Archived environment items, pre-July 2003

See separate entries for archived entries on animal rights and mold.

Wildlife management, species protection, 2003: “U.K. roundup” (licensing of exotic pet fish), Jun. 12-15. 2001: “False trail of missing lynx“, Dec. 18; “Pricing out the human species“, Aug. 22-23; “Stories that got away“, Jul. 23; “Bush’s environmental centrism“, Apr. 24. 2000: “Endangered list“, Dec. 4; “Snakes’ rights not always paramount” (man killed snake in self-defense), Aug. 18-20; “‘Imperfect laws add to danger of perfect storms’“, Aug. 10. 1999: “Property owners obliged to host rattlesnakes“, Oct. 12; “Knock him over with a feather” (migratory bird contraband laws), Sept. 11; “Mow’ better ADA claims” (claim of “exotic prairie plants” by resident who didn’t want to mow her lawn), Jul. 26.

“Bounty-hunting in New Jersey“, Jun. 10-11, 2003.

“‘State is suing ex-dry cleaners’” (Calif., Superfund), May 27, 2003.

“Suing ’til the cows come home“, May 20, 2003.

“U.K. roundup” (global warming suits), Jun. 12-15, 2003; “Tort suits over global warming“, Feb. 6-9, 2003; “Global warming suit?“, Jul. 31, 2001 (& Aug. 10-12); “Plus extra damages for having argued with us“, Aug. 19, 1999.

“California’s hazardous holiday” (fireplaces), Dec. 27-29, 2002; “Chestnuts-roasting menace averted“, Dec. 24-27, 2001; “Put out that match” (agricultural burning, residential wood burning), Feb. 28-Mar. 1, 2001.

“Right to know” laws, 2002: “California’s hazardous holiday” (acrylamide), Dec. 27-29; “‘Lawyers who sue to settle’“, Nov. 4-5; “Chocolate, gas-pump fumes, playground sand and so much more“, Oct. 15; “‘Greedy or Just Green’“, Mar. 13-14. 2001: “There’ll always be a California” (chocolate and Prop 65), Dec. 4; Letter to the editor (lutefisk exempted from toxic-substance status in Wisconsin), Nov. 29; “Be somewhat less afraid” (nuclear plant terrorism), Nov. 30-Dec. 2; “‘U.S. Debates Info on Chemical Hazards’” (“right to know” and terrorism), Nov. 12; “Chemical-plant vulnerabilities: read all about them“, Oct. 1. 1999: “Lockyer vs. keys” (California attorney general declares brass a toxic hazard), Nov. 2.

“How much did you say that Indian legend was worth?“, Sept. 25-26, 2002; “Final innings for Kennewick Man“, Sept. 27-28, 2000; “Free Kennewick Man!” (pre-Columbian remains), Oct. 11, 1999.

Low exposures, 2002: “A breast-cancer myth“, Sept. 3-4; “‘Unharmed woman awarded $104,000’” (Canada), May 6. 2001: “There’ll always be a California” (chocolate and Prop 65), Dec. 4; “‘Incense link to cancer’“, Aug. 27-28; “‘Candles might be polluting your home, EPA says’“, Jun. 19; “While you were out: the carbonless paper crusade“, Apr. 25 (& letter to the editor, May 18); “Hunter sues store over camouflage mask“, Jan. 12-14. 2000: “‘Airbag chemical on trial’“, Aug. 14; “Multiple chemical sensitivity from school construction“, Jul. 3-4; “Feelings of nausea? Get in line” (Baton Rouge chemical spill), Jan. 26-27. 1999: “Lockyer vs. keys” (California attorney general declares brass a toxic hazard), Nov. 2.

Zoning, land use, 2002: “How much did you say that Indian legend was worth?“, Sept. 25-26; “‘Preserving’ History at Bayonet Point“, Feb. 15-17; “Planners tie up land for twenty years“, Jan. 18-20. 2001: “Columnist-fest” (John Tierney on NYC battle over IKEA site), May 25-27; “Lessons of shrub-case jailing“, May 17; “Perils of regulatory discretion“, Jan. 24-25. 2000: “Cornfield maze as zoning violation“, Oct. 30. 1999: “Great moments in zoning law” (rescued pets from storm, charged with running unlawful animal shelter), Nov. 22.

“Mercury in dental fillings“, Jul. 16-17, 2002 (& Nov. 4-5, 2002).

“Going to blazes” (logging and Western fires), Jul. 1-2, 2002; “Credibility up in smoke?” (same), Jul. 12-14, 2002; letter to the editor, Oct. 23.

Industrial farming: “‘Tampa Judge Tosses Out Class-Action Suit Against Hog Company’“, Jul. 3-9, 2002; “RFK Jr. blasted for hog farm remarks“, Apr. 15, 2002 (& Apr. 17, Apr. 19-21, letter to the editor and editor’s response, Apr. 19); “Chickens are next“, Feb. 6-7, 2002; “Judge throws out hog farm suit“, May 7, 2001; “Trial lawyers vs. hog farms“, Dec. 7, 2000; “This little piggy got taken to court“, Sept. 12, 2000; “Not so high off the hog“, Oct. 4, 1999.

“‘San Francisco Verdict Bodes Ill for Oil Industry’“, Jun. 11-12, 2002.

“‘Legal fight over chemical spill ends with whimper’” (W.V.), Jun. 7-9, 2002.

“Flowers, perfume in airline cabins not OK?” (Canada), May 17-19, 2002; “Scented hair gel, deodorant could mean jail time for Canadian youth“, Apr. 24, 2000.

“The mystery of the transgenic corn“, May 14-15, 2002.

“Erin Brockovich”, 2002: “‘Erin Brockovich, the Brand’“, Apr. 29-30. 2001: “Exxon Brockovich vs. Erin Valdez“, Nov. 15; “NBC mulls Brockovich talk show“, Nov. 6, 2001; “Brockovich a heroine? Julia really can act“, Mar. 23-25. 2000: “Errin’ Brockovich?“, Dec. 21, 2000; “‘All about Erin’“, Oct. 12; “More woes for ‘Brockovich’ lawyers“, Jun. 22-25; “Brockovich story, cont’d: the judges’ cruise“, Apr. 18; Brockovich story breaks wide open“, Apr. 17; “Plume of controversy“, Apr. 14-16; “Hollywood special“, Mar. 30. 1999: “A Civil Action II?“, July 7.

Trial lawyer/enviro alliance? “RFK Jr. blasted for hog farm remarks“, Apr. 15, 2002 (& Apr. 17, Apr. 19-21, letter to the editor and editor’s response, Apr. 19); “‘Working’ for whom?” (Environmental Working Group), May 23, 2001; “Judge throws out hog farm suit“, May 7, 2001; “‘Bogus’ assault on Norton“, Jan. 18, 2001; “Trial lawyers vs. hog farms“, Dec. 7, 2000.

“‘Former clients sue attorney O’Quinn’” (Kennedy Heights case), Apr. 8-9, 2002.

“Arsenic: one last dose?“, Mar. 22-24, 2002; “The view from Arsenictown“, Sept. 11, 2001; “‘The arithmetic of arsenic’“, Aug. 17-19; “Bush’s environmental centrism“, April 24; “Tempest in an arsenic-laced teacup?“, Apr. 18; “‘Bogus’ assault on Norton“, Jan. 18; “The Times vs. Gale Norton“, Jan. 15; “Ecology and economy“, Jan. 5-7, 2001.

“Liability concerns fell giant sequoia“, Mar. 12, 2002.

“Environmental lawsuits vs. military readiness“, Jan. 2-3, 2002.

“Overlawyered schools roundup” (environmental impact statement for teacher layoffs?), Dec. 7-9, 2001.

“Infectious disease conquered, CDC now chases sprawl“, Nov. 9-11, 2001.

“States lag in curbing junk science“, May 29, 2001.

“‘Family awarded $1 billion in lawsuit’” (Louisiana land contamination), May 24, 2001.

“Prospect of $3 gas“, May 10, 2001.

Who needs power anyway?: “Sweetness and light from Bill Lockyer“, Jun. 1-3, 2001 (& see June 8-10, June 22-24); “California electricity linkfest“, Mar. 26, 2001; “Brownout, Shivers & Dim, attorneys at law“, Oct. 11, 2000; “Worse than Y2K?” (EPA/DOJ suit against coal-burning utility plants), Nov. 18-19, 1999.

“Seventh Circuit rebukes EPA” (Superfund search and seizure), Apr. 23, 2001.

Attorneys’ fees: “Stories that got away” (Endangered Species Act suits), Jul. 23, 2001; “Losers should pay” (columnist Thomas Sowell; injunctions, bonding requirements), Aug. 4-7, 2000; “Marbled Murrelet v. Babbitt: heads I win, tails let’s call it even” (“one-way” fee shifts), Sept. 8, 1999 (& see National Law Journal, Dec. 14, 1999).

“Enviro litigator: debate belongs in Congress, not courts“, Dec. 29, 2000-Jan. 2, 2001.

“Federal power over mud puddles?” (wetlands case), Nov. 28, 2000.

“From the evergreen file: cancer alley a myth?“, Nov. 8, 2000.

“‘A Civil Action’ and Hollywood views of lawyers“, Jun. 20, 2000.

“Don’t cooperate” (lawyers’ advice re local health survey), Jun. 9-11, 2000.

“EPA’s high courtroom loss rate“, May 26-29, 2000; “When agencies like getting sued“, Dec. 6, 1999.

“After the great power-line panic“, May 24, 2000; “Another scare starts to fizzle” (endocrine disrupters), Aug. 19, 1999.

“This side of parodies” (“dihydrogen monoxide” parody), May 10, 2000.

“Diapered wildlife?” (animal emissions as environmental problem), Apr. 10, 2000; “Backyard trash burning” (suspected as major dioxin source), Jan. 6, 2000.

“Emerging campaign issue: ‘brownfields’ vs. Superfund lawyers“, Apr. 4, 2000; “Mayors: liability fears stalling ‘brownfields’ development“, Feb. 26-27, 2000.

“Lawyers for famine and wilderness-busting?” (anti-biotech), Jan. 3, 1999.

“Weekend reading: evergreens” (Race car great Bobby Unser’s snowmobiling rap), Dec. 3-5, 1999.

“Leave that mildew alone” (EPA considers mildew-proof paint to be pesticide), Nov. 30, 1999.

“Flag-burning protest requires environmental permits” (one for smoke, one for fire), Nov. 3, 1999.

“A mile wide and an inch deep” (EPA considers Platte River impaired because sun heats it up), Oct. 15, 1999.

“Careful what you tell your lawyer” (feds demand waiver of lawyer-client confidentiality in environmental cases), Sept. 14, 1999; “Overlawyered skies not always safer” (environmental audits and other “self-critical analysis”), Jul. 19, 1999.

“Tainted cycle” (class action over infectious bacterium in Milwaukee water supply), Sept. 2, 1999.

Articles by Overlawyered.com editor Walter Olson:

“Hollywood vs. the Truth” (“Civil Action” movie), Wall Street Journal, December 23, 1998.

“Don’t Steal This Book“, review of Property Matters by James DeLong, Wall Street Journal, April 2, 1997 (property rights).

“Lawyers with Stethoscopes: Clients Beware“, Manhattan Institute Civil Justice Memo # 26, June 1996.

Filed under: acrylamide, animal rights, attorneys general, Bill Lockyer, Canada, environment, Erin Brockovich, Exxon, global warming, Louisiana, Manhattan Institute, New Jersey, Prop 65, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Superfund, Wisconsin

Archived legal ethics items, pre-July 2003

Bar discipline and client protection, 2003: “Probate’s misplaced trust” (Washington Post series), Jun. 16-17. 2002: “Crumbs from the table“, Feb. 8-10. 2001: “Law firm sued over fen-phen settlement practices“, Dec. 28; “Updates” (IOLTA), Dec. 15-16 (& Jan. 31); “Holiday special” (Canadian lawyer’s misconduct), May 28; “Mills of legal discipline” (updates on Brock, Hager, Fieger cases), Mar. 3; “Dangers of complaining about lawyers” (Ga. considers easing defamation counter-complaints by lawyers), Mar. 30-Apr. 1. 2000: “‘Judge Lenient With Perjurer, Cites Clinton Case’“, Oct. 16-17 (& May 16); “Disbarred, with an asterisk” (Mass. has let many attorneys resume practice), Sept. 20; “Funds that don’t protect” (client protection funds), Aug. 23-24; “Fit to practice?” (California bar disciplinary board), Aug. 21-22; “That Hager case” (American U. law professor Mark Hager, settlement of Warner-Lambert Nix lice treatment case), Feb. 23 (& update May 3, 2001: board recommends three-year suspension).

