Stephen Fray's attorney appeals - Go Jamaica

Jerome Reynolds, Gleaner Writer

Attorney-at-Law Jacqueline Samuels Brown has started to make submissions on behalf of convicted attempted hijacker Stephen Fray, in the case brought before the appeals court.

The attorney wants the Court of Appeal to overturn Fray?s sentencing and conviction.

In October 2009, Fray was convicted on several charges, eight months after he attempted to hijack a Canadian-bound aircraft.

He was convicted on eight counts of illegal possession of a firearm, shooting with intent, robbery with aggravation, assault at common law and breaches of the Airport Act arising from the attempted hijacking of the CanJet aircraft at the Sangster International Airport.

Fray was sentenced to a total of 83 years imprisonment.

However, Samuels Brown said the conviction and sentence should be overturned because Fray was suffering from a mental issue at the time he committed the act.

She also noted the trial judge was wrong in rejecting the medical evidence that Fray had a psychological condition.

According to Samuels Brown, the trial judge should have found Fray guilty by reason of insanity.

However, he will only serve a maximum of 20 years because the sentences are to run at the same time.

The plane, which had more than 160 passengers on board at the time, was scheduled to depart for Cuba, en route to Halifax in Canada.

jerome.reynolds@gleanerjm.com

Source: http://go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=29519

bankruptcy attorney massachusetts ma bankruptcy attorneys

Madigan: Workers' comp bill doesn't go far enough - Ct Post

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) ? Illinois' attorney general has praised parts of the recently approved workers' compensation overhaul, but she says it would be a "gross overstatement" to call the system reformed.

Lisa Madigan said even with the overhaul, the standard for proving that taxpayer money should pay for an injury is still too low. Attorneys from her office defend workers' compensation cases brought by state employees.

"To say we've reformed the workers' comp system is a gross overstatement," Madigan told the Belleville News-Democrat.

Injured workers need to prove that only some part of their job could have aggravated an injury or condition. Madigan said that "even if it's only slightly, then the state is liable for all workers' compensation benefits," including medical care and any disability award.

Given the standard, defending against some cases is "very difficult to do, if not impossible," she said.

But Madigan also had praise for portions of the legislation, including the requirement that workers' compensation arbitrators be lawyers who must adhere to the Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct. And she approved of a move that would generally reduce medical fees by 30 percent.

Legislators approved the overhaul earlier this month, and Gov. Pat Quinn has said he'll sign it. If he does sign, the law would take effect Sept. 1.

Businesses complain that workers' compensation is far too expensive. Unnecessary treatment is allowed, medical fees are too high and awards to injured workers are too large, they say.

The changes are supposed to cut between $500 million and $700 million from workers' compensation, which totals $3 billion.

The News-Democrat has published a series of reports based on its own probe of workers' comp claims. The newspaper reports that its probe has led to five investigations, including two criminal probes.

___

Information from: Belleville News-Democrat, http://www.bnd.com

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNF2NKva4Bzmjuh5FX1O5J40xENGnQ&url=http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Madigan-Workers-comp-bill-doesn-t-go-far-enough-1430276.php

bankruptcy attorney boston bankruptcy lawyer boston massachusetts bankruptcy attorney

Madigan: Workers' comp bill doesn't go far enough - Ct Post

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) ? Illinois' attorney general has praised parts of the recently approved workers' compensation overhaul, but she says it would be a "gross overstatement" to call the system reformed.

Lisa Madigan said even with the overhaul, the standard for proving that taxpayer money should pay for an injury is still too low. Attorneys from her office defend workers' compensation cases brought by state employees.

"To say we've reformed the workers' comp system is a gross overstatement," Madigan told the Belleville News-Democrat.

Injured workers need to prove that only some part of their job could have aggravated an injury or condition. Madigan said that "even if it's only slightly, then the state is liable for all workers' compensation benefits," including medical care and any disability award.

Given the standard, defending against some cases is "very difficult to do, if not impossible," she said.

But Madigan also had praise for portions of the legislation, including the requirement that workers' compensation arbitrators be lawyers who must adhere to the Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct. And she approved of a move that would generally reduce medical fees by 30 percent.

Legislators approved the overhaul earlier this month, and Gov. Pat Quinn has said he'll sign it. If he does sign, the law would take effect Sept. 1.

Businesses complain that workers' compensation is far too expensive. Unnecessary treatment is allowed, medical fees are too high and awards to injured workers are too large, they say.

The changes are supposed to cut between $500 million and $700 million from workers' compensation, which totals $3 billion.

The News-Democrat has published a series of reports based on its own probe of workers' comp claims. The newspaper reports that its probe has led to five investigations, including two criminal probes.

___

Information from: Belleville News-Democrat, http://www.bnd.com

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNF2NKva4Bzmjuh5FX1O5J40xENGnQ&url=http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Madigan-Workers-comp-bill-doesn-t-go-far-enough-1430276.php

bankruptcy attorney massachusetts ma bankruptcy attorneys Kaplan Attorneys www.kaplanattorneys.com boston bankruptcy attorney

Op-Ed: Casey Anthony trial ? defence attorney dices with contempt - DigitalJournal.com

As the trial of "Tot Mom" Casey Anthony for the murder of her two year old daughter, Caylee, reaches a critical phase, her lead attorney is warned by the trial judge for wilfully defying a court order.

Orlando - The jury were scheduled to return to courtroom 23A at 9am this Saturday morning, but the court was due to start even before that, 8.30am, because as Judge Perry revealed, he was perilously close to citing lead defence attorney Jose Baez for contempt. This was because Mr Baez had wilfully failed to disclose important evidence as instructed. Perry told him for the benefit of the cameras and the world what he had previously told him in a side bar: you cannot choose which court orders you comply with and which you don?t. Mindful of the gravity of this case and the possibility of an appeal based on any borderline ruling, Perry said he would deal with the matter ? and Baez ? after the trial. As a result of this, forensic anthropologist Dr William Rodriguez did not testify today but was replaced by forensic pathologist Dr Werner Spitz, who graduated in 1953! According to a commentator at WFTV, he took the stand at 10am and spent 21 minutes relating his qualifications to defence attorney Cheney Mason. Dr Spitz performed the second autopsy on two year old Caylee. Yesterday, one of the TV commentators said that if the State and defence fished around enough they could find an expert witness to contradict any testimony given by the relevant expert for the other side in any criminal trial. That certainly didn?t happen yesterday when defence expert witness Dr Tim Huntington was subjected to a battering by State Attorney Jeff Ashton. Dr Spitz though was always going to be a different proposition, having been performing autopsies years if not decades before the forensic entomologist was born! His main contribution appeared to be the suggestion that if the duct tape found at the scene of the crime had been used to gag Caylee, there would have been DNA on it. This duct tape is viewed by the State as the potential murder weapon. Dr Spitz said too there should have been adipocere present. Asked by Mr Mason what was the cause of death, he said certain conditions could be ruled out but that was as far as he could go. From the evidence he could rule out suicide ? an academic question for a two year old girl! But he said that although he could rule out skull fracture, he could not rule out accident, nor the manner of death. After the doctor told Mr Mason he had performed or supervised some sixty thousand autopsies in his career, Judge Perry signalled a ten minute recess. After the break, Jeff Ashton began the cross-examination; Dr Spitz said he had read the pathologist?s report and visited the crime scene, and also the Anthony home, another potential crime scene. This cross-examination was somewhat heated, not by the State but this time by the witness, who said that the failure of the pathologist who performed the autopsy to open the skull was ?shoddy?. In response, Ashton confronted Dr Spitz with a textbook on the forensic investigation of death, he had edited and to which he had contributed. He was asked where in the book was the protocol that demanded the head be opened during an autopsy. Cheney Mason objected to this question, but was over-ruled. Dr Spitz pointed out that the book was not an autopsy instruction manual. Ashton had obviously done his homework on the witness as much as on this case, but this was an instance of an irresistible force meeting an immovable object. The most controversial part of the doctor?s testimony was his claim that somebody ? possibly the medical examiners - had tampered with the evidence, including the skull, on which the hair had been rearranged for some unspecified reason. The jury do not appear to have been impressed by his other major claim, that the duct tape had been manipulated at the crime scene, and two members were said to have smirked at the suggestion. WFTV commentators were also skeptical, and according to them this was yet another attempt to throw more innocent people under the bus, along with her father George Anthony; Zenaida Gonzalez ? the woman whose name Casey Anthony stole to append to her daughter?s non-existent nanny; the man who found the body, meter reader Roy Kronk; and Vasco Thompson, a man who although convicted of a serious crime in 1988 had put his past behind him and was living an unobtrusive life until his name was dragged into this affair and through the mud by Jose Baez. Indeed, such is his commitment to his client that Mr Baez may well have thrown himself under the bus as well, because at the end of these proceedings he could see himself carted off to gaol along with his client, she either for first degree murder or some lesser offence (which she cannot avoid), and he for contempt of court. After the jury had been dismissed, Judge Perry told the lawyers to be prepared to work next Saturday until 3pm if necessary. The proceedings will resume on Monday morning when Dr William Rodriguez will take the stand.

