Recent Editions

Judge Cofield Suspended Without Pay Over Child Welfare Cases

Wednesday, June 19, 2013  |  by JAY STAPLETON  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Superior Court Judge Curtissa Cofield has been suspended for 30 days without pay for delaying decisions in child welfare cases. The sanction was part of an agreement that was reached between Cofield and the Judicial Review Council.

Law Tribune Seeks Contributed Photos

Wednesday, June 19, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

We want your photos! We will feature them online, on FB and in print.

Chimp Attack Victim To Appeal Claims Commissioner Ruling

Wednesday, June 19, 2013  |  by Associated Press  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

A woman disfigured by a friend's pet chimpanzee in 2009 plans to appeal a decision denying her permission to sue the state on her claim that officials knew the chimp was dangerous.

AG To Take Rowland Layoff Ruling To Supreme Court

Tuesday, June 18, 2013  |  by Associated Press  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen plans to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that said former Governor John G. Rowland violated the constitutional rights of unionized state employees when he laid off 2,800 of them in 2003.

Another Former AG Lands Law Firm Job

Monday, June 17, 2013  |  by KAREN ALI  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Although she remains the only woman to ever serve as Connecticut's attorney general, Clarine Nardi Riddle is perhaps better known these days as a Washington insider. She's been a longtime chief of staff for former U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman and the leader of efforts to create a more bipartisan approach in the nation's capital.

Law Tribune Seeks Verdict And Settlement Results

Monday, June 17, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

If you or your firm has been involved in an interesting lawsuit, we would like to hear about it.

Judge Quinn To Retire As Chief Court Administrator

Monday, June 17, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Connecticut Chief Court Administrator Barbara Quinn, who has helped guide the state court system through difficult financial times related to state budgetary challenges, is retiring effective October 1. Her successor, according to Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers, will be Judge Patrick Carroll, the current deputy chief court administrator.

Train Crash Lawsuits Filed In State, Federal Courts

Monday, June 17, 2013  |  by CHRISTIAN NOLAN  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

The massive Metro-North train accident in Bridgeport last month became a nightmare for commuters and caused $18 million worth of damage. Of interest to lawyers, 73 passengers, two engineers and a conductor were taken to the hospital for injuries. One passenger was critically injured.

City Agrees To Better Serve Hearing Impaired

Sunday, June 16, 2013  |  by CHRISTIAN NOLAN  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

The federal government and the City of New Haven have entered into a settlement that addresses allegations that city officials, including members of the police department, were not communicating effectively with the hearing impaired.

Auto Body Case May Lead To CUTPA Reassessment

Friday, June 14, 2013  |  by THOMAS B. SCHEFFEY  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

In what is believed to be the largest unfair trade practices award of its kind ever issued in Connecticut, a Stamford complex litigation judge has awarded $20 million in punitive damages to a class of auto body repair shops.

Ruling Limits Damages In Nursing Home Lawsuits

Friday, June 14, 2013  |  by JAY STAPLETON  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

In 2003, a fire at a Hartford nursing home killed 16 elderly and disabled people. In the aftermath, 13 lawsuits were filed, but plaintiffs have still not received any money. In fact, they haven't even gone to trial.

No More Automatic Fee Waivers For Low-Income Litigants

Friday, June 14, 2013  |  by JAY STAPLETON  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

In the just-completed General Assembly session, lawmakers approved a measure aimed at low-income, self-represented parties who do not have to pay court filing fees.

Legal Clinic Gives 'Voice' To Homeless Teens

Friday, June 14, 2013  |  by MICHELLE GOLLADAY  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Stacey Violante Cote helps the homeless. Not by running a shelter or dishing up meals in a soup kitchen, but by serving up a healthy portion of legal advice and representation.

Chimp Attack Victim Is Denied $150M State Lawsuit

Friday, June 14, 2013  |  by The Associated Press  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

A Connecticut woman disfigured by a friend's pet chimpanzee in 2009 was denied permission Friday to sue the state for $150 million on her claim that officials knew the animal was dangerous but didn't do anything about it.

Good Samaritan Plaintiff Loses Dog Bite Claim

Friday, June 14, 2013  |  by CHRISTIAN NOLAN  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Penny Hoyt v. James Kennedy, et al.: A woman who tried to help an injured dog, but was bitten in the process, lost her bid to receive compensation for her injuries, as jurors decided that she had been inadvertantly "tormenting" the animal.

