Monday, May 19, 2008 |
Judges hear one more car chase case 
by Alyson M. Palmer, Staff Reporter
A panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday heard another case of a police chase that ended in death on the roadway.Since an April 2007 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court putting an end.... |
CNN loses battle over release of video
by Janet L. Conley, Associate Editor
CNN has not only lost its battle to keep from releasing unaired video footage subpoenaed by lawyers in a personal injury suit, but the news network's counsel also have been rapped for not requesting in cam.... |
Law firm handled California same-sex marriage case pro bono
by The American Lawyer, Nate Raymond
“A lot of people will be getting over a fairly massive hangover,” Stephen Bomse predicted on Thursday. The Heller Ehrman antitrust partner was referring to the immediate outcome of the California Supreme.... |
Parody written by Rehnquist found at Library of Congress
by Legal Times
The late Chief Justice William Rehnquist was known for his love of Gilbert and Sullivan. Their operetta “Iolanthe” inspired Rehnquist to add gold stripes to the arms of his black robe. It turns out his pas.... |
Business Matters
Earthquake in China uncovers country's insurance abyss
by Josephine Lau, Bloomberg News
The most powerful earthquake in China since 1950 shows the nation's insurance industry is decades behind those of the world's biggest economies. Just 5 percent of the more than $20 billion of damage from.... |
Home building jumps on apartment construction
by Associated Press writer
Construction of new homes posted the biggest increase in more than two years in April. While it was a rare spot of good news for the housing market, analysts said it's far too soon to declare an end to the.... |
In Recess
'09 Subaru Forester: Looks more like an SUV
by Ann M. Job, Associated Press writer
Known for being a practical, affordable vehicle, the Subaru Forester is more so for 2009.The five-passenger, new Forester is bigger than its predecessor inside and has new, sport utility-like styling out.... |
The Snark
Just in case, what's your exit plan?
by The Snark, Special to the Daily Report
Big Firm Cogs: Do you have an exit strategy? I'm not talking about a plan to get our troops out of Iraq. I'm talking about something far more likely to occur in our lifetime: your eventual departure from.... |
Viewpoint
Justices should clean up their portfolios and get to work
by Ann Woolner, Bloomberg News
For Chief Justice John Roberts, it's Hewlett-Packard. Stephen Breyer has Colgate-Palmolive, Bank of America, IBM, Nestle. Samuel Alito: Bristol-Myers Squibb and Exxon Mobil. Those companies are among 33 .... |
Friday, May 16, 2008 |
Pharmacy exam fight moves to Fulton court
by Greg Land, Staff Reporter
A legal war involving the University of Georgia and copyrights to questions on a national pharmacist licensing exam has split into two fronts.In the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia.... |
Sutherland. Just Sutherland.
by Meredith Hobbs, Staff Reporter
Sutherland. That is the new name of the firm formerly known as Sutherland Asbill & Brennan. The firm dropped its other two names this week as part of a rebranding project that includes a new Web site, Su.... |
Judge: Bodiford can stay on Nichols case
by Greg Land, Staff Reporter
Lawyers for accused Fulton County Courthouse shooter Brian G. Nichols have failed to force the judge overseeing Nichols' case to recuse.DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Daniel Coursey on Thursday ruled.... |
California high court legalizes same-sex marriage
by Mike McKee, The Recorder
On a blast-furnace of a day when normally chilly San Francisco hit 96 degrees, the California Supreme Court enhanced its reputation as a trail-blazing institution Thursday by giving gays and lesbians the r.... |
FDA-regulated officials face stiffer penalties
by Marcia Coyle, National Law Journal
After being rebuffed for several years, the Food and Drug Administration recently won sentencing guideline changes that could increase the chance of prison time for officials in FDA-regulated companies.T.... |
Critics question merit of false marking claims
by Sheri Qualters, National Law Journal
A Washington lawyer's novel strategy of suing companies for allegedly falsely marking products as patented has raised questions about whether noncompetitors should have standing to bring such cases to reco.... |
Business Matters
BRIC nations hope to turn economic strength into power
by Patrick Donahue, Bloomberg News
First came the booming economies. Then came the rush of investors. Now the so-called BRIC nations—Brazil, Russia, India and China—are talking about forming a political alliance. The four largest emerging.... |
Industrial output plunges in second big drop in 2 months
by MARTIN CRUTSINGER, Associated Press writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Industrial output plunged in April as factories making everything from autos to heavy machinery felt the adverse effects of the weak economy. Analysts held out hope that production will r.... |
In Recess
Dylan, Indiana and Denzel on DVD
by Eleanor Ringel Cater, Film Critic
It's a banner time for baby boomers on the DVD shelves.“I'm Not There” is a stream-of-consciousness deconstruction on the life, times and legend of Bob Dylan. Director Todd Haynes (“Safe,” “Far From Heav.... |
Law Inc.
