After a day of honoring American presidents, the blog roundup returns to a nation founded on the rule of law.

— Will Failing Law Schools make the best-seller list?

— Federal judge rules in case of pornography, pirates and (intellectual) property.

— Alleged housing scam could carry life sentence for California defendant.

— Declaration of death doesn’t dismiss indictment.

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The Court of Appeals delaying the implementation of its counsel at initial bail hearings requirement and the Court of Special Appeals upholding a $3.6 million medical malpractice verdict are among the most-read law stories of the week. Also making the list is a state judge one step closer to the federal bench and a lawsuit over a video shot at the Preakness one step closer to trial. The top 5 stories are:

1. Law firm’s marketing effort takes it to the Baltimore Bridal Show — by Beth Arsenault

Gorgeous gowns, amazing cakes, fabulous florists, luxury limousines: of the 200 or so vendors at the Baltimore Bridal Show, the overwhelming majority were focused on making the couple’s wedding day fantasies a reality.

At one booth, though, the fantasy took a back seat to real-life issues that can make or break a life of wedded bliss. Hodes, Pessin & Katz P.A. — the only law firm in attendance — was on hand with information about such things as prenuptial agreements, credit-history cleanups, estate planning and even vendor contracts.

2. U.S. Senate committee recommends Russell for federal bench — by Steve Lash

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge George L. Russell III took a giant step forward Thursday in his bid for a seat on the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt.

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Designer knock-offs might be bad for business, but blatant designer knock-offs are always good for a laugh. A Rolax watch? A Pollo shirt? There’s more funny there than you can fit into a Louis Veeton bag.

Which brings us to a story from Georgia about counterfeit Air Jordans, the iconic Nike brand. An officer pulled over a car and noticed the smell of marijuana. A search of the car yielded 78 boxes of Air Jordans.

Except the serial number on the tongues of the shoes didn’t match the one on the box. And the Nike logos peeled off.

And because Michael Jordan’s hand had six fingers.

The two women in the car have been charged “for having forged or counterfeited goods,” according to a local news report.

No word if the women will attempt the “Antonio Alfonseca” defense.

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It’s Monday,  and you know what that means. No, Adele didn’t just win another Grammy. It’s time for the ol’ roundup. Here are some news items to get your week started.

– Music-industry lawyers do not whistle to Spotify’s tune

– Los Angeles Times finds a lawyer to top its story on “workaholism“

– Disbarment of Spanish judge draws large street protest

– Pennsylvania law firm accuses ex-partner of continuing to access its computer files.

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The Court of Special Appeals’ decision to reverse much of a $150 million jury verdict against Exxon Mobil kicks off the list of the most-read law stories of the week. Also making the list is Maryland’s decision to join the national foreclosure settlement and the story of a lawyer-turned-chef. The Top 5 are:

1.  Appeals court slashes damages for Jacksonville Exxon leak — by Danny Jacobs and Steve Lash

A divided Court of Special Appeals has struck down a large part of the $150 million in damages awarded to 88 Jacksonville households in their lawsuits against Exxon Mobil Corp. stemming from a massive 2006 gasoline leak.

The court left intact about $60 million in property damage claims, reversing the award to just one household.

However, a majority of the nine judges found the jury instruction on emotional distress damages was faulty and ordered a new trial on that count in Baltimore County Circuit Court for most plaintiffs.

2. Bid-rigging lawyer disbarred — by Daily Record Staff

Nearly two years after he pleaded guilty to a federal bid-rigging charge for colluding at tax-lien auctions, Harvey M. Nusbaum was disbarred Tuesday by the Court of Appeals.

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This is not intended to make light of the trial happening down in Charlottesville. The story of Yeardley Love is a tragedy, and reliving it at George Huguely’s trial has to be a nightmare for her family and for anyone connected in any way to Love or Huguely.

But after seeing photos from the opening days of the trial, there’s one question that keeps going through my mind: What happened to George Huguely? In that infamous mug shot from almost two years ago, he looks big, tough, menacing, hair going in every direction. His face is tan and full, his eyes dark and staring blankly ahead.

