Legal Ethics

  • November 25, 2024

    Hawley Troxell Wants Ex-Paralegal's Suit Trimmed

    Hawley Troxell Ennis & Hawley LLP asked an Idaho federal judge to dismiss a former paralegal's claims that it retaliated against her for lodging bias complaints and stiffed her on wages.

  • November 25, 2024

    Jack Smith Drops Trump's Federal Cases

    Special counsel Jack Smith on Monday moved to drop the federal prosecutions of President-elect Donald Trump in D.C. and Florida, citing long-standing Justice Department policy barring the prosecution of a sitting president while insisting that the government "stands fully behind" the merits of the charges.

  • November 25, 2024

    Solar Co. Ex-CEO Attys Say DQ Request 'Untethered To Facts'

    Lawyers representing the former CEO of a now-defunct solar energy company against fraud and racketeering claims have told a Michigan federal judge that their previous in-house work for the company is not grounds to disqualify them from the suit, calling the plaintiffs' attempt to have them removed "untethered to facts" and improperly delayed.

  • November 25, 2024

    Justices Pass On Ex-Atty's Puerto Rico Bribery Appeal

    The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to review the bribery convictions of a former attorney who solicited and accepted payments from an environmental contractor to influence three Puerto Rican mayors and helped the contractor secure government contracts worth millions of dollars.

  • November 22, 2024

    Malaysia Looks To Shore Up Counterattack Over $14.9B Award

    Units of Malaysia's national energy company have kicked off new litigation in Delaware and New York, seeking additional information as they look to fight back against a massive $14.9 billion arbitral award issued in a territorial dispute stemming from a 19th-century land deal.

  • November 22, 2024

    Defamation Suit Against Ga. Election Chief Tossed

    A Georgia federal judge on Friday tossed a defamation suit in which a Texas attorney sued Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on allegations he suggested she presented "doctored" evidence to state senators in the aftermath of the 2020 election, finding the statements were "substantially true or are hyperbole."

  • November 22, 2024

    Social Media MDL Judge Threatens States With Contempt

    A California federal judge presiding over multidistrict litigation concerning social media platforms' allegedly addictive designs told counsel Friday that she's considering holding California and South Carolina state agencies in contempt for refusing to comply with discovery orders, telling counsel, "I can guarantee I will not let this stand."

  • November 22, 2024

    Navajo Co. Dismisses Case Alleging Paralegal Took Docs

    A natural resources company owned by the Navajo Nation has dismissed a lawsuit against a paralegal it accused of failing to turn in her computer for removal of its privileged documents, after the paralegal said she had already arranged to surrender her device before the lawsuit was even filed.

  • November 22, 2024

    Texas Justices Say Paxton Can Duck Whistleblower Suit Depo

    The Texas Supreme Court said Friday that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton doesn't have to sit for a deposition in the long-running employment retaliation suit brought by his former top deputies, partially agreeing with his contention there are no longer any factual disputes in the case.

  • November 22, 2024

    Pot Dispensary Aims To Escape Lowenstein Sandler's Fee Suit

    A New Jersey cannabis dispensary has moved to dismiss a suit from Lowenstein Sandler LLP seeking nearly $800,000 in unpaid fees, telling a state court that the firm did not give the proper notice before suing over the fee dispute.

  • November 22, 2024

    Fed. Circ. Won't Rethink Toppling Tire Verdict

    The Federal Circuit has declined to rethink a ruling last month that upended what was once a multimillion-dollar jury verdict in a decadelong tire design dispute, rejecting the argument that the judges "overlooked and misapprehended Illinois law" on the matter of "litigation privilege."

  • November 22, 2024

    Marketer Asks Judge To Rethink OK'ing Text Solicitation Ban

    Pennsylvania's statewide ban on the use of text messages to solicit potential legal clients would cause irreparable harm to a company that specializes in digital marketing technology by preventing it from raising revenue while fighting the rule, according to a recent motion filed in Pittsburgh federal court.

  • November 22, 2024

    Shipman & Goodwin Atty Dodges DQ In Waste Permit Case

    A Connecticut Superior Court judge has refused to disqualify Shipman & Goodwin LLP attorney Joseph P. Williams from a lawsuit that started as a dispute over a $3 million transfer station performance bond, finding he is not a necessary witness to the remaining issues in the case.

  • November 22, 2024

    Judge 'Concerned' With 'Lack Of Progress' In Walmart OT Suit

    A Georgia federal judge warned that he was "concerned by the lack of progress on the limited discovery" he reopened last month at the request of a Walmart warehouse manager suing the company for unpaid overtime hours.

