Evan Greebel

Morning Docket: 10.31.19

* Johnny Depp has settled a lawsuit against his former attorney who allegedly bilked him out of millions. In other words: Jack Sparrow has bested another pirate. [Bloomberg] * Hillary Clinton told an audience at Georgetown Law yesterday that she played a pivotal role in the selection of RBG to the Supreme Court. Maybe she'll play herself in the next RBG movie. [CNN] * Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. has been charged with unlawfully touching a third woman. [Yahoo Entertainment] * Attorneys handling the Equifax data breach class action are asking for $77M in fees. I'm still waiting for the money AOC promised me! [Daily Report] * The Second Circuit has upheld the conviction of Martin Shkreli's lawyer for his role in helping Shkreli defraud investors. [Reuters] * R. Kelly skipped a hearing relating to his federal charges because he allegedly had an infected toenail. This excuse is even worse than saying he had to wash his hair. [People]

Former Biglaw Partner Gets 18 Months In Prison For His Work With Pharma Bro Martin Shkreli

The judge denied the defense's request for no jail time.

Morning Docket: 08.20.18

* It turns out that Don McGahn, the White House counsel, has been cooperating "extensively" with Robert Mueller's obstruction investigation. He's apparently been sharing "detailed accounts" for his own legal security because he thought President Trump might be trying to set him as the fall guy. [New York Times] * Judge T.S. Ellis says that he's received threats while overseeing Paul Manafort's trial and that he is now under the protection of U.S. Marshals. He's refused to release the names of the jurors out of a genuine concern for their safety. [USA Today] * Federal prosecutors are reportedly preparing charges related to bank and tax fraud for Michael Cohen. He allegedly misrepresented his assets to obtain loans and failed to properly report income from his taxi medallions. Yikes! [CNN] * Speaking of Cohen, Bracewell partner Barbara Jones has concluded her privilege review of the more than 3.2 million documents seized from Michael Cohen, and found that about 7,150 were actually privileged -- a fraction of what was taken, and a fraction of what Cohen's legal team claimed was privileged. [New York Law Journal] * "I will regret every day of my life, the day I met Martin Shkreli." Despite his lawyers' request for no jail time, Evan Greebel, the former Biglaw partner who once worked with the pharma bro, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison. [American Lawyer] * Esperanza Franco, a 2015 graduate of Penn Law's LL.M. program and 2017 graduate of Arizona's J.D. program, has been defending immigrants from deportation, but she may soon face deportation herself thanks to a series of visa errors. You can donate here to help her stay in the country. [Philadelphia Inquirer]

Morning Docket: 08.16.18

* Charges filed in the murder of Stephen Shapiro against the victim's brother-in-law. [American Lawyer] * Over in the Sixth Circuit, Judge Amul Thapar launched his latest bid to be the Federalist Society's next favorite son by taking the Supreme Court's intellectually bankrupt Epic opinion and saying, "what if it didn't go far enough?"[National Law Journal] * As sexual abuse allegations against the Catholic Church continue to mount, Andrew Cuomo asks the state to expand the deadline to bring claims to the age of 50. Like every other Cuomo move, I assume this comes because Cynthia Nixon wanted it moved to 49. [New York Law Journal] * Lawsuits focus on want ads specifically targeted to young demographics on social media. That certainly sounds like age discrimination, but with this judiciary, I'm sure it's a violation of the employers' Free Speech rights to engage in fair hiring practices. [NPR] * "According to the massive DOJ settlement, RBS didn't just commit fraud—its employees also chatted about it via email and text." Ladies and gentlemen, the people we entrust with our economic well-being! [Corporate Counsel] * Evan Greebel tried to get out of his conviction. He failed. [Law360] * Masterpiece Cakeshop is back, explaining why they shouldn't have to serve trans people now. [Courthouse News Service] * Oh, and obviously Trump is going to fight the Mueller subpoena because telling the truth is hard and creating a constitutional crisis is easy. [Washington Post]

Morning Docket: 07.27.18

* Papa John has filed suit against his former company in a bid to protect his legacy as America's foremost "racist guy who makes bad pizza." [Wall Street Journal] * While everyone prattles on about Trump's tapes, the government just blew another deadline to reunite the children they kidnapped with their parents. [Courthouse News Service] * Troubled law school Arizona Summit trying to get ASU to take its students if or when it loses accreditation. By the way, if you want to hear an in-depth discussion about the problems with Arizona Summit and its sibling schools, check out this. [AZ Central] * Speaking of independent law schools, the landscape for these programs -- for-profit or not -- is getting harder. [Law.com] * Lawsuit seeking to desegregate Minneapolis schools is moving forward. [MinnPost] * Government argues that Evan Greebel deserves 5 years for his role in aiding Shkreli. [Law360] * Former Biglaw associate accused of ripping off Harlem church. [New York Law Journal]

Biglaw Circles The Wagons, Say One Of Their Own Doesn’t Deserve Jail Time Despite Felony Conviction

His lawyers argue he's been punished enough.