“New legal ethics weblog” (ethicalEsq.?), Jun. 6-8, 2003.

Judicial conduct, 2003: “Year’s most injudicious judges” (NLJ roundup), May 6. 2002: “‘Federal authorities say judge offered illegal payoff’“, Sept. 3-4; “‘Privileged chambers’” (Albany Times-Union series), May 30; “‘Injudicious conduct’” (NLJ roundup), May 1-2; “La. officials seek oyster judge recusal“, Mar. 25-26; “So depressed he stole $300K“, Mar. 19. 2001: “‘Pseudologica fantastica’ won’t fly” (judge’s resum?ibs), June 7 (& update Aug. 20-21); “‘Judges behaving badly’” (NLJ roundup), May 11-13. 2000: “Year’s most injudicious judges“, Jun. 5, 2000; “Brockovich story, cont’d: the judges’ cruise“, Apr. 18; “New Hampshire high court blowup“, Apr. 5 (& updates Oct. 11: chief justice acquitted at impeachment; May 3, 2001); “The costs of disclosure” (Washington state, Grant Anderson case), Jan. 19.

“Class action lawyer takes $20 million from defendant’s side“, Mar. 15-16, 2003.

“Politico’s law associate suspended over ‘runner’ use” (Louisiana), Feb. 14-16, 2003.

Civility: “Law’s attraction for the bully“, Dec. 13-15, 2002; “‘Attorney Ordered To Pay Fees for “Rambo” Tactics’“, Oct. 5-7, 2001; “Mills of legal discipline” (Geoffrey Fieger tirade against judges), May 3, 2001 (& more on Fieger: Apr. 23-24, 2002, Sept. 14, 1999; “Another Mr. Civility nominee” (“dreck”, “scum”), June 2-4, 2000; “From the incivility frontier” (“gag a maggot off a meat wagon”, “proctology exam”), April 19; “Majesty of the law” (alleged threat to kill opposing counsel), March 13, 2000 (& update May 17: attorney sanctioned); “Bright future in some areas of practice” (“abusive, hostile” applicant for law license), Oct. 13, 1999 (update, Nov. 23).

“Race-bias cases gone wrong“, Jan. 24-26, 2003.

“Lawyers fret about bad image” (Fla. bar plans to rate and monitor tone of journalists’ coverage), Oct. 3, 2002.

“FTC cracks down on excessive legal fees“, Oct. 1-2, 2002.

“Second Circuit: we mean business about stopping frivolous securities suits” (scope of Rule 11), Aug. 29-Sept. 2, 2002.

“Lawyer’s 44-hour workday“, Jun. 28-30, 2002; “Charged $16,000 for brief he copied from book“, May 17-19, 2002; “Lending rules trip up litigation-finance firms“, Dec. 3, 2001; Letter to the editor (incremental billing disclosed?), Oct. 22, 2001; “Law-firm bill-padding? Say it isn’t so!“, Nov. 18, 1999.

“‘Student gets diploma after threatening lawsuit’“, Jun. 13, 2002.

Truth value, 2002: “Lying’s not nice, especially when representing the bar“, Jul. 30-31; “Columbia Law School survey on public attitude toward lawyers“, Apr. 26-28; “‘Ex-student sentenced for rape lie’” (wants to become attorney), Jan. 11-13 (& see May 26-29, 2000: Stephen Glass graduates Georgetown Law). 2001: Criminal defense attorneys, doing what they do best“, Dec. 15-16; “‘Lawyers pay price for cruel hoaxes’” (phony heir claims after plane crashes), Aug. 3-5; “‘Lie-tery winners’“, April 20-22. 2000: “What was the Florida court thinking?” (Boies-submitted affidavit), Dec. 11-12; “‘Judge Lenient With Perjurer, Cites Clinton Case’“, Oct. 16-17 (& May 16); “The judge wasn’t asleep” (sanctions for submission of dubious affidavits), June 14-15. 1999: “If true, then all the better” (excerpt from Campos, Jurismania), Dec. 3-5; and see witness coaching, below.

“‘”Little” done for firm, Rendell says’” (law firms provide no-show jobs for politicians), May 9, 2002.

“‘Former clients sue attorney O’Quinn’” (Kennedy Heights case), Apr. 8-9, 2002 (& Aug. 4, 1999).

“Gary & Co. shenanigans at Maris trial“, Apr. 1-2, 2002.

“Lawyers stage sham trial aimed at inculpating third party“, Mar. 22-24, 2002.

Disclosure: “Lending rules trip up litigation-finance firms“, Dec. 3, 2001; Letter to the editor (incremental billing disclosed?), Oct. 22, 2001; “Trial lawyers knew of tire failures, didn’t inform safety regulators“, June 25 (& June 28)(& letter to the editor, July 6); Letter to the editor (ghostwriting), June 13; “ABA’s toothless ethics proposals“, Jan. 17, 2001; “Contingency fee reform“, Nov. 1, 2000.

Contingent fees, 2001: “Lending rules trip up litigation-finance firms“, Dec. 3; “Red-light cameras“, Sept. 6, 2001; “‘The Louima millions’“, July 24; “The rest of Justice O’Connor’s speech“, July 6-8; “Evils of contingent-fee tax collection, cont’d“, May 30; “Reclaiming the tobacco loot“, March 15; “Hugh Rodham’s ‘success fee’“, Feb. 23-25; “Dangers of tax farming“, Jan. 10 (& letter to the editor, Jan. 16). 2000: “Contingency fee reform“, Nov. 1; “‘Lawyer take all’” (equity stakes in clients), Oct. 27-29. 1999: “Piece of the action” (contingent fees for public officials), Dec. 3-5; “Reform stirrings on public contingency fees“, Oct. 15.

Witness coaching, 2001: “GAF sues asbestos lawyers“, Feb. 12-13, 2001 (& see Dec. 10). 2000: “‘N.Y. lawyer charged in immigrant smuggling’“, Sept. 22-24; “Sunday’s Times on Fred Baron“, June 5 (& see “Thanks for the memories” by Walter Olson, Reason, June 1998 and subsequent letters exchange with William Hodes). 1999: “State of legal ethics” (hey, what’s wrong with witness coaching?), Sept. 9.

“‘The Great Mouthpiece’” (Manhattan’s Bill Fallon, 1920s), Dec. 28, 2001.

“‘Halliburton shares plunge on verdict’” (law-firm whistleblowing), Dec. 10, 2001.

“‘2d Circuit Upholds Sanctions Against Firms for Frivolous Securities Claims’“, July 23, 2001 (more on sanctions: Jul. 30-31, 2002).

“Estate law temptations“, July 6-8, 2001; “Lawyers charged with $4.7 million theft from clients“, April 10, 2000; “Lawyers stealing less, clients say“, Dec. 21, 1999.

“Lost his live client, had to substitute dead one instead“, April 11, 2001; “Turn of the screw” (lawyers alleged to have sued without client consent), Oct. 24, 2000; “Curious feature of lawyer’s retainer” (allowed him to settle case without client consent), Sept. 12, 2000.

“‘It’s time to disarm the hired guns’” (Arianna Huffington), Feb. 28-March 1, 2001; “Trustworthy professionals” (survey of public confidence), Dec. 11-12, 2000.

“Fed prosecutors chafe at state ethics rules“, Oct. 16-17, 2000.

“Lenzner: ‘I think what we do is practice law’” (private investigator in Oracle scandal), July 28-30, 2000.

“Access to something” (lawyer accused of working for Social Security Administration while helping clients sue it), July 13, 2000.

“Ready to handle your legal needs” (Stephen Glass graduates Georgetown Law), May 26-29, 2000.

“Steering the evidence” (DaimlerChrysler gets sanctions against lawyers for evidence and witness tampering), May 23, 2000 (& update June 26).

“‘Ad deal links Coke, lawyer in suit’” (Willie Gary, suing Coca-Cola on behalf of clients, enters into a lucrative ad deal with it), May 11, 2000.

“Splash of reality” (sanctions for frivolous litigation in case of claimed Jackson Pollock painting), May 4, 2000.

“Brockovich story, cont’d: the judges’ cruise“, April 18, 2000; “Brockovich story breaks wide open“, April 17, 2000 (& see Dec. 21).

“Majesty of the law” (Phila. attorney Marvin Barish could face sanctions for allegedly threatening to kill opposing counsel during trial break), March 13, 2000; “Relax, you’re being taken care of” (Barish advances injury client’s rent and expenses), Dec. 14, 1999.

“Legal ethics meet medical ethics” (lawyers advise schizophrenic murder defendant to go off his medication for trial), Feb. 26-27, 2000.

“Secrets of class action defense” (assisting cooperative opponent to draft complaint), Feb. 25, 2000.

“Watchdogs could use watching” (fee-splitting in Florida securities cases), Jan. 20, 2000.

“The costs of disclosure” (lawyer reveals misconduct by client, judge), Jan. 19, 2000; “Pack your toothbrush, son” (Ala. law-firm whistleblower), Dec. 20, 1999.

“Popular CLE course: ‘How to Hammer Allstate’” (insurer charged with unauthorized practice of law), Dec. 22, 1999 (update, April 18, 2000).

“Splitsville, N.Y.” (New York mag on divorce), Dec. 17-19, 1999.

“Victory in Florida” (plaintiffs deliberately run up gunmakers’ costs for leverage), Dec. 14, 1999.

“Weekend reading: evergreens” (St. Petersburg Times Pulitzer series on probate law), Dec. 3-5, 1999; “From the evergreen file: L.A. probate horror” (estate of art collector Fred Weisman), Nov. 20-21; “Weekend reading: evergreens” (Denver probate nightmare), Oct. 23-24, 1999.

“Class action fee control: it’s not just a good idea, it’s the law“, Nov. 30, 1999; “Class action coupon-clippers“, Nov. 15; “$49 million legal fee okayed in case where clients got nothing“, Sept. 28, 1999.

“Accommodating theft“, Nov. 11, 1999.

“Who loves trusts-and-estates lawyers?“, Nov. 8, 1999.

“Criticizing lawyers proves hazardous“, Nov. 4, 1999 (update, Nov. 30); “No spotlight on me, thanks” (Houston’s John O’Quinn), Aug. 4, 1999.

“State of legal ethics” (lawyers take out glossy ad to stir up will-contest litigation), Oct. 5-6, 1999.

“Weekend reading: evergreens” (lawyer-abetted accident fraud), Sept. 25-26, 1999; “Wages of wrongdoing” (Staten Island lawyers convicted), Sept. 8, 1999.

“Join our new Verdict Rewards program” (checks for jurors), Sept. 13, 1999 (updates, Sept. 17-19, 1999 and Aug. 4-7, 2000).

“Cook County law bills a secret“, Sept. 11-12, 1999.

“My lawyer is an impostor“, Sept. 3, 1999.

“ABA thinks it can discourage ‘pay-for-play’“, Aug. 11, 1999 (& Aug. 14-15 update).

“Like calling the Orkin man to talk about bugs” (ABA convention), Aug. 10, 1999; “Weekend reading” (ABA choice of speakers), Aug. 28-29, 1999.

“No need for speed“, Aug. 3, 1999.

“Weekend reading” (at execution sale, law firm buys up client’s right to sue it for malpractice), July 31-Aug. 1, 1999.

“Honey, you’ve got mail” (solicitations from divorce lawyers arrive before unsuspecting spouses know they’re being divorced), July 15, 1999.

Articles by Overlawyered.com editor Walter Olson:

“Thanks for the memories” (coaching of witnesses), June 1998 (& subsequent letters exchange with William Hodes)

“Tobacco Analysts Meet the Plaintiff’s Lawyers” (abuse of pretrial discovery), Wall Street Journal, August 30, 1995.

“Juries on Trial“, review of The Jury by Stephen J. Adler and We the Jury by Jeffrey Abramson, Reason, February 1995.

“Sue City: The Case Against the Contingency Fee“, excerpt from The Litigation Explosion, Policy Review, Winter 1991 [in two parts] [part one] [part two]

“Dentists, Bartenders, and Lawyer Unpopularity“, Manhattan Institute Civil Justice Memo #37, April 1999.

“Lawyers with Stethoscopes: Clients Beware“, Manhattan Institute Civil Justice Memo #26, June 1996.

“Taming the Litigators: Why Not More Disclosure?“, Manhattan Institute Civil Justice Memo #24, February 1996.

