Sat.Jul 23, 2022 - Fri.Jul 29, 2022

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The Role of a Criminal Law Paralegal

Paralegal Bootcamp

To start off, I should make a confession. I have been in the legal field for over 30 years and a paralegal going on eight years. In those years, I have only worked on civil cases, and that was my niche. Then, an opportunity came along to work for the County Public Defender’s Office, defending people in misdemeanor, felony, and now the only paralegal in the office on capital cases.

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Reject or Dismiss? A Prosecutor’s Dilemma

The Crime Report

District and state attorneys nationwide are facing increasing pressure to prosecute every case the police bring to their desks. When prosecutors look to alternatives, they are quickly labeled “soft on crime.”. Some communities go as far as attempting to recall their elected prosecutor, as seen most recently in San Francisco (where they were successful in removing DA Chesa Boudin), Philadelphia and Los Angeles.

Attorney 105
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California governor signs unprecedented gun bill allowing private citizens to sue gunmakers and dealers

JURIST

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill , SB-1327, modeled after Texas’ abortion law. The California gun bill allows private citizens to bring lawsuits against those who make, sell, transport or import guns. While Texas’ abortion law, which took effect on September 1 last year, allows private citizens to bring civil actions against physicians and those “aid[ing] or abet[ting] the performance or inducement of an abortion” in violation of the state ban on aborti

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Five Things to Look for in Shared Office Space

Attorney at Work

Location, professional atmosphere, private offices, paralegal support, networking opportunities. These are all important considerations when shopping for a legal shared office space. But before you sign up, here are questions to ask about the office center site and the owner — along with five pointers on what to expect. Two Weeks’ Notice. A few days ago, I met with an attorney who was originally introduced to me more than three years ago when he was considering changing offices.

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Research: The Anatomy of a Legal Brief

Why does it take 20-40 hrs. to create a compliant legal brief? TypeLaw analyzed 10,000+ briefs to determine the anatomy of the average brief—how many words, paragraphs, citations to the record, and more. See the research results in this infographic.

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What is a Public Defense Paralegal?

Paralegal Bootcamp

Modern law is extraordinarily complex. It’s built upon dysfunctional models like income inequality, sexism, racism, and much more. As society shifts and the need for lawyers to work faster and smarter grows, it becomes increasingly important that lawyers are able to nurture partnerships with freelance paralegals and legal assistants. Why do these partnerships matter?

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US appeals court reinstates New York law limiting protest near courthouses

JURIST

The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit Wednesday reinstated a New York law that limits protest near courthouses. The reinstated law, New York Penal Law § 215.50 (7) , prohibits people from engaging in conduct “concerning the conduct of a trial being held” within 200 feet of a courthouse. Should someone be found in violation of the law, they could face criminal contempt charges. .

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Targeting an Industry Niche

Attorney at Work

No one knows for sure what the future will look like for legal services. If you’re concerned about your practice and looking for an effective business development technique, I have a suggestion for you: Develop an industry focus, like a niche law firm. Becoming a niche law firm and marketing to an industry niche (as opposed to focusing on substantive expertise) can lead to substantial new business opportunities.

Law Firms 294
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However Bad You Thought The Sandy Hook Defamation Case Would Go For Alex Jones, Yesterday Was WORSE

Above The Law

Can you get hard time in a civil tort suit? The post However Bad You Thought The Sandy Hook Defamation Case Would Go For Alex Jones, Yesterday Was WORSE appeared first on Above the Law.

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Let’s Stop Throwing People Away For Life

The Crime Report

Lonnie Morris was recently released from prison after 44 years inside. Photo by Justin Bench, via UnCommon Law. Donald was first incarcerated when he was just seven years old. A poor kid with an under-resourced single mother, Donald was first kicked out of kindergarten for throwing tantrums. Two years later, after accidentally starting a fire while playing in a neighbor’s basement, Donald was held responsible for arson.

