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Week Of Monday August 30, 2010
Picture Imperfect?FREE
Criminal defense attorneys have long wanted better protections for clients who stand accused of a crime in which eyewitness testimony is the only evidence. In Connecticut, their poster boy for mistaken identification is James Tillman, who was wrongfully convicted of rape and imprisoned for 18 years before being freed by DNA evidence.
‘Getting A Positive From A Negative’ 
For the underage drinker at the Dave Matthews Band concert, the judge might dismiss the charge in lieu of some community service. For the drug addict trying to kick a habit, community service might be in the offing, although likely in a larger quantity and probably as part of the terms of his or her probation.
Verdicts & Settlements
Bloody Bottle At Thirsty Turtle Yields $300K Award
Patrick Wood v. Club LLC et al.: Three years ago, Patrick Wood’s girlfriend arranged a party for about 30 of his friends at a semi-private section of the Thirsty Turtle, on Park Place in Stamford. After 10 p.m., the downstairs bar area opened up to the general public.
Domestic Violence Call Prompts Unusual Lawsuit
The state has taken many steps in the past year to provide greater protection for women who are – or may be – victims of domestic violence. But many of the new and existing efforts depend on law enforcement authorities to do their jobs properly. If they act questionably, can a domestic violence victim successfully sue them?
Tough Tactics Are Just Part Of The ProcessFREE
If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the deposition. Lawyers on both sides agree that to maintain the integrity of litigation, they need to be free to engage in tough, pointed cross-examinations of witnesses.
Q&A
Shaping The Law On Employee Benefits
Thomas G. Moukawsher is well aware that the federal Employee Retirement Security Act, ERISA, is parched and stony legal ground. But over the last two decades, he’s cultivated a fruitful coast-to-coast practice.
State Gets New Top Judge For Criminal MattersFREE
Bridgeport Superior Court Judge Robert J. Devlin, Jr. has been appointed the state’s chief administrative judge for criminal matters, succeeding Patrick J. Clifford, whose five-year term was punctuated by Connecticut’s first execution in 40 years and the experimental return of TV cameras to criminal courts.
Same-Sex Marriage & The Law: A Special Report
The First Case, 40 Years OnFREE
As a young man in the 1970s, gay activist and attorney Jack Baker claimed many “firsts” in his life — first gay student-body president of any university, first attempted gay marriage, first adult adoption of one’s same-sex partner.
Same-Sex Marriage & The Law: A Special Report
Will Obama’s Solicitor General Weigh In?FREE
Days before the 2008 election, then-candidate Barack Obama said California’s Proposition 8 was “unnecessary” and “not what America’s about.” Now, some same-sex marriage advocates are hoping Obama’s Justice Department will make a similar argument in court.
For Law Students, Prof’s Methods Are Good News
In Professor William “Bill” Dunlap’s class, students might need more than just a heavy, expensive law textbook. They might need a newspaper, too. It would appear the 15 years he spent in the print media before going off to law school has helped shape who he is today.
Candle Business Presents A Mix Of Dollars And Scents
Company: Blyth Inc. is one of the country’s leading marketers of scented candles, home décor accessories and other recognizable home goods. One of its business divisions is The Sterno Group, which produces the tabletop heating element used to keep foods warm in chafing dishes.
Payouts Follow Workplace Deaths
When Omar Thornton went on a shooting rampage at Hartford Distributors Inc. in Manchester earlier this month, he did more than just take the lives of eight co-workers. He affected the economic futures of the victims’ families. Although it may still be of little consolation now, the dependents of the shooting victims can rely on the support of workers’ compensation benefits.
State Tries To Rein In Curious Jurors
The Connecticut Judicial Branch is working to upgrade the way jurors are warned against playing detective and spoiling trials by engaging in independent research. The problem has reached a new level of urgency as Internet access gets increasingly easier and social networking grows ever more common, and trial judges are joining with court administrators to come up with fresh solutions.
A Legal Haven For Web-Savvy Poor PeopleFREE
When legal aid groups across Connecticut wanted to update the pamphlets that explained their services to low-income residents, the agencies realized they needed to get with the times. “Pamphlets are old school and Web access is new school,” said Patricia Kaplan, the executive director of the New Haven Legal Assistance Association.
Q & A
Rallying To Counter The Rise In IslamophobiaFREE
Earlier this month, members of the Texas-based Operation Save America — previously known as Operation Rescue — demonstrated outside a Bridgeport mosque. The group assailed worshipers with placards and T-shirts reading “Islam is a Lie,” and other provocative statements.
Where There’s A Will, There’s A Way – To ObjectFREE
Deaths in the family often bring out feelings of sadness and emptiness. But people aren’t always longing for the return of their loved ones. Some are in mourning because the financial windfall they expected to receive from Aunt Edna’s estate didn’t pan out like they anticipated because of the way she wrote her will.
Fall Ballot Is Filled With Friendly RivalsFREE
Given the hotly contested races for governor, U.S. Senate and attorney general, most voters probably aren’t focused on the battles for probate court judgeships. That’s too bad. It’s likely the only place on the ballot where you might find two incumbents squaring off.
After Hours
A New Career Sprouts From Grape VinesFREE
Things were coming together for Michael Connery’s plan to transition from the practice of law in the late 1990s. The New York firm he had worked at since graduating from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1975 was offering a program where attorneys could start scaling back their practice in anticipation of retirement from the law.
Verdicts & Settlements
Financier Paralyzed In Bike Accident Loses Jury Trial FREE
Edward Petner v. Electrical Contractors Inc. et al.: At 7:15 a.m. on Aug. 23, 2003, Darien hedge fund financier Edward J. Petner Jr. was riding his bike in Stonington, not far from his summer home near Westerly, R.I.
Editorial
Editorial: Speaking Of Pro BonoFREE
Connecticut lawyers interested in performing pro bono legal work, but having difficulty finding appropriate projects due to client conflicts of interest, may wish to consider partnering with various local, state or federal organizations and volunteering to speak in schools or before other groups about civil rights, consumer protection, credit and financial services, and other law-related topics.
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