Morning Docket: 07.18.18

* Special counsel Robert Mueller is seeking immunity for up to five witnesses who are set to testify in Paul Manafort's upcoming bank and tax fraud trial. Oooh, who are these mystery parties and why do they deserve amnesty? [USA Today] * Just how conservative is Judge Brett Kavanaugh? Using Judicial Common Space scores, Kavanaugh lands "just to the left of the arch-conservative [Justice Clarence] Thomas." Yay. [FiveThirtyEight] * Be careful out there, small firms. According to a report from the Association of International Law Firm Networks, it's not Biglaw firms that should be afraid of the Big Four, but instead, independent firms in mid-sized markets. [American Lawyer] * Remember Evan Greebel, the ex-Biglaw partner who was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire and securities fraud thanks to his representation of pharma bro Martin Shkreli? Per his colleagues, after his "terrible encounter with the devil incarnate," Greebel shouldn't get jail time like his former client. [New York Law Journal] * When it comes to law school applications, it's very helpful to know the difference between early decision (binding) and early action (nonbinding), but it's even more helpful to know the difference between out-of-state tuition (drowning in loans) and in-state tuition (treading water in loans). Do your research, applicants! [U.S. News] * Robert Traurig, co-founder of Greenberg Traurig, RIP. [Daily Business Review]

Former Biglaw Partner Challenges Conviction, Alleging Jury Misconduct

Of course they want the verdict overturned.

Morning Docket: 01.08.18

* Okay, let's get this straight: Roy Moore's Jewish lawyer isn't Richard Jaffe, the one who voted for Doug Jones; no, Roy Moore's Jewish lawyer is Martin Wishnatsky, the one who "has accepted Christ" as his savior. [Washington Post] * In our last Supreme Court Clerk Hiring Watch, we focused a bit on the fact that rumored retiree Justice Anthony Kennedy hired a full set of clerks for OT 2018, but in case you missed it, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg already has a full set of clerks for OT 2019. The Notorious one isn't going anywhere anytime soon. [Newsweek] * Lawyers for the Department of Justice who are attempting to defend the Trump administration's rescission of the DACA program have asked Judge William Alsup, who is handling the case, to ignore our "very stable genius" president's recent tweets regarding the immigration policy. [The Recorder] * Evan Greebel, pharma bro Martin Shkreli's ex-lawyer, is facing hard prison time for conspiracy, but one of the juror's who convicted him is having second thoughts. The former Biglaw partner better hope that Judge Kiyo Matsumoto decides to reopen his case. [Big Law Business] * In what may have been some sort of a Christmas miracle, the legal sector witnessed a very slight uptick in jobs in December. Beggars can't be choosers, so a gain of 600 jobs is better than nothing at all. Employment in the profession is still nowhere near where it once was before the recession. [American Lawyer] * Lewis Donelson, cofounder of Baker Donelson, RIP. [Memphis Business Journal]

Former Biglaw Partner Faces Up To 20 Years In Prison For Fraudulent Scheme

Martin Shkreli's lawyer, Evan Greebel, was found guilty on two counts.

Morning Docket: 12.28.17

* Martin Shkreli's lawyer, Evan Greebel, was convicted of aiding in Pharma Bro's fraud scheme. He faces up to 20 years. [LA Times] * It would seem that the Trump legal team want to bash Michael Flynn as a liar -- despite everything their client's effusive defense of Flynn for months. This should be an easy pivot. [Washington Post] * Reviewing the 2017 Supreme Court -- the calm before we bring back Lochner next year. [Law360] * The pros and cons of staying small -- an interesting interview with Otterbourg chairman Richard Stehl about the business of running a 50-lawyer firm. [New York Law Journal] * Firms expected to spend more on cybersecurity in 2017. Probably for the best since 2017 made at least one firm wanna cry. [Legaltech News] * 2 Chainz says he was defrauded by a fake lawyer. Maybe that guy would be interested in a federal judgeship? [TMZ]

