March 2011



A Brief Research Memo Concerning a Simulated Chicken Head

Question Presented Did the judge correctly rule that an employee was entitled to workers' compensation because the work-related events she experienced were the "predominant contributing cause of [her emotional] disability"? The Facts Mr. Grillo agreed to provide [medical] insurance [only]…


Facebook: Bad News for Bigamists

Richard Leon Barton Jr., who I knew right away was in trouble because the report used all three of his names, was charged with polygamy recently after his first wife learned he had another one and reported him to the…


Teeth Are Not “Dangerous Weapons,” Says Oregon Court

Oregon has joined those jurisdictions holding that teeth are not "dangerous weapons" for purposes of a statute that enhances punishment for crimes in which they are employed. The defendant had employed said teeth Mike-Tyson-style to detach part of his neighbor's…


Woman Sues Adidas After Fall She Blames on Sticky Shoes

Please be advised that certain new shoes may pose a tripping hazard, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday against Adidas. The Chicago Sun-Times reports (via the ABA Journal) that a woman is alleging she was injured in 2010 because her…


Please, Lord, Let Joe Francis Represent Himself at Trial

If I remember correctly, Joe Francis, the "brains" behind "Girls Gone Wild" and sleazemaster extraordinaire, has been mentioned here before. <Google search> "Girls Gone Wild" Founder Says Judge Has Gone Wild in Suit Filed by Girls Who Had Previously Gone…


Follow-Up on the Great “Photocopy” Dispute

As you may recall, last week you were treated to this deposition excerpt in which the parties were wrangling (for pages and pages) over the definition of "photocopy." Over the weekend I got some more details from the lawyer asking…



Charlie Sheen Not Winning! So Far

The Hollywood Reporter's law blog reports this morning that Charlie Sheen, who as you likely know has filed a $100 million claim against Warner Brothers and the producer of Two and a Half Men, did not win an attempt to pursue that claim…