ABA Journal

Trials & Litigation

20257 ABA Journal Trials & Litigation articles.

Food labeling lawyer’s ‘warehouse of complaints’ are ‘not fit for public consumption,’ judge says

A federal judge in Illinois who has a knack for criticizing lawyers with biting prose has turned his attention to a lawyer who battles food companies over their labeling.

If SCOTUS rules against racial preferences, this 4th Circuit decision presents next issue

If the U.S. Supreme Court restricts the consideration of race in college admissions, there is another looming issue: whether schools can use race-neutral tools that boost diversity.

Judge finds out why brief cited nonexistent cases—ChatGPT did research

A federal judge in New York City has ordered two lawyers and their law firm to show cause why they shouldn’t be sanctioned for submitting a brief with citations to fake cases, thanks to research by ChatGPT.

Lewis Brisbois report cited as Texas AG heads to state Senate trial after impeachment

Impeached Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton had a legitimate reason to fire whistleblowers, according to a tweet by his office citing a law firm report backing up that claim.

‘Seinfeld’ episode inspired new telemarketing law in New Jersey

Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill last week that that requires telemarketers to provide a callback number and to identify themselves and whom they represent within 30 seconds.

Ex-lawyer Murdaugh, in prison for murder, is charged with stealing from clients

A disbarred lawyer who is serving a life sentence for the murder of his wife and one of his sons has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly stealing money from clients and his housekeeper’s family.

Weekly Briefs: New ethics rule considered in Virginia; name partner launches new firm

Virginia proposes ban on agreements limiting ethics complaints

A proposed ethics rule in Virginia would ban lawyers from making agreements with clients or former clients that limit their right to…

‘Jury Duty’ offers some realism hidden in the absurdity

My sister is a huge true-crime fan (shoutout, Ivy). She is professedly obsessed, even to the point that her favorite streaming platform is ID Go. She’s always been intelligent and curious. I think her brother being a career defense attorney might influence her intrigue. Maybe I shouldn’t flatter myself, though.

Lawyer says community service isn’t ‘viable,’ chooses jail for spitting misdemeanor

A Wisconsin lawyer chose jail over community service Tuesday for spitting on a Black teenager during a 2020 protest.

Silver Gavel Awards go to works featuring Emmett Till, Roe v. Wade

This year’s recipients of the Silver Gavel Awards for Media and the Arts delve into a multitude of pressing and prominent legal issues, including abortion rights, affirmative action and modern-day slavery.

Federal judge reminds lawyers that ‘this proceeding is not the playground’

Updated: A federal judge in Colorado has warned lawyers for litigants in a business dispute that he will not “sit idly by in the face of further mudslinging.”

Walgreens alleges Crowell & Moring engaged in ‘unethical side-switching,’ leading to $642M arbitration loss

A $642 million arbitration award against Walgreens was obtained by “undue means” because of Crowell & Moring's "unethical side-switching," according to a May 19 amended petition seeking to vacate the award.

9th Circuit rejects claim that illegal reentry law violated defendant’s right to equal protection

A federal appeals court on Monday rejected a defendant’s claim that his Fifth Amendment equal protection rights were violated by a law making it a crime to reenter the United States after deportation.

Trump’s post-trial sexual assault denials are relevant in separate defamation suit, lawyer for accuser says

A lawyer for the woman who accused former President Donald Trump of sexual assault told a federal judge Monday that Trump’s post-trial comments denying the incident are relevant in a separate pending lawsuit against Trump.

Chicago’s refusal to allow ‘Hail Satan’ city council invocation violates First Amendment, suit says

Chicago has rebuffed requests by the Satanic Temple to deliver city council invocations for more than three years, violating the First Amendment in two ways, according to a lawsuit filed earlier this month.

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