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Lawmakers steamed over snubbed subpoenas
Law Firm News/Alaska |
2008/01/23 06:46
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By Anne Sutton | The Associated Press
State lawmakers on Wednesday said they don't plan to pursue abuse of power findings against Gov. Sarah Palin, but they do want to know why their subpoenas were ignored in last fall's Troopergate investigation.
Some are steamed that possible witnesses, including several of Palin's top aides, snubbed a September legislative hearing into Palin's firing of her public safety director Walt Monegan.
They want to talk to Attorney General Talis Colberg about why the witnesses didn't show.
"Did he tell them not to answer the subpoenas? It concerns me that if we let it go, next time we try to subpoena people, they'll think there's no authority there," said House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski.
Colberg and Palin did not respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.
The Legislative Council last year, in an unanimous bipartisan vote, ordered an investigation into Monegan's firing, and Palin agreed to cooperate - until she was named John McCain's running mate.
Palin - through her campaign - accused lawmakers of manipulating the probe to be potentially damaging ahead of the November election.
Palin said she would cooperate only with a separate probe by the Alaska State Personnel Board.
Meanwhile Colberg, a Republican appointed by Palin, filed a lawsuit challenging the subpoenas issued in the legislative probe. He claimed the Senate Judiciary Committee had no jurisdiction to issue them and questioned whether the Legislative Council had the authority to begin a probe.
At the time, Colberg said he advised the state employees to either show up and testify or don't and join the lawsuit, which was ultimately dismissed by a judge.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jay Ramras, R-Fairbanks, could hold hearings as early as next week.
"My own interest is in examination of the process and the relationship of the Attorney General: whether he works for the citizens of Alaska, the governor or the people whom he advised to ignore subpoenas issued by the Legislature," Ramras said.
He asked committee member and attorney Lindsey Holmes, D-Anchorage, to look into whether Colberg could refuse to testify, claiming attorney-client privilege.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Hollis French, D-Anchorage, said the Senate is still discussing whether to hold hearings.
The 14 people who were subpoenaed did ultimately testify or provide written statements, "which was good but doesn't undo fact that you were ordered to show up and didn't," French said.
State statute provides for fines and a maximum of six months in jail for contempt of legislative subpoenas, but French said the statute is rarely used.
The Troopergate investigation was looking into whether Palin and others pressured Monegan to fire a state trooper who was involved in a contentious divorce with Palin's sister, and then fired Monegan when he wouldn't dismiss the trooper.
Palin maintains that Monegan was ousted over budget disagreements.
Special counsel Stephen Branchflower found that Palin had abused her office but the firing was legal since Monegan was an at-will employee.
A subsequent investigation by the Alaska State Personnel Board found there was no probable cause to believe Palin or any other state official violated the Alaska Executive Ethics Act. |
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Press Release: Arizona Foundation for Women
Law Firm News/Arizona |
2007/04/22 13:02
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - Although there has been progress over the last two years in funding domestic violence shelters in Arizona, roughly 2/3 of all women seeking shelter are still turned away due to lack of space. Both the Governor and the legislature support an appropriation of least $3 million to increase the number of shelter spaces and help to end turn-aways. $3 million is reportedly included in the Senate draft budget. Domestic Violence WHAT'S GOING ON?
Lots going on! $3 million for additional shelter beds seems very likely to be included in the final state budget. More immediately, SB1227, which allows victims of domestic violence to terminate their lease for safety reasons, has passed and is ready to go to the Governor- thanks to all who sent emails! SB1424, which allows for enhanced penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders, has passed, and is headed for the Governor's desk as well.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ARIZONA WOMEN?
Both bills will keep victims safer, and send an important message to abusers that Arizona takes domestic violence seriously. WHAT CAN I DO? Contact Sponsors Senator Jim Waring and President Tim Bee. These men are heroes who fought off powerful interest groups in order to get these two bills passed. Thank them for helping SB1227 and SB 1424 go all the way. Jim Waring jwaring@azleg.gov Tim Bee tbee@azleg.gov |
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Sirote & Permutt expands mortgage banking practice
Law Firm News/Alabama |
2007/04/07 11:14
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Sirote & Permutt PC recently expanded its mortgage banking litigation practice to assist financial services and mortgage banking companies with legal challenges surrounding the subprime mortgage banking crisis.
