Legal Ethics

  • November 20, 2024

    Girardi Pushes For New Trial Over Competency Claims

    Counsel for Tom Girardi told a federal judge the disbarred attorney is plainly mentally incompetent and deserves a new trial over charges he defrauded clients of $15 million worth of settlement money.

  • November 20, 2024

    Beasley Allen And J&J Tussle Over Atty Sanctions Bid

    Beasley Allen Law Firm accused a Johnson & Johnson talc unit of using "deposition notices as weapons" in its quest to sanction a firm lawyer, while the company said the firm "refused to meaningfully subject itself or its members to any discovery" in its bankruptcy case.

  • November 20, 2024

    Ex-Fla. Official Says Litigation Privilege Bars Defamation Suit

    A former Florida banking regulator fired because of sexual harassment allegations told the Eleventh Circuit on Wednesday that a lawyer's defamation claims against him were barred by the litigation privilege because they are based entirely on claims made in a lawsuit.

  • November 20, 2024

    NJ Power Broker, Attys Demand Wiretap Docs In RICO Case

    George E. Norcross III, a politically influential insurance executive in New Jersey, and others accused alongside him of a massive racketeering scheme demanded Wednesday that state prosecutors turn over complete wiretap application information dating back to 2016, arguing that those details form the core of the state's case against them.

  • November 20, 2024

    3 Law Firms Can't Dodge TCPA Suit Over Camp Lejeune Claims

    A trio of law firms accused of calling a veteran dozens of times promising they could represent him in claims over toxic drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, despite his never having been stationed there, cannot evade the former soldier's lawsuit, a North Carolina federal judge ruled Tuesday.

  • November 20, 2024

    Fla. Judge Can't Get Free Speech Ruling In Ethics Case

    A hearing panel chair for the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission on Wednesday denied a state judge's attempt to prevent authorities from presenting evidence or argument that her "philosophical beliefs" violated judicial ethics guidelines because she improperly used a particular kind of motion.

  • November 20, 2024

    Flint School Atty Can't Get Immunity In Defamation Case

    Outside counsel for Flint Community Schools who accused her predecessor of overcharging the public school district is not entitled to a form of immunity that shields government officials from liability for statements made during official proceedings, a state appellate court panel ruled on Tuesday.

  • November 20, 2024

    Georgia Justices Won't Consider DA's Bid To Escape Suit

    A Georgia district attorney being sued over her policy to not prosecute low-level marijuana possession can't dodge the suit after the state's supreme court refused to take on the case, marking the latest blow to the DA who lost her reelection bid this month.

  • November 20, 2024

    Philly Atty, 'Danger To The Public,' Earns 5-Year Suspension

    Office mismanagement, blatant disregard for clients' needs and a lack of remorse for the consequences of his self-described "pragmatic" approach to the law compelled the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to slap a five-year suspension on a Philadelphia attorney who is described by the court's Disciplinary Board as a "danger to the public and to the integrity of the legal profession."

  • November 20, 2024

    Walgreens Wins Sanctions Over Depo With 300 Objections

    An Illinois federal judge on Wednesday ruled Walgreens can recover the costs of a contentious deposition in a dispute with an electronics company, saying the witness "possessed virtually no knowledge" of the matters laid out in the deposition notice and the company's attorney engaged in "improper, obstructionist conduct" during the proceeding.

  • November 20, 2024

    Fla. Judges May Create Nonprofits To Improve Legal System

    Sunshine State judges may form nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations with a focus on improving the legal system, the state's judicial ethics watchdog has found, also clearing the way for judges to serve as board members of these nonprofit groups.

  • November 20, 2024

    Trump Wants 'Immediate Dismissal' Of NY Hush Money Case

    President-elect Donald Trump's legal team told the New York judge who presided over his hush money trial that his conviction should be thrown out due to his "overwhelming victory" at the polls, according to a filing released Wednesday.

  • November 19, 2024

    Judge Rejects Infosys' Bid To Seal NDAs In Trade Secrets Row

    A Texas federal judge shot down Indian tech company Infosys Ltd.'s efforts to seal nondisclosure agreements involved in a trade secrets case over healthcare software, ruling that there was "nothing commercially sensitive" about them.

  • November 19, 2024

    'Blackballed' Bailiff Who Reported Jury Tampering Loses Suit

    A Texas appeals court on Tuesday tossed a former courtroom bailiff's suit alleging Brazoria County "blackballed" him for reporting several instances of a clerk's jury tampering, saying the county had no control over the state-elected judge who stopped assigning him as a bailiff.