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHmYiPbLN8tPkTBV-LrLZEa9DyAJQ&url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/308109

bankruptcy attorney boston bankruptcy lawyer boston massachusetts bankruptcy attorney massachusetts bankruptcy attorneys boston bankruptcy

Texas finally to see U.S. attorney selections - My West Texas

WASHINGTON - After two years of missteps and partisan bickering among Texas lawmakers, President Barack Obama is poised to soon nominate candidates to fill several U.S. attorney vacancies in the state.

The nominations could come as early as next week, officials said, giving the U.S. Senate time to confirm the appointments before an election year.

Obama has nominated - and the Senate has confirmed - U.S. attorneys for every state but Texas, Utah and Mississippi, a source of frustration for state legislators.

"I'm a little dumbfounded by their inactivity and their unwillingness to move forward," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. "They haven't made this a priority."

But an Obama administration official said U.S. attorney nominees for Texas would be announced soon.

Of the 93 U.S. attorney posts in the country, 12 remained unfilled. According to Main Justice, an organization that focuses on the Justice Department, the four vacancies in Texas are in San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and Lufkin.

White House spokesman Adam Abrams defended a deliberate system by the president to nominate "well-qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds who will respect the rule of law and understand how the law impacts Americans' daily lives."

Texas Republicans and Democrats, however, say the White House has been slow to fill the posts.

Also to blame, others said, is partisan bickering between the state's Republican senators and House Democrats over a panel created by Cornyn and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison to screen potential judicial nominees.

"That has slowed everything there," said Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond School of Law professor.

Cornyn said the judicial evaluation panel is bipartisan, and has taken into consideration the concerns of House Democrats.

Texas Democrats, led by Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin, have chafed at the power leveraged by senators over the nomination process. The White House, Texas Democrats said, has sought their input for the vacant federal judicial posts, which include judges, attorney and marshals.

But the Republicans senators, with the constitutional power to block presidential nominees, have used their leverage to prescreen Democratic candidates.

Even when both sides have agreed, problems have plagued the process for Texas.

The senators and Democratic lawmakers agreed on two candidates - recommended to the White House for U.S. attorney positions in East and West Texas - but both candidates withdrew when the process dragged on.

Obama nominated John Stevens Jr. in Feb. 2009 to serve in the Eastern District of Texas as U.S. attorney, but the Senate Judiciary Committee never conducted a confirmation hearing. Stevens withdrew his nomination a year later.

Michael McCrum, a San Antonio lawyer, was recommended by the senators and House Democrats for U.S. attorney in the Western District of Texas. But McCrum never was nominated, and he cited his frustration when he withdrew his name in October.

McCrum said he gave up cases for nine months waiting for a nomination that never came.

The San Antonio-based Western District has been without a presidential appointed U.S. attorney since Johnny Sutton stepped down in April 2009.

U.S. magistrate Judge Robert Pitman of Austin has been recommended for the post.

In the Houston-based Southern District, congressional Democrats want Obama to nominate Larry Veselka, a lawyer and former Harris County Democratic Party chairman.

But the senators have recommended Kenneth Magidson, an assistant U.S. attorney and former interim Harris County district attorney.

Sources in Houston said Magidson is expected to be one of those nominated by the White House. When contacted, Magidson declined to comment.

Republican senators also recommended Sarah Saldana, an assistant U.S. attorney in Dallas, for the Northern District.

Her nomination is opposed by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas, who wants Obama to select Dallas lawyer Roger Williams or Terri Moore, the Dallas County assistant district attorney.

Malcolm Bales, currently serving as the U.S. attorney in Lufkin, is recommended by Texas senators for appointment by the president.

In the absence of appointments, career Justice Department lawyers are running the U.S. attorneys offices and prosecuting cases.

Presidential appointees also carry out the administration's priorities through judicial discretion.

"There is always discretion of picking cases you want to prosecute," Tobias said.

Houston Chronicle Staff Writer Brian Rogers contributed to this report.

Source: http://www.mywesttexas.com/top_stories/article_4fa22521-50f1-550d-95da-fd58a336a026.html

ma bankruptcy attorneys Kaplan Attorneys www.kaplanattorneys.com boston bankruptcy attorney boston bankruptcy attorneys

Attorney Calls For Dismissal Of Feral Cat Lawsuit

The attorney representing a 33-year Mt. Prospect resident who is being sued by the village for allegedly violating a village ordinance governing stray cats said the village's case has no merit and that a request for dismissal will be filed in Rolling Meadows court next Tuesday, June 21.

"Once we get our case dismissed, I plan on suing the village and my client's neighbors for defamation of character and interference of a quiet enjoyment of life," said Patrick Somers, attorney for Gerald Stone.

The village alleges that Stone, 305 S. Elmhurst Ave. near St. Raymond School, is caring for four to seven stray-or feral-cats, which neighbors have complained about on numerous occasions.

Somers said this issue has gone on for two years with five different neighbors "ousting" Stone. The lawsuit filed Apr. 27 by the village encompasses complaints dating back to January of this year. In total, there are five counts filed against Stone. The first revolves around cat feces.

According to the complaint, neighbors have reported that piles of cat feces have been left on their property on numerous occasions due to Stone's caring for the cats. The second count deals with pans of food allegedly sitting outside Stone's home for the cats to feast on. A third count deals with the cats allegedly roaming through nearby yards.

In addition to neighbor complaints, the lawsuit states Mt. Prospect Environmental Health Coordinator Bob Roels observed a black and white cat on Jan. 4 running through the backyards of 301 and 303 S. Elmhurst Ave. toward Stone's house.

The fourth count pertains to Stone allegedly caring for more than three cats. Village ordinance permits up to three cats per colony (group). Residents in the complaint state they have seen on numerous occasions between four to seven cats at Stone's home.

The fifth count deals with the first four counts combined allegedly violating village code.

The village is asking the court to impose a $250 fine for every day in which the alleged nuisance conditions continue. Assistant Village Manager Dave Strahl said he doubts there will be a significant fine. He said Stone is operating the cat colony under a Cook County ordinance, which he says there is no clear definition of what a nuisance entails. He said the village's ordinance is much clearer.

Somers is asking that the case be dismissed because he says the village expects Stone to bear the financial burden personally and financially based on complaints from "disgruntled" neighbors unhappy with the Animal Control Programs already mandated by the state and county.