New Connecticut Privacy Guide Reflects Technology Advances

Thursday, June 13, 2013  |  by MICHELLE GOLLADAY  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

In terms of technology, we've come a long way in the past decade. That can be a good thing if you're a big fan of Kindles or iPads, make use of the latest e-discovery software, or your life was saved by cutting-edge surgery performed by robots. But to those worried about privacy issues, the technological advances can be problematic.

Legal Clinic Gives 'Voice' To Homeless Teens

Thursday, June 13, 2013  |  by MICHELLE GOLLADAY  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Stacey Violante Cote helps the homeless. Not by running a shelter or dishing up meals in a soup kitchen, but by serving up a healthy portion of legal advice and representation.

Another Former Connecticut AG Lands Law Firm Job

Wednesday, June 12, 2013  |  by Karen Ali  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

For the second time in less than two weeks, a former Connecticut attorney general is joining a major, New York-based law firm. Clarine Nardi Riddle served as state AG from 1989 to 1991 and is the only woman to have held the job. She's now joining Kasowitz Benson Torres & Friedman, which ranks in the top 125 on the AmLaw 200 list.

Editorial: Coping With Pro Se Litigants

Wednesday, June 12, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Chief Justice Chase Rogers has put the issue squarely and succinctly: pro se litigants "clog up the court system. Cases are delayed and lengthened, creating frustration for everybody... Litigants with lawyers are better represented in court, which makes this a significant access issue. Access to justice and to our courts simply should not be a privilege offered to some, but a basic right available to all."

Editorial: The Problem With Unrecorded Confessions

Wednesday, June 12, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Connecticut should be commended for enacting legislation that requires custodial interrogations for suspects of capital or Class A or B felonies to be recorded, beginning January of 2014. Max Soffar's case highlights the problems that may arise when confessions are not recorded.

Periodic Payments Can Be Preferable To Lump Sum Settlement Allocation

Tuesday, June 11, 2013  |  by JOHN DARER  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Does Einstein's theory of mass-energy equivalence have any significance to the structured settlement secondary market? One company that purchases, or arranges for the purchase of structured settlement payment rights, thinks it does and suggests that E=Cash. Does E=Cash?

Honors Night Awards: Brad Saxton's Approach Put Quinnipiac On The Right Path

Tuesday, June 11, 2013  |  by JAY STAPLETON  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

The rise of Brad Saxton's prominence in the Connecticut legal community has mirrored the rise in stature of Quinnipiac University School of Law. For his success in raising Quinnipiac's profile, Saxton is one of two people being honored with this year's Connecticut Law Tribune Service to the Profession Award.

Class Of 1,500 Auto Body Repair Shops Entitled To $20M In Punitives

Monday, June 10, 2013  |  by By THOMAS B. SCHEFFEY  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

In what is believed to be the largest unfair trade practices award ever issued in Connecticut, a Stamford complex litigation judge has awarded $20 million in punitive damages to a class of auto body repair shops.

Honors Night Awards: Mitchell Pearlman May Be Retired, But He Hasn't Been Silenced

Monday, June 10, 2013  |  by THOMAS B. SCHEFFEY  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

When a band of Connecticut newspaper publishers prevailed on then-Governor Ella Grasso to pass Connecticut's Freedom of Information Act in 1975, they had two things going for them. One was the recent Watergate scandal. It not only forced President Richard M. Nixon to resign, it also created a backlash against official deception, and a new thirst for truth in government. The other asset was a young lawyer named Mitchell W. Pearlman.

ADR, Immigration Law Are Just Some Of The Topics We Are Seeking Writers For

Monday, June 10, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

The Law Tribune is seeking articles for this summer's special practice sections. Articles should be about 1,200 words long, contain no footnotes and be written in such a manner that lawyers who practice any type of law can understand them.

Honors Night Awards: Jeremy Paul Added Research Programs While UConn Law School Dean

Monday, June 10, 2013  |  by CHRISTIAN NOLAN  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

You'd be hard-pressed to find any member of the University of Connecticut School of Law faculty that would have a single bad thing to say about former dean Jeremy Paul. In honor of Paul's accomplishments, particularly during his 23 years as a faculty member at UConn Law, he will be presented with one of two Service to the Profession Awards at the Law Tribune's Honor's Night ceremony.

Honors Night Awards: Edward Heath Has Cultivated A 'Giving Back' Culture At Robinson & Cole

Friday, June 7, 2013  |  by JAY STAPLETON  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

When Edward Heath graduated from law school in 1999, he wanted to join a law firm with an engrained culture of pro bono efforts. For his contributions to veterans and abused women in need, among others, Heath is being recognized as the winner of the 2013 Connecticut Law Tribune Pro Bono Award.

