Communication via email has become a ubiquitous means of conveying information in the practice of law. Also common are email chains where multiple people are recipients, and the ability to reach a great many people with the simple click of a button, the one that says “reply all.” Beyond the obvious warning to attorneys to…
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DOES YOUR LAWYER WEAR TOO MANY HATS?
While the notion of lawyers wearing wigs to court has no place in modern American jurisprudence, there is always a danger of a lawyer wearing too many hats. A lawyer, however experienced and competent, may find themselves in legal trouble for assuming too many roles as advocate and counselor, resulting in financial detriment to their…
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Hack Exposing Patients’ Data
A fertility clinic in New Jersey has agreed to pay the state approximately half a million dollars to settle an investigation regarding its role in a data breach that compromised the personal information of nearly 15,000 patients. The hack allowed unauthorized access to the protected health information of patients of the Diamond Institute for Infertility…
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Legal Association Disapproves of New Jersey’s Plan to Restart Criminal Trials
New Jersey recently announced plans to restart criminal trials using a combination of in-person and remote proceedings, including jury selection. However, a prominent legal association of criminal defense attorneys has spoken out against the state’s plan to resume trials for the first time in approximately four months. According to state officials, approximately 5,000 defendants are…
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Legal Fee Disputes: 7 Things Clients Should Know
People in the U.S. spend over $100 billion in legal fees each year. Most of these legal fees are collected by ethical attorneys. Unfortunately, however, some lawyers take advantage of their clients by charging them more than what is warranted under the circumstances. A client who believes that his or her attorney’s legal fees are…
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Surge in Client FINRA Arbitration Filings May Be on the Horizon
Experts expect the coronavirus pandemic and resulting market uncertainty to lead to a surge in FINRA arbitration filings. Historically, volatile times have tended to increase the number of broker negligence claims, meaning that FINRA arbitration filings are likely to increase until COVID-19 is under control and the markets bounce back and stabilize. In recent years,…
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Consumer Fraud on the Rise During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Whenever there is a crisis of any kind, scammers come out of the woodwork. The recent coronavirus pandemic has been no exception. Consumer fraud has been rampant since the worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus in late 2019. According to official government statistics, coronavirus-related scams have cost consumers nearly $20 million dollars thus far, and this…
Continue reading…Violent Rap Lyrics Penned by Defendant Unduly Prejudicial, NJ Supreme Court Finds
Supreme Court of New Jersey – In State v. Skinner, A-57/58-12 (N.J. Aug. 4, 2014) the Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed the Appellate Division’s reversal of a defendant’s conviction for first-degree attempted murder and related charges. Facts — Vonte Skinner was charged with shooting Lamont Peterson seven times. The State contended that Skinner shot Peterson because Peterson owed money…
Continue reading…New Jersey Supreme Court Proposes “Crime Fraud” Exception to Marital Privilege Rule
Supreme Court of New Jersey – In State v. Terry & Savoy, A-71-12 (N.J. July 22, 2104) the Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed the Appellate Division’s decision that wiretapped conversations between spouses that are otherwise privileged cannot be intercepted or otherwise introduced into evidence. However, because of public policy concerns, the Court proposed new language amending Rule 509…
Continue reading…Third Circuit Finds No Reasonable Expectation of Privacy When “Mooching” Neighbor’s Internet Connection to Download Child Pornography
Third Circuit Court of Appeals – In United States v. Stanley, No. 13-1910, (3d Cir. June 11, 2014) the Third Circuit upheld the conviction of a man who downloaded child pornography by “mooching” off his neighbor’s unsecured wireless Internet connection. Finding that there was no reasonable expectation of privacy, the court allowed the evidence seized with the…
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