Matlock

* A Georgia lawyer, who some believed may have been the inspiration for the “Matlock” character, has passed away. Wonder if he wore Matlock suits himself… [WSB TV]

* A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit that alleged James Franco created a sexually exploitative environment at an acting school. [New York Times]

* Authorities say that the man who killed the son of Judge Esther Salas last year may have also targeted Justice Sonia Sotomayor. [NBC News]

* A lawsuit has been filed against a Texas utility over the death of a child during the winter weather and power failures that hit Texas last week. [Hill]

* A federal judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit Congressman Devin Nunes filed against CNN. [Politico]

* Democratic lawmakers are suggesting that President Biden steer clear of candidates with Ivy League educations when considering possible Supreme Court picks. Happy to still be eligible… [New York Times]

* Nothing says justice like for-profit probation companies. [New York Times] * Was this really a courtroom exchange involving Redskins tight end Fred Davis, or was it a weird performance art piece/Abbott and Costello comedy routine? [Washingtonian] * There is no such thing as a free trip to Disney World. Well, technically there is. There are many, in fact, at least until you get caught. [Legal Juice] * The insane legal fight between the Oatmeal and Charles Carreon continues to get weirder. Oh yeah, and serial suer extraordinaire Jonathan Lee Riches has hopped into the fray as well. [Lowering the Bar] * Kim Dotcom says the order to go after Megaupload came all the way from the top. WHAT DOES JOE BIDEN WANT??? [TorrentFreak] * RIP Andy Griffith, a.k.a. Matlock, one of the most famous television attorneys of all time. My grandmother is probably very sad today. [WSJ Law Blog]