Case Offers Twist On Religious Land Use Law

Friday, June 7, 2013  |  by JAY STAPLETON  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

When a Catholic church in Norwich announced plans to find a bigger space for its food pantry and soup kitchen, residents responded with concerns about crowds of homeless people and crime. In what is being called a cruel case of musical chairs in a not-in-my-backyard dispute, the St. Vincent de Paul Place soup kitchen is at the moment without a permanent home.

Quinnipiac Professor Nominated To U.S. District Court

Friday, June 7, 2013  |  by Thomas Scheffey  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Jeffrey A. Meyer, a former federal prosecutor who teaches constitutional and environmental law, has been nominated to the U.S. District Court for Connecticut. Meyer, on the faculty of Quinnipiac University School of Law, will fill the vacancy created by the death of Judge Mark R. Kravitz, upon confirmation.

Teacher Can't Prove Custodian Caused Broken Hip

Friday, June 7, 2013  |  by CHRISTIAN NOLAN  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

An 82-year-old English teacher at Stamford High School was unable to convince a jury that a fall that caused a broken hip was caused by a custodian who drove close to her in a snowy parking lot.

New Legal Aid Director Returns To Roots

Friday, June 7, 2013  |  by CHRISTIAN NOLAN  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Jamey Bell's career has come full circle. She spent 26 years as a staff attorney at Greater Hartford Legal Aid before moving on to leadership roles elsewhere. Now she's leaving her job as state Child Advocate after less than a year to lead the legal aid agency where her career started.

Opinion: DNA Decision Is One Step Closer To Tyranny

Friday, June 7, 2013  |  by Dan Krisch  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

I am fearful that science and the Supreme Court will do away with the ability to remain anonymous. Last week, in Maryland v. King, the Court held that the warrantless collection and analysis of DNA samples from individuals arrested "for a serious offense" does not violate the Fourth Amendment. It is a ruling sure to make law enforcement cheer, but liberty cringe.

Opinion: Lawyers Should Not Be Granted Immunity From Fraud

Friday, June 7, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Editor's Note: The writer, a Greenwich financier and former professional football player, is a party in the divorce case of Simms v. Simms. A related case, Simms v. Seaman, recently upheld lawyers' litigation immunity from civil fraud. He claims fraud was committed when his ex-wife and her lawyers failed to divulge that she was receiving a sizable inheritance at the time they requested an increase in the ex-wife's alimony payments.

Editorial: The Acceptance Of Security Cameras

Friday, June 7, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

For those privacy advocates who have been questioning the expanded use of security cameras throughout our country, it is time to face the new reality. There is an acceptance of the ubiquity of cameras in today's world.

Lieberman's Job Choice Motivated By Family Ties

Friday, June 7, 2013  |  by JAY STAPLETON  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

When former U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman decided to return to private legal practice, he wanted a job that would allow him and his wife to spend time with their seven grandchildren, who all live in New York City.

Planning For Smart Structured Settlements In Divorce

Friday, June 7, 2013  |  by DORI B. HIGHTOWER  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Structured settlements in divorce are a tricky business. They require a high level of planning and significant forethought in order to be successful. At their best, structured settlements can provide a continuous source of income, address liquidity issues of the moneyed spouse, and provide financial security over time. At their worst, they can extend conflicts into the future with disastrous consequences for the spouse who is relying on the settlement in order to meet basic needs.

We Are Looking For Articles For Special Sections

Friday, June 7, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

The Law Tribune is seeking articles for this summer's special practice sections. Articles should be about 1,200 words long, contain no footnotes and be written in such a manner that lawyers who practice any type of law can understand them

Lawyer Honored For Work In Children's Law Center

Friday, June 7, 2013  |  by MICHELLE GOLLADAY  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Like many college students, Randa Hojaiban had a minimum wage job on the side. Other than that, she wasn't much like most college students. She was earning two degrees at once: a master's in social work and a JD at the University of Connecticut School of Law.

Settlement Reached In Lawsuit Linked To Yale Murder

Friday, June 7, 2013  |  by CHRISTIAN NOLAN  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

A former Yale University employee who was implicated by police, but never charged, in the highly publicized murder investigation of student Suzanne Jovin in 1998 has settled lawsuits with the university and the City of New Haven.

Opinion: Public Defender's Office Advocates For Children

Friday, June 7, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

To The Editor: I am writing in response to your article entitled "Pro Bono Program Provides DCF Children with Lawyers" (Law Tribune, May 27).