Education 141
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Fresh Out of School: How to Become an Expert Paralegal

Speaker: Joe Stephens, J.D., Attorney and Law Professor

The difference between a paralegal and an exceptional paralegal isn't just competence—it's the bold initiative to anticipate needs, master hidden firm dynamics, and transform challenges into opportunities that showcase your indispensable value. Join this webinar with attorney Joe Stephens to get an insider's perspective into how you can become a strategic asset to your practice!

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BioNTech, Pfizer seek declaratory judgment against CureVac COVID-19 vaccine patent infringement claims

JURIST

Biotech giants BioNTech and Pfizer Monday filed a complaint for declaratory judgment of noninfringement in the US District Court of Massachusetts. The companies seek to quell claims by CureVac of intellectual property violations. BioNTech and Pfizer collaborated in the development and distribution of their COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, trademarked as COMIRNATY ®, was the first successful mRNA drug product approved in the United States and was expedited on an emergency basis by

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The Horrible and the Miserable: The Challenge to Keep Marketing

Attorney at Work

Supposedly, there are two kinds of people in the world, the horrible and the miserable. Let’s stretch this idea for marketing by two kinds of lawyers. The Fortunate Horribles. Some lawyers are so busy they can’t imagine finding another minute for marketing; call them the “horrible.” Many people wouldn’t even consider this a problem. “You’re busy, aren’t you?

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Supreme Court Term Limits Bill Should Have Broad Bipartisan Support So It Probably Won’t

Above The Law

It makes too much sense. The post Supreme Court Term Limits Bill Should Have Broad Bipartisan Support So It Probably Won’t appeared first on Above the Law.

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Book of Interest: Frederick Schauer's "The Proof: Uses of Evidence in Law, Politics, and Everything Else"

EvidenceProf Blog

Frederick Schauer, the David and Mary Harrison Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Virginia School of Law, has published The Proof Uses of Evidence in Law, Politics, and Everything Else (Harvard University Press). Simply put, this book is.

Laws 130
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6 Contract Data Analytics Tools To Boost Contract Oversight

Analyzing contract trends with manual contract management is like sifting through a pile of papers in a dimly lit room, trying to find clues manually. Advanced CLM software’s contract data analytics, on the other hand, is like having an AI-based, intelligent magnifying glass that not only highlights key clues but also connects the dots for you. With innovative, AI-powered contract data analytics, you can solve the mystery of trends faster and with greater accuracy, making informed decisions base

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Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary to pay over $20M to settle redlining lawsuit

JURIST

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Wednesday that Trident Mortgage Company agreed to pay over $22 million to settle federal charges that its lending practices intentionally discriminated against minorities in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Trident is one of the largest realtor-affiliated mortgage lenders in the US and is a subsidiary of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.

Education 231
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Why Are You at the Office Until 10 p.m.?

Attorney at Work

Working late again? To be a better lawyer — and prevent lawyer burnout, start your day with a sprint. . The early days of my legal career at a big firm involved lots of late nights at the office. It seemed like I was routinely getting home around 11 p.m. — often later. It was a busy time, so late nights were required. But not always. Looking back, working late all the time could have been avoided.

Lawyers 256
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CVS scheme diverted millions from underserved population, NY AG says

Above The Law

Attorney General Letitia James accused CVS of a scheme starting in 2017 to prevent New York safety net hospitals from using the company of their choice to obtain federal drug subsidies on prescriptions filled at CVS through the 340B program.

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Five Lessons Steno Learned from Law-Di-Gras 2022

Sterno

What a weekend! Once again , the Steno team packed their bags to attend the annual Law-Di-Gras conference. Hosted at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa from July 14-17, this event invites medical and legal experts to converse and educate one another on the trends and findings connected to personal injury litigation. Though the festivities have come to a close, we can’t help but reminisce on the lessons Law-Di-Gras 2022 taught us.

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The Tech-Savvy Paralegals Playbook: How To Leverage AI

Speaker: Allison Mears, Adela Wekselblatt, and George Socha

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the legal industry, and paralegals are at the forefront of this transformation. As AI becomes more integrated into legal workflows, paralegals can streamline their daily tasks, enhance efficiency, and add greater value to their firms and organizations. But what exactly does AI mean for paralegals today—and how can you leverage it to your advantage?

