Law in Popular Culture

The Rise and Fall of ‘Megafirm,’ the Word, Is Chronicled in Google Books Database

Anyone with Internet access can use a new Google database of millions of digitized books to chart the frequency of words and phrases over time. Robert Ambrogi’s LawSites gave Google’s Ngram Viewer a try, and charted the popularity of words describing large and small law firms. The word “megafirm” began…

Dec 21, 2010 12:00 PM CST

Calif. Judge OK’d Seinfeld’s ‘Festivus’ as Legitimate Religion, Ordered Special Meals for Inmate

Locked up in a California jail, Malcolm Alarmo King wanted healthier meals. In an argument apparently made to a friendly court, he won a ruling from Superior Court Judge Derek Johnson that he should be fed double-portion kosher meals. Battling to keep its food costs down, the sheriff’s department argued…

Dec 14, 2010 1:38 AM CST

Who Is the BigLaw Associate Who Got a Chance to Compete on ‘Jeopardy,’ and How Did He Do?

Although he made it onto Jeopardy, and was still in contention to win through two rounds of the popular television game show, a Winston & Strawn associate will need to keep his day job. William Durbin was defeated by a Bible question during the final round of the Dec. 6…

Dec 13, 2010 7:00 PM CST

Prosecutor’s ‘Chick-Lit Legal Thriller’ Ranks Third on Kindle List

Editors weren’t the only headache for a federal sex crimes prosecutor who wrote a legal thriller. Seven prosecutors had to vet the racy book, Law of Attraction, sex scenes and all, the Washington Post reports. The story describes the novel by Allison Leotta as a “chick-lit legal thriller” that includes…

Dec 10, 2010 5:16 PM CST

‘Hyper-Realistic’ Mask Results in Arrest of Wrong Suspect; His Own Mom Was Fooled, Lawman Says

A small California company makes very realistic—and very expensive—masks. But they’re worth it, some criminals have apparently decided, according to the Los Angeles Times. By paying $600 to $1,200 for one of the “hyper-realistic” face coverings, they are able to masquerade persuasively as someone entirely different. In Ohio, a white…

Dec 9, 2010 6:49 PM CST

FBI Alerts Authorities to Be on the Lookout for Barbie Doll Equipped with Hidden Video Camera

Once upon a time, a Barbie doll was simply a toy. But today the popular plaything can also contain a hidden video camera. With that fact in mind, the FBI recently issued an alert to other law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for “Barbie Video Girl” during searches,…

Dec 8, 2010 8:49 PM CST

After Lengthy Confab, Manatt Offers ‘Warm Wishes,’ with Disclaimer, on Holiday E-Card

Choosing a law firm holiday card might seem like a simple matter … but when attorneys are concerned the nuances of even seemingly straightforward terms tend to be carefully considered. Hence, at an apparent partner meeting featured on its animated holiday e-card, Manatt Phelps & Phillips lawyers debate at length…

Dec 7, 2010 12:36 AM CST

Most Unusual Exam-Delay Excuse? 1L Had to Toss Footballs Into Can for Possible $123K Tuition Payday

As the law school term draws to a close, a first-year student at the University of Tennessee surely wins the prize for the most unusual excuse for requesting an exam-day delay—plus extra points for apparently persuading school officials to see the situation her way. Ashley Hodges, 22, was one of…

Dec 6, 2010 11:05 PM CST

Lawyer with Tics Gives Book Character Same Symptoms, Gets Advice from Mom on Sex Scenes

When attorney Joel Goldman developed tics, a neurological disorder similar to Tourette’s syndrome, and was eventually forced to give up his trial law practice, he made lemonade. An author of several acclaimed legal thrillers, he focuses on a central character whose involuntary movements are like his own, according to Gatehouse…

Dec 3, 2010 4:20 PM CST

Twitter Is ‘Force Multiplier,’ Could Help Nab Stolen Autos, Seattle Police Say

The Seattle police department made history this week by sending out its first tweet about a stolen vehicle. But that tweet at was soon followed by another, and the city’s cops plan to use the social networking site routinely to enlist the public’s help in looking for hot cars, reports…

Dec 2, 2010 8:02 PM CST

Comic Book By Teens Gets to the Basics: ‘I Got Arrested—Now What?’

While most teenagers are still trying to figure out what to do with the rest of their lives, 16-year-old Khaair M. knows exactly what his future holds: “I want to run for mayor of New York City.” Khaair credits his budding interest in government and public policy to his work…

Dec 1, 2010 7:45 AM CST

Holiday Gifts for Lawyers: Tech Toys, Greta Garbo’s Lawyer Letter & SCOTUS Losers Mug

Quick: Who was the winner in the Dred Scott case? What about Plessy v. Ferguson? For those who don’t immediately know, a coffee mug offers the answer concerning these and 28 other famous U.S. Supreme Court decisions: “Add a hot beverage and the losers disappear, revealing who won these landmark…

Nov 22, 2010 5:47 PM CST

UC-Irvine Law Professor Inspires ‘Mind Games’ Crime Show

High-profile psychologist and University of California, Irvine law professor Elizabeth Loftus is about to add criminal-TV-show-muse to her notable accomplishments. Parmount/CBS has hired a writer to develop a television series around Loftus’ work evaluating the memories of witnesses in criminal cases, reports the Orange Country Register. Former “Law & Order:…

Nov 17, 2010 11:15 PM CST

Fla. Courts Open Doors to Public in Foreclosure Cases After Rolling Stone Pens Expose

Following a Rolling Stone expose about how a judge in one Florida court handled foreclosure cases on Jacksonville’s “rocket docket,” officials swiftly made changes to improve public access. The issue, which hit the newsstands Friday, was followed by a flurry of letters from the American Civil Liberties Union and media…

Nov 16, 2010 10:14 PM CST

At $60K Median Lawyer Salary, ‘It Will Be Very Difficult’ to Repay’ $100K+ in Debt

As would-be legal eagles try to spread their wings in a difficult economy, it’s important for law schools to provide “total disclosure” about what their graduates can realistically expect in practice, says the president of the American Bar Association. Unrealistic expectations about the kind of money they likely can make…

Nov 15, 2010 11:28 PM CST