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While it may seem like judges these days can do what they want, then wriggle their way out of trouble before the worst of it comes to light, that’s not always the case. The Florida Supreme Court recently rejected stipulations of proposed discipline for two judges, seemingly because they wanted to know more. The state’s high court reviewed the stipulated agreements and proposed discipline of two judges accused of misconduct, and rejected both, ordering a full evidentiary hearing in the matters....

California’s Second Appellate District notes that “conventional wisdom tells us that time heals all wounds.” But if time can’t heal the pain and awkwardness of a break-up fast enough, the courts may be able to help. When breakups — whether personal or professional — give way to stalking and harassment, the courts can step in with a restraining order. This week, the Second Appellate District upheld a restraining order request over a defendant’s objections that the order restricted her free speech rights....

When Elena Kagan left Harvard to become a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Martha Minow had a tough act to follow as the new dean at Harvard Law School. That was eight years ago, longer than Minow expected to serve as dean. Now, after weathering financial and enrollment problems that challenged many law schools, Minow is returning to her duties as a professor. “Leading this institution for the last eight years has been an extraordinary honor and opportunity for daily learning (inspiring me to serve well beyond my initial intention of five years!...

Now that the holidays are upon us, no doubt family and friends have taken this opportunity to descend upon you like a cloud of locusts looking to mooch legal advice. It’s inevitable. A casual comment about the nature of law is one thing, but then actually giving advice is entirely another. Doing the latter will almost certainly implicate the attorney-client relationship (ACR). Suggestions to Avoid and Accidental Attorney-Client Relationship Stick to What you Know: You graduated, you passed the bar, and now you’re working at a PI firm....

We recently went over everything a summer associate would need to know about getting the job done. This post looks at things from the other perspective – that of a young associate already a full-time employee of the firm. Most summer associates are assigned a junior associate who is essentially that summer associate’s “big sister” or “big brother” at the firm. Whether you are assigned this position or not, you may still find yourself in the position of mentor....

In the latest battle of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”), Link Snacks, Inc. goes up against the U.S. as the two battle over the very meaning of … beef jerky products. What Is Beef Jerky Anyway? Link Snacks, Inc. imports beef jerky products from New Zealand and Brazil. I’ve always stayed away from beef jerky because it looks nothing like beef – but now that I understand the process, I understand why it looks that way, though I will still never eat it (barring unforeseen natural disasters that would necessitate the eating of beef jerky for survival)....

You know that person who embarrasses everyone at the table by telling an off-color joke or doing something just as gross? Is that Judge Alex Kozinski? Is he the creepy guy who will embarrass the legal profession, wait for everyone else to walk away and then just keep being “that” judge? While the profession ponders the question, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is launching an inquiry, Kozinski’s clerks are quitting, and many people are piling on the jurist following the exposure of his sexual misconduct....

A group of 12 law school grads from Thomas Jefferson Law School in California have sued their school alleging that it inflated employment numbers and salaries in order lure at-risk students to apply, reports the AP. This lawsuit against Thomas Jefferson is simply the latest of a number of lawsuits against California Law Schools in which similar allegations of non-transparency have been lodged. Even with the dismissal of the suits, these instances have prompted critics to call for greater law school transparency....

Finally, President’s Day Weekend is upon us. Who doesn’t get excited about a three-day weekend? A chance to leave the office and move around. Or — as will be the case for many attorneys — a regular weekend, capped by a work-from-home-in-your-pajamas-on-your-couch-day. Fun! If even a three-day weekend doesn’t give you enough time to go running or swim a few laps at the pool, maybe it’s time to consider exercises you can do in your office....

It’s plain to see why Seth Rich’s family was bothered by the media’s coverage of Seth’s unsolved murder. Not only have his parents filed a lawsuit against various media companies and personalities, but so has his brother, Aaron Rich. Sadly, without evidence or support, Rich’s murder was used as a political prop by various media outlets. It was claimed that Seth was murdered as a result of leaking the DNC’s emails to WikiLeaks....