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US Supreme Court blocks Biden administration policy to limit deportation

JURIST

The US Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a Biden administration immigration policy. In a 5-4 order, the Supreme Court Thursday denied the Biden administration’s application to reinstate an immigration memorandum that would stop deportation unless the non-citizen is a threat to national security, public safety or border security. J ustices Amy Coney Barrett, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented from the majority.

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John Tolley: How to Be a Top Trial Lawyer in Your Niche

Attorney at Work

What does it take to become a successful lawyer in your particular niche? In a series of in-depth interviews for the Estrin Report , Chere Estrin profiles top lawyers from all types of practices. In this column, we highlight their top tips. This week, we feature criminal defense lawyer John Tolley , who has tried more than 45 jury trials and handled thousands of cases. .

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Clarence Thomas Quits Law School Class, Depriving Students Of BOTH Sides Of The ‘Do Gay People Have Human Rights?’ Debate

Above The Law

Was this really advancing the academic mission in the first place? The post Clarence Thomas Quits Law School Class, Depriving Students Of BOTH Sides Of The ‘Do Gay People Have Human Rights?’ Debate appeared first on Above the Law.

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Depth Perception: Don’t Overvolunteer

NCBA Law Practice Management Blog

A lot of attorneys, new and seasoned, volunteer for everything under the sun, until they’re so busy, they just wanna puke. Now, that’s not the goal of volunteering. When it comes to working with organizations, legal-specific or otherwise, the idea is not to overwhelm yourself – but, to actually generate business, based on your in-person networking and referral marketing efforts.

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Excellence in Trial: A Strategic Guide for Modern Paralegals

Modern trial practice has evolved beyond basic organization. With technology reshaping courtrooms and attorneys expecting more than ever, paralegals need to elevate their capabilities while mastering the fundamentals of trial excellence. This comprehensive guide from Steno, built from author Joe Stephens' real-world experience as both a practicing attorney and law professor, provides a blueprint for delivering exceptional trial support in today's complex legal environment.

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Opioid manufacturer Teva Pharmaceuticals announces $4.35B settlement with state, local governments

JURIST

Opioid manufacturer Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Tuesday announced a $4.35 billion settlement with state and local governments to resolve lawsuits concerning Teva’s role in fueling the US opioid epidemic. The settlement is not yet finalized. Teva is an Israeli multinational pharmaceutical company which manufactures prescription medication including opioids.

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Predicting and Protecting Yourself Against Violence: Interview With Craig Gundry

Attorney at Work

Just midway through 2022, there have been more than 330 mass shootings in the U.S. If that wasn’t disturbing enough, a retired Wisconsin judge was recently gunned down outside his home. When I examined the issue of personal safety for lawyers a few years ago, statistics showed that violence against lawyers and other legal professionals was on the rise.

Lawyers 237
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Stephen Buyer, Republican Who Served Nearly 2 Decades In Congress, Arrested For Insider Trading

Above The Law

Given the misbehavior from various lawmakers that we’ve all had to begrudgingly endure in recent years, the idea that a former congressman should know better than to insider trade almost seems quaint. The post Stephen Buyer, Republican Who Served Nearly 2 Decades In Congress, Arrested For Insider Trading appeared first on Above the Law.

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Supreme Court of Ohio Finds Use of Marsy's Law to Have Victim Sit at Prosecution Table Violated the Presumption of Innocence

EvidenceProf Blog

Over the past few years, states have begun enacting Marsy's Law, which "seeks to give crime victims meaningful and enforceable constitutional rights equal to the rights of the accused." Many legal scholars, including myself, have questioned Marsy's Law, arguing that.

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Transform Your E-Learning: Download the Ultimate Localization Use Case!

Uncover the secret to breaking language barriers and expanding your e-learning reach! This powerful use case reveals how Cesco Linguistic Services transformed 19 training modules for the Colorado Department of Early Childhood into culturally relevant courses in Arabic and Spanish—delivered on time and exceeding expectations. Learn how to localize your content seamlessly, avoid costly pitfalls, and connect with diverse audiences like never before.