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Western New York Paralegal Association Selects Officers

The Western New York Paralegal Association named Michelle M. Coxford, a paralegal from Phillips Lytle, president and second vice president, director of membership. Other officers: First vice president, director of programming and bar liaison director, Laura A. Szychowski, paralegal, Phillips Lytle; secretary and student liaison/scholarship coordinator; Linda Wiederick, paralegal, Cole Sorrentino, Hurley, Hewner and Gambino; treasurer and ESAPA representative, Edith Maggiotto, paralegal, Phillips Lytle; director of marketing and public relations and NFPA primary representative, Beth Bialis, paralegal from Hodgon Russ; director of sponsorship, Lynda M.Wilcox, paralegal from Burden, Gulisano and Hickey; director of fundraising, Jaclyn Todaro, paralegal, the Law Office of Dan Tiede; newsletter editor, Denise S. Murphy, paralegal, Goldberg Segalla; and NFPA secondary representative, Jodie Zolnowksi.

The Western New York Paralegal Association, Inc. (WNYPA) is a voluntary, nonprofit association formed in 1976 to promote the professional development and continuing legal education of paralegals in the Western New York area. Over our thirty-year history, the Association has worked toward its additional goals of maintaining high ethical standards for paralegals, educating the Western New York legal and business communities in the effective utilization of paralegals, and promoting consumer awareness of the role of paralegals within the legal system.

Source: The Buffalo News

Bogus Paralegal Barred From Assisting Client

OTTAWA-A man allegedly drumming up legal business by posing as a paralegal was effectively barred from the Ottawa courthouse Thursday.

Gary Pierre, recently convicted of fraud in Gatineau, appeared in the prisoner’s dock in Ottawa court to justify why he should continue representing Jacques Racine, an Ottawa man accused of drunk driving.

Racine, who had been having difficulty contacting Pierre, learned for the first time Thursday that his legal representative had recently been sentenced to 15 months in Gatineau jail. He immediately fired Pierre.

Justice Lise Maisonneuve said Pierre was not qualified in any way to represent defendants in an Ontario court and based on expert advice from a court interpreter, rejected his claim that the word “EXCRIM” written on his business card means “to assist” in Swahili.

The word, she added, does not even exist in Swahili.

Pierre charged a fixed rate of $50 an hour for his services — significantly less than the hourly rate of qualified lawyers.

Maisonneuve ordered all of Pierre’s previous involvement in the Racine case struck from the record — a precedent, say lawyers, that will prevent him from representing others after he leaves jail.

Defence lawyer James Foord, one of several lawyers in court watching the proceedings, welcomed the judge’s decision.

“Our No. 1 concern,” he said, “is that individuals aren’t being misled by ineffective and illegal assistance. We have had some concerns (about Pierre) for a while.”

Pierre, who has appeared as a legal representative several times at the Ottawa courthouse, denied the allegations and said he had always been open about his lack of formal legal qualification — and asked clients to sign a release that they understood his status.

A motion by assistant Crown attorney Paul Attia to have Pierre held in contempt of court was rejected.

Source: The Ottawa Citizen   

Paralegal Wins Young Leader Award

Jennifer Tlumak, paralegal and client advocate at the Tennessee Justice Center, has been named the 2009 Young Leader Award by the Tennessee Alliance for Progress.

The award is for her outstanding efforts as an advocate for children's health services. The award was presented to Tlumak on May 9 at the organization's statewide awards celebration.

"Jennifer's efforts on behalf of children and families exemplify one of the key goals of TAP which is to increase the capacity of under-represented constituencies to have an impact on public policy," said Nell Levin, TAP's statewide coordinator, in a press statement. "Jennifer's work has given a voice to thousands of Tennessee children whose well-being and lives depend on public programs such as TennCare."

Tlumak has been associated with the Tennessee Justice Center since 2006. Her work is focused on working with individual clients, particularly the families of young children, and on proof development and investigation in complex class-action cases. In addition, she has worked collaboratively with disability and advocacy groups across the state to organize more than 100 screenings of the film Collateral Damage, about the health-care crisis in the U.S. Under her management, the Tennessee Justice Center Web site has become a valuable public education resource. In addition, Tlumak works on grant applications and spearheads the annual Mothers of the Year statewide recognition program of Tennessee Justice Center.

