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Lawmakers steamed over snubbed subpoenas
Firm News/Alaska |
2008/01/23 06:46
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By Anne Sutton | The Associated Press
State lawmakers on Wednesday said they don't plan to pursue abuse of power findings against Gov. Sarah Palin, but they do want to know why their subpoenas were ignored in last fall's Troopergate investigation.
Some are steamed that possible witnesses, including several of Palin's top aides, snubbed a September legislative hearing into Palin's firing of her public safety director Walt Monegan.
They want to talk to Attorney General Talis Colberg about why the witnesses didn't show.
Did he tell them not to answer the subpoenas? It concerns me that if we let it go, next time we try to subpoena people, they'll think there's no authority there, said House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski.
Colberg and Palin did not respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.
The Legislative Council last year, in an unanimous bipartisan vote, ordered an investigation into Monegan's firing, and Palin agreed to cooperate - until she was named John McCain's running mate.
Palin - through her campaign - accused lawmakers of manipulating the probe to be potentially damaging ahead of the November election.
Palin said she would cooperate only with a separate probe by the Alaska State Personnel Board.
Meanwhile Colberg, a Republican appointed by Palin, filed a lawsuit challenging the subpoenas issued in the legislative probe. He claimed the Senate Judiciary Committee had no jurisdiction to issue them and questioned whether the Legislative Council had the authority to begin a probe.
At the time, Colberg said he advised the state employees to either show up and testify or don't and join the lawsuit, which was ultimately dismissed by a judge.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jay Ramras, R-Fairbanks, could hold hearings as early as next week.
My own interest is in examination of the process and the relationship of the Attorney General: whether he works for the citizens of Alaska, the governor or the people whom he advised to ignore subpoenas issued by the Legislature, Ramras said.
He asked committee member and attorney Lindsey Holmes, D-Anchorage, to look into whether Colberg could refuse to testify, claiming attorney-client privilege.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Hollis French, D-Anchorage, said the Senate is still discussing whether to hold hearings.
The 14 people who were subpoenaed did ultimately testify or provide written statements, which was good but doesn't undo fact that you were ordered to show up and didn't, French said.
State statute provides for fines and a maximum of six months in jail for contempt of legislative subpoenas, but French said the statute is rarely used.
The Troopergate investigation was looking into whether Palin and others pressured Monegan to fire a state trooper who was involved in a contentious divorce with Palin's sister, and then fired Monegan when he wouldn't dismiss the trooper.
Palin maintains that Monegan was ousted over budget disagreements.
Special counsel Stephen Branchflower found that Palin had abused her office but the firing was legal since Monegan was an at-will employee.
A subsequent investigation by the Alaska State Personnel Board found there was no probable cause to believe Palin or any other state official violated the Alaska Executive Ethics Act. |
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The Partnership of Federal Hasson, LLP
Legal Focuses |
2008/01/08 12:51
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R. Keegan Federal, Jr., and attorneys for the Firm are proud to announce the change of the Firm's name from Keegan Federal amp; Associates to Federal amp; Hasson, LLP. This change, effective January 1, 2008, is in recognition of the leadership position of co-managing partner of the Firm assumed by Keith S. Hasson. Keith shares the management responsibilities with the founder and senior partner, R. Keegan Federal, Jr. pAbout Federal amp; Hasson, LLP: /ppFounder and Senior Partner, R. Keegan Federal, Jr. is a civil trial attorney and former Superior Court Judge in Atlanta, Georgia. The Firm's attorneys have extensive experience in the successful resolution of disputes related to: Business Contracts, Torts, and Securities; Personal Injury and Wrongful Death with an emphasis on Brain amp; Spinal Cord Injury; Divorce and Family Law; Wills, Trusts, and Estates; Employment Contracts, Discrimination and Sexual Harassment; Immigration, Real Estate; and Legal Malpractice and Licensing, through Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration and Litigation. /ppFor more information contact: /ppRebecca A James
Public Relations - Federal amp; Hasson, LLP
678.443.4044 /p |
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Henry Horne, LLP Celebrates 50 Years
Legal Focuses |
2007/09/18 12:55