Codes of ethics:

ABA Center for Professional Responsibility
Overview — Rules of Lawyer Conduct
U.S. Judges Code of Conduct
California Rules of Professional Conduct
D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct

Some online articles of interest:

James McCauley, “The Ethics of Making Legal Services Affordable…” (Virginia bar; discusses unauthorized practice, pro se litigation)

Rep. Chris Cox, Testimony on tobacco settlement (1997)

Lawrence Schonbrun, “Class Actions: The New Ethical Frontier” (Manhattan Institute, 1996)

Filed under: Allstate, asbestos, Canada, Chrysler, Coca-Cola, contingent fee, Denver, divorce, ethics, fen-phen, Fred Baron, Geoffrey Fieger, Houston, John O'Quinn, libel slander and defamation, Louisiana, Manhattan Institute, New Hampshire, pro se, The Litigation Explosion, tobacco, tobacco settlement, Washington state, Willie Gary

Archived politics items, pre-July 2003

“A tangled Mississippi web“, Jun. 16-17, 2003; “Mississippi investigation heats up“, May 7, 2003; “‘High court judge had use of condo owned by group that includes trial lawyer’“, Oct. 11-13, 2002; “Rumblings in Mississippi“, Oct. 9-10, 2002.

Sen. Edwards, 2003: “More on Edwards’ law-firm donations“, May 8; “Edwards leads in fund raising“, Apr. 7-8; “‘Edwards doesn’t tell whole story’“, Mar. 4 (& letter to the editor, Mar. 31). 2002: “‘Bush urges malpractice damage limits’“, Jul. 29; “‘Edwards’ fund raising a strong suit’“, Jul. 18 (& Sept. 3-4); “‘The trials of John Edwards’“, May 20-21; “What big teeth you have, Sen. Edwards“, May 1-2; “Trial lawyer smackdown!”, Feb. 20-21. 2001: “Trial lawyer president?“, Mar. 9-11. 2000: The Veep that got away”, Aug. 15.

Politicians’ ATM, 2003: “‘Lawyers find gold mine in Phila. pension cases’“, Mar. 21-23; “ATLA’s hidden influence“, Jan. 21-22. 2002: “Some election results“, Nov. 7; “Campaign roundup“, Nov. 4-5; “Pa. statehouse race: either way, Big Law wins“, Oct. 24; “Trial lawyers and politics: Michigan, Texas“, Oct. 9-10; “Last-minute friends in Texas politics“, Jul. 22-23; “Trial lawyer smackdown!” (Scruggs vs. Sen. Edwards), Feb. 20-21. 2001: “Third Circuit cuts class action fees“, Sept. 25-26; “‘Trial lawyers derail Maryland small claims reform’” (Gov. Parris Glendening), July 25; “Villaraigosa and the litigation lobby” (Calif. assembly speaker), June 18; “Ness monster sighted in Narragansett Bay” (Rhode Island contributions by Ness Motley), June 7; “‘Nursing homes a gold mine for lawyers’” (Fla. lawyer said he probably gave $1 million to politicians last election cycle), Mar. 13-14; “‘Angelos made rare donation to GOP’” (Sen. Hatch’s campaign), Feb. 16-19; “Sen. Kennedy flies the trial-lawyer skies“, Jan. 8. 2000: “O’Quinn a top Gore recount angel“, Dec. 15-17; “California’s lucrative smog refunds” (Lerach and Gov. Gray Davis), Dec. 5; “Friend to the famous” (Williams Bailey), Oct. 12; “‘Money to burn’” (Ness Motley), Oct. 6-9; “I know [you] will give $100K when the president vetoes tort reform, but we really need it now“, Sept. 14, 2000 (& more coverage: Sept. 15-17, Sept. 19); “Clinton’s trial-lawyer speech, cont’d“, Aug. 1; “Trial lawyers give $500,000 as legislation heads to Senate floor“, Jun. 14-15; “Texas tobacco fees” (recycling into party politics), May 22; “Gore among friendly crowd (again)“, April 12; “Al Gore among friendly crowd“, Mar. 30; “‘Trial Lawyers Pour Money Into Democrats’ Chests“, Mar. 24-26; “Bill Clinton among friendly crowd“, Feb. 14; “‘Tracking the trial lawyers’: a contributions database“, Jan. 21-23 (& Sept. 25-26). 1999: “Hurry with those checks“, Dec. 1; “Give, and receive“, Sept. 25-26.

Judicial elections, 2002: “Some election results“, Nov. 7; “Campaign roundup“, Nov. 4-5; “Mudslinging in Ohio high court races“, Nov. 1-3 (& Nov. 4-5); “Ohio’s high-stakes court race“, Oct. 16-17; “Judicial selection, the Gotham way“, Oct. 15; “Rumblings in Mississippi“, Oct. 9-10. 2001: “Don’t try rating our judges, or else” (Phila.), Oct. 24-25; “‘Philadelphia judicial elections still linked to cash’“, Oct. 12-14; “‘Reflections of a Survivor of State Judicial Election Warfare’” (Justice Robert Young, Mich.), July 3-4. 2000: “More election results” (Mich., Ohio), Nov. 9; “Michigan high court races” (and earlier coverage Aug. 23-25, May 15, May 9, Jan. 31, 2000; Aug. 6, 1999); “Just had to donate” (Mississippi), Nov. 3-5; “Ohio high court races“, Oct. 30 (and earlier coverage Aug. 18, Aug. 6, 1999); “Campaign consultants for judges“, Aug. 28.

Lobbying clout: “Florida: ‘New clout of trial lawyers unnerves legislators’“, Mar. 20, 2003; “Let’s go to the tape” (ATLA lobbies Sen. Grams), Apr. 27, 2000; “House passes liability reforms“, Feb. 24, 2000; “Sixth most powerful” (Only sixth? Trial lawyers among Washington lobbies), Dec. 10, 1999; “Calif. state bar improperly spent dues on politicking“, Aug. 25, 1999.

RN, 2003: “‘Public deceit protects lawsuit abuse’“, Mar. 15-16; “ATLA’s hidden influence“, Jan. 21-22. 2002: “Nader credibility watch” (calls fast-food restaurants “weapons of mass destruction”), May 24-26. 2001: “Channeling Chomsky” (Trade Center attacks), Oct. 22 (& Oct. 1); “Trial lawyers (some of them) yank Nader funding“, Feb. 16-19. 2000: “Election special: Nader non grata“, Nov. 10-12; “Coercive capitalism?“, Nov. 6; “Election roundup” (Nader “dashboard saint” to trial lawyers), Oct. 23; “RN’s illusions“, Sept. 22-24; “Bush-Lieberman vs. Gore-Nader?“, Aug. 14; “Nader cartoon of the year“, Jul. 31; “Nader, controversial at last“, Jun. 13.

“Friends in high places, cont’d” (Kansas governor), May 5, 2003.

“Politico’s law associate suspended over ‘runner’ use” (Louisiana), Feb. 14-16, 2003.

“Trial lawyer’s purchase of Alabama governor’s house said to be ‘arm’s-length’“, Jan. 7-8, 2003.

“Friends in high places, cont’d“, May 5, 2003; “Gotham’s trial lawyer-legislators“, Dec. 13-15, 2002; “Trial lawyers’ clout in Albany“, Oct. 4, 2000.

Lawyers as candidates: “To tame Madison County, pass the Class Action Fairness Act” (Ill. Senate seat), Jun. 12-15, 2003; “Some election results“, Nov. 7, 2002; “Campaign roundup“, Nov. 4-5; “‘Wealthy candidates give Democrats hope’“, Oct. 11-13, 2002; “Trial lawyer candidates“, Jul. 6, 2000 (& update Sept. 15-17: Ciresi defeated in primary bid); “Tort fortune fuels $3M primary win” (House race in W.V.), May 11, 2000 (& updates Oct. 23, Nov. 9 (lawyer defeated); “‘Lawyer’ label hurts at polls“, Dec. 8, 1999.

“‘Morales’ $1 Million Tobacco Fee Under Fire’” (Texas), Jul. 15, 2002; “Texas tobacco fees: Cornyn’s battle“, Sept. 1-3 (& May 22, 2000, June 21, 2001, Aug. 29-30, 2001, Nov. 12, 2001).

Congress, 2003: “To tame Madison County, pass the Class Action Fairness Act” (Ill. Senate seat), Jun. 12-15. 2002: “Some election results“, Nov. 7; “Campaign roundup“, Nov. 4-5; “Durbin’s electability“, Apr. 25. 2001: “‘Angelos made rare donation to GOP’” (Hatch), Feb. 16-19; “Philadelphia juries pummel doctors” (Sen. Arlen Specter), Jan. 24-25; “Sen. Kennedy flies the trial-lawyer skies“, Jan. 8. 2000: “Litigation reform: what a Democratic Congress would mean” (comments of Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.)), Nov. 7; “Friend to the famous” (Williams Bailey), Oct. 12; “Owens Corning bankrupt” (House Judiciary Democrats), Oct. 6-9; “Veeps ATLA could love” (Durbin, D-Ill., and Cohen, R-Me.); “Trial lawyers give $500,000 as legislation heads to Senate floor“, June 14-15.

Pres. & Sen. Clinton, 2001: “Humiliation by litigators as turning point in Clinton affair“, May 24; “Push him into a bedroom, hand him a script” (Bill’s testimonial for tobacco lawyers), March 9-11. 2000: “Friend to the famous” (Williams Bailey & HRC), Oct. 12; “I know [you] will give $100K when the president vetoes tort reform, but we really need it now“, Sept. 14, 2000 (& more coverage: Sept. 15-17, Sept. 19); “Clinton’s trial-lawyer speech, cont’d“, Aug. 1 (& “a footnote”, Aug. 2); “Clinton’s date with ATLA“, Jul. 31; “Bill Clinton among friendly crowd“, Feb. 14. 1999: “Gun litigation: a helpful in-law” (Hugh Rodham surfaces as middleman in gun cases), Oct. 25; and see 2000 campaign.

State attorneys general, 2002: “Some election results“, Nov. 7; “Campaign roundup“, Nov. 4-5; “Spitzer riding high” (N.Y.), Jun. 17-18; “Microsoft case and AG contributions“, Apr. 3-4; “Like father, like daughter?” (Lisa Madigan, Ill.), Jan. 7-8. 2001: “Vast new surveillance powers for state AGs?” (“biggest showboaters in American politics”), Sept. 25-26. 2000: “Ness Motley’s aide-Gregoire, July 17; “Rewarded with the bench” (Connecticut AG Blumenthal), June 12. 1999: “Illinois tobacco fees“, Oct. 16-17; “My dear old tobacco-fee friends” (Kansas attorney general picks her old law firm for lucrative contract suing tobacco firms), Oct. 11; and see state tobacco fees.

“Judicializing politics (cont’d)“, Jun. 19-20, 2002; “Unlikely critic of litigation” (Larry Klayman, Judicial Watch), Apr. 16-17, 2002.

“‘”Little” done for firm, Rendell says’” (law firms provide no-show jobs for politicians), May 9, 2002.

“Texas trial lawyers back GOP PAC“, Mar. 12, 2002.

“Third Circuit cuts class action fees“, Sept. 25-26, 2001; “ABA thinks it can discourage pay-to-play“, Aug. 11, 1999.

“Update: Alabama high court reverses convction in campaign-tactics case“, Jul. 7, 2001; “Update: Alabama campaign-tactics case“, Aug. 31, 2000; “‘Bama bucks“, Nov. 16, 1999; “Alabama story goes national“, Sept. 1; “Playing rough in Alabama“, Aug. 26, 1999.

“Chapman, Broder, Kinsley on patients’ rights” (Kinsley: “pretty true” that Democratic Party in lawyers’ pocket), Jun. 28.

“‘Lender hit with $71M verdict’” (Mississippi legislators), Jun. 15-17, 2001.

“‘The last tycoon’” (Peter Angelos), April 12, 2001; “Czar of Annapolis, and buddy of Fidel“, Dec. 9, 1999; “Maryland’s kingmaker“, Oct. 19, 1999.

“Trial lawyer heads Family Research Council“, Mar. 2-4, 2001.

Archived entries on the 2000 presidential race and recount can be found here.

“Monitor vote fraud, get sued for ‘intimidation’“, Oct. 24, 2000.

“New page on Overlawyered.com: trial lawyers and politics” (this page launched), Jul. 28-30, 2000.

“Lenzner: ‘I think what we do is practice law’” (private investigator’s tactics), Jul. 28-30, 2000.

“Trial lawyers’ political clout“, May 8, 2000.

“Progressives’ betrayal” (Jonathan Rauch), Apr. 4, 2000; “Trial lawyers on trial” (Reader’s Digest), Dec. 23-26, 1999; “The reign of the tort kings“, Oct. 26; “Arbitrary confiscation, from Pskov to Pascagoula” (Michael Barone), Jul. 24, 1999.