"There are over 40 colonies in Mt. Prospect so why is the village singling out my client?" asked Somers. "I have no idea." He added that Stone does not own the feral cats as pets.

"If the village has a problem, they should sue Cook County," commented Somers.

Somers said the village does not have statutory or Home Rule authority to enact the ordinance it now claims has been violated.

According to Somers, the County Feral Cat Ordinance provides for the creation of Trap, Neuter, and Return (TNR) programs to manage the care of feral cats within Cook County. His client, he says, has been participating in this program sanctioned by the county as well as the state under the protections of that ordinance.

Somers points out the county's TNR program permits individuals like his client to maintain feral cat colonies by providing food, water, shelter and other forms of nutrition as long as Stone agrees to trap, neuter, spay, microchip, and vaccinate the cats against rabies. Somers said Stone has complied with all those requirements.

Source: http://www.journal-topics.com/news/article_482eecf4-9913-11e0-aa11-001a4bcf6878.html

massachusetts bankruptcy attorneys boston bankruptcy boston bankruptcy lawyers bankruptcy attorney massachusetts ma bankruptcy attorneys

Joliet attorney ready to take on Glasgow in Will Co. state?s attorney race

By Cindy Wojdyla Cain ccain@stmedianetwork.com June 16, 2011 2:36PM

Dave Carlson

Updated: June 17, 2011 2:13PM

JOLIET ? Joliet attorney Dave Carlson announced todaythat he will run for state?s attorney in the March Republican primary.

If he is successful, Carlson could meet his former boss, incumbent Will County State?s Attorney Jim Glasgow, in the November 2012 general election. Democrat Glasgow has said he will seek re-election.

Carlson, 40, of Plainfield, worked as an assistant state?s attorney for Glasgow and his predecessor, former States?s Attorney Jeff Tomczak, from 2001 to 2005.

?I am running for the office of state?s attorney because the people of Will County deserve better,? Carlson said in a press release. ?The office needs to be led from the top by a trial lawyer, not a career politician.?

Carlson said the state?s attorney should be someone who is in the courthouse every day, leading the charge against crime, ?not someone who appears only for press conferences.?

In a telephone interview with The Herald-News, Carlson said Glasgow has no leadership skills.

?We deserve better. We do,? he said. ?There should be someone at the courthouse, if not every day, at least every week. That?s his job.?

In contrast, Tomczak tried many cases, Carlson said. Carlson and Tomczak are both Republicans.

Glasgow, who served as state?s attorney from 1992 to 2000 and 2004 to the present, was not available for comment thisafternoon. But spokesman Charles Pelkie said Glasgow is a seasoned attorney well versed in all aspects of his office, including civil matters.

?The state?s attorney is actively involved in the management of the office and the decision-making process in terms of charging many cases,? Pelkie said. ?On top of that, he?s the top prosecutor on some of the biggest cases we have going right now, most notably, the Drew Peterson case as well as the Christopher Vaughn cases.?

The Peterson and Vaughn cases are high-profile murder cases. Pelkie said Carlson has no idea what it would take to run the office.

?What you have (in Carlson) is a criminal defense attorney who brings very little to the table in terms of experience,? Pelkie said.

This will be Carlson?s first attempt at public office.

Carlson said he has the passion to be state?s attorney and will lead the office with the highest standards of honor and integrity.

?I look forward to a positive campaign to address genuine issues and facts concerning Will County residents,? he said.

Carlson formed his own law firm in 2005. The office is at 116 N. Chicago St.

He grew up in Chicago and attended law school at Northern Illinois University. Through the years, Carlson worked as a probation officer, an assistant to the state comptroller, a prosecutor for the city of Chicago and a civil attorney in Chicago.

During his tenure with the Will County State?s Attorney?s Office, he was assigned to the organized crime unit and was named the chief gang crimes prosecutor.

Source: http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/5996744-418/joliet-attorney-ready-to-take-on-glasgow-in-will-co.-states-attorney-race

bankruptcy lawyer boston massachusetts bankruptcy attorney massachusetts bankruptcy attorneys boston bankruptcy boston bankruptcy lawyers

Madigan: Workers' comp bill doesn't go far enough - Ct Post

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) ? Illinois' attorney general has praised parts of the recently approved workers' compensation overhaul, but she says it would be a "gross overstatement" to call the system reformed.

Lisa Madigan said even with the overhaul, the standard for proving that taxpayer money should pay for an injury is still too low. Attorneys from her office defend workers' compensation cases brought by state employees.

"To say we've reformed the workers' comp system is a gross overstatement," Madigan told the Belleville News-Democrat.

Injured workers need to prove that only some part of their job could have aggravated an injury or condition. Madigan said that "even if it's only slightly, then the state is liable for all workers' compensation benefits," including medical care and any disability award.

Given the standard, defending against some cases is "very difficult to do, if not impossible," she said.

But Madigan also had praise for portions of the legislation, including the requirement that workers' compensation arbitrators be lawyers who must adhere to the Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct. And she approved of a move that would generally reduce medical fees by 30 percent.

Legislators approved the overhaul earlier this month, and Gov. Pat Quinn has said he'll sign it. If he does sign, the law would take effect Sept. 1.

Businesses complain that workers' compensation is far too expensive. Unnecessary treatment is allowed, medical fees are too high and awards to injured workers are too large, they say.

The changes are supposed to cut between $500 million and $700 million from workers' compensation, which totals $3 billion.

The News-Democrat has published a series of reports based on its own probe of workers' comp claims. The newspaper reports that its probe has led to five investigations, including two criminal probes.

___

Information from: Belleville News-Democrat, http://www.bnd.com

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNF2NKva4Bzmjuh5FX1O5J40xENGnQ&url=http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Madigan-Workers-comp-bill-doesn-t-go-far-enough-1430276.php

bankruptcy attorney boston bankruptcy lawyer boston massachusetts bankruptcy attorney massachusetts bankruptcy attorneys boston bankruptcy

Attorney Says Palmgren Property Has Been Available For Search From The Start Says Gail Palmgren Had "Psychotic Episode ...

Attorney Says Palmgren Property Has Been Available For Search From The Start
Says Gail Palmgren Had "Psychotic Episode" Week Before She Disappeared
posted June 18, 2011

Attorney Lee Davis said the husband of a missing Signal Mountain woman has been open to a search of all his property from the day his wife vanished.

Attorney Davis said, "I told Signal Mountain (Police) in the first 15 minutes of talking to them about the case that they were welcome to search any of Matt Palmgren's property."

He said about 10 days ago a formal order was signed by himself and Neal Pinkston of the district attorney's office allowing permission of a search of the Palmgren home in the St. Ives subdivision, of the family's lake house northeast of Montgomery, Ala., and of their storage shed.

Gail Palmgren disappeared April 30 in her crimson red 2010 Jeep Rubicon.

Attorney Davis said he does not know if the searches have been carried out, but he said he knows that authorities went through the lake house. He said the authorities have also been at the home on Signal Mountain, but he does not know if they have been inside.

He also said he spoke to a couple in Hoover, Ala., who said Ms. Palmgren "had a psychotic episode" while at their house a week before she disappeared.

Attorney Davis said Ms. Palmgren "showed up uninvited" and spent two nights with the family friends.

He said the husband, an attorney, told him, "Gail was flat f----- up. She was out of her mind."

The couple said Ms. Palmgren had her two children with her, and she noted she had not gotten them any Easter candy. They said the wife took Ms. Palmgren to a store and they became separated. Ms. Palmgren then called the police on the couple, claiming they were trying to take her children away from them.

They said that weekend Ms. Palmgren told them she believed someone was following her and trying to get her tag number.

The husband said she took side roads on their way to their house from her lake house - and the trip took four and a half hours instead of the normal two hours.