"Jennifer's work is truly extraordinary," said Michele Johnson, managing attorney of the Tennessee Justice Center. "Her unique mix of intelligence, passion, vision and compassion mean great results for the families of this state. Jennifer is the embodiment of advocacy that is affirmative, energetic and effective."

"I am very honored to receive this award and grateful to have the opportunity to work with the Tennessee Justice Center," said Tlumak. "TJC is the best of all worlds. It's a place where intelligent, dedicated colleagues work with a shared commitment to create positive social change for Tennessee's most vulnerable populations. In particular, TJC gives me an opportunity to advocate for Tennessee's children and work to reform public policies that are harmful to their health and future."

Tlumak, who lives in East Nashville, is active in local environmental organizations including the Community Home Energy Audit Project, which promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency through public education. One of her latest projects is the "greening" of the Justice Center office. She was trained by Al Gore to present the "Inconvenient Truth" PowerPoint. She recently completed Climate Project training, which focused on the perils of global warming. She volunteered to help to defeat the English First referendum in Nashville and has been a volunteer with local and nation political campaigns. She is also a member of the Nashville in Harmony choir.

A Nashville native, Tlumak received a bachelor's degree in history with honors from Dartmouth College in 2001. After working for several years in jobs throughout the United States, including a position as an analyst in the Energy Efficiency and Renewal Energy Office of the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C., Tlumak returned to Nashville in 2005.

For additional information about the Tennessee Justice Center and its services, visit www.tnjustice.org or call 615-255-0331.

Source: Tennessean.com

Kidnap Hoax Mom is Paralegal

ORLANDO, Fla. - Bonnie Sweeten agreed today to return to Pennsylvania to face charges she faked her kidnapping and that of her daughter and used a friend's driver's license to buy airline tickets for a trip to Disney World.

Looking drawn and worried, Sweeten, 38, of Feasterville, waived extradition at a brief hearing at the Orange County Jail.

Wearing a blue jail uniform, her hair hanging loose, Sweeten answered with a simple "yes" to questions posed by Florida Circuit Court Senior Judge Charles Prather and ended her appearance by saying, "Thank, you."

She is expected to fly to Philadelphia sometime today.

The charges she now faces - filing a false report and identity theft - are misdemeanors.

Weeks before Sweeten took off for Florida with her 9-year-old daughter Julia Rakoczy on Tuesday, authorities in Bucks County looked into an allegation that she might have stolen $300,000 or more from an investment account belonging one of her ex-husband's relatives, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation.

The inquiry went nowhere because the purported victim declined to cooperate with authorities and hoped to get back any missing money from Sweeten directly, said a detective who was not authorized to speak publicly about the case.

The old allegation is part of a broad police inquiry into reports that Sweeten might have taken money from financial accounts belonging to several people, including her parents, her former employer and a former co-worker at a law firm.

Michelle Henry, the Bucks County district attorney, confirmed the existence of "an ongoing investigation" into possible theft by Sweeten.

"We essentially are looking at where the money came from that used to sort of fuel this trip" to Florida, Henry said, "and whether or not it was legitimately obtained."

Some aspects of the investigation predated the frenzy of police activity that Sweeten set off Tuesday when she made a 911 call falsely reporting that she and her middle child, Julia, had been kidnapped in Upper Southampton, Henry said.

The call set off a regional Ambler Alert for the missing child and led to a hunt for her in Pennsylvania and Florida.

By the time the FBI found the mother and child at an expensive hotel in Disney World on Wednesday night, the made-up story of the abduction had become a national news story and persistent fodder for network TV and the 24-hour cable shows.

Two detectives - one from the Bucks County District Attorney's Office, the other from the Upper Southampton Police Department - flew to Orlando yesterday with the intent of escorting Sweeten back to the state.

Once back in Pennsylvania, officials said, Sweeten will be arraigned in Bucks County on charges of filing a false police report and identity theft, both misdemeanors.

Her daughter Julia returned home last night in the company of her father, Anthony Rakoczy, who has been divorced from Sweeten since 2003.

Pennsylvania authorities said they are only beginning to look into sketchy reports that Sweeten might have been involved in thefts. Some of the reports surfaced as police sought clues into the purported kidnapping.