“Pro-litigation measures on California ballot“, March 6, 2000 (update Mar. 8: measures defeated).

“From the Spin-To-English Guide” (“access to justice” rhetoric), Oct. 25, 1999.

Filed under: Alabama, Arlen Specter, attorneys general, Bill Lerach, Connecticut, Dickie Scruggs, Eliot Spitzer, governors, Illinois, John Edwards, Larry Klayman, Louisiana, Madison County, Maryland, Michael Ciresi, Michigan, Mississippi, nursing home, Ohio, Philadelphia, politics, Rhode Island, tobacco

Archived 2000 presidential election coverage

Recount battles, 2002: “Campaign roundup“, Nov. 4-5. 2000: “O’Quinn a top Gore recount angel“, Dec. 15-17 (& letters, Dec. 20); “Supreme Court: forget that recount“, Dec. 13-14; “What was the Florida court thinking?” (Boies-submitted affidavit), Dec. 11-12; “Florida lawyers’ day jobs, cont’d“, Dec. 11-12; “Florida’s legal talent, before the Chad War“, Dec. 8-10; “Welcome Mother Jones readers“, Nov. 30; “Follow instructions, please“, Nov. 27; “Votes only lawyers can see“, Nov. 26; “Gore lawyers mishandled Illinois precedent“, Nov. 24-26; “Gore’s point man argued against dimples in 1996“, Nov. 22-23; “Descent into the lawyerclysm” (parody), Nov. 22-23; “The O.J. trial of politics“, Nov. 21; “Flow control“, Nov. 20; “Punch-outs, Florida style“, Nov. 17-19; “Palm Beach County ‘under control’“, Nov. 16; “Foreign press on election mess“, Nov. 15; “Election hangs by a chad“, Nov. 13; “Elections special: litigating our way into a constitutional crisis?“, Nov. 10-12; “Lawyers descend on Florida“, Nov. 9.

White House 2000, campaign: “Mickey Kaus on constitutional activism“, Nov. 10-12; “Election roundup“, Oct. 23; “George W. Bush on lawsuit reform“, Oct. 16-17; “Presidential debate“, Oct. 4; “I know [you] will give $100K when the president vetoes tort reform, but we really need it now“, Sept. 14, 2000 (& more coverage of call-sheet affair: Sept. 15-17, Sept. 19, Sept. 27-28); “The Veep that got away” (Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C.), Aug. 15; “Bush-Lieberman vs. Gore-Nader?“, Aug. 14; “Litigation reform: the Texas experience“, Aug. 11-13; “Senator Lieberman: a sampler“, Aug. 8-9; GOP convention coverage (Aug. 4-7, Aug. 3); “CSE event in Philly” (“Sharkman”), Aug. 3; “Clinton’s trial-lawyer speech, cont’d“, Aug. 1 (& “a footnote”, Aug. 2); “Clinton’s date with ATLA“, Jul. 31; “No diaries for Cheney“, Jul. 31; “Veeps ATLA could love“, July 7-9; “Not with our lives you don’t” (gun suits as campaign issue), May 9; “Gore among friendly crowd (again)“, April 12; “Emerging campaign issue: ‘brownfields’ vs. Superfund lawyers“, Apr. 4; “Al Gore among friendly crowd“, Mar. 30; “Bush unveils legal reform plan“, Feb. 18; “Bill Clinton among friendly crowd“, Feb. 14; “GQ on Gov. Bush, Karl Rove and litigation reform“, Jan. 7; and see Ralph Nader coverage.

“Monitor vote fraud, get sued for ‘intimidation’“, Oct. 24, 2000.

Filed under: Illinois, John Edwards, politics, Ralph Nader, Superfund

Archived loser-pays items, pre-July 2003

“Texas’s giant legal reform” (offer-of-settlement variant), Jun. 18-19, 2003.

“Blog-appreciated” (Larry Sullivan, Delaware Law Office), Jan. 17-19, 2003.

“Lawyers fret about bad image” (Catherine Crier), Oct. 3, 2002; “Welcome Boortz.com listeners” (broadcaster Neal Boortz endorses), Mar. 1, 2002; “Election roundup” (New York Press’s Russ Smith: “simple solution”, Oct. 23, 2000; “Oh, to be in England” (comedian Dennis Miller praises fee shifting on ABC’s “Politically Incorrect”), Jun. 19, 2000; “Loser-pays endorsed by Martina” (tennis great Navratilova), Jul. 12, 1999.

“‘Patient pays price for suing over cold’” (U.K.), Sept. 20-22, 2002; Texas doctors’ work stoppage” (insurance for M.D.s to countersue), Apr. 11, 2002; “‘Valley doctors caught in “lawsuit war zone”‘“, May 3, 2001.

Sanctions, counterclaims, 2001: “Lawyers’ immunity confirmed“, Nov. 15; “‘Attorney
Ordered To Pay Fees for “Rambo” Tactics’“, Oct. 5-7. 2000: “Don’t meet with her alone” (malicious prosecution counterclaim in harassment case), Nov. 1; “Update” (instructor who sued “course critique” site agrees to pay fees), Oct. 10; “Judge tells EEOC to pay employer’s fees“, Oct. 5; “Denny’s fights back against false suits“, Sept. 29-Oct. 1; “The doctor strikes back” (neurosurgeon countersues), Jun. 14-15; “Scorched-earth divorce tactics? Pay up” (Mass. decisions), Jan. 31. 1999: “Even the chance of loser-pays helps keep ’em honest” (costs levied against pilots’ union), Aug. 12.

Letters to the editor: Apr. 16, May 18, Jul. 6, Aug. 1, 2001.

“‘The love children of Flight 261’“, Apr. 10, 2001.

“Securities law: time for loser-pays“, Mar. 2-4, 2001.

“Loser-pays activism” (John Kasich’s New Century Project), Nov. 8, 2000.

“Losers should pay” (columnist Thomas Sowell; environmental injunctions and bonding requirements), Aug. 4-7, 2000.

“Costs of veggie-libel laws” (Oprah Winfrey sued: “the more she wins, the more she loses”), March 20, 2000.

“Bush unveils legal reform plan” (includes offer-of-settlement fee shift idea), Feb. 18, 2000.

“‘Trial lawyers on trial’” (Trevor Armbrister, Readers’ Digest), Dec. 23-26, 1999.

“News flash: Bill Clinton endorses loser-pays!” (at least for himself), Dec. 20, 1999.

“Victory in Florida” (lawyers in gun suits use infliction of legal costs as tactic), Dec. 14, 1999.

“Marbled Murrelet v. Babbitt: heads I win, tails let’s call it even” (environmentalists benefit from “one-way” fee shifts), Sept. 8, 1999 (& see National Law Journal, Dec. 14, 1999).

——————————————————————————–

The essay on loser-pays formerly attached to this archive listing has been moved here.

Filed under: Delaware, divorce, libel slander and defamation, loser pays

Archived food and beverage posts, pre-July 2003

Archived entries before July 2003 can also be found here (food) and here (beverages).

Food, 2003: “Give me my million“, Jun. 20-22; “Lawsuit’s demand: stop selling Oreos to kids“, May 13 (& update May 16-18: suit dropped); “Fast-food opinion roundup“, Mar. 25-30; “They’ll be back for seconds“, Feb. 19; “Claim: marriage impaired by tough bagel“, Feb. 3; “Judge tosses McDonald’s obesity case“, Jan. 23 (& Jan. 27-28); “U.K.: coercive campaign to constrain Cadbury“, Jan. 20; “Anti-diet activist hopes to sue Weight Watchers“, Jan. 13-14.

2002: “California’s hazardous holiday” (acrylamide), Dec. 27-29; “Scourge of the Super-Size order“, Nov. 7; “WHO demands pretzel de-salting by law“, Nov. 1-3; Letter to the editor, Oct. 23; “Personal responsibility roundup“, Sept. 12; “Fat suits, cont’d“, Jul. 26-28; “‘Ailing man sues fast-food firms’“, Jul. 25; “Sin-suit city“, Jun. 10; “McArdle on food as next-tobacco“, May 27 (& Jun. 3-4); “Nader credibility watch” (calls fast-food restaurants “weapons of mass destruction”), May 24-26; “The mystery of the transgenic corn“, May 14-15; “‘Targeting “big food”‘“, Apr. 29-30; “‘Woman sues snack food company for spoiling diet’“, Apr. 23-24; “No more restaurant doggie bags“, Mar. 20-21; “Fast-food roundup“, Mar. 11; “King Cake figurine menace averted“, Feb. 1-3; “McMouse story looking dubious“, Jan. 25-27; “Life imitates parody: ‘Whose Fault Is Fat?‘”, Jan. 23-24. “‘Hot-dog choking prompts lawsuit’“, Jan. 2-3.

2001: “There’ll always be a California” (chocolate and Prop 65), Dec. 4; Letter to the editor (Wisc. exempts lutefisk from toxic-substance status), Nov. 29; “Disposable turkey pan litigation“, Nov. 23-25; “‘Diabetic German judge sues Coca-Cola for his health condition’” (candy bars too), Nov. 18; “‘Baskin-Robbins lawsuit puts family in dis-flavor’“, Aug. 2; “‘Couple sues over flaming Pop-Tart’“, July 30; “Feeling queasy?” (E. coli), July 27-29; “‘Man sues Rite Aid over stale jelly bean’“, July 20-22; “By reader acclaim: ‘Vegetarian sues McDonald’s over meaty fries“, May 4-6; “Woman settles hot pickle suit with McDonald’s“, April 16 (& Oct. 10, 2000); “Putting the ‘special’ in special sauce” (alleged rat in Big Mac), March 29.

2000: “You deserve a beak today” (McDonald’s chicken case), Dec. 6.

1999: “Are they kidding, or not-kidding?” (proposal for suits against makers of fattening foods), Nov. 15; “Toffee maker sued for tooth irritation“, Nov. 5-7; “More things you can’t have” (unpasteurized cider), Sept. 27; “Not just our imagination” (calls for class actions against fast food, meat industry), Sept. 25-26; “Taco Bell not liable for Ganges purification pilgrimage“, Aug. 30.

Beverages: “Litigation good for the country?” (Carl T. Bogus), Aug. 19, 2002; “British judge rejects hot-drink suits“, Mar. 29-31, 2002 (& Aug. 10, 2000); “‘Diabetic German judge sues Coca-Cola for his health condition’“, Nov. 18, 2001; “‘Group sues Starbucks over tea ingredient’“, Sept. 10; “By reader acclaim” (maker of cup holder), Jan. 11, 2001; “‘Court says warning about hot coffee unnecessary’” (Nevada Supreme Court), July 18, 2000; “Now it’s hot chocolate“, April 4; “Next on the class-action agenda: liquor?“, March 22, 2000; & see Sept. 10, 2001. For burns from hot beverages that were under the control of the complainant, see also personal responsibility page.

Filed under: acrylamide, Coca-Cola, food safety, Germany, hot coffee, obesity, Prop 65, soft drinks, tobacco

Archived disabled rights items, pre-July 2003

Multiple complaints and filing mills, 2003: “Disabled-access suit could stop Super Bowl“, Jan. 7-8. 2002: “‘Disability rights attorney accused of having inaccessible office’” (the one who sued Eastwood), Apr. 25; “Florida’s ADA filing mills grind away“, Mar. 29-31. 2001: “ADA’s busiest complaint-filer“, July 20-22. 2000: “Eastwood trial begins“, Sept. 21 (& Oct. 2: jury declines to award damages); “On the Hill: Clint Eastwood vs. ADA filing mills“, May 18-21; “Mass ADA complaints“, Mar. 7; “Bill introduced to curb opportunistic ADA filings“, Feb. 15 (& Sept. 5, 2001: Sen. Inouye co-sponsors); “Florida ADA complaint binge“, Jan. 26-27.

“Maybe crime pays dept.” (hemorrhoids not a protected disability), Apr. 1, 2003.

Sports, 2003: “Disabled-access suit could stop Super Bowl“, Jan. 7-8. 2001: “By reader acclaim: football’s substance-abuse policy challenged“, Nov. 19-20; “‘A disabling verdict for organized sports’“, June 1-3 (Casey Martin case; & see June 22-24, May 30, 2001; Sept. 29-Oct. 1, April 10, 2000). 2000: “‘NCAA Can Be Sued Under ADA, Federal District Judge Rules’“, Nov. 28; “Wheelchair marathon suit“, Oct. 23. 1999: “Update: ADA youth soccer case“, Nov. 13-14; “After Casey Martin, the deluge“, Nov. 5-7; “ADA protection for boozing student athletes“, Sept. 29.