  • November 19, 2024

    Personal Injury Atty Buzbee Accused Of Assault, Malpractice

    Tony Buzbee, a high-profile Texas personal injury lawyer known for representing women who have accused Sean "Diddy" Combs and Deshaun Watson of sexual abuse, was hit with a legal malpractice suit in New York state court Tuesday alleging that he assaulted a client seeking a divorce and deprived her of millions of dollars in settlement funds. 

  • November 19, 2024

    Dentons Atty Owed No Duty In $54M Currency Swap, Jury Told

    A Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP partner on Tuesday defended the actions of a former Dentons attorney in a failed $54 million bolivar-to-dollars currency swap, telling jurors that she did not owe a duty to the Venezuelan attorney suing her for malpractice because she never represented him as his attorney. 

  • November 19, 2024

    Ga. Atty Gives Up Law License After Felony Charges

    Georgia's justices accepted attorney Austin Jones' voluntary surrender of his law license on Tuesday, after he previously pled guilty in federal court to two felony charges of possession of child pornography.

  • November 19, 2024

    Ex-US Attorneys See Risks In Working Under Gaetz

    Some prospective U.S. attorneys may think twice about joining the U.S. Department of Justice if Matt Gaetz ends up in charge, veterans of the position told Law360.

  • November 19, 2024

    Conn. Firm CEO's Wife Dropped From Ex-Partner's Suit

    Connecticut lawyer Andrew P. Garza on Tuesday dropped attorney Allison M. McKeen, the wife of his former 50-50 law firm partner Ryan C. McKeen, from a lawsuit surrounding the breakup of Connecticut Trial Firm LLC, a high-dollar firm where all three once worked together.

  • November 19, 2024

    Feds Ordered To Delete Combs Notes From Raid, For Now

    A Manhattan federal judge directed prosecutors Tuesday to temporarily delete potentially privileged notes recovered from the jail cell of Sean "Diddy" Combs pending briefing, after lawyers for the hip-hop mogul called the seizure "outrageous."

  • November 19, 2024

    Lying Lawyer Gets 2-Year Suspension From Ga. Justices

    The Supreme Court of Georgia hit a repeat offender attorney with a two-year suspension Tuesday for lying to the state bar, opposing counsel and his clients, at times costing those he was representing even more money in sanctions and fees after losing their cases.

  • November 19, 2024

    Calif. Judges Get 'Road Map' For Recall, Election Comments

    A California Supreme Court committee on Tuesday laid out a "road map" for judges to make comments during an election or recall with respect to decisions that come under fire, saying they must follow ethics rules with such remarks. 

  • November 19, 2024

    J&J Wants Beasley Allen Atty Sanctioned For Depo No-Show

    Johnson & Johnson's talc unit called on a Texas bankruptcy court to sanction a Beasley Allen Law Firm attorney for "unilaterally" deciding not to attend a scheduled deposition in the company's bankruptcy case.

  • November 19, 2024

    In 'Perplexing' Move, Ga. Appeals Court Cuts Trump Oral Args

    Attorneys described the Georgia Court of Appeals' decision this week to cancel oral arguments over whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should be disqualified from the election interference case against former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants as "perplexing," saying it may be the result of Trump's recent reelection or simply having enough information already to make a decision.

  • November 19, 2024

    Litigation Funder Can't Arbitrate German Biz's Discovery Bid

    A Delaware federal judge has denied litigation funder Burford Capital's request to force arbitration of a discovery bid associated with foreign litigation accusing the German arm of law firm Hausfeld LLP of trying to circumvent a German ban on contingency fees in certain antitrust litigation.

Expert Analysis

  • Series

    Playing Competitive Tennis Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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?

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    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

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    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

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    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.

  • On The Edge: Lessons In Patent Litigation Financing

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    A federal judge's recent request that the U.S. Department of Justice look into IP Edge patent litigation, and that counsel be disciplined, serves as a reminder for parties asserting intellectual property rights — and their attorneys — to exercise caution when structuring a litigation financing agreement, say Samuel Habein and James De Vellis at Foley & Lardner.

  • 5 Litigation Funding Trends To Note In 2024

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    Over the next year and beyond, litigation funding will continue to evolve in ways that affect attorneys and the larger litigation landscape, from the growth of a secondary market for funded claims, to rising interest rates restricting the availability of capital, says Jeffery Lula at GLS Capital.

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