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Recent Articles from Spencer Farris
Commentary: You may find this interesting
My departed former law partner had a unique memory. He read a lot and retained what he read with excellent recall, especially the arcane and obscure facts.
Commentary: It’s all business, especially the busyness
I have been self-employed for a couple of decades, or as I call it, unemployed with overhead. Unless it was one of the days I skipped, no one in law school taught us how to operate a law firm.
Commentary: Supreme Court < Supreme Pizza
The Supreme Court has been grabbing headlines lately, and not for their opinions. At least, not their official opinions. A long history of gifts from litigants appearing in front of the Court is coming to light, and the light isn’t flattering.
Commentary: Less is more trouble
In case you missed it, as I did, the online court records system is being thrown open to the public. Because of that change, it will be necessary for lawyers to be more careful when loading documents into the system, to protect the privacy of litigants.
Commentary: Pomp and circumstances beyond our control
It is summer, and graduation time for law students. It is also time for my semi-regular rant on law school.
Commentary: It’s what you say and where you say it
Back in the day, I think it was a Tuesday, my mentor told me not to write anything I would be embarrassed to see on the front page of the St. Louis Post Dispatch tomorrow.
Commentary: What goes down must be sold up
When I first began my solo law practice, a wise lawyer advised me to buy a good chair since I would spend more time in it than I would in my bed. He was right. I don’t know if it is more frustrating when a good chair fails than a crummy one but at least the warranty is better.
Commentary: Blame the Mockingbird, She Started It.
I have a confession to make. I saw the Broadway play “To Kill A Mockingbird” recently.
Commentary: I’m Sorry Dave, I’m Afraid I Can’t Do That
In a mechanically operated dystopian future, robot lawyers are our only hope. They will argue our case to the Supreme Robot Counsel, assuming they can get past the metal detectors and rise above their own anti-robot sentiment. In short, we should make nice with them now.
Commentary: Tell the Whole Truth? I’ll do Better Than That.
My high school coach told me that for every advantage you gain, there are disadvantages. I remember this clearly — as a bench warmer, I wasn’t distracted by playing when the coach was philosophizing.
Commentary: The more things change, the more they become different
I just had the Monday-est of Mondays. I was loafing through my morning routine, walking the dog in the cold, pretending to work out, and having breakfast.
Commentary: A free gift for free.
I am multilingual. Folks know this because I tell everyone all the time, almost like someone announces that they are vegan.
Latest Opinion Digests
- Immigration: Asylum-Withholding of Removal-Appellate Jurisdiction
- Criminal Law: Child Pornography-Bottom-of-Guidelines Sentence-Substantive Reasonableness of Sentence
- Criminal Law: Child Abuse-Sufficiency Of Evidence-Closing Argument
- Civil Rights: Religious Freedom-RLUIPA-Res Judicata
- Civil Practice: Res Judicata-Stop Work Order
- Immigration: Drug Conviction-Removability-Overbreadth of State Offense
- Civil Practice: Asset Forfeiture-Sanctions
- Civil Rights: Due Process-Failure to State Claim
- Probate : Revocable Trust – Amendment – Reformation
- Employer – Employee : Unpaid Commissions – At-Will Status
- Criminal Law : Post-Conviction Relief – Effectiveness Of Counsel – Conflict Of Interest
- Appellate Practice : Jurisdiction – Final Judgment
Top stories
- Nurse entitled to disability benefits despite working months after accident, Supreme Court rules
- Eastern District rules 10 cases against TitleMax may proceed without arbitration
- Supreme Court declines to hear Republican appeals on abortion ballot initiatives
- Cole County jury awards $1.56 billion in Roundup case headed for appeal
- Jury gives massive award after fleeing suspect causes fatal crash
- 8th Circuit tosses suit claiming false sale prices
- Attorney general releases report on Kim Gardner investigation
- Legal Limelight: Jason C. Smith, Office Managing Partner, Spencer Fane