  • November 22, 2024

    Trump Sentencing Halted To Weigh President-Elect's Immunity

    The New York state judge who oversaw Donald Trump's hush money trial officially canceled his Nov. 26 sentencing date Friday to weigh the impact of his new status as president-elect, pushing briefing into December.

  • November 21, 2024

    Stanford AI Prof Accused Of Filing AI-Generated Expert Brief

    A Stanford University professor who studies artificial intelligence and disinformation "ironically" likely used AI to prepare an expert opinion lodged in support of the Minnesota attorney general in a suit challenging a state law on deepfakes, according to the plaintiffs, who said the opinion "cites a study that does not exist."

  • November 21, 2024

    Key Informant Who Recorded Madigan Takes The Stand

    A former Chicago alderman who prosecutors have deemed one of their "most significant cooperators in the last several decades" took the stand Thursday afternoon and began what is expected to be multiple days of testimony in the racketeering trial of ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, whom he secretly recorded while working with the government.

  • November 21, 2024

    Texas AG Pushes For Preservation Of Jack Smith, DOJ Docs

    Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton urged a federal court Thursday to enter an order requiring the U.S. Department of Justice to preserve records connected to special counsel Jack Smith, accusing the agency of remaining "evasive" of Paxton's bid for records related to President-elect Donald Trump's hush money case.

  • November 21, 2024

    Tax Firm Must Disclose Case Info In Malpractice Suit

    A tax firm being sued for malpractice and unfair trade practices by former clients can't hide behind a state bar association rule to avoid producing discovery documents it claims are privileged, a Wisconsin federal court ruled Thursday.

  • November 21, 2024

    Ye's Cos. Sanctioned For Blowing Off Discovery In Bias Suit

    A Los Angeles judge sanctioned two of Ye's companies Thursday after they "simply ignored" discovery requests in a former employee's lawsuit alleging widespread racism, antisemitism and homophobia on the part of the rapper formerly known as Kanye West.

  • November 21, 2024

    Pa. Enviro Hearing Board Can Sanction Atty, Court Affirms

    Pennsylvania's Environmental Hearing Board was within its power to issue its first-ever sanctions against an attorney for trying to delay an appeal with false claims that the state Attorney General's Office and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency were looking to talk to Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. over her case, a state appellate court ruled Thursday.

  • November 21, 2024

    Dentons Atty Owed No Duty In $54M Currency Deal, Jury Says

    A Florida state court jury found Thursday that a former Dentons US LLP attorney didn't intentionally make a false statement or commit malpractice in a failed $54 million dollars-to-bolivares currency swap in which a Venezuelan lawyer lost millions of dollars.

  • November 21, 2024

    Experts Cool On 'Chill' Defense In NJ RICO Case

    Former prosecutors and academics are doubtful two of New Jersey's most politically connected attorneys can convince a judge that the racketeering case against them will have a chilling effect on lawyering, given that prosecutors only have to show they knew the end game of the notorious Democratic power broker they're accused of helping.

  • November 21, 2024

    Suit Against Mortgage Co. Axed Despite Atty's Bad Faith Claim

    A Texas state court judge has dismissed for good an attorney's lawsuit against the mortgage company she formerly worked for in-house, despite a dispute over whether the matter should have ended with or without prejudice.

  • November 21, 2024

    Paxton Sanctions Bid Unwarranted, Immigration Org. Says

    A Texas immigrant rights nonprofit asked a federal judge to deny a bid by state Attorney General Ken Paxton to sanction it, saying it never resisted a civil investigation or misled the court as Paxton's office claims.

Expert Analysis

  • The Legal Industry Needs A Cybersecurity Paradigm Shift

    Author Photo

    As law firms face ever-increasing risks of cyberattacks and ransomware incidents, the legal industry must implement robust cybersecurity measures and privacy-centric practices to preserve attorney-client privilege, safeguard client trust and uphold the profession’s integrity, says Ryan Paterson at Unplugged.

  • 5 Reasons Associates Shouldn't Take A Job Just For Money

    Author Photo

    As a number of BigLaw firms increase salary scales for early-career attorneys, law students and lateral associates considering new job offers should weigh several key factors that may matter more than financial compensation, say Albert Tawil at Lateral Hub and Ruvin Levavi at Power Forward.

  • Series

    Playing Competitive Tennis Makes Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    My experience playing competitive tennis has highlighted why prioritizing exercise and stress relief, maintaining perspective under pressure, and supporting colleagues in pursuit of a common goal are all key aspects of championing a successful legal career, says Madhumita Datta at Lowenstein Sandler.

