Louisiana
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Morning Docket
Morning Docket: 02.04.19
* During an interview on “Face the Nation,” President Donald Trump was wishy-washy as to whether he’d be comfortable with special counsel Robert Mueller’s full report being released to the public, saying, “I don’t know. It depends. I have no idea what it’s going to say.” He was really comfortable saying it was time to “get rid” of the probe, though. [New York Times]
* Speaking of the special counsel’s Russia inquiry, a former federal prosecutor predicts that Mueller will indict Donald Trump Jr. to get leverage over his father. After all, “[w]e’ve seen Mueller use people’s kids to get to folks in the past.” Will his son’s actions be President Trump’s undoing? [Newsweek]
* Here’s a headline we bet you thought you’d never see: “Justice Alito Temporarily Blocks a Louisiana Abortion Law.” The sad part here is that this case may place a burden women’s abortion rights if the full Court hears it. [New York Times]
* “I can’t do this for the rest of my life. I can’t sit in a room and look at documents. I won’t get into what that is, but it’s deadly. Deadly. Document production.” Doc review might have been “deadly” in Michelle Obama’s day, but has it improved? [American Lawyer]
* Remember Bruce Reilly, the convicted murderer who went on to become a student at Tulane Law? He’s since graduated, and while he’d like to take the bar exam to practice as a lawyer, he doesn’t think he’ll be able to overcome his character and fitness issues. [New York Times]
* Earth’s finest lawsuit? The #FijiWaterGirl (aka Kelleth Cuthberg née Kelly Steinbach), the model who inadvertently photobombed celebrities on the red carpet during the Golden Globes, has filed suit against Fiji Water for allegedly using her likeness to promote its brand without her permission. [CBS News]
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Crime
'Stand Your Ground' Does Not Extend To Shooting A Person Fleeing In A Vehicle, Thank God
The rare instance where a Louisiana jury does not embarrass itself. - Sponsored
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… -
Courts
Suspect Asks For A 'Lawyer, Dog,' Willfully Ignorant Court Denies Comma, Counsel
A Louisiana court was willing to look incredibly stupid to read in ambiguity.
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Non-Sequiturs
Non-Sequiturs: 09.29.17
* The ACLU is ready to fight a Louisiana school district after they told student athletes they must stand for the national anthem or they’ll get kicked off the team. [Huffington Post]
* New York landlords that harass rent stabilized tenants beware — AG Eric Schneiderman has his eye on you. [Cityland]
* The Supreme Court’s role in building Hugh Hefner’s naked empire. [Law and More]
* Starting a new Biglaw job? Tips to keep your finances in order. [Corporette]
* Will lowering California’s bar cut score do more harm than good? [Lawyerist]
* The party behind Brexit has a new logo that looks a little like they cribbed it from a law school. [LegalCheek]
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Law Schools, Public Interest
Bayou Brief Founder Lamar White Discusses Disability, Louisiana, And The Law
A conversation about cerebral palsy, his career, and advice for those thinking about attending law school. -
Police, Politics
'Blue Lives Matter' Laws: A Punishment In Search Of A Crime
In one tidy story we can see why this law is both dangerous and useless at the same freaking time. -
Biglaw, Contests, Summer Associates
Best Summer Associate Event Contest (2016): The Winner!
Congratulations to this worthy winner, which demolished the competition just like it trounces opposing counsel in the courtroom. -
Biglaw, Contests, Summer Associates
Best Summer Associate Event Contest (2016): The Finalists
Six great nominees; time to cast your vote! - Sponsored
Navigating Financial Success by Avoiding Common Pitfalls and Maximizing Firm Performance
In this CLE-eligible webinar, we’ll explore the most common accounting pitfalls and how to avoid them for your firm. -
Legal Ethics, State Judges
Judge 'Engaged In Bizarre And Disturbing Behavior'
Absolute nightmare of a trial judge. -
Morning Docket
Morning Docket: 05.26.16
* David Mourey, the former assistant dean for bar preparation and academic success at Barry Law, was fired after students continued to fail the bar exam, but in a recently filed gender discrimination and retaliation lawsuit, he claims he was discriminated against because he was “singled out for discipline by an all-female management team.” We may have more on this later. [Orlando Sentinel]
* Despite the wishes of the public and rumors of his firing in the face of the Baylor University coverup of reports of rape and sexual assault by football players, “Ken Starr is [still] president and chancellor of Baylor University.” According to a university spokeswoman, the school has not yet finished reviewing Pepper Hamilton’s report on the matter, but Baylor will likely make an announcement by June 3. [Associated Press]
* “We are willing to fight this all the way to the Supreme Court if we have to.” Eleven states have filed suit against the Obama Administration in an effort to get around its guidance on transgender rights for children in schools, calling the policy a “massive social experiment.” The states suing are Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. [Reuters]
* Sumner Redstone turns 93 years old tomorrow, and he’s been in and out of court for the past few months in a battle to prove he’s mentally competent. The salacious case filed by his former female companion may have been dismissed, but now he’s attempting to fend off claims from Viacom directors who were ousted from a trust that will control his media holdings if he dies or is found incompetent. [DealBook / New York Times]
