Refine Your Legal Research Skills Over the Summer

In today’s digital age, video evidence has become increasingly crucial in DUI cases throughout Florida. As a Fort Lauderdale DUI defense attorney for over two decades, I’ve seen how police dashcam and bodycam footage can dramatically impact the outcome of DUI prosecutions. This technology presents both opportunities and challenges for defendants, and understanding its implications is essential for anyone facing DUI charges in Broward County. The Double-Edged Sword of Video Evidence Video footage often reveals crucial details that can strengthen a defense case in ways that written police reports simply cannot capture. Dashcam and bodycam footage can be used to demonstrate: Improper traffic stops. Florida law requires reasonable suspicion for a traffic stop under Terry v. Ohio and its progeny. Video evidence may show that officers lacked adequate justification for the initial stop, potentially leading to suppression of all evidence under the exclusionary rule. Field…

As the Assembly of State Parties (ASP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) meet in New York this week for a special session to review the amendments on the crime of aggression, they will assess whether the Court should expand its mandate and take on bold reforms. Under consideration is whether the ICC’s jurisdiction over the crime of aggression should expand beyond the contours negotiated in Kampala in 2010, and potentially cover conduct by non-State parties, including the United States. There are many advocating for the ASP to take a more forceful stance against global impunity for the crime of aggression (see Sadat, Coracini, and Kreß). Yet the timing of the current reform push is, in many ways, paradoxical. The ICC is being asked to expand its scope and to take on more complex cases in more hostile political environments at a moment when it is still struggling to execute its existing mandate. As someone who has served as an ICC prosecutor, represented the…

Security Failure? Mycheal Edwards-Wallace, Edwin Cooper Shooting Kingstree.  We have over 25 years of experience representing victims of security failures across the United States, and we have recovered nearly $250 million dollars for our Clients.  Read Our Legal Take below to find out what legal options are available to the families of Mycheal Edwards-Wallace and Edwin Cooper. Mycheal Edwards-Wallace, Edwin Cooper Killed in Kingstree, SC Apartment Complex Shooting. (Stock Photo: MurrayLegal.com) Kingstree, SC – Gunfire rang out at an apartment complex Sunday night, June 29, 2025, leaving two men dead. As reported by Live5News.com, “[d]ispatchers received a call about a shooting at an apartment complex in the 200 block of North Brooks Street at approximately 8:16 p.m. Sunday…Police found four victims.” WPDE.com is reporting, “one of the victims died at the scene, one victim died at the hospital and the condition of the other two…

Staying calm during divorce mediation is a key for making clear, thoughtful decisions. Emotions like anger and fear can cloud judgment, but a steady, composed mindset helps you communicate effectively, stay focused on long-term goals, and reach better outcomes, for yourself and your family. While it might sound simple in theory, keeping your cool during an uneasy and life-changing process like divorce can be incredibly challenging. Mediation is a powerful tool for resolving divorce and family disputes without going to court. But for it to be effective, there’s one key ingredient that often gets overlooked: staying calm Emotions and Logic Don’t Always Mix Hurt, anger, fear, and resentment often show up during Mediation. The reality is that those emotions, while valid, don’t always help you make the best decisions. In fact, it makes it harder to think clearly and make rational, informed choices difficult. Staying calm allows you to remain focused on…

(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)Politicians like the idea of eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse.   It’s free money! Want to spend an extra half trillion on defense? That would bust the budget. But “I’ll save a half trillion at the same time by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse.” Oh! It’s budget neutral. Go right ahead. See what I mean? That’s why, for example, Ronald Reagan campaigned for president on the idea that eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending — while simultaneously cutting taxes and increasing military spending — could lead to a balanced budget. Really. I’m not kidding. But this is bipartisan. Bill Clinton highlighted his administration’s efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in programs such as Medicare. Clinton at least occasionally achieved a budget surplus. Barack…

Transgender teacher likely to fail in First Amendment challenge to Florida pronouns law, 11th Circuit says

