Family Law

California toughens penalties for lawyers who pay people to recruit clients

California has increased its punishment for lawyers who pay people to help them recruit clients, adopting a new law that imposes a $25,000 penalty for each violation and requires the State Bar of California to seek disbarment of offenders.

Sep 29, 2026 9:42 AM CDT

Dabblers and Distrusters: What should divorce lawyers know about hunting down crypto assets?

Dividing up the money during a divorce can already get messy, and now, thanks to crypto assets, it can get even messier.

Sep 28, 2026 1:33 PM CDT

England, Wales take new measures to tackle backlog in sexual offense cases

In the next two years, every Crown Court in England and Wales will have at least one courtroom that will specifically handle sexual offense cases.

Sep 22, 2026 10:10 AM CDT

Double Dedication: Lawyer and sister balances religion and legal practice

As Sister Debra Sciano puts it, she was called to the legal profession before she was called to religious life. “Growing up, my dream always was to be a lawyer and work with families and children,” says Sciano, 68. But after joining the School Sisters of Notre Dame when she was 19 years old, Sciano found that she could dedicate herself to religious and legal practice.

Sep 21, 2026 2:34 PM CDT

‘AI slop’ is threatening courts’ ability to function, appeals court says

Updated: A Florida state appeals court is addressing the rampant misuse of artificial intelligence in litigation, warning that the rise in “AI slop” is threatening courts’ ability to function.

Sep 21, 2026 10:50 AM CDT

In split opinion, court permanently disbars judge convicted of indecent behavior with teens

Following a 2020 conviction for indecent behavior with teenagers and misdemeanor sexual battery, a former Louisiana judge has been permanently disbarred by the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Sep 17, 2026 12:04 PM CDT

Nowhere to Go: Sick inmates on compassionate release are often barred from nursing homes

Most states now provide for compassionate release, which allows people in prison to qualify for early release when advanced age, terminal illness or incapacitation lessens the need for their continued incarceration. But how to move these people out of prison—and where to move them—remains a national problem.

Sep 15, 2026 1:49 PM CDT

Judge disciplined for requiring COVID-19 vaccination for parents in custody case

A Texas judge was publicly admonished last week for requiring that parents in a family law custody dispute receive the COVID-19 vaccination or produce a negative test 72 hours before the father visited his children.

Sep 15, 2026 9:41 AM CDT

Who gets the puggle? Illinois law is nation’s first to help unmarried couples determine pet custody

When unmarried partners, relatives or roommates separate or move on, deciding who takes the couch or gaming system can be fairly straightforward. But who gets the puggle? Though there are many states where pets are included in separation and divorce agreements, there had been no legislation guiding what happens to the companion animals when unmarried partners, roommates or family members split up.

Sep 14, 2026 10:56 AM CDT

Lawyer accused of stealing more than $400K from minor clients

An Illinois lawyer is facing 15 federal charges for bank and mail fraud in connection with his guardian ad litem appointment for four minors.

Sep 14, 2026 10:10 AM CDT

DOJ fired lawyer because she wouldn’t bend rules for Mel Gibson, lawsuit alleges

In a lawsuit filed Thursday, a former U.S. Department of Justice lawyer claims that she was wrongfully terminated after refusing to restore gun ownership rights for actor Mel Gibson, who had a domestic violence conviction.

Sep 4, 2026 2:07 PM CDT

Lawyer arrested on charge he made terroristic threat against 16-year-old family member

A Texas attorney was released on a $10,000 bond following his arrest Saturday on a charge that he allegedly made a terroristic threat against a 16-year-old family member, the San Antonio Express-News reports.

Sep 1, 2026 9:41 AM CDT

BigLaw firms offer parental leave coaching to support lawyer parents, boost engagement

When Lindsay Aggarwal returned to work after the birth of her daughter in December 2022, she didn’t think it would take long to get back on track. Aggarwal, a partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner in St. Louis, had taken parental leave after her son was born a couple of years earlier. Then, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, she adjusted to her new normal relatively quickly. But this time felt different.

Aug 31, 2026 1:14 PM CDT

Privileged Penance: Courts don't get to decide who is clergy or what a confession covers, Arizona Supreme Court says

In a ruling closely watched by both religious freedom and child protection advocates, the Arizona Supreme Court in July found that church leaders are shielded by the state’s clergy-penitent privilege from reporting child abuse disclosed to them. The case involves Paul Adams, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer who was arrested in 2017 after he posted videos of himself abusing his children.

Aug 24, 2026 9:02 AM CDT

Jay-Z’s extortion suit against lawyer in withdrawn rape case faces skepticism from judge

Rapper Jay-Z’s lawyers asked a California appeals court Thursday to hear his claim that attorney Tony Buzbee extorted him and to reconsider its tentative decision to strike the claims on public participation grounds.

Aug 21, 2026 12:28 PM CDT