Attorney Davis said of the case, "No one in law enforcement has accused Matt Palmgren of anything. They continue to treat it as a missing person case."

He said Mr. Palmgren continues to work to locate her, including hiring former Chattanooga Police Department major crimes detective Mike Mathis to try to track her down.

He said, "This case involves more than one jurisdiction and state so we felt he could work more quickly than law enforcement agencies."

Attorney Davis said one witness attorney Mathis wants to interview is Carol Coppinger, who said she saw Ms. Palmgren on a remote trail on Signal Mountain in the red Jeep on the afternoon and evening of the day she disappeared. She said another woman was in the Jeep with her.

The attorney noted that Matt Palmgren has lost both his wife and his job. He said, "He's under tremendous stress. It's very hard. He's trying to take care of two small children with the help of his mother."

Source: http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_203652.asp

Kaplan Attorneys www.kaplanattorneys.com boston bankruptcy attorney boston bankruptcy attorneys boston bankruptcy lawyer

Joliet attorney ready to take on Glasgow in Will Co. state?s attorney race

By Cindy Wojdyla Cain ccain@stmedianetwork.com June 16, 2011 2:36PM

Dave Carlson

Updated: June 17, 2011 2:13PM

JOLIET ? Joliet attorney Dave Carlson announced todaythat he will run for state?s attorney in the March Republican primary.

If he is successful, Carlson could meet his former boss, incumbent Will County State?s Attorney Jim Glasgow, in the November 2012 general election. Democrat Glasgow has said he will seek re-election.

Carlson, 40, of Plainfield, worked as an assistant state?s attorney for Glasgow and his predecessor, former States?s Attorney Jeff Tomczak, from 2001 to 2005.

?I am running for the office of state?s attorney because the people of Will County deserve better,? Carlson said in a press release. ?The office needs to be led from the top by a trial lawyer, not a career politician.?

Carlson said the state?s attorney should be someone who is in the courthouse every day, leading the charge against crime, ?not someone who appears only for press conferences.?

In a telephone interview with The Herald-News, Carlson said Glasgow has no leadership skills.

?We deserve better. We do,? he said. ?There should be someone at the courthouse, if not every day, at least every week. That?s his job.?

In contrast, Tomczak tried many cases, Carlson said. Carlson and Tomczak are both Republicans.

Glasgow, who served as state?s attorney from 1992 to 2000 and 2004 to the present, was not available for comment thisafternoon. But spokesman Charles Pelkie said Glasgow is a seasoned attorney well versed in all aspects of his office, including civil matters.

?The state?s attorney is actively involved in the management of the office and the decision-making process in terms of charging many cases,? Pelkie said. ?On top of that, he?s the top prosecutor on some of the biggest cases we have going right now, most notably, the Drew Peterson case as well as the Christopher Vaughn cases.?

The Peterson and Vaughn cases are high-profile murder cases. Pelkie said Carlson has no idea what it would take to run the office.

?What you have (in Carlson) is a criminal defense attorney who brings very little to the table in terms of experience,? Pelkie said.

This will be Carlson?s first attempt at public office.

Carlson said he has the passion to be state?s attorney and will lead the office with the highest standards of honor and integrity.

?I look forward to a positive campaign to address genuine issues and facts concerning Will County residents,? he said.

Carlson formed his own law firm in 2005. The office is at 116 N. Chicago St.

He grew up in Chicago and attended law school at Northern Illinois University. Through the years, Carlson worked as a probation officer, an assistant to the state comptroller, a prosecutor for the city of Chicago and a civil attorney in Chicago.

During his tenure with the Will County State?s Attorney?s Office, he was assigned to the organized crime unit and was named the chief gang crimes prosecutor.

Source: http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/5996744-418/joliet-attorney-ready-to-take-on-glasgow-in-will-co.-states-attorney-race

ma bankruptcy attorneys Kaplan Attorneys www.kaplanattorneys.com boston bankruptcy attorney boston bankruptcy attorneys

Attorney Says Palmgren Property Has Been Available For Search From The Start - The Chattanoogan

Attorney Says Palmgren Property Has Been Available For Search From The Start
Says Gail Palmgren Had "Psychotic Episode" Week Before She Disappeared
posted June 18, 2011

Attorney Lee Davis said the husband of a missing Signal Mountain woman has been open to a search of all his property from the day his wife vanished.

Attorney Davis said, "I told Signal Mountain (Police) in the first 15 minutes of talking to them about the case that they were welcome to search any of Matt Palmgren's property."

He said about 10 days ago a formal order was signed by himself and Neal Pinkston of the district attorney's office allowing permission of a search of the Palmgren home in the St. Ives subdivision, of the family's lake house northeast of Montgomery, Ala., and of their storage shed.

Gail Palmgren disappeared April 30 in her crimson red 2010 Jeep Rubicon.

Attorney Davis said he does not know if the searches have been carried out, but he said he knows that authorities went through the lake house. He said the authorities have also been at the home on Signal Mountain, but he does not know if they have been inside.

He also said he spoke to a couple in Hoover, Ala., who said Ms. Palmgren "had a psychotic episode" while at their house a week before she disappeared.

Attorney Davis said Ms. Palmgren "showed up uninvited" and spent two nights with the family friends.

He said the husband, an attorney, told him, "Gail was flat f----- up. She was out of her mind."

The couple said Ms. Palmgren had her two children with her, and she noted she had not gotten them any Easter candy. They said the wife took Ms. Palmgren to a store and they became separated. Ms. Palmgren then called the police on the couple, claiming they were trying to take her children away from them.

They said that weekend Ms. Palmgren told them she believed someone was following her and trying to get her tag number.

The husband said she took side roads on their way to their house from her lake house - and the trip took four and a half hours instead of the normal two hours.

Attorney Davis said of the case, "No one in law enforcement has accused Matt Palmgren of anything. They continue to treat it as a missing person case."

He said Mr. Palmgren continues to work to locate her, including hiring former Chattanooga Police Department major crimes detective Mike Mathis to try to track her down.

He said, "This case involves more than one jurisdiction and state so we felt he could work more quickly than law enforcement agencies."

Attorney Davis said one witness attorney Mathis wants to interview is Carol Coppinger, who said she saw Ms. Palmgren on a remote trail on Signal Mountain in the red Jeep on the afternoon and evening of the day she disappeared. She said another woman was in the Jeep with her.

The attorney noted that Matt Palmgren has lost both his wife and his job. He said, "He's under tremendous stress. It's very hard. He's trying to take care of two small children with the help of his mother."

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHgEehco3TftCq7lzMiMGSu2cyCaA&url=http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_203652.asp

ma bankruptcy attorneys Kaplan Attorneys www.kaplanattorneys.com boston bankruptcy attorney boston bankruptcy attorneys

Attorney, civil rights activist found dead inside home - ABC12.com

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

ABC12.com

Attorney, civil rights activist found dead inside home ABC12.com (06/18/11) -- Attorney and civil rights activist C. Fredrick Robinson was known for his no-nonsense attitude. He was still practicing law and helping the less fortunate when he was found dead inside his home last night. He is Flint's latest homicide ... Attorney and civil rights activist Fred Robinson killed at homeConnectMidMichigan.com Flint civil rights activist C. Frederick Robinson becomes 29th homicide victim ...The Flint Journal - MLive.com all 45 news articles »

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEx5l91jmHlkcb5ikKRYHNsXAjn_w&url=http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=8198704

massachusetts bankruptcy attorneys boston bankruptcy boston bankruptcy lawyers bankruptcy attorney massachusetts ma bankruptcy attorneys

Attorney Says Palmgren Property Has Been Available For Search From The Start - The Chattanoogan

Attorney Says Palmgren Property Has Been Available For Search From The Start
Says Gail Palmgren Had "Psychotic Episode" Week Before She Disappeared
posted June 18, 2011

Attorney Lee Davis said the husband of a missing Signal Mountain woman has been open to a search of all his property from the day his wife vanished.

