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Monday, June 27, 2016

MCDONNELL CONVICTION OVERTURNED

The United States Supreme Court (motto: "eight is enough") unanimously overturned the conviction of former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell.

This conviction always troubled us. We had some very tangential contact with the defense- and the defense lawyers did a great job protecting the record for appeal. If you have a chance, read the opinion here. 

As DOM said on his blog, hopefully the fact that the U.S. Supreme Court had to first reverse the decisions of the District Court and Appellate Court in denying McDonnell an appellate bond will catch the attention of the lower courts. 

Getting an appellate bond in federal court these days is about as easy as finding a parking spot at the REGJB at 9:30 on a Monday morning. 

See you in court. Long weekend coming up. 

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

8-0. Says a lot. What is amazing is that an appellate court and trial court dismiss the appeal and it goes up and Thomas and Sotomayer are in agreement. Just makes me wonder how much thought the lower courts gave to this argument

Anonymous said...

Fascinating subject. Please, tell me more about this Gov McDonnell!

Anonymous said...

I smelling a victory part at The REN, a venue on Q street in DC this week.

Anonymous said...

Why does judicial candidate Elena Tauler refer to herself as "Dr." on her firm website? She only lists a JD, but no other degree at the doctoral level. Isn't this misleading and perhaps even runs afoul with the rules as it relates to misleading potential clients?

I know of no other lawyer that does this, unless they hold another doctoral degree. This seems problematic.....Opine?

Anonymous said...

File a complaint

Anonymous said...

Could have an impact on the case against Senator Menendez as well

Anonymous said...

Among Cubans and many Latins, it is customary to address a person with a Juris Doctor degree as "doctor", just like the name of the degree. Puerto Ricans call lawyers "licenciado", that is, "bachelor" and Central Americans addiress them as "abogado" (attorney).

No Longer JAFI said...

Lawfare. Nice to see SCOTUS put a stop to it.

Anonymous said...

She had high hopes of becoming a doctor. Had to settle for a JD, which is Juris Doctor, thus she can call herself a doctor.

Hopefully she can call herself in 2nd place in this election as well...

Anonymous said...

Any lawyer that refers to themselves as A Dr with a JD alone is an idiot. Let's start referring to each other as Dr in court. That should be fun.

Anonymous said...

Receptionist: May I help you Dr...?
Fletch: Oh, it's me, Dr. Rosenpenis. I'm just here to check out Alan Stanwyk's file.
Receptionist: Dr. who?
Fletch: Dr. Rosenrosen, I'm here to get to the records room.
Receptionist: What was that name again?
Fletch: It's Dr. Rosen, I want to check the records room.
Receptionist: Dr. who?
Fletch: Dr. Rosen. Where's the records room?

Anonymous said...

In academia lawyers too often take the title "Dr." based on having a JD. St. Petersburg College, Florida Bar complaint dismissed. And another abuse of title, once a judge, always a judge. Lawyer was appointed judge to fill out a term, got defeated in the next election, insisted on being called judge, or your honor, in academia.

DMD said...

I have a 4 year BA from Adelphi University (NY); a further 1 year MA from Adelphi University; and then a further 3 year JD from NYU School of Law; to say nothing of 40 additional years of CLE and many other fully accredited post-graduate courses.
I feel that I have fully earned the title of Doctor. Why am I not entitled to be called "Doctor" after having earned that title by having completed fully 8 years plus of arduous post high school graduate education. I have earned that honorific with my own hard work, and I feel fully entitled to use and be addressed by my duly entitled and awarded Doctoral title whenever I deem the situation warrants such use. DMD

Anonymous said...

@DMD 12:21

Do lawyers think it is more prestigious to be called "Dr.", rather than "Esq.", "Attorney at Law" or an "Officer of the Court"? If so, why?