A police affidavit filed after Sweeten's arrest said she had withdrawn $12,200 from accounts at two Wachovia Bank branches in Bucks County in the days before her false 911 report.

According to the police detective with knowledge of the investigation, at leastr one of the accounts was in the name of Sweeten's parents.

He said Sweeten had power of attorney over the accounts, so it would be up to the District Attorney's Office to determine whether a theft charge might be warranted.

"But I'll say this," the detective added. "The parents didn't know about" the withdrawals.

An additional police inquiry into Sweeten's conduct was said to involve the report contained in the affidavit that she had used a former coworkers driver's license as identification in buying airplane tickets for her daughter and herself to Florida.

Police said Sweeten had asked to borrow the driver's license from Jillian Jenkinson of Feasterville for the purpose of rolling over a 401(k) investment account that belonged to Jenkinson. The two had worked together at Carlitz & Eisenberg, a law firm in Bucks County.

Sweeten's activities at the law firm are another area police reportedly are investigating. The detective said he did not know whether any thefts would be found.

Ellen C. Brotman, an attorney for one of Sweeten's former bosses, lawyer Debbie Ann Carlitz, said yesterday that she was aware of a criminal investigation into Sweeten's conduct with Carlitz's firm and with the Carlitz Foundation, which was formed in October to raise money for autism programs and other children's charities.

Sweeten is a paralegal and notary public. Both jobs - state records list Sweeten as the foundation's contact and "tax responsible party" - appear to have given her unusual access to the management and finances of the two business entities.

Brotman described the Carlitz Foundation as "a privately funded foundation" and said, "It was funded exclusively by the Carlitzes' money. The foundation has just been granted not-for-profit status and has not accepted any outside donor money."

Brotman said it would be inappropriate for her to discuss the investigation. But she said Carlitz was "shocked and devastated by the actions of her former trusted employee and believes the investigation is ongoing and it is inappropriate to comment any further until the investigation is complete."

Source: philly.com

Sherri Shepherd Portrays Paralegal in Lifetime's New Comedy

Lifetime Television, the number one women's network, has picked up 12 episodes of the all-new, multi-camera comedy series Sherri, starring comedienne and 2009 Daytime Emmy(R) Award-nominated co-host of The View Sherri Shepherd (30 Rock, Less Than Perfect). The program, to be produced in New York by Lifetime Studios, marks the first comedy series ever to be wholly owned by Lifetime. The announcement was made today by JoAnn Alfano, Executive Vice President, Entertainment, Lifetime Networks.

Sherri centers around a newly single mom, paralegal and part-time comedienne/actress who tries to get back into the dating scene and move on with her life after divorcing her cheating husband. Sherri finds solace and support among her girlfriends at the office while juggling her hectic life. Also starring in the series are Tammy Townsend (Lincoln Heights), Kali Rocha (Grey's Anatomy), Elizabeth Regen (The Black Donnellys) and Kate Reinders (Ugly Betty). Terri Minsky (Less Than Perfect, Lizzie McGuire) has been named writer/executive producer of Sherri. The program will also be executive produced by Nina Wass and Gene Stein (Less Than Perfect), while Dave Flebotte (Desperate Housewives), who executive produced the pilot, will be a consultant. Shepherd, who will continue to co-host the hit ABC daytime talk show The View, will serve as a co-executive producer of Sherri. The comedy reunites Shepherd, Minsky, Wass and Stein, who last worked together on the ABC sitcom Less Than Perfect.

"I've been a big fan of Sherri's for a long time and am thrilled to work with her again. She is one of the most gifted comedic actresses around, and we are very excited to have her on the Lifetime schedule," said Alfano. "The best comedy originates from real-life experiences, and Sherri will take a hilarious, no-holds-barred look at life after marriage as only she can do."

Alfano continued, "It is our goal to program contemporary and relatable comedies that reflect our brand and speak to today's women. Sherri is the perfect complement to Rita Rocks and the off-net sitcoms How I Met Your Mother and Will & Grace."

Sherri will join Lifetime's family comedy Rita Rocks. Set to return for its second season in the fall, the series stars Nicole Sullivan as Rita Clements, an overworked wife and mother trying to find time for herself. Other comedies that currently air on Lifetime include the off-net acquisitions How I Met Your Mother, Reba, Will & Grace and Frasier.

