In a decision set to resonate across employment law circles, a Michigan probate court has contended that a courtroom coordinator’s dismissal was solely a result of judicial reassignment, not linked to her medical leave for cancer treatment. This argument forms the core of the court’s plea to a federal bench to dismiss allegations of disability…
The New England Legal Awards celebrated excellence in the legal community with a ceremony held in Boston on October 8. Among the honorees, Wiggin and Dana was recognized as the New England Probate Department of the Year, highlighting their outstanding contributions to probate law. This recognition reflects Wiggin and Dana’s dedication to providing high-quality legal…
The New England Legal Awards will honor attorneys and legal professionals at a Boston awards ceremony on October 8. Among the distinguished honorees is Minta Kay, a partner at Goodwin Procter, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. With over 35 years of experience, Kay has represented institutional investors, tax-exempt entities, real estate funds, and…
In a strategic move within South Florida’s legal landscape, Trembly Law Firm has merged with the estate planning company Get Ahead Legal. This absorption is set to bolster Trembly Law’s growing practice in estate planning and probate law, expanding their capacity to serve an increasingly complex client base. With this merger, Trembly Law not only…
The Michigan Judicial Council (MJC) recently engaged stakeholders in a public forum aimed at enhancing the state’s judicial system. The meeting, held via Zoom, revolved around a strategic plan with six priority goals: trial court funding, technology implementation, public engagement, fairness, public trust, and workforce excellence. The dialogue underscored the potential transformative effect of technology…
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has nominated five attorneys for positions within the state’s trial courts. The nominees are: Lynn Feigenbaum and Christopher Spring for Associate Justices of the Superior Court. Connie Wong and Keith Nicholson for Associate Justices of the Boston Municipal Court. Lisa McCormack for Associate Justice of the Probate & Family Court. These…
Trust and estate disputes are increasingly migrating into the realm of business litigation. As wealth becomes more concentrated and complex, families are finding themselves embroiled in legal battles traditionally reserved for corporate conflicts. Issues such as fiduciary duties, valuation discrepancies, and financial mismanagement are now common topics in probate courts. The trend is partly driven…
In a significant development for New Jersey’s legal community, a state appellate court has resuscitated an effort to disqualify the law firm Harwood Lloyd LLP from a probate case. This follows concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving a retired judge who joined the firm after awarding substantial fees to one of its attorneys….
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…