Findlaw [Mar 29 04]Kramer Vs. Getting Trumped [Mar 22 2004]
“You’re Fired!” Far from a fond farewell, these two potent words have long prompted lawsuits from those protesting their undiplomatic exits from the ranks of the employed. Now, those who dare to utter this phrase may face more than the wrath of a disgruntled employee. They may soon face litigation from a disgruntled billionaire.
Kramer Vs. Vigilantes on Ice [Mar 15 2004]
They are called “enforcers.” Hit men who whack their enemies and take revenge on those who cross members of their gang. There are enforcers in every major gang: The Gambinos, the Genoveses, the Columbos, the Canucks. Three of these gangs are members of organized crime. One is a member of organized hockey.
Kramer Vs. Separate & Unequal Schools [Mar 1 2004]
Fifty years ago, a graduate of Baltimore City Public Schools won a landmark
Supreme Court case providing equal educational opportunities for students of all races. Fifty years later, more than 90 percent of the students at Thurgood
Marshall’s alma mater are unable to read the court’s landmark opinion.
Kramer Vs. McLawsuits [Feb 23 2004]
As the World Health Organization launches a worldwide campaign
against obesity, Mayor McCheese faces political trouble in the once utopian
village of McDonaldland.
Kramer Vs. The Boob Tube [Feb 9 2004]
At halftime during a Superbowl, who decides what your children should watch on television?
Kramer Vs. Doctoring the Law [Feb 2 2004]
"First, do no harm." But, if you harm, cap your victim’s recovery while blaming some other profession for the degradation of health care in America.
Kramer Vs. Ducking the Case [Jan 26 2004]
While U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia didn’t hit too many targets on his recent duck hunting trip to Louisiana, he has now become the target of criticism over his relationship with hunting partner and Supreme Court litigant, Dick Cheney.
Kramer Vs. Terrorists from Mars [Jan 20 2004]
The “War on Terrorism” has become “The War of
the Worlds.” In the wake of Sept. 11, our commander in chief warned us that ridding the world of terrorism would not be easy. With Afghanistan, Iraq and
Libya out of the way, we must now save the planet from an even more formidable foe — the Martians.
Kramer Vs. The
Mad Cows [Jan 12 2004]
Though the USDA has turned mad cows into scapegoats, its mad scientists have placed public relations over public safety.
While the agency was quick to blame other nations for “mad cow disease,” efforts to protect foreign consumers far outrank the rhetoric of our own bureaucrats.
Kramer Vs. The Krammy Awards [Dec 29 2003]
Unlike the Academy Awards, some recipients of this year’s Krammy Awards may need to trade designer gowns, tuxedos and jewels for bright orange jumpsuits and bracelets that fit tight around both wrists.
Some have fared better than others, but many have tripped on the red carpet leading to the courtroom.
Kramer Vs. Death-Defying Deliberations [Dec 22 2003]
Considering a recorded confession in which Lee Boyd Malvo laughed about his bloody game of sharpshooting, many wonder why this jury took so long on the technicalities of capital murder. Now, these slow pokes
have sent the case into a penalty phase, and an even longer process of deciding the ultimate fate of a youth who destroyed the lives of 10 people before
reaching the age of 18.
Kramer Vs. Policing the Police [Dec 15 2003]
With the resignation of State Police Superintendent Edward Norris, a new man has assumed the role of Maryland’s top law enforcement officer. And, unlike Norris, he doesn’t answer to the governor.
Kramer Vs.
Living and Dying By the Law [Dec 8 2003]
“The first thing we do, let's kill all the
lawyers.” These are the immortal words of William Shakespeare. Penned a century before lawyers created laws to protect such playwrights from plagiarism, this
line from Henry VI continues to provide literary validation to those who think the world would be better off without those fast-talking leeches who profit from
the misfortunes of society.
Kramer Vs. The Fifteen Commandments [Nov 24 2003]
As noted historian Mel Brooks observed in his
cinematic exposition, History of the World: Part One, Moses originally received 15 commandments on Mount Sinai before dropping one of the three tablets, leaving
a third of God’s pronouncements an eternal mystery. The 10 that were left have caused a monumental stir in the state of Alabama.
Kramer Vs.
Dumb & Dumber Questions & Answers [Nov 17 2003]
Having spent many years asking dumb questions and
getting even dumber answers in state and federal courts, I take pride in a style of cross-examination designed to expose the implausibility of my opponent’s
positions.
Kramer Vs. Judging Judy [Nov 10 2003]
To protect the innocent, I’m compelled to start
this column with a disclaimer: This column focuses on the peculiar behavior of judges portrayed in the televised media. Any resemblance to actual judges,
living or dead is unintentional and purely coincidental.
Kramer Vs. The Bar of Alternative Arguments [Nov 3 2003]
While politicians are often chastised for “talking out of both sides of their mouths,” lawyers have made inconsistent, “alternative arguments” a way of life. Uncertain of the best path to victory, we
hedge our bets, propose alternatives, keep our options open, and hope that no one will mind our irreconcilable and contradictory positions.
Kramer Vs.
The Courtroom Sniper [Oct 27 2003]
Accused of selecting the innocent targets of one
of the most horrific killing sprees in U.S. history, John Allen Muhammad may know what it’s like to “play God.” Playing “lawyer” proved to be much more
difficult.
Kramer Vs. Steve "Foul Ball" Bartman [Oct 20 2003]
While some Chicagoans take perverse pride in
their city’s history as home to infamous gangsters, the locals have readily disowned an excited spectator who may have cost them nothing more than a
baseball game.
Kramer Vs. The Telemarketing Invasion [Oct 14 2003]
Though the telephone has allowed us to “reach out and touch” each other, the contact isn’t always welcome. Telephone lines now cross political, cultural and racial lines to link millions of Americans in a
common disdain for telemarketers. Compounding the frustration, calls to silence their invasive rings keep getting disconnected.
Kramer Vs. Persons of Interest [Oct 6 2003]
While we are usually flattered when people find us “interesting,” we don’t typically regard it as a compliment when those people work for the federal government. Although IRS scrutiny may be unpleasant, being a “person of interest” to the Department of Justice, the FBI or other members of law enforcement can be downright devastating.
The legal columns provided by television news legal correspondent,
consumer investigative reporter and syndicated law columnist Irwin Kramer are not intended to constitute legal advice, but are published to provide insight and analysis of major legal stories, controversial issues, and opinions and commentary on significant news stories which have been the subject of Mr. Kramer's popular and top rated TV reports and newspaper editorials. Whenever confronting high profile cases, or any legal matter, readers and viewers should check legalities and seek the legal representation of competent attorneys and civil trial and litigation lawyers to protect their legal rights. The slogans, High-Speed Access to Legal Action, Legal Advice, Legal Counsel, Legal Protection, State & Federal Courts, Dispute & Conflict Resolution, Probate Protection, Legal News, Legal Training & Seminars, and the substantial equivalent thereof are service marks of Kramer & Connolly.