Posts on ‘February 25th, 2010’
Southern Lawyers Don’t All Wear Seersucker
We don’t know The Snark’s identity, but we do know The Snark hails from Atlanta. Reaction to recent snow in Atlanta may have played into regional stereotypes, leading The Snark to discuss certain conceptions about Southern lawyers — including some that are grounded in reality.
What Women Want: Law Firm Partnership Details
Some women lawyers are angry about law firms’ dismissal of a request by the National Association for Law Placement for details about the breakdown of their equity versus nonequity partners. Some believe firms are just protecting billing rates, while others think NALP should push harder.
Judge Finds No Reason to Look for Misconduct in KB Home Case
A federal judge refused on Tuesday to look into whether the government committed prosecutorial misconduct in its criminal stock options backdating case against former KB Home Chief Executive Officer Bruce Karatz. Karatz’s lawyer, John Keker, asked for an evidentiary hearing after a judge tossed out a similar case against two former Broadcom executives. Calling the allegations in the KB Home case “sheer speculation,” U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II said the Broadcom matter has “nothing to do with this case.”
7th Circuit Worries — but Not Too Much — About Insurer Influence in Attorney Fees Case
The 7th Circuit reversed two lower court decisions on the awarding of attorney fees to private parties who prevailed over the U.S. government. The court also took a stand for the first time on whether an insurance company’s paying for litigation should make a difference in awarding fees. The three cases were brought under the Equal Access to Justice Act, which allows the granting of fees to parties of limited means “unless the court finds that the position of the United States was substantially justified,” said the decision.
Man Held in Courthouse Graffiti Threat Against Judge
A Pennsylvania man has been arrested on charges he spray-painted a threat against a judge who sentenced him to probation in an assault case. Paul Sirmons was awaiting arraignment Wednesday on charges of vandalism, terroristic threats and criminal mischief.
Supreme Court Rules in Case Involving ‘Demeanor-Based’ Rejection of Juror
The Supreme Court this week reversed a 5th Circuit decision regarding the “demeanor-based” rejection of a potential juror in a death penalty case. The case involves a defense objection under Batson v. Kentucky to the prosecution’s peremptory strike of a potential juror because of her “body language.” Batson forbids striking potential jurors from a panel solely based on race. The Supreme Court found that the 5th Circuit got it wrong when it looked at Batson and its progeny to arrive at its decision.