“‘Court waives deadline as ‘reasonable accommodation’ for disabled litigator’“, Dec. 24-26, 2002.

Website accessibility: “‘Judge: Disabilities act doesn’t cover Web“, Oct. 22, 2002; “Website accessibility law hits the U.K.” (Scotland), May 7, 2001; “Olympics website’s accessibility complaint“, Aug. 16-17, 2000; “Disabled accessibility for campaign websites: the gotcha game“, July 19-20; “Welcome readers” (Intellectual Capital), June 19; “ADA & the web: sounding the alarm“, May 24; “Access excess“, May 2; “ADA & freedom of expression on the Web“, Feb. 10-11; editor’s testimony before House Judiciary Committee, Feb. 9, 2000; “Accessible websites no snap“, Dec. 21, 1999; “AOL sued for failure to accommodate blind users“, Nov. 5, 1999.

“A belt too far“, Oct. 29, 2001; “‘Sorry, Slimbo, you’re in my seats’“, June 7, 2001 (& updates Dec. 15-16, 2001, Oct. 25-27, 2002); “Obese fliers“, Dec. 20, 2000.

Safety, 2002: “Australia: ‘Blind, disabled should be able to fly’“, Sept. 30; “‘St- st – st- st- stop’“, Apr. 22; “Right to yell ‘fire’“, Apr. 5-7; “Entitled to jobs that kill?” (Echabazal v. Chevron), March 1-3 (& Jun. 19-20, 2002, Apr. 22, 2002, Nov. 5, 2001). 2001: “EEOC approves evacuation questions for disabled“, Nov. 16-18; “A belt too far“, Oct. 29; “‘Colorblind Traffic-Light Installer Gets Fired, Sues County’“, June 28. 2000: “Coffee-spill suits meet ADA“, Aug. 10; “Prospect of injury no reason not to hire“, Jul. 5; “Disabled vs. disabled” (strobe alarms pit deaf against epileptic), May 17; “Ability to remain conscious not obligatory for train dispatcher, EEOC says“, March 21; “Warn and be sued“, Jan. 12. 1999: “Indications of turbulence” (pilot’s mental state), Dec. 1; “Death by mainstreaming” (retarded boy’s fatal fall from amusement park ride), Aug. 31 (& Oct. 29, 2001); & see “Kingdom of the One-Eyed,” Reason, Jul. 1998.

“Right to break workplace rules and then return“, Sept. 16-17, 2002; “Soap star: ABC wrote my character out of the show” (“medical leave” for drug rehab), Apr. 10; “Parole board’s consideration of drug history could violate ADA“, Mar. 11, 2002; “ADA requires renting to addiction facility“, Dec. 21, 2000.

Structures: “‘ADA Goes to the Movies’“, Jan. 30, 2003; “‘Disabled entitled to same sight lines in theaters’“, Sept. 5, 2002; “There’ll always be a California” (Santa Monica accessibility law for private homes), Dec. 4, 2001 (& similar ordinances in Ill. and Ariz.: Feb. 6-7, Mar. 6, 2002)(& letter to the editor, Apr. 11); “Crowded drugstores illegal?“, Jun. 29-Jul. 1, 2001 (& letter to the editor, July 6); “Do as we say, cont’d” (Mass.), Mar. 20, 2000; “‘Dune’ as we say” (ADA on Nantucket), Jul. 17-18, 1999.

Testing under siege, 2002: “Hence, loath?asterisk“, Jul. 22-23. 2001: “Update“, Aug. 20-21 (bar exam) (& letters, Oct. 22); “Litigators vs. standardized tests, I: the right to conceal“, Feb. 9-11. 2000: “Court okays suit against ‘flagging’ of test conditions“, May 10; “Disabled test-accommodation roundup“, Feb. 16; “Disabled accommodation in testing“, Jan. 12; “Lawsuits over failing grades” (“exam phobia” claim), Jan. 4. 1999:“Disabled accommodation vs. testing fairness“, Sept. 21, 1999; and see special education.

“Disabled lap dancing just the start“, Jul. 19-21, 2002; “By reader acclaim: quadriplegic sues strip club over wheelchair access“, Jul. 16-17, 2002; “Blind customers want to touch club lapdancers“, Sept. 27-28, 2000.

“Paper currency should accommodate blind, suit argues“, Jul. 15, 2002.

“Supreme Court clarifies ADA“, Jun. 19-20, 2002.

Media, performance accessibility, 2002: “11th Circuit reinstates ‘Millionaire’ lawsuit” (suit against “Millionaire” TV show over telephone-based screening), Jun. 21-23 (& Mar. 24-26, June 12, June 19, Nov. 7, 2000; Nov. 5, 2001). 2001: “‘Panel backs deaf patron’s claim against club’” (interpreter demand at comedy club), Mar. 9-11. 2000: “Seats in all parts” (theaters), Dec. 29, 2000-Jan. 2, 2001; “Movie caption trial begins” (assistive devices aid concert bootleggers), Aug. 1; “Complaint: recreated slave ship not handicap accessible“, Jul. 21-23; “Preferred seating” (theaters), Apr. 25-26; “Newest disabled right: audio TV captioning“, Mar. 22; “‘Deaf group files suit against movie theaters’” (closed captioning demand), Feb. 19-21; “The fine print” (sue Boston Globe for reducing type size?), Feb. 17; and see website accessibility.

“Flowers, perfume in airline cabins not OK?” (Canada), May 17-19, 2002.

“Right to yell ‘fire’“, Apr. 5-7, 2002; “Compulsive grooming as protected disability“, March 16-18, 2001; “More Tourette’s discrimination suits“, March 12, 2001; “A thin-wall problem” (condo owner with Tourette’s vs. association), Aug. 21-22, 2000; “Update: Tourette’s bagger case“, Jul. 26-27, 2000; “Customer offense” (supermarket bagger with Tourette’s), Jun. 9-11, 2000.

“‘O’Connor Criticizes Disabilities Law As Too Vague’“, Mar. 22-24, 2002.

“Inability to get along with co-workers“, Mar. 8-10, 2002.

“Minimum GPA for study abroad said unfair to disabled“, Jan. 9-10, 2002.

“Mass., Ill., NYC tobacco fees” (law firm sued by attorney with cancer), Jan. 2-3, 2002.

“Segway, the super-wheelchair and the FDA“, Dec. 12, 2001.

Special ed: see schools page.

U.K.: “European workplace notes” (harassment of dyslexic), Feb. 25-26, 2002; “Website accessibility law hits the U.K.” (Scotland), May 7, 2001; “Britain’s delicate soldiery” (UK military pressed to put disabled recruits on front lines), Dec. 22-25, 2000 (& Sept. 29-Oct. 1); “European roundup” (British hiring of disabled police), Oct. 16-17; “Blind customers want to touch club lapdancers“, Sept. 27-28; From the U.K.: watch your language” (job bureau restricts use of words like “hardworking”, “enthusiastic”), June 13, 2000.

“Meet the ‘wrongful-birth’ bar“, Aug. 22-23, 2001 (more on wrongful birth/life: Dec. 11, 2001; Nov. 22-23, Sept. 8-10; June 8, May 9, Jan. 8-9, 2000).

“‘Businesses bracing for flood of lawsuits after state court ruling’” (Calif. law may apply retroactively), Aug. 1, 2001.

“N.J. court declares transsexuals protected class“, July 30, 2001.

“Six-hour police standoff no grounds for loss of job, says employee“, May 21, 2001; “‘Killer’s suit alleges job discrimination’“, Jan. 15, 2001; “‘Belligerent’ Worker Is Covered by ADA, Says Federal Court“, Dec. 18-19, 2000; “Accommodating theft” (N.J. lawyer discipline), Nov. 11, 1999; “‘Judge who slept on job faces new allegations’“, Oct. 4, 1999.

“‘2000’s Ten Wackiest Employment Lawsuits’” (reverse-bias claim by worker with no mental disability), April 13-15, 2001.

“Put out that match” (ADA invoked against agricultural burning), Feb. 28-March 1, 2001.

“Anorexia as disability“, Jan. 26-28, 2001.

“Sidewalk toilets nixed again” (Boston), Oct. 5, 2000.

“Disabled rights roundup” (sign interpreters at doctor’s offices), Sept. 29-Oct. 1;

“Welcome Toronto Star readers” (Ontario considers ADA-like law), Sept. 27-28, 2000.

“Movie caption trial begins” (Steve Chapman on ADA anniversary), Aug. 1, 2000; “‘How the ADA handicaps me’” (backfire effect in job interviews; ten year anniversary of ADA), Jul. 28-30; “ADA’s unintended consequences” (workplace losses for disabled), July 11, 2000.

“Penalty for co.’s schedule inflexibility: 30 years’ front pay” (ADA case), June 16-18, 2000; “What ADA was written for“, March 15, 2000.

“From our mail sack: ADA enforcement vignettes“, May 31, 2000. See also letter to editor, December 1, 2000.

“‘ADA’s good intentions have unintended consequences’” (John Elvin, Insight), March 3-5, 2000.

“Latest excuse syndromes“, Jan. 13-14, 2000; “Down repressed-memory lane II: distracted when she signed“, Dec. 29-30, 1999; “Mow’ better ADA claims” (disability exemption from cutting one’s lawn?), July 26, 1999.

“Blind newsdealer charged with selling cigarettes to underage buyer“, Sept. 16, 1999.

“Weekend reading” (“disability studies” in academia), Aug. 21-22, 1999.

“Be sensitive to Fluffy, or else” (obligation to accept emotional-support dog into store), July 9, 1999.

Articles by Overlawyered.com editor Walter Olson:

“Supreme Court Rescues ADA From Its Zealots,” Wall Street Journal, Jun. 18 (online subscribers only).

“Access Excess“, Reason, May 2000.

?Under the ADA, We May All Be Disabled?, ?Rule of Law?, Wall Street Journal, May 17, 1999.

“Standard Accommodations” (rise of universal disability), Reason, Feb. 1999.

“Kingdom of the One-Eyed,” Reason, July 1998.

“Still Crazy” (Casey Martin case; ADA in the courts), Reason, May 1998.

“Disabilities Law Protects Bad Doctors,” New York Times, November 28, 1997.

“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of a good beer,” excerpt from The Excuse Factory, Washington Monthly, September, 1997.

“Time to Get Off the Tenure Track”, New York Times, July 8, 1997.

“Disabling America“, National Review, May 5, 1997.

Other resources:

U.S. Department of Justice ADA home page
U.S. Access Board home page
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regulations (1630: ADA implementation; 1640: coordination of ADA with Section 504; 1641 government contractors).
Text of ADA (Cornell LII)

Online ADA Handbook
NBER: ADA employment effects study (Daron Acemoglu, Joshua Angrist)
Boston Univ.: Pike Institute on Law & Disability
ABA Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law

“Disability Debate” (Reason Online, “Breaking Issues”)
“A good law gone bad” (Trevor Armbrister, Reader’s Digest)
“Handicapping Freedom” (Ed Hudgins, Regulation mag/Cato Institute)
“ADA: Time for Amendments” (Robert O’Quinn, Cato Institute, Aug. 9, 1991)

Filed under: Australia, Chevron, disabled rights, Europe, The Excuse Factory, tobacco, wrongful birth and wrongful life

Archived schools items, pre-July 2003

Grades and honors, 2003: “‘Student sues over top title’” (N.J. valedictorian), May 3-4 (& update May 13: wins case); “Teachers afraid“, Mar. 31; “My lawyer says I’m the valedictorian“, Feb. 18; “‘Student sues to get A+, not A’“, Feb. 10. 2002: “Welcome Salon.com readers, Bill O’Reilly listeners“, Jul. 12-14; “Welcome Fox News viewers/ readers“, Aug. 2-4; “‘Student gets diploma after threatening lawsuit’“, Jun. 13. 2000: “Lawsuits over failing grades“, Jan. 4. 1999: “You shoulda flunked me!” (suit by athlete over too-lenient grading), Dec. 27-28.

