Opening Statements

Legal Road Trip: Madison

The legal sites of Madtown

Jul 1, 2012 8:30 AM CDT

A Big Mess in Little Neck: Clause in 17th Century Land Trust Causes Modern-Day Ruckus

When 17th century merchant William Payne bequeathed (PDF) land for the benefit of a public school in Ipswich, Mass., he unwittingly set the stage for a court battle that would split the town 350 years later. Upon his death in 1660, Payne placed a seaside pasture into what now appears…

Jun 1, 2012 9:20 AM CDT

A Canine Cure: Law Library Sponsors Therapy Dog Program for Stressed-Out Students

When Jenni Parrish, library director at the University of California’s Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, heard about Monty, the 11-year-old Jack Russell-border terrier mix who served as a therapy dog at Yale’s law library (see “Going to the Dogs,” ABA Journal, August 2011), she wondered whether there…

Jun 1, 2012 9:10 AM CDT

A Moment in History: Big Names Stage Retelling of Fight to Defeat Gay Marriage Ban

The month of June is often associated with weddings. It’s also the month when the Stonewall riots occurred in 1969 and has become associated with celebrations of gay pride. To commemorate all that the month of June signifies, LA Theatre Works will be broadcasting a recording of “8” the Play.…

Jun 1, 2012 9:00 AM CDT

Clapping for Credit: State CLE Courses Use Unusual Pairings to Stimulate Interest

In New York, comedian and former trial lawyer Tommy Galan teaches an improv class where participants practice responding to the unexpected. In Missouri, there’s a spinning class where cyclists can burn away calories while learning about litigation strategy. And in South Carolina, shooting and hunting enthusiasts can combine an ethics…

Jun 1, 2012 8:50 AM CDT

You’ll Never Guess Who I Met Today: Friendly Encounters Show Justices Are Down-Home Folks

Gonzaga University law professor Ann Murphy mistakenly hit “reply all” to an email and as a result began emailing U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. “When I realized I had made an error, I apologized, and she could not have been nicer about it.” The two began swapping emails, and…

Jun 1, 2012 8:40 AM CDT

Going to the Dogs: San Antonio Court Seeks to Enforce Animal Control Laws

This month marks the first anniversary of “pet court,” which convenes Friday mornings as part of the municipal court system in the city of San Antonio, Texas. But Scooby-Doo v. Lassie it’s not. Instead, the new court focuses on enforcement of the city’s animal control laws, including failure to register…

May 1, 2012 9:20 AM CDT

Copycat Distillers Spur Tequila Trademark Pushback

Tequila doesn’t need a worm to be authentic, but some say it does need to be made by a certified process using solely the sap of agave, a thorny succulent plant from the lily family. Demand for the golden Mexican liquor has tripled in the last 15 years, with the…

May 1, 2012 9:10 AM CDT

Defending the Defenders: New Guide Covers How to Defend Veterans with Invisible War Wounds

Invisible wounds of war such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury affect veterans in different ways. For some, the combination of mental strain and impulsivity can lead to criminal court. The National Veterans Foundation, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit, plans to release a new manual this month for defense…

May 1, 2012 9:00 AM CDT

Model Alliance Seeks to Better Working Conditions in Fashion World

Since she was 14 years old, Sara Ziff has been the face of fashion companies including Tommy Hilfiger, Stella McCartney and Kenneth Cole. Now, at 29—an age when the careers of most models have already faded—Ziff’s work as an emblem for other women has just begun. This year, Ziff launched…

May 1, 2012 8:50 AM CDT

Dream Realized: Law Grad Sets Up Free Legal Clinics in Chicago Public Schools

Dennis Kass was a high school debate coach while attending law school. When his students found out that he was studying law, Kass says, they often asked him for advice. The experience led Kass, then a third-year at DePaul University College of Law, to create a career path for himself…

May 1, 2012 8:40 AM CDT

Master of Their Domain: Ariz. For-Profits May Now Use ‘.org’

Arizona law firms may now use “.org” suffixes on their websites, even if they operate as for-profit businesses, according to a recent state bar ethics opinion. Before, only public interest firms were allowed to utilize the .org designation, based on a presumed possibility of confusion. “Arizona is the only state…

May 1, 2012 8:29 AM CDT

A View From the Inside: New Documentary Looks at Fraudster Marc Dreier

When New York City attorney Marc Dreier was arrested in 2008 on securities and wire fraud charges, much of the news of his crime spree was overshadowed by Bernard Madoff’s massive Ponzi scheme. Now a new documentary film is shedding light on what drove Dreier to bilk a variety of…

Apr 1, 2012 10:00 AM CDT

On Track: Law Firm Marketer Makes the Most of Eye-Map Technology

When law firm marketer Ross Fishman began working with Vedder Price on a campaign to publicize the firm’s new London office, and specifically its global transportation financing practice, the possibilities seemed endless. Fishman and the firm eventually settled on a choice of two images for the firm’s new website. One…

Apr 1, 2012 9:50 AM CDT

Not Rocket Science: NYC Atty’s Business Method Patent Lowers Satellite Investment Risk

If you thought rocket science was daunting, try figuring out a way to protect investors’ stakes in satellites, which can sometimes explode upon launch or fail in orbit. Peter Nesgos, a partner at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy in New York City, is confident he has come up with a…

Apr 1, 2012 9:40 AM CDT