International Law

In What May Be a Worldwide First, Genderless Person Is ID’d in Australia

Born biologically male, Norrie May-Welby, now 48, had a sex-change operation and became female 20 years ago. Now May-Welby has broken new ground and become a person legally recognized as having an unspecified gender, in what may be a world first, the Telegraph reports. As the Scavenger apparently first reported…

Mar 16, 2010 7:35 PM CDT

UK Law School Plants Flag in US, Partners with Northwestern; Grads to Take NY Bar

A United Kingdom law school is establishing a program in the United States, where its students will be able to sit for the New York bar exam. The College of Law students will be able to take classes at Northwestern University School of Law as part of a new strategic…

Mar 15, 2010 8:41 PM CDT

Closing Attorney Gets Time in $2.4M Case, But Lawyer in $669K ‘Hedonistic’ Theft Avoids Prison

A former Georgia closing attorney and title agent who concealed the fact that prior encumbrances weren’t paid off before mortgages were issued in 17 transactions has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison. Trent Edward Wright, 38, must also serve three years of probation after he is released and…

Mar 15, 2010 6:11 PM CDT

New Wiki Will Chronicle Legal Reforms Promoting Gender Equality

The International Models Project on Women’s Rights is unveiling a wiki—a collaborative online database—to chronicle gender equality legal reforms around the world. A prototype focuses on laws fighting acid attacks against women in Bangladesh, according to a press release and the ABA International Law Section page on ABAnet.org. When the…

Mar 11, 2010 5:03 PM CST

Ex-Clients Sue Carlsmith for $25M, Claim Firm Sold Out Minority Owners in Hotel Deal

One of Hawaii’s oldest and best-known law firms has been sued for malpractice by former clients seeking $25 million in compensatory and punitive damages. While representing both majority and minority shareholders concerning the 2004 sale of a hotel in Saipan, the Honolulu-based Carlsmith Ball firm negotiated a deal that benefited…

Mar 6, 2010 12:05 AM CST

Chief Justice Lets Oral Arguments Run Past Red Light

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. isn’t as strict as his predecessor when the red light goes on indicating it’s time for lawyers to end their oral arguments. Former Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist often cut off lawyers mid-syllable when their time was up, although he occasionally allowed a few…

Mar 4, 2010 5:25 PM CST

Lower Legal Fees in Defamation Suits Could Dull Luster of UK Libel Mecca

A plan to cut hefty “success” fees paid by losing parties to libel lawyers in Britain could help level the playing field by reducing what the Justice Secretary terms “disproportionate” legal bills. Under the proposal, which is set to take effect in April, fees could be cut as much as…

Mar 3, 2010 11:51 PM CST

Walking Dog from Car Costs British Man His Driver’s License

Tom Hanks did it in Turner and Hooch. But, as with other movie stunts, walking a dog from the driver’s seat can be more dangerous than it seems when tried at home. A 23-year-old man who did it on a rainy day, on a country lane in the United Kingdom,…

Mar 2, 2010 8:14 PM CST

Olswang Chief Talks About Planned Growth & Possible Outside Investment

Meet David Stewart, managing partner of London-based Olswang. Unhappy with the firm’s flat revenue over the past year, he nonetheless expects to see significant growth, both at home and internationally, of his now 650-attorney firm, according to the Law Central blog of the London Times. He credits “exceptionally talented nonlawyers”…

Mar 2, 2010 6:06 PM CST

Law International Style: Steptoe to Ramp Up in Beijing, DLA in Brazil, K&L Gates in Warsaw

Announcing a new step forward in its strategic plan for Latin America, DLA Piper says it has formed an alliance with Campos Mello Advogados in Brazil. The firm currently has 60 professionals and is expected to expand in Sao Paulo soon. “This arrangement is a great beginning for us in…

Mar 1, 2010 9:47 PM CST

38-Lawyer Hogan & Hartson Office to Join K&L Gates

As Hogan & Hartson gears up for its May 1 merger with Lovells, the United States firm’s Warsaw, Poland, office is going to be changing its allegiance even sooner. All 38 lawyers there are joining K&L Gates, as of March 15, establishing its first office in Poland, reports the Blog…

Mar 1, 2010 8:43 PM CST

NYU Law Prof Facing French Criminal Libel Trial Appeals for Help

A New York University law professor who refused to remove a critical book review from a website is facing accusations of libel in a French criminal court. Law professor Joseph Weiler says he’s confident he will be acquitted, but he’s appealing for “moral and material assistance” to help fight the…

Feb 26, 2010 7:53 PM CST

Wielding Sealed TRO, Microsoft Shuts Down 270+ Web Addresses in Ex Parte Botnet Battle

In a litigation tactic that reportedly has never been tried before to combat a global malicious software attack, Microsoft Corp. won a sealed temporary restraining order in an ex parte “John Doe” federal court action in Virginia this week. It allowed the company to shut down, without prior notice to…

Feb 25, 2010 9:47 PM CST

Global White & Case IT Chair Joins Latham; 16th Partner to Depart This Month

Updated: The global information technology practice group chair at White & Case is leaving to join Latham & Watkins, his soon-to-be former firm has confirmed in an e-mailed statement to the ABA Journal. Steven Betensky “is an excellent lawyer,” says Dimitrios Drivas, the head of White & Case’s global intellectual…

Feb 25, 2010 7:57 PM CST

Town Bans Sale of Most Puppies in Pet Stores

The first city in the country to ban the declawing of cats has enacted another groundbreaking animal rights ordinance. West Hollywood, Calif., this week prohibited “companion animal” stores from selling dogs and cats, unless they fall within a “humanely bred, reared or sheltered” exception. It is the second community in…

Feb 19, 2010 7:50 PM CST