Category: Lawyering

Courts, Criminal law, Justice, Lawyering, Uncategorized

Does Convicted Cop Equal Reasonable Doubt?

Norfolk, Virginia, Police Detective Robert Glenn Ford had a reputation as a hard-nosed cop who handled most of the City’s high profile criminal cases. Now he’s got another one but it’s his name “across the v” from the Government. Ford was convicted in federal court in Norfolk of extortion and lying to federal investigators. Specifically, the Government alleged that Ford took money from criminal defendants in exchange for helping them get lighter sentences. Ford maintains his innocence and vows to appeal.

Ford handled 200 homicide cases including the infamous “Norfolk 4” case which resulted in four convictions for the rape and murder of  an 18-year-old wife of a Norfolk sailor. Ford was accused by lawyers for the “Norfolk 4” of planting jailhouse snitches near in the men’s cell blocks to solicit confessions.

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Bizarre, Criminal law, Lawyering

Former Bar Treasurer and Prominent Lawyer Aaron Biber Sentenced to 18 Years For Sexual Assault of Teenage Boy

Prominent Twin Cities lawyer and former State Bar Treasurer Aaron Biber was sentenced this week to 18 years in prison for sexually assaulting a teenage boy. The court reached the sentence by taking an upward departure to increase the jail time. Minnesota law required only 12 years.
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Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Courts, Criminal law, International, Lawyering, Politics, Religion

English Prosecutors Raise Sharia Law in Murder Trial of Saudi Prince

The trial of Saudi prince Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud for the murder of a servant in London took an interesting turn when the prosecution noted to the jury that, putting aside the murder allegation, Saud, 34, would have faced execution in the Kingdom for being gay. Saud allegedly murdered Bandar Abdulaziz, 32, (left) after repeated sexual assaults.
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International, Lawyering, Media, Society

TOP 100 IRISH LAWYERS

The annual selection of the Top 100 Irish Lawyers in the World has been published by The Irish Voice and I am honored to be included among the honorees. Last night, I received the award with fellow honorees from around the world at the residence of the Irish Ambassador. One of the best parts of this prize is the party with Irish food and wonderful conversations with lawyers and judges from Ireland and the United States.

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Bizarre, Constitutional Law, Courts, Lawyering, Religion, Society

Getting Your Dandar Up: Judges in Florida Squabble With Each Other Over Jurisdiction in Scientology Case

A lawsuit against the Church of Scientology has now pulled in two unlikely litigants: a state and a federal judge. Pinellas Florida Judge Robert E. Beach has filed a motion in federal court contesting an order from U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday enjoining him from imposing planned sanctions on lawyer Ken Dandar, who is suing the Church. The motion raises some interesting questions of jurisdiction and ethics.

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Constitutional Law, Criminal law, International, Lawyering, Politics, Religion

Iran Reportedly Arrests Ashtiani’s Lawyer and Son

Iran has reportedly arrested the lawyer and the son of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, 43, as well as two “foreign nationals” who interviewed her family. Ashtiani is still set to be stoned to death for adultery. In the meantime, Iran continues to mix Sharia law with old-fashioned totalitarian repression.
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Bizarre, Criminal law, Lawyering, Politics, Society, Uncategorized

Oregon Police Officer Disciplined as “Nazi Sympathizer”

We have been following cases where public employees have been disciplined or fired for activities in their private lives from teachers to coaches to lunch ladies (and here and here) to prison guards to city officials to police officers. There have also been such cases involving private employers as well as international cases (here). Now, Portland police Capt. Mark Kruger has been disciplined for his actions celebrating the exploits of German soldiers — actions that have labeled him a “Nazi sympathizer.”
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Courts, Criminal law, Justice, Lawyering, Media, Politics, Religion, Society

Representation in “Sister Wives” Case

As has been the practice on this blog, I wanted to disclose my representation of the Brown family, who are the subjects of the new series “Sister Wives” on TLC. As in the past, any comments on the case by me will be limited. However, various people have suggested the reported criminal investigation as a subject for this blog and I wanted to explain why I have not posted anything on the controversy.
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Bizarre, Lawyering, Society, Torts

Lawyer Sues California Law Firm After Refusing To Attend Retreat With Alleged Male Nudity

A former partner with the California law firm of Bisnar Chase is suing the firm for sexual harassment and breach of contract. Stephen Eggleston claims that he was forced out of the firm after he refused to attend an office retreat where male attorneys were expected to strip naked and engage in an exercise with a Phallus.
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Justice, Lawyering

Prosecutor in Stevens Case Commits Suicide

Nicholas Marsh, a Justice Department prosecutor who was under investigation for his role in the botched prosecution of former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), has committed suicide. It is a sad end to a promising career for Marsh who was removed by the Public Integrity Section after the investigation was commenced at Justice.
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Academia, Congress, Constitutional Law, Lawyering, Military, Politics, Society

Uncivil Action: Was Lincoln Wrong on Secession?

With the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, I was asked in this cover story for the Civil War Magazine to explore the rivaling constitutional claims that were made at the start of that bloody conflict. As a military history buff, I have occasionally written for these history magazines but I found this assignment particularly intriguing.
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Bizarre, Criminal law, Lawyering, Society

Florida Wife Charged With Manslaughter For Giving Husband Gun Used in Suicide

There is an interesting case out of Miami where Valerie Jenkins, 56, has been charged with manslaughter after she allegedly handed her husband the gun with which he committed suicide. Robert Jenkins, 51, told her that he wanted to die and, when she threw him the gun, he proceeded to make good on the threat.
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