Capitol

The fact is, Americans, and human beings in general, have never been a particularly well-informed bunch.

* A federal judge has dismissed a case a hemp organization filed against the Drug Enforcement Agency. Maybe the claims were half baked… [Capital Press]

* Attorneys for alleged Capitol rioters were given an exclusive tour of the Capitol grounds to seemingly assist in their defense work. [CNN]

* A new lawsuit alleges that the District of Columbia’s ban on dancing at weddings during the COVID-19 pandemic violates the First Amendment. This takes interpretative dance to another level. [Reason]

* Check out this article on how often Supreme Court Justices side with lower court judges who were appointed by different political parties. [Juris Lab]

* A closely watched contempt trial for a lawyer involved in a large environmental lawsuit against Chevron has started. [Reuters]

* A Virginia lawyer is liable for $742,000 over allegedly botching a divorce. Think of what a judgment might be if the Gates’ lawyers mess up in that breakup… [Virginia Lawyers Weekly]

* A judge has denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Amazon challenging the award of a lucrative Defense Department contract to Microsoft. Guess Jeff Bezos doesn’t have enough money already… [Verge]

* The FBI has purportedly seized a phone from a lawyer who has ties to Rudy Giuliani. [Salon]

* A lawyer connected to “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli has resigned from the New York Bar. [Bloomberg Law]

* The family of a protester shot and killed by police during the Capitol riot earlier this year is filing a wrongful death lawsuit. [NBC News]

* A New York lawyer, who is accused of vanishing and leaving clients and their money in the lurch, allegedly forged his mother’s signature on loan documents. Guess the joke about lawyers being willing to throw their mothers under the bus might be true for some people… [Commercial Observer]

* A lawsuit has been filed in Alaska claiming that 21 poultry companies ran an illicit cartel. Maybe the chickens are coming home to roost… [Insurance Journal]

* Twitter has sued the Texas Attorney General, claiming the AG started investigating Twitter after the platform banned Donald Trump. [NBC News]

* An Ohio lawyer has been disbarred for stealing millions from clients and using the money on cosmetic surgeries, gambling, and other expenses. [Journal-News]

* Prosecutors allege that an attorney in the Jussie Smollett criminal case has a conflict of interest. [Chicago Tribune]

* A lawyer, who was arrested over allegedly breaching the Capitol on January 6th, seemingly asked the judge during a bail hearing whether he could have a drink with his friends after his release. Alcohol should be the least of his issues. [Law & Crime]

Will all the behind-the-scenes drama and soul-searching take FedSoc to a better place?

* A Supreme Court advocate mentioned a case involving Taylor Swift at oral arguments recently. Bet that advocate hopes the justices don’t shake it off… [TMZ]

* An attorney who represents a client in connection with acts allegedly committed during the Capitol riot last week is placing blame for the event on President Trump. [NBC News]

* Amazon had some harsh words for Parler after the social media site filed a lawsuit against Amazon over a suspension of services. [Fox News]

* A Stanford Law professor, and legal ethics expert, has passed away at the age of 68. [Washington Post]

* Mary-Kate Olsen’s lawyer says her divorce has been “resolved.” Is she certain? Pretty sure “it takes two” but now she can move in with Uncle Jesse… [Vulture]

* A Georgia lawyer, who was purportedly present at the Capitol riot last week, claims the rioters were like “tourists.” Don’t think any of them were on a guided tour… [New York Post]

* Musician Nicki Minaj has lost a defamation lawsuit filed by artist Tracy Chapman over music Minaj allegedly misappropriated from Chapman. [NPR]

* Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, is in hot water for allegedly supporting individuals involved in the riot at the Capitol last week. [Yahoo News]

* The parent company of Pornhub is facing a class-action lawsuit over illicit videos allegedly posted on the website. [New York Post]

* A Florida attorney has been suspended from practice for allegedly committing misconduct and responding to an email from the bar with “[d]ear assholes.” In the lawyer’s defense, he reportedly ended the email with “[h]ave a blessed new year”… before concluding “[d]ick heads [sic].” [Orlando Sentinel]

* A Tennessee lawyer has been suspended from practice for allegedly taking controlled substances from an evidence room while serving as a prosecutor. Maybe he wanted to see if the drugs were legit…? [ABC News]

* Former Attorney General William Barr has condemned President Trump’s alleged role in the riot that occurred at the U.S. Capitol earlier this week. [New York Daily News]

* Check out this interview with Judy Sheindlin in which she discusses her career on the bench and on Judge Judy as the show reaches its final episodes. [ABA Journal]

* The lawyer for a California man accused of having a New Year’s Eve party attended by around 100 people at Eddie Murphy’s former mansion said it “wasn’t supposed to be a big affair.” [Sacramento Bee]

* The DEA has asked that a lawsuit concerning hemp regulations be dismissed. Bet many hope this challenge goes up in smoke… [Capital Press]