The Birmingham-based firm repositioned 16 lawyers into the team with industry-focused knowledge. The team will be led by Sirote Shareholder C. Lee Reeves, according to the press release.
"Because of the challenging environment that exists today and because of our heavy involvement in mortgage banking generally, we have prioritized the importance of our mortgage banking litigation group to best take care of the needs of our clients."
Sirote & Permutt PC operates offices in Birmingham, Huntsville and Mobile.
Birmingham Business Journal - by Crystal Jarvis Staff |
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SOUTH FLORIDA LAW FIRM EXPANDS AND RELOCATES HEADQUARTERS TO CORAL GABLES, FLA.
Law Firm News/Florida |
2006/09/05 14:50
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South Florida law firm Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole & Boniske P.A. will relocate its headquarters in January from Grand Bay Plaza in Coconut Grove, Fla., to 2525 Ponce de Leon Blvd. in Coral Gables, Fla.
The firm will move from its current 12,300-square-foot office to a 16,400-square-foot space located in a newly developed 250,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style building in the downtown Coral Gables, Fla., office district.
Weiss Serota wanted to upgrade to a more modern and upscale office and was looking for office space in proximity to the amenities of Coral Gables, according to Managing Directors Tom Capocefalo and Stephen Levine with Studley’s South Florida office, who represented the law firm in the lease. Studley also represented the law firm on the relocation of its Fort Lauderdale, Fla., office in June.
Tom Roth with Hines Development represented the landlord in the transaction.
Nationally, Studley has represented 75 of The American Lawyer’s top 100 law firms in transactions, some of which include Latham Watkins; McDermott, Will & Emery; and Piper Rudnick. Over the past year alone, Studley’s South Florida office has represented several leading law firms, including Carlton Fields; Gunster Yoakley; and Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs. |
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UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA ROGERS COLLEGE OF LAW ESTABLISHES THE WILLIAM H. REHNQUIST CENTER
Law Firm News/Arizona |
2006/05/09 13:11
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The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law announced today the establishment of a nonpartisan national research center to honor the legacy of the late Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. The William H. Rehnquist Center on the Constitutional Structures of Government (The Rehnquist Center) will be devoted to nonpartisan academic research, policy analysis, national and international judicial exchange, and educational outreach on three primary themes: separation of powers, federal-state relations, and judicial independence.
Sally M. Rider, who currently serves as Administrative Assistant to Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., has been named Director of the Rehnquist Center. Rider is a 1986 graduate of the Rogers College of Law and worked with Chief Justice Rehnquist for five years. She will assume her position in late September 2006.
“We plan to create a vibrant community of policymakers, judges, lawyers, and scholars who will focus on important constitutional issues, including the balance of power between the states and the federal government, separation of powers, and the role of the American judiciary, particularly as it has evolved over the last 30 years,” said Toni M. Massaro, Dean of the Rogers College of Law. “It’s only natural that it be located in Chief Justice Rehnquist’s adopted state, at the law school where he taught for more than a decade. He approved the Center concept personally, and spent a lifetime advancing these constitutional themes.”
UA President Peter Likins called the creation of the Rehnquist Center a major undertaking for the University. “It will be a unique place for students, policymakers, jurists, and legal scholars to examine some of the most profound questions of law in America. It is the perfect tribute to Chief Justice Rehnquist’s long and distinguished service to the American people, and an honor for the University of Arizona.”
Sally M. Rider is the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice of the United States, a position she has held since August 2000. She serves as the Court’s chief of staff and assists the Chief Justice in his overall management of the Court and with his other responsibilities as head of the Third Branch of government. Ms. Rider is Executive Director of the Supreme Court Fellows Program and serves on the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act Study Committee, a committee appointed by Chief Justice Rehnquist that is evaluating how the federal judicial system is dealing with judicial misbehavior and disability.
From 1986 to 1987 Ms. Rider served as staff counsel to the United States House of Representatives Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. From 1987 to 1990 she was a trial attorney in the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. She was an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Columbia from 1990 to 1995 and from 1995 to 1998 she was an Attorney Adviser and then Deputy Assistant Legal Adviser at the Department of State. Prior to working for the Chief Justice, Ms. Rider was Deputy Chief of the Civil Division in the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. Ms. Rider received a B.A. from the University of Arizona, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, with high distinction, in 1980. She received her J.D. with high distinction in 1986 from the University of Arizona College of Law. |
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