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Dorsey Firm Sanctioned as Part of Judge’s Manifesto on Civility in Legal Profession
A Manhattan federal judge has delivered a lengthy manifesto against declining civility in the legal profession in the course of sanctioning law firm Dorsey & Whitney and two of its partners. Southern District of New York Judge Harold Baer opened his 129-page decision with a discussion of how “naked competition and singular economic focus of the marketplace have begun to infiltrate the practice of law, subordinating the high standards of service, collegiality and professionalism as a result.”
Court skeptical of Maine tobacco law (AP)
AP - When Maine officials tried to crack down on Internet tobacco sales to children, the outcry from shipping companies that bring cigarettes to consumers’ homes was deafening.
JDS Uniphase Scores a Win in Securities Case
The first securities class action to go to verdict in the Northern District of California since 2002 ended with a defense verdict Tuesday — just like the one in 2002. This time, JDS Uniphase and four of its executives snatched a complete win, ending plaintiffs’ dreams of up to $18 billion in damages. Investors accused the JDS defendants of misrepresenting the true health of the telecom company in 2000 and 2001, resulting in an artificially inflated stock price.
Delaware River dispute at Supreme Court (AP)
AP - Delaware and New Jersey squared off in the Supreme Court Tuesday over which state gets to decide whether a liquefied natural gas terminal gets built on the Delaware River.
Court to release Guantanamo case audio (AP)
AP - The Supreme Court will hear arguments next week about the rights of prisoners who have been detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and will immediately release audio tapes of the proceeding.
9th Circuit Reverses Rare Verdict in Securities Class Action
A securities class action that was rare two years ago for being tried to verdict may be headed back to district court, with the defense’s win in jeopardy. On Monday, the 9th Circuit ruled that a Canadian direct marketing company had misrepresented merger details in public filings with the SEC, and that those misrepresentations were material to shareholders. The materiality of an unfulfilled promise to list shares on a big exchange appears to be an issue of first impression among the federal circuit courts.
Justices deal with retirement plan case (AP)
AP - James LaRue says he lost $150,000 when his instructions to his employer on where to invest money in his retirement plan were ignored.
Court declines Mich. faith-based case (AP)
AP - The Supreme Court on Monday declined to get involved in a dispute between Michigan officials and a faith-based program for troubled youths.
Court rejects Ala. death row challenge (AP)
AP - The Supreme Court on Monday refused to allow a death row inmate to try to prove his innocence through DNA testing.
Court won’t review San Diego home hunts (AP)
AP - The Supreme Court rejected a challenge Monday to a county’s practice of routinely searching welfare applicants’ homes without warrants and ruling out assistance for those who refuse to let them in.