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Federal Judge Slashes Fees Sought by Attorney in Pro Se Tax Victory
A federal bankruptcy court judge in New York has slashed the fees sought by an attorney for representing himself in an action against the IRS. The judge last May took the unusual step of allowing Paul S. Hudson to seek attorney fees for his successful pro se efforts. Shortly afterward, Hudson submitted a bill for $21,206. But in a recently completed review of Hudson’s application, which the judge described as “replete with deficiencies and problems,” he reduced the fee award to $6,831.
Pillsbury, Others Hit or Exceed $160K Mark for Associate Salaries
Just when you thought the bandwagon was packed, another handful of California firms have announced associate salary hikes. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman became the latest large firm to move first-year pay up to $160,000. And in the midsize camp, Munger, Tolles & Olson boosted first-year pay to the $160,000 level, while Shartsis Friese took its top-billing associates to $165,000. In a prepared statement, Pillsbury said the salary hike won′t come at the cost of associates or clients.
Alito speaks to Seton Hall grads (AP)
AP - Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. on Friday issued a plea for religious tolerance, and said the nation must guard against returning to days when a notion prevailed that people of some faiths were unfit for office.
Locke Liddell Merger With Lord Bissell Will Form 700-Lawyer Firm
Locke Liddell & Sapp, based in Houston and Dallas, and Chicago-based Lord, Bissell & Brook have agreed to merge and will form a 700-lawyer firm named Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell. Locke Liddell is the larger firm with 399 lawyers, but Lord Bissell, which has about 300 lawyers, has a wider range of offices. “To my knowledge, this is the first time a large Texas firm merges with a law firm from outside Texas with offices outside the United States,” says Jerry Clements, managing partner of Locke Liddell.
Sidley Escapes Prosecution in Tax Case
Federal prosecutors have decided not to bring criminal charges against Chicago law firm Sidley Austin over its involvement with illegal tax shelters, though the law firm will pay a civil penalty of $39.4 million to the IRS. The decision to not prosecute comes almost two months after a non-prosecution agreement was reached with Dallas law firm Jenkens & Gilchrist, which similarly had a tax practice promoting shelters and issuing opinion letters. Jenkens & Gilchrist ceased operations almost immediately.
Physicians Argue Proposed Federal Settlement Could Kill Separate Case Against Blue Cross
Florida physicians will argue in federal court today that a proposed $180 million Blue Cross and Blue Shield settlement in a physician-brought class action should not block their separate class action based on a state reimbursement law. A U.S. District judge will hold a hearing to consider the proposed settlement between dozens of Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans and 850,000 doctors. The case centers on claims that the plans violated RICO by conspiring to minimize or reject claims for necessary services.
Supreme Court Makes It Harder for Private Plaintiffs to Sue Companies for Antitrust Violations
Private plaintiffs may be deterred from filing long-shot antitrust claims against big corporations because of a major Supreme Court ruling issued Monday. In , the Court said “a bare assertion of conspiracy will not suffice” to get beyond the summary judgment stage in claims under §1 of the Sherman Act. The suit, filed on behalf of a class of local phone and Internet service subscribers, claimed that regional phone companies had agreed not to compete on each other’s turf.
Naked couple’s lawsuit ended by court (AP)
AP - The suspects were black. The occupants of the house were white, in bed and naked. Guns drawn, the sheriff’s deputies ordered them out of bed anyway.
Summary of Supreme Court actions (AP)
AP - The Supreme Court on Monday:
Court limits certain cases to tax court (AP)
AP - The Supreme Court ruled Monday that only the U.S. Tax Court may review refusals by the Internal Revenue Service to reduce interest payments on people who underpay their taxes.