Morning Docket: 12.22.17

* Judge George B. Daniels (S.D.N.Y.) dismissed a suit alleging that President Trump violated the Constitution's emoluments clause when his hotels and restaurants did business with foreign governments during his time in office. The reason for dismissal? A lack of standing. [Washington Post] * Speaking of the president, past vetting (or lack thereof) concerns be damned, because he recently announced his latest round of judicial nominations. Thus far, Trump has had a record number of circuit judges confirmed in his first year. [CNN] * Simpson Thacher and Kasowitz Benson are being sued for malpractice by the former CEO of Patriot National, who claims the firms are the reason why his company went under and is on the brink of filing for bankruptcy. [Daily Business Review] * Co-conspirator or victim? That's what jurors will have to decide when it comes to former Katten Muchin partner Evan Greebel, who once represented pharma bro Martin Shkreli. [New York Law Journal] * UCLA Law School is creating the Chris Cornell Scholarship, named for the late Soundgarden/Audioslave singer, endowed with a $1 million gift from a coalition led by his widow, Vicky Cornell. This is a wonderful way to remember an amazing artist who was an amazing human being. [Los Angeles Times] * It's finally here, a listing of the Top 10 Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2017. Topping the list is the woman who sued because she claimed she was "deceived" by amount of sugar in jelly beans. [U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform]

Morning Docket: 12.14.17

* Federal judicial nominee has no idea what a motion in limine is. EVERYTHING'S FINE!!!! [National Law Journal] * "If law firm merger talks are the equivalent of dating, then firm leaders are playing the field." Yeah... you're gonna get an STD dude. [New York Law Journal] * Dahlia Lithwick recounts her Koziniski story. [Slate] * So Taylor Swift, an elephant, and a funeral home walk into a bar... [Legaltech News] * Ole Miss needs a general counsel. Must be comfortable with hookers and racism! [Corporate Counsel] * Whoa. "Career ending"? What the hell is going on? [Law360]

Morning Docket: 10.23.17

* According to Justice Gorsuch, you don't need to "suppress[] disagreement" to be civil. Disagreeable, eh? Maybe this is why there seems to be such animosity between him and Justice Kagan. [Associated Press] * President Trump has reportedly promised to pay $430,000 to "defray the costs of legal fees for his associates, including former and current White House aides." Meanwhile, some of his former associates have lawyers' bills from the Russia probe that are higher than that. [Axios] * President Trump has apparently been interviewing candidates (i.e., Biglaw attorneys with close connections to Rudy Giuliani and Marc Kasowitz) for key U.S. attorney positions, which is outside the norm for most presidents. Despite the gravity of the situation, Senator Lindsay Graham had a clever quip about the situation: "It's kind of an extension of 'The Apprentice,' I guess." The ratings on this will be YUGE. [CNN] * "She can leave the country or she cannot get her abortion, those are her options?" Over the objections of the D.D.C. judge who ruled that the government must allow an undocumented 17-year-old seeking an abortion to get one, thanks to the D.C. Circuit, she needs to find a sponsor and further delay the procedure. [New York Times] * Ex-Kaye Scholer partner Evan Greebel is on trial for conspiracy, and he's desperately trying to distance himself from his former client, Martin Shkreli. He claims this was a big misunderstanding, and that he was victimized by Shkreli. [Big Law Business]

Morning Docket: 08.23.17

* Statues of Chief Justice Roger Taney may have been removed in his native Maryland, but don't expect his bust to be removed from the Supreme Court's Great Hall or his portrait to be taken down from the high court's East conference room in the near future. The visage of the Dred Scott opinion's author will remain. [National Law Journal] * The Charlotte School of Law may be dead, but that doesn't mean that former students' proposed class-action lawsuits against the school have been put out to pasture. Though the bulk of the claims were dismissed, two such cases with allegations of unfair and deceptive trade practices have survived motions for summary judgment. Best of luck against Infilaw's first fallen school. [Law.com] * Much to his defense attorney Benjamin Bratman's chagrin, the names of the jurors who convicted Martin Shkreli of securities fraud have been released. They've been talking to the press about the disgraced pharma bro, and one of them referred to him as "his own worst enemy." [DealBook / New York Times] * Meanwhile, Martin Shkreli's ex-lawyer, former Kaye Scholer partner Evan Greebel, remains charged with wire fraud conspiracy, a charge on which Shkreli was acquitted by a jury. Greebel's defense attorneys at Gibson Dunn have called this "a Kafkaesque scenario," that is "frightening for every corporate lawyer in America simply doing their jobs representing clients." [New York Law Journal] * Berkeley Law is planning to launch a hybrid online/on-campus LL.M. program for foreign-educated attorneys. Students will be able to complete their fall and spring semesters online, but must attend classes on campus at the law school during the summer months. Tuition is a whopping $57,471. [The Recorder] * Earlier this week, a California jury handed down the largest verdict thus far in a talcum powder cancer case against Johnson & Johnson. The plaintiff, Eva Echeverria, who had used J&J baby powder since the 1950s and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007, was awarded $417 million. [Consumer Affairs]