Attorney Davis said, "I told Signal Mountain (Police) in the first 15 minutes of talking to them about the case that they were welcome to search any of Matt Palmgren's property."

He said about 10 days ago a formal order was signed by himself and Neal Pinkston of the district attorney's office allowing permission of a search of the Palmgren home in the St. Ives subdivision, of the family's lake house northeast of Montgomery, Ala., and of their storage shed.

Gail Palmgren disappeared April 30 in her crimson red 2010 Jeep Rubicon.

Attorney Davis said he does not know if the searches have been carried out, but he said he knows that authorities went through the lake house. He said the authorities have also been at the home on Signal Mountain, but he does not know if they have been inside.

He also said he spoke to a couple in Hoover, Ala., who said Ms. Palmgren "had a psychotic episode" while at their house a week before she disappeared.

Attorney Davis said Ms. Palmgren "showed up uninvited" and spent two nights with the family friends.

He said the husband, an attorney, told him, "Gail was flat f----- up. She was out of her mind."

The couple said Ms. Palmgren had her two children with her, and she noted she had not gotten them any Easter candy. They said the wife took Ms. Palmgren to a store and they became separated. Ms. Palmgren then called the police on the couple, claiming they were trying to take her children away from them.

They said that weekend Ms. Palmgren told them she believed someone was following her and trying to get her tag number.

The husband said she took side roads on their way to their house from her lake house - and the trip took four and a half hours instead of the normal two hours.

Attorney Davis said of the case, "No one in law enforcement has accused Matt Palmgren of anything. They continue to treat it as a missing person case."

He said Mr. Palmgren continues to work to locate her, including hiring former Chattanooga Police Department major crimes detective Mike Mathis to try to track her down.

He said, "This case involves more than one jurisdiction and state so we felt he could work more quickly than law enforcement agencies."

Attorney Davis said one witness attorney Mathis wants to interview is Carol Coppinger, who said she saw Ms. Palmgren on a remote trail on Signal Mountain in the red Jeep on the afternoon and evening of the day she disappeared. She said another woman was in the Jeep with her.

The attorney noted that Matt Palmgren has lost both his wife and his job. He said, "He's under tremendous stress. It's very hard. He's trying to take care of two small children with the help of his mother."

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHgEehco3TftCq7lzMiMGSu2cyCaA&url=http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_203652.asp

ma bankruptcy attorneys Kaplan Attorneys www.kaplanattorneys.com boston bankruptcy attorney boston bankruptcy attorneys

Attorney Says Palmgren Property Has Been Available For Search From The Start - The Chattanoogan

Attorney Says Palmgren Property Has Been Available For Search From The Start
Says Gail Palmgren Had "Psychotic Episode" Week Before She Disappeared
posted June 18, 2011

Attorney Lee Davis said the husband of a missing Signal Mountain woman has been open to a search of all his property from the day his wife vanished.

Attorney Davis said, "I told Signal Mountain (Police) in the first 15 minutes of talking to them about the case that they were welcome to search any of Matt Palmgren's property."

He said about 10 days ago a formal order was signed by himself and Neal Pinkston of the district attorney's office allowing permission of a search of the Palmgren home in the St. Ives subdivision, of the family's lake house northeast of Montgomery, Ala., and of their storage shed.

Gail Palmgren disappeared April 30 in her crimson red 2010 Jeep Rubicon.

Attorney Davis said he does not know if the searches have been carried out, but he said he knows that authorities went through the lake house. He said the authorities have also been at the home on Signal Mountain, but he does not know if they have been inside.

He also said he spoke to a couple in Hoover, Ala., who said Ms. Palmgren "had a psychotic episode" while at their house a week before she disappeared.

Attorney Davis said Ms. Palmgren "showed up uninvited" and spent two nights with the family friends.

He said the husband, an attorney, told him, "Gail was flat f----- up. She was out of her mind."

The couple said Ms. Palmgren had her two children with her, and she noted she had not gotten them any Easter candy. They said the wife took Ms. Palmgren to a store and they became separated. Ms. Palmgren then called the police on the couple, claiming they were trying to take her children away from them.

They said that weekend Ms. Palmgren told them she believed someone was following her and trying to get her tag number.

The husband said she took side roads on their way to their house from her lake house - and the trip took four and a half hours instead of the normal two hours.

Attorney Davis said of the case, "No one in law enforcement has accused Matt Palmgren of anything. They continue to treat it as a missing person case."

He said Mr. Palmgren continues to work to locate her, including hiring former Chattanooga Police Department major crimes detective Mike Mathis to try to track her down.

He said, "This case involves more than one jurisdiction and state so we felt he could work more quickly than law enforcement agencies."

Attorney Davis said one witness attorney Mathis wants to interview is Carol Coppinger, who said she saw Ms. Palmgren on a remote trail on Signal Mountain in the red Jeep on the afternoon and evening of the day she disappeared. She said another woman was in the Jeep with her.

The attorney noted that Matt Palmgren has lost both his wife and his job. He said, "He's under tremendous stress. It's very hard. He's trying to take care of two small children with the help of his mother."

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHgEehco3TftCq7lzMiMGSu2cyCaA&url=http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_203652.asp

boston bankruptcy attorneys boston bankruptcy lawyer bankruptcy attorney boston bankruptcy lawyer boston massachusetts bankruptcy attorney

Attorney Says Palmgren Property Has Been Available For Search From The Start - The Chattanoogan

Attorney Says Palmgren Property Has Been Available For Search From The Start
Says Gail Palmgren Had "Psychotic Episode" Week Before She Disappeared
posted June 18, 2011

Attorney Lee Davis said the husband of a missing Signal Mountain woman has been open to a search of all his property from the day his wife vanished.

Attorney Davis said, "I told Signal Mountain (Police) in the first 15 minutes of talking to them about the case that they were welcome to search any of Matt Palmgren's property."

He said about 10 days ago a formal order was signed by himself and Neal Pinkston of the district attorney's office allowing permission of a search of the Palmgren home in the St. Ives subdivision, of the family's lake house northeast of Montgomery, Ala., and of their storage shed.

Gail Palmgren disappeared April 30 in her crimson red 2010 Jeep Rubicon.

Attorney Davis said he does not know if the searches have been carried out, but he said he knows that authorities went through the lake house. He said the authorities have also been at the home on Signal Mountain, but he does not know if they have been inside.

He also said he spoke to a couple in Hoover, Ala., who said Ms. Palmgren "had a psychotic episode" while at their house a week before she disappeared.

Attorney Davis said Ms. Palmgren "showed up uninvited" and spent two nights with the family friends.

He said the husband, an attorney, told him, "Gail was flat f----- up. She was out of her mind."

The couple said Ms. Palmgren had her two children with her, and she noted she had not gotten them any Easter candy. They said the wife took Ms. Palmgren to a store and they became separated. Ms. Palmgren then called the police on the couple, claiming they were trying to take her children away from them.

They said that weekend Ms. Palmgren told them she believed someone was following her and trying to get her tag number.

The husband said she took side roads on their way to their house from her lake house - and the trip took four and a half hours instead of the normal two hours.

Attorney Davis said of the case, "No one in law enforcement has accused Matt Palmgren of anything. They continue to treat it as a missing person case."

He said Mr. Palmgren continues to work to locate her, including hiring former Chattanooga Police Department major crimes detective Mike Mathis to try to track her down.

He said, "This case involves more than one jurisdiction and state so we felt he could work more quickly than law enforcement agencies."

