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Legal Services Blog Archives: May, 2011

Pondering about the Law


At some point in our lives, we all encounter the law. Our channel aspires to be a resource for you. A tool you can use for reference when you have questions about certain areas of law or want to come for an update about what's happening in the legal world. With recent political scandal (heck, with regular political scandal) and the passage of controversial laws, there is much to talk about on the Legal Channel. So join the conversation, let us know what you think!

  • Supreme Court Hands Down Controversial Immigration Law Decision

     On Thursday, May 26, 2011 the United States Supreme Court, in a 5-3 decision, upheld Arizona’s Legal Arizona Worker’s Act. The Legal Arizona Worker’s Act is an employment bill aimed at tightening business’ compliance with immigration laws. Specifically, the Act allows the State of Arizona to assess penalties against Arizona businesses who are found to be in knowing violation of immigration laws

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  • Can a Federal Court in Oregon Force the Vatican to Answer a Subpoena?

     In April, an Oregon federal court judge ruled that discovery of records and documents held by the Vatican can proceed in a case of alleged sex abuse by a priest in John V. Doe v. Holy See. The plaintiff’s subpoena seeks documents related to the question of whether the Vatican can be held responsible for a priest's location and responsibility assignments, which are made by diocesan officials.

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  • Weird Criminal Law Stories No. 7

     Los Angeles, CA: An L.A. man was so distracted by two nude women taking a shower by the side of the road, he crashed his car into a truck.  The women were animal rights protestors trying to emphasize a point about how much water the meat industries wastes.

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  • Facebook Faces More Legal Issues and It’s Not the Winklevosses

     Continual legal issues have maligned Facebook since its inception in 2004. Most  people are well aware of the sordid struggle between Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and the Winklevoss twins, who claimed Zuckerberg stole the idea for Facebook from them. This legal struggle was brought into the eye of popular culture when the 2010 film The Social Networkreceived critical acclaim, including Oscar nominations.

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  • Courtroom Fashion: Make Your Own Future

    Last month, I blogged about what not to wear to the courtroom. This month, I will discuss proper courtroom attire with some examples from celebrities who did itright. The obvious question is: why is this subject even important? I have two answers: (1) because it is impossible to stress the irrevocable importance of first impressions; and (2) as my last blog showed, some people just don’t get it. 

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  • Television's Impact on Legal Expectations

     Lawyer shows are a staple of American television. Along with medical shows, there seems to be a new one on any given network each season. Some last over many seasons and some are a misfire with the viewers. Lawyer shows offer TV writers an endless supply of variety since the law can be involved in just about any situation.

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  • SCOTUS Decision to Overturn $14m Award Against New Orleans DA’s Office a Loss for Justice

    As  a law student, I clerked for the Department of Justice, the National Crime Victims Law Institute, and the local District Attorney’s office, while my course work focused on every aspect of criminal law, from anti-trust prosecution to federal white collar crime to environmental enforcement to your run-of-the-mill misdemeanors. 

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  • Lawyer Candor Tempered When it Comes to Criticizing Judges

     Perhaps the most counter-intuitive truth involving lawyers is that in order to practice law, lawyers are required to partly relinquish their First Amendment Right to Free Speech. Beyond the justifiable commercial free speech constraints on lawyer advertising, there’s the more significant restraint on what lawyers can say about judges and the court system.

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  • Microsoft Purchases Skype, Intellectual Property Drives Up Price

     It was just two years ago that Skype was staring down the barrel of an intellectual property licensing issue from its former parent company Joltid. The suit was threatening to shut Skype down for good. Now, Skype has been purchased by the computer giant Microsoft for $8.5 Billion.

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  • Victim or Criminal?: When Language Matters

     We see her, just for a second. Strutting slowly down the dimly lit street alone, her long legs stretching out under a skirt that isn’t covering much, she has the appearance of a woman of the night. Her seductive pose, her revealing clothing, her gaudy make-up—they all tell the story that is so easy to believe.

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*The purpose of this content is to provide general information about the subject only. It is not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice. If you need a legal opinion, please consult a legal professional.