Fast forward to this week: he walks into the courthouse in handcuffs, his skin pale, eyes sunken behind his cheekbones. His sport coat appears to be wearing him. His hair is cropped closer. It’s hard to believe he played college sports at an elite level.

Is one the face of a guilty man, the other the face of an innocent man? Or is it the same person, transformed by the gravity of all that has happened since that fateful night in May 2010?

I guess it’s up to the jury to decide.

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After four full days of deliberation, the jury in the death penalty case against Lee E. Stephens remains undecided about whether he and another man killed a corrections officer in the former Maryland House of Correction.

Cpl. David McGuinn was stabbed to death while on duty during an ambush style attack from behind as he was taking the final lockup count for the night at 10 p.m. on July 25, 2006. Stephens was charged with first-degree murder in McGuinn’s death.

The case went to the jury last Wednesday. While court was not in session Friday, the jurors in the case have been deliberating since. On Tuesday, jurors again did not deliver a verdict and were sent home about 4 p.m.

The case against Stephens is based on eyewitness testimony from former inmates on the cell block where the attack occurred and DNA testing of blood recovered from Stephens’ personal effects. The jury has the option to find Stephens guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Paul A. Hackner told the jury when they were given the case that the verdict form also included an option to find Stephens guilty of second-degree murder. A first-degree conviction would open the door to further hearings about whether to impose capital punishment.

The jury has had a tough job put in front of them. There are reasonable issues raised on both sides and, with no video footage, a lot of the state’s case came down to a prisoner who said he saw everything through a mirror he held out of his cell door.

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What a game! Pitchers and catchers report in two weeks! Law blog roundup!

Here are some news items to get the week started.

– It was the best of times; it was the worst of times — for lawyers.

– L.A. Dodgers pitch a defense in case of injured San Francisco Giants fan.

– How do you predict the court will rule on this objection?

– General Motors fought Ford, even as Eli battled Brady.

– Are ceilings in corporate legal offices still made of glass?

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The latest developments stemming from the Court of Appeals’ counsel-at-bail ruling were both among the most-read legal stories of the week. Days after a House Judiciary Committee appeared poised to undo the Court of Appeals’ decision, the top court said it would delay putting it into effect for another two weeks. The Top 5 also includes a judge’s pending retirement and a state-approved settlement of an Eastern Shore sex-abuse lawsuit.

1. Judge Eyler to step down a little early — by Steve Lash

Court of Special Appeals Judge James R. Eyler will step down May 1, about 2½ months before the Maryland Constitution would compel his retirement at age 70.

“My intention has been to go into private mediation,” Eyler said last week in explaining his decision to retire early from the bench. “The sooner that occurs, the better. That is why I’m not waiting until July 13.”

Eyler, who has served on the intermediate appellate court since Jan. 9, 1996, said he would remain available after May 1 to hear cases by special assignment.

2. Mom with latex allergy wins in Court of Appeals — by Steve Lash

A private nursery school violated a Howard County statute by refusing to accommodate a mother’s request to stop using latex gloves when changing diapers, Maryland’s highest court has held.

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The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law needs attorney judges as it will once again host the Eastern Regional Mock Trial tournament.

Next weekend’s tournament is for undergraduate trial teams (meaning witnesses can score points) and has two rounds of competition each day. Judges’ meetings will begin at 9 a.m. for morning rounds and 1:30 p.m. for the afternoon rounds, with the trials beginning a half-hour after the meeting and lasting up to two-and-a-half hours.

“Judging undergraduate mock trial is a blast,” said Mark A. Graber, an associate dean and director of the mock trial in a statement. “You will see several of the top teams in the nation – including Johns Hopkins, American, Howard, Georgetown, and George Washington. You get to be the judge. And you really help our students.”

Judging is on a pro bono basis, but food and coffee is provided.

Interested lawyers can email Graber for more information.

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