Probate

11 ABA Journal Probate articles.

Northwestern law prof’s federal case is ‘the definition of vexatious and wasteful,’ judge says in ordering sanction

A federal judge in Colorado has ordered a professor at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law to pay attorney fees as a sanction for a federal action that is “the definition of vexatious and wasteful.”

Apr 11, 2023 8:43 AM CDT

Judge who blocked lawyer on Facebook can’t be sued for First Amendment violation, 5th Circuit says

A Texas judge who blocked a lawyer from his Facebook page and deleted the lawyer’s negative comments can’t be sued for a constitutional violation, a federal appeals court has ruled.

Mar 30, 2023 3:18 PM CDT

Magistrate judge recommends ethics probe of Northwestern law prof, who sees ‘crock of nonsense’

A professor at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law is firing back after a federal magistrate judge said he should be referred to disciplinary authorities for his “shameful” conduct in a probate dispute with his mentally ill sister.

Feb 16, 2023 3:15 PM CST

Lawyer pursued future pain compensation for client who had died, ethics complaint says

A Chicago lawyer sought compensation for “future pain and physical limitations” in settlement negotiations for a client who had already died, according to an ethics complaint.

May 11, 2022 12:10 PM CDT

Judge ousted partly for racial comments; he once asked Black employee whether he dealt drugs to buy car

An Alabama probate judge has been ousted from his position for “completely inappropriate” racial comments and a “sexually inappropriate demeanor.”

Nov 2, 2021 2:22 PM CDT

Judge is suspended once again for social media posts—this time for soliciting hurricane donations

A South Carolina probate judge has been suspended for 18 months, partly for soliciting hurricane relief donations on Facebook and partly for his all-caps declaration as a would-be character witness.

Oct 20, 2021 9:05 AM CDT

How one bankruptcy software company had a banner year despite filings hitting a low

When COVID-19 began hitting the United States hard last year, Janine Sickmeyer was among those in the bankruptcy world who thought that there would be a tsunami of cases. But contrary to the prognostications of many, the influx never materialized.

Jul 21, 2021 9:04 AM CDT

Sanctions upheld for lawyer who included an original haiku in filing and cited Bugs Bunny

A federal appeals court has upheld sanctions imposed on a lawyer who filed “lengthy and superfluous filings” in a dispute with his brother, including a brief that was “littered with exclamation points and rants.”

Dec 16, 2020 11:39 AM CST

Lawyer accused of spitting on protester, shoving another and kneeing officer in groin

A Wisconsin lawyer was arrested twice over the weekend for allegedly spitting on a protester, shoving another and kneeing a police officer in the groin.

Jun 8, 2020 11:21 AM CDT

Judge sanctions lawyer and clients $220K for alleged misconduct in guardianship case

A Texas judge has ordered a lawyer and his clients to pay more than $220,000 in sanctions for an alleged “vexatious litigation campaign” against a mentally incapacitated millionaire and his…

May 29, 2019 12:45 PM CDT