This summer, Lifetime will roll-out a robust slate of original programming, beginning with the May 30 debut of the highly-anticipated miniseries Maneater, presented by Vaseline Aloe Fresh and based on Gigi Levangie Grazer's New York Times best-selling novel. On June 7, Army Wives, 2008's number one original drama on cable among W18-49 and the highest rated series in the Network's history, will return for its third season. The new comedic drama Drop Dead Diva will debut on July 12; and on August 20, Lifetime will launch the sixth season of Project Runway, the highest-rated unscripted competition series on cable, and its all-new companion series, Models of the Runway.

ABOUT SHERRI SHEPHERD

Shepherd currently co-hosts the hit ABC daytime talk show The View alongside Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Last week, the program's co-hosts were nominated for a 2009 Daytime Emmy(R) Award in the Talk Show Host category. In addition, she often guest stars as Tracy Morgan's wife, Angie, on the critically acclaimed and award-winning 30 Rock.

For four years, Shepherd appeared on the ABC sitcom Less Than Perfect, following memorable guest spots on series including Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, Joan of Arcadia, Suddenly Susan, The Jamie Foxx Show, Living Single and Emeril. Recently heard as the voice of Ben Stiller's "lioness mother" in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Shepherd has enjoyed a film career highlighted by roles in Who's Your Caddy?, Beauty Shop, Cellular and Guess Who. She will soon be seen opposite Mo'Nique, Lenny Kravitz and Paula Patton in the upcoming Precious (based on the novel Push by Sapphire) and Tyler Perry's upcoming film (yet to be titled).

A beloved stand-up comic, Shepherd has performed at notable comedy clubs across the country, and she has released both a DVD and a CD of her act entitled No Refund, No Exchange.

ABOUT LIFETIME TELEVISION

Lifetime is a diverse, multi-media company, committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming that celebrates, entertains and supports women. Through its award-winning public affairs initiatives, the Company also advocates a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Lifetime Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital (which includes myLifetime.com, Lifetime Games, Roiworld.com, DressUpChallenge.com and MothersClick.com) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

Source: KCAU-DT ABC 9

Useful Website: vzume

I came across a Paralegal vzume - or video resume - (actually used on the company's site as a sample) online and really liked it!  Since so many of our colleagues are seeking employment, I thought I would add this to our useful website section.

vzume, Inc. was founded in 2009 by three cousins and a longtime friend. The privately held company was funded by a group of family and friends, incorporating in April 2009. Headquartered in San Francisco, CA. The founders have over 15 years each in film and video production, IT applications development, e-learning, professional staffing and integrated marketing. The company is advised by industry veterans in Feature Films, Television, Behavioral Marketing, News and Online Dating.

Founders and advisory members have delivered highly-scaleable technology innovations, in Healthcare, Telecom and Online Ad Networks and News, successfully managing multiple Silicon Valley Start-ups and non-profit organizations.

According to the website, "Shooting a vzume is unlike any hiring experience you are likely to have. You are treated like a star with a crew of professionals who are there to make you look your best. You’ll get professional interview coaching, camera direction and help in marketing and promoting your video to reach the widest employer audience possible."

They advertise a fee of $99 for the video shoot however it is not clear if this includes post production costs as well.  If so, it's a darn good deal.  Apparently they schedule specific "shoot" days and are based in California. Again, they are unclear about if this service is available in other locations.

Like any new media or technology one would need to be careful in how they present themselves - especially on the internet where anyone can view your vzume.  Be professional first!  No low cut blouses, etc., no chewing gum - I'm assuming the coaches on site would help guide the individual in this regard as well. 

ParalegalGateway.com's First Survey & Contest Winners

Because of our awesome visitors, ParalegalGateway.com's very first Survey and Contest was a HUGE success!!!  Thank you to everyone who participated and took time out of your busy day.

We are pleased to announce that the following three Paralegals were randomly selected as the winners of the $100 AMEX Gift Cards.

Jerrad Howard - Lexington, Kentucky;

Satyra Riggins - Charlotte, North Carolina; and

Mary Shepherd - Greenville, South Carolina

Please join us in congratulating the winners!!

