1. Lawyer Shawn Kasserman has a weird case on his hands. He’s representing Dr. Don Kalant Sr. who high fived the mascot to the Chicago basketball team, Benny the Bull. Apparently he got more than a simple slap on the hand

In Avvo’s new “About Me” section, lawyers can post various juicy tidbits about their lives, including videos. As videos take over the internet, it seems make your own free ringtones free ringtones for verizon wireless phone cell free get phone ringtones sprint pcs ringtones free real music ringtones sprint free ringtones for cingular phone free cell phone ringtones ringtones converter download free hindi ringtones ringtones for nextel phone cingular ringtones spainsh download free maker ringtones download free ringtones sprint boost free ringtones nickelback ringtones nextel real music ringtones free verizon cell phone ringtones boost free mobile ringtones complimentary music ringtones free get ringtones that this medium is a great way to connect lawyers to clients.

1. Make it work! Lawyers Orit Snyder of NBC and David Boies of the Weinstein Co. are having a fierce battle over “Project Runway”, a clothing designer reality TV show hosted by Heidi Klum. Aired on it’s Bravo cable channel, NBC Universal filed a lawsuit against the producers of the show, the Weinstein Co. Apparently the Weinstein Brothers have decided to move the show to Lifetime, which violates an agreement to give Bravo the right of refusal. Who will say Auf Wiedersehen?

2. Finally, a case where lawyers don’t have to go to court! Mindy Ross, who represents Sean Penn, and Melinda Sammis , who is Robin Wright Penn’s attorney, don’t have to do much this week. The couple called off their divorce after having a romantic evening at an Eddie Vedder concert where Sean dedicated a song to his estranged wife in honor of her birthday. Isn’t it nice when things work out?

3. When Rob Lowe’s nanny threatened him; he called his lawyer Stanton “Larry” Stein to help him fight back. Former nanny, Jessica Gibson, sent the Lowes a threatening letter saying that they’d better pay up or she’d go public with stories about Rob Lowe’s sexual harassment habits. He is suing her for 1.5 million for “breach of contract, defamation and intentionally inflicting emotional distress”.

4. Wilfredo Trivino-Perez is representing beauty queen Christina Perez in her lawsuit against the Miss California Pageant. She was crowned Miss California for three short days until she was told that the pageant had made a mistake and she was stripped of her title. Silva, who is of Ecuadorean and Mexican descent, spoke Spanish to certain vendors at the event which made executive director Keith Lewis uncomfortable. Apparently the fact that Silva is bilingual “detracts for the caliber of the pageant”. She is seeking half a million dollars in damages for public humiliation. ¡Aye Dios Mio!

1. High five! Manhattan Judge Loretta Preska dismissed a “Borat” case this week. Jeffrey Lemerond, who is represented by Eric Hecker, filed a case agains 20th Century Fox, suing the company for being randomly accosted and hugged on a mid-town street. He was shown (visibly frightened) for 13 seconds in the movie and briefly in the trailer. Lemerond argued that his image was used without consent. The judge concluded that the movie “appeals to the most childish and vulgar in its viewers” but does make an effort to offer a critique of American society. Very Nice!

2. This week District Court Judge Margaret Morrow ruled that blonde bombshell Marylin Monroe was a New Yorker, meaning, she has no right to publicity. Marilyn’s estate, represented by Martin Pollner, argued that she resided in California, where publicity survives a celebrity’s death. This ruling means that the sellers of Monroe memorabilia will be able to use the stars images without having to pay a fee to her estate. Monroe owned a home in California because she traveled there so frequently, however, she told California tax authorities she was a New York resident. Surjit Soni, who represents the photographers who filed this suit, says “you will see a great deal more Marilyn-related products, and they will be lower in price.”

3. Time to change the channel

A week full of break-ups…
Heartbreak = Divorce Lawyer.