Editorial: Damage Done To Important Drug Safety Policy

Friday, June 7, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

State Budget Includes Pay Raises For Judges

Thursday, June 6, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Connecticut judges will be getting their first pay raise in six years under the new state budget, which increases judicial salaries by about 10.6 percent over two years. The raises were included in a budget bill of more than 500 pages that was approved by the legislature Wednesday. Judges will see a 5.3 percent raise July 1 and another 5.3 percent increase next year.

Pro-Immigration Measures Help Create Jobs

Thursday, June 6, 2013  |  by NORINE F. KRASNOGOR  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

With an impressive history of great economic and societal benefits to the U.S. through the lawful employment of foreign employees, is the U.S. finally ready to more deeply tap into this source of economic vitality?

Former Senator Lieberman Joins New York Firm

Thursday, June 6, 2013  |  by JAY STAPLETON  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Former U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman is returning to private legal practice. But it won't be in his home state. Lieberman, a Yale Law School graduate and former Connecticut attorney general, is joining Kasowitz Benson Torres & Friedman LLP in as a senior counsel in the firm's New York office.

Law Trib Seeks Opinion Columns, Letters To The Editor

Wednesday, June 5, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Did something we publish rub you the wrong way? Or do you just want to get something off your chest about one of the pressing legal issues of the day?

The Law Trib Wants Lawyers For Our After Hours Feature

Wednesday, June 5, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

The Law Tribune is looking for lawyers with interesting hobbies, side jobs or passions.

Law Tribune Seeks Information On Pro Bono Projects

Wednesday, June 5, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

The Law Tribune would like to highlight in news articles worthwhile pro bono endeavors of all types.

Court Curbs Class Action In Gender Bias Case

Tuesday, June 4, 2013  |  by DAVID S. POPPICK  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

In an employment discrimination decision significant to employers seeking to avoid class actions in court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has ruled that an arbitration clause in an employment contract precluded one of the three plaintiffs in a gender discrimination class action from proceeding in federal court and required her to arbitrate her claim privately.

Second Circuit: Rowland Firings Violated Workers' Rights

Tuesday, June 4, 2013  |  by THOMAS B. SCHEFFEY  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Unionized government employees have won a dramatic reversal in the 2003 class action against former Republican Governor John G. Rowland and his budget director, Marc Ryan, with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit concluding that limiting layoffs to unionized employees violates their constitutional right of association.

Wilton Real Estate Lawyer Gets 30 Months

Monday, June 3, 2013  |  by Karen Ali  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

A 50-year-old Wilton lawyer who was involved in an extensive mortgage fraud scheme in Fairfield County will have to serve 30 months in prison. Joseph Kriz, who was a real estate lawyer and a licensed mortgage broker, will begin serving the sentence Aug. 7.

Possible FBI Nominee Has Ties To Connecticut

Monday, June 3, 2013  |  by Associated Press  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

President Barack Obama is prepared to nominate James Comey, a former Bush administration official with bipartisan credentials, as the next FBI director. In a possible warning sign, the top Republican on the Senate committee that would review the nomination said Comey would face questions about his ties to Wall Street.

A Defender Of Civil Rights Keeps Fighting

Monday, June 3, 2013  |  by MICHELLE GOLLADAY  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

In his 44 years as a lawyer, David N. Rosen has been all about shaking up the legal system. From the peace generation to "Generation Me," Rosen and his legal posse have successfully represented the underdogs, confronting big corporations, public utilities and all kinds of government ? state, local, federal and international.

Changes At CHRO

Monday, June 3, 2013  |  by JAY STAPLETON  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

The Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities will be thrown into new phase of leadership in June, when its executive director retires. In preparing for that change, Governor Dannel P. Malloy last week announced a new chairman for the agency that investigates and judges claims of discrimination in the workplace, housing and other arenas. In his new role as commission chair, Gary Collins will lead the search for a replacement for Robert Brothers.

Opinion: Suggestions For Selecting Next U.S. Attorney

Monday, June 3, 2013  |  by William F. Dow III  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Dear Senators Blumenthal and Murphy: Your recent email invitation for attorneys interested in becoming Connecticut's U.S. Attorney has crossed my digital desk. While, of course, flattered to be included among those privileged to receive the invitation, I'm afraid I'll pass for the moment.

Upheld Conviction Brings Rule Change In Criminal Cases

Monday, June 3, 2013  |  by CHRISTIAN NOLAN  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Rafael Medrano, convicted of manslaughter in the 2007 stabbing death of a teenager in Hartford, had his conviction upheld recently by the state Supreme Court and will continue serving his 23 year prison term. But the real news is that his appeal will be remembered for another reason -- a rule change made by the justices that will affect defendants who testify in future cases.

