States

Defense Lawyer Acquitted in Heroin Case; Inmate’s Mom Admits Hiding Drugs in Legal Brief

Updated: A federal criminal defense lawyer has been arrested on charges he tried to smuggle heroin into a Massachusetts state prison. Kevin Barron, 46, was released on his own recognizance after being charged with delivering drugs to a prisoner, possession of a Class A substance and possession with intent to…

Oct 3, 2007 9:46 PM CDT

Wanted: New Spector Defense Lawyers

Although Phil Spector’s defense counsel deadlocked the jury at his Los Angeles murder trial, he wants another legal team to represent him at retrial. Six attorneys are interviewing for the job of lead counsel, according to the Associated Press. Many of Spector’s current lawyers are stepping aside after months defending…

Oct 3, 2007 8:11 PM CDT

Judge Sanctions Lawyers Up to $5 Million

In a blistering rebuke of some of Philadelphia’s most prominent lawyers and law firms, a federal judge has sanctioned them—and their clients—for failing to cooperate with discovery in a medical insurance coverage class action. Among those being required to pay up to $5 million in plaintiffs costs by U.S. District…

Oct 3, 2007 5:15 PM CDT

L.A. Courthouse Evacuated

Police ordered the evacuation of the federal courthouse in Los Angeles this morning because of an item described as a briefcase or possibly a travel bag left outside. A bomb squad removed the “suspicious item” and found no explosives, KNBC.com reports.

Oct 3, 2007 5:02 PM CDT

Dog Gets Its Day With Order of Protection

A Connecticut judge has issued an order of protection for a dog named Riley. Cassandra Reynolds must stay 100 yards away from the golden retriever after her arrest for allegedly kicking the dog in a dispute with her ex-husband, the New York Times reports. The judge issued the order Sept.…

Oct 3, 2007 4:44 PM CDT

Former Top Judge Regains Law License

The former chief judge of New York’s highest court has regained his law license, 15 years after he was arrested for harassing socialite Joy Silverman. The 77-year-old Sol Wachtler told the New York Post he is delighted. He plans to do legal work for the poor and mentally ill, the…

Oct 3, 2007 2:29 PM CDT

Ex-Big Firm Lawyer Pleads in Teen Sex Case

A former mergers and acquisitions lawyer with Cravath, Swaine & Moore has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from allegations he had sex with three teenage girls. James Colliton was accused of paying a woman to have sex with her two daughters and having sex with a third girl, the New…

Oct 3, 2007 2:10 PM CDT

Target Class Action OK’d, Seeks Web Access for Blind

Plaintiffs who contend Target failed to make its Web site accessible to the blind have won class action status for their lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Marilyn Hall Patel of San Francisco certified two class actions, the Wall Street Journal reports (sub. req.). One is a nationwide class action alleging violations…

Oct 3, 2007 1:35 PM CDT

Judge Won’t Allow Plaintiff to Depose Himself

A judge has refused to allow a businessman who says he fears “bodily harm” during Russian business trips to take his own deposition. Magistrate Judge Theodore Katz of Manhattan said plaintiff Michael Tierney’s concern of murder did not warrant a self-deposition to preserve testimony, the New York Law Journal reports.…

Oct 3, 2007 12:50 PM CDT

Judge Accused of Spanking Inmates Resigns

Ethics charges have been dropped against an Alabama judge accused of helping friends and family by reducing their sentences or changing their status. The Judicial Inquiry Commission moved to dismiss the charges less than a day after Judge Herman Thomas resigned from the bench, WKRG.com reports. A criminal investigation, however,…

Oct 3, 2007 12:35 PM CDT

This Defense Upheld: Client ‘a Dad-gum Mess’

A Texas appeals court has upheld a DWI conviction even though the defense lawyer called his client’s life “a dad-gum mess.” A dissent argued the defense lawyer “effectively became a second prosecutor in the case,” Texas Lawyer reports. The defendant, Archie Doyle Martin Jr., took the stand, allowing the prosecution…

Oct 3, 2007 12:13 PM CDT

Texas Halts Lethal Injection

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has halted the execution of a death-row inmate scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection today. The Texas court issued a stay late last night for Heliberto Chi after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision a week ago to consider the constitutionality of…

Oct 3, 2007 10:57 AM CDT

Lawyer Defends Use of Opponent’s Notes

Should a lawyer who obtains an opponent’s privileged notes of an interview with expert witnesses be able to use them to his advantage in trial? Justices of the California Supreme Court and students watching oral arguments both appeared to favor arguments that the lawyer should have checked with the trial…

Oct 3, 2007 10:42 AM CDT

‘Bar-Certified Sane Lawyer’ in New Judge Dispute

Anti-porn crusader Jack Thompson has had his share of disputes with judges. The South Florida lawyer is vocal in his criticism—so vocal that The Florida Bar is considering two complaints that contend his statements about two judges violated ethics rules. Now Thompson’s lawsuit (PDF) attempting to put a stop to…

Oct 3, 2007 12:10 AM CDT

Recruiting Rampage Part II: Alston Aces to Join DLA Piper

The managing partner of Alston & Bird’s Washington, D.C. office and the head of the firm’s legislative and public policy practice group are reportedly joining megafirm DLA Piper along with three corporate partners. Plus, other Alston attorneys are likely to follow them there, too. Alston & Bird says that Frank…

Oct 3, 2007 12:05 AM CDT