliani’s decision two years ago to become a partner in the Manhattan office of a Houston, Texas, law firm at a point in life when many practitioners are retiring was about more than just a lust to practice law. It was, in all likelihood, at least partially a political…

Jun 4, 2007 7:54 PM CDT

Best Buy Lawyer Says He Altered Documents

An outside attorney defending Best Buy in a consumer class action has admitted he altered discovery documents in the case, prompting his law firm to file a withdrawal motion. Timothy Block reported his actions to the Minnesota Board of Professional Responsibility and is on medical leave for stress and depression,…

Jun 4, 2007 1:42 PM CDT