Rhode Island

Afternoon Briefs: Husch Blackwell merges with boutique firm; man sentenced for threat to Flynn judge

Husch Blackwell will merge with boutique firm Husch Blackwell has announced a merger with a health law boutique that represents hospitals and health care systems in the Boston area. The merger with Summit Health Law Partners gives Husch Blackwell offices in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island—its first offices in the…

Jul 20, 2021 3:39 PM CDT

SCOTUS rules against warrantless seizure of guns while man is in hospital for suicide evaluation

In a unanimous opinion Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against police who seized a man’s guns without a warrant while he was in the hospital for a suicide evaluation.

May 17, 2021 11:01 AM CDT

Several states consider lowering cut scores on bar exam, making it easier to pass

Rhode Island has followed California’s lead in lowering the bar exam cut score to make the test easier to pass, a step that several other states are also considering.

Mar 29, 2021 11:37 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Student loan reprieve extended; did Giuliani infect state lawmakers?

One more month of student loan forbearance announced by Education Department Student loan forbearance has been extended through Jan. 31, the U.S. Department of Education announced Friday. The offering started in March as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. In August, President Donald Trump directed the…

Dec 7, 2020 4:37 PM CST

Federal judge rules students have no right to civics education while warning of peril to democracy

A Rhode Island federal judge has ruled students in the state have no constitutional right to a civics education, even as he warned of a “deep flaw” in education priorities. Judge William Smith said they seem to recognize “American democracy is in peril.”

Oct 23, 2020 10:13 AM CDT

BigLaw firm resolves pay bias claim over bonuses paid at predecessor firm

Locke Lord has agreed to pay $150,000 to resolve allegations that a predecessor law firm discriminated against 22 female associates by paying them lower bonuses than their male colleagues.

Oct 6, 2020 10:54 AM CDT

Supreme Court reinstates witness requirement for mail-in ballots in South Carolina

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday reinstated a South Carolina requirement for voters who use mail-in ballots to obtain the signature of a witness.

Oct 6, 2020 9:46 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Godmother feels betrayed after law firm money theft; state AG staffer probed over BLM buttons fuss

Bookkeeper accused of embezzling $740K from godmother’s law firm A former bookkeeper and office manager accused of embezzling $740,000 from a Rhode Island law firm has agreed to plead guilty in the theft, according to federal prosecutors. The defendant, 39-year-old Sarah Gaulin, was accused of taking the money from Hamel,…

Sep 14, 2020 4:45 PM CDT

Supreme Court allows eased voting requirements in Rhode Island and notes state support

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with a consent decree that allowed Rhode Island voters to use mail-in ballots without having to get two witnesses or a notary to verify their signature.

Aug 13, 2020 3:37 PM CDT

Students have a right to a basic minimum education, 6th Circuit rules

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Cincinnati ruled Thursday that Detroit students at five lower-performing schools have a fundamental right to a basic minimum education.

Apr 24, 2020 10:22 AM CDT

Pandemic power plays: Civil liberties in the time of COVID-19

The power to respond to a public health crisis exists in the U.S. Constitution, state constitutions, regulations and case law. But the way they fit together is not always clear, especially in the wake of a modern-day global crisis.

Apr 21, 2020 8:00 AM CDT

COVID-19 checkpoints at state and local borders bring lawsuit, ACLU warning

Some states and local communities are instituting checkpoints at their borders, either to warn drivers that they must quarantine or to keep out nonresidents. The checkpoints are raising constitutional questions.

Apr 16, 2020 11:47 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Lawyer threatened jail time for people with unpaid 911 bills; R. Kelly indicted on new charges

Lawyer threatened jail to people with unpaid 911 responder bills After a debt collection attorney allegedly threatened more than 800 people with imprisonment for not paying money owed to Trinity EMS in the Massachusetts, the medical emergency services provider has canceled their debt, which amounts of $1.6 million. The agreement…

Mar 13, 2020 3:36 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Trump’s ‘clemency blitz’ helps Blago; federal judges to discuss Roger Stone case

President Trump goes on a ‘clemency blitz,’ and the list is long President Donald Trump has pardoned junk bond king Michael Milken, former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik and former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward J. DeBartolo Jr. in what the Associated Press calls a “clemency blitz.” Milken…

Feb 18, 2020 4:37 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Pelosi prepares impeachment articles for Senate; lawyer faces charges over deceased father’s pension

Pelosi plans to send impeachment articles to Senate next week House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a letter to House Democrats on Friday that she is preparing to send the impeachment articles to the Senate to start the trial of President Donald Trump. “I have asked Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry…

Jan 10, 2020 4:42 PM CST