1. Breaking up is hard to do

1. Head over heals. Lawyer, Stephen Ateshoglou is representing Stephen Chang in a lawsuit filed this week against “Hot Lap Dance Club” in Manhattan. Chang, a securities trader, sustained “serious injuries” when the stripper who was giving him a lap dance spun around and kicked him in the eye.

2. Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Larry Stephen sentenced Trevor Smith (better known as Busta Rhymes) this week to three years probation for assaulting his former driver. The rapper was also ordered to perform 10 days of community service, pay a $1,250 fine, and enroll in a drunken driving program. Scott Leemon, Busta’s Lawyer, said a private agency called Rock Corp. will work out the community service program.

3. Oprah’s army revolts! Winfrey’s lawyer, Chip Babcock, has a lot on his plate this week. Orit Greenberg filed a lawsuit against Harpo Studios claiming she sustained “severe and permanent injuries” when she was pushed down the stairs during a stampede at a filming of the “Oprah Winfrey Show” back in 2006. Also this week; another one of Oprah’s army, Darlene Tracy, filed a lawsuit against Ms. Winfrey, claiming the idea for “Oprah’s Big Give” was stolen from her.

4. Michael Grieco, who represents actor Mickey Rourke, was in court this week. Rourke, star of the movie “Barfly”, was arrested last November for reckless driving on his vespa in Florida. The police report says that when the officer approached him Rourke got off his scooter stating “What the *#% did I do?” The cop observed a flushed face, watery eyes, slurred speech and a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. Mickey then stated “I’m not drunk, I didn’t even drink that much.” This week Rourke pleaded guilty to reckless driving and was sentenced to six months probation, and 50 hours of community service (which he can choose to buy off at $10 per hour). Grieco, said “The only thing he has to do is take an online driving course.”

5. Can’t buy me love. Gloria Allred, who represents Heather Mills, feels her client was mistreated during her divorce battle in London. Mills was awarded $48.6 million on Monday in her settlement from Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney. The Judge residing over the case said that Mills was a “less than impressive witness” and that she was “not just inconsistent and inaccurate but also less than candid.” Allred has represented other celebrities, such as Nicole Simpson’s family and Britney Spears’ bodyguard. Back in 2002 Allred criticized Michael Jackson’s parenting skills to which MJ replied “tell her to go to hell”.

6. Real life Law and Order. Ravi Batra, a New York attorney, is suing the creators of “Law and Order” for an episode depicting a mirror image of himself. The show was about a “bald Indian-American Lawyer” called “Ravi Patel” who bribes a Brooklyn Supreme Court judge. Batra has never been charged with bribery and says that his reputation was affected by the bad press. He is suing for $15 million. Davis Wright Tremaine is representing Wolf.

7. (Non-Lawyer) Fun facts about March Madness! Challenger, Gray & Christmas, an outplacement consulting organization in Chicago, estimates that the NCAA will cost businesses $1.7 billion in wasted work time over the 16 business days of the tournament. It is possible that 37.3 million workers will participate in office pools and 1.5 million will be watching games on their computers at work (which can slow down the company’s computer network). It’s a wonder how anyone gets anything done when there is basketball to watch!

I couldn’t write a “Lawyers in the News” post without including some juicy Eliot Spitzer quotes

1. Jayceon Taylor, better known as rapper “The Game”, was released from jail this week, after only serving a mere eight days of his 60 day sentence. Last month he was convicted on charges of possession of a firearm in a school zone. While playing an innocent pick-up basketball game on school property, The Game apparently had a scuffle with a player from the opposing team in which he waved his gun around. Shawn Chapman Holley, his lawyer, said, “He is now on probation and will eagerly begin his court-ordered community service.”

2. The ABA journal reports that a former lawyer “has sued seven casinos for failing to stop her compulsive gambling that led to $1 million in losses and the end of her law practice”. Criminal charges are still pending regarding Arelia Margarita Taveras‘ law practice. The $99,000 she skimmed from the $500,000 she earned yearly financed her nasty gambling habit at Atlantic City casinos. My money is on the house.