Jeannie S. Johnston
CEO and Paralegal
ParalegalGateway, Inc.
866.404.7555 p  |  866.822.0611 f  |  404.790.2705  c  |
1201 Peachtree Street, N.E.  |  400 Colony Square, Suite 500  |  Atlanta, Georgia  30361-6317
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Paralegal Superstar May 2009: Mathew Laskowski

Mathew Laskowski is a Senior Paralegal at Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C.’s Morristown, New Jersey office.  He is a member of the firm’s Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring team.  The team represents Debtors, Creditors and Trustees on a National level.  Prior to joining the Bankruptcy team, he was a Case Manager on the firm’s Mass Tort team, defending Toxic Tort cases Nationally.  Mathew is also very involved with client development aspects of the Bankruptcy Group.

Mathew has an extensive litigation background with experience in the defense of medial malpractice cases, construction litigation, employment matters and civil rights cases.  He also has experience defending class action matters.

Mathew is one of the featured paralegals in Carole Bruno's book, "Lessons from the Top Paralegal

Experts – The 15 Most Successful Paralegals in America and What You Can Learn From Them," published by Delmar Cengage Learning in 2008.

Mathew is the Treasurer and Webmaster of the Paralegal Association of New Jersey.  He is an associate member of the New Jersey State Bar Association, an appointee to their Paralegal Committee and a member of their Bankruptcy Section.  He assists with the preparation, including website maintenance, of the Annual Garden State Alliance Paralegal Convention.  He is a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants.  Mathew sits on the Union County College Paralegal Program Advisory Board. 

Mathew has had articles published in New Jersey Lawyer; the New Jersey Law Journal; and Facts and Findings, the national publication of NALA.  He has lectured on Federal E-Filing; Document Productions & Reviews; Case Management; the Use of the Internet as a Research Tool; and the Use of the Websites in a Law Firm Setting.  Mathew also serves as a mentor by meeting with paralegal students and recent paralegal program graduates about his experiences in the profession.

Mathew received a BA in Political Science (Business Administration Minor) and an ABA Paralegal Certificate from Marist College.

Mathew is co-coach of Porzio’s “lawyer’s league” softball team.  Away from the office Mathew enjoys playing in a year-round ice hockey league and is a certified USA Hockey coach.  He also enjoys travel, designing websites and participating in a Texas Hold’Em points league.

Mathew lives in Manville, NJ with his wife Erin.

Source: ParalegalGateway.com

Paralegal Sues Holland & Knight for Raising Conflict that Cost Her a Job

A paralegal has sued Holland & Knight for tortious interference for raising concerns about a conflict of interest caused by her planned move to a new law firm.

It’s not unusual for a firm to use tough tactics when litigating a case. But tough tactics cost Patricia Dillman her job.

After working under three bosses in less than a year, Dillman, the director of Holland & Knight’s litigation support group, decided to look for a fresh start. She settled on not only a different firm, Hughes Hubbard & Reed, but also a new city. Dillman accepted a $200,000 annual salary to move from Washington to Hughes Hubbard’s New York office.

In September 2007, Dillman put in her two weeks and prepared for the move. But then Hughes Hubbard informed her that because of a possible conflict, raised by Holland, there was no longer an offer. Dillman was out a job. She responded by suing her former firm for tortious interference in D.C. Superior Court in November, asking for $300,000 in damages.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” says Lynne Bernabei, Dillman’s attorney and a name partner at Bernabei & Wachtel. “The bar has an ethical concern with lawyers being stopped from moving from one firm to another firm. But Dillman was a paralegal.”

Holland, through attorney Robert Trout, a name partner at Trout Cacheris, has filed a motion to dismiss the case.

Hughes Hubbard’s decision to rescind its offer stems from an oil spill off the northwest coast of Spain in 2002. The tanker Prestige sank, spilling most of its load of 77,000 metric tons of oil. It was Spain's worst environmental disaster, damaging the fishing and tourism industries. Hughes Hubbard is representing the American Bureau of Shipping in a lawsuit filed by the Spanish government in U.S. District Court in Manhattan. Holland is representing the Spanish government.

Spain said the bureau, which checks the structural fitness of ships, was negligent in classifying the 26-year-old vessel as fit to haul fuel. Six months after the bureau gave clearance, the Prestige became caught in a storm and Spain refused to give the ship port. The Prestige eventually split in half and sank.

