Justice Gap

Non-Sequiturs

Non-Sequiturs: 03.16.15

* Never give up the lie: LAPD swears they caught Robert Durst on their own with no help whatsoever from the extensive six-part documentary. The Ferguson police to the LAPD: Dude, you've got a credibility problem. [Gawker] * It's been almost a year since we wrote about a group of UC Davis law students fighting to get a law degree for a Chinese immigrant screwed over by the courts 100 years ago on the grounds that "persons of the Mongolian race" couldn't be citizens, much less lawyers. On Monday the California Supreme Court agreed with the students. [Los Angeles Times] * As St. Patrick's Day approaches, here's a reminder (from your pocketbook) not to drink and drive . [Nerdwallet] * Faced with an ever-growing justice gap, a jurisdiction basically gives in on requiring a law degree to practice law. Which, depending on your feelings on InfiLaw, has been happening for years. [Washington Post] * The Minority Corporate Counsel Association's announcement of the 2015 Employer of Choice Awards honor companies for demonstrating commitment to and success at creating and maintaining inclusive corporate legal departments. The national home office of SAE is disappointed at the slight. [Corporate Counsel] * A roundup of ridiculous laws still on the books. Missouri bans driving with an uncaged bear in your car. Sounds like good advice. [The Reeves Law Group] * In addition to speaking with us, John B. Quinn is making the rounds of legal media to discuss Quinn Emanuel's new marketing program. [Bloomberg BNA/ Big Law Business] * Speaking of Quinn Emanuel's new program, here's what someone with public relations expertise has to say about it. [Law and More] * On Thursday, March 26, at 2 p.m. Eastern, Lex Machina is hosting a webcast to discuss its Year In Review 2014 Patent Litigation Report. [Lex Machina]

By Joe Patrice
Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 03.16.15

* Last week in court, a murder suspect in Louisiana apparently pooped his pants during a case status hearing, wiped said poop all over his face, and muttered to himself that "life is like a box of chocolates." Sorry about that crappy candy, dude. [New Orleans Advocate] * According to early Am Law 100 data, New York's most elite and prestigious firms have once again broken away from the rest of the pack when it comes to both revenue and partner profits. Biglaw's best may be back to models and bottles. [Am Law Daily] * Michelle Lee, the first woman to ever serve as director of the USPTO, was sworn in on stage at SXSW Interactive. Michelle Lee, who worked with the Girl Scouts to issue a patent patch (instead of more makeup and sewing patches), is pretty damn awesome. [Mashable] * The federal judiciary has plans to decrease the word limit of appellate briefs from 14,000 to 12,500, and lawyers are pissed. Lawyers from Brown Rudnick say it could result in more acronyms, confusing construction, and less "punctilious citation,” oh my! [WSJ Law Blog] * Lee Smolen, the ex-Sidley Austin partner who faked $69,000 in travel expenses while at the firm (and possibly $379K more), has been suspended from practice for one year and will have to undergo psychiatric treatment. [Legal Profession Blog via ABA Journal] * Taking New York's lead, California is considering requiring all would-be attorneys in the state to complete 50 hours of pro bono work within one year of being admitted. Leave it to people who don't know what they're doing yet to close the justice gap. [Los Angeles Times]

By Staci Zaretsky