My Prediction On The Harvey Weinstein Verdict, And Why The Prosecution Already Won Even If There’s An Acquittal
The case may well shape a new definition of rape and determine which cases prosecutors pursue in the future.
Morning Docket: 02.18.20
* Harvey Weinstein's lawyer penned an op-ed imploring jurors to look past the headlines in her client's case. [Page Six] * A robo lawyer app has been developed to sue robocallers under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. They took our jobs! [Consumer Affairs] * Over a thousand former DOJ lawyers have called for Attorney General Barr to resign. [Slate] * A Missouri peach grower has been awarded $265 million in damages in a weedkiller lawsuit. I guess you need help to grow peaches outside of Georgia... [Reuters] * A Seattle lawyer withdrew from a criminal defendant's case after his client punched him in court. Pretty sure the punch demonstrates the breakdown of the attorney-client relationship. [KOMO News]
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Morning Docket: 02.14.20
* A Miami lawyer has been charged for allegedly offering to make a defendant's criminal case go away in exchange for sex. Seems like we have been discussing Florida lawyers acting badly a lot lately... [USA Today] * Harvey Weinstein's defense lawyer told jurors that the prosecutors have presented an "alternate universe" when arguing their case. [CNN] * Thirty-nine prosecutors are blasting the actions of Attorney General Barr. [Washington Post] * Female Connecticut high school athletes are filing suit to prevent transgender students from competing in female sporting events. [Fox News] * The Los Angeles County District Attorney has announced the dismissal of 66,000 marijuana convictions. That's not a pipe dream... [The Hill]
Lawyers Are Bad Guys, And Worse Women, In Ronan Farrow’s #MeToo Manifesto ‘Catch And Kill’
Throughout the course of Farrow’s reporting, Weinstein’s most brutal impulses in service of opaqueness are attended to by multiple concentric circles of hangers-on, hired guns, and, at the far reaches, indifferent observers.
Morning Docket: 02.11.20
* The New York Attorney General is suing DHS over restrictions on the access of New York residents to Global Entry and Trusted Traveler Programs. JFK and LaGuardia are a mess already... [Fox News] * Boies Schiller is facing partner departures amid leadership changes at the firm. [American Lawyer] * A lawyer has been suspended from practice for backdating a filing. Maybe this attorney hopped in his DeLorean and the papers were timely filed? [Virginia Lawyers Weekly] * Michael Flynn's disagreements with his former counsel have delayed his sentencing. [Talking Points Memo] * Harvey Weinstein's lawyer has confirmed that Weinstein definitely needs a walker and has not watched Curb Your Enthusiasm recently. Really need to check out the latest season of Curb. [Deadline]
Morning Docket: 02.10.20
* A Daytona Beach attorney has been disbarred in part for using money out of his trust account to run a strip club. That sounds Florida af. [News Journal] * Harvey Weinstein's lawyer caused a stir for implying that women may share some of the blame for being the targets of sexual assault. [New York Daily News] * Michael Avenatti is still unsure if he will take the stand in his ongoing criminal trial. [New York Post] * A federal appeals court handed President Trump a win last week when it threw out a lawsuit filed by Democratic lawmakers about business payments. [Fox News] * The Manhattan DA's office may be reopening its case on the assassination of Malcolm X. Just started watching the Netflix series about this! [Washington Post]
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Morning Docket: 01.23.20
* Harvey Weinstein's lawyer is trying to get a mistrial because the prosecution discussed the relationship between Weinstein and former president Bill Clinton. [Variety] * A New Jersey woman posed as a lawyer to scam immigrants seeking legal help. [NJ.com] * A new lawsuit filed by the DC Attorney General claims that Trump's DC hotel was unlawfully enriched by President Trump's inaugural committee. [CNBC] * A man accused of stabbing another allegedly tried to eat an incriminating shirt to destroy evidence. Maybe it was an edible shirt? [Syracuse.com] * The band Aerosmith is embroiled in litigation over whether the drummer should be allowed to play at the upcoming Grammy Awards. Even if the drummer wins, that performance is going to be super awkward. [Fox News]
Morning Docket: 01.22.20
* Officials in Flint, Michigan are in "hot water" after the Supreme Court denied their efforts to have a lawsuit against them dismissed. [The Hill] * Rose McGowan has been sued for defamation for saying that her former law firm was bought off by Harvey Weinstein. [Chicago Sun Times] * Aaron Hernandez's lawyer has some tough words about the Netflix documentary concerning the late football player and convicted murderer. [Men's Health] * An Indiana lawyer has been suspended from practice for stealing money from disabled and special-needs clients after setting up trusts for these individuals. [Indiana Lawyer] * A lawsuit filed by Apple is testing whether an employee can plan a rival company while still on the payroll. This sounds like a plot line from Silicon Valley. [New York Times]
Now That The Jury’s Picked, What To Expect In The Harvey Weinstein Trial
During jury selection, prosecutors protested what they saw as defense systematically striking young white women from the panel.
