John G. Butler Jr.

Supreme Court Rules on Sullivan & Cromwell’s Mailroom of Death

We've previously written about the mailroom of death at Sullivan & Cromwell. To make a long story short (read our prior posts for the full background), a mailroom mix-up at 125 Broad Street caused an Alabama death-row inmate to miss a deadline for filing an appeal. The Eleventh Circuit rejected the condemned man's attempt to reopen his case. Presumably feeling bad for what had happened, S&C appealed to the Supreme Court. Yesterday, the Supreme Court handed down its ruling in Maples v. Thomas. What did the high court have to say?

By David Lat

Death Penalty

Sullivan & Cromwell’s Mailroom of Death: A Law Firm’s Error Could Cost a Man His Life

Last year, we covered a mistake made in a death penalty case by the white-shoe firm of Sullivan & Cromwell. It was a noteworthy development because of the rarity of the occurrence — S&C doesn’t often make mistakes, at least not ones as elementary as missing a deadline — and because of the stakes involved. […]

By David Lat

Why Better Billing Statements Can Improve Your Firm’s Finances—And Your Client Relationships

Outdated billing is costing law firms money. Discover how clear, modern billing practices boost profits, trust, and cash flow in 2025.

By The MyCase Team

11th Circuit

Sullivan & Cromwell’s Life-or-Death Mistake?
Leading law firm blows deadline in death penalty case.

More than a decade ago, Cory Maples of Alabama murdered two people. After an evening of heavy drinking, playing pool, and riding around in a friend’s car, Maples killed two friends, shooting them execution-style. According to court documents, he signed a confession, “stating that he: (1) shot both victims around midnight; (2) had drunk six […]

By Kashmir Hill