Home Daily News Supreme Court considers reach of old law… U.S. Supreme Court By Debra Cassens Weiss Posted February 28, 2018, 8:46 am CST The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday considered how to apply an old law to new technology during oral arguments on the ability of federal prosecutors to use a warrant to obtain a drug dealer’s emails stored on a Microsoft server overseas. The justices are being asked to interpret a 1986 law, the Stored Communications Act. According to the New York Times, the case represents “a clash between the demands of law enforcement and technology firms’ desire to shield the information they collect to protect their customers’ privacy.” USA Today, the National Law Journal, Politico and the Washington Post also covered the arguments. Deputy Solicitor General Michael Dreeben argued the law allows prosecutors to obtain the emails because Microsoft is based in the United States. “There is not an international problem … [Read more...] about Supreme Court considers reach of old law in case involving new technology
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Immigration law doesn’t give detained immigrants the right to periodic bond hearings, SCOTUS rules
Home Daily News Immigration law doesn't give detained immigrants… U.S. Supreme Court By Debra Cassens Weiss Posted February 27, 2018, 9:30 am CST Shutterstock.com. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that federal laws do not give detained immigrants the right to twice-a-year bond hearings. The Supreme Court decision overturned a ruling by the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. “The meaning of the relevant statutory provisions is clear—and clearly contrary to the decision of the Court of Appeals,” Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. wrote in a section of his majority opinion that was joined by four justices. According to Alito, nothing in the statute “even remotely supports” the 9th Circuit’s procedural requirements: that bond hearings must be held every six months, during which the government must show by clear and convincing evidence that continued detention is necessary. The 9th Circuit had read the requirements into the … [Read more...] about Immigration law doesn’t give detained immigrants the right to periodic bond hearings, SCOTUS rules
Abuse of power within law firms: The rainmaker dilemma
Abuse of power is the common thread behind the sexual misconduct claims that have recently brought down powerful media, political and business leaders. Law firms, which have been beneficiaries of an avalanche of legal work from sexual misconduct, must now look within and confront the dilemma of powerful rainmakers who are abusive, whether the abuse is sexual in nature or otherwise. Despite their obvious economic value to their organizations, Bill O’Reilly, Matt Lauer and Harvey Weinstein were quickly sacked. Law firms by contrast have often tolerated bad actors who are major rainmakers. Can law firms tolerate abusive rainmakers in the current business climate? Do firms need to be more aggressive about confronting abuses of power? Rainmakers have always been powerful, but because lateral hiring is so pervasive and laterals are highly mobile, rainmakers have become even more powerful. Law firm management understands that confronting abusive rainmakers may cause them to pick up … [Read more...] about Abuse of power within law firms: The rainmaker dilemma
Coal company accuses judge of ‘flagrant disregard of the law’ for siding with John Oliver
Home Daily News Coal company accuses judge of 'flagrant disregard… First Amendment By Debra Cassens Weiss Posted February 26, 2018, 2:55 pm CST A state court judge has decided to dismiss a defamation suit filed against John Oliver over a satirical segment on the cable television program Last Week Tonight that criticized a coal company and its CEO for their treatment of workers. Judge Jeffrey Cramer of Moundsville, West Virginia, informed lawyers in a letter last Wednesday that he planned to dismiss the suit based on arguments advanced by lawyers for Oliver and HBO, which airs his show. The Hollywood Reporter, Ars Technica and the Los Angeles Times covered Cramer’s decision. The plaintiffs had included Murray Energy and its CEO Bob Murray. In a statement, the company accused Cramer of “a flagrant disregard of the law” and promised a speedy appeal. Oliver said during an episode of the show in June that Murray Energy illustrates the divide that can exist between a … [Read more...] about Coal company accuses judge of ‘flagrant disregard of the law’ for siding with John Oliver
LSO endorses proposed Ryerson law school
As the Law Society of Ontario has endorsed a proposal to create a new law school at Ryerson University, some lawyers are questioning whether the province needs more law students at a time when there is a shortage of articling positions. A majority of LSO benchers approved a recommendation at their February meeting to endorse Ryerson’s proposal, which gained preliminary approval by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada at the end of 2017. Some lawyers say the law society should do more to tackle the articling crisis before approving a new law school. Lawyer Lisa Feldstein says she is concerned there will be a flood of graduating students with limited opportunities to article. She says Ryerson would probably create a great law school, but adding more students to the market would make the supply and demand balance for articling positions even more difficult than it already is for graduates. “Let’s deal with the articling situation first and, once the supply-demand … [Read more...] about LSO endorses proposed Ryerson law school