Morning Docket: 01.20.20
* An appeals court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by children against the federal government to force the feds to take more steps to prevent climate change. There was a snow ball's chance in hell this was going to succeed, but that's kind of what the lawsuit is trying to prevent... [Washington Post] * A jury has been selected in the Harvey Weinstein criminal trial. [USA Today] * President Trump apparently had to persuade Alan Dershowitz's wife to allow her husband to defend Trump in his impeachment trial. [CNN] * The Supreme Court has agreed to review a "faithless elector" case, which could have an impact on how the president is selected in the 2020 election. [NBC News] * The arrest warrant issued to Odell Beckham, Jr. for slapping a police officer's butt has been rescinded. [ESPN] * A philidelphia judge on Friday slashed a $8 Billion verdict to about $7 Million. That's quite a haircuit... [New York Times]
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Morning Docket: 01.17.20
* Harvey Weinstein is attempting to move his criminal trial outside of New York City, citing the intense publicity of the matter. Fairly sure every community in America knows about Weinsten's case. [Fox News] * Lawyers in a class action against Aramark are getting more than just free food, filings provide for $5 million in cheddar as counsel fees. [Philadelphia Inquirer] * The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that felons need to pay all costs associated with their sentences before having their right to vote restored. [CBS News] * A attorney has been disbarred for continuing to practice despite being suspended for failing to pay bar dues and neglecting to register with the New York Bar. This is a stern reminder to pay all bar dues. [Albany Times Union] * A man serving life in prison has been granted a new trial because his lawyer was racist. [San Francisco Chronicle]
Morning Docket: 01.10.20
* Troutman Sanders and Pepper Hamilton have merged to form Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders. Congrats to all involved, but they could work on their name… [The American Lawyer] * A Florida government lawyer has been fired after his arrest on child porn charges. [Tallahassee Democrat]
Morning Docket: 01.09.20
* Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg announced yesterday in a new interview that she is cancer free. [USA Today] * Harvey Weinstein's lawyers have asked the judge overseeing his criminal case to recuse himself over comments the judge made about Weinstein texting in court. [NBC News] * Rod Rosenstein, the former Deputy Attorney General, has announced his post-Justice Department plans. [Washington Post] * Jennifer Lopez's Hustlers character is suing the movie's production company for defamation and other causes of action. [Hollywood Reporter] * An attorney has been arrested for allegedly obstructing justice for the benefit of his son. [Daily Herald]
Morning Docket: 01.07.20
* Michael Avenatti has failed in his bid to have counts in his indictment dismissed. [Nassdaq] * A suspended Providence attorney has admitted to taking a dead client's pension for around a dozen years. Seems slightly unethical. [Providence Journal] * A man charged with murder has elected to act as his own attorney. [The Herald] * Ikea is reportedly paying $46 million to settle a lawsuit involving a dresser that tipped over and killed a child [CBS News] * A veteran of the Mueller investigation has decided to join Cooley LLP (the law firm, not the school). [National Law Journal]
Weinstein Attorney Says Sheer Number Of Accusers Actually Good For Him Because It’s Fun To Say Silly Things
Harvey Weinstein charged in California and his attorney thinks everything's fine.