3. Judge Rolf M. Treu dismissed a lawsuit filed against Robert De Niro this week. Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company claimed De Niro misrepresented his health when he signed paperwork saying he had never been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The actor signed the insurance document only two days before he was diagnosed. His Lawyer, Robyn Crowther, said “We are pleased that the court has found that Fireman’s Fund can’t sue Mr. De Niro for getting cancer.”

4. Bad news bears. Brenda Finnegan pleaded not guilty to stealing $68,000 from the North Clark Little League in Yacolt this week. According to court documents, the former league treasurer took the money over three year’s time. She is represented by defense attorney David Kurtz. In an interview Finnegan says she altered bank checks and used the money to pay her mortgage and pay off credit card debt.

5. Billie Jean Jackson was arrested this week for trespassing at Neverland Ranch. The 60 year old woman claimed to be Michael Jackson’s wife and the inspiration to the song. Maybe she just wanted to celebrate the fact that MJ saved his beloved Ranch just before foreclosure. His Attorney, L. Londell McMillan, said that MJ worked out a “confidential” agreement with Fortress Investment Group, LLC, allowing him to retain ownership of his property. Speaking of foreclosures

I guess we could call this a special edition of “Lawyers in the News” because I’m not sure that any lawyer has seen this much press since maybe Nixon.

Anyway, from the title, you probably assume that I am going to get on my high horse and pummel Mr. Spitzer for the inconsistent activities of his alter ego “George Fox.” (who interestingly was also the founder of the Quaker movement). Sorry to disappoint, but how could I offer something so highbrow when there is a MUCH bigger ratings story in all of this? In fact, I’m a little disappointed that it has not been the heart of the Spitzer story.

Allow me to elaborate: According the Wall Street Journal, Eliot’s (or George’s or Client 9′s) current favorite website, Emperorsclub.com, guided its customers using a rating system of one to seven diamonds, with the seven diamond ladies charging roughly $5,500 per hour.

Now, Eliot only paid $4,300 so that probably puts him in the five to six diamond category but I digress.

The POINT is that, from Eliot’s actions, we can only presume that he was attracted to this elite service because of the exceptional information and guidance it offered regarding the “services” available through the site. I mean, if you are going to buy something that might destroy your entire political career, it’s a pretty important decision.

So, while he didn’t come out and say it, I see this as a fairly strong endorsement by Mr. Spitzer of ratings systems across the board. While we don’t see this as a great time to hire Eliot as an Avvo spokesperson, we appreciate his support nonetheless.

Keep up the great work, Eliot.

Mark

1. Waffle batter leads to battery for Kid Rock. This week Robert James Ritchie’s lawyer, Darryl Cohen, pleaded not guilty to a charge of battery on his behalf in DeKalb County State Court. Ritchie, better known as rap/rocker “Kid Rock”, and 5 of his buddies were arrested after a brawl outside of an Atlanta Waffle-House last October.

2. George Karl, coach of the Denver Nuggets, has an attorney with a lot to say. Lawyer Bret Adams went above and beyond to stand up for his client this week by sending a threatening email to the creator of a website called firegeorgekar.com. He did this on behalf of, not his client, but himself. Here is the best part of his email: “Is your life really this boring and meaningless that you would spend the hours necessary to create such a website? As Coach Karl’s counsel I am putting you on notice that I will sue you into bankruptcy should you cross the boundaries of permissible speech.” Karl, who is not considering legal action, had this to say “It wasn’t on my request. It was on his friendship towards me.”

3. Client needs to clean it up in court. Judge Eduardo Robreno fined Aaron Wilder and his lawyer $29,000 for engaging in “hostile, uncivil, and vulgar conduct, which persisted throughout the nearly 12 hours of deposition testimony.” Attorney Joseph Ziccardi