Stephen Dillard

  • Morning Docket: 01.23.19
    Morning Docket

    Morning Docket: 01.23.19

    * “Trump is screaming. He’s so mad at Rudy.” After yet another botched interview, President Trump is reportedly “furious” with Rudy Giuliani, and word on the street is that he’s being told to dump the former New York mayor before any additional damage can be done. Best of luck, because he very obviously needs it. [Vanity Fair]

    * Justice will prevail… at least until the end of the month: The federal judiciary is still clinging to life amid the government shutdown, and the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts just announced its final funding extension to continue operations through January 31. [National Law Journal]

    * The Supreme Court’s conservative wind just low-key alerted the nation that big changes could be on the way by deciding to hear a Second Amendment case for the first time since 2010. Will the high court swing further to the right now that its perennial swing justice has retired? [Washington Post]

    * Stormy Daniels’s lawsuit against President Trump could be tossed out of court because there no longer seems to be a case. “They admitted what we said all along,” ATL’s 2018 Lawyer of the Year Michael Avenatti said. “So any attempt by anyone to claim that this is not a victory for Stormy Daniels is completely bogus and nonsense and dishonest.” [TIME]

    * The ABA’s House of Delegates will reconsider a 75 percent bar pass rate within two years of graduation for law schools to maintain their accreditation. This time around, the proposal could actually pass. Stay tuned, because the effort to push through a stronger bar pass standard will be taken up this coming Monday. [Law.com]

    * Congratulations to Chief Judge Stephen Dillard (@JudgeDillard) of the Georgia Court of Appeals, who was recently named as the state’s Twitter laureate. Just as you take judicial notice of my birthday each year, I take editorial notice of your constant kindness. Thank you for being you! [Daily Report]

  • Non Sequiturs: 11.18.18
    Non-Sequiturs

    Non Sequiturs: 11.18.18

    * Walter Dellinger and Marty Lederman offer their analysis of the Office of Legal Counsel memo, written by Assistant Attorney General Steve Engel, on the appointment of Matthew Whitaker as Acting Attorney General. [Just Security]

    * WWRMD: What Would Robert Mueller Do, in the event that he’s fired by Matt Whitaker? His options would be limited, according to Joel Cohen and Jennifer Rodgers. [The Hill]

    * As for who will become the next Senate-confirmed Attorney General, here are some possibilities — including Glenn Reynolds’s picks. [Instapundit]

    * Victoria Baranetsky, general counsel at the Center for Investigative Reporting, argues that the Jim Acosta case is about protecting press rights as well as due process. [Take Care]

    * Facebook friends aren’t “real” friends — at least according to this interesting new opinion from the Florida Supreme Court, highlighted by Eugene Volokh. [Reason / Volokh Conspiracy]

    * Managing partners don’t get no respect at law firms — and Bruce MacEwen thinks that’s a problem. [Adam Smith Esq.]

    * Even though it has been out for just a few months, Westlaw Edge already has 1,500 subscribers — and if you’re thinking about getting it, tune in to this (sponsored) webinar to learn more. [Dewey B Strategic]

    * Yesterday I spoke at the Federalist Society National Lawyers Convention on a panel about technology, social media, and legal ethics, featuring Judge Don Willett (5th Cir.), Chief Judge Stephen Dillard (Ga. Ct. App.), Josh Blackman, and John Browning. Check it out!

  • Morning Docket: 12.08.17
    Morning Docket

    Morning Docket: 12.08.17

    * ICYMI: Texas Supreme Court Justice and Fifth Circuit nominee Don Willett saved a man from choking to death at a Chik-fil-A about a week ago. Chief Judge Stephen Dillard of the Georgia Court of Appeals had this funny little quip about Willett’s heroism: “This Day in Judicial ‘Activism.'” [Houston Chronicle]

    * If you want an easy way out of your Biglaw job, just follow these easy tips for how to behave at your firm’s holiday party. [American Lawyer]

    * Lanny Davis has an interesting take on all of the reasons why — much to Donald Trump’s chagrin — the DOJ is not the president’s own personal law firm. [The Hill]

    * Biglaw firms are swooping in like vultures to pick apart Sedgwick’s decaying carcass. The failed firm’s London office only has one partner left. [American Lawyer]

    * “This is embarrassing, Mom. You look homeless.” A Detroit lawyer has founded a nonprofit law firm and she’s currently working and sleeping in an outdoor hovel during her “campout for justice.” She hopes to raise money to help more clients. Here’s her GoFundMe page. Donate bonus cash to a good cause! [Detroit Free Press]

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