Job One For Law School Graduates: Find Work

Friday, May 31, 2013  |  by JAY STAPLETON  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

During his three years in law school, David Norman knew he had to aggressively pursue any employment opportunity he could find when he graduated, even if it meant putting off his goal to be a criminal defense lawyer.

Pullman & Comley Absorbs Small Firm

Friday, May 31, 2013  |  by JAY STAPLETON  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

As clients demand a broader range of legal services, more law firms are adding practice groups, even if that means gobbling up another entire firm. In the latest example, Pullman & Comley has announced it is expanding its practices that represent school district and municipalities by hiring all but one member of the Hartford firm Sullivan Schoen Campane & Connon.

Mother, Daughter Win $8.1 Million Post-Crash Verdict

Friday, May 31, 2013  |  by CHRISTIAN NOLAN  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

A mother and daughter who were severely injured after the vehicle they were riding in was struck head-on by a pickup truck were awarded more than $8.1 million by a Hartford jury recently.

State To Get Millions From Second Tobacco Settlement

Friday, May 31, 2013  |  by CHRISTIAN NOLAN  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Connecticut and 21 other states have reached a multi-million dollar settlement with the major tobacco companies stemming from a 2006 dispute over how much the cigarette-makers should pay as part of a pre-existing settlement.

Lawmakers Strengthen Human Trafficking Laws

Friday, May 31, 2013  |  by Associated Press  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Connecticut lawmakers advanced legislation on Thursday, May 30 that supporters said would create some of the nation's toughest laws against human trafficking. The House of Representatives voted 146-0 for a bill that would give courts authority to seize from convicted pimps any assets derived from the sexual exploitation of a minor. The measure now moves to the Senate.

Editorial: Closing Guantanamo

Friday, May 31, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

After years of fading public interest in Guantanamo Bay and its prisoners, recent events have refocused our attention on the situation the United States has created there. More than 100 Guantanamo detainees are engaging in life-threatening hunger strikes, widely acknowledged to be the result of despair over their uncertain fates.

Environmental Lawyer Wins National Writing Award

Friday, May 31, 2013  |  by KAREN ALI  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Bridgeport environmental lawyer Christopher McCormack won the 2013 Distinguished Legal Writing Award, which is being bestowed upon 30 authors from entries submitted by the nation's thousand largest law firms.

Courthouses Beseiged By Bomb Threats

Friday, May 31, 2013  |  by PATRICK R. LINSEY  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

It's springtime in New England. The birds are chirping, the bees are buzzing, and the alarm bells are ringing at your local courthouse. So far this year, nine bomb threats have been made against the Connecticut judicial facilities.

Turning Unauthorized Practice Into A Felony

Friday, May 31, 2013  |  by THOMAS B. SCHEFFEY  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

A bill signed by the governor will make unauthorized practice of law a felony. It becomes effective Oct. 1, and carries a criminal penalty of up to five years in prison. Previously, unauthorized practice was a misdemeanor with a $250 fine.

Editorial: Is Time Right For Non-Lawyer Legal Techs?

Friday, May 31, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

In a thoughtful article published in 2004 in the Connecticut Law Review, entitled "Connecticut Unauthorized Practice Laws and Some Options for Their Reform," Yale law Professor Quintin Johnstone proposed several options for expanding non-attorney exemptions to unauthorized practice of law rules.

House Approves Minimum Wage Jump

Thursday, May 30, 2013  |  by Associated Press  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

The Connecticut House of Representatives approved a bill to increase the state's minimum wage. The House voted 89-53 on Wednesday, May 29, with eight lawmakers not voting, to pass the bill. The vote came nearly a week after the state Senate approved the legislation.

Law Tribune Seeks Special Section Articles

Wednesday, May 29, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

The Law Tribune is seeking articles for this summer's special practice sections. Articles should be about 1,200 words long, contain no footnotes and be written in such a manner that lawyers who practice any type of law can understand them.

Bank Leaves State With IOLTA Funds

Wednesday, May 29, 2013  |  by THOMAS B. SCHEFFEY  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

If Connecticut lawyers could bestow halos, New York-based Hudson Valley Bank would definitely get one. The financial institution, which has operated a half dozen Connecticut branches, pays an interest rate on lawyers trust accounts that is "way, way above other banks," according to Connecticut Bar Foundation executive director Sandra Klebanoff.

NRA-Backed Lawsuit Takes Aim At Assault Weapon Ban

Wednesday, May 29, 2013  |  by JAY STAPLETON and THOMAS B. SCHEFFEY  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

The Connecticut Citizens Defense League says its membership has nearly tripled — to about 7,500 people — in the past few months, ever since state officials began discussing the possibility of gun control measures in the wake of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals: New Opportunity?