Sales tips from Supreme Court
by Joey Asher, Special to the Daily Report
There are a few sales classics that all new business developers should read. One is “How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling” by Frank Bettger. Another is “Cold Calling Techniques (That Real.... |
Viewpoint
This season's financial authors profit off of scaring readers
by Susan Antilla, Bloomberg News
Pop a couple of prozacs and sit back for a roundup of the scariest financial books on the market. It's gloom-and-doom season for purveyors of financial books, so pull out a can of beans from your ammo case.... |
Thursday, May 15, 2008 |
Kilpatrick advises on $75M SPAC deal
by Andy Peters, Staff Reporter
SPACs have come a long way. Once a backwater of the M&A world, special-purpose acquisition company deals are increasingly popular, and SPAC deal values can reach into the hundreds of millions, if not billi.... |
Defendants ask court to reinstate med-mal caps
by Alyson M. Palmer, Staff Reporter
Defendants to a medical malpractice action are asking the Supreme Court of Georgia to consider a Fulton County judge's order that struck down limits on pain and suffering damages that may be awarded in suc.... |
Perdue vetoes raises for judges, DAs
by Andy Peters, Staff Reporter
Gov. Sonny Perdue on Wednesday vetoed a 5 percent pay raise for state judges and district attorneys. Raising judges' pay had been one of the State Bar of Georgia's top legislative priorities.Perdue, ho.... |
Courts balancing privacy with business
by John Pacenti, Daily Business Review
After Colin Thomas of Miami Beach registered his Chevrolet Impala in 2002, his vehicle registration information—along with 284,000 others—was sold by the state to a Coral Gables law firm researching litiga.... |
Judges ask for more concrete patent test
by Joe Palazzolo, Legal Times
Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit asked for help in staking out boundaries in the burgeoning area of patent law that deals with methods of doing business rather than nuts-and-bol.... |
Hot seat gets hotter for expert witnesses
by Tresa Baldas, National Law Journal
It's a tough time to be an expert witness. Courts are increasingly ordering expert witnesses to disclose financial information or risk having their testimony struck from a case.Also, in recent years, a g.... |
Parody written by Rehnquist found at Library of Congress
by Legal Times
The late Chief Justice William Rehnquist was known for his love of Gilbert and Sullivan. Their operetta “Iolanthe” inspired Rehnquist to add gold stripes to the arms of his black robe. It turns out his pas.... |
Business Matters
Economic downturn takes some gloss off of weddings
by MADLEN READ, Associated Press writer
The fairytale weddings that many couples have yearned for are starting to come back down to earth—leveled by everyday problems like house payments and rising gas and food bills.The wedding industry has l.... |
Mesa Air closes Air Midwest, cuts service
by Associated Press writer
PHOENIX (AP) — Mesa Air will shut down a subsidiary carrier, cutting off service to 16 small cities in 10 states because of soaring fuel prices, the company said Wednesday.Mesa said that the cuts will .... |
Foreclosure rate jumps 65 percent in April
by ALEX VEIGA, Associated Press writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — More U.S. homeowners fell behind on mortgage payments last month, driving the number of homes facing foreclosure up 65 percent versus the same month last year and contributing to a deepe.... |
In Recess
Pension debt is next U.S. financial crisis
by James Pressley, Bloomberg News
Pensions resemble a reverse neutron bomb: They gut cities and factories, yet leave armies of retirees standing, unscathed and ready for that Caribbean cruise. If you don't believe me, dip into Roger Lowe.... |
Letters to the Editor
Letter: Judge Arrington and med mal damage caps
by Gene Brooks, Special to the Daily Report
The Daily Report's article on Judge Arrington's ruling holding the medical malpractice damages cap unconstitutional was welcome news. Judge Arrington accurately found that the damages cap is unfair .... |
Viewpoint
Las Vegas and Disney: A tale of two resorts
by Rachel Beck, Associated Press writer
This is not a good economy to take a gamble in.Las Vegas has, and it's hurting casino profits. Disney has not, and the “Magic Kingdom” is reaping the winnings.In theory, it's not supposed to be this wa.... |