Attorney Davis said one witness attorney Mathis wants to interview is Carol Coppinger, who said she saw Ms. Palmgren on a remote trail on Signal Mountain in the red Jeep on the afternoon and evening of the day she disappeared. She said another woman was in the Jeep with her.

The attorney noted that Matt Palmgren has lost both his wife and his job. He said, "He's under tremendous stress. It's very hard. He's trying to take care of two small children with the help of his mother."

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHgEehco3TftCq7lzMiMGSu2cyCaA&url=http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_203652.asp

bankruptcy attorney massachusetts ma bankruptcy attorneys Kaplan Attorneys www.kaplanattorneys.com boston bankruptcy attorney

Attorney: Nodine Will be Transferred Tuesday - msnbc.com

updated 6/14/2011 7:18:01 AM ET 2011-06-14T11:18:01

(BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala.) - According to his attorney, former Mobile County Commissioner Steve Nodine will be transferred from the Baldwin County Corrections Center Tuesday.

Gordon Armstrong says Nodine will be moved to Perry County before he will be moved to the Federal Correction Institute in Miami. The FCI is a low-security facility that houses male inmates.

Nodine is serving a 15-month sentence on a federal gun charge, which he has appealed.

Click here to read this story on www.local15tv.com

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43388899/ns/local_news-mobile_al/43391421

boston bankruptcy boston bankruptcy lawyers bankruptcy attorney massachusetts ma bankruptcy attorneys Kaplan Attorneys

Attorney: KBR created hostile work environment - CBS MoneyWatch.com (blog)

HOUSTON (AP) ? A hostile work environment has been a longtime problem for military contractor KBR Inc., which failed to protect workers who were sexually assaulted or harassed, an attorney for a woman who claims she was raped by co-workers in Iraq told jurors Tuesday.

Jamie Leigh Jones, 26, is one of several female contract workers for KBR and former parent Halliburton Co. who claim they were sexually assaulted or harassed while working for the companies in Iraq. Jones says she was raped in 2005 while working for KBR at Camp Hope, Baghdad. She has sued KBR, Halliburton and a former KBR firefighter she says was one of her rapists.

Attorneys for KBR and Halliburton deny their companies have a long history of hostile working environments and not protecting workers who were sexually assaulted or harassed. The attorney for the ex-KBR firefighter says his client did not rape Jones and the two had consensual sex.

Jones' attorney, L. Todd Kelly, said Tuesday in his opening statement that as far back as 1998, KBR created an environment in which employees who were sexually assaulted or harassed were scared into not reporting what happened or were fired while their harassers were promoted and protected.

"KBR did a lot to keep this secret," Kelly said. "KBR doesn't take care of its people."

Kelly told jurors that Jones asked to be transferred to Iraq after being sexually harassed by a supervisor in Houston. Once overseas, she endured "catcalls" from men in the predominantly male barracks where she lived, he said.

Jones' lawsuit says that on July 28, 2005, she was drugged with what she believes was the sedative Rohypnol, widely known as a "date-rape drug," then raped in her room by former KBR firefighter Charles Bortz and several others. She said the rape left her severely bruised, ruptured her breast implants and tore her pectoral muscles.

The Associated Press usually doesn't identify people alleging sexual assault, but Jones' face and name have been broadcast in media reports and on her own website.

Kelly told jurors that Jones reported the rape to KBR officials, who placed her under armed guard, held her in a shipping container for hours and wouldn't allow her to make a phone call. Jones was able to call her father in the U.S. after persuading a guard to let her use his phone, Kelly said.

Jones' father contacted Rep. Ted Poe, R-Houston, who helped get her released, Kelly said. Jones is originally from Conroe, about 40 miles north of Houston.

Andrew McKinney, one of Bortz's attorneys, acknowledged to jurors that his client "is no angel" but said the sex between Bortz and Jones was consensual. Bortz has filed a countersuit against Jones that the jury also will decide.

McKinney suggested to jurors they shouldn't believe Jones' claims because she has changed her story several times of how she was raped and a psychiatrist has diagnosed her as being a person who "refuses to accept responsibility for (her) own mistakes, who exaggerates or fabricates symptoms."

Joanne Vorpahl, an attorney for KBR and Halliburton, said KBR encourages its employees to report any problems they have and that it has consistently enforced its policies against sexual harassment. The Houston-based companies split in 2007.

When KBR learned of Jones' allegations, it immediately and appropriately responded, Vorpahl said. KBR denies it held Jones against her will and says it put her in a separate trailer for her own safety, Vorpahl said.

KBR began investigating the allegations, she said, but that probe was taken over by the U.S. State Department.

"We are not who (Jones) says we are, and she is not who she claims to be," Vorpahl said.

KBR and Halliburton had contended Jones' case should be settled through arbitration as stipulated in her contract. But an appeals court let her lawsuit, first filed in 2007, go to trial.

Due in part to Jones' case, federal lawmakers in 2009 approved a measure prohibiting contractors and subcontractors that receive $1 million in funds from the Department of Defense from requiring employees to resolve sexual assault allegations and other claims through arbitration.

The first witness for Jones, Amy Katz, a former training coordinator for KBR, told jurors she was fired in 1999 after she told the company about sexual harassment problems it had in its operations in the Balkans.

Testimony in the trial, which could last up to three weeks, is set to resume on Wednesday. Jones is expected to testify at some point during the trial.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://moneywatch.bnet.com/career-advice/news/attorney-kbr-created-hostile-work-environment/6246587/

bankruptcy attorney massachusetts ma bankruptcy attorneys Kaplan Attorneys www.kaplanattorneys.com boston bankruptcy attorney

Joliet attorney ready to take on Glasgow in state?s attorney race

By Cindy Wojdyla Cain ccain@stmedianetwork.com June 16, 2011 2:36PM

Dave Carlson

Updated: June 17, 2011 2:13PM

JOLIET ? Joliet attorney Dave Carlson announced todaythat he will run for state?s attorney in the March Republican primary.

If he is successful, Carlson could meet his former boss, incumbent Will County State?s Attorney Jim Glasgow, in the November 2012 general election. Democrat Glasgow has said he will seek re-election.

Carlson, 40, of Plainfield, worked as an assistant state?s attorney for Glasgow and his predecessor, former States?s Attorney Jeff Tomczak, from 2001 to 2005.

?I am running for the office of state?s attorney because the people of Will County deserve better,? Carlson said in a press release. ?The office needs to be led from the top by a trial lawyer, not a career politician.?

Carlson said the state?s attorney should be someone who is in the courthouse every day, leading the charge against crime, ?not someone who appears only for press conferences.?

In a telephone interview with The Herald-News, Carlson said Glasgow has no leadership skills.

?We deserve better. We do,? he said. ?There should be someone at the courthouse, if not every day, at least every week. That?s his job.?

In contrast, Tomczak tried many cases, Carlson said. Carlson and Tomczak are both Republicans.

Glasgow, who served as state?s attorney from 1992 to 2000 and 2004 to the present, was not available for comment thisafternoon. But spokesman Charles Pelkie said Glasgow is a seasoned attorney well versed in all aspects of his office, including civil matters.

?The state?s attorney is actively involved in the management of the office and the decision-making process in terms of charging many cases,? Pelkie said. ?On top of that, he?s the top prosecutor on some of the biggest cases we have going right now, most notably, the Drew Peterson case as well as the Christopher Vaughn cases.?

The Peterson and Vaughn cases are high-profile murder cases. Pelkie said Carlson has no idea what it would take to run the office.

?What you have (in Carlson) is a criminal defense attorney who brings very little to the table in terms of experience,? Pelkie said.

This will be Carlson?s first attempt at public office.

Carlson said he has the passion to be state?s attorney and will lead the office with the highest standards of honor and integrity.

