In Portland Public Schools v. Beth Slovic and Kim Sordyl, we won and submitted a petition for attorney fees. In response, the opposing lawyer wrote to the judge:
“Mr. Merrick stepped in due to the untimely death of Rick Van Cleave and picked up and filed the final briefing and argued the cross-motions for summary judgment in an efficient and effective manner.”
Certainly, I cannot argue with that. Thank you!
Portland City Council voted today to pay my attorney fees and put and end to the public records lawsuit, Tyler Bechtel v. City of Portland and Mayor Wheeler, Case No. 18 CV 04107. Here’s The Oregonian article on it.
Public Records Law requires public body disclosure of more detail from attorney’s billing statements, ruled the Kentucky Attorney General.
The request came from the editor of the College Heights Herald to Western Kentucky University seeking billing and payment records between the University and a law firm. WKU produced a heavily blacked-out version of the billing statement.
WKU argued redactions were appropriate to preserve the information protected by the attorney-client and work-product privileges.
The attorney general’s opinion sets forth the following points:
Yesterday, the Oregon Court of Appeals held a woman may sue a surgeon (who allegedly harassed her at work) for defamation AND for retaliation under the employment laws even though surgeon was not her employer. The employment law claim provides for attorney fees, where a defamation claim does not. He badmouthed her AFTER both left their place of employment.
EEOC settlements last quarter included calling a veteran with PTSD “psycho,” firing a pregnant bartender who could not fit into hot pants, and refusing to hire a recovering drug addict under medical supervision. I highlight these plus the other resolutions announced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Continue Reading
Yesterday, Judge Souede ordered Mayor Wheeler to produce records in the case of Tyler Bechtel vs. City of Portland and Mayor Wheeler.
It was another hard-fought battle. Ultimately, Mayor Wheeler broke the law by withholding records. Here’s a copy of the order, and here’s the Oregonian article on it. Continue Reading
Reporter Beth Slovic and Kimberly Sordyl, a strong advocate for schoolchildren won their public records lawsuit. Each asked Portland Public Schools for public records on employees who are on paid leave. They believed management was parking people on paid leave instead of resolving whatever allegations or problems put them on leave. I represented Kim Sordyl.
The school district refused to provide the records. Continue Reading
Every claim in Oregon has time limitations. When a claim is not filed on time, it is lost forever. This article summarizes some of the statutes of limitations for claims against civil lawyers (not criminal lawyers).
WARNING AND DISCLAIMER: Hire a lawyer. This article is no substitute. It skims the surface. Plus, everyone’s situation differs, including claims for minors or elders.
What’s the statute of limitations for legal malpractice in Oregon?
Oregon clients must sue their attorneys within two years from “discovery” of the claim.
What does “Discovery” of a claim mean? Continue Reading
Oregonians may sue their attorneys for fraud just the same as we can sue others for fraud.
WARNING AND DISCLAIMER: Hire a lawyer. This article is no substitute, and everyone’s situation differs.
Threatening women not to get pregnant; “maximize longevity” as an excuse to prefer younger applicants; and who paid $9.8 million because it required “no restrictions” before allowing workers back from medical leave? These were among the 26 resolutions announced last quarter by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). I summarize them below. Continue Reading