* Now that the world knows that PayPal’s co-founder provided funding for Hulk Hogan’s invasion of privacy suit against Gawker, it’s time to take a look at the lawyer who’s been representing the wrestler. Charles Harder is no stranger to Hollywood cases, and may be a longtime fan of litigation finance since he “[tries] to win and do so in a way that’s cost effective for a client, so they don’t lose when they’re winning.” [WSJ Law Blog]
* Since revenge litigation finance’s recent invention, what’s there to keep billionaires from destroying you with lawsuits? Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not much, especially when “there is no obligation to disclose the litigation financing arrangements” that have been made. Ethical issues aside, we really hope the super-rich wield their new power to ruin lives through rented lawsuits carefully. [Fortune]
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Public Interest
Louisiana Legislature Attempting To Cure What Ails Public Defenders
This bill may restore basic public-defender services in Louisiana while increasing support for abolishing the death penalty. -
Family Law, Health Care / Medicine, Kids
I Want To Put A Baby In You: The Curious Case Of Louisiana
Louisiana's proposed legislation is not an appropriate solution to the difficult challenges in the realm of Assisted Reproductive Technology, as columnist Ellen Trachman argues. -
Morning Docket
Morning Docket: 03.03.16
* Polsinelli has gutted Novak Druce by hiring away 44 lawyers from the firm in a mass lateral move, including two of its name partners. The suffering IP boutique will shutter its doors and wind down its legal practice for good. [Big Law Business / Bloomberg BNA]
* A source says that Judge Jane Kelly of the Eighth Circuit is being vetted as a potential nominee to replace Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court. The Iowa judge could make Senate Republicans squirm since she was confirmed unanimously just three years ago. [New York Times]
* “You’re making a commitment that has very little room for escape.” Kirkland & Ellis increased its notice period to 120 days, and partners are wondering whether other firms will follow suit and make it even harder for them to leave. [Crain’s Chicago Business]
* SCOTUS watchers say the justices appeared “deeply divided” during oral arguments in the Whole Woman’s Health case, but some think Justice Kennedy may decide to punt it — perhaps giving time for Justice Scalia’s replacement to be confirmed. [USA Today]
* Attention sports fans: The NFL’s Hail Mary appeal of the Deflategate case will be heard by a three-judge panel of the Second Circuit today. At an estimated $20 million total, the legal bill on this action could be one for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. [WSJ Law Blog]
* Louisiana is a state with notoriously harsh punishments for marijuana-related crimes, but it may be considering legalizing weed for recreational use. Dealing drugs seems like it’d be a quick and easy way for the state to get out of its $850M debt. [Daily Beast]
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Legal Ethics, Marijuana
Lawyer Gets Paid In Weed, Keeps His Law License
You may be able to adhere to Snoop Dogg’s edict and smoke weed every day (if you don’t get caught), but you should never get involved in a drug trade. -
Crime, Sentencing Law
Haller Jackson, Former Federal Law Clerk, Pleads Guilty To A Sex Offense
What drove him into this situation, and what will happen to him next? -
Crime, Prisons
Self-Confessed Child Killer To Be Set Free As A Result Of 'Good Time' Loophole
The case of Philip DeSelle highlights the tragedy of a glaring loophole in Louisiana’s “good time” laws that stood for years. -
Morning Docket
Morning Docket: 01.12.15
* George Zimmerman was arrested for aggravated assault and domestic violence with a weapon. His lawyer said his client “has not been lucky with the ladies.” He hasn’t been lucky with being a decent human being, either. [USA Today]
* Lawrence McCreery, the Hawaii lawyer who licked a client’s ear and inspired the judge on his case to call him a “dirty old man,” has had his harassment conviction upheld on appeal. Get excited, he’s still got a law license, ladies. [Associated Press]
* We may soon see same-sex marriage bans in three states struck down, as the Fifth Circuit “appeared poised” to do so after oral arguments on Friday. Roberta Kaplan, our 2013 Lawyer of the Year, delivered a standout performance in arguing against Mississippi’s ban. [BuzzFeed]
* What do Sidley Austin, Baker & McKenzie, Reed Smith, Hogan Lovells, and Skadden Arps have in common? Their names were used in phishing emails to scam people out of their money. Some might say that’s business as usual. [Crain’s Chicago Business]
* An arrest was made in the forcible rape of a woman — presumably a law student — that took place in the stacks of the Southern University Law Center’s library last semester. The accused rapist is currently behind held without bond. [WBRZ]
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Constitutional Law, Federal Judges, Gay, Gay Marriage, Politics
Fast Progress, Fundamental Rights: How Much Do Changing Attitudes On Same-Sex Marriage Matter?
A federal judge in Louisiana just upheld that state's ban on same-sex marriage; was that the correct ruling? -
Crime, Law Schools, Murder
Law Student Arrested On Murder And Arson Charges
Another lawyer's career may be over before it even started. -
Alex Kozinski, Biglaw, Clerkships, Crime, Feeder Judges, Gay, Kids, Rape, Sex, Sex Scandals
A Law Clerk With A Gilded Résumé, Charged With Solicitation And Attempted Rape Of A Young Boy
Shocking allegations against a former law clerk to a feeder judge and former Biglaw associate who graduated law school with a 4.0 and served as editor in chief of the law review.