?I look forward to a positive campaign to address genuine issues and facts concerning Will County residents,? he said.

Carlson formed his own law firm in 2005. The office is at 116 N. Chicago St.

He grew up in Chicago and attended law school at Northern Illinois University. Through the years, Carlson worked as a probation officer, an assistant to the state comptroller, a prosecutor for the city of Chicago and a civil attorney in Chicago.

During his tenure with the Will County State?s Attorney?s Office, he was assigned to the organized crime unit and was named the chief gang crimes prosecutor.

Source: http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/5996744-417/joliet-attorney-ready-to-take-on-glasgow-in-states-attorney-race.html

ma bankruptcy attorneys Kaplan Attorneys www.kaplanattorneys.com boston bankruptcy attorney boston bankruptcy attorneys

CT Attorney General Demands Citigroup Data Breach Details - WGRZ TV

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut's attorney general has asked New York City-based financial services company Citigroup Inc. for more detailed information about a data breach it disclosed recently.

In a letter to Citigroup's chief executive and general counsel, Attorney General George Jepsen asks for a state-by-state breakdown
of the number of people affected by the breach. He also wants details about the circumstances of the breach, what steps Citigroup has taken to ensure data are safe and other information.

Citigroup said Thursday about 200,000 credit card customers in North America had their names, account numbers and email addresses stolen by hackers.

Jepsen says he wants the information to ensure Connecticut consumers are protected.

Spokesman Sean Kevelighan said Tuesday that Citigroup has determined the accounts and type of information accessed and notified those affected, about 1 percent of customers in North America.

Source: http://www.wgrz.com/news/national/article/124716/2/CT-Attorney-General-Demands-Citigroup-Data-Breach-Details?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cp

ma bankruptcy attorneys Kaplan Attorneys www.kaplanattorneys.com boston bankruptcy attorney boston bankruptcy attorneys

Joliet attorney ready to take on Glasgow in Will Co. state?s attorney race

By Cindy Wojdyla Cain ccain@stmedianetwork.com June 16, 2011 2:36PM

Dave Carlson

Updated: June 17, 2011 2:13PM

JOLIET ? Joliet attorney Dave Carlson announced todaythat he will run for state?s attorney in the March Republican primary.

If he is successful, Carlson could meet his former boss, incumbent Will County State?s Attorney Jim Glasgow, in the November 2012 general election. Democrat Glasgow has said he will seek re-election.

Carlson, 40, of Plainfield, worked as an assistant state?s attorney for Glasgow and his predecessor, former States?s Attorney Jeff Tomczak, from 2001 to 2005.

?I am running for the office of state?s attorney because the people of Will County deserve better,? Carlson said in a press release. ?The office needs to be led from the top by a trial lawyer, not a career politician.?

Carlson said the state?s attorney should be someone who is in the courthouse every day, leading the charge against crime, ?not someone who appears only for press conferences.?

In a telephone interview with The Herald-News, Carlson said Glasgow has no leadership skills.

?We deserve better. We do,? he said. ?There should be someone at the courthouse, if not every day, at least every week. That?s his job.?

In contrast, Tomczak tried many cases, Carlson said. Carlson and Tomczak are both Republicans.

Glasgow, who served as state?s attorney from 1992 to 2000 and 2004 to the present, was not available for comment thisafternoon. But spokesman Charles Pelkie said Glasgow is a seasoned attorney well versed in all aspects of his office, including civil matters.

?The state?s attorney is actively involved in the management of the office and the decision-making process in terms of charging many cases,? Pelkie said. ?On top of that, he?s the top prosecutor on some of the biggest cases we have going right now, most notably, the Drew Peterson case as well as the Christopher Vaughn cases.?

The Peterson and Vaughn cases are high-profile murder cases. Pelkie said Carlson has no idea what it would take to run the office.

?What you have (in Carlson) is a criminal defense attorney who brings very little to the table in terms of experience,? Pelkie said.

This will be Carlson?s first attempt at public office.

Carlson said he has the passion to be state?s attorney and will lead the office with the highest standards of honor and integrity.

?I look forward to a positive campaign to address genuine issues and facts concerning Will County residents,? he said.

Carlson formed his own law firm in 2005. The office is at 116 N. Chicago St.

He grew up in Chicago and attended law school at Northern Illinois University. Through the years, Carlson worked as a probation officer, an assistant to the state comptroller, a prosecutor for the city of Chicago and a civil attorney in Chicago.

During his tenure with the Will County State?s Attorney?s Office, he was assigned to the organized crime unit and was named the chief gang crimes prosecutor.

Source: http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/5996744-418/joliet-attorney-ready-to-take-on-glasgow-in-will-co.-states-attorney-race

ma bankruptcy attorneys Kaplan Attorneys www.kaplanattorneys.com boston bankruptcy attorney boston bankruptcy attorneys

Joliet attorney ready to take on Glasgow in state?s attorney race

By Cindy Wojdyla Cain ccain@stmedianetwork.com June 16, 2011 2:36PM

Dave Carlson

Updated: June 17, 2011 2:13PM

JOLIET ? Joliet attorney Dave Carlson announced todaythat he will run for state?s attorney in the March Republican primary.

If he is successful, Carlson could meet his former boss, incumbent Will County State?s Attorney Jim Glasgow, in the November 2012 general election. Democrat Glasgow has said he will seek re-election.

Carlson, 40, of Plainfield, worked as an assistant state?s attorney for Glasgow and his predecessor, former States?s Attorney Jeff Tomczak, from 2001 to 2005.

?I am running for the office of state?s attorney because the people of Will County deserve better,? Carlson said in a press release. ?The office needs to be led from the top by a trial lawyer, not a career politician.?

Carlson said the state?s attorney should be someone who is in the courthouse every day, leading the charge against crime, ?not someone who appears only for press conferences.?

In a telephone interview with The Herald-News, Carlson said Glasgow has no leadership skills.

?We deserve better. We do,? he said. ?There should be someone at the courthouse, if not every day, at least every week. That?s his job.?

In contrast, Tomczak tried many cases, Carlson said. Carlson and Tomczak are both Republicans.

Glasgow, who served as state?s attorney from 1992 to 2000 and 2004 to the present, was not available for comment thisafternoon. But spokesman Charles Pelkie said Glasgow is a seasoned attorney well versed in all aspects of his office, including civil matters.

?The state?s attorney is actively involved in the management of the office and the decision-making process in terms of charging many cases,? Pelkie said. ?On top of that, he?s the top prosecutor on some of the biggest cases we have going right now, most notably, the Drew Peterson case as well as the Christopher Vaughn cases.?

The Peterson and Vaughn cases are high-profile murder cases. Pelkie said Carlson has no idea what it would take to run the office.

?What you have (in Carlson) is a criminal defense attorney who brings very little to the table in terms of experience,? Pelkie said.

This will be Carlson?s first attempt at public office.

Carlson said he has the passion to be state?s attorney and will lead the office with the highest standards of honor and integrity.

?I look forward to a positive campaign to address genuine issues and facts concerning Will County residents,? he said.

Carlson formed his own law firm in 2005. The office is at 116 N. Chicago St.

He grew up in Chicago and attended law school at Northern Illinois University. Through the years, Carlson worked as a probation officer, an assistant to the state comptroller, a prosecutor for the city of Chicago and a civil attorney in Chicago.

During his tenure with the Will County State?s Attorney?s Office, he was assigned to the organized crime unit and was named the chief gang crimes prosecutor.

Source: http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/5996744-417/joliet-attorney-ready-to-take-on-glasgow-in-states-attorney-race.html

boston bankruptcy boston bankruptcy lawyers bankruptcy attorney massachusetts ma bankruptcy attorneys Kaplan Attorneys

DOJ official in ethics probe demoted - Statesman Journal

The embattled chief counsel of the Oregon Department of Justice's Criminal Justice Division is being demoted, Attorney General John Kroger announced Friday.