  • Series

    The Pop Culture Docket: Judge Djerassi On Super Bowl 52

    Author Photo

    Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Ramy Djerassi discusses how Super Bowl 52, in which the Philadelphia Eagles prevailed over the New England Patriots, provides an apt metaphor for alternative dispute resolution processes in commercial business cases.

  • Considerations For Lawyer Witnesses After FTX Trial

    Author Photo

    Sam Bankman-Fried's recent trial testimony about his lawyers' involvement in FTX's business highlights the need for attorney-witnesses to understand privilege issues in order to avoid costly discovery disputes and, potentially, uncover critical evidence an adversary might seek to conceal, says Lawrence Bluestone at Genova Burns.

  • Employee Experience Strategy Can Boost Law Firm Success

    Author Photo

    Amid continuing business uncertainty, law firms should consider adopting a holistic employee experience strategy — prioritizing consistency, targeting signature moments and leveraging measurement tools — to maximize productivity and profitability, says Haley Revel at Calibrate Consulting.

  • Series

    Competing In Triathlons Makes Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    While practicing law and competing in long-distance triathlons can make work and life feel unbalanced at times, participating in the sport has revealed important lessons about versatility, self-care and perseverance that apply to the office as much as they do the racecourse, says Laura Heusel at Butler Snow.

  • Opinion

    History Reveals Folly Of Absolute Presidential Immunity

    Author Photo

    As a federal appeals court grapples with former President Donald Trump’s claims that he’s immune from prosecution on election interference charges, it’s a fitting time for lawyers to reflect on the rule of law — from 13th century jurisprudence to Watergate and the Clinton impeachment — and how the idea of absolute presidential immunity is unwise, says attorney Steven Reske.

  • Where Justices Stand On Chevron Doctrine Post-Argument

    Author Photo

    Following recent oral argument at the U.S. Supreme Court, at least four justices appear to be in favor of overturning the long-standing Chevron deference, and three justices seem ready to uphold it, which means the ultimate decision may rest on Chief Justice John Roberts' vote, say Wayne D'Angelo and Zachary Lee at Kelley Drye.

  • Perspectives

    6 Practice Pointers For Pro Bono Immigration Practice

    Author Photo

    An attorney taking on their first pro bono immigration matter may find the law and procedures beguiling, but understanding key deadlines, the significance of individual immigration judges' rules and specialized aspects of the practice can help avoid common missteps, says Steven Malm at Haynes Boone.

  • Lessons From Country Singer's Personal Service Saga

    Author Photo

    Recent reports that country singer Luke Combs won a judgment against a Florida woman who didn’t receive notice of the counterfeit suit against her should serve as a reminder for attorneys on best practices for effectuating service by electronic means, say attorneys at Jenner & Block.

  • Series

    Baking Bread Makes Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    After many years practicing law, and a few years baking bread, I have learned that there are a few keys to success in both endeavors, including the assembly of a nourishing and resilient culture, and the ability to learn from failure and exercise patience, says Rick Robinson at Reed Smith.

  • Federal Courts And AI Standing Orders: Safety Or Overkill?

    Author Photo

    Several district court judges have issued standing orders regulating the use of artificial intelligence in their courts, but courts should consider following ordinary notice and comment procedures before implementing sweeping mandates that could be unnecessarily burdensome and counterproductive, say attorneys at Curtis.

  • Wachtell-X Ruling Highlights Trend On Arbitrability Question

    Author Photo

    A growing body of case law, including a California state court's recent decision in X Corp. v. Wachtell, holds that incorporation of specific arbitral body rules in an arbitration provision may in and of itself constitute clear and unmistakable evidence of delegation of arbitrability to an arbitrator, and thus such clauses should be drafted carefully, say attorneys at Norton Rose.

  • 7 E-Discovery Predictions For 2024 And Beyond

    Author Photo

    The legal and technical issues of e-discovery now affect virtually every lawsuit, and in the year to come, practitioners can expect practices and policies to evolve in a number of ways, from the expanded use of relevancy redactions to mandated information security provisions in protective orders, say attorneys at Littler.

Want to publish in Law360?


Submit an idea

Have a news tip?


Contact us here
Can't find the article you're looking for? Click here to search the Legal Ethics archive.
Hello! I'm Law360's automated support bot.

How can I help you today?

For example, you can type:
  • I forgot my password
  • I took a free trial but didn't get a verification email
  • How do I sign up for a newsletter?
Ask a question!