Child pornography

Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 11.06.15

* Law school admissions standards have plummeted and bar exam passage rates are circling the drain. This can only mean one thing: an army of dumb would-be lawyers whose degrees aren't worth the paper they're printed on will "become criminals themselves -- robbing liquor stores, grabbing old ladies’ handbags, selling derivatives." [Wall Street Journal] * A Pennsylvania attorney was charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography after it was discovered that he was downloading the images at his law firm. Protip: Don't leave pictures of nude boys engaged in sexual acts in the copier tray. [The Reporter] * Law firms where older partners refuse to pass the baton may be in trouble. “Some law firms could crumble after this generation because they don’t have a lot to sell to the next generation." Only 3% of managing partners belong to Generation X. [New York Times] * DLA Piper's London office launched a review of its pay structure in an effort to remunerate partners based on more than just billable hours alone. One wonders if this meritocracy will make its way across the pond to us here in America. [Legal Business] * According to a landmark decision from the Mexico Supreme Court, it's a constitutional right for people to be able to grow and smoke their own marijuana. Of course, this ruling only applies to the petitioners, but it's a step in the right direction. [Los Angeles Times]

By Staci Zaretsky
Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 07.01.15

* Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are getting divorced -- even she couldn't stand the thought of him being Batman. Celebrity divorces don't come cheap, and you know what that must mean: high-powered lawyers and even higher rates for their billable hours! [CNN] * "[H]ow young would you go…I'd do 5[,] [b]ut 0-12 is hot." Well, that's absolutely disgusting. Matthew Gigot, an attorney who does doc review in the D.C. area, was charged in a child pornography case for sexual performance using a minor. [FOX 5 DC] * The main line of defense as of late in the Dewey trial for the former head honchos of this failed firm is that everyone sends out embarrassing -- and potentially incriminating -- emails from time to time. We know all abput that here at Above the Law. [WSJ Law Blog] * "Put down the bong, throw out the vaporizer and lose the rolling papers." If you're hoping to land a job at any federal agency any time in the near future, then you better quit your toking as soon as possible, even if it's legal in your state. [New York Times] * Here's some sad news for women who are interested in taking home their apparently delicious and nutritious placentas to feast upon after their children are born in hospitals: it's only completely legal in three states -- Hawaii, Oregon, and Texas. [The Stir]

By Staci Zaretsky
Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 06.26.15

* Step right up and place your bets, because there are still five major cases left on the Supreme Court's docket. With two decision days remaining, we've got same-sex marriage, execution methods, emissions, Congressional redistricting, and guns on tap. [WSJ Law Blog] * A Chicago attorney was arrested this week after a kiddie porn stash was allegedly found in his home. Good thing he resigned from his firm before being arrested. He probably wouldn't have been able to meet his billable hours requirements while sitting inside of a jail cell. [Chicago Sun-Times] * California lawmakers passed the harshest mandatory vaccination requirements in the country -- which include a ban on religious exemptions -- and they're waiting for Gov. Jerry Brown to sign the bill. Anti-vaxxers must be losing their minds. [Los Angeles Times] * Sorry to harsh your mellow, but Lloyd's of London is now refusing to insure marijuana businesses due to conflicts between state and federal laws as to their legality. Current policies will not be renewed, and no new contracts will be issued. [Insurance Journal] * The ABA Journal wants to know about the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen a co-worker do while on the job or in court. This is a pretty easy answer here at ATL. I've seen Elie Mystal dancing around without his shirt on more times than I can count. [ABA Journal]

By Staci Zaretsky
Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 11.25.14

* "Have a taste of this. It will do you good in so many ways." Louisa Moritz, one of Bill Cosby's alleged victims, is interested in filing a class-action lawsuit against the comedian. [Fox News Latino] * If you're interested, here's all of the testimony and evidence that was presented to the grand jury that resulted in no true bill for Darren Wilson in the Michael Brown shooting. [Associated Press] * HBO hired a team of 160 lawyers to look at its film adaptation of Lawrence Wright's book about Scientology. The power of thetans compels them to keep churning that bill, baby. [Hollywood Reporter] * "The Constitution is not a math problem," but it seems like the Supreme Court is playing a numbers game when it comes to its decisions having to do with same-sex marriage. What's the magic number for SCOTUS to take a case? [New York Times] * It's official: Morgan Lewis has gobbled up most of Bingham McCutchen ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Stick a fork in it, because Morgan Lewis is done -- it's now stuffed full of more lawyers than any other firm in the country. [Philadelphia Inquirer] * Emerson Briggs III, an ex-partner at Hunton & Williams, is facing disbarment in D.C. over the child pornography he downloaded at work. Oh, how the mighty have fallen: he's been working as a paralegal since being disbarred in New York. [Legal Times] * Patricia Nesci, a law firm secretary, allegedly forged a judge's signature on an order to show cause to keep herself from being evicted from her home earlier this month. She apparently did not get a Biglaw-style bonus from her former firm. [Syracuse.com] * Before you submit your applications, you should try creating a budget to see just how financially screwed you'll be during and after law school, and then compare it to your pre-law school budget. Try not to cry. [Law Admissions Lowdown / U.S. News]

By Staci Zaretsky
9th Circuit

Morning Docket: 01.23.14

* The Supreme Court isn’t sure how to address restitution in this child pornography case, but the justices agreed that they didn’t like the “50 percent fudge factor” offered by a government attorney. [New York Times] * No, stupid, you can’t strike a juror just because he’s gay. By expanding juror protections to sexual orientation, the Ninth Circuit recently added a new notch on the gay rights bedpost. Progress! [Los Angeles Times] * The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board says the NSA’s domestic surveillance program is illegal and should be stopped. Sorry, Edward Snowden beat you to the punch on that one. [New York Times] * While Blank Rome was busy denying a possible merger with Nixon Peabody, it picked up 21 attorneys from two small firms in California to open a San Francisco office. Sneaky. [Philadelphia Business Journal] * Dennis T. O’Riordan, the ex-Paul Hastings partner who faked his credentials, was disbarred — not in New York, where he claimed he was admitted, but across the pond in the United Kingdom. [Am Law Daily] * The ABA Journal wants to know if your law firm considers law school pedigree during its hiring process. Please consider the law schools your firm shuts out from OCI, and respond accordingly. [ABA Journal] * Word on the street is UALR School of Law is trying to push an affirmative action program that’s “likely unconstitutional.” It might also be insulting to prospective minority students, so there’s that. [Daily Caller]

By Staci Zaretsky