Party flip in the federal courts
Since the inauguration of Barack Obama in January 2009, eight U.S. courts of appeals have flipped parties, The New York Times reported.
Now nine of the 13 federal appeals courts — almost 70 percent — have more active judges who received their appointments from Democratic Presidents than colleagues
Explanations exist; they have existed for all time; there is always a well-known solution to every human problem — neat, plausible, and wrong.
H. L. Mencken, Prejudices: Second Series 158 (1920).
The 2015 edition of Best Lawyers has emerged from embargo.
It lists 17 partners in Blawgletter's firm. And, yes, it includes Blawgletter. For the 11th time. Go figure.
A happy outcome for counsel
All you in-house lawyers out there might want to raise a hearty cheer for the D.C. Circuit. Outside counsel may want to clap also. For a panel of the appeals court held in In re Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc., No. 14-5055 (D.C. Cir. June 27, 2014), that you can convert mandatory
CLE Panels of Judges
Have you noticed how many continuing legal education programs feature "judges panels" and urge you to attend so their honors can instruct you in how to win your next case?
A blurb about an upcoming "Legal Writing to Win" seminar in Texas highlights its "Judges Panel: The Worst Things We See in Briefs".
If you’ve thought about filing a business lawsuit in federal court or you have one underway already, you’ll probably want to read about two still-in-process studies by Columbia University and Harvard University law school professors on how the U.S. Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts (2005-present) has treated business lawsuits, and how that treatment
Vault just came out with its 2015 rankings of the Best Law Firms.
In the Litigation Boutiques category, Susman Godfrey L.L.P. won top honors. Vault's Overview notes:
Count Susman Godfrey . . . as one of the true boutiques. The litigation star maintains five offices — its Houston headquarters, a smaller Dallas branch, two
Limitations v. Repose
The U.S. Supreme Court held today that Congress preempted "statutes of limitations" — but not "statutes of repose" – for toxic tort cases.
The Court explained that limitations periods require plaintiffs to bring claims promptly but that repose statutes aim to free defendants from worry. CTS Corp. v. Waldburger, No.
A new decision by the Fourth Circuit underscores the public's first amendment right to know what happens in the course of a lawsuit in federal court. It's also a reminder that secret papers that you so confidently filed under seal may not stay that way. 
The Case
Since 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has
The George Washington Bridge.
Who has the better argument in the Bridgegate subpoena flap?
New Jersey Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson on April 9 quashed subpoenas that a special investigative committee of the Garden State's legislature served on a pair of former high-level aides to Governor Chris Christie, Bridget Anne Kelly and William Stepien. Judge