Can I Hire a Lawyer for a Dispute Involving a Public School in Illinois? | O'Flaherty Law

In Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services, the Supreme Court is poised to clarify the legal standard for evaluating reverse discrimination claims. Put simply, the court will decide how discrimination claims brought by individuals belonging to historically advantaged or “majority” groups (such as white, male or heterosexual individuals) should be assessed under U.S. law. By Katharine W. Fogarty and Gabrielle Talvacchia, Kaufman Dolowich LLP June 2, 2025 Several compelling cases are currently before the U.S. Supreme Court. However, as legal professionals await the court’s anticipated rulings next month, one case in particular has garnered significant attention among labor and employment attorneys nationwide. In Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services, 87 F.4th 822 (6th Cir. 2023), cert. granted, 145 S. Ct. 118 (2024), the Supreme Court is poised to clarify the legal standard for evaluating reverse discrimination claims. Put simply, the court will decide how…

This post was authored by Natasha Dasani, Esq. In November 2022, a ballot initiative which permitted and regulated recreational marijuana establishments within the Township of Royal Oak was approved by a majority of voters in the township. The ballot initiative was presented to voters by the Oakland Cares Coalition (OCC), and plaintiff, collectively members of the township’s governing board, sought to block the proposal through a series of unsuccessful lawsuits prior to the election. The ballot initiative indicated that “[t]he proposal, if adopted, would enact an ordinance to assist patients in need of medical marihuana for conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, . . . and other critical medical conditions and repeal the Township’s prohibition of marihuana establishments. Shall the proposal be adopted?” Based on the language of the ballot initiative, plaintiff argued that “the ballot question was misleading, as it implied that the…

Richard A. Bales (Ohio Northern University - Pettit College of Law) has posted Contracting Around the FAA: The Enforceability of Private Agreements to Expand Judicial Review of Arbitration Awards on SSRN. Here is the abstract: This article argues that courts should enforce private contractual agreements for expanded judicial review in arbitration agreements. This article demonstrates that the court decisions enforcing such arbitral contractual provisions are consistent with the FAA’s purpose to ensure enforcement of parties’ arbitral agreements, whatever the form. Furthermore, this article argues that the FAA does not preclude courts from reviewing awards under expanded grounds where parties so agree, because the statutory structure provides default rather than mandatory grounds for award vacatur. Finally, this article concludes that permitting the parties to contract for expanded judicial review serves the public policy favoring arbitration, insofar as it…

 Pix credit hereMy friend and colleague Anne Wagner (Lille) has undertaken an extraordinarily ambitious and necessary project-- The International Handbook of Legal Language and Communication--all volumes to be published by Springer in the coming years. As the press release notes:This comprehensive 10-volume handbook features up to 900 entries from leading experts worldwide, making it the most extensive resource in the field of legal language, semiotics, and communication. The international handbook is designed to integrate perspectives from a wide range of jurisdictions globally, ensuring its relevance across diverse legal systems and contexts. This unique international handbook provides in-depth coverage of key topics related to legal language and communication, from foundational principles to cutting-edge developments.The breadth of subjects covered is quite broad (see here). In connection with that project, Gabriele Aroni, (Senior Lecturer in Game Arts at…

When a couple decides to divorce, one of the first financial questions that often comes up is: What happens to our joint bank account? Whether it’s a checking or savings account, a joint account is typically treated as marital property under Florida law. But that doesn’t mean it’s always split right down the middle. If you’re divorcing in Orlando or anywhere in Central Florida, here’s what you should know about joint bank accounts and how they’re handled during divorce. Joint Accounts Are Usually Marital Property In Florida, most property acquired during the marriage is considered marital property, and that includes joint bank accounts, even if only one spouse deposited most of the money. Courts generally assume that both spouses have an equal interest in the account, unless there’s a clear agreement or evidence showing otherwise. That said, equitable distribution doesn’t always mean a 50/50 split. Instead, the court…

Wisconsin offers a property tax credit for 100% disabled veterans and surviving spouses. Learn eligibility rules, how to claim it, and what qualifies as a primary residence. | O'Flaherty Law - Learn About Law Legal Articles, Videos & Podcasts with O'Flaherty Law

(Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)“You’re welcome to do dealings with foreign governments when it makes sense, but don’t go accepting compromising deals as their agents or get knighted or something.” Not only is this some simple advice, it is echoed constitutionally in the emoluments clause! Now, was incorporating this sentiment in our supreme document enough to prevent Trump from accepting a $400M totally-not-a-bribe plane from Qatar or Justice Alito becoming a Constantinian knight? No, but it is enough for the German government to take notice of how ripe the ground for foul play is in the land of the free. The German Bar Association took it upon themselves to remind German lawyers of their ethical responsibilities — especially if their work involved one of the Yellow-Bellied Nine. Law.com has coverage: German lawyers who work with any of the nine U.S. law firms that made deals with the Trump administration could be in breach of the German…

Can a contractor refuse partial payment? Learn how accord and satisfaction works under construction contracts, and when a material breach can justify withholding payment. | O'Flaherty Law - Learn About Law Legal Articles, Videos & Podcasts with O'Flaherty Law

Southwark Law Centre Senior Housing Solicitor Salary range NJC scale SP 37-41 £50,646-£54,684 35 hours per week The housing team at Southwark Law Centre delivers specialist legal advice and assistance including outreach, telephone and email advice to frontline advice agencies as well as the full range of housing casework.  The need for our services has never been greater. We are seeking an experienced housing solicitor to lead our housing team in Lewisham and to work closely with our housing team in Southwark. The successful applicant will have: At least 3 years’ recent experience of providing LAA Contract housing advice and representation under the legal help and legal aid schemes in particular in the areas of disrepair, possession and homelessness Ability to meet the Legal Aid Agency supervisor requirements for Housing law Experience of working to legal deadlines/time limits and managing a sizable and complex caseload Southwark Law Centre is committed…

In Illinois, tenants may break a lease without penalty due to domestic violence or threats. Learn your rights, legal steps, and landlord duties. | O'Flaherty Law - Learn About Law Legal Articles, Videos & Podcasts with O'Flaherty Law

Learn how eminent domain works in Iowa, including your rights, just compensation, and the condemnation process under Iowa Code and the state constitution. | O'Flaherty Law - Learn About Law Legal Articles, Videos & Podcasts with O'Flaherty Law

O'Flaherty Law - Learn About Law Legal Articles, Videos & Podcasts with O'Flaherty Law

Horse of a Different Color: In the age of AI, lawyers must set aside resistance to change

Suspended lawyer charged with theft from client apparently shoots, wounds himself during arrest

DOJ lawyer blames ‘confluence of administrative errors’ for another El Salvador deportation

Two people were rushed to the hospital following a serious hit-and-run collision on Highway 85 in Santa Clara County during the early morning hours of Friday, May 30, 2025. The California Highway Patrol continues investigating the incident and searching for the fled driver. Details of the Highway 85 Collision According to California Highway Patrol officials, the crash occurred before 5:00 a.m. on southbound Highway 85 near Blossom Hill Road. Two vehicles were involved in the collision, with one sustaining significant damage that required both occupants to be transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Fortunately, authorities have indicated that both victims are expected to make full recoveries from their injuries. However, the incident highlights the serious dangers hit-and-run drivers pose on California highways. Investigation Underway for Fleeing Driver California Highway Patrol officers discovered the second vehicle involved in the crash abandoned and unoccupied…

So it seems like there will be no puff of white smoke from Universities Canada (“UC”) about its new long awaited fair dealing guidelines that were announced at the recent ABC conference on April 30, 2025. A spokesperson for UC then suggested that we would see the guidelines in a week of two.UC has been working on fair dealing for better or worse – mostly for worse IMHO– for decades. I’ve written about this at great length on my blog, including several posts when UC was called AUCC. For a long time, AUCC – now UC – actually used the same law firm as CanCopy – now called Access Copyright. AUCC/UC’s strategies and published documents on fair dealing very nearly resulted in snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in the York University saga, which finally ended with a win  for York in 2021. That win was frankly based significantly on intervener submissions by Sana Halwani on behalf of Prof. Ariel Katz and myself on behalf…

Global law firm Dentons has advised Christian Plail, the insolvency administrator of Orbisana Healthcare (Orbisana), on the restructuring of the company. Restructuring, Insolvency and Bankruptcy, Restructuring in Germany, Corporate, Corporate in Germany, Europe, Germany, Berlin, Frankfurt