Real Estate & Property Law

Supreme Court will consider whether Black landlord can sue over mail said to be intentionally withheld

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide whether a Texas landlord can sue the U.S. Postal Service for allegedly withholding mail from herself and her tenants because she is Black.

Apr 22, 2025 10:44 AM CDT

Future Forward: How lawyers can embrace sustainability

Sustainable development means more than “being green,” says John Dernbach, an emeritus professor at Widener University Commonwealth Law School and the founding director of its Environmental Law and Sustainability Center. Rather, he says, sustainable development balances environmental protection, economic development and social justice.

Apr 1, 2025 3:00 AM CDT

Giuliani contempt decision blocks him from doing this, putting his Florida condo at risk

Disbarred lawyer Rudy Giuliani is “in dire jeopardy” of having to turn over his Palm Beach, Florida, condo to two Georgia election workers who sued him for defamation after a federal judge held the former New York City mayor in civil contempt Monday, according to a report by Politico.

Jan 7, 2025 10:34 AM CST

Meet 11 ABA members who inspired us in 2024

In this year’s Members Who Inspire series, the ABA Journal featured 11 outstanding ABA members who brighten the world around them.

Dec 20, 2024 2:12 PM CST

Does judge’s reference to ‘little Chinese woman’ show bias? Appellate concurrence sees ‘pure stereotyping’

A California judge who said he was almost amused when a “little Chinese woman” stared him down did not rule against her based on ethnic bias, but his comment was “pure stereotyping,” according to two concurring judges in an appellate opinion.

Dec 19, 2024 1:42 PM CST

Federal judge will no longer tolerate lawyers’ barbed briefs and ‘expletive-laden phone calls’

A federal judge in Seattle is fed up with "hyperbole and bluster" in a lawsuit alleging that State Farm failed to pay full policy benefits to homeowners after a house fire.

Dec 12, 2024 9:00 AM CST

Texas lawyer allegedly killed and cremated son, saying he mistook him for intruder

A Houston lawyer is accused of waiting about 17 hours to call police after allegedly killing his son and burning his body on a woodpile at his weekend home in Sabine County, Texas.

Dec 9, 2024 9:52 AM CST

Are police responsible for damaging home to oust suspect? Sotomayor and Gorsuch see important issue

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to decide whether police must compensate a Texas homeowner for damages to property incurred while officers tried to oust a kidnapping suspect from a home that he entered while on the run.

Nov 26, 2024 12:39 PM CST

Who is the real Roger Pearce? Successful lawyer used assumed name for more than 50 years

A successful land use and zoning attorney living in a $1.4 million condo with his wife in Seattle was sentenced last week to two years of probation for making a false statement when he sought to renew his passport.

Nov 25, 2024 2:38 PM CST

Judge who declared ‘ain’t no sweat equity in this court’ showed bias, ethics complaint alleges

An Indiana judge is accused of violating ethics rules banning bias or prejudice when he derided lawsuit claims by women who “make a habit” of claiming that they are entitled to partial proceeds from the sale of a home that they once inhabited with their boyfriends.

Nov 20, 2024 3:44 PM CST

Miles & Stockbridge will merge with 30-lawyer firm

Miles & Stockbridge has announced that it will merge with 30-lawyer Krooth & Altman, a real estate law firm in Washington, D.C.

Nov 14, 2024 8:51 AM CST

Law firm profitability is at near-record high, new report says

Law firm financials have improved for seven consecutive quarters, leading to a profitability score that is the second highest on record for the Law Firm Financial Index since its inception more than 15 years ago.

Nov 11, 2024 12:02 PM CST

When queried by judge, chatbot had less faith in its output than expert witness who used it

When confronted with evidence that an expert witness used a chatbot to cross-check lost-value calculations, a judge in Saratoga County, New York, decided to query the source.

Oct 16, 2024 2:24 PM CDT

The Power of Pro Bono: A fair hearing, respect and justice for all

Irene walked into the office of a young lawyer in a small town in Mississippi more than 40 years ago with an eviction notice and a two-page lease. Events that would follow turned the lawyer into a legal aid attorney and a believer in the power of pro bono legal work.

Oct 16, 2024 10:28 AM CDT

Lawyer accused of exploiting elderly client is found liable for $26M in malpractice case

Trials & Litigation

Oct 7, 2024 2:51 PM CDT