According to the complaint, as director of Holland’s litigation support, Dillman billed less than 15 hours, mostly in early 2005, while finding e-discovery vendors to work on the case. Dillman says she did not have access to sensitive information. “Dillman did not participate in legal strategy, had no direct contact or communications with the client, and had no involvement with the preparation of court filings, case chronologies or deposition outlines,” says the complaint.

Holland, as you might suspect, has a different take. “She worked on a matter in which both firms were engaged as counsel,” says Holland partner Mark Baker, an employment lawyer who is handling the matter for the firm. “Because of knowledge she gained there was the possibility of a breach in client confidentiality. Holland & Knight had a duty to protect our client.”

Hughes Hubbard declined to comment.

According to the complaint, Holland partner Brian Starer told Hughes Hubbard attorneys during a deposition in the Reino de Espana case that Holland might try to disqualify the firm from the lawsuit if Dillman began working there.

Bernabei argues that Holland took extreme steps that were unnecessary. “Usually you wall someone off from a case and make it clear that you can’t talk about it,” says Bernabei. “The New York rules are very protective of the ability of support staff to move.”

In an ironic twist, yesterday U.S. District Judge Laura Swain dismissed the damage claims filed by Spain, ruling the government has to take action against the American Bureau of Shipping in its own courts.

Source: The BLT: The Blog of Legal Times

It’s not unusual for a firm to use tough tactics when litigating a case. But tough tactics cost Patricia Dillman her job.

After working under three bosses in less than a year, Dillman, the director of Holland & Knight’s litigation support group, decided to look for a fresh start. She settled on not only a different firm, Hughes Hubbard & Reed, but also a new city. Dillman accepted a $200,000 annual salary to move from Washington to Hughes Hubbard’s New York office.

In September 2007, Dillman put in her two weeks and prepared for the move. But then Hughes Hubbard informed her that because of a possible conflict, raised by Holland, there was no longer an offer. Dillman was out a job. She responded by suing her former firm for tortious interference in D.C. Superior Court in November, asking for $300,000 in damages.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” says Lynne Bernabei, Dillman’s attorney and a name partner at Bernabei & Wachtel. “The bar has an ethical concern with lawyers being stopped from moving from one firm to another firm. But Dillman was a paralegal.”

Holland, through attorney Robert Trout, a name partner at Trout Cacheris, has filed a motion to dismiss the case.

Hughes Hubbard’s decision to rescind its offer stems from an oil spill off the northwest coast of Spain in 2002. The tanker Prestige sank, spilling most of its load of 77,000 metric tons of oil. It was Spain's worst environmental disaster, damaging the fishing and tourism industries. Hughes Hubbard is representing the American Bureau of Shipping in a lawsuit filed by the Spanish government in U.S. District Court in Manhattan. Holland is representing the Spanish government.

Spain said the bureau, which checks the structural fitness of ships, was negligent in classifying the 26-year-old vessel as fit to haul fuel. Six months after the bureau gave clearance, the Prestige became caught in a storm and Spain refused to give the ship port. The Prestige eventually split in half and sank.

According to the complaint, as director of Holland’s litigation support, Dillman billed less than 15 hours, mostly in early 2005, while finding e-discovery vendors to work on the case. Dillman says she did not have access to sensitive information. “Dillman did not participate in legal strategy, had no direct contact or communications with the client, and had no involvement with the preparation of court filings, case chronologies or deposition outlines,” says the complaint.

Holland, as you might suspect, has a different take. “She worked on a matter in which both firms were engaged as counsel,” says Holland partner Mark Baker, an employment lawyer who is handling the matter for the firm. “Because of knowledge she gained there was the possibility of a breach in client confidentiality. Holland & Knight had a duty to protect our client.”

Hughes Hubbard declined to comment.

According to the complaint, Holland partner Brian Starer told Hughes Hubbard attorneys during a deposition in the Reino de Espana case that Holland might try to disqualify the firm from the lawsuit if Dillman began working there.

Bernabei argues that Holland took extreme steps that were unnecessary. “Usually you wall someone off from a case and make it clear that you can’t talk about it,” says Bernabei. “The New York rules are very protective of the ability of support staff to move.”

In an ironic twist, yesterday U.S. District Judge Laura Swain dismissed the damage claims filed by Spain, ruling the government has to take action against the American Bureau of Shipping in its own courts.

Source: The BLT: The Blog of Legal Times