Tuesday, May 28, 2013  |  by JASON Y. GANS  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

By now many attorneys have filed applications for deferred action for individuals who demonstrate they meet the following factors and who will be eligible for an exercise of discretion and will be granted deferred action on a case-by-case basis.

Pay Close Attention To New Employment Verification Form

Tuesday, May 28, 2013  |  by ANDREW WIZNER  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

As of May 7, 2013, all U.S. employers should be using the new I-9 Employment Verification form to verify the employment eligibility of new hires. The federal government's recent shift in immigration enforcement away from workplace encounters with employees to rigorous review of employer paperwork turns a seemingly mundane form revision into rather significant news.

Workplace Video Surveillance Becomes More Common

Tuesday, May 28, 2013  |  by MARGARET J. STRANGE and SARAH R. SKUBAS  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Storefront cameras and joggers' cell phones captured the horrific scenes of the Boston Marathon attack and helped the police identify suspects. Video surveillance is not just a tool for law enforcement officials, though.

In Modern Times, Just Who Is On The Production Line?

Tuesday, May 28, 2013  |  by MAGGIE FERRON  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

In 2009, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held in Davis v. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., 587 F.3d 529 (2d Cir. 2009), that a mortgage loan underwriter was not exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act because he did not fall into the law's exemption for "bona fide administrative employees."

To Employers' Relief, Poster Rule Struck Down

Tuesday, May 28, 2013  |  by JASON STANEVICH and PAUL TESTA  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

On May 7, 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit struck down the National Labor Relations Board's controversial August 2011 Notice Posting Rule, which would have required employers to conspicuously display a notice informing employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

What EEOC Is Up To — And Why You Should Care

Tuesday, May 28, 2013  |  by MARGARET M. SHEAHAN  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Because the EEOC tends to focus on big cases and because our state's fair employment practices agency, the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) is the primary administrative forum for discrimination cases here, it is easy to lose sight of the federal agency's activity in the day-to-day life of a Connecticut labor and employment law practitioner.

Federal Courts Restrain NLRB Excess

Tuesday, May 28, 2013  |  by EDWARD F. "BUD" O'DONNELL Jr.  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

In August 2011, the National Labor Relations Board issued a rule requiring employers subject to Board jurisdiction to post a "Notification of Employee Rights under the National Labor Relations Act." The required poster provided employees with a comprehensive listing of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act.

Can You Enforce An Unreasonable Restrictive Covenant?

Tuesday, May 28, 2013  |  by ROBERT G. BRODY and REBECCA GOLDBERG  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Normally, a court will not question the reasonableness of a contract in determining its enforceability. If you enter into a contract to sell your Mercedes for a dollar, so be it.

Court Vacates Conviction To Send Message To Prosecutor

Tuesday, May 28, 2013  |  by CHRISTIAN NOLAN  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Senior Assistant State's Attorney Terence Mariani has been cited in the past for what appellate judges considered prosecutorial impropriety. Typically, the complaints have focused on Mariani's efforts to appeal to jurors' emotions.

When Is Employee Speech Constitutionally Protected?

Tuesday, May 28, 2013  |  by GABRIEL J. JIRAN and JARAD M. LUCAN  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Both the U.S. Supreme Court and the Connecticut Supreme Court have determined that speech made by public and private employees that occurs within the scope of their official job duties is not constitutionally protected under the U.S. Constitution. However, until recently, no Connecticut state court had decided whether the Connecticut Constitution provided greater speech rights to employees such that the same speech could be protected.

Figuring Full-Time Employee Status Under ACA

Tuesday, May 28, 2013  |  by RACHEL ARNEDT  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), "applicable large employers" are required to offer affordable medical coverage to full-time employees and their dependent children, or pay a penalty for failure to do so.

'Stateside' Waiver: A Back Door To Immigration Reform?

Tuesday, May 28, 2013  |  by ERIN O'NEIL-BAKER  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Congress is on the precipice of enacting comprehensive immigration reform, but a recent policy change by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is allowing a limited number of undocumented immigrants to access their own path to legal permanent residency and U.S. citizenship now.

Pro Bono Program Provides DCF Children With Lawyers

Tuesday, May 28, 2013  |  by Karen Ali  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Children who need special educational services may have slipped through the cracks in the past.But a new program — called the Connecticut Child Justice Foundation — aims to help keep children who are under the supervision of the Department of Children and Families in the best possible learning environments.

