Law in Popular Culture

Jay-Z’s extortion suit against lawyer in withdrawn rape case faces skepticism from judge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

Less ‘Mayhem’ for Lady Gaga as judge dismisses infringement lawsuit

Lady Gaga’s 2025 Mayhem album did not infringe on the trademarks of a surf company’s brand, according to California federal judge who granted the entertainer’s bid to throw out the lawsuit, noting that the brand did not sufficiently prove explicit misleading of consumers.

Aug 19, 2026 12:37 PM CDT

Legal Attire and the Clash of the Generations, Part 2: Office and work-from-home attire

Most attorneys—even litigators—spend more time in the office than in court, so let’s talk about what we wear most of the time. The short version: There is going to be a lot of variation, and for anything client-facing, you should look like you’ve tried.

Aug 18, 2026 11:55 AM CDT

Ban on celebrity image, voice use in law firm ads at center of complaint against Florida Bar

Personal injury law firm Morgan & Morgan has filed a complaint against the Florida Bar, alleging that its rule banning firms’ right to use a celebrity’s voice or image in advertising campaigns violates free speech and due process rights.

Aug 18, 2026 11:17 AM CDT

Bad Bunny’s ‘Frankenstein’ rhythm defense in copyright case creates ‘nightmare’ for judge

Bad Bunny’s lawyers are asking a judge to reconsider his earlier ruling in a copyright claims lawsuit involving a “Frankenstein” beat from a 1989 Jamaican song. U.S. District Judge Andre Birrotte Jr. stated in a Los Angeles courtroom hearing on Friday that he would “mull this nightmare over some more.”…

Aug 17, 2026 12:15 PM CDT

Legal Attire and the Clash of the Generations, Part 1: The courtroom

Many professions have a uniform or a dress code. It’s the same for the legal profession, but we don’t have to be boring; you can be yourself without taking the focus away from your arguments.

Aug 11, 2026 1:49 PM CDT

Those targeted but not killed by John Wayne Gacy tell their stories in People magazine docuseries

In People Magazine Investigates: Surviving a Serial Killer, a docuseries on HBO Max, the survivors are the story. One episode features interviews of three men who escaped John Wayne Gacy, the serial killer also known as the “Killer Clown.”

Aug 11, 2026 10:03 AM CDT

Dean of Purdue Global Law School creates illustrated book about ‘Furious George’

What happens when a curious little monkey named George gets mad after a man in a yellow suit leaves him to fend for himself? He becomes “Furious George,” an incensed primate with a bow tie who commits arson and auto theft and makes questionable choices about others’ healthcare.

Aug 10, 2026 9:23 AM CDT

HBO’s John Oliver dares popular chain Buc-ee’s to sue him over mascot use

Comedian John Oliver is daring travel center chain Buc-ee’s to sue him over his use of a bucktoothed “Buc-Off” mascot.

Aug 3, 2026 9:54 AM CDT

Is Jimothy the raccoon too popular to be owned? IP attorneys weigh in

Soon after Jimothy, a wild Seattle raccoon with a shortened spine, became a viral sensation, trademark claims were filed to cover his name for stuffed animals and his image for baby products. But does anyone actually own Jimothy, and can they claim the rights to him?

Jul 31, 2026 10:08 AM CDT

‘Black Panther’ star Chadwick Boseman’s brothers ask court to take control of his estate from widow

The brothers of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman have taken his widow to court over her handling of his multimillion-dollar estate.

Jul 27, 2026 10:33 AM CDT

I’ll Take the Law for $200: Who is the Foley & Lardner associate with a 2026 'Jeopardy!' appearance?

During her time at the Vanderbilt University Law School, Lea James, a 34-year-old Foley & Lardner litigation associate, competed in trivia night at a local bar with her team Premature Adjudication. This experience, she says, helped prepare her for a recent appearance on Jeopardy! But even more than playing trivia games or studying world capitals, James says her courtroom experience, along with her middle school and high school theater kid credentials, buoyed her during filming in June.

Jul 27, 2026 9:19 AM CDT

What connects Matt Damon and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson? College theater class

Anyone who’s ever been in a college theater class knows that your scene partner is often randomly picked by your professor.

Jul 23, 2026 10:23 AM CDT

Latham & Watkins lawyer appears in new HBO comedy series and says experience was ‘pretty good’

Andrew Clubok, the global chair of Latham & Watkins’ securities and mergers and acquisitions litigation practice, believes in stepping out of his comfort zone. He tells lawyers just starting their careers to “be curious, be prepared and seek out opportunities that stretch you.” Clubok recently followed his advice by acting alongside comedian and writer Larry David and actor and comedian Michael McKean in David’s latest HBO series, Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America.

Jul 21, 2026 11:13 AM CDT

‘Extremely excessive’ research, fees alleged in ‘It Ends With Us’ litigation

With representation from two large law firms, is more than $7 million in attorney fees, pretrial, excessive?

Jul 15, 2026 12:53 PM CDT