Practice Management

Lawyers Advise, Clients Strategize on New ‘Issue’ Political Advertising

Lawyers who advise advocacy groups are busy this week, following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling Monday opening the door to more “issue”-oriented political advertising. The question: How far can these groups go in pre-election advertising that discusses issues but at least arguably also promotes political candidates? The Federal Election Commission,…

Jun 28, 2007 6:18 PM CDT

Disgraced Duke Rape DA to Quit Monday

Mike Nifong, the Durham, N.C., attorney disbarred for his handling of the rape prosecution of three former Duke lacrosse players later determined to be innocent, will quit his job Monday. However, that still isn’t the end of the road for Nifong, as far as his legal career is concerned–he faces…

Jun 28, 2007 5:44 PM CDT

Spector Lawyer to Appeal to Top Court Judge’s Testify-or-Do-Time Ruling

A former defense lawyer for music producer and murder defendant Phil Spector will appeal to the California Supreme Court a trial judge ruling that she must testify in his case or face jail time for contempt. To accommodate Sara Caplan’s plan to do so, Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler…

Jun 27, 2007 2:36 AM CDT

London Lawyers, Like Americans, Struggle for Work-Life Balance

London used to be considered by many a kinder, gentler place for lawyers to work than comparable American cities. But seemingly successful attorneys there are leaving the profession, too, and efforts are underway to find out why and improve work-life balance. Some of the reasons may include endless workdays, lunch…

Jun 27, 2007 12:24 AM CDT

Law Firm Markets Product Discounts

Looking for a discount on a foot rub, your next visit to a tanning salon–or legal services? Brown & Crouppen offers them all, via its “VIP Platinum Card.” Plus, the card, sent out by the St. Louis plaintiff personal injury firm in marketing mailings, is transferable to others who might…

Jun 26, 2007 10:00 PM CDT

Appeal of Contempt Ruling to No Avail; Will Phil Spector Lawyer Go to Jail?

A former defense lawyer for music producer and murder defendant Phil Spector may soon be headed for the slam. Sara Caplan had been held in contempt by the trial judge for refusing to testify about missing evidence she allegedly saw an expert collect from the murder scene, at Spector’s home…

Jun 26, 2007 1:17 AM CDT

Lawyer, 82, Oldest Ontario Bar Admittee

An 82-year-old Atlanta lawyer apparently has become the oldest member of the profession ever to be “called to the bar” to practice law in Ontario, Canada. Although three other lawyers in their seventies previously hung out shingles as fledgling legal eagles, it appears that Gerald van Buskirk clearly holds the…

Jun 26, 2007 12:03 AM CDT

Guard Changing at Cozen O’Connor

The guard is about to change Cozen O’Connor, a 546-lawyer Philadelphia-based law firm known as an international insurance coverage powerhouse.The two name partners, although they have signed employment contracts to remain at the helm for another decade, are ceding significant control to the next generation of lawyers and the firm…

Jun 25, 2007 11:37 PM CDT

Fair Housing Laws Create Unexpected Pitfalls, Even for Real Estate Pros

Most Manhattan real estate professionals might not think twice about telling a family with children that they are welcome in a particular building. But that can present pitfalls under various fair housing laws. And stepped-up enforcement is making some brokers think twice, thrice or even a fourth time about comments…

Jun 25, 2007 9:31 PM CDT

‘Pepgate’ Pits Prosecutor Against Police

Only five months into his new job, the top prosecutor in rural Knox County, Illinois, several hundred miles southwest of Chicago, is already at odds with local authorities. Accused in a federal lawsuit of sexually harassing female employees, State’s Attorney John Pepmeyer fired several lawyers in his office who supported…

Jun 25, 2007 6:39 PM CDT

Crabby at Work? Blame Long Hours

People who feel guilty about working long hours have more stress, more conflicts with co-workers, more burnout, and more physical problems such as headaches and backaches. Those are the findings of Florida State University management professor Wayne Hochwarter, the Miami Herald reports. He surveyed 700 employees in a wide range…

Jun 21, 2007 12:49 PM CDT

Fee Suit Scores Own Goal: $7 M to Client

It’s a common belief among attorneys that suing a client over unpaid fees is a dangerous practice, and a recent decision by a New York jury shows why. Filing suit to collect unpaid legal fees from a client partnership cost a now-defunct New York law firm a $7 million judgment,…

Jun 20, 2007 9:48 PM CDT

$1.25 M Sanction for Law Firms, Client in WTC Insurance Coverage Case

Trying to conceal an insurer’s agreement to provide coverage for the World Trade Center before the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks is costing two law firms and a client insurance company a cool $1.25 million. A federal judge yesterday sanctioned the firms, Wiley Rein and Coughlin Duffy, and their client,…

Jun 19, 2007 9:42 PM CDT

White Lawyer Takes Misdemeanor Plea; Black Youth Faces 20-Year Prison Term

Their crimes, arguably, are quite similar. Both were accused of shooting at another person. Both say they didn’t. And, fortunately, nobody was seriously injured in either case. But the resulting punishment faced by two Florida men is quite different. A well-connected white former prosecutor has taken a misdemeanor plea, which…

Jun 19, 2007 2:31 AM CDT

Lawyer Rankings Rankle, Suit Results

Rankled by lawyer rankings that reportedly gave the dean of Stanford Law School a lower score than that of a dead and disbarred lawyer, affected attorneys are–surprise!–suing. John Henry Browne, a Seattle trial lawyer who is also unhappy about his own score, has filed a federal class action suit against…

Jun 18, 2007 10:05 PM CDT