An Oakland County probate judge candidate has faced a setback as the Michigan Supreme Court decided not to take up his appeal regarding the rejection of petition signatures. This decision effectively keeps him off the ballot for the August primary elections. The issue arose when hundreds of petition signatures were disallowed, preventing the candidate from…
In a notable return, Jennifer Nackley has rejoined the law firm of Quarles & Brady as a partner at their Naples, Florida, office. Nackley brings an extensive background in estate planning, trust administration, and probate, alongside her proficiency in tax law, enhancing the firm’s capabilities in these critical areas. Her expertise is expected to be…
Estate Documents Pro LLC, a probate technology firm, recently initiated a legal battle by filing a complaint in Arizona federal court. The suit, lodged on Monday, cites that former customers from Texas misappropriated their proprietary software to establish a competing estate planning venture. This claim, as reported in Law360, highlights the increasing tensions in the…
The Georgia House of Representatives has advanced legislation aimed at transitioning probate and magistrate court judicial elections from partisan to nonpartisan contests. This move follows a majority floor vote in the House, signaling a significant shift in the state’s approach to judicial elections. Currently, while most of Georgia’s 1,600 judges are elected through nonpartisan elections,…
The City of Atlanta has moved to dismiss a civil rights lawsuit filed by former Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson, who alleges wrongful arrest and excessive force during a 2024 incident outside a Buckhead nightclub. The city contends that law enforcement officers acted appropriately and had sufficient grounds for Peterson’s arrest. In June 2024,…
In a legal battle that underscores the tension between law enforcement practices and individual rights, a former Douglas County Probate Judge has initiated a lawsuit against the City of Atlanta. The case revolves around allegations of wrongful arrest and excessive force used during the incident, which occurred outside a local nightclub. The former judge contends…
In a significant decision for Florida’s legal landscape, a state appellate court recently affirmed the disqualification of an attorney involved in a $1 million probate case. The court found that the attorney violated ethical obligations by switching sides to represent his client’s adversaries, highlighting important considerations related to conflicts of interest. The attorney, initially representing…
A recent decision by the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission has drawn attention to ethical conduct within the judiciary. A former Massachusetts Probate and Family Court judge has been fined $4,000 for appointing his father to a lucrative position in a divorce proceeding, as reported by Law360. The judge selected his father for a $450 per…
In a strategic move to bolster its capabilities in trust litigation, FisherBroyles has appointed Nathan Schwinghamer as a partner in its Naples office. Known for his expertise in handling intricate trust and estate disputes, Schwinghamer’s addition is seen as a significant enhancement to the firm’s litigation practice. With an extensive background in trust and estate…
In Savannah, Georgia, a probate judge now faces formal ethics charges after allegations surfaced regarding the prolonged delays in handling probate cases. The judicial conduct board has been prompted to scrutinize the judge’s oversight, marking a significant moment in the state’s efforts to maintain judicial accountability. The details of the upcoming hearing have emerged amid…
In a strategic move to bolster its legal offerings, Frost Brown Todd has announced the addition of Michele Levinson to its product, tort, and insurance litigation practice group as a partner in Los Angeles. Levinson brings a robust portfolio of expertise in areas critical to insurers, nonprofits, and public entities. Specializing in automobile claims and…
In a strategic move to bolster its financial services and capital markets sector, Husch Blackwell has welcomed Lorna McGeorge as a partner. McGeorge will be an integral part of the firm’s private wealth team. McGeorge brings a wealth of experience, specializing in estate planning, probate law, and estate and gift taxation. Her practice extends to…
In a recent development, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has put forth the nomination of Probate and Family Court Justice Jennifer M. Allen to serve on the state’s intermediate appellate court. This nomination marks a significant potential elevation within the state’s judiciary system, promising to bring Justice Allen’s extensive experience in probate and family law to…
The recent resignation of Judge Danielle McRae from the Upson County Probate Court in Georgia marks the resolution of an investigation conducted by the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) of Georgia. Under a consent agreement, McRae has agreed not to “seek, request, or accept any elected or appointed judicial office position or status in the future.”…
In a notable development for self-represented litigants in Arkansas, a legal information website, ArkansasLegalNow (ALN), has been launched to assist individuals in navigating legal issues without the burden of exorbitant legal fees. The initiative is spearheaded by Brandon Haubert, a well-versed civil and family law attorney and the CEO of WH Law, based in Little…
Moss & Barnett, a prominent law firm based in Minneapolis, has announced the addition of April King to their team. Specializing as a trusts and estates attorney, King brings a robust portfolio of expertise to the firm. Her practice areas encompass a wide array of services, including probate and trust administration, estate and incapacity planning,…
Edwin Coe LLP has announced the recruitment of Jeremy Curtis as a partner in its private client team, marking a strategic addition to its expanding private capital services. Curtis is noted for his expertise in advising UK and international high net worth individuals on various legal matters, including tax, trust and estate planning, as well…
The administrator of the estate of Diane McIver, who was tragically killed by her husband, former BigLaw attorney Claud “Tex” McIver, is urging a state court to resist merging two distinct legal actions. One action pertains to the proceeds of a wrongful death settlement, while the other involves a separate probate case concerning Diane McIver’s…
An attorney in Connecticut has been suspended from practicing law for five years due to significant procedural lapses in handling an estate case. The disciplinary action arises from his failure to file a case in probate court as required, along with the misplacement or loss of the last will and testament belonging to a client’s…
The state appellate court recently addressed a contentious issue regarding the removal of an attorney from a conservatorship case. The appeals court determined that the probate court overstepped its bounds in its decision to disqualify the private counsel involved. This move was initially based on the assessment that the plaintiff was incapable of securing private…
Fredrikson has announced the recruitment of Erika Stein as an officer in its trusts and estates and business and tax planning groups. This move is expected to bolster the firm’s capabilities in these areas, which are crucial for estate planning and related legal services. Fredrikson revealed this appointment on Monday. Stein brings a wealth of…
Matthew Rossiter has joined Lathrop GPM as a partner in their private client services practice group and trust and estate litigation team, based in St. Louis. His expertise will be a key asset to the firm’s expanding trust and estate litigation practice. Rossiter’s professional background encompasses a wide array of services, as he represents trustees,…
In a strategic move aimed at bolstering its private client services, FisherBroyles has announced the recruitment of Sarah Broder as a partner in their Washington practice. Broder’s extensive expertise in estate planning and fiduciary litigation will enhance the firm’s capabilities in managing complex high-net-worth strategies and business succession planning. Broder’s practice encompasses a wide array…
In a recent expansion of its partnership, law firm Cooper Levenson announced that Craig Panholzer and Kasi Gifford have joined the firm as partners, effective immediately. Panholzer will be based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he will contribute to the firm’s tax, business, and estate planning and administration practice groups. Panholzer has a robust portfolio…
In a significant move within the legal sector, Brian Park has been enlisted by Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani (GRSM) as a partner in its employment law practice group, located in San Diego. As confirmed by the firm in its announcement on Wednesday, Park brings a diverse range of legal expertise to his new role. Park,…