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 |
Judge: SunTrust can't make workers drop suit
by Janet L. Conley, Associate Editor
A federal judge has told SunTrust Banks Inc. that it cannot force workers it plans to lay off next month to drop a pending wage-and-hours suit against the bank in exchange for their severance pay.The ban.... |
In The Trenches: Ogletree gains PoGo's immigration team
by Meredith Hobbs, Staff Reporter
Immigration attorney Rebecca L. Sigmund has joined labor and employment boutique Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart from Powell Goldstein as a shareholder, bringing her immigration team with her.Sigmu.... |
Court forced to punt apartheid case
by Tony Mauro, Legal Times
For want of a quorum, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday allowed a controversial lawsuit brought by South African citizens to proceed against American and foreign corporations for their role in perpetuating .... |
No final answer over juror questions
by Pamela A. MacLean, National Law Journal
Though 11 of the nation's 12 geographic federal circuits now allow jurors to pose written questions to witnesses during trial, there's a big difference between allowing and encouraging.The practice of in.... |
Nichols lawyers renew effort to boot Bodiford
by Greg Land, Staff Reporter
Defense attorneys for accused Fulton County Courthouse shooter Brian Nichols have filed new arguments seeking to have the trial judge removed, basing their bid upon evidence presented at a hearing last wee.... |
Business Matters
Mattel says it has proof Bratz was born in Barbie's family
by Edvard Pettersson and Heather Burke, Bloomberg News
Mattel Inc., the world's biggest toymaker, may add as much as $500 million a year to its revenue by winning a copyright suit against MGA Entertainment Inc. over the Barbie doll's hip urban rival, Bratz. .... |
Bernanke: Financial markets improving
by JEANNINE AVERSA, Associated Press writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Turmoil in financial markets has eased somewhat, but the situation is still "far from normal," Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Tuesday.The central bank has taken a number o.... |
UPS adding more fuel-efficient vehicles
by Associated Press writer
ATLANTA (AP) — UPS, the world's largest shipping carrier, said Tuesday it has ordered 200 hybrid electric vehicles and another 300 compressed natural gas vehicles as it seeks to make its fleet more fuel ef.... |
GC South
Survey finds that firms improve diversity efforts in response to GC pressure
by Katheryn Hayes Tucker, Staff Reporter
Under increasing pressure from general counsel to diversify their personnel, law firms may find encouragement from a new Altman Weil Inc. survey showing they are making some progress.“This year, for the .... |
Blunt advice from five in-house counsel
by Katheryn Hayes Tucker, Staff Reporter
Be punctual. Control costs. And whatever you do, don't ever tick off a legal department secretary. That advice and more came out when a group of California general counsel were asked what they really tho.... |
Darden GC reflects on youth spent in Africa, former Hard Rock role
by Katheryn Hayes Tucker, Staff Reporter
Horace G. Dawson III, division general counsel of Darden Restaurants Inc., was invited to serve on a GC panel in Atlanta recently for the Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys. An African-Ameri.... |
Viewpoint
Inflation fight in Australia signals good news for world
by William Pesek, Bloomberg News
It's hard to decide who has a more taxing job these days: Glenn Stevens or Kevin Rudd? Stevens runs the Reserve Bank of Australia; Rudd is prime minister of the Asia-Pacific region's fifth-biggest econom.... |
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 |
Death sentence for 1986 killings tossed on habeas
by Alyson M. Palmer, Staff Reporter
Due to modesty, strategy or, perhaps, both, some lawyers don't want to make a big deal out of their court victories, so they tell inquiring journalists that a judge's order “speaks for itself.”That is wh.... |
Verdicts & Settlements: Judge drops $54M verdict to $10.6M
by Greg Land, Staff Reporter
