November 2006
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Celebrities, Fashion, Lunacy, Naomi Campbell, Racism, Violence
Naomi Campbell: Supermodel or "Superbigot"?
How do you solve a problem like Naomi — besides deporting her skinny black ass? Repeated brushes with the law have not deterred the British-born beauty from beating the crap out of the hired help. Here’s the latest: Naomi Campbell might be spending more time in courtrooms than on catwalks these days. The supermodel was […] -
Bar Exams, Email Scandals, Emily Pataki, Politics, White & Case
Political Kids and the Bar Exam: What Gives?
The late JFK Jr. failed the New York State bar exam twice, before passing it on the third try. And now Emily Pataki, the highly attractive daughter of outgoing New York governor George Pataki, is halfway towards matching that feat. Here’s the email message that Emily, an associate a supervised legal intern at White & […] - Sponsored
The Business Case For AI At Your Law Firm
ChatGPT ushers in the age of generative AI – even for law firms. -
CIA, Crime, Dahlia Lithwick, John Roberts, Media and Journalism, Morning Docket, SCOTUS, Supreme Court, Television
Morning Docket: 11.15.06
* When committing a robbery, try not to target a master of illusion. [CNN] * Another legal show goes the way of “The Law Firm.” [CNN] * Dahlia Lithwick begins this article, “Chief Justice John Roberts is the Dr. McDreamy of the federal bench.” [Slate] * Dismissal sought in the CIA leak case. [AP] * […]
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Animal Law, Crime, Deaths, Pets, Violence, Weirdness
This Must Have Smelled Awful
Clearly there are some very sick people out there: A man pleaded guilty in the deaths of his ex-girlfriend’s four small kittens, which were tossed into a fire pit after the couple argued. Robert Tomlin, 22, of Smithsburg was sentenced Monday to 1 1/2 years in jail for aggravated animal cruelty. Washington County Circuit Judge […] -
9th Circuit, Anthony Kennedy, Death Penalty, John Paul Stevens, Linda Greenhouse, SCOTUS, Supreme Court
Ayers v. Belmontes: Behind the Scenes
We meant to write about this yesterday: Ayers v. Belmontes, the death penalty case in which a closely divided Supreme Court reversed the Ninth Circuit. The opinion was handed down on Monday. It was the first opinion of the Term, and it was an unusual first opinion. The typical first opinion of the Term is […] -
Bonuses, Dick Grasso, Fashion, Martin Lipton, Money, Nauseating Things, Non-Sequiturs, NYSE, Pets, Prisons
Non-Sequiturs: 11.14.06
* In the 7th grade, we abided by the “one best friend” law, so we could totally pledge our loyalty to just one dog who also definitely wouldn’t steal our boyfriend. [New York Times] * German Chancellor Angela Merkel admits to an incident of youthful “corruption,” but would you have rather she bartered sexual favors […] -
Announcements, Britney Spears, Celebrities, Divorce Train Wrecks, Family Law, Laura Wasser
ATL Public Service Announcement: Better Get a Prenup
To any single celebrities out there who happen to frequent legal gossip blogs, we offer you this piece of friendly advice: Before getting hitched, make your future spouse sign a prenup. Sounds pretty obvious, right? But consider this, from Forbes’s Prenup Primer: Last week, Britney Spears filed for divorce from her two-year marriage to Kevin […] -
5th Circuit, Alberto Gonzales, Federal Judges, Gregory Coleman, Harriet Miers, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Elrod, Judicial Nominations, R. Ted Cruz, Senate Judiciary Committee, State Judges, White House Counsel
Some Fifth Circuit Scuttlebutt
Thanks to everyone who responded to our request for gossip about possible Fifth Circuit judicial nominations. Your tips were very helpful to us, as was this piece in the Texas Lawyer. (And thanks to Peter Harrell, a current law student and former political reporter for Congressional Quarterly, for this insightful comment. A good point. With […] - Sponsored
Early Adopters Of Legal AI Gaining Competitive Edge In Marketplace
How to best leverage generative AI as an early adopter with ethical use. -
Biglaw, Dewy Orifice, In-House Counsel, Musical Chairs
Musical Chairs: 11.14.06
Lateral Moves: * Bankruptcy and restructuring lawyer Adrian Harris, to Chadbourne & Parke (London), from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (where he headed their European insolvency and restructuring practice). Could his departure be related to the law firm merger that will give rise to Dewy Orifice? New Partners: * Paul Hastings (New York): corporate lawyer Richard […] -
Andrew Gardner, Crime, Deaths, Rape, Sex
An Update on Andrew Gardner
Last week we wrote about Andrew Gardner, the Fried Frank litigation partner who was accused of rape (although never indicted), and recently found dead (presumably of suicide). We now have an update to offer. Yesterday’s New York Post carried a long and detailed article about Gardner. And blogger Ron Coleman, who knew Gardner, had these […] -
Dan Markel, Eyes of the Law, Jan Crawford Greenburg, John Roberts, Samuel Alito, SCOTUS, Supreme Court, Supreme Court Clerks
Supreme Court Justices: "They're Going to Miami"
We’d pay a king’s ransom for an update of the music video for “Miami.” Instead of showing Will Smith frolicking with bikini-clad beauties, the new version would feature Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito, shaking their bon-bons with surgically-enhanced sirens. If this sounds unlikely, consider: Winter is still weeks away, but Supreme Court justices are […] -
Fast Food, Food, Reader Polls
ATL Reader Poll: Is a Burrito a Sandwich?
