Brendan Dassey

Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 08.15.16

* In case you've been sleeping under a rock, Brendan Dassey -- one of the subjects of the Netflix hit documentary "Making a Murderer" -- had his conviction overturned on Friday. In his ruling, Judge William Duffin cited the misconduct of Dassey's trial lawyer as "indefensible." He'll be released from prison within 90 days. [Reuters] * "I wasn't a pedophile. I wasn't a preferential sex predator. I wasn't the monster I was made out to be." Seeking a new trial, ex-Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky is arguing ineffective assistance of counsel thanks to his lawyer's decision to keep him off the stand and allow him to take a televised interview with Bob Costas. [Philadelphia Inquirer] * Uh-oh! Even after an enormous partner capital call of $18.1 million, it seems that King & Wood Mallesons may not be out of the woods just yet. The firm failed to make any partner profit distributions at the end of the month in July, and it's "not painting a particularly positive picture" as to the overall health of the firm. [Big Law Business] * ASU Law's new school is set to open today in Phoenix, Arizona, and there will be a few special appearances from political and judicial hotshots to commemorate the very special occasion, including speeches from Senator John McCain and Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the law school's namesake. Congratulations! [Downtown Phoenix Journal] * Meet Jerry Guerinot, the Texas defense attorney who's earned the honor of being referred to as the "worst lawyer in the United States." He's represented about three dozen capital murder defendants over the course of 40 years and he has a perfect record -- in that not a single one of his clients has been found innocent. [Houston Chronicle]

By Staci Zaretsky
Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 02.25.16

* Come on, you know you want it -- you'll be a hit with all the law nerds. [Tee Spring] * Yup, these are law-related dioramas made with the marshmallow goodness of Peeps. I respect the dedication needed to make these, but was there really nothing better you could do with your time? [ABA Journal] * Your detailed guide to the messy legal battle between Kesha and Dr. Luke. [Slate] * One more reason to be paranoid -- thieves are using Instagram to track and find potential burglary victims. [Find Law] * The Marshall Islands are suing the U.S. and India for violations of the NPT. The suit may actually work out for the defendants, forcing them to work together. [Fortune] * Brendan Dassey's lawyer breaks down why his confession in Making a Murderer was a fake one. [Business Insider] * Book review: check out the novel, What Was Mine, for the legal ramifications of kidnapping. [CodeX] * How to keep up with a client-focused legal practice. [Reboot Your Law Practice] * As the business of being a lawyer gets more cutthroat, will some law firms break ranks? [Big Law Business / Bloomberg] https://youtu.be/mI_dwfpPWvI

By Kathryn Rubino