ABA Journal

Justice Thomas’ Struggles Recounted

The nephew of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was illiterate and was in and out of jail throughout his life. When Mark Elliot Martin was convicted in 1997 of pointing a gun at another person, Thomas took custody of Martin’s son, Marky. The boy, now a teen, excelled in…

Apr 23, 2007 3:51 PM CDT

‘Million-Dollar Solo’ Seeks $75 Million Fee Award

Roxanne Conlin, who describes herself in the April ABA Journal, as “the most senior civil rights lawyer in Iowa” is used to seeing her small firm (she is the only partner) make more than $1 million annually. But this year it looks like she might bring in a bit more.…

Apr 21, 2007 12:15 AM CDT

Conduct Uncensored in 4th Circuit’s Ruling

An “adults only” en banc opinion by a federal appeals court says a college soccer coach’s comments may violate Title IX’s ban on sexual discrimination in public schools. The opinion contains many uncensored examples of coach Anson Dorrance’s alleged comments about his women players’ sex lives and physical appearances, according…

Apr 20, 2007 2:58 PM CDT

More Abortion Battles to Come

The fight over abortion moves to the states following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling this week upholding a ban on so-called partial birth abortion.

Apr 20, 2007 2:01 PM CDT

Multiple Senators Ask AG to Resign

Under often heated questioning from Senators, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales held firm on his stance that the firings of eight U.S. Attorneys were proper, though poorly handled.

Apr 19, 2007 3:44 PM CDT

Untethered to BlackBerry, Lawyers Cope, Find Peace

For attorneys throughout North America who reportedly lost Blackberry service for up to 12 hours or more over the past day or so, the elimination of their high-tech e-mail link was either disconcerting or liberating. Dallas employment lawyer Michael P. Maslanka first noticed the problem around 9 p.m. Tuesday, at…

Apr 19, 2007 12:14 AM CDT

Harriet Miers Rejoins Texas Firm

Former White House counsel Harriet Miers is rejoining her Texas law firm. Miers, a former chair of the ABA Journal Board of Editors, will be back at her desk at Locke Liddell & Sapp on May 1, according to reports in Texas Lawyer and the Dallas Morning News. Managing partner…

Apr 18, 2007 5:16 PM CDT

Ban on ‘Partial Birth’ Abortion Upheld

The U.S. Supreme Court has for the first time upheld a ban on so-called partial birth abortions in a 5-4 decision. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote the majority opinion.

Apr 18, 2007 4:11 PM CDT

High Court to Hear Arguments in Insanity Case

On Wednesday, the lawyer for a Texas death-row inmate will argue before the U.S. Supreme Court that his client should not be executed because he cannot understand the link between his punishment and the murders he committed. Scott Panetti was sentenced to death for the 1992 murder of his in-laws…

Apr 16, 2007 6:29 PM CDT

‘European Model’: Huge Settlement, But No Suit

A settlement of more than $350 million with aggrieved shareholders announced this week by Royal Dutch Shell PLC provides a “European model” for a kinder, gentler approach to such situations than traditional U.S. securities litigation, according to lawyers for both sides. The parties – all European investors who bought their…

Apr 13, 2007 6:27 PM CDT

Looking for Lifeline in Sea of Student Debt

Janelle Jordan, two years out of law school and an associate county attorney for the Prince George’s County Department of Environmental Resources in Maryland, is drowning in debt. She’s facing repayment of $200,000 in student loans, and makes less than $50,000 a year. She’s cut off her cable television subscription…

Apr 5, 2007 1:34 PM CDT

50-Year Dash

The ABA’s lobbying efforts have grown up since a modest start in 1957

Apr 1, 2007 11:46 AM CDT

SEC Accuses Two Ex-Enron Lawyers of Securities Violations

Think going in-house means you can kick back a bit, even if you do have to take a pay cut? Think again. A civil complaint filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which accuses two former Enron lawyers of securities violations, paints a picture of two lawyers confronting ethical dilemmas–and…

Mar 29, 2007 8:32 PM CDT

Strange New World

Lawyers, debtors and creditors are struggling to absorb sweeping changes in bankruptcy law

Jan 5, 2007 12:10 AM CST

A Firm Stand

ABA Opposes Bills to Create Inspector General for Federal Courts

Dec 25, 2006 8:52 AM CST