November 2008

UPDATE: Settlement Reached in N.C. Dirty-Dancing Case

The long legal battle between the town of Marshall, North Carolina, and the woman it banned from its dance hall for overly provocative dancing, has finally ended.  The town agreed to pay Rebecca Willis $275,000 to settle the case. This brings…


Firm Fires Managing Partner Via Note on Chair

Ah, there's nothing like the close-knit camaraderie of a law-firm partnership.  We few, we happy few, we band of brothers (please consider said term to include sisters); for he that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother; and if voted out, he…


Swiss Government Demands Respect for Plant Dignity

The Wall Street Journal reported in October that an ethics committee in Switzerland has interpreted that country's constitution to require respect for the dignity of plant as well as animal life. Among the committee's conclusions: it is "morally impermissible" to…


Convictions Reversed Due to Judicial Sleeping

In a dramatic reversal, the High Court of Australia has overturned the convictions of two men because the judge in their trial slept through much of the proceedings. An appellate court had ruled 2-1 that although the judge’s tendency to…



“Confusion Flakes” Cited As Grounds for Reversal

Here's something I came across the other day while doing some research.  After he was found liable for fraud, among other things, John Ryan appealed but presented little in the way of legal arguments or authority in his appellate briefing. …




What Would You Name a Magazine for Women Litigators?

If you said "Sue," you win.  Or, at least, you have guessed correctly – you don't win anything. The ABA Journal reported recently that a new magazine with the excellent name, "Sue: For Women in Litigation," will launch in January. …