Category: Lawyering

Columns, Lawyering, Politics

Alaska’s Decoy Scandal Brings Back the Usual Suspects for Shady Election Tactics
(MSNBC/via YouTube)

Below is my column on the return of Marc Elias in another campaign controversy with the Alaskan decoy scandal. The Elias Law Group and other lawyers were tied to the effort to confuse Alaskan voters by The New York Times in its recent investigative report. These lawyers presumably have a growing conflict of interest as dozens of subpoenas shower down on Alaska. What is clear is that this scandal will not end on Tuesday and, if the results are close in favor of Democrat Mary Peltola, there could be a major fight over her taking her seat in the Senate.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Alaska’s Decoy Scandal Brings Back the Usual Suspects for Shady Election Tactics” →

Courts, Lawyering

“You are White-Presenting”: Texas Judge Ordered to Undergo Psychiatric Testing After Bar Complaint

Judge Ada Brown of the Northern District of Texas has been suspended pending psychiatric testing and the resolution of a bar complaint after a bizarre hearing in April 2026. In the hearing, Brown, a Trump appointee, went on a racial diatribe against a lawyer, Ezra Young, over his race. Young was accused of being White. When Young informed her that he is Hispanic, Judge Brown went on to say that he is “white-presenting” in continuing her racial browbeating. Continue reading ““You are White-Presenting”: Texas Judge Ordered to Undergo Psychiatric Testing After Bar Complaint” →

Congress, Constitutional Law, Free Speech, Lawyering, Media, Politics, Torts

Marc Elias Legal Team Threatens Media with a Lawsuit for Questioning the Health of Democrat Roy Cooper
(MSNBC/via YouTube)

Marc Elias has long been at the center of controversial election tactics, including criminal investigations. If lawyers had to take an oath to first do no harm, the court-sanctioned Democratic lawyer would leave Hippocrates gobsmacked.  Well, Elias is back and his legal team is threatening the media with what appears an entirely meritless defamation lawsuit on behalf of former Gov. Roy Cooper, the Democratic nominee for the United States Senate. Continue reading “Marc Elias Legal Team Threatens Media with a Lawsuit for Questioning the Health of Democrat Roy Cooper” →

Criminal law, Lawyering

From Holdout to Hunted: Kevin Reddington Seeks Phone Records and Interview with Holdout Clancy Juror

Defense attorney Kevin Reddington appears to be moving from zealous advocacy to virtual stalking in the Lindsay Clancy case. Reddington is seeking phone records, surveillance, and criminal records of Michael Desronvil, the now-identified juror who held out in the 11-1 hung jury decision. Reddington’s demand follows his unprofessional attack on the juror on the courthouse steps after the trial. Continue reading “From Holdout to Hunted: Kevin Reddington Seeks Phone Records and Interview with Holdout Clancy Juror” →

Columns, Criminal law, Lawyering, Media, Politics

F— Around and Find Out”: Krasner Referred to U.S. Attorney for Criminal Investigation

Below is my column in the New York Post on the referral of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner for possible criminal prosecution by a federal judge. Judge Paul Diamond is only the latest jurist to reach the breaking point with Krasner, who has used a mix of rage and race politics to stay in office.

Here is the column: Continue reading “F— Around and Find Out”: Krasner Referred to U.S. Attorney for Criminal Investigation” →

Courts, Lawyering

The Secret to “Sleeping Well”: A Response to Kevin Reddington

I was surprised to hear on a flight this week that Lindsay Clancy’s defense counsel, Kevin Reddington, had unleashed a torrent of criticism of my commentary on the trial. In the interview with Fox News reporter Bryan Llenas, Reddington even suggested that we meet and debate these issues. I wanted to briefly respond to Reddington’s criticisms. Continue reading “The Secret to “Sleeping Well”: A Response to Kevin Reddington” →

Justice, Lawyering, Politics

“Stupid, Stupid, Stupid”: Justice Department Memo Further Tarnishes Record of Merrick Garland

Internal emails were uncovered recently that cast a new, negative light on Attorney General Merrick Garland’s record in targeting parents over school board controversies. The communications show that various Justice officials raised alarms over the effort pushed by Democratic allies and the National Association for School Boards. Career officials condemned the Biden Administration proposal by objecting that “If they do this, they might as well rename the damn thing the Anti-MAGA Task Force.” Continue reading ““Stupid, Stupid, Stupid”: Justice Department Memo Further Tarnishes Record of Merrick Garland” →

Justice, Lawyering

The Lawfare Machine: A Dubious Opinion on Abrego Garcia Leads to a Bar Complaint Against Todd Blanche

