Securities Law

Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 11.15.16

* A Wisconsin judge has ordered that Brendan Dassey, one of the subjects of "Making a Murderer," be freed from prison while the state appeals a ruling overturning his conviction, as authorities have "failed to demonstrate that Dassey represents a present danger to the community." The date of his release is not yet known, but the state plans to file another appeal. [USA Today] * "If you have baseball commissioner to offer me, then I can tell you what my plans are." Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Mary Jo White is stepping down from her position even though she still has two years left before her term is up. The departure of the former Debevoise partner and federal prosecutor will make way for President-elect Donald Trump to start dismantling the Dodd-Frank Act. [DealBook / New York Times] * For a man who seems to be completely obsessed with all things tremendous, big league, great, and yuge, the vast majority of the judges on President-elect Trump's Supreme Court shortlist have at least one thing in common: They didn't go to Ivy League law schools. That being said, just like his outsider campaign as a whole, the names on Trump's Supreme Court pick list are a "revolt against the elites." [New York Times] * While he was still on the campaign trail, President-elect Trump pledged to "open up our libel laws" so celebrities and public officials can "sue [the media] and win lots of money," but it might not be so easy to do. The Supreme Court doesn't seem to have any designs on overturning the precedent set in New York Times v. Sullivan, and the only other way to change libel laws would be to amend the Constitution. [WSJ Law Blog] * Chadbourne & Parke has filed a motion for summary judgment in the $100 million gender discrimination class-action suit filed by one of its current partners and one of its former partners, contending that not only are their claims "utterly baseless," but that the plaintiff partners are not or were not employees of the firm who fall under employment discrimination laws. We'll have more on this news later today. [Big Law Business]

By Staci Zaretsky
Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 10.13.16

* According to a new survey published by legal search firm Major Lindsey & Africa, on average, female Biglaw partners make 44 percent less than male Biglaw partners, and the pay disparity is largely due to who receives origination credit for business. We'll have more on this study later today. [DealBook / New York Times] * Uh-oh! This Australian law firm may be going even further down under... Following a restructuring and several rounds of layoffs, Slater & Gordon, the world's first publicly traded law firm, has found itself on the receiving end of a class-action securities case on behalf of its shareholders over its continually tumbling share prices. [WSJ Law Blog] * "Today’s ruling marks an end to Mr. Paxton’s almost year-long attempt to avoid being judged by a jury of his peers." Even though a federal judge tossed out similar charges last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will face trial on state securities fraud charges. Paxton's lawyers plan to appeal the ruling to a state appellate court. [Big Law Business] * The last time your jeans were cool was when they were a lyric in "My Humps": After falling out of fashion, True Religion has hired Kirkland & Ellis to explore some debt restructuring options. With about $500 million in debt to deal with, the company may have to file for bankruptcy or hope for kind negotiations with its lenders. [Reuters] * "What is he thinking? Already his conduct is going to make him a pariah in many law school contexts — and this just fuels the flames." Former Berkeley Law Dean Sujit Choudhry's next court hearing for his racial discrimination case is on November 3. What is the law school's latest argument against his claims? [San Francisco Chronicle] * Jack Greenberg, former leader of NAACP Legal Defense Fund, RIP. [New York Times]

By Staci Zaretsky
Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 05.19.16

* An analysis of Judge Garland's rulings on the D.C. Circuit -- what type of judge he is, who has he been historically, and what he might be like as a Supreme Court justice. [Empirical SCOTUS] * Ex-Skadden lawyer Charles Bennett, who pled guilty to running a Ponzi scheme, got sentenced to 5 years in prison. [Law360] * Some of the most damning evidence in the lawsuit against Rolling Stone over its (since retracted) UVA rape story may be a law firm's involvement. [Gawker] * Super. One of Donald Trump's delegates was just indicted on child porn and weapons charges. I'm fascinated to know how that will lead to a bump in Trump's polling numbers. [Law Newz] * This criminal defense attorney actually enjoys his job. I thought a lawyer that was fulfilled by their job existed only on TV. Nicely done, sir. [Katz on Justice] * Securities lawyer is getting two years in jail for tax evasion. You should really know better, dude. [Daily Business Review] * An attorney faced disciplinary action for letting her deadbeat boyfriend do illegal s**t in her basement. [Legal Profession Blog] * A cool opportunity in legal journalism: full-time editor of SCOTUSblog. [SCOTUSblog]

By Kathryn Rubino