Ethics

Top NJ Judge Joins 2—Yes, 2—Family Firms

When it came time to retire from the bench and return to law practice, former New Jersey Chief Justice James Zazzali had a hard time making a choice between two family law firms. So he didn’t. Zazzali is now counsel at both a Newark, N.J., law firm started by his…

Oct 4, 2007 7:05 PM CDT

Focus on Day Casebeer in Discovery Probe

New court filings put the spotlight on a Silicon Valley law firm in a judge’s effort to find out why Qualcomm Inc. failed to turn over hundreds of thousands of discovery documents. Declarations filed yesterday focused on 21 potentially damaging e-mails that were withheld from Broadcom Corp. in a patent…

Oct 4, 2007 11:08 AM CDT

Defense Lawyer Acquitted in Heroin Case; Inmate’s Mom Admits Hiding Drugs in Legal Brief

Updated: A federal criminal defense lawyer has been arrested on charges he tried to smuggle heroin into a Massachusetts state prison. Kevin Barron, 46, was released on his own recognizance after being charged with delivering drugs to a prisoner, possession of a Class A substance and possession with intent to…

Oct 3, 2007 9:46 PM CDT

Judge Sanctions Lawyers Up to $5 Million

In a blistering rebuke of some of Philadelphia’s most prominent lawyers and law firms, a federal judge has sanctioned them—and their clients—for failing to cooperate with discovery in a medical insurance coverage class action. Among those being required to pay up to $5 million in plaintiffs costs by U.S. District…

Oct 3, 2007 5:15 PM CDT

Judge Accused of Spanking Inmates Resigns

Ethics charges have been dropped against an Alabama judge accused of helping friends and family by reducing their sentences or changing their status. The Judicial Inquiry Commission moved to dismiss the charges less than a day after Judge Herman Thomas resigned from the bench, WKRG.com reports. A criminal investigation, however,…

Oct 3, 2007 12:35 PM CDT

This Defense Upheld: Client ‘a Dad-gum Mess’

A Texas appeals court has upheld a DWI conviction even though the defense lawyer called his client’s life “a dad-gum mess.” A dissent argued the defense lawyer “effectively became a second prosecutor in the case,” Texas Lawyer reports. The defendant, Archie Doyle Martin Jr., took the stand, allowing the prosecution…

Oct 3, 2007 12:13 PM CDT

Lawyer Defends Use of Opponent’s Notes

Should a lawyer who obtains an opponent’s privileged notes of an interview with expert witnesses be able to use them to his advantage in trial? Justices of the California Supreme Court and students watching oral arguments both appeared to favor arguments that the lawyer should have checked with the trial…

Oct 3, 2007 10:42 AM CDT

‘Bar-Certified Sane Lawyer’ in New Judge Dispute

Anti-porn crusader Jack Thompson has had his share of disputes with judges. The South Florida lawyer is vocal in his criticism—so vocal that The Florida Bar is considering two complaints that contend his statements about two judges violated ethics rules. Now Thompson’s lawsuit (PDF) attempting to put a stop to…

Oct 3, 2007 12:10 AM CDT

20-Year CA Judge Removed from Bench

A former prosecutor who was appointed a California state court judge nearly 20 years ago has been removed from the bench for “misconduct” and “gross neglect” of his judicial duties. Superior Court Judge Robert Spitzer, who sits in Riverside County, was removed from the bench today by the California Commission…

Oct 2, 2007 10:20 PM CDT

Opinionated Judge Wins Ethics Case

Arkansas appeals judge Wendell Griffen has won his battle with a state judicial conduct commission over comments he made criticizing the Bush administration. The Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission ruled Griffen had a First Amendment right to discuss “disputed political or legal issues” in public speeches, the New York…

Oct 2, 2007 6:26 PM CDT

Discount Dating

38.4%

Oct 1, 2007 9:10 PM CDT

‘Orphan’ Trusts Benefit Lawyers Who Control Them

Lawyers and banks have wide latitude to control “orphan” trusts established in wills to benefit charities by donors with no family members to oversee distributions. The New York Times studied such trusts and found that small, local grant recipients who originally benefit often see less money over time or are…

Oct 1, 2007 7:00 PM CDT

New Turmoil at Ave Maria

In the latest turmoil at Ave Maria School of Law, the alumni board of directors of the Michigan institution has issued a vote of no confidence in the school’s top leaders. It called—for the second time—for the ouster of the dean and board chairman of the Catholic law school, reports…

Oct 1, 2007 3:35 PM CDT

Judge Who Jailed ‘Asshole’ Critic Will Step Down

A New York family court judge who sent a woman to a holding cell for calling her an “asshole” has agreed that she won’t seek reappointment. Judge Marian Shelton admitted to violating a rule requiring judges to be “patient, dignified and courteous,” the New York Law Journal reports. She will…

Oct 1, 2007 12:36 PM CDT

Lawyers May Reveal Work Product in Document Dustup

Qualcomm’s outside lawyers can reveal work-product information to help explain why the company failed to turn over hundreds of thousands of discovery documents. U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Major of San Diego ruled Friday that the lawyers may reveal work product but not information protected by the attorney-client privilege, the Recorder…

Oct 1, 2007 11:24 AM CDT