We lawyers do some crazy things. But, when i see escapades like the one in Tampa Bay in movies or on TV, my first reaction is "no way." Well, yes, way. Three lawyers in Tampa Bay are facing ethics charges by the Florida Bar Association because they colluded to get an opposing counsel arrested for
Litigation and trial practice
SCOTUS Says Summary Judgment Does not Obtain When Key Facts are in Dispute
Summary judgment (i.e., "quick" judgment) has become the bugaboo for employment lawsuits over the past 20 years. I have discussed how the over-use of summary judgment has been particularly difficult for employment cases. Well, that same analysis applies to all civil rights cases. In Tolan v. Jeffrey Wayne Cotton, No. 13-551 (2014), the U.S.
NBA Has Various Legal Options
So, now the NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, has announced that Don Sterling will be forced to sell his team, the San Diego Clippers. The NBA relies on entertainment dollars. It cannot afford a team with such a despised owner. But, can the NBA force him to sell his team? What happened to free enterprise?
The…
City of San Antonio Loses Again Regarding Terminated SAPD Officer
I talked previously about the City of San Antonio filing an appeal regarding Lt. Salvaggio. See my prior post here. The City lost before an arbitrator, in front of district court and in front of the court of appeals. Yet, they appealed again to the Texas Supreme Court. And, now they have lost, again.
Fifth Circuit Panel Ignores Evidence of Racism
In Willis v. CLECO Corp., No. 13-30217, (5th Cir. 4/8/14), the Fifth Circuit panel reverses summary judgment regarding a disciplinary write-up, but affirms summary judgment regarding the termination of an African-American worker. Gregory Willis’ lawyer did not do him any favors in failing to point to specific pages from Mr. Willis’ deposition. Those pages…
How to Avoid Sanctions in a Discrimination Lawsuit
In federal court, the parties are subject to sanctions for any number of offenses, ranging from discovery abuse to filing frivolous claims. Sanctions can include everything from money to a prohibition of certain evidence. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure Rule 54(d) allows the winner in a lawsuit to seek an award of attorney’s fees. The…
AA Foundries Settles Appeal
The employer who lost its discrimination trial in 2012 has dropped its appeal. A jury in U.S. district court awarded three plaintiffs $200,000 in damages. That amount was later reduced to $140,000 due to statutory caps on damages. See San Antonio Express News report.
The manager was accused of using the "n" word…
Justin Bieber Fares Poorly in his Deposition
It is always hard for celebrities to accept the basic rules of litigation, such as the witness has limited control over a deposition. In a recent deposition, Justin Bieber violates almost every rule of how to successfully testify in a deposition. He objects on his own behalf to reasonable or halfway reasonable questions, he argues…
Snay Settlement is Truly Undone
I discussed yesterday the case in which an employee’s daughter disclosed the settlement amount and caused a settlement agreement proceeds to be returned to the employer. See my post here. Now, I see the Florida court of appeals decision here. From the decision, it appears that the case was indeed dismissed. The plaintiff…
Sen. Paul Did not Pay His Lawyer?
Even big name clients and well known lawyers have problems with their clients. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, filed suit against the National Security Agency regarding its spying on Americans’ phone records. Buit, he may not have paid his lawyer. According to an ABA Bar Journal report, Bruce Fein wrote the Complaint, the legal document…