Former public defender can sue federal judiciary
While sovereign immunity will limit her claims, a former federal public defender in North Carolina can pursue claims against the judiciary for failing to take immediate and effective action regarding her sexual harassment complaints, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled on April 26. The ruling partly reverses a 2020 dismissal of the […]
Former public defender settles suit with county over firing
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A former assistant public defender has settled his lawsuit against his boss and Charleston County for $605,000. Beattie Butler accused Ashley Pennington, the county’s top public defender, of violating his constitutional right to free speech when he was fired for raising ethics concerns about 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson and her […]
Fired PD’s suit against former boss plows on
A former Charleston County assistant public defender who says he was terminated after he leveled allegations of corruption against the local prosecutor’s office can move forward with much of his lawsuit against his former boss, a federal judge has ruled. U.S. District Judge Bruce Bowe Hendricks issued a ruling April 16 agreeing with most […]
Charleston public defender responds to lawsuit
Charleston’s head public defender has responded to a federal lawsuit alleging that he fired his office’s chief litigator for publicly criticizing the city’s top prosecutor. The public defender, Ashley Pennington, and his attorneys at Cleveland & Conley in Charleston raise 46 defenses in a Dec. 18 answer to Beattie Butler’s wrongful termination suit. They have […]
Playing favorites
If the 13th Circuit public defender and solicitor were siblings and Greenville County was their parent, identifying the favorite child would be simple. He’d be the one with cash spilling from his pockets while his sister begged for money.
No pay, no gain
Being a public defender is a thankless job. They get kicked around. The clients are difficult. The pay isn’t great. And, unlike some prosecutors and sheriff’s employees, they don’t get free gym memberships.
Attorneys – Discipline – Public Defender – Unqualified Clients – Money from Clients
In re McAuley (Lawyers Weekly No. 010-058-14, 3 pp.) (Per Curiam) S.C. S. Ct. Holding: When the respondent-attorney, as a public defender, represented clients who were not financially qualified to receive a public defense, and when she accepted funds from some of those non-qualified clients, respondent violated Rules of Professional Conduct 5.5(a), 8.4(a), and 8.4(b). […]
Facing DUI charge, public defender now needs a defender
Conway police have charged a public defender for Horry and Georgetown counties with drunken driving.
Business Law
- Economy forces attorneys to get down to business
- Business Court judges trawl for customers
- Va. company's Web site did not subject business to personal jurisdiction in S.C., appeals panel rules
- Former running back from S.C. wins courtroom victory in contract dispute
- Contract – Government Contract – Qui Tam – False Claims Act
- Tort – Business Tort – Va. Computer Crimes Act – Trade Secrets
- Consumer Protection – FCRA – Auto Loan – Bank Accounting Errors
- Licenses & Permits – Beer & Wine Permit – Restrictive Covenant – Suitable Location
- Licenses & Permits – Veterinarian – Vaccine Maintenance
- State regulators look at car dealer accused of lying to customers
- Textile firm, railroad settle Graniteville train wreck lawsuit
- Subprime mortgage meltdown hits securities law
Commentary
- High court justices cross the line of propriety
- High court’s term was rough on big business
- The flip side of generative AI in law and how to address it
- The fight for equal educational opportunity continues
- Letter From The Editor – Working from Home
- NLRB joins FTC in taking aim at non-competes
- Supreme Court leaves key internet protection untouched
- US Supreme Court bites back at parody’s use of the First Amendment
- My goal: Provide the information that you need now
- Case study: North Carolina courts provide guidance on scope, limitations of attorney-client privilege
- A Different Ode to Pro Bono Work
- N.C. Bar Association embraces homophobia