Well. It's over. After 12 riveting episodes we are left with so many questions and only a little certainty. At the top of the "Things We Know" list -- MailChimp deserves a strong look. Serial offers trial lawyers a lot of practical tips and lessons. #serial
Schmidt, Sethi & Akmajian Blog
Important U.S. Supreme Court Decisions: Dredd Scott v. Sandford (1857)
The Gist: A slave was taken by his owner to Illinois, a free state. When the owner died, the slave sued the owner's estate administrator, claiming the slave's residence in a free state made him a free man. The Supreme Court held that slaves were property not citizens, and because they were not ci...
Important U.S. Supreme Court Decisions: Prigg v. Pennsylvania (1842)
The Gist: In the slavery days, the federal law and U.S. Constitution protected a slave owner's right to recover a slave who had fled to a free state. Pennsylvania state law protected slaves from being recaptured by violence or force. The Supreme Court ruled that the Pennsylvania state law was unc...
Important U.S. Supreme Court Decisions: Marbury v. Madison (1803)
The Gist: Before being replaced by the newly elected president, the outgoing president appointed new judges. Out of spite, the newly elected president effectively prevented some of the newly appointed judges from taking the bench by refusing to formally finalize their appointments. One of the peo...
Arizona Law: Courts Rule on Attorneys' Fees, Insurance Law, Dog Bite Law and Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement
Since my last blog on Arizona law, there have been five new decisions from the Arizona Appellate Courts that have an impact on our personal injury law practice. Here is a quick summary of what you need to know: 1. In a very messy procedural case involving a car accident, the Arizona Court of App...
Tools for Finding Better and More Affordable Care
Consumers of healthcare often feel fairly tied down and helpless, as if they have no choice in who they will receive healthcare from and at what cost. The healthcare industry--including, importantly, insurance companies--have done a good job of taking control over consumers and making consumers ...
Concussions in Football—What is a Parent to Do?
Players are bigger, faster and stronger than ever. The equipment players wear gives them enough protection to create a feeling of invincibility. Many players live for the “big hit.” Even the more careful athlete is vulnerable to a head injury every time he walks onto the field and dons a helmet...
Air Bag Recall Expanded to 8 Million Vehicles.
Yesterday I wrote about the recall of 4.7 million vehicles to address the danger of exploding air bags. In the last 24 hours, NHTSA has expanded that recall to nearly 8 million vehicles. The federal government is urging the nearly 8 million people to get the airbags in their cars repaired soo...
Huge Air Bag Recall
If you drive a Lexus, Toyota, Nissan, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Honda, Mazda, BWM, Ford, or GM vehicle please act immediately to have the safety of your driver and passenger side air bags evaluated. NHTSA issued an unusually strong warning yesterday directing owners of 4.7 million vehicles ...
William B. Morris Institute for Justice Honors Hegland and Silverman
The William B. Morris Institute for Justice is a legal organization dedicated to protecting the rights of low-income Arizonans. For a while I shared an office with Mr. Morris, and as a young lawyer I was struck by his dedication and generosity. Last night two of my heroes, both my former law pr...
Arizona Law: Courts rule on Experts, Taxable Costs, Offers of Judgment, Negligence Per Se and Arbitration Sanctions
Since my last blog on Arizona law, there have been three new decisions from the Arizona Appellate Courts that have an impact on our personal injury law practice. Here is a quick summary of what you need to know: 1. In a case involving a fatal car accident, the trial court precluded the Plaintiff...
Oh, C^@%, I just got hit!...or hit someone.
Someone close to me was involved in a minor car crash this week. Dealing with the aftermath -- including the insurance companies -- from a personal, not professional, perspective inspired this reminder of what to do immediately and at the scene of a car crash. Being in a collision is stressful ...
The Facebook Epidemic
A recent article in Wired magazine, “Fear and Liking on Facebook” by Matt Honan, explored what would happen if the author “liked” everything he saw on his Facebook's News Feed, no matter what it was. His findings? The simple actof “liking” something does not have innocent social consequences, and...
The Costs of "Defensive Medicine" Myth Busted!
Often doctors, their malpractice insurance companies and their lobbyists claim health care is being ruined by so called defensive medicine. The story goes that medical costs are being dramatically driven up because doctors' fear of lawsuits causes them to order unnecessary tests and procedures. ...
KSS Thanks Teachers
On Legendary Teacher Day, the folks at KSS recall some of the teachers who made a difference in their lives.
The Risk of Outpatient Surgery Centers--The Joan River's Cautionary Tale.
We all read the sensational news of Joan River's passing. While she may have not been your comic cup of tea, one had to admire her energy, work ethic, and longevity. Her tragic death had its roots in a procedure that occurred in an outpatient surgery center. The plan was for her to undergo an ...
The Do's and Don'ts of Repairing Significant Damage to Your Home
My wife and I recently had extensive repairs done to our home due to some substantial damage. Whether its termites, mold, fire, leaks, weather or some other disaster, damage to your home is likely to come at some point if it hasn't already. Here is a list of do's and don'ts when you find yourself...
Arizona Law: Courts Rule on Insurance Bad Faith, Offers of Judgment and Defamation
Since my last blog on Arizona law, there have been three new decisions from the Arizona Supreme Court and Arizona Appellate Court that have an impact on our personal injury law practice. Here is a quick summary of what you need to know: 1. In a very messy insurance case involving gross misconduc...
Chasing Paper
I had a great morning yesterday. I had the opportunity to speak to the incoming first year class at the University of Arizona Rogers College of Law. Twenty years ago this week I sat in the same classroom, anxious, excited, and scared -- just like the 150 students who were looking back at me. T...
Arizona Law: Courts rule on OJ's, liens, insurance coverage, deadlines and inappropriate communication
Since my last blog on Arizona law, there have been five new decisions from the Arizona Supreme Court and Arizona Appellate Court that have an impact on our personal injury law practice. Though most will not make you jump out of your seat with excitement, it is still important for lawyers to rema...
NHTSA Launches New Consumer Safety Site
NHTSA, the governmental agency charged with overseeing the safety of motor vehicles, unveiled a new, user friendly website today. www.safercar.gov allows users to quickly and easily search for recall notices on their own vehicles by simply entering the vehicle identification number, VIN. Additi...
Rape Prevention: Educating the Bystander
One in five girls of college age is raped. Most of them are intoxicated at the time. In an effort to prevent this startling fact the University of New Hampshire under a grant from the National Institute of Justice has developed an educational program designed to educate bystanders to recognize p...
Can I Sue the Bums?
How many times have you been lied to, mistreated, cheated or abused and wondered, “can I sue the bums for this?” You only need read the daily paper to know the easy answer. Yes, if you have the $75 filing fee you can sue just about anybody for anything. However, actually finding a lawyer willing...
A Disgusting Campaign -- And the Importance of Merit Selection
Pima County's Justice of the Peace campaign shines a bright light on the problems with judicial elections.
Chrysler Recall -- Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander
The GM ignition switch recall continues to grow. So far in 2014, GM has announced 55 different recalls in North America, affecting a total of almost 29 million vehicles. Its ignition switch problems have spiraled into a crisis that has led to Congressional hearings, firings, and the revelation ...