In 2025, women- and minority-owned businesses continue to grow at a record pace in Illinois—and a clear trend is emerging: many of these entrepreneurs are choosing the Limited Liability Company (LLC) structure to launch or scale their businesses. Below, we share, “Why More Women and Minority Entrepreneurs in Illinois Are Choosing LLCs in 2025. But why are LLCs the go-to option? From legal protections and flexibility to funding opportunities and simplified compliance, LLCs offer a powerful and accessible way for underrepresented business owners to build wealth and credibility. Here’s a closer look at why more women and minority entrepreneurs in Illinois are forming LLCs—and how the structure can empower you to grow your business with confidence.   LLCs Offer Personal Liability Protection For any entrepreneur—especially first-time business owners—one of the biggest risks is personal liability. Without a formal business entity, your…

In one of Trump’s first executive orders, he eliminated a centralized system that Jimmy Carter initially set up to issue regulations governing environmental impact statements.  Instead, he called on each agency to issue its own regulations, which seems to have caused the predictable amount of confusion.  I’ve examined the new regulations from three agencies:  the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE) , and  the Department of Transportation (DOT), which happened to be the first ones that I saw.  There seems to be little rhyme or reason in the variations. Variations involving other agencies may be even greater. According to EarthJustice, some agencies have adoped new regulations while others have opted for non-binding guidelines. Shortchanging the Environment When he told agencies to make their own regulations, Trump also made it clear that environmental considerations were to play little role.  Instead, he said,…

AG Bondi cited this justification for Trump’s power to ignore TikTok ban

Filing for bankruptcy can feel like a financial reset, but it doesn’t have to mean the end of your homeownership dreams. With careful planning and disciplined financial habits, you can rebuild your credit and qualify for a mortgage. Here’s a structured guide to help you prepare for buying a home after bankruptcy. 1. Review Your Bankruptcy Discharge and Credit Reports Before taking any major financial steps, confirm that your bankruptcy has been properly discharged and that your credit reports accurately reflect this. Errors on your credit report can delay your progress, so obtain copies from all three major bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—and dispute any inaccuracies. Make sure discharged debts are listed as “included in bankruptcy” to avoid confusion with active debts. 2. Rebuild Your Credit Strategically Lenders want to see that you’ve learned from past financial challenges and are now managing credit responsibly. Start by…

A Critical Decision for All Florida Citizens Concerned with Due Process and Self-Defense Rights In Smith v. State, Case No. 6D2023-2239, Florida’s Sixth District Court of Appeal reversed Corey Stephen Smith’s conviction for aggravated battery with a firearm causing great bodily harm. The Court’s decision underscores two core procedural protections guaranteed under Florida law: the right to present a complete defense—including self-defense instructions to a jury—and the right to have evidence admitted when it affects a defendant’s state of mind. This ruling carries broad implications for every Floridian, reaffirming that criminal defendants are entitled to fair trial procedures and that juries—not judges—should weigh evidence when a plausible defense is raised. Case Background: A Chaotic Encounter Between Neighbors Smith, a long-time neighbor of the Stanley family, became involved in a late-night altercation after a…

 Under New York’s Electronic Signatures and Records Act, a person can electronically sign many types of documents that have legal significance (Technology Law §§ 301, § 304 |– 306).  At the present time, however, wills and trusts are not among them (Technology Law § 307[1]).  A legislative proposal that the New York Assembly and Senate recently have passed – but that Governor Kathy Hochul has yet to sign into law – would amend the Estates, Powers and Trusts Law (“EPTL”) to allow for the “execution of electronic wills[,] including attestation, revocation[,] and filing” (a link to the legislative materials that are available on the Assembly’s bill search website can be found here).  I now write to provide an update on the legislation, which would take effect 545 days after the Governor signs the legislation into law, if she does so (id.). If the legislation is signed into law, EPTL…

