To the Forum: I am a lawyer at a well-known criminal defense firm. I often write articles in legal journals and am quoted as an expert in criminal law in various notable news publications. Recently, while moderating a CLE program about the admissibility of video recordings of police encounters, I realized an old law school … Continued
If the President does it, it’s not illegal.” Richard M. Nixon, 1977 The view of maximalist executive power has rarely been expressed as bluntly as Richard Nixon did in his interview with British journalist David Frost in 1977, two years after he resigned from office in disgrace. But the United States Supreme Court, in its … Continued
Rulings To Restrict Would-Be Firearm Regulators Across the Country A pair of gun-related cases decided this summer by the U.S. Supreme Court will restrict state firearms rules that infringe federal civil rights, not just in New York State but across the nation. The first case, NRA v. Vullo, was decided unanimously, 9-0, by the high … Continued
What do Eminem (also known as Marshall Mathers III) and two “Real Housewives of Potomac” have in common? They each claim trademark rights relating to the word “shady.” For those unfamiliar with the Bravo television network and its “Real Housewives” franchise, “The Real Housewives of Potomac” chronicles the lives of a group of women residing … Continued
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s song, “The Room Where It Happens,” in the musical “Hamilton” is an unforgettable showstopper. The legendary tune stars the play’s antagonist, Aaron Burr, who was an American revolutionary and then an aspiring New York politician. When he learns that he was a political outsider to a June 1790 secret dinner meeting attended by his nemesis, … Continued
The right to freedom of expression, opinion and information means the right to hold opinions without interference, and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, through any media, regardless of frontiers. Social media has become an integral part of modern communication, allowing users to create communities and share information, videos and … Continued
Recently, I received a panicked call from a young man on a bridge contemplating suicide. He had been dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for years and his mental health was not improving. Even now when I think about him relating his intent to end his life, my stomach drops, my scalp tingles and I … Continued
Lawyers strive for two key goals: providing excellent and efficient legal services while maximizing profitability. While the former is crucial for client satisfaction and professional reputation, the latter ensures sustainability and growth for law firms. One often overlooked tool in achieving both objectives is the lawyer engagement letter. The same way attorneys create strong contractual … Continued
Demonstrating value to prospective clients is vital to a business lawyer’s success. Your ability to articulate your skills and efficiency will help you convert not only prospects into clients, but also one-time clients to regular clients. You can accomplish this by effectively pitching the benefits of serving as outside general counsel: higher quality of service … Continued
Technology, the pandemic and shifting social norms have transformed the business world. Studies indicate that even years after the pandemic shutdowns, as many as 1 in every 5 workers are working either hybrid or fully remote.[1] The practice of law is no exception to this trend. New York law and policymakers have supported initiatives to … Continued