JournalRecord

It must be genetic. For Oklahoma’s newest U.S. attorney, Sanford “Sandy” Coats, the world of law, lawyers and politics must be a part of his DNA. The son of an attorney, Coats’ father, Andy, served as mayor of Oklahoma City. The elder Coats also serves as the dean of the University of Oklahoma’s law school. And it was into this world of law, politics and public service that Coats followed his father. So far, he’s done well.

Ethics got high-tech in 2009. From texting clients to virtual law practice to posting questions on a listserv, lawyers struggled with the collision of professional responsibility and the ever-expanding world of technology.

It’s a new year and the estate tax is gone. And for trusts and estates lawyers, things have never been more confusing.

A regional sales director responsible for generating advertising sales did not fall under the “administrative exemption” and therefore is entitled to overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the 2nd Circuit has ruled in reversing a summary judgment.

A death penalty defendant wasn’t denied the effective assistance of counsel when his lawyer conceded the gruesome nature of his crimes, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in vacating a writ of habeas corpus.

Every January, Lawyers USA, a sister publication of The Journal Record, announces the “Top Ten Verdicts of the Year.” To qualify, verdicts must be to an individual plaintiff, defined as a single person, family or small group of individuals injured in a single incident who had their claims tried in one case before the same jury.

Can an Oregon winery hold a concert or host a wedding party on the farm? The answer depends on whom you ask. And some would like to see the law clarified.

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal of an Oklahoma death-row inmate who was convicted of killing his 7-year-old former stepdaughter.

Oklahoma City University law professor Phyllis Bernard has returned to Oklahoma after leading a workshop, “Rethinking Negotiation Training,” at a conference in Istanbul, Turkey.

A former Tulsa Public Works Department official who was accused of bribery and fraud has been sentenced to 42 months in prison.