New York

Backup Saved Bar Exam Answers

A backup system preserved the essays of those who ran into software glitches when they tried to upload answers to the New York bar exam. Douglas M. Winneg, president of the company that made the exam software, told the New York Law Journal that he believes all the essays have…

Aug 3, 2007 12:00 PM CDT

New Bankruptcy Dept for Cravath

Signaling a sea change in the way that one of New York City’s most prestigious, upper-echelon law firms runs its practice, Richard Levin has now been working as a partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore for a month. Levin not only represents a very rare exception to Cravath’s ordinary policy…

Aug 2, 2007 9:35 PM CDT

Prosecutor Looking into ‘Spitz’ Situation

A year ago, Eliot Spitzer was a well-known prosecutor, famous for his aggressive approach to his job as the attorney general of New York. Now the tables have been turned. Spitzer—who took office Jan. 1 as governor of New York after being elected in a landslide on a reform platform—is…

Aug 2, 2007 4:38 PM CDT

Pregnancy-Bias Class Action OK’d

A federal judge has certified a class action lawsuit on behalf of female sales agents who say Novartis Pharmaceuticals discriminated against them for becoming pregnant. The class could include 4,000 to 5,000 current and former employees, the New York Times reports. David Sanford, who represents the plaintiffs, told the newspaper…

Aug 2, 2007 3:03 PM CDT

NY Lawyer Pleads Guilty in Runner Probe

An investigation into a runner accused of visiting hospitals to find personal injury clients has resulted in another guilty plea. New York lawyer David Sheeger of Sheeger, of Kafko, Schnitzer & Sheeger pleaded guilty to filing a false “retained statement” that failed to reveal the source of a referral, the…

Aug 2, 2007 11:06 AM CDT

New Standard Lets Weil Sue Mayer

A private equity firm’s selection of New York City bankruptcy powerhouse Weil Gotshal & Manges to handle a $245 million claim against Chicago-based Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw probably wouldn’t have been possible in the not-so-distant past. That’s because Weil likely would have been conflicted out of representing Thomas H.…

Aug 1, 2007 4:53 PM CDT

In Vitro Kids Are Beneficiaries

Two children conceived by in vitro fertilization after the death of their father are beneficiaries of trusts he created for his “issue” and “descendants,” a New York judge has ruled. Surrogate Renee Roth said it appeared the father intended that “all members of his bloodline” share in the trusts, created…

Aug 1, 2007 11:36 AM CDT

The Toughest Call

Lawyer’s life changed when he decided to keep a client’s confession confidential

Aug 1, 2007 8:34 AM CDT

NY Bar Essays Recovered

Those who took the New York bar exam using software to save and upload their essays can breathe easier. The software company is reporting no problems recovering the essays, the New York Law Journal reports. Last week, bar examiners reported that students were having problems uploading the essays and it…

Jul 31, 2007 10:20 AM CDT

Dear Son: I Stole From Firm Clients

When attorney Christopher Hoyt began reading the letter from his father earlier this month, it was clear he wasn’t going to be having a good day. “I have embezzled funds from my clients,” his father, Clinton, Conn., attorney Jonathan Hoyt, wrote in the July 7 missive. It includes advice on…

Jul 30, 2007 11:06 PM CDT

Condemnation Thriving in N.J., N.Y.

Forty states have passed laws to curb eminent domain powers since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June 2005 that cities may seize land for private economic development. But strong protection bills have failed to pass in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, the New York Times reports. “New Jersey…

Jul 30, 2007 4:52 PM CDT

GOP Sets Stage for Spitzer Probe

Two top aides to New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer have refused to be interviewed in an investigation of an attempt by his office to gather negative information about a political rival. Republicans highlighted the refusal to cooperate as they were setting the stage for a probe that could lead to…

Jul 26, 2007 4:31 PM CDT

NY Bar Exam Marred by Glitch

Bar examiners in New York suspect a software glitch caused test takers to experience problems this week saving and uploading their essays. Diane Bosse, chairwoman of the Board of Law Examiners, told the New York Law Journal that officials are trying to determine if any answers were lost. She says…

Jul 26, 2007 1:06 PM CDT

NY Panhandler Case Now a Class Action

A federal judge in New York City has certified as a class action a case brought on behalf of some 5,000 to 10,000 panhandlers allegedly arrested or forced off the streets for begging. Despite a 1992 federal court decision that the state loitering law being applied was unconstitutional–and an appeals…

Jul 25, 2007 7:57 PM CDT

Cost to See Kids: $2.5 M or More in NYC

Why would a family pay nearly $2.5 million to buy a needs-work apartment in New York City when they could live in a larger, nicer, single-family home with a yard in the suburbs? Because it gives dad–or, sometimes, mom or both parents–a chance to see the kids. A rapidly increasing…

Jul 25, 2007 12:04 AM CDT