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29174 ABA Journal States articles.

Who’s at fault when engagement ends? Appeals court considers issue in suit for return of $70K ring

A man who called off his engagement is entitled to the return of a $70,000-plus engagement ring and a wedding band, the Massachusetts Appeals Court has ruled in a 2-1 decision.

Criminal charges add twist to Trump lawyers’ disciplinary cases

“Lawyers take an oath, and they have a responsibility that’s not just to their client but to the larger legal community, to the profession and to democracy. When you have lawyers who are working against the rule of law [it’s important] to bring a comprehensive system of accountability,” says Michael J. Teter, the managing director of the 65 Project.

Lawyer hired to investigate enemies of Texas AG’s friend was misled and never paid, he testifies

A Houston lawyer hired by suspended Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to investigate conspiracy claims by Paxton’s developer friend has said he was misled and never paid for his work.

Litigation funder would make 37,000% return on its investment in litigation over oil company seizure

Litigation funding company Burford Capital would receive about $6.2 billion under a federal judge’s order requiring Argentina to pay likely damages of about $16 billion for its 2012 seizure of an oil and gas company.

MyPillow CEO rails against lawyers in defamation depositions, says he doesn’t make ‘lumpy pillows’

Lawyers contend that MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell was “combative, vulgar, disrespectful, nonresponsive, evasive and consistently loud” during three depositions in a defamation case against him.

Former BigLaw partner temporarily barred from courthouse should be suspended, board says

An Illinois hearing board has recommended suspension for a former federal prosecutor and Polsinelli shareholder who was temporarily barred from the criminal courthouse in Chicago and held in criminal contempt of court four times.

Montana attorney general accused of flouting top state court’s authority, insulting justices

Republican Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has been accused of undermining confidence in the justice system by evading the authority of the state’s top court and assaulting the integrity of individual justices.

US pressure on social media over misinformation likely unconstitutional, 5th Circuit says

Updated: The U.S. government likely violated the First Amendment by pressuring social media companies to block COVID-19 misinformation and other content, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.

Top court in Massachusetts permits use of shock devices on institutionalized patients

The top court in Massachusetts has ruled that a school for developmentally and intellectually disabled people can continue to use electric skin shock therapy as permitted by a 1987 consent decree.

Weekly Briefs: MoFo changes DEI fellowship; X reacts to BigLaw partner at Burning Man festival

MoFo expands DEI fellowship after suit

Morrison & Foerster has changed the eligibility criteria for a diversity, equity and inclusion fellowship after being sued by a conservative activist who…

Oregon and Kentucky law schools are back in compliance, ABA Legal Ed Section says

The University of Oregon School of Law and the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law have demonstrated compliance with accreditation standards, according to the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

Paxton’s former top aide wonders whether he had been blackmailed, aide testifies in impeachment trial

A former top aide to suspended Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said he at first wondered why his boss was ignoring warnings about helping developer Nate Paul in his business disputes.

Justice Kavanaugh says he’s hopeful for ‘concrete steps’ on SCOTUS ethics matters

Justice Brett Kavanaugh said Thursday the U.S. Supreme Court is continuing to work on ethics issues, and he is “hopeful there will be some concrete steps.”

$4.5M BigLaw firm settlement in investor case should be approved, magistrate judge says

A federal magistrate judge is recommending approval of an agreement in which Davis Wright Tremaine would pay $4.5 million to settle a proposed class action lawsuit claiming that it aided the sales of fraudulent real estate securities.

Charge of attempted strangulation precedes general counsel’s ouster

The general counsel of pet medication and wellness company PetIQ has been fired “without cause” after he was charged with trying to strangle his wife.

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