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ABA asks free-speech forum to tone down report on Trump
When the American Bar Association’s Forum on Communications Law, a network of media lawyers, commissioned a report on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s history of suing those who criticize him, the bar association responded by refusing to publish the resulting article — at least, not without significant edits, the New York Times reported. Dialing back the […]
Wright, Constable & Skeen moving into larger space in Baltimore
After almost two decades in an office on North Charles Street, Baltimore law firm Wright, Constable & Skeen LLP is moving just a few blocks away to a larger space at 7 St. Paul St., a decision the firm said aligns with its modest growth strategy. The firm will open its new, 16,500-square foot space […]
Symposium panelists consider merits of judicial elections
The question of whether Maryland’s system of subjecting circuit court judges to contested elections is the best way to ensure the quality and diversity of the bench has been hotly debated for decades. And while contested elections may have rightfully helped combat issues of racial and gender discrimination in judicial appointments in the past, the […]
Maryland Insurance Administration defeats pay discrimination lawsuit
The Maryland Insurance Administration has defeated a lawsuit brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claiming the agency paid female investigators less than male employees with the same job. Senior U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz granted summary judgment in favor of the agency last week, citing evidence that pay disparities were caused by factors […]
Rules Committee proposes letting Md. attorneys call themselves ‘specialists’
Maryland attorneys have long been prohibited from advertising themselves as “specialists” in a particular area of law. But a proposed change to the Maryland Rules would lift that ban, largely due to concern over whether it is constitutional. The Maryland Judiciary’s Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure has proposed the Court of Appeals […]
Kirk Bloodsworth’s story hits the big screen
Chesapeake College later this month will show the documentary memoir that tells the story of the first American sentenced to death row who was exonerated by DNA evidence.
Baltimore County police officer sues over alleged ADA violation
A Baltimore County police officer has filed suit against the county, alleging she was suspended after she refused to comply with unlawful orders to provide her private medical information and submit to mental health treatment. Heather Flanary returned to full-duty work following a traumatic on-duty incident in 2013, according to her lawsuit, but has since […]
Conference explores opportunities in limited scope representation
Attorneys have historically been hesitant to engage in limited scope representation — pay-for-service work in which an attorney assists with a particular aspect of a case, such as drafting a complaint, rather than taking on comprehensive representation of the client — in part due to uncertainties about the ethical ramifications of this type of work. […]
Siskind returns to Md., good standing with the Bar
William Siskind, who was recently reinstated to the Maryland Bar at age 92, recently recounted the highlights of his eventful career in Baltimore.
Judge: Baltimore’s pregnancy center sign ordinance violates First Amendment
A Baltimore city ordinance requiring pro-life “pregnancy centers” to post a sign in their waiting rooms stating they do not provide abortion- or birth-control-related services violates the centers’ First Amendment rights, a federal judge has ruled. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Marvin J. Garbis ruled the ordinance was not narrowly tailored to serve the compelling public interest [&helli[...]
Md. court disbars attorney for $60K theft from trust account
The state’s top court has disbarred an attorney who allegedly stole $60,000 from a client by withdrawing it from a trust account without authorization and then refusing to return it. The Court of Appeals explained Wednesday its reasons for disbarring Steven Lee Shockett by a per curiam order on Sept. 6, noting that the disciplinary […]
Maryland State Bar Association names new executive director
Victor L. Velazquez, the chief operating officer for the District of Columbia Bar, will become executive director of the Maryland State Bar Association when the organization’s long-time leader, Paul V. Carlin, steps down at the end of the year, the MSBA announced Wednesday. Velazquez has spent three years as COO of the 100,000-member D.C. Bar […]
