Wills

Wills are often sold to less well-heeled Americans as a way to prevent fighting among heirs.

In many ways, the holiday season is the perfect time to think about estate and personal planning.

Don't put off thinking about your last will and testament until you're being Force-choked by Lord Vader.

Even minimal effort can assure that will fraud does not happen in our lives.

You betta THINK about where to safeguard your last will and testament.

Discord is likely to arise amongst the heirs.

Don't forget to address your sperm or eggs in your will.

* “[S]he didn’t earn the nickname ‘The Notorious RBG’ for nothing.” During a press briefing yesterday afternoon, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said that he was not surprised that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had decided to weigh in about presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his qualifications. [POLITICO]

* In a recent Twitter poll, Law.com asked whether Justice Ginsburg’s comments related to Trump were “out of bounds” for a Supreme Court justice. After thousands upon thousands of user votes poured in, the results were split, with 51 percent responding “no,” and 49 percent responding “yes.” What do you think? Email us. [Law.com]

* Cravath Swaine & Moore partners have elected a new presiding partner to succeed C. Allen Parker. Faiza Saeed is currently the co-head of Cravath’s mergers-and-acquisitions practice, and will soon serve as the first-ever female presiding partner of the firm. Congratulations! We’ll have more on this exciting news later today. [Am Law Daily]

* Like his balls, Tom Brady must be a little down since it looks the challenge to his four-game “Deflategate” suspension has officially been sacked. The Second Circuit has flat-out refused to rehear the case or rehear it en banc, and now the New England Patriots quarterback’s hopes rest on a Hail Mary to the Supreme Court. [Big Law Business]

* It’s well-known that music icon Prince died of an accidental drug overdose without a will, but according to a recent order from the judge presiding over the probate of his estate, a Minnesota law firm that previously represented the singer “might possess confidential information potentially relevant” to who his true heirs are. [USA Today]

* “Elle [Woods] embodies fighting for what is right, staying true to yourself, and defeating the odds.” It’s been fifteen years since the film first hit theaters, but Legally Blonde is still inspiring people to go to law school, despite the bleak employment scene that awaits graduates. Unfortunately, the bend-and-snap won’t win you a job. [People]

* Dig if you will the picture, of you and I engaged in a… probate battle? Uh-oh! In documents filed in a Carver County, Minnesota, probate court, Prince’s sister, Tyka Nelson, claims that the music icon — whose estate is said to have been valued at about $300 million — died without a will. [USA Today]

* “[L]ook, if he’s not our nominee, I think he would be a great replacement for Scalia.” Despite the fact that Senator Ted Cruz previously insisted that he wasn’t interested in being nominated to replace the late Antonin Scalia as a SCOTUS justice, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) thinks Cruz is the man for the job. [The Hill]

* Dentons says $2 million was “erroneously allocated” to McKenna Long & Aldridge partners during a merger with Luce Forward, and now the Biglaw behemoth really wants the money back. Partner’s aren’t pleased, griping that “this is a cautionary tale for anyone thinking of merging with Dentons.” [National Law Journal via Big Law Business]

* Today is sentencing day for former House Speaker Dennis Hastert. The accused child abuser faces up to five years in prison for attempting to cover up his hush-money payoffs, but prosecutors have asked that he serve no more than six months. We wonder how his Biglaw supporters will feel if he receives a stiff sentence. [Chicago Sun-Times]

* Indiana Tech Law School will soon hold a commencement ceremony for its inaugural graduating class of 21 students. These soon-to-be law school graduates say that one of the main reasons they chose to attend the school was its low cost of tuition. Not having a lot of debt is a great thing when your job prospects are uncertain. Congrats! [21Alive]

* Who could be mad at this cute little hamster? Oh, Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner for whom the toy was named… without her consent. [Jezebel]

* You like song parodies. So checkout these law-based ones that are “funny to lawyers who have had three drinks after the dessert course.” Bonus: it also raises money for Legal Aid. [Connecticut Law Tribune]

* Handy guide to law schools that offer the biggest tuition discounts. [Tax Prof Blog]

* Fun way to end Throwback Thursday: scroll through the wills and probate records for historical figures like Harriet Beecher Stowe, Eli Whitney, and Daniel Webster. [Pictorial]

* Interested in a private legal networking site? Not so fast, you’ll be banned if you write about it. [Law Sites]

* Ugh, this Kentucky clerk/Kim Davis debacle is still going on, now with 100% more jail time. [New York Times]

* Tips on how to get over that awkward hurdle and actually talk to a colleague who recently lost their job. [Law and More]

* What traits make for good lawyers? [It’s Not About The Lawyers, Teacup]

* We’ve told you before about Covington partner Mark Mosier’s son, Michael, who passed away at age 6 from DIPG, a rare brain tumor. Now Eric Holder has recorded a video to raise awareness of the disease. [Defeat DIPG]

Think making a will is easy? Eliam Medina, cofounder of Willing.com, says think again.

Back in February, Joseph Flom — name partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and one of the nation’s most successful and prominent lawyers — passed away, at the age of 87. During his life, Flom earned well-deserved renown as an attorney, philanthropist, and mentor. He was also a wonderful father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, […]