As mentioned yesterday, the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts has released the 2009-2010 Annual Report of the Judiciary. The Report Contains statistical data about our court system. Today we look at information about tort cases that were filed or tried in state court in Tennessee. "Tort cases" includes medical…
Day on Torts
State of Tennessee Litigation Statistics From the AOC Annual Report
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts has released the 2009-2010 Annual Report of the Tennessee Judiciary. Over the next few days I will share some data from the Report. We begin with medical malpractice cases. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, 429 medical malpractice cases were…
First Defamation Case Arising From A Tweet Goes to Trial
That tweet might just get you sued. Courtney Love allegedly fired off a negative tweet about a fashion designer, and now the defamation case against Love is going to trial. Read more about it at this post from the Connecticut Business Litigation Blog.
From Max Kennerly: Philosophy Explains How Legal Ethics Turn Lawyers Into Liars
This is one of the best articles I have read in a long time, coming from a man who I have cited often but never met: Max Kennerly. A short sample: At these pre-trial events [hearings, pretrial conferences, etc.], the only thing stopping a lawyer from looking the judge in…
Important Decision on Removal of Tort Cases to Federal Court
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has ruled that the 30-day period for removing a case to federal court does not begin to run until "the plaintiff serves the defendant with a paper that explicitly identified the amount of damages sought." Moltner sued Starbucks in state court…
Seat Belt Preemption Case Before SCOTUS
Oral arguments were heard two months ago in Williamson v. Mazda Motors of America, and when the United States Supreme Court decides the case we will have a better understanding of the law of preemption. At issue is whether a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rule permitting the use of…
Lawyer Pay
Payscale.com has posted data on the pay for lawyers. On average, associates with at least three years of experience earn $75,400 per year. Lawyers with 10-15 years of experience earn an average of $123,000 per year. Thanks to Lawyers USA for sharing this data.
Jury Selection Software for iPad
Are you an iPad user? Here is a new app that facilitates jury selection. Here is a video on how to use the app. Turn to Tablet Legal for more information about how to use the iPad in your practice.
Uninsured Motorist Article Published in the TBA Journal
The Tennessee Bar Association has graciously permitted me to write a column on tort law for many years. I must admit that I enjoy writing these articles, although I must also admit that each time the calendar reminder pops-up on my computer reminding me of yet another deadline for yet…
Upcoming TBA Speech – January 5, 2011 Noon CST
I will be speaking on a Webcast seminar on January 5, 2011 at Noon CST discussing the developments in the law of notice and certificates of good faith in medical malpractice cases. I will also discuss service of process issues after the decision in Hall v. Haynes. The seminar is…