This week's Elon University School of Law Discussion and Afternoon Tea

This Thursday, March 29, 2007, Elon University School of Law is holding a "Discussion of Death Penalty and Sentencing Reform" with Tom Ross, Director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation and Former Chair of the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission.

The discussion will be at 3:30 in Room 204, followed by afternoon tea in the Cemala Commons. The Judge of the week is Judge John O. Craig, III. See you there!

UPDATE: The Business Journal reports here that this summer, Tom Ross will leave his position at the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation to become president of Davidson College, his alma mater.

Class action suit launched against Registerfly, ICANN

The Malaysia Sun is reporting here that a class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina against Internet domain registrar, RegisterFly, as well as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ("ICANN"), and certain individuals.

The lawsuit, which was originally filed on March 13, 2007, alleges that RegisterFly systematically defrauded its customers who attempted to register or renew Internet domain names.

Another Internet article about the lawsuit can be found
here.

Business court sees full docket as demand soars

The Business Journal reports here that the case docket for the Greensboro-based N.C. Business Court remains full, despite the addition of Business Court judges in Wake and Mecklenburg counties last year.

Greensboro "Cat Fight" Dispute to Air on Judge Joe Brown

The Martinsville Bulletin has this story about a local "cat fight" to air on Judge Joe Brown.

First death row inmate exonerated by DNA evidence will speak at UNCG

Kirk Bloodsworth, the first death row inmate exonerated by DNA evidence, will speak at UNCG April 12 at 7 p.m. in Room 201 of UNCG's new science building.

The News & Record reports on this story here.

For a more in-depth story, check out CNN's report on Bloodsworth here.

“Litigation Insurance” To Protect Your Company

Company owners, directors, and officers may not realize that when their company is hit with a lawsuit alleging property damage, bodily injury, personal injury, or advertising injury, the company may have insurance coverage to pay for the costs of its legal defense (and, ultimately, for any damages it must pay to the complainant). There is a good chance that your company has purchased general liability insurance, often referred to as Comprehensive General Liability or Commercial General Liability insurance. The company may also have purchased other policies to protect the company’s directors and officers, or against other liabilities faced by the company.

Key steps to take if your company has been, or likely will be, sued:

- Review the company’s insurance policies to determine whether the lawsuit may be covered. If necessary, engage legal counsel to provide coverage advice.

- Give prompt notice to the company’s insurer of the lawsuit or potential lawsuit.

- Cooperate with the company’s insurer throughout the litigation.

- Remember that insurers benefit from minimizing their exposure. Make sure the company’s interests are being properly represented. If necessary, engage legal counsel to ensure that the company’s rights are being protected and its coverage maximized.

Good research tools for lawyers (and others, too)

Tom Mighell hosts an Internet legal research blog, titled inter alia, and also sends out a weekly e-mail with research tips.

It's not Greensboro or North Carolina oriented, but it's a useful site, so I thought I'd pass along the info...

Greensboro Economic Development Alliance Presents Stanley Frank Lifetime Achievement Award

The Greensboro Economic Development Alliance presented Charles E. Melvin Jr. the Stanley Frank Lifetime Achievement Award at its Annual Investor Meeting today at the O. Henry Hotel.

Mr. Melvin is an attorney at Smith Moore LLP specializing in business, real estate development, land use and international law.

UNCG Free Lecture on the Legality of Polygamy and Same-Sex Marriages

On Wednesday, April 4, UNCG will host Professor Martha Ertman of the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law for a lecture titled “Mormon Polygamy as Race Treason” at 3 p.m. in the Claxton Room, Elliott University Center.

According to UNCG's website, Professor Ertman will discuss Reynolds v. U.S., a 19th century dispute between the federal government and the Utah Mormons over the legality of polygamy as it relates to current debates over same-sex unions and other aspects of family and contractual law.

Business Journal's profile of David King, CEO of Labcorp

The Business Journal has an interesting profile of David King, a former partner at the Baltimore-based firm Hogan & Hartson, and who is now CEO of Labcorp.

Yesterday's Court of Appeals session at Elon University School of Law was a success

The News & Record reports here on yesterday's Court of Appeals session at Elon University School of Law.

UPDATE: Another summary is reported by Elon here.

Ask-A-Lawyer Day - Saturday, March 24

Save the date! Ask-A-Lawyer day is Saturday, March 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Greensboro Public Library, Central Branch, downtown Greensboro.

Individuals with questions about specific legal issues or the legal system in general will be able to talk with lawyers on a one-on-one basis. All members of the general public are invited.

Court of Appeals hearing arguments in Greensboro TODAY

North Carolina Court of Appeals Chief Judge Martin and Judges Elmore, McGee and Stephens will hear appellate arguments today beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the N.C. Business Courtroom. The session is open to the public.

City Attorney Blair Carr Leaving City Attorney Job

City attorney Blair Carr is leaving her Greensboro post for a position in Winston-Salem, the News & Record reports here.

Downtown protesters found guilty of impeding traffic

The News & Record reports here that the protesters who were arrested during a January 11 protest of the Iraq war in downtown Greensboro have been found guilty of impeding traffic.

Local blogger, The Troublemaker, blogged about this incident here.

This week's Elon University School of Law Afternoon Tea

This Thursday, March 15, 2007, Elon University School of Law is holding a "Conversation about the Court of Appeals," from 3:30-4:00 in the N.C. Business Courtroom, to be followed by afternoon tea in the Cemala Commons. The Judge of the week is Judge Lindsay Davis. See you there!

Former NC Supreme Court Justices On The Move

The Triangle Business Journal reports here that former state Supreme Court Justice Robert Orr will step down as executive director and senior counsel of the North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law to focus on his 2008 gubernatorial campaign.

In other news reported here, former state Supreme Court Justice Willis Whichard will join the law firm of Moore & Van Allen.

Elon law students to work with N.C. Center on Actual Innocence

The North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence has added Elon University School of Law to its list of partners, according to the News & Record. Students at the downtown Greensboro law school have begun reviewing criminal cases where sufficient questions about guilt have been raised. You can read the full story here.

N&R: County asks nonprofits to ease jail crowding

The News & Record reports here that Guilford County officials want local nonprofits to help clear inmates out of the crowded jail system.

Court leaders back jail plans

The News & Record reports here that high-ranking court officials are "unanimous" that Guilford County needs a new jail.

Among those court officials are Catherine Eagles, senior resident Superior Court judge; Joseph Turner, Chief District Court judge; Doug Henderson, district attorney; Wally Harrelson, public defender; and David Churchill, clerk of Superior Court.

New links

New links to local resources, including local legal blogs, have been added!

Elon University School of Law afternoon tea

This Thursday, March 8, 2007, Elon University School of Law is holding an "ACC Not-A-Tea," from 3:30-4:30 in the Cemala Commons. The Miami v. Maryland game will be shown on the Big Screen in Room 207. The Judge of the week is Judge Stuart Albright. See you there!

Smith Moore LLP to open Charlotte office

Smith Moore LLP has announced plans to open a Charlotte office. The law firm's press release can be found here.

March 2007 Greensboro Bar Association News

The March 2007 Greensboro Bar Association News is available here.

New blog!

Welcome to our new blog, where we will post newsworthy items relevant to the practice of law in Greensboro, North Carolina. All comments and suggestions are welcome!