Law in Popular Culture

1511 ABA Journal Law in Popular Culture articles.

Alex Murdaugh and whether to testify in your own defense

“At the end of the day, I do believe juries want to see someone get on the stand and say, ‘I didn’t do it.’ But at what cost?” writes ABA Journal columnist and Oklahoma lawyer Adam Banner.

Mar 23, 2023 9:30 AM CDT

ABA announces 30 finalists for 2023 Silver Gavel Awards

For the past 65 years, the ABA has recognized outstanding work that fosters the public’s understanding of law through its Silver Gavel Awards for Media and the Arts. This year, the association has selected 30 finalists, which include books, commentaries, documentaries, drama and literature, magazines, multimedia, newspapers, radio and television programs.

Mar 22, 2023 11:00 AM CDT

Is this a court of record or ‘Nothing But Trouble’?

I’ve always been a fan of those movies that are so bad they’re good. They come in various forms. Sometimes it’s your standard low-budget “B-movie” that owes its appeal to the fact that, despite its low budget, a great deal of effort was put into the production only to yield a subpar result. The 2003 film The Room starring Tommy Wiseau and Juliette Danielle is a great example (and a must-watch for any fan of this genre).

Mar 15, 2023 2:09 PM CDT

Lady Gaga failed to pay promised $500K for return of stolen bulldogs, suit alleges; plaintiff was charged in case

Singer and songwriter Lady Gaga promised to pay $500,000 with “no questions asked” for the return of her stolen French bulldogs but did not follow through when a woman later arrested in connection with the theft brought the bulldogs to a police station, a lawsuit alleges.

Feb 27, 2023 12:55 PM CST

‘Rust’ and a look at criminal liability on movie sets

No profession is free from potential tragedy. It can come in various shapes and sizes to some degree or another, but the notion of someone dying while on a typical job is far from the realm of expectations. While these tragedies are always, well, tragic, death seems to hit on a different level when it happens in what should be a somewhat controlled environment. In that circumstance, as opposed to repercussions stemming from recklessness or a total disregard for safety, it is even more devastating when the death happens in the public eye for all the world to analyze.

Feb 27, 2023 8:41 AM CST

How Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ can shed light on legal bias

What’s the problem with Hamlet? A central preoccupation of the characters in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is deciphering what’s going on with the title character.

Feb 23, 2023 11:55 AM CST

Does ChatGPT produce fishy briefs?

Lawyers are abuzz about the possible uses of ChatGPT. Could the artificial intelligence-powered chatbot write a persuasive legal brief worthy of judicial consideration? The ABA Journal decided to put the technology to the test just for kicks.

Feb 21, 2023 1:58 PM CST

Examining juvenile crime and punishment in songs

In the years since its initial release, “I Hung My Head” has been covered by both Johnny Cash and Bruce Springsteen. In fact, if you perform a Google search for the track’s title, it’s Cash’s version that appears first and foremost.

Feb 13, 2023 8:41 AM CST

Breaking up is hard to do, Greenberg Traurig learns after finally succeeding in dropping rapper Ye

Greenberg Traurig has finally served notice on rapper Ye that it is dropping him as a client. The law firm was able to serve the rapper formerly known as Kanye West with the help of a California lawyer.

Feb 9, 2023 8:43 AM CST

Bestselling author relished collaboration for ‘Heat’ follow-up

In 2022, Heat 2 debuted at the top of the New York Times’ bestseller list, showing that there is still a strong appetite for stories about a ruthless bank robber and a high-octane cop.

Feb 8, 2023 8:35 AM CST

Prosecutors face obstacles in prosecution of Alec Baldwin and armorer for cinematographer’s death

New Mexico’s involuntary manslaughter caselaw could raise obstacles for prosecutors who plan to charge actor Alec Baldwin and his armorer for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Jan 23, 2023 9:34 AM CST

‘Tulsa King’ and a look at organized crime

Tulsa King stars Sylvester Stallone as a New York mafia capo recently released from prison after serving a 25-year sentence. Finally free, he is caught from left field with news that he’s being sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Jan 23, 2023 8:43 AM CST

Despite ‘diligent efforts,’ Greenberg Traurig can’t find rapper Ye to inform him it’s dropping him

Greenberg Traurig wants to drop the rapper Ye as a client but has been unable to serve him with a notice of withdrawal from a copyright lawsuit, the law firm informed a federal judge Friday.

Jan 18, 2023 2:46 PM CST

Potential juror for Young Thug trial ordered to write 30-page essay after skipping return to court

A juror who skipped a return court appearance to be considered as a juror in the trial of rapper Young Thug has been ordered to write a 30-page essay focusing on the history of jury service in Georgia.

Jan 18, 2023 9:11 AM CST

Hulu’s ‘Reasonable Doubt’ and keeping an appropriate distance from your clients

“‘Reasonable Doubt,’ a relatively new series that first aired in the fall on Hulu, is the next offering with high hopes of capitalizing on the public’s love for legal procedurals with a criminal focus,” writes lawyer and ABA Journal columnist Adam Banner.

Jan 9, 2023 12:28 PM CST

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