Back to Law School: Attorney General Eric Holder Jr., responding to criticism of the handling of the Ted Stevens case, wants additional training for prosecutors to reinforce their understanding of rules that govern discovery in criminal cases, The BLT reports. Holder also announced the creation of a working group of senior prosecutors and Justice officials to examine discovery practices in criminal cases.
Falling Salaries: Compensation for first-year lawyers at McKenna Long & Aldridge won't be same after a $20,000 cut, The National Law Journal reports. The lowered salary—to $140,000—applies to all incoming associates in the firm's 10 offices, which include Washington, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. The salary reduction continues a national trend as firms grapple with financial woes.
Keeping a Secret: Several sources tell The Wall Street Journal that the Obama administration is "leaning toward" keeping some details of CIA interrogation tactics secret despite the insistence from some top officials to make the information public. People familiar with the memos say one detail in the documents includes approval for a technique in which a prisoner's head is smashed against a wall—as long as the person's head was being held and the interrogator controlled the strike.
Process Server Booked: American Legal Process (and its owner and president, William Singler) is facing criminal fraud charges in New York for reportedly failing to serve debt collection suits to thousands of New Yorkers, The Associated Press reports. The Long Island company and its workers are accused of doctoring records and filing false documents to cover up the failure to serve debt collection papers.
Getting Away with It: The New York Times reports a review of civil lawsuits shows many fraud cases have gone unprosecuted. New York City prosecutors, the Times says, brought few indictments despite the fact foreclosure and mortgage fraud swindles have flourished in the past decade. City officials say the lack of prosecution stems from insufficient staff.
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