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,…
During the recent general election in Connecticut, several special elections took place following the retirement of six probate judges. This move was orchestrated by Gov. Ned Lamont, aiming to fill these unexpected vacancies promptly. The results and details of these special elections have been reported but remain largely behind a paywall. Those interested in the…
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has nominated three candidates for positions within the state’s Probate and Family Court. This court is crucial in managing cases related to divorce, child custody, guardianship, and estate matters. This nomination announcement, made on Wednesday, underscores the importance of these judicial roles in addressing sensitive and complex family law issues. Further…
The Texas Supreme Court has postponed the implementation of new rules that would allow non-attorneys to conduct certain legal services. The court announced that it will take additional time to consider the feedback received during the comment period, which ended on November 1. These rules, initially approved in August, were scheduled to come into effect…
The Tenth Circuit Court has confirmed the sanctions placed upon a Northwestern University law professor by a Colorado district court. These sanctions were issued following an unsubstantiated effort by the professor to escalate a probate disagreement involving his sister to federal court. The court’s brief, unpublished opinion concluded that the imposition of these sanctions was…
In a controversial move, Los Angeles County Superior Court Presiding Judge Samantha Jessner has issued an order to expand the use of electronic recording in the court’s proceedings, despite existing California law. The order, announced during an online press conference, permits clerks to use electronic recording equipment in family law, probate, and unlimited jurisdiction civil…
The Ohio Supreme Court has issued a public reprimand to a probate court judge following actions concerning a contentious guardianship case. The judge faced censure for permitting staff to disseminate inaccurate information to the press and for engaging in public commentary on the court’s Facebook page. Notably, the judge’s online posts included unsubstantiated allegations of…
Gavel, a document automation company, has unveiled pre-built workflows designed to offer automated document generation tailored to specific practice areas and jurisdictions. These workflows are free for any lawyer to test without requiring a Gavel subscription. The launch includes three workflows focused on California law, specifically addressing divorce, probate, and estate planning. According to Gavel…
Legal News In a significant move to make legal help accessible to low-income residents, the Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday laid the groundwork for nonattorneys to provide limited legal services. However, the court was silent on the issue of nonlawyer ownership in organizations offering these services. Preliminary approval was granted for rules allowing licensed legal…
Paralegals licensed in family law, estate-planning and probate law, and consumer-debt law will soon be able to provide limited legal services to low-income Texans under new amendments proposed by the Texas Supreme Court. According to an order issued by the court on Tuesday, these rule changes are expected to relieve significant resource and staffing constraints….
Husch Blackwell has announced the addition of Garrett Reuter, Jr. as a partner in its financial services and capital markets industry group, further strengthening its private wealth team in the St. Louis office. Reuter’s practice will focus on estate planning, including tax planning, multi-generational planning, trust and probate administration, pre- and post-marital agreements, planned charitable…
The law practice management company LEAP Legal Software has unveiled three new artificial intelligence features amalgamated into its all-in-one practice management platform. These innovations include a distinctive human-in-the-loop facet. According to LEAP, these AI solutions aim to augment and support legal professionals rather than replace them, thus allowing lawyers to concentrate on more impactful endeavors….
In the wake of Christina Peterson’s ousting as Douglas County Probate Judge, Judge-elect Valerie V. Vie is set to take over the position. Vie has announced that she will be sworn in on Friday, stepping into the role left vacant by Peterson. For further details on the transition, follow this link.
In a recent decision by the Georgia Supreme Court, Douglas County Probate Court Judge Christina Peterson has been removed from her position following her arrest outside an Atlanta nightclub last week. The arrest was for unrelated charges, but it has sparked a thorough investigation into her conduct on the bench. The court cited several violations…
When you’re a partner at a major law firm, your name seldom becomes a household term, let alone associated with a social movement. That is, unless your client is Britney Spears. Mathew Rosengart, a partner at Greenberg Traurig, broke this mold by successfully renegotiating and ultimately dissolving Spears’ long-standing conservatorship. His efforts earned him the…
Douglas County Probate Judge Christina J. Peterson was arrested on June 20 on charges of battery against a police officer. The incident has raised significant discussion within the legal community, particularly concerning the duties and conduct expected from judicial officers. The details surrounding the arrest remain sparse, but the charges are serious and could lead…
A Georgia probate judge, who has been under a years-long judicial misconduct investigation, was arrested in the early hours on Thursday and subsequently booked at the Fulton County Jail. Details regarding the exact nature of the judge’s misconduct and the circumstances of the arrest at a Buckhead nightclub remain sparse at this time. For more…
Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey has announced four nominations for associate justices to the state’s Probate and Family Court Department. The nominees, namely Jessica Dubin, Alexandra Flanders, Mikalen Howe, and Carla Salvucci, are set to be considered by the Governor’s Council for confirmation. The Probate and Family Court, a critical institution for the administration of…