We seem to be on a Mexican food kick here at Above the Law. Our first post of the day was about Taco Bell. And now, just in time for lunch, we bring you this weighty legal issue: Is a burrito a sandwich? For explanation, check out this AP article (which Stella Q linked to […] -
9th Circuit, A. Wallace Tashima, Bad Ideas, Biglaw, Borat, Drinking, Movies, Pranks, Racism, Rank Stupidity, Reality TV, Sex, Television
Still More About Borat
On Friday night, we saw Borat at our local movie theater. We found it hilarious for the first fifteen minutes, before it turned repetitive. That said, there were some impressive set pieces in the second half of the film, such as the hotel room wrestling match. (We viewed Borat on the recommendation of one of […]
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Is The Future Of Law Distributed? Lessons From The Tech Adoption Curve
The rise of remote work has dramatically reshaped the relationship between Lawyers and Law Firms, see how Scale LLP has taken the steps to get…
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Legal AI: 3 Steps Law Firms Should Take Now
If 2023 introduced legal professionals to generative AI, then 2024 will be when law firms start adapting to utilize it. Things are moving fast, so…
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The Business Case For AI At Your Law Firm
ChatGPT ushers in the age of generative AI – even for law firms.
Sponsored
Early Adopters Of Legal AI Gaining Competitive Edge In Marketplace
How to best leverage generative AI as an early adopter with ethical use.
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Hearsay, Music, Videos
Legos Explain the Rule 803 Hearsay Exceptions Better Than Most Law School Professors
This educational video, which explains the hearsay exceptions set forth in Federal Rule of Evidence 803, is awesome. It boasts great production values: the music, the colors, and, of course, the Legos. Our favorite part is when the little Lego woman pukes out a copious stream of dark green vomit. How did they do that? […] -
Celebrities, Gambling / Gaming, Intellectual Property, Morning Docket, Native Americans
Morning Docket: 11.14.06
* If a tree falls and there is no one around to see it, who’s liable? [Random Local News] * Griffith v. Griffith is sure to make it into your IP casebook in no time. [MSNBC] * Who knew Robin of Locksley was as good with partnership law as he was with a bow and […]
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Crime, Drugs, Fast Food, Food, Police, Violence
It's Not Just Burger King
When you patronize other fast food establishments, you could be taking your life into your own hands. And we’re not talking about transfats and the adverse health consequences of eating fast food (which have already spawned various lawsuits). Take Taco Bell. Just like Burger King, they stand accused of serving drug-laced food: Phillip Dagget, 27, […] -
Biglaw, Crime, Fast Food, Feminism, Food, Interview Stories, Murder, Music, Non-Sequiturs, Nude Dancing, Racism, Supreme Court, Television
Non-Sequiturs: 11.13.06
* In law school, a burrito was not only a sandwich, but breakfast, lunch and dinner. And midnight snack. [AP via Yahoo! News] * When you have too much self-respect for a reunion tour, or another farewell tour is just not feasible, or you haven’t securitized your music catalog, then this may be your last […] -
Abortion, Native Americans, Pictures, SCOTUS, Screw-Ups, Shameless Plugs, Supreme Court
Fun With SCOTUS Transcripts
Law dorks around America rejoiced when the Supreme Court announced it would be making available free, same-day, online transcripts of oral arguments. Because we wouldn’t have to wait for amusing typographical errors, would we? One of you points out: Very funny transcription error in Gonzalez v. Carhart. Justice Stevens and Solicitor General Clement are sparring […] -
Biglaw, Boutique Law Firms, Crowell & Moring, Law Firm Mergers, Musical Chairs, Options Backdating, White-Collar Crime
Musical Chairs: 11.13.06
Law Firm Mergers: Actually, they’re really acquisitions: * Washington-based Crowell & Moring is building up its New York office by acquiring King Pagano Harrison, the health care/labor-and-employment boutique, and by picking up partners from IP boutique Morgan & Finnegan. * Philadelphia-based Drinker Biddle & Reath is “merging” with Chicago-based Gardner Carton & Douglas. The new […] -
Celebrities, Crime, Old People, Violence
Denise Richards: "Wild Thing," Hates Old People
If you’re like us, you spent way too much time this weekend fretting over whether Denise Richards might be in legal jeopardy over her recent laptop-hurling incident. Despite her descent into tabloid fodder, owing to her disastrous marriage to Charlie Sheen, we’re longtime fans of Ms. Richards. Nobody can resist the starlet’s delectably campy turns […]