“Annals of zero tolerance”, 2002: “Black eye for zero tolerance” (students say they found pills on school grounds), Sept. 30; “Steak knives, finger ‘guns’“, May 16; “‘Positive nicotine test to keep student from prom’” (over-18 student, off-premises consumption), Apr. 26-28 (& update May 10-12: school backs down); “Zero tolerance leaves ’em gasping” (asthma inhalers), Apr. 8-9; “School told to rehire cocaine abuser“, Mar. 20-21; “Goodbye to zero tolerance?“, Jan. 25-27. 2001: “Under the Christmas tree” (toy soldiers), Dec. 21-23; “John Leo on Overlawyered.com“, Aug. 15; “The rest of Justice O’Connor’s speech“, July 6-8 (& letters to the editor, Aug. 1); “Bagpiper prom garb” (skean dubh knife), June 21 (& letter to the editor, July 6); “Drawing pictures of weapons“, May 15; “Zero tolerance spiral” (roundup), April 12; “Non-gun control” (second-graders’ paper gun), March 23-25; “ABA criticizes zero tolerance“, Feb. 21-22; “Pointing chicken finger“, Feb. 2-4; “Fateful fiction“, Jan. 30; “Gun-shaped medallion“, Jan. 18; “‘Boy faces jail for slapping girl’s bottom’“, Jan. 5-7. 2000: “U.K.: skipping, ‘conkers’ taboo in schoolyards“, Dec. 15-17; “School now says hugs not forbidden“, Oct. 4; “Tweety bird chain” (also African tribal knives case), Sept. 29-Oct. 1 (& update Oct. 4); “Kopel on zero-tolerance policies“, Sept. 25-26; “‘NZ kids get ‘license’ to play with toy guns’“, Sept. 8-10; “Ease up on kids” (Salt Lake Tribune), Aug. 4-7; “Annals of zero tolerance” (six-year-old’s “sexual harassment”, finger guns, ABA Journal), May 22; “Kindergartners’ ‘bang, you’re dead’“, April 17; “Don’t play James Bond” (fifth grader’s plastic toy gun), March 28; “Scissors, teacher’s beer“, March 15; “Hug protest in Halifax“, March 2. 1999: “Roundup“, Dec. 27-28; “Weekend reading: columnist-fest” (John Leo), Dec. 11-12; “Scissors, toy-gun cases“, Dec. 8; “The fateful thumb” (gunlike hand gesture), Nov. 20-21; “More nail clippers cases“, Nov. 10; “Cannon shots banned” (yearbook photo posed on artillery), Oct. 30-31 (update Nov. 26-28: school relents); “Zero tolerance strikes again” (knife to cut cake), Oct. 23-24; “Dog searches of junior high lockers” (South Carolina), Oct. 15; “Annals of zero tolerance” (“Billabong” label clothing), Sept. 2 (& Sept. 8 update); “For your own good” (transparent backpacks only), August 4.

Stop having fun, 2003: Letter to the editor, Mar. 31. 2002: “Helmets for roller skaters“, Jun. 7-9; “‘Remove child before folding’” (George Will on playgrounds), Jun. 5; “Overprotecting the kids“, Feb. 18-19. 2001: “Dodge ball on endangered list“, June 13; “By reader acclaim: ‘Clowns told to get custard pie insurance’“, Apr. 9. 2000: “U.K.: skipping, ‘conkers’ taboo in schoolyards“, Dec. 15-17; “Good Humor man busted for ringing bell“, Nov. 6; “‘NZ kids get ‘license’ to play with toy guns’“, Sept. 8-10; “The forbidden cookout“, Jun. 2-4; “Musical chairs disapproved” (game said to encourage violence), May 24; “Dismounted” (horseback program for mentally impaired kids), May 12; “Little League lawsuits“, May 3; “Gray sameness of modern playgrounds“, Apr. 25-26; “Columnist-fest” (Girl Scout horseback riding disclaimer), Apr. 6; “Rise of the high school sleepover disclaimer“, Mar. 22; “Girl puts head under guillotine; sues when hurt“, Mar. 8. 1999: “A lovable liability risk” (principal’s golden retriever), Nov. 18-19; “Seesaws as museum items” (towns sued over playgrounds), Sept. 27; “Spreading to the U.K.” (schools adventure trips, etc.), Aug. 5; “For your own good” (ban on clothing or shoes that might cause students to trip; non-transparent backpacks), Aug. 4. Also see pools and swimming; scary things.

School violence cases, 2002: “Florida school shooting: the deep pockets did it“, Dec. 13-15. 2001: “Put the blame on games“, April 24 (& see March 6, 2002: judge dismisses case). 2000: “‘Just put the candy in the bag, lady’“, Sept. 4; “Principal, school officials sued over Columbine massacre“, Jul. 21-23 (update Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 2001: judge dismisses most counts); “Columnist-fest” (Anne Roiphe), May 2; “Overlawyered schools: three views“, Apr. 21-23; “Judge dismisses case blaming entertainment biz for school shootings” (Paducah case), Apr. 13. 1999: “Descent of the blame counselors“, Nov. 2; “Nominated by reader acclamation” (Klebold parents sue), Oct. 18; “Censorship via (novel) lawsuit“, Jul. 22.

Special ed, disabled rights, 2003: “Letter to the editor“, Jun. 20-22. 2002: “‘Ex-Teach’s Suit: Kids Abused Me’“, Jun. 26-27 (& update Jul. 24); “Minimum GPA for study abroad said unfair to disabled“, Jan. 9-10. 2001: “Connecticut to ‘mainstream’ retarded kids“, Jul. 5 (& letter to the editor, Aug. 1); “Litigators vs. standardized tests, I: the right to conceal“, Feb. 9-11. 2000: “‘NCAA Can Be Sued Under ADA, Federal District Judge Rules’“, Nov. 28; “Back-to-school roundup: granola bars out, Ritalin in“, Aug. 29-30; “Unwanted medical duties” (care of students), June 5; “Overlawyered schools: three views” (school discipline and IDEA, etc.), Apr. 21-23; “Disabled test-accommodation roundup“, Feb. 16; “Disabled accommodation in testing“, Jan. 12. 1999: “After Casey Martin, the deluge” (youth soccer), Nov. 5-7 (updated Nov. 13-14); “Disabled accommodation vs. testing fairness“, Sept. 21; “Death by mainstreaming” (hazards of mentally disabled 12-year-old’s rights), August 31; and see disabled rights generally.

Higher ed, 2003: “MIT sued over student’s nitrous-oxide death“, Feb. 25. 2002: “‘Rocketing liability rates squeeze medical schools’“, May 28-29; “‘Tilting the playing field’” (Title IX), May 14-15; “Law hurts men, women” (Title IX), Jan. 23-24; “Class action on behalf of illegal-alien college students“, Jan. 11-13; “‘Ex-student sentenced for rape lie’” (wants to become attorney), Jan. 11-13 (& see May 26-29, 2000: Stephen Glass graduates Georgetown Law); “Minimum GPA for study abroad said unfair to disabled“, Jan. 9-10. 2001: “University official vs. web anonymity“, Oct. 30; “‘We often turn irresponsibility into legal actions against others’” (Robyn Blumner on U. of South Fla. art student harassment case), Aug. 13-14; “Don’t rock the Coke machine“, Jul. 20-22; “By reader acclaim: student sues law prof over class demonstration“, June 27; “‘Persistent suitor’” (criticism of academic journals’ publisher), Feb. 6. 2000: “Gets no kick from football verdict” (Title IX), Nov. 3 (& Jan. 31, 2001); “Place kicker awarded $2 million“, Oct. 13; “Don’t talk to the humans” (human-subject experimentation rules), Sept. 1-3; “Why you can’t trust letters of recommendation“, Jul. 10; “Degrees of intimidation” (book on “diploma mills”, Apr. 28-30; “Prof sues for right to flunk students” (Univ. of Mich.), Mar. 16; “Mormon actress sues over profanity” (says Univ. of Utah theater dept. insisted she utter foul language in scripts), Jan. 24. 1999: “Link your way to liability?” (prof sues over “course critique” website), Nov. 15; “We didn’t mean those preferences!” (veterans’ preferences unpopular at Berkeley), Nov. 11; and see disabled rights in education.

Sports, 2003: “Schools roundup“, Apr. 9; “Sis-Boom-Sue” (cheerleading), Jan. 15-16. 2002: “‘Father files suit after son fails to make MVP award’” (hockey, New Brunswick), Nov. 8-10; “Tour of the blogs” (Title IX), Sept. 24; “‘Parents suing youth football league’“, Aug. 28; “‘Tilting the playing field’” (Title IX), May 14-15 (& Jan. 23-24); “‘Before you cheer … “Sign here”‘” (cheerleading release forms), Mar. 15-17. 2001: “Federal judge rules high-school sports schedules unlawful“, Dec. 24-27 (& letter to editor, Feb. 28); “‘Father seeks $1.5 million after son misses varsity spot’“, Dec. 13-14; “Letter to the editor” (junior varsity dance team), Sept. 3; “‘Dad sues after girl fails to make cheerleading squad’“, Jun. 4; “Suing the coach“, May 2. 2000: “‘NCAA Can Be Sued Under ADA, Federal District Judge Rules’“, Nov. 28; “‘Opposition to Indian mascots intensifies’“, Nov. 8; “Gets no kick from football verdict” (Title IX), Nov. 3; “Place kicker awarded $2 million“, Oct. 13; “‘Mother sues over lack of ice time for goalie son’“, Sept. 11; “Litigious varsity“, Feb. 8-9. 1999: “Gimme an ‘S’, ‘U’, ‘E’” (suits over failure to make cheerleading squads), Nov. 15; “After Casey Martin, the deluge” (youth soccer), Nov. 5-7 (updated Nov. 13-14); “ADA protection for boozing student athletes“, Sept. 29.

Overlawyered.com commentary:

“Schools roundup“, Apr. 9, 2003.

“Teachers afraid“, Mar. 31, 2003.

“Kids’ art on walls ruled a fire hazard“, Mar. 20, 2003.

“Suit: schoolkids shouldn’t attend rodeo“, Oct. 24, 2002.

“Cutting edge of discrimination law” (Puyallup district, Wash.), Oct. 7-8, 2002.

“Tour of the blogs” (suit vs. statewide tests), Sept. 24, 2002.

“Don’t ban peanut butter from schools“, Aug. 23-25, 2002.

Personnel: “Schools roundup“, Apr. 9, 2003; “Convicted, but still on their teaching jobs“, Jul. 10-11, 2002; “School told to rehire cocaine abuser“, Mar. 20-21, 2002; “Coming soon to a school near you” (applicant with police record OK’d since no convictions), Jan. 17, 2001; “Property taxes triple after wrongful-termination suit“, Dec. 20, 2000; “Reprimand ‘very serious’ for teacher” (had given 11-year-old girl money to buy marijuana), Jun. 27, 2000; “Victim of the century?” (misbehaving principal collects disability benefits for sexual compulsion), Jun. 2-4, 2000; “You were negligent to hire me” (undisclosed rape-related conviction), May 30, 2000.

“‘Suits Against Schools Explore New Turf’“, Jun. 19-20, 2002.

“Folk medicine meets child abuse reporting” (“coining” of children’s skin), May 31-June 2, 2002.

“Letter to the editor” (sending kids home with slight sniffle), Apr. 11, 2002.

“‘Before you cheer … “Sign here”‘“, Mar. 15-17, 2002.

“Education reforms could serve as basis for new suits“, Mar. 13-14, 2002.

“Jail for schoolyard taunts?“, Feb. 27-28, 2002.

“‘Hot-dog choking prompts lawsuit’“, Jan. 2-3, 2002.

“Australia: student wins millions over corporal punishment“, Feb. 20, 2001 (& update Dec. 15-16); “Bankrupting Canadian churches?” (Indian residential schools), Aug. 23-24, 2000.

“Overlawyered schools roundup“, Dec. 7-9, 2001.

“Educational privacy gone to extremes“, June 27, 2001 (& Nov. 28, Dec. 7-9).

“‘School sued over poor results’” (U.K.), Nov. 23-25, 2001.

“From the paint wars: a business’s demise, a school district’s hypocrisy“, Nov. 13, 2001.

“‘Teen sex offenders face years of stigma’“, Nov. 5, 2001.

“‘Never far from school halls: the lawsuit’“, Oct. 10-11, 2001; “Election roundup” (Bush proposal to protect educators from lawsuits), Oct. 23, 2000; “Overlawyered classrooms” (survey of school administrators finds fear of litigation), Sept. 11-12, 1999.

“School email pranksters to Leavenworth?” (antihacking proposal), Aug. 10-12, 2001.

“‘Airline restricts children flying alone’“, Aug. 6, 2001.

“‘Dead teen’s family sues Take Our Kids To Work’“, May 31, 2001.

“Anonymity takes a D.C. hit” (bill to ban anonymous email, browsing in schools, libraries), May 21, 2001.

“‘Iowa Supreme Court says counselors liable for bad advice’“, April 27-29, 2001.

“‘Teacher sues parent over handshake’“, March 26, 2001.

“No more Indian team names?“, March 15, 2001.

