Morning Docket: 12.22.17

* Judge George B. Daniels (S.D.N.Y.) dismissed a suit alleging that President Trump violated the Constitution's emoluments clause when his hotels and restaurants did business with foreign governments during his time in office. The reason for dismissal? A lack of standing. [Washington Post] * Speaking of the president, past vetting (or lack thereof) concerns be damned, because he recently announced his latest round of judicial nominations. Thus far, Trump has had a record number of circuit judges confirmed in his first year. [CNN] * Simpson Thacher and Kasowitz Benson are being sued for malpractice by the former CEO of Patriot National, who claims the firms are the reason why his company went under and is on the brink of filing for bankruptcy. [Daily Business Review] * Co-conspirator or victim? That's what jurors will have to decide when it comes to former Katten Muchin partner Evan Greebel, who once represented pharma bro Martin Shkreli. [New York Law Journal] * UCLA Law School is creating the Chris Cornell Scholarship, named for the late Soundgarden/Audioslave singer, endowed with a $1 million gift from a coalition led by his widow, Vicky Cornell. This is a wonderful way to remember an amazing artist who was an amazing human being. [Los Angeles Times] * It's finally here, a listing of the Top 10 Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2017. Topping the list is the woman who sued because she claimed she was "deceived" by amount of sugar in jelly beans. [U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform]

President Donald Trump (Photo by Ali Shaker/VOA)

* Judge George B. Daniels (S.D.N.Y.) dismissed a suit alleging that President Trump violated the Constitution’s emoluments clause when his hotels and restaurants did business with foreign governments during his time in office. The reason for dismissal? A lack of standing. [Washington Post]

* Speaking of the president, past vetting (or lack thereof) concerns be damned, because he recently announced his latest round of judicial nominations. Thus far, Trump has had a record number of circuit judges confirmed in his first year. [CNN]

* Simpson Thacher and Kasowitz Benson are being sued for malpractice by the former CEO of Patriot National, who claims the firms are the reason why his company went under and is on the brink of filing for bankruptcy. [Daily Business Review]

* Co-conspirator or victim? That’s what jurors will have to decide when it comes to former Katten Muchin partner Evan Greebel, who once represented pharma bro Martin Shkreli. [New York Law Journal]

* UCLA Law School is creating the Chris Cornell Scholarship, named for the late Soundgarden/Audioslave singer, endowed with a $1 million gift from a coalition led by his widow, Vicky Cornell. This is a wonderful way to remember an amazing artist who was an amazing human being. [Los Angeles Times]

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* It’s finally here, a listing of the Top 10 Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2017. Topping the list is the woman who sued because she claimed she was “deceived” by amount of sugar in jelly beans. [U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform]


Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky has been an editor at Above the Law since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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