Sean Riddell is resigning his management position and going on leave until August, Kroger said in a prepared statement.

When Riddell returns, he will come back as an assistant attorney general with a new assignment.

Riddell currently faces an ethics complaint before the Oregon State Bar in his handling of a criminal investigation regarding contracting practices at the Oregon Department of Energy.

Four employees faced accusations that they had improperly steered a $60,000 contract to a firm owned by Cylvia Hayes, Gov. John Kitzhaber's companion. The employees, suspended as a result of the investigation, were cleared of wrongdoing earlier this month and reinstated to their jobs.

Riddell has been accused of lying to witnesses during the investigation in an attempt to coerce or intimidate them.

Kroger's statement did not mention the Department of Energy investigation directly, referring only to "mistakes in a small number of high-profile cases."

Instead, Kroger tied Riddell's demotion to an apparent clerical error.

"This week I learned that in addition to these errors, Chief Counsel Riddell had deleted a large number of government emails under the mistaken belief that they had been backed up on computer tape," Kroger wrote.

"Although we were able to recover many of the deleted emails, an unknown number have been lost permanently. The Department of Justice must scrupulously uphold its obligation to preserve government records."

Assistant Attorney General Darin Tweedt will serve as Interim Chief Counsel, Kroger said.

The Justice Department launched its criminal probe in August but never filed charges and shut down its investigation late last year.

One of the employees suspended in the investigation was Mark Long, the former interim director of the Department of Energy. One of Long's attorneys responded to Friday's announcement.

"I would say that it is a good decision to remove Mr. Riddell," said Eugene lawyer Sharon Rudnick. "He's been wielding the state's prosecutorial powers in his position, and he's hurt a lot of people, including Mark. It's good that it's going to stop."

The ethics complaint against Riddell has not progressed far with the Oregon State Bar.

"It has not moved past the initial screening investigation," Bar spokeswoman Kateri Walsh said Friday.

Deputy Attorney General Mary Williams announced Riddell's demotion to staff in an email shortly before 3 p.m. Friday, about 10 minutes before Kroger released his statement.

"You may hear different things about why this change is occurring," Williams said. "I ask that you respect the fact that we often will not discuss why changes happen for a variety of reasons. But I will tell you that the Attorney General and I have the greatest respect for Sean."

Kroger also praised Riddell as a dedicated public servant and a veteran who, as a Marine, served two tours of duty in Iraq.

dmthomps@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6719 or on Twitter @DMThompsonJr

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFAjzRhuffO1G0Qlsv98N9r7Kg0xg&url=http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20110618/NEWS/106180329/DOJ-official-ethics-probe-demoted?odyssey=mod%257Cnewswell%257Ctext%257CNews%257Cp

ma bankruptcy attorneys Kaplan Attorneys www.kaplanattorneys.com boston bankruptcy attorney boston bankruptcy attorneys

Sweetwater attorney allegedly pulled gun on police officer - Abilene Reporter-News

Suspect drew gun on officer, police say

By Brian Bethel

bethelb@reporternews.com325-676-6739

Sweetwater's police chief said Tuesday that an area attorney allegedly pulled a gun on a police officer before being arrested early Monday morning.

Attorney John Young was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and taken to the Nolan County Jail, where he was released after posting a $12,000 bond.

Young, who most recently has been in headlines for representing Billie Dunn, mother of missing Colorado City teen Hailey Dunn, has been an attorney in numerous high-profile criminal cases ? including bigamy charges (later dropped) against House of Yahweh leader Yisrayl Hawkins ? ranging from murder to a mauling by a pit bull.

According to Sweetwater Police Chief Jim Kelley, around 12:15 a.m. Monday, an on-duty officer was "staying at a house in the 2100 block of Robert Lee with his ex-wife."

"He stopped by there to get a glass of tea," Kelley said, when the officer noticed a car behind the house that he "assumed was Mr. Young's." The officer approached the front of the vehicle, at which point Young exited his vehicle "yelling" at the officer, calling him a "threat," the police chief said.

Young then pulled a 9 mm handgun from behind him and pointed it "right in the officer's face," Kelley said.

The officer told Young to stop pointing the weapon at him, then "knocked the gun hand away," at which point the two started scuffling, Kelley said.

"I don't know how long the scuffle occurred, but other officers arrived and helped (the) officer handcuff Mr. Young," Kelley said.

Though he said that "Mr. Young was intoxicated on something" at the time of his arrest, Sweetwater police "didn't pursue any alcohol-related charges," Kelley said.

"(We) didn't see the need to offer any type of blood or breath analysis," he said.

Young, contacted via cellphone, declined to comment on the charges.

"I have no comment, I'm sorry," he said.

Young, who graduated from Texas Tech University's law school in 1988, was admitted to the state bar in November of that year. Recently, he became chairman of the education institute of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

Tuesday afternoon, Abilene attorneys who know Young expressed shock at the news, along with concern for his well-being.

Criminal defense attorney Alex Eyssen said he did not know anything beyond what had been in local media reports about the case, but said that Young was a "commensurate gentleman and a true advocate and scholar" to fellow attorneys and clients, generous with his time and legal research and resources.

"I have nothing but the best regard for him in what must be a trying time for him, his family and his law practice," he said. "He has taken lots of cases, and I think he has represented his clients well in state and federal court, and again I hope whatever is going on with him right now is something he can get a hold of."

Though in a sense he and Young could be considered competitors, "he (Young) didn't view it that way," Eyssen said.

"He viewed us as a profession that owes a responsibility to each other for the betterment of our clients and for the system," he said. "He embraced that, and I can't say that about everyone else I practice with."

Eyssen said he had spoken with "10 or 15" lawyers Tuesday about the incident, all of whom expressed concern for Young and his well-being.

Barrett Thomas, a former prosecutor and now defense attorney, called Young "one of the most professional and down-to-earth attorneys I have ever dealt with."

Thomas, who is representing Shawn Adkins, Billie Dunn's former boyfriend and the only named suspect in the disappearance of Hailey Dunn, said Young remained a competent attorney "no matter what's going on in his personal life."

"We just wish him all the best and are praying for him," he said.

It is not the first time that Young has had difficulties with the law.

According to a 2004 Reporter-News profile on the attorney, Young was forced to resign from the Lubbock district attorney's office in 1990 after he was involved in a car crash that claimed the life of Darlene Hall, a mother of two.

According to Reporter-News archives, the news made headlines throughout Lubbock, though a grand jury did not indict Young on a charge of anything other than driving while intoxicated.

"It was a very unpleasant time in my life, but clearly not as unpleasant as those two young children," Young said in the story. "I did act in an irresponsible manner. There's nothing I can do in this life to make up for taking the life of Mrs. Hall. What I can do ... is do better."

After the accident and the resignation, Young moved to Sweetwater and joined a local law firm, according to the story, with plans to learn to practice civil law and move to a larger community.

"I was still looking over my shoulder for the fallout of a horrible mistake," Young said. "I expected the people of Sweetwater to judge me."

Instead, Young said in the story, the community embraced him, his wife and their two children.

In the 2004 article, Young said there were multiple reasons for his ability to capture big-time clients, including his experience as a criminal defendant.

"I know what it's like to have made an enormous error," he said. "I have a great passion for standing up for those who can't stand up for themselves."

Source: http://www.reporternews.com/news/2011/jun/14/sweetwater-attorney-allegedly-pulled-gun-on/

Kaplan Attorneys www.kaplanattorneys.com boston bankruptcy attorney boston bankruptcy attorneys boston bankruptcy lawyer