For many Chicago residents, dogs are more than pets; they are family. However, even the most well-behaved dogs can get startled or anxious. Whether dog bites happen at home, at a local park, or on the sidewalk, they can cause serious harm and lead to costly legal claims. That’s why having adequate home insurance is more than just a checkbox. It’s a vital layer of protection. Dog Owners are Responsible for Dog Bites Illinois law holds dog owners strictly liable for bites. The state does not have a one-bite rule. This means if your pet bites someone, you are responsible for the injuries, even if your dog has never been aggressive. Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, proving the dog’s history of biting is unnecessary. If the dog bite victim didn’t provoke the dog and was lawfully present in your home, you may be liable for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. The costs can quickly add up. Homeowners’ insurance may help cover…

On 4 June 2025, the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into the Parochial Church Council of The Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Trinity with St. John, Micklegate and St. Martin Cum Gregory, York. Action was taken against the charity under S46 Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”) as a result of its regulatory concerns that there is or has been misconduct and/ or mismanagement in the administration of the charity. Extracts from the Press Release are reproduced below. Press Release Investigation opened into parish church after concerns raised over its financial controls The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into The Parochial Church Council of The Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Trinity with St. John, Micklegate and St. Martin Cum Gregory, York The charity, whose working name is Holy Trinity Micklegate PCC, is a Church of England parish church situated in York city centre and was registered with the Commission in 2018. The Commission…

I am including below the text of our announcement for our symposium next spring, which will consider the theme of law and virtue. Elizabeth Kirk and I are thrilled that Professor Mary Ann Glendon will keynote the conference. Here I want to emphasize that we are especially looking for early career scholars (with or without academic position!) to submit abstracts for this conference. If selected, we'll cover expenses and provide an honorarium. A great chance for younger scholars thinking about these questions to come and think together! ****** The Center for Law and the Human Person announces the theme for its Fourth Annual Spring Symposium: “Now We Know that the Law is Good”: On Law and Virtue. The symposium will take place March 26-27, 2026 at the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. We are delighted to announce that Mary Ann Glendon, the Learned Hand Professor of Law emerita at Harvard University and a former U.S. Ambassador to…

Global Health From Words to Action: Making the Pandemic Agreement Work The recent adoption of a Pandemic Agreement by the World Health Organization (WHO) member states has been widely hailed as a historic achievement for global health governance and security. Published July 7, 2025 Author Kashish Aneja Share Share on LinkedIn Share on X Share on Facebook Share on Reddit The recent adoption of a Pandemic Agreement by the World Health Organization (WHO) member states has been widely hailed as a historic achievement for global health governance and security. Yet critics have remarked that it is nothing more than lofty goals wrapped in “soft law” language like “encourage,” “promote,” and “facilitate,” offering few binding legal obligations and little enforceability. Despite its non-binding obligations, history shows that even such…

“Kirkland Stops Repping Novartis After Regeneron Sought DQ” — “A New York federal judge accepted the withdrawal Thursday of the entire Kirkland & Ellis LLP team that recently joined Novartis Pharma’s legal team battling antitrust allegations over the eye medication Eylea, just a week after plaintiff Regeneron Pharmaceuticals sought their disqualification over an ‘unthinkable’ conflict of interest by the lawyers, whose firm previously represented Regeneron.” “In endorsing the withdrawal of all five Kirkland attorneys, U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern put an end to the brewing fight sparked by Regeneron’s June 17 notice it would move to disqualify the lawyers because Kirkland had spent more than two years helping Regeneron ‘devise a global strategy for protecting its product Eylea’ intellectual property from proposed biosimilars.” “The Kirkland team had only begun appearing for Novartis…

Louisiana is a bit of an outlier in many ways among states in the United States. It has parishes instead of counties, it is former French colony, and it uses the civil law system instead of the common law one. While I have had the pleasure of speaking with lawyers from around the world about litigation in their home jurisdictions, I have long been curious about this very unique place inside the United States. And so I was glad that my law school friend and bandmate, Jason Burge, a partner at Fishman Haygood LLP in New Orleans, took some time to talk with me about litigation in Louisiana.Why should you continue reading this post about litigation in Louisiana?You think you know something about litigation in the United States and want to learn that the country’s legal system has some variations.You thought that litigation in Louisiana was just the same as litigation in France.You are curious about a jurisdiction that permits oral arguments on all contested motions. Jason…