“Appeals panel: schools’ harassment rule unconstitutional“, Feb. 27, 2001; “Weekend reading” (Title IX and “student-on-student” harassment), August 21-22, 1999.

“Forbidden paint zone” (New York City’s 10-foot rule), Feb. 27, 2001.

“U.K.’s school bullying suits“, Feb. 14-15, 2001.

“Behind ‘Boston Public’“, Nov. 21, 2000.

“‘Internet Usage Records Accessible Under FOI Laws’“, Nov. 14, 2000.

“School suspends girl for casting spell“, Nov. 1, 2000.

“Back-to-school roundup: granola bars out, Ritalin in” (allergies), Aug. 29-30, 2000; “Multiple chemical sensitivity from school construction“, Jul. 3-4; “Scented hair gel, deodorant could mean jail time for Canadian youth“, Apr. 24, 2000.

“Letourneau scandal: now where’s my million?” (boy sues), Apr. 20, 2000.

“School safety hysteria, internalized” (program encourages students to inform anonymously on depressed or angry classmates), Apr. 7-9, 2000; “Overlawyered schools: three views” (update), Apr. 21-23, 2000.

“$60,000 battle over $5 t-shirt” (dress code, heavy-metal t-shirt), Apr. 19, 2000 (update, Aug. 29-30: case settled).

“Welcome, Yahoo and About.com visitors” (this page listed), Jan. 11, 2000.

“Got milk? Get sued” (veggie lawsuit against milk in schools), Dec. 16, 1999.

Teachers sue students: “Back-to-school roundup: granola bars out, Ritalin in“, Aug. 29-30, 2000; “Drastic remedy for unruly classrooms“, Sept. 28, 1999.

“Teach but don’t touch” (educators, camp counselors afraid of physical contact with kids), Sept. 15, 1999.

“Blackboard jungle” (Ann Arbor substitute teacher back-pay case), Sept. 14, 1999 (& letter to the editor, Jun. 20-22.).

“Undislodgeable educators” (tenure plus employment law), Aug. 18, 1999.

Other online articles of interest:

Wendy M. Williams and Stephen J. Ceci, “Accommodating Learning Disabilities Can Bestow Unfair Advantages“, Chronicle of Higher Education, Aug. 6, 1999.

Articles by Overlawyered.com editor Walter Olson:

“Title IX’s Invisible Ink” (“student-on-student” harassment), Reason, August/Sept. 1999.

“Standard Accommodations” (special ed expands toward infinity), Reason, February 1999.

“Title IX from Outer Space: How federal law is killing men’s college sports“, Reason, February 1998.

“Opposing View: Meddlers Won’t Quit” (EEOC guidelines on college athletic coaches’ pay), USA Today, November 17, 1997.

“Say What?” (“accent discrimination”; Westfield, Mass. school case), Reason, November 1997.

“The Law on Trial“, Wall Street Journal, October 14, 1997 (review of Beyond all Reason by Daniel Farber and Suzanna Sherry).

“Time to Get Off the Tenure Track“, The New York Times, July 8, 1997.

“Shut Up, They Explained” (zero-tolerance harassment policies), Reason, June 1997.

“Have You Used a Kid Today As a Political Pawn?“, Chicago Tribune, November 14, 1996.

“A Connecticut Yankee in Court” (Sheff v. O’Neill decision), City Journal, Autumn 1996.

“Kidlib and Mrs. Clinton: The Hand that Rocks the Cradle,? National Review, May 11, 1992.

“Breaking Ranks“, review of Reflections of an Affirmative Action Baby by Stephen Carter, National Review, October 7, 1991.

Filed under: Australia, Canada, Connecticut, deep pocket, Iowa, Little League, schools, South Carolina, swimming, teacher tenure, Title IX, Utah, zero tolerance

Archived asbestos items, pre-July 2003

Archived entries before July 2003 can also be found here.

2003: “To tame Madison County, pass the Class Action Fairness Act” ($250 million against U.S. Steel), Jun. 12-15; “‘Runaway asbestos litigation — why it’s a medical problem’“, Mar. 18; “Class action lawyer takes $20 million from defendant’s side“, Mar. 15-16; “ABA endorses asbestos litigation reform“, Feb. 13; “Asbestos: ‘better than the lottery’“, Feb. 10. 2002: “‘Asbestos fraud’” (Robert Samuelson column), Dec. 18-19; “Gotham’s trial lawyer-legislators” (Sheldon Silver, Weitz & Luxenberg”, Dec. 13-15; “Asbestos opinions“, Nov. 8-10; “Notation on Scruggs’ court file: to be ‘kept away from the press’“, Nov. 6; “‘Federal authorities say judge offered illegal payoff’“, Sept. 3-4; “Saving the Crown jewels?“, Jun. 26-27; “‘The Tort Mess’” (Forbes, etc.), May 13; “Editorial-fest” (Time), Mar. 11; “‘The $200 Billion Miscarriage of Justice’” (Roger Parloff, Fortune), Feb. 18-19; “Kaiser Aluminum bankrupt“, Feb. 15-17. 2001: “‘Firms Hit Hard As Asbestos Claims Rise’“, Dec. 20; “‘Halliburton shares plunge on verdict’“, Dec. 10; “Insurance market was in tailspin before 9/11“, Nov. 14; “How many lives would asbestos have saved?” (WCT), Sept. 17 (& Sept. 18, Sept. 25-26); “Warren Buffett was wrong” (USG, Crown Cork & Seal), June 27; “Columnist-fest“, June 22-24 (Amity Shlaes on tobacco synergy case); “Randomness of case assignments questioned” (S.F.), April 18; “Reparations: take a number“, Apr. 17 (& see Olson, Reason, Nov. 2000); “‘The last tycoon’” (Angelos), April 12; “Asbestos claims bankrupt W. R. Grace“, April 3-4; “GAF sues asbestos lawyers“, Feb. 12-13 (& see Dec. 10); “CBS among asbestos litigation targets“, Jan. 22-23. 2000: “Asbestos litigation destroying more companies“, Nov. 27 (& Dec. 8-10: Armstrong World Industries bankrupt); “Owens Corning bankrupt“, Oct. 6-9; “Somebody to sue” (misc. defendants), Jun. 1. See also Walter Olson, “Thanks for the memories“, Reason, June 1998.

More links:
Asbestos FAQ (Okla. DOL); Coalition for Asbestos Resolution (articles, edits); AsbestosLitigation.com; Asbestos Institute (Canada); British Asbestos Newsletter; “Asbestos Litigation 101” (attorney David Shaw).

Filed under: asbestos, Dickie Scruggs, Madison County, product liability, reparations, Sheldon Silver, tobacco

Archived medical items, pre-July 2003

“Texas’s giant legal reform“, Jun. 18-19, 2003.

Malpractice suit crisis, 2003: “Letter to the editor“, Jun. 20-22; “Docs leaving their hometowns“, Jun. 12-15; “Juggling the stats“, Jun. 4-5; “Malpractice studies“, May 12; “Public Citizen’s bogus numbers“, Apr. 10-13; “Malpractice crisis hits sports-team docs” (& general roundup), Apr. 7-8; “Would you go into medicine again?“, Mar. 18; “‘Public deceit protects lawsuit abuse’“, Mar. 15-16; “One solution to the malpractice crunch“, Feb. 19; “Feinstein set to back Bush malpractice plan“, Feb. 12; “State of the Union“, Jan. 29; “Malpractice-cost trends“, Jan. 24-26; “ATLA’s hidden influence“, Jan. 21-22; “Playing chicken on malpractice reform“, Jan. 9; “‘Doctors strike over malpractice costs’” (W.Va., Pa.), Jan. 3-6. 2002: “Campaign roundup“, Nov. 4-5; “Pennsylvania House votes to curb venue-shopping“, Oct. 11-13; “Rumblings in Mississippi“, Oct. 9-10 (& Sept. 9-10); “Let ’em become CPAs“, Oct. 7-8; “Tour of the blogs“, Sept. 24; “You mean I’m suing that nice doctor?“, Aug. 1; “‘Bush urges malpractice damage limits’“, Jul. 29; “‘Trauma center reopens doors’“, Jul. 18; “Malpractice crisis latest” (Pa., Tex.), Jun. 11-12; “Sick in Mississippi? Keep driving“, Jun. 3-4 (& Apr. 5-7); “‘Rocketing liability rates squeeze medical schools’“, May 28-29; “‘The trials of John Edwards’“, May 20-21; “Ob/gyns warn of withdrawal“, May 17-19; “‘The Tort Mess’” (Forbes, etc.), May 13; “Texas doctors’ work stoppage“, Apr. 11 (& Mar. 15-17); “No more ANZAC Day marches?” (Australia), Apr. 1-2; “Scenes from a malpractice crisis“, Mar. 5; “Med-mal: should doctors strike?“, Jan. 21-22. 2001: “Soaring medical malpractice awards: now they tell us“, Sept. 11; “‘Valley doctors caught in “lawsuit war zone”‘“, May 3; “Pennsylvania MDs drop work today“, Apr. 24; “Philadelphia juries pummel doctors“, Jan. 24-25. 2000: “Trial lawyers’ clout in Albany“, Oct. 4; “Malpractice outlays on rise in Canada“, Oct. 2.

Ob/gyn, 2003: “Juggling the stats“, Jun. 4-5; “Malpractice studies“, May 12; “‘Edwards doesn’t tell whole story’“, Mar. 4 (& letter to the editor, Mar. 31); “‘Delivering Justice’“, Feb. 27. 2002: “Ob/gyns warn of withdrawal“, May 17-19 (& see Jun. 11-12); “‘Support case hinges on failed sterilization’” (Ind.), Apr. 26-28; “Med-mal: should doctors strike?“, Jan. 21-22. 2001: “Fleeing obstetrics, again“, Dec. 21-23; “‘Wrongful life’ comes to France“, Dec. 11 (& updates Jan. 9-10, May 20-21, Jul. 1-2, 2002); “Meet the ‘wrongful-birth’ bar“, Aug. 22-23 (& letter to the editor, Sept. 3; more on wrongful birth/life: Nov. 22-23, Sept. 8-10, June 8, May 9, Jan. 8-9, 2000); “Pennsylvania MDs drop work today“, April 24; “Caesarean rate headed back up“, Feb. 5. 2000: “Birth cameras not wanted“, Oct. 18; “Plastic surgeons must weigh patients’ state of mind, court says” (roundup: anti-abortion suits), Aug. 15. 1999: “‘Trial lawyers on trial’” (Norplant, etc.), Dec. 23-26; “‘Your perfect birth control…blocked?’“, Aug. 11 (Norplant) (& update Aug. 27; company to settle 36,000 suits); “Yes, this drug is missed” (hospital admissions for hyperemesis tripled after lawyers drove Bendectin off market), Jul. 21.

“Malpractice studies“, May 12, 2003; “Radiologists: sue them enough and they’ll go away“, Nov. 2, 2000 (& see Sept. 24, 2002).

Nursing homes, geriatrics, 2003: “Florida: ‘New clout of trial lawyers unnerves legislators’“, Mar. 20; “$12,000 a bed“, Mar. 19. 2001: “Soaring medical malpractice awards: now they tell us“, Sept. 11; “‘Doctor liable for not giving enough pain medicine’“, Jun. 15-17; “‘Nursing homes a gold mine for lawyers’“, Mar. 13-14. 2000: “‘Litigation grows in ailing nursing home industry’“, Jun. 20 (& see Mar. 2-4, 2001).

“Incoming link of the day“, Mar. 5-7, 2003.

Emergency medicine: “‘Trauma centers warn lives could be at risk’” (Orlando), Feb. 28-Mar. 2, 2003; “Ambulances, paramedics sued more“, Oct. 28-29, 2002; “Let ’em become CPAs“, Oct. 7-8; “Avoid having a medical emergency in Mississippi“, Apr. 5-7; “Scenes from a malpractice crisis” (closure of trauma centers), Mar. 5, 2002 (& see Jun. 11-12); “That’ll teach ’em” (Chicago EMS), Dec. 26-28, 2000; “Highway responsibility” (ambulance, hospital sued in Derrick Thomas crash), Nov. 28, 2000.

“The jury pool he faced“, Feb. 25, 2003.

“Take care of myself? That’s the doc’s job“, Feb. 14-16, 2003; “Claim: docs should have done more to help woman quit smoking and lose weight” (Pa.), Sept. 18-19, 2002.

“Medical mistakes” estimates, 2001: “Report: ‘medical errors’ study overblown“, July 27-29. 2000: “‘Report on medical errors called erroneous’“, July 11; “Medical mistakes, continued“, March 7; “‘Medical errors’ study“, Feb. 28; “Against medical advice” (Clinton proposals), Feb. 22 (& see malpractice law section below).