Connecticut Lawsuit Reveals Military Sex Assault Data

Tuesday, May 28, 2013  |  by JAY STAPLETON  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Connecticut is hundreds of miles from Washington, D.C., and so it might not seem like a place where the current national debate over sexual assault in the armed forces resonates loudest.

Favorable Rulings For Employers In EEOC Litigation

Tuesday, May 28, 2013  |  by PETER J. MURPHY  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

p>The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission is the federal agency charged with addressing discrimination in the workplace. As documented in recent articles in the Law Tribune and other legal publications, the EEOC is no longer content just to investigate discrimination claims at the administrative level.

Bill Enhances Racial Profiling Law

Friday, May 24, 2013  |  by ED JACOVINO  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

More police officers would report information about the people they pull over under a bill that's headed to Governor Dannel P. Malloy.

Court Databases Part Of Gun Safety Efforts

Friday, May 24, 2013  |  by JAY STAPLETON  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Connecticut lawmakers have responded to the Newtown school shootings with tough gun safety legislation, and the state Judicial Branch is responding with two new databases designed to stop people with mental health problems from gaining access to firearms.

Editorial: Commodification Of The Legal Profession

Friday, May 24, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Seven years ago, law Professor Tamar Frankel, in her book about the loss of trust and confidence in American business culture, wrote about the commodification of legal and medical services as one example of decline in trust in society generally.

Editorial: Planning For Disaster Relief

Friday, May 24, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

With the tragic results of Hurricane Sandy, the Newtown shootings, and the Boston Marathon bombings, there should be guidelines as to how organizations and individuals, wishing to render help, should proceed.

Therapist To Pay $330,000 In Medicare Settlement

Friday, May 24, 2013  |  by CHRISTIAN NOLAN  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

A physical therapist who falsely billed Medicare for services that were not provided has settled a civil case with the federal government for nearly $330,000. He has also been sentenced on criminal charges.

Opinion: Malpractice Insurance Shouldn't Be Mandated

Friday, May 24, 2013  |  by Norm Pattis  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

New Haven attorney Howard Lawrence was sued recently for legal malpractice. He lost the case, and the judgment against him exceeded $550,000.

Truck Maker Not Held Liable For Fatal Crash

Friday, May 24, 2013  |  by CHRISTIAN NOLAN  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

A Bridgeport federal court jury sided with the manufacturer of a tractor-trailer involved in a 2003 crash that killed four Yale students and injured five others in an Interstate 95 collision a decade ago.

Cantor Colburn Immerses Japanese Lawyer In IP Law Business

Thursday, May 23, 2013  |  by KAREN ALI  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Cantor Colburn partner Michael Cantor realized more than a decade ago that the way to bring his intellectual property law firm to the next level was to attract global business to bolster the rapidly growing domestic practice.

Groups Aim To Shoot Down New State Gun Laws

Wednesday, May 22, 2013  |  by BY JAY STAPLETON  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

A coalition of groups and individuals have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of sweeping gun control and firearms safety measures recently approved by the Connecticut legislature.

Jury Convicts Former Aide To House Speaker Donovan

Wednesday, May 22, 2013  |  by Associated Press  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

A federal jury on Tuesday convicted a former aide to ex-Connecticut House Speaker Christopher Donovan in connection with illegal contributions to Donovan's failed congressional campaign last year.

Court Blasts Prosecutor, Overturns Murder Verdict

Tuesday, May 21, 2013  |  by Associated Press  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Connecticut's second-highest court blasted a state prosecutor for repeated misconduct and ordered a new trial for a man serving life in prison for the killing of a Waterbury bar owner in 1998.

School Pays $35,000 For Denying Service Dog Request

Monday, May 20, 2013  |  by CHRISTIAN NOLAN  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

The family of a young disabled boy who was not allowed to bring a service dog with him to school has been compensated $35,000 by the school as part of a settlement agreement for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Law Trib Seeks Articles For Special Practice Sections

Monday, May 20, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

The Law Tribune is looking for articles written by attorneys or other professionals about health law, employment & immigration law, structured settlements, alternative dispute resolution, and law office management.

Wiggin and Dana Launches China Practice

Monday, May 20, 2013  |  by Michelle Golladay  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

New Haven law firm Wiggin and Dana has launched a new China Practice with the intent of bringing several of the firm's practice areas to the growing overseas market.

Shining The Light On Physician Payment

Monday, May 20, 2013  |  by VINCENZO CARANNANTE and WILLIAM J. ROBERTS  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

For many years, there have been raucous debates about the implications of medical device, pharmaceutical and other medical products companies providing payments or gifts to physicians and hospitals.

