TIP: Lawyer Who Sleeps for “Substantial Portion” of Trial Is Ineffective
In particular it is bad form to be seen “resting [one’s] head” against one’s client during trial.
Rules of Professional Misconduct
Alleged Hypno-Lawyer Disbarred
You are getting very sleepy … and when you awaken, my billable rate will seem reasonable.
Criminal-Defense Attorney May Be Criminal Defense Attorney
You barbarians out there who aren't hyphenating compound adjectives should take note: sometimes it makes a difference. The San Francisco Chronicle reported last week on what it called an "unusual twist" in the trial of a man charged with fraud: his…
Court: Obligation to Make Sense May Not Be Delegated to Client
Here's a more interesting decision by the Supreme Court, although maybe "decision" is the wrong word. The question is: if your client insists on filing something that is complete gibberish, do you have to agree, or do you have an…
Judge Caught Driving Defendant’s Car Says He Was “Just Looking After It”
Things haven't gone too well for Eike Batista over the past few years. Once the richest man in Brazil and among the top ten in the world (he supposedly made it to eighth place), with a net worth of about…
Program Note
No new posts today (except this one, of course) or tomorrow, because to your likely shock and amazement I am actually arguing a case tomorrow before the California Supreme Court. And no, the case is not in any way comical….
Court Unconvinced by Lawyer Dressed as Thomas Jefferson
Today in Least Surprising Updates: The Kansas Supreme Court unanimously held on November 14 that Dennis Hawver would be disbarred for violating <stops to count> seven ethical or court rules when representing a defendant who was ultimately sentenced to death….
The Screaming Itches
Today's Quiz: "The Screaming Itches" would be: (a) unwise to bring up on a first date (b) a good name for a band (c) a bad excuse for failing to appear in court (d) all of the above Of course…
Suspension Likely for Lawyer Who Photoshopped Herself Into Celebrity Photos
Yes, it is goofy to show up for court dressed like Thomas Jefferson (see “I Am Incompetent, Lawyer Argues Unnecessarily” (Sept. 18)), but at least that guy didn’t pretend he was Jefferson or that he and TJ were actually pals. He also didn’t…
“I Am Incompetent!” Lawyer Argues Unnecessarily
Last Friday, Dennis Hawver argued to the Kansas Supreme Court that he should not be disbarred for his representation of Phillip Cheatham in a 2005 trial. As you may suspect, that trial that did not go well for the defense. Certainly,…