“Mercury in dental fillings“, Jul. 16-17, 2002 (& Nov. 4-5, 2002).

Psychiatry and allied fields, 2002: “‘Mom who drugged kids’ ice cream sues’“, Nov. 1-3; “‘Patient sues hospital for letting him out on night he killed’” (Australia, psychiatric case), Oct. 16-17; “‘After stabbing son, mom sues doctors’“, May 31-June 2; “Counseling center may face closure” (Okla.), May 24-26. 2000: “Killed his mother, now suing his psychiatrists“, Oct. 2; “Not my fault, I” (woman who murdered daughter sues psychiatrists), May 17; “Legal ethics meet medical ethics” (lawyers advise schizophrenic murder defendant to go off his medication for trial), Feb. 26-27 (update, Mar. 2: he’s reported to have punched a social worker twice since going off medication; Mar. 29: jury convicts him anyway); “Latest excuse syndromes” (“Internet intoxication”, etc.), Jan. 13-14; “Warn and be sued” (clinical psychologist loses confidentiality suit after warning of patient’s dangerousness), Jan. 12. 1999: “Doctor sues insurer, claims sex addiction“, Oct. 13; see also personal responsibility.

“Artificial hearts experimental? Who knew?“, Oct. 23, 2002.

“U.K.: ‘Dr. Botch’ sues hospital for wrongful dismissal“, Oct. 18-20, 2002; “Let them sue us!” (hospitals get sued if they withdraw privileges from questionable doctors), Mar. 23, 2000.

“Lawyers fret about bad image” (lawyers’ own poll finds public has much more confidence in doctors than in lawyers), Oct. 3, 2002.

“‘Patient pays price for suing over cold’” (U.K.), Sept. 20-22, 2002.

“‘Doctors hope fines will curb frivolous lawsuits’“, Sept. 6-8, 2002; “The doctor strikes back” (neurosurgeon countersues), June 14-15, 2000; “‘Truly egregious’ conduct” (court cites misconduct by attorney Geoffrey Fieger in suit against cardiologist), Sept. 14, 1999.

“Accident medicine”, 2002: “‘How to spot a personal injury mill’“, Aug. 19. 2001: “Lawyers (and docs) block cleanup of Gotham crash fraud“, April 2. 2000: “‘How do you fit 12 people in a 1983 Honda?’“, Aug. 23-25; “His wayward clients“, May 25; “Less suing = less suffering” (NEJM whiplash study), Apr. 24 (& update Jun. 26).

“‘The NFL vs. Everyone’” (medical privacy laws could restrict sports teams from commenting on players’ injuries), Jun. 13, 2002; “Promising areas for suits” (sports medicine), Dec. 7, 2000; “Doctor cleared in Lewis cardiac case“, May 15, 2000.

“‘Remove child before folding’” (AEI-Brookings study on defensive medicine), Jun. 5, 2002.

Managed care/HMOs, 2002: “‘Bad movie, bad public policy’” (John Q), Mar. 19; “Washington Post blasts HMO class actions“, Jan. 30-31. 2001: “Managed care bill: Do as we say…“, Sept. 7-9 (& Dec. 6, 1999); “Contrarian view on PBR“, Aug. 17-19; “Chapman, Broder, Kinsley on patients’ rights“, June 28; “Managed care debate“, June 26; “Columnist-fest” (Morton Kondracke), June 22-24; “Docs and Dems“, June 19; “Roundup“, May 21. 2000: “Patients’ Bill of Wrongs” (Richard Epstein), Oct. 27-29; “Fortune on Lerach“, Aug. 16-17; “Arm yourself for managed care debate“, April 20; “Employer-based health coverage in retreat?“, March 31-April 2. 1999: “Weekend reading: columnist-fest” (John McCarron), Dec. 11-12; “Actions without class” (Wash. Post editorial: “extortion racket”), Dec. 2; “Who’s afraid of Dickie Scruggs?“, Dec. 2; “Aetna chairman disrespects Scruggs“, Nov. 18-19; “World according to Ron Motley” (world’s richest lawyer plans to sue HMOs, nursing homes, drugmakers), Nov. 1; “Deal with us or we’ll tank your stock” (managed care stock prices plunge), Oct. 21; “‘Health care horror stories are compelling but one-sided’“, Oct. 16-17; “After the HMO barbecue“, Oct. 12; “Power attracts power” (Boies joins anti-HMO effort), Sept. 30; “Impending assault on HMOs“, Sept. 30; “Rude questions to ask your doctor” (why are you helping trial lawyers make it easier to sue health plans?), Sept. 4-6; “From the fourth branch, an ultimatum” (leading trial lawyer vows to “dismantle” managed care), July 16.

“Hospital rapist sues hospital“, May 22-23, 2002 (& Mar. 5-7, 2003: court dismisses case).

“Bush’s big mistake on mental health coverage“, May 13, 2002.

“‘Big government ruined my long weekend’” (tide-over weekend prescribing), May 7, 2002.

“Lawyers stage sham trial aimed at inculpating third party“, Mar. 22-24, 2002.

“All things sentimental and recoverable” (veterinarians), Jan. 30-31, 2002.

Public health follies: “Infectious disease conquered, CDC now chases sprawl“, Nov. 9-11, 2001; “Letter to the editor” (activist doctors vs. gun ownership), May 18, 2001; “‘P.C., M.D.’“, Feb. 23-25, 2001.

“Bioterrorism preparedness” (laws hobble hospitals), Oct. 30, 2001.

“Letter to the editor“, Sept. 3, 2001 (can/should doctors avoid lawyers as patients?) (responses, Oct. 22).

“Clinical trials besieged“, Aug. 27-28, 2001; “Bioethicist as defendant” (Arthur Caplan, Jesse Gelsinger case), Oct. 6-9, 2000.

“‘Doctor liable for not giving enough pain medicine’“, Jun. 15-17, 2001.

“The unconflicted Prof. Daynard” (British Medical Journal and tobacco lawyer), April 21-23, 2000 (& update: letters, Jan. 2001, June 2001).

“To destroy a doctor” (lawyer’s campaign against laparoscopic surgeons), June 6, 2001.

“Mommy, can I grow up to be an informant?“, July 30, 2001; “A case of meta-False Claims” (overzealous prosecution of hospitals), Sept. 9, 1999.

“Updates” (Lawyers’ cameras in trauma ward), Dec. 26-28, 2000 (& Oct. 18).

“Promising areas for suits” (laser eye surgery), Dec. 7, 2000.

Plastic surgery: “Plastic surgeons must weigh patients’ state of mind, court says“, Aug. 15, 2000 (& June 11, 2001: she loses); “Strippers in court“, Jan. 28, 2000; “No spotlight on me, thanks” (leading breast-implant lawyer obtains gag order against lawyers for dissatisfied clients), August 4, 1999; “Never saying you’re sorry” (implants), July 2, 1999.

“Turn of the screw” (pedicle screw lawsuits), Oct. 24, 2000.

“Disabled rights roundup” (obligatory sign interpreters at doctor’s offices), Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2000; “From our mail sack: ADA enforcement vignettes” (interpreters, guide dog allergy case), May 31, 2000.

“Embarrassing Lawsuit Hall of Fame” (intimate injury; misdiagnosis charge), Aug. 14, 2000.

“Senator Lieberman: a sampler” (cost of defensive medicine), Aug. 8-9, 2000.

“And don’t say ‘I’m sorry’” (nurse’s first-person account), June 21, 2000.

“Can’t sue over affair with doctor” (court rules it was consensual), June 13, 2000.

“Jumped ahead, by court order” (residency), May 31, 2000.

“‘Case’s outcome may spur more lawsuits’” (Mississippi fen-phen trial), Dec. 10, 1999; “‘Dieters still want fen-phen’“, August 18, 1999.

“Rhode Island A.G.: let’s do latex gloves next“, Oct. 26, 1999.

“Michigan high court upholds malpractice reform“, August 6, 1999.

Other resources on medicine and litigation:

Good general links pages on health law are provided by the St. Louis University Center for Health Law Studies and by the whimsically named but highly useful Health Hippo.

The Litigation Explosion, the 1991 book by Overlawyered.com editor Walter Olson, was excerpted in two parts by Medical Economics [part one] [part two]

Marc Arkin, “Products Liability and the Threat to Contraception” (Manhattan Institute Civil Justice Memo, February 1999).

L. William Luria, M.D., and Dennis G. Agliano, M.D., “Abusive Medical Testimony: Toward Peer Review“, describes efforts under way in Hillsborough County, Florida, to apply principles of peer review to the control of irresponsible or unqualified forensic testimony by medical professionals.

Walter Olson, “Lawyers with Stethoscopes: Clients Beware” (Manhattan Institute Civil Justice Memo, 1996) (abusive litigation is also bad for the medical prognosis of claimants)

Breast implants: see separate page

Vaccines:

Health Hippo vaccines section.

Peter Huber, “Dan Quayle, the Lawyers and the AIDS Babies“, Forbes, October 28, 1991 (liability and an AIDS vaccine).

Peter Huber, “Health, Death, and Economics“, Forbes, May 10, 1993 (“investment in vaccines remains far lower than it should be, given the huge benefits that vaccines provide”)

Walter Olson, “California Counts the Costs of Lawsuit Mania“, Wall Street Journal, June 3, 1992 (liability slowing research on AIDS vaccine).

Malpractice law:

Daniel Kessler and Mark McClellan of Stanford won the Kenneth Arrow Award in Health Economics in 1997 for their article “Do Doctors Practice Defensive Medicine?”, which “found that when states reformed malpractice laws to put caps on damages for pain and suffering, or to eliminate punitive damages, hospital expenditures for heart disease patients were reduced by about 5 percent, yet did not leave the patients with worse health outcomes.”

Richard Anderson, M.D., “An ‘Epidemic’ of Medical Malpractice? A Commentary on the Harvard Medical Practice Study“, Manhattan Institute Civil Justice Memo, July 1996 (shortcomings of famous study of medical care in New York hospitals).

Forbes columns by Peter Huber on the issue include “Malpractice Law: A Defective Product” (1990) and “Rx: Radical Lawyerectomy” and “Easy Lawsuits Make Bad Medicine” (1997).

Walter Olson, “A Story That Doesn?t Have a Leg To Stand On,” Wall Street Journal, March 27, 1995 (the famous “wrong-leg amputation” case).

In 1993, in a paper given at the annual meeting of the Association for Health Services Research, Daniel Mendelson and Robert Rubin estimated that defensive medicine practices in three areas alone — pre-surgical testing, fetal monitoring and skull x-rays — probably exceeded $2 billion a year, and estimated likely savings from “aggressive malpractice reform” at more than twice that amount. Perhaps in contrast (or perhaps not), a 1995 study of obstetrics in Washington state by L. Baldwin et al found no differences in practice between doctors who had been named in suits and those who had not. And Mark Hauser et al, “Fear of Malpractice Liability and its Role in Clinical Decision-Making” studied doctors’ reaction to hypothetical cases in which a patient’s file did or did not reveal a history of having sued physicians. They found that in cases where an earlier suit had been reported the doctors were modestly more likely to call in other doctors, to recommend hospital admission, to document a case “by the book” rather than rely on judgment, and to predict a bad outcome. Surprisingly, they did not order more tests or withdraw from cases more often when informed that a patient had a record of suing. The Hauser paper notes one possible cost of an over-hasty resort to hospitalization: “In psychiatry a defensive response might include a needlessly low threshold for involuntary hospitalization, where the patient’s liberty and autonomy are, in essence, sacrificed in favor of conservative practice for the sake of self-protection.”

The Michigan law firm of Garan, Lucow, Miller & Seward, P.C., which has a specialty in medical malpractice defense, maintains a comprehensive links page of resources in the field.

Among reform groups, the Health Care Liability Alliance is a nationwide advocacy group whose website offers a variety of useful materials on the case for lawsuit reform. Californians Allied for Patient Protection defends the Golden State’s MICRA limits on malpractice liability. CLYSIS is a Minnesota group working for medical liability reform. State medical societies, such as the Medical Society of the State of New York, often maintain law-related information at their websites.

Filed under: Australia, Bill Lerach, Dickie Scruggs, fen-phen, France, Geoffrey Fieger, hospitals, John Edwards, Manhattan Institute, medical, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, nursing home, obstetric, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Public Citizen, Rhode Island, Richard Daynard, Richard Epstein, The Litigation Explosion, tobacco, vaccines, Washington state, wrongful birth and wrongful life