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| pHenry amp; Horne, LLP has reached 50 years in business and will be hosting an open house for it's clients and friends on October 6th. The event is being held so the firm can thank clients, friends and the communities for being a part in Henry amp; Horne, LLP achieving such a milestone. It's a never-ending journey to improve the relationships and the services that we have and provide to our friends and clients, Mark Eberle, CPA, Managing Partner. /ppHenry amp; Horne, LLP began in 1957 when Marvin Henry amp; Gail Horne merged their accounting practices to create one firm with 12 employees working in three different locations. Together they built the firm's reputation as a solid, locally owned and operated accounting practice that specialized in the needs of its clients. /ppAbout Henry amp; Horne, LLP/ppHenry amp; Horne, LLP (a href=http://www.henryandhorne.comwww.henryandhorne.com/a) is an Arizona-based certified public accounting and business advisory firm founded in 1957. The 140-person firm serves closely held businesses and high net worth individuals throughout the United States and internationally from four Arizona locations: Tempe, Scottsdale, Casa Grande and Pinetop. Services include audit and accounting; business consulting; mergers and acquisitions; succession planning; business valuation; litigation support; forensic accounting services; tax services (Ramp;D tax credits; cost segregation; state and local tax issues); estate planning; and international business services. /p |
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Press Release: Arizona Foundation for Women
Firm News/Arizona |
2007/04/22 13:02
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - Although there has been progress over the last two years in funding domestic violence shelters in Arizona, roughly 2/3 of all women seeking shelter are still turned away due to lack of space. Both the Governor and the legislature support an appropriation of least $3 million to increase the number of shelter spaces and help to end turn-aways. $3 million is reportedly included in the Senate draft budget. Domestic Violence WHAT'S GOING ON?
Lots going on! $3 million for additional shelter beds seems very likely to be included in the final state budget. More immediately, SB1227, which allows victims of domestic violence to terminate their lease for safety reasons, has passed and is ready to go to the Governor- thanks to all who sent emails! SB1424, which allows for enhanced penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders, has passed, and is headed for the Governor's desk as well.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ARIZONA WOMEN?
Both bills will keep victims safer, and send an important message to abusers that Arizona takes domestic violence seriously. WHAT CAN I DO? Contact Sponsors Senator Jim Waring and President Tim Bee. These men are heroes who fought off powerful interest groups in order to get these two bills passed. Thank them for helping SB1227 and SB 1424 go all the way. Jim Waring jwaring@azleg.gov Tim Bee tbee@azleg.gov |
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Sirote Permutt expands mortgage banking practice
Firm News/Alabama |
2007/04/07 11:14
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Sirote amp; Permutt PC recently expanded its mortgage banking litigation practice to assist financial services and mortgage banking companies with legal challenges surrounding the subprime mortgage banking crisis.
The Birmingham-based firm repositioned 16 lawyers into the team with industry-focused knowledge. The team will be led by Sirote Shareholder C. Lee Reeves, according to the press release.
Because of the challenging environment that exists today and because of our heavy involvement in mortgage banking generally, we have prioritized the importance of our mortgage banking litigation group to best take care of the needs of our clients.
Sirote amp; Permutt PC operates offices in Birmingham, Huntsville and Mobile.
span style=font-style: italicBirmingham Business Journal - by Crystal Jarvis Staff/span |
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SOUTH FLORIDA LAW FIRM EXPANDS AND RELOCATES HEADQUARTERS TO CORAL GABLES, FLA.
Firm News/Florida |
2006/09/05 14:50
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South Florida law firm Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole amp; Boniske P.A. will relocate its headquarters in January from Grand Bay Plaza in Coconut Grove, Fla., to 2525 Ponce de Leon Blvd. in Coral Gables, Fla.
The firm will move from its current 12,300-square-foot office to a 16,400-square-foot space located in a newly developed 250,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style building in the downtown Coral Gables, Fla., office district.
Weiss Serota wanted to upgrade to a more modern and upscale office and was looking for office space in proximity to the amenities of Coral Gables, according to Managing Directors Tom Capocefalo and Stephen Levine with Studley’s South Florida office, who represented the law firm in the lease.nbsp; Studley also represented the law firm on the relocation of its Fort Lauderdale, Fla., office in June.
Tom Roth with Hines Development represented the landlord in the transaction.
Nationally, Studley has represented 75 of The American Lawyer’s top 100 law firms in transactions, some of which include Latham Watkins; McDermott, Will amp; Emery; and Piper Rudnick. Over the past year alone, Studley’s South Florida office has represented several leading law firms, including Carlton Fields; Gunster Yoakley; and Buckingham, Doolittle amp; Burroughs. |
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