Banjo Wielded
I concede this one is at least slightly off-topic, but I'm going to post it anyway. It's breaking news from my hometown of Kansas City: Charges filed in Overland Park banjo self-defense case Police say the Monday banjo blow to…
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Werewolf Declines Offer to Settle Lawsuit With Push-Up Contest
According to various sources, Twilight star Taylor Lautner, who apparently plays a werewolf or something like that, has refused an offer to settle a pending lawsuit by means of a contest to see who can do more push-ups. First of all,…
Need a Tie-Breaker Provision? Consider Rock, Paper, Scissors
The provision below, which describes a procedure for resolving a voting deadlock, was sent to me by someone who said it was an actual provision in a company's operating agreement. Actually, I was at least fifth in the chain of emails…
“I No Longer Do,” Japanese Couples Say in Divorce Ceremonies
I have heard of people celebrating after a divorce becomes final, but this is the first I've heard of a couple celebrating together their decision to split up. For the past year or so, an entrepreneur in Tokyo has been…
The Courthouse: Still Not a Good Place to Assault Someone
Tempers do flare from time to time when practicing law, and sometimes conflict is unavoidable. But there are still a few basic rules that you really must observe: In modern-day practice, engaging in fisticuffs is generally considered unprofessional. If you are…
Food Fight Breaks Out in Ukrainian Parliament
When your legislators really care about democracy, it shows. In the U.S., most speeches are made to a C-SPAN camera in an otherwise empty room, and almost nobody watches. In other countries, they feel strongly enough to get involved in…
TIP: Lawyer-Client Interactions Should Not Involve Baseball Bat
Joshua Robinson, 38, a West Virginia lawyer, pleaded guilty on April 19 to a felony charge of "unlawful wounding" after he was arrested for going after a client with a baseball bat. I suppose there are situations in which you…
No-Dueling Promise May Be Dropped From Kentucky Oath
As I wrote last year (here, and here), since 1849 the Kentucky Constitution has required anyone holding any "office of honor or profit" to swear that they have never fought or otherwise participated in a duel. This provision was added…
Elderly Germans Kidnap Their Financial Adviser and For Some Reason Are Charged With a Crime
The Reuters report starts out like this: BERLIN (Reuters) – Four elderly Germans went on trial on Monday charged with kidnapping their financial adviser and holding him prisoner in a basement in an attempt to recover 2.5 million euros (2.19 million…
911 Caller Declares Parenting Emergency
Police in Roxbury, Massachusetts, said that an exasperated mother called 911 on Saturday, saying she could not get her 14-year-old son to stop playing "Grand Theft Auto" and go to sleep. Angela Mejia said she woke up at 2:30 a.m., hours…