The husband and estate of a woman killed when the car in which she was riding was crushed by a tractor-trailer was awarded $54.4 million by a Fulton County State Court jury Friday. The verdict included $44.... |
Empty homes spur cities' suits
by Julie Kay, National Law Journal
Homeowners aren't the only ones claiming they were victimized by the subprime foreclosure debacle sweeping the nation. Cities now dealing with scores of abandoned, foreclosed homes have started suing ban.... |
Mesa Air looks for shareholders' OK to offer more shares
by CHRIS KAHN, Associated Press writer
PHOENIX (AP) — Mesa Air Group Inc. hopes shareholders will soothe its financial troubles this week by allowing the airline to issue millions of new shares valued at nearly twice the company's current marke.... |
Business Matters
Subprime slams shipbuilding, increases freight costs
by Todd Zeranski, Bloomberg News
The biggest shipbuilding boom in history collided with the largest credit-market losses ever, undermining forecasts for a plunge in freight rates. As much as $14 billion in ship orders is threatened by c.... |
In Recess
Trial lawyer seduced by golf
by Jim Carroll, Special to the Daily Report
Golf has been a part of his life since he was an 8-year-old walking the fairways of College Park Golf Course. It was there where James H. Webb Jr., 61, honed his golf skills, developed a love for the game .... |
Viewpoint
Government must act now to cure mortgage rot
by Rachel Beck, Associated Press writer
A government-backed mortgage bailout is needed, and it must be done right away.Before shouting about all the reasons why taxpayers shouldn't rescue the profligate who took on more debt than they could ha.... |
Monday, May 12, 2008 |
As time passes, hope dwindles for missing Savannah lawyer
by Meredith Hobbs, Staff Reporter
It's been more than two months since Savannah lawyer and Hilton Head Island, S.C., resident Elizabeth W. “Liz” Calvert and her husband, John, disappeared.A week after the couple's March 3 disappearance, .... |
Sports agent work is a long shot for lawyers
by Andy Peters, Staff Reporter
Although a sports agent's work can touch on everything from contracts to criminal procedure, the handful of Atlanta lawyers in the business say it's difficult for practicing attorneys to break into the cut.... |
Sacked Grady CEO sues hospital board for breach of contract
by Greg Land, Staff Reporter
Otis L. Story, the former CEO of Grady Hospital who was abruptly ousted in January as the hospital board prepared to hand over authority to a new, nonprofit corporation, filed a lawsuit Thursday in Fulton .... |
As law firms face slowdown, banks tighten credit reins
by Leigh Jones, National Law Journal
Law firms needing extra capital from banks to weather the rough economy are finding that the times—and the terms—have changed. Many law firms are seeing a slowdown in work and a lengthening in their clie.... |
China's family planning rules at issue in U.S. asylum cases
by MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press writer
Partners of Chinese women who were forced to have abortions are pressing the Supreme Court to make it easier to get asylum in the United States.The Bush administration is resisting the male partners' eff.... |
Business Matters
With higher food costs, college menus take hit
by MARK PRATT, Associated Press writer
Harvard is the world's richest university, yet it recently pulled whole grain pasta from the dining service menu, replaced cherry tomatoes with wedges and even started using more chicken thighs in lieu of .... |
In Recess
Emphasis on sport
by ANN M. JOB, Associated Press writer
Most sport utility vehicles emphasize utility. But Infiniti's FX SUV is all about sport, edgy style and technology.Why else would the newly revamped-for-2009 FX have a chest-high hood that's so long and .... |
The Snark
Please don't 'smartsize' me
by The Snark, Special to the Daily Report
We Cogs all are sitting on the giant Big Law roller coaster together—one day giddy with excitement and anticipation, listening to that steady click as things (a.k.a. salaries) get ratcheted up, the next da.... |
Viewpoint
Sprint-Clearwire merger is a win-win-win situation
by David Wilson, Bloomberg News
Combining Sprint Nextel Corp.'s high-speed wireless business with Clearwire Corp., founded by mobile- phone pioneer Craig McCaw, may result in a win-win-win-win-win-win situation. Clearwire stands to ben.... |
