(Peter Warwick (left), president and CEO of Thomson Reuters, Legal, presents Rob Zeaske of Second Harvest Heartland with a donation)

The Eagan, Minn. based-employees of Thomson Reuters recognize the growing needs in their communities. On July 15, Peter Warwick, president and CEO of Thomson Reuters, Legal, presented Rob Zeaske, executive director of Second Harvest Heartland, with a check for $125,000 to help distribute more than 400,000 meals to those in need.

Warwick said the contribution to Second Harvest Heartland is the first to a Twin Cities-based organization as part of Thomson Reuters, Legal’s new Basic Needs Campaign. This community outreach campaign provides resources and financial support to address hunger, homelessness and other staple needs in the community.

“This contribution is one way we can give back to the community that has given so much to our business, and provide immediate support to the families who truly need it now,” said Warwick. “These issues take on even greater urgency when they occur in our immediate community.”

“With this gift, Thomson Reuters has taken a very ambitious step toward addressing the shortfalls of food in families in need right here in the heartland,” said Zeaske. “We are humbled by their generosity.”

Thomson Reuters, Legal, and its employees – through West and Westlaw – have had a longstanding relationship with Second Harvest Heartland, by supporting by volunteering at their facility, awarding charitable grants, and hosting food drives.

You can see the check presentation and and a video interview with Rob Zeaske here:

Madoff was given a 150-year sentence after pleading guilty to defrauding investors worldwide out of as much as $65 billion.

Zand writes about Madoff’s fellow inmates and has the answers to some frequently asked questions about life at Butner.

More coverage of Madoff is on Reuters.com.

You can follow the highlights from the hearing there and post comments as well.

(Beijing University)

Beijing University (Peking University), aka PKU or Beida, is one of the most prestigious universities in mainland China. It was established in 1898 as Imperial Capital University, the first national university of modern China.

During the “May 4th Movement” in 1919, PKU became the flagship of democratic campaigns and the center for progressive intellectuals. From 1919 to 1989, PKU witnessed several generations’ efforts and failures to build a democracy in China. PKU has tried its best to maintain its academic freedom and integrity, not always successful though.

Ten years ago, I was a graduate student at PKU, studying Avant-Garde art, underground films, and radical critical theories, arguing alternative ways to deconstruct “grand narratives,” imagining that revolutions in art and language could lead to a revolution in real life.

When I learned that my Westlaw seminars were scheduled at PKU, I was extremely humbled and exhilarated. After thorough preparations, in June, I delivered two Westlaw legal research seminars at Peking University Law School in Beijing, and Peking University School of Transnational Law in Shenzhen City.

(Peking University School of Transnational Law in Shenzhen City)

PKU’s School of Transnational Law (STL) – an American-style law school (offering J.D. education) in southern China – is an initiative of Peking University. The school was founded by Jeff Lehman, former president of Cornell University and a learned legal scholar.

STL is seeking ABA accreditation. The school prepares students to strengthen China’s rule of law and its’ institutions and prepares students for international practice.

Thomson Reuters, Legal has been a major sponsor of STL. We offered free Westlaw access and free law school titles for the first year and a significant discount schedule for the second year.

In October 2008, when STL officially opened, Thomson Reuters sent a delegation to attend the dedication ceremony, joining the distinguished guests of STL from all over the world, including United States Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy and Mr. Tung Chee Hwa, former chief executive of Hong Kong.

It was an absolutely delightful experience to discuss the United States government, legal information, West’s analysis and publications of American law, Key Numbers, legal research skills, and Westlaw with law students at PKU Law School and PKUSTL.

I felt the hunger for American legal information from the students. They asked endless questions about precedent, separation of powers and how to find and understand American law.

These students are talented, enthusiastic, and appreciative. After spending only a few hours together, I am convinced that when they are fully fledged, they will be joining their predecessors at Peking University and making contributions to building a democratic government and the rule of law in China.

Editor’s note: Chang Wang is a global strategist and legal consultant for Thomson Reuters, Legal. He serves as the liaison between the U.S.-based legal businesses and China, and has been working on China initiatives since 2005. He is currently in Beijing conducting market intelligence and market research; teaching Westlaw at top law schools and government agencies; and attending industry and academic conferences. Over the next few months, Chang will be a special correspondent on Legal Current. Look for regular updates from him throughout his travels.

“The rise of midlaw” - Above the Law

“India high court rejects bid to replace hanging with lethal injection” – Jurist

“US lawmakers seek info from bottled water companies” – Reuters

“Top 10 tips for success in law school” - Law School Academic Support Blog

“OK, What Technology Will We Hear is Dead Today?” – Dennis Kennedy

The report highlights trends from 2008 mortgage fraud data from 2008 and warns that the upward trend in mortgage fraud will likely continue.

For purposes of the FBI’s report, mortgage fraud is defined as any material misstatement, misrepresentation, or omission relied upon by an underwriter or lender to fund, purchase, or insure a loan.

You can read the report on the FBI’s Web site.

The report takes a look at current patent trends and speculates about how the world of patent information in China will look in five years.

The driving factors for China’s patent boom are analyzed using data drawn from Thomson Reuters. Patent volumes and trends are explored, as well as the underlying causes of increased innovation in China, including economic and government policy factors.

You can learn more about Thomson Reuters IP Solutions here.

“Sharia Courts: Are their rulings breaching British law?” - Times Online

“Merger and acquisition market takes dive” – Queensland Business Review

“Madoff gets 150 years for massive investment fraud” – Reuters.com

“Transcripts: FBI Interviews of Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein” - beSpacific

“Minnesota Supreme Court decides Coleman-Franken” - Election Law Blog

(Photo courtesy: U.S. Supreme Court)

Sometime in the next few days, David Souter will arrive at his home in New Hampshire. He will be 70 years old, a wealthy bachelor, and a veteran of 20 years on the Supreme Court of the United States. What’s next for him?

The answer is that it is pretty much up to him. He will have an office in the Cleveland Building in Concord, New Hampshire with the other federal judges in New Hampshire. He will also have an office at the Supreme