Federal Law Allows Guilt By Association

Monday, May 20, 2013  |  by ALAN J. SOBOL and TIFFANY K. SPINELLA  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Imagine a hospital's assistant administrator submits millions of dollars in false claims to the Medicare program. Would the administrator face criminal liability if he had no knowledge of the criminal conduct of the assistant? The answer to this question is likely "yes."

Selling Your Medical Practice To Wall Street

Monday, May 20, 2013  |  by JONH D. FANBURG and MARK TAFFET  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

In light of recent health-care reform and reductions in reimbursement, more and more physicians are entertaining the possibility of selling their practices to a hospital. However, another potential suitor could include a sale to a large publicly-traded or venture-capital backed physician practice group.

Law Trib Can Now Be Easily Viewed On Digital Devices

Monday, May 20, 2013  |  by KAREN ALI  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Now readers can view news stories, special section articles, opinion pieces and case digests on their digital devices with much more ease, thanks to the launch of new mobile versions of our websites. Although a separate app is in the works, for now all you have to do is call up ctlawtribune.com on your phone or tablet and you'll see our new, cleaner look.

Low Bono Firms Eye 'Underrepresented' Markets

Friday, May 17, 2013  |  by CHRISTIAN NOLAN  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Every attorney is familiar with the term pro bono for donated legal work, but several recent Quinnipiac University School of Law grads are hoping the term "low bono" is the next buzz-phrase to catch on.

Utility Pays $1 Million To Settle Clean Air Suit

Friday, May 17, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

The owners of a Pennsylvania power plant have agreed to stop burning coal in two generating units and to provide $1 million towards environmental mitigation in Connecticut and New Jersey as part of a clean air settlement announced by Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen and Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Daniel C. Esty.

State Wins $1 Million In Settlement Over Impure Pharmaceuticals From India

Friday, May 17, 2013  |  by CHRISTIAN NOLAN  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Connecticut stands to receive about $1 million as part of a $500 million settlement agreement between the subsidiary of a drug manufacturer from India, the U.S. federal government, all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Locker Room Injury Leads To Municipal Liability Drama

Friday, May 17, 2013  |  by THOMAS B. SCHEFFEY  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

In 2005, Middletown High School student Jasmon Vereen was injured while roughhousing in a locker room at the school. He cut his arm on a locker he claimed was damaged. His family filed a lawsuit and a jury awarded a $30,000 plaintiff's verdict. Because Vereen was found 33 percent to blame, his share would be $20,100

Questions Raised About Legal Malpractice Policies

Friday, May 17, 2013  |  by JAY STAPLETON  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

A pair of lawyers worked hard to win a malpractice lawsuit against one of their own, but it's very likely they won't see a dime for their efforts. The reason: The attorney whose actions warranted the malpractice verdict of $537,787 did not have malpractice insurance.

Editorial: Let's Give Discovery Special Masters A Try

Friday, May 17, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Judges and litigators agree that discovery disputes stop the adjudication of cases in their tracks. The disputes arise from many sources ? overbroad and unspecific production requests, unnecessary depositions, voluminous document dumping, mixing up the order of documents, outright failure or refusal to produce relevant documents ? just to name a few.

Corporate Bribery Case Part Of National Trend

Friday, May 17, 2013  |  by JAY STAPLETON  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

When a sales executive for a French power company appeared in a New Haven federal courtroom this month, he joined a growing number of businesses and their employees charged recently with making bribes overseas.

Editorial: Welcome To The Bar (Soon)

Friday, May 17, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

The Connecticut Bar Examining Committee recently released the names of the applicants who passed the February 2013 Bar Examination. This year, there also will be graduates from the state's three law schools ? University of Connecticut, Quinnipiac and Yale ? seeking to join the ranks of the legal profession in Connecticut.

Court Continues To Grant Lawyers Fraud Immunity

Friday, May 17, 2013  |  by THOMAS B. SCHEFFEY  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

When Rowayton divorcee Donna Simms petitioned to have her alimony payments increased in 2004, on the grounds that she was in dire economic straits, she and her lawyers didn't disclose to the court that she was just about to inherit $359,000 from a wealthy uncle.

Editorial: Auer Power

Friday, May 17, 2013 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

On March 20, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Decker v. Northwest Environmental Defense Center. On its surface, the case concerned whether runoff from logging roads required a permit under the Clean Water Act.

Disciplinary Counsel Ruled Immune From Suits

Thursday, May 16, 2013  |  by JAY STAPLETON  |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

For the first time in Connecticut, a federal judge has ruled that attorneys with the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Council should be granted the same immunity from lawsuits as judges and state prosecutors.