This week, a public interest group filed an ethics complaint against Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, citing the recent dismissal of a criminal indictment against Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia. The ethics complaint is the latest example of the left’s self-perpetuating lawfare machine. Liberal courts and groups first prime allegations against conservatives, which are then eagerly picked up by media and advocacy groups. It is no accident that this hit job on Blanche called upon the New York courts and bar to deliver the coup de grâce. Continue reading “The Lawfare Machine: A Dubious Opinion on Abrego Garcia Leads to a Bar Complaint Against Todd Blanche” →

Bizarre, Courts, Lawyering

Judicial Whodunit: Federal Judge Given “Private Reprimand” After Holding Sexual Trysts in Chambers…and Then Lying About It

There is a bizarre controversy out of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, where a federal judge has been reprimanded for engaging in repeated, loud sexual encounters during office hours in chambers with a police officer. While the judge lied to investigators and disrupted the work of court staff, the Eleventh Circuit decided to give only a “private reprimand” and to withhold the identity of the district court judge. However, legal sleuths have pieced together clues and identified one judge in Atlanta as the likely culprit. Continue reading “Judicial Whodunit: Federal Judge Given “Private Reprimand” After Holding Sexual Trysts in Chambers…and Then Lying About It” →

Columns, Congress, Criminal law, Justice, Lawyering

A Comey Cake? Former Prosecutor Accused of Stealing Smith Report Files and Hiding Them as Cake Recipes

Former Justice Department prosecutor Carmen Mercedes Lineberger has been indicted for allegedly removing confidential Justice Department material and then concealing her efforts. Lineberger is accused of secretly transferring Jack Smith’s final report and hiding the material under files labeled “chocolate cake recipe” and “bundt cake recipe.” There has not been a greater recipe for disaster since aides tried to fit all of Biden’s candles on a cake. Continue reading “A Comey Cake? Former Prosecutor Accused of Stealing Smith Report Files and Hiding Them as Cake Recipes” →

Columns, Free Speech, Lawyering, Politics

The Disbarment of John Eastman: The California Bar Bags a Trump Lawyer and Leaves Troubling Questions

Below is my column in the California Post and New York Post on the disbarment of John Eastman. I criticized the January 6th speeches while they were being given and disagreed with the legal theories presented to stop the certification. However, this action leaves troubling questions of consistency and clarity in the standards used to judge lawyers presenting novel or controversial legal arguments. It also is likely to have a chilling effect on the exercise of free speech by lawyers.

Here is the column: Continue reading “The Disbarment of John Eastman: The California Bar Bags a Trump Lawyer and Leaves Troubling Questions” →

Columns, Criminal law, Lawyering, Supreme Court

Protecting the Plate: Chief Justice Roberts Faces Two Strikes After New Leak Rocks the Court

The legendary baseball player and manager Ted Williams once wrote a letter to the Angels outfielder Jay Johnstone on improving his hitting. Among his pieces of advice was that “with two strikes, you simply have to protect the plate.”

Williams’s advice on not striking out came to mind this week when another leak of confidential information rocked the Supreme Court. (The prior leak of the Dobbs decision went unsolved). For Chief Justice John Roberts, the message is clear: it is a time like this when you have to protect the plate. Continue reading “Protecting the Plate: Chief Justice Roberts Faces Two Strikes After New Leak Rocks the Court” →

Criminal law, Lawyering

“Mr. Biden Lives Abroad”: Hunter Leaves Country as Former Lawyers Seek Millions

“Mr. Biden lives abroad.” Those four words in a filing from Barry Coburn confirmed what had long been rumored about his client: Hunter Biden has left the country as his former lawyers and creditors seek millions in unpaid debts. He added, “He cannot pay his current lawyers.”

Continue reading ““Mr. Biden Lives Abroad”: Hunter Leaves Country as Former Lawyers Seek Millions” →

Columns, Lawyering, Politics

Whatever the Ruling on Birthright Citizenship, ABA will likely be the Biggest Loser

Below is my column in the Hill on the argument this week in Trump v. Barbara, the birthright citizenship case. There are good-faith arguments on both sides and lawyers are divided on the question. For that reason, the most notable brief may have been the amicus brief of the American Bar Association, which filed a strident defense of birthright citizenship.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Whatever the Ruling on Birthright Citizenship, ABA will likely be the Biggest Loser” →

Constitutional Law, Free Speech, Lawyering, Politics

Louisville Shells Out $800,000 for Unconstitutional Demands on Christian Photographer

The city of Louisville, Kentucky, has agreed to pay $800,000 in attorney fees to settle a case with a Christian photographer who fought to protect her religious and free speech rights over the years of litigation. Louisville ultimately spent a fortune to force Chelsey Nelson to photograph same sex marriages under its nondiscrimination laws. When combined with its own litigation costs, the case likely cost the city and the courts millions to deny Nelson her constitutional rights. Continue reading “Louisville Shells Out $800,000 for Unconstitutional Demands on Christian Photographer” →

Res ipsa loquitur – The thing itself speaks