Shortly after my post earlier today about national security letters, the Electronic Frontier Foundation issued an alert, “Last Chance to Support PATRIOT Reform — Call Congress Now!” urging anyone concerned about the PATRIOT Act and national security letters in particular to contact their senators and represenatives today. Conferees will be meeting as early as…
Clever timepieces for lawyers
It is a pleasant surprise to come across a clever new product, but it is even better to discover that the person behind it is someone you know. Such is the case with The Billable Hour, a line of watches and clocks for lawyers that track time — how else? — in six-minute increments.…
The FBI’s secret scrutiny
Imagine a country in which the government could order businesses to disclose personal information about you without your knowledge — the books and periodicals you read, the items you purchase and the Web sites you visit. Imagine if the government could order this information without court approval and without any reason to suspect you of…
Two items of interest on open government
As I mention over on my Media Law blog, I am in Washington, D.C., today for a conference on legislative matters of interest to newspapers, where I picked up two noteworthy tidbits on Web resources.
First, after hearing U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) speak today about the FOIA bills he cosponsors with
Will gun law survive court challenge?
The National Law Journal has a folo on the gun-industry shield law, asking whether it will stand up in court. We covered the new law two weeks ago in our Coast to Coast audiocast, Lawyers, Guns and Money. In the NLJ piece, Sayre Weaver, legal director of the Educational Fund to Stop Gun…
New blog paves way for ABA Techshow 2006
To whet our appetites for one of the major legal technology events of the year, the official blog is now up for ABA Techshow 2006. The blog will provide updates on planning for the 20th anniversary Techshow, which takes place April 20-22 at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers. Also, Techshow speakers (myself among…
‘Coast to Coast’ named a top 10 podcast
Thanks to SoCal Law Blog for including our Coast to Coast legal news program on its top-10 list of essential podcasts — just behind Nightline and 60 Minutes.…
Advice for aspiring mediators
Speaking of Diane Levin, I strongly advise anyone who is considering launching a career in mediation to read her post, Becoming A mediator: What you should know before you change careers. An accomplished mediator and mediation trainer, Diane offers sage and practical advice.…
Blogging for ADR professionals
At tomorrow’s annual conference of the New England Association for Conflict Resolution, I am presenting a panel, “Blogging for Fun and Profit,” along with mediators/bloggers Diane J. Levin and Dina Beach Lynch. Diane has the 411.…
Liberal law clerks support Alito
Two days ago, the blog Blue Mass. Group published an interview with Katherine Pringle, a former Alito clerk and now a progressive New York Democrat who says she is please with Alito’s nomination. The blog quotes her describing Alito as “very thoughtful, very careful, very respectful of Supreme Court precedent. He has a…
Podcast tackles the Alito nomination
Our weekly legal news podcast Coast to Coast this week considers the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. Joining J. Craig Williams and me to discuss the nominee and his likely impact on the court are:…
Web site ranks law schools
Where does your law school rank in faculty, students and job placement? A new Web site offers answers. Called Leiter’s Law School Rankings, it is produced by Brian Leiter, Joseph D. Jamail Centennial Chair in Law at the University of Texas School of Law, in association with the prolific folks at Law Professor…