Few things in life are more depressing than watching someone repeatedly lose at a lottery or casino game, particularly if the person is really hoping to win. It’s reminiscent of watching someone eat soup with a fork. Keep on Scratchin' From April to December of last year, Shields made numerous calls to the lottery headquarters in order to make graphic and vulgar threats that involved violence and murder, as well as sexually explicit insults....

It’s been a rough year for rooster sauce. Sriracha hot sauce manufacturer Huy Fong Foods has been told by the California Department of Public Health that its sauces must be held for 30 days to comply with the state’s health guidelines. This hold effectively freezes distribution of the popular hot sauce until next year, so what’s California’s deal with Sriracha? Anita Gore, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Public Health, told The Associated Press that the order to hold Sriracha (and Huy Fong Foods two other sauces) for 30 days was made “after state officials reviewed the way its sauces are produced....

While using your smartphone, have you ever sent a text message to or called someone who didn’t you give you their number, or explicitly consent for you to call or text? If you have, there’s good and bad news. First the bad news: Apparently, you broke the current FCC commissioners understanding of the TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) by texting/calling without consent. Now the good news: The D.C. Circuit just killed the FCC’s interpretation of the rule that could have, theoretically (in some magical land), been used to allow individuals to sue each other over, and this is according the majority opinion here, unexpected social gathering invitations....

Traveling abroad? Don’t forget your passport, your laptop, and your export license. Wh-what export license? Oh, maybe your company attorney didn’t tell you that your laptop requires an export license. That’s right, the United States requires a license for certain technology and software going abroad. It’s not just to control weapons technology, either. EAR Under Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the U.S. government controls the release of a broad range of technology....

Janet Napolitano. Her list of accomplishments is long: Ex-Attorney General and two-term Governor of Arizona. Former Secretary of Homeland Security. Current president of the University of California system. For now, Napolitano is set to be the commencement speaker at UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco – a decision which has led to an online petition, an angry social media campaign from current and former students, and other protests....

The fight to change New York’s law barring live mixed martial arts events is heading to court. The UFC is suing New York, claiming the ban on live MMA bouts is unconstitutional. Lawyers for the UFC, which holds MMA events, emphasize the theater and drama of mixed martial arts. The fighters’ fists of fury are actually a form of expression, protected by the First Amendment, the UFC claims. “It’s martial artistry....

If you represent a company slapped with a lawsuit for unfair competition and untrue or misleading representations, keep in mind that the statute of limitations for such claims begins to run when a reasonable person would have discovered your client’s allegedly shady actions. EPoly Star manufactures and imports plastic bags and toilet paper, among other products, for sale to various state and local government entities. District attorneys from Los Angeles, Marin and Fresno Counties sued EPoly Star for injunctive relief and civil penalties for unfair competition and untrue or misleading representations....

Episode 4 of “How to Get Away with Murder” teased that we wouldn’t believe Professor Keating’s last nine words – and the folks at ABC’s marketing department didn’t disappoint! After an episode full of tantalizing securities fraud, we got precious little of the overarching “Mr. Professor Keating will be dead in seven weeks” story line. In case you missed it, check out last week’s Episode 3 recap. Oh, and spoiler alerts....

The first day of class is always a challenge, but it should never be offensive. Professor Paul Zweir didn’t get that memo. For some hard-to-handle reason, he decided to challenge a black student with a question about the “N-word.” To be clear, he did not euphemize the racial slur. He said it. The “N-Word” People will use the “N-word” as long as there are rappers, writers, and black history. But it’s not alright at Emory School of Law, where Zweir teaches torts....

So you’ve done the whole cute, novelty lawyer gift thing in the past and received mixed reviews. You may have thought your fellow practitioner, or lawyer-family member (or friend) really would’ve used that Better Call Saul mug in the office, but unfortunately, not many lawyers really want a client to see that. If you don’t want your gift to get dumped in the junk pile due to the complications of online order returns, you may want to consider the fact that the lawyer you are shopping for is a regular person, with the same typical wants and desires as other people....