October 2013

According to a tipster: "The front entrance to the law school was a minefield of vomit puddles."

* The Second Circuit has remanded the New York Stop and Frisk decision, demanding that a new judge hear the case. Among the reasons: that Judge Shira Scheindlin gave “media interviews and public statements purporting to respond publicly to criticism of the District Court.” So basically, act like a contemptuous prick in the press and when the judge calmly reaffirms her impartiality, get her thrown off the case. Thankfully this will all stop being an issue on about January 1, 2014. [U.S. Courts] * Attorney networking and referral site wireLawyer gave itself a Halloween makeover. Personally I wouldn’t want a Fett as an attorney — they have a tendency to lose their heads or fall into pits of despair. Screenshot if you check out the site after they’ve moved on to what we can only assume is their All Saints Day makeover. [wireLawyer] * Joe Biden’s niece appeared in court after she clashed with police last month, “swinging at a female officer then slapping another” before being dragged away in handcuffs all while touting how she “studied law.” This actually sounds more like something Joe Biden’s Onion persona would do. [NY Post] * Penn Law is sporting pumpkins carved with the likeness of all nine Supreme Court justices. [Under the Button] * Vivia Chen’s epic fail as a mother on Halloween. We still love you. [The Careerist] * The House of Representatives has now introduced a use restriction on videos of House hearings to prevent the footage from being used for political purposes. That doesn’t sound all that legal. The Republicans just desperately don’t want people to know what they actually do at “work.” [Patently-O] * Meanwhile, the Senate GOP is going filibuster on Patricia Millett’s nomination to the D.C. Circuit despite lacking any objection to her. [Huffington Post] * NYU Law carried on its annual tradition of acting out the Erie case. Screw that! They should act out Palsgraf…

Happy Halloween, but please don't sue us...

According to the latest Forbes ranking, only nine lawyers or law school graduates truly matter in this world. Which ones?

The new normal isn't going anywhere, schools and students need to adjust.

Where can you learn the law and party like a rock star at the same time? Let's find out!

City alleges that breathing pepper spray is unpleasant.

Do we need to engage in rulemaking to stop people who dine and dash from law school events?

Assuming that a judge’s identity determines his views on issues that relate to his own demographic is unfortunately apparent in discussions of both race and abortion.

Snarky responses to cease and desist letters are great, but a snark-filled court filing is really taking it up a notch.

* Let’s get ready to rumble! Senate Democrats are threatening to go “nuclear” on existing filibuster rules if Senate Republicans decide to band together to block Patricia Millett’s nomination to the D.C. Circuit. [New York Times]

* AMR Corp. and US Airways are reportedly trying to broker a deal with the Department of Justice that would allow the airlines’ merger to go through. And this is the room full of people who care. [Wall Street Journal (sub. req.)]

* Proskauer Rose and the zombie corpse of Dewey & LeBoeuf received a Halloween treat from Judge Martin Glenn in the MF Global case. The firms will each be receiving a combined $9 million for their work. [Am Law Daily]

* Twitter is facing a $125 million fraud suit filed by two financial firms claiming that the social media giant had them organize a private sale of shares and then canceled it. #OhShiat #LawyerUp [Businessweek]

* Jill Bjorkholm Easter, the lawyer accused of planting drugs on a PTA volunteer at her son’s school, has pleaded guilty to false imprisonment. Her hubby’s trial is next week. [L.A. Now / Los Angeles Times]

* She’s got the right to remain topless: Holly Van Voast, the photographer famous for roaming the streets of New York with breasts bared, settled a lawsuit against the city for $40,000. [New York Daily News]

* “Ed,” the anonymous editor of the defunct Blawg Review site, RIP. [Trial Warrior Blog; Simple Justice]

Please tell me there are no law students desperate enough for love to respond to this.

* “I Love Boobies” case may go to the Supreme Court. [Jezebel] * Law firms are warning clients to beware of “Misclassification Creep” which is a “threat” to many businesses. Yeah, it’s a real shame that employees might start getting paid what they actually earn. [Corporate Counsel] * Recurring ATL subject, Caskers craft spirits retailer, has been sold to Anderson Press. [Pandodaily] * Meanwhile, another legally related business has raised a total of $850,000. Hopefully they can use some of that to make another hilarious commercial. [Techcrunch] * Here are 10 things every new lawyer should do right now. Shorter version: start puckering up. [The Careerist] * In horrible news, a missing Wayne State law student was found dead. [Detroit Free Press] * A former Biglaw, current Midlaw associate has written a book and created this trailer to promote it. What if a sex toy manufacturer became a patent troll? Video embed after the jump…

Above the Law extends thanks to its advertisers.

Judge Posner just ripped this firm a new one.

Another Biglaw associate has decided to go into the lingerie game.

There's a lot of knowledge out there for in-house lawyers. Joining an organization can help you stay on top of it all.

Gary Luftspring of Ricketts, Harris answers 10 questions for the ATL Interrogatories, sponsored by Lateral Link.

What's this? A law firm is giving away 5 [Billable] Hour Energy?

Most people realize that contractor working conditions aren't pleasant... but how many realize they're also hazardous to your health.