John G. Browning News
Legally Speaking: 2014 — Off to a Crazy Start
I thought 2013 was one of the strangest years yet for wackiness in the legal system, with some of the weirdest lawsuits and litigants we’ve seen in years. But judging from the legal stories that have emerged so far in the new year, 2014 is shaping up to be a banner year for legal oddities.
Legally Speaking: Some year-end legal craziness
As we bid farewell to 2013, the odd moments and unusual characters that have been livening up the legal system all year long show no signs of slowing down.
Legally Speaking: And the suit goes on ... and on
For clients on both the plaintiff and defense sides of a civil case, one of the most frustrating aspects of the legal system is how slowly the wheels of justice seem to turn.
Legally Speaking: Moonlighting judges are at it again
When it comes to indulging in sidelines, lawyers have a fair amount of latitude.
Legally Speaking: It's all in the way you phrase it
Let’s face it: how you choose to express yourself matters. The words you choose, the tone you take—it’s all critical to how your message is received.
Legally Speaking: Did the Devil make them do it?
In a recent interview, Justice Antonin Scalia—as towering a legal authority as they come—discussed his belief as a Catholic not only that the Devil exists, but that Satan is still very much around and even “wilier” than ever before.
Legally Speaking: Even more funny things that happened on the way to the courthouse
The legal system isn’t always about high-minded serious notions about justice, empowering the powerless, punishing the guilty, and righting wrongs.
Legally Speaking: On second thought, perhaps that wasn't such a good idea
We’ve all had those moments when we wish we had thought something through, taken a different course of action, held our tongue instead of speaking, or not hit “send” on that email. Lawyers and judges are no different from everybody—sometimes we speak first and think later, much to our later regret.
Legally Speaking: When funny things happen on the way to the courthouse
In case the government shutdown has you worried about missing out on all the strange happenings at our nation’s courthouses, fear not; there’ enough weirdness going on in the legal system to keep you happy for quite some time.
Legally Speaking: Extreme ways of avoiding jury duty
Jury duty is not just an important civic service; it’s the very cornerstone of our system of justice.
Legally Speaking: Shakespeare and the lawyers
It is one of those famous lines, right up there with “To be or not to be,” that have enshrined William Shakespeare as one of the greatest playwrights of all time: “The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.”
Legally Speaking: I can't make this stuff up
I’m proud to be a lawyer. I make a comfortable living, and I get to help people and companies solve their problems and resolve their disputes.
Legally Speaking: Sweet justice
According to the latest poll by the Pew Research Center, lawyers rank dead last among 10 professions for contributions to society—behind the military, teachers, doctors, scientists, engineers, the clergy, artists, journalists and even business executives.
Legally Speaking: The lighter side of the legal system
We’ve been deluged lately with weighty, thought-provoking cases in the legal system: the George Zimmerman trial over the shooting death of Trayvon Martin and what it says about race relations in America; the fight over abortion legislation in Texas; and a series of potentially far-reaching U.S. Supreme Court decisions on everything from voting rights to affirmative action to same-sex marriage. At
Legally Speaking: Like Noah's ark, everything in twos
My little old Irish grandmother used to say that bad things came in “threes.”
Legally Speaking: Teaching what matters
At a March dinner commemorating the 40th anniversary of the University of New Hampshire School of Law, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia gave a speech in which he proclaimed modern legal education a “failure.”
Legally Speaking: The case of the teeny weeny bikini and other legal weirdness
Any job can get a little boring, doing the same thing day in and day out—even when you’re a federal judge.
Legally Speaking: In memory of Dean John F. Sutton
In the nearly 24 years that I’ve been practicing law, I’ve been fortunate enough to receive some accolades from my colleagues. A number of these have been for a commitment to legal ethics and improving professionalism. I look at it as giving something back to the profession that’s given so much to me.
Legally Speaking: Will litigate for food
Law firm consultants like to throw around terms like “value added billing” and “alternative fee arrangements” in describing creative ways for lawyers to be compensated by their clients. But long before the billable hour, the flat rate, or the contingency fee, lawyers would make use of the barter system like anyone else. Even Abraham Lincoln accepted food and livestock periodically as payment for legal
Legally Speaking: If only Hallmark had a card for this
As I was picking out cards for Mother’s Day, I realized that there are so many occasions in life for which there simply is no greeting card—but maybe there should be.