law in the news
Felony Vote Selling
With the attention vote swapping got in the last Presidential election, this probably seemed like the next logical step or a brilliant stroke of insight -
A Minnesota college student looking to profit off his political indifference has been charged with a felony for trying to sell his vote on the auction Web site eBay. The […]
Is Slate Magazine America’s Leading Law Review?
David Schleicher says yes and I tend to agree with him. Here’s his case -
I think it’s safe to say that [Slate] has become America’s leading law review. In the past year, Slate has run stories by Bruce Ackerman, Ahkil Amar, Frank Bowman, Bill Eskridge, David Fontana, Richard Thompson Ford, Bennett Gershman, Jack Goldsmith, […]
George Carlin, Rest in #$%*ing Peace
George Carlin died today. A sign of a well-earned obituary, his life is still more interesting for its events than for its passing. From the New York Times -
In 1970, Mr. Carlin discarded his suit, tie, and clean-cut image as well as the relatively conventional material that had catapulted him to the top. Mr. […]
WSJ: Law Firms Curtail Associate Programs As Economy Slows
This time last year, salaried lawyers at many of nation’s largest firms had just scored a pay bump, as business was blazing and firms were scrambling to keep talent. Now, due largely to a slowdown in work relating to mortgages, real estate, mergers and private equity, some firms are rescinding offers to incoming associates and summer associates, asking first-year lawyers to start several months later and shortening their summer programs to save money.
Texas Man Successfully Asserts Necessity Defense in Medical Marijuana Possession Case
From Reason Magazine, via Boing Boing, comes the interesting news that…
Tim Stevens, a 53-year-old Amarillo man who smokes marijuana to relieve the cyclical vomiting syndrome associated with HIV infection, used a necessity defense to win an acquittal on a possession charge.
A little Ragazzo-esque voice in Bennett’s head demands “What’s your authority for that?” to […]
Rankings Twist Law School Financial Aid Choices
Margot Adler at Public Radio’s Justice Talking takes a look at the ugly side of the economics of higher education in College Admissions: A Game of Privilege?
This part of the discussion with education researcher and policymaker Ross Weiner and public universities representative Peter McPherson highlights a particularly pertinent issue in law school settings.
Windows Media
MP3 version
Anyone […]
Lise Olsen delves into story behind Judge Kent’s reprimand and transfer
Houston Chronicle investigative reporter Lise Olsen, who made a name for herself reporting on the case of Ruben Cantu, has turned her sights on Federal District Judge Sam Kent in an in-depth article - How far did this federal judge go?
The reprimand issued by the 5th Circuit judicial council which placed Kent on paid leave […]
Houston Hospitals embroiled in suit over Anti-Competitive Practices
The now defunct Houston Town & Country Hospital has hired noted Houston Trial Attorney Rusty Hardin to sue the large non-profit Memorial Hermann Healthcare System for interfering with its ability to work with insurers, driving it out of business.
For news coverage see Houston Chronicle: Hospital lawsuits attract big legal talent, ABC 13: Two Houston hospitals […]
On Defense Attorneys
It surprises me - I’m not sure that it should - that many of the most principled lawyers I come into contact with do criminal defense. Three links that reminded me of that recently -
Randy E. Barnett, Three Cheers for Lawyers: Don’t think a good defense attorney matters? Think again.
Newsweek: What Really Happened that Night […]
Debt Collectors, Banks Going after Seniors’ Social Security Payments in spite of Federal Prohibition
Not the finest hour for banks in a pair of WSJ articles from Ellen Schultz.
Heart surgery halted Viola Sue Kell’s work sewing carpets in a rug mill in 2001. It was the end of 40 years of cleaning motel rooms, restaurant jobs, “just hard stuff,” says Mrs. Kell, a 64-year-old widow. She applied for Social […]