Celebrities

Kim Kardashian sued for claiming ‘low-grade’ knockoff furniture was made by artist Donald Judd

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian claimed on video that she had purchased “Donald Judd tables” that were in fact “cheap knockoffs,” leading consumers to think that the source of the furniture was the nonprofit foundation dedicated to the artist’s legacy, according to a lawsuit filed this week.

Mar 28, 2024 11:20 AM CDT

Swift Justice: Students learn about the law through Taylor Swift cases

In at least two law schools, Taylor Swift is the subject of a class available to students wanting to gain practical knowledge about the law by studying her various legal entanglements and how she emerged stronger.

Feb 14, 2024 8:32 AM CST

Snoop Dogg, Master P sue Walmart for allegedly ‘hiding’ their cereal

Rappers Snoop Dogg and Master P are suing Walmart and food manufacturer Post Consumer Brands, accusing the companies of deliberately keeping their cereal product from customers to hinder its success.

Feb 9, 2024 10:15 AM CST

AI-generated music is everywhere; is any of it legal?

There has been an explosion of AI-generated music featuring the living or resurrecting the dead. But as artists push the limits of parody, fair use, right of publicity, infringement and authorship, there is one overarching question: Is any of this stuff legal?

Jan 18, 2024 3:50 PM CST

Disbarred lawyer married to ‘Real Housewives’ star found competent to stand trial for alleged $15M embezzlement

Disbarred plaintiffs lawyer Tom Girardi has been found competent to stand trial in Los Angeles for allegedly stealing $15 million from clients.

Jan 4, 2024 2:24 PM CST

Was Ted Nugent country singer? 4th Circuit judges clueless

Two federal appeals judges confessed during oral arguments Tuesday that they weren’t familiar with a rock musician known for the 1977 song “Cat Scratch Fever.”

Oct 26, 2023 1:29 PM CDT

Hip-hop star seeks new trial over lawyer’s alleged use of artificial intelligence to draft closing argument

Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, a member of the hip-hop group Fugees, has said he is entitled to a new trial partly because his former lawyer used an experimental artificial intelligence program to draft an inadequate closing argument.

Oct 18, 2023 12:53 PM CDT

The Real Jerry Maguire: An interview with sports agent and lawyer Leigh Steinberg

How often, I ask Leigh Steinberg, do people say to you, “Show me the money?” “How about every day?” he responds without a second of hesitation. The phrase was cemented into pop culture lexicon by its use in Jerry Maguire, the 1996 film starring Tom Cruise as a sports agent, telling the story of his relationship with the profession and one particularly demanding football player-client.

Sep 5, 2023 2:00 PM CDT

Black lawyer alleges he was wearing handcuffs as judge pressed him to settle or produce documents

A Black lawyer who is a former pro football player has sued a Pennsylvania judge for allegedly ordering the lawyer’s arrest and having him hauled into court in shackles, where the lawyer was presented with a stark choice.

Aug 15, 2023 3:47 PM CDT

Unclean hands doctrine means Lady Gaga won’t have to pay promised $500K reward for dogs

Lady Gaga doesn’t have to pay a promised $500,000 reward for the safe return of her stolen French bulldogs to a woman arrested in connection with the theft.

Jul 14, 2023 4:00 PM CDT

‘Seinfeld’ episode inspired new telemarketing law in New Jersey

Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill last week that that requires telemarketers to provide a callback number and to identify themselves and whom they represent within 30 seconds.

May 26, 2023 12:26 PM CDT

Celebrity trials inspire new wave of online merchandise

Several online retailers are jumping on a new trend—creating and selling mugs, hats and sweatshirts that are inspired by celebrities and their legal mishaps.

May 19, 2023 2:36 PM CDT

Kagan, Sotomayor write dueling opinions in SCOTUS fair-use ruling against Andy Warhol Foundation

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan complained in a dissent Thursday that a majority ruling by liberal colleague Justice Sonia Sotomayor had adopted a “posture of indifference” and left “in shambles” part of a fair-use test used in copyright cases.

May 18, 2023 11:32 AM CDT

Why lawyers in Young Slime Life trial got a free lunch from strip club

A defense lawyer in the racketeering case against the YSL gang treated other lawyers in the criminal case to a lunch of chicken wings as a result of a judge’s order. The wings came from Magic City, described as an “iconic strip club” in Atlanta.

May 15, 2023 4:50 PM CDT

Copyright case against Ed Sheeran based on ‘an extremely common chord progression,’ law prof says

Civil rights lawyer Benjamin L. Crump told jurors in Manhattan, New York City, in opening statements Tuesday that he has “a smoking gun” showing that singer Ed Sheeran copied the Marvin Gaye song “Let’s Get It On” when he wrote “Thinking Out Loud.”

Apr 26, 2023 9:15 AM CDT