Pennsylvania

Philly Firms WolfBlock and Drinker Biddle Said to Cut Associates

Pennsylvania may be more insulated from Wall Street’s woes, but that apparently hasn’t stopped two Philadelphia-based law firms from cutting associates. On Friday, WolfBlock laid off 15 associates and Drinker Biddle & Reath laid off about 20 lawyers, according to the blog Above the Law. The Legal Intelligencer sought to…

Dec 16, 2008 12:58 PM CST

Students, Alumni Protest Ouster of Duquesne Law Dean

Angered by the abrupt demotion of a popular law school dean at Duquesne University to a faculty post, students and alumni are protesting. Among those threatening to withhold donations is Robert Pierce Sr., a Pittsburgh attorney and DU law school graduate. He and his wife had pledged $500,000, in addition…

Dec 12, 2008 5:54 PM CST

Duquesne Ousts Law Dean

Updated: Given a choice between resigning his post within 24 hours or being removed from the position, the dean of Duquesne University School of Law reportedly has opted to step down and return to a teaching job there. “My reaction to this is shock. The school—really by a lot of…

Dec 10, 2008 11:01 PM CST

Reports: Murdered NYC Lawyer Victim of Jealous Stalker

Anthony Ottaviano, a staff attorney at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, was shot and killed Monday in what authorities and news accounts describe as jealousy-infused ordeal involving the world of S&M fetish circles. Police say Ottaviano was shot by West Chester man David P. Krieg, who then kidnapped Ottaviano’s…

Dec 4, 2008 4:34 PM CST

Will Downturn Force Changes in Associate Compensation?

Bonuses for associates at several large firms are considerably smaller this year, reflecting a tougher economic environment for law firms. But is lower compensation a temporary phenomenon or an indication of changes to come? Some Pennsylvania law firm leaders interviewed by the Legal Intelligencer suggested the tough economy could force…

Dec 4, 2008 2:37 PM CST

Biker Rally Plea for Cash Violated Judicial Ethics Rules, Board Finds

A Philadelphia traffic judge who sought campaign donations at a motorcycle club rally violated ethics rules by implying the cash would buy favorable treatment, an ethics board has found. Judge Willie Singletary passed the hat during the “blessing of the bikes,” the Philadelphia Daily News reports. The opinion by the…

Dec 3, 2008 7:26 PM CST

Leaders of Philly Law Firms Warn of Tough Performance Reviews

Philadelphia law firms have escaped the brunt of the economic downturn since they did not focus on securitization and real estate finance, the hardest-hit practice areas. But some firm leaders are warning that the economy could lead to tough performance reviews this year. One of them is Cozen O’Connor chief…

Dec 3, 2008 4:01 PM CST

Ex-Pa. Justice Exits Cozen O’Connor, Denies Holocaust E-Mail is Reason

A former Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice says an inflammatory e-mail bearing her name was not the reason for her departure from Cozen O’Connor. Former justice Sandra Schultz Newman told the Legal Intelligencer that she decided to leave the law firm, where she led a national appellate practice, because conflicts made…

Dec 3, 2008 1:17 PM CST

Paper Chase is ‘Doing Public Service,’ Sharing Info Real Time and For Free

Bernard Hibbitts (and students) Jurist—Paper Chase, jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase Associate Dean for Communications & Information Technology, University of Pittsburgh School of Law Jurist—Paper Chase is a robust legal news site filled with well-sourced and timely news. Much of the focus is on international law and world justice issues. And most of the…

Dec 2, 2008 5:20 AM CST

Retired Pa. Judge Convicted in Auto Accident Fraud

A retired judge in Pennsylvania was convicted today of mail fraud and money laundering in connection with the injuries he claimed to have suffered in a 2001 auto accident. Michael Joyce falsely claimed to have suffered debilitating neck and back injuries in a fender bender and misused his position as…

Nov 20, 2008 12:16 AM CST

Another Philadelphia TV News Anchor Spat Hits the Courts

Warring former news anchors at Philadelphia television stations are creating a litigation boom for at least one local law firm. In the latest lawsuit, filed yesterday in Pennsylvania Common Pleas Court, ex-NBC10 anchor Lori Delgado, 28, says she quit her job because of fear for her safety and her husband’s…

Nov 11, 2008 8:59 PM CST

In Lengthy Legal Saga, Pa. Doctor is Licensed, Then Loses Practice Privileges

Richard Brown never seemed like a great candidate for a physician’s license. A lackluster student in high school and college, he attended several foreign institutions before getting a medical degree. Criticized in sometimes-scathing evaluations by the physicians in charge of hospital programs for whom he worked as in clinical rotations,…

Nov 11, 2008 8:08 PM CST

Pa. Lawyer Chained Pregnant Girlfriend to Couch, Authorities Charge

A defense lawyer in Blair County, Pa., has been charged with chaining his pregnant girlfriend to a sofa. Mark Zearfaus, 40, allegedly restrained the 28-year-old woman at her home by attaching her ankle to the couch with a 31-foot chain and a couple of padlocks, after the two argued Friday…

Nov 10, 2008 10:15 PM CST

Law Firm Funds Controversial Phila. ‘Justice’ Mural

A proposal to put a 38-foot mural promoting the theme of American justice on the side of a building in an upscale neighborhood in Philadelphia has proven controversial. Apparently concerned that the art work being sponsored by the Spector Gadon & Rosen Foundation at the law firm for which attorney…

Nov 10, 2008 4:56 PM CST

In Hard-Fought Presidential Race, More Ballot Battles are Likely

If the presidential ballot count in Ohio is close on Tuesday, lawyers who specialize in election law are likely to busy next week. Court challenges are expected in hard-fought states, especially over provisional ballots and questionable voter-registration status, and Ohio appears likely to be front-and-center in the legal fray, reports…

Nov 1, 2008 12:27 AM CDT