More Schools Offering Master's for Nonlawyers

Nearly 30 law schools in the United States have or soon will offer a master's degree for nonlawyers -- up from just a handful two years ago. The programs differ slightly in name, structure and cost, but they generally are marketed to working professionals. Although the movement remains in its early stages, to administrators across the country it represents a promising counterpoint to waning interest in the traditional three-year J.D. degree. And while part of the incentive behind the trend is economic, the new direction also marks an effort to move legal education away from a one-size-fits-all model.

Prolific ADA Plaintiff Faces Nemesis in Harassment Suit

A paraplegic lawyer who has filed thousands of disability access suits is now facing a sex harassment suit by former employees, who also accuse him of something that has defense attorneys buzzing. The women say Scott Johnson sent them into businesses with cameras and measuring tapes, after which he would cite the findings in warning letters and filings, a potential violation of laws requiring plaintiffs to personally be denied access.

Dow Must Pay $1.2 Billion in Year's Biggest Damages Award

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Although 2012 was the year of billion-dollar wins in patent cases, the largest award of this year so far has come in an antitrust case. A federal judge in Kansas has trebled the damages in a class action in which the plaintiffs alleged that Dow Chemical fixed prices for the chemical urethane. A jury returned a $400 million verdict in February, so the chemical giant is now on the hook for $1.2 billion.

Judge in Stop-and-Frisk Case Relishes Her Independence

The judge presiding over one of the most politically charged cases in recent New York City history says her 20 years on the bench have taught her to "appreciate more than ever the words 'judicial independence.'" Shira Scheindlin, in an interview during the bench trial over the constitutionality of police anti-crime stop, question and frisk policies, said there are too many judges who don't want to deliver controversial rulings.
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Three Strategies for Reducing Class Action Costs

In-house counsel tackled an increased number of class action lawsuits last year, but managed to tamp down legal spend by an average of $100,000 per matter, according to the 2013 Carlton Fields Class Action Survey. Three key strategies were found to make a big difference for in-house departments' efforts to control costs.

Ropes Settles Age Discrimination Suit With Ex-Partner

Ropes & Gray has settled a discrimination suit by a former partner who claimed management routinely passed her clients off to younger male partners and unfairly pushed her out of the firm. In a one-page stipulation, Ropes and Patricia Martone agreed that all claims and counterclaims "are hereby withdrawn" and "dismissed in their entirety, with prejudice," with neither side having to pay the other's attorney fees.

D.C. Court: Judges Can Investigate Juror Racial Bias

Trial Founders on 'Personality Issues' Between Judge, Counsel

Concluding that a judge's tendency to "interrupt, patronize, and admonish" an attorney deprived the lawyer's client of a fair medical malpractice trial, a New York appellate court has ordered a retrial before another judge. The panel wrote that the conflict, which occured "at all phases of the trial," often in front of the jury, "unnecessarily injected personality issues into the case, which militated against a fair trial."

3-D Printing: The Next Big Thing in IP Law?

3-D printing technology, which makes it possible to create an item by simply downloading a design file and printing it out as a plastic object, is likely to trigger legal conflicts surrounding copyrights, trademarks and patents. Although it's too soon to predict which industry will be turned upside-down by 3-D printing technology, some attorneys are confident that "it's going to happen."

Judge Strikes Arbitration Agreement in Class Action

Citing claims that the company instructed an employee to sign an arbitration agreement the day she was fired, U.S. District Judge William Alsup called the case "beyond the pale."

Litigation Finance Firm BlackRobe Bites the Dust

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Accused Mobster's Lawyers Oppose Juror Background Checks

Accused mobster James "Whitey" Bulger is fighting the government's request to conduct criminal background checks on jurors who pass preliminary screening for his trial.

Judges Weigh Del. Court of Chancery Arbitration Program

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Manatt Investment Fund Lands on 'Silicon Beach'

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips has launched a division to counsel clients on business opportunities associated with digital media based in Los Angeles' "Silicon Beach." Moreover, the firm has hired an entrepreneur to run its own venture capital fund, which will invest in emerging technology companies.
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10 Devices You Should Never Take Along on a Business Trip

Travel-savvy attorneys hit the road with only the minimum number of devices necessary to complete their work quickly and effectively. Writer John Edwards recommends ten things that can stay home.

Using Computer Forensics to Investigate IP Theft

Companies are increasingly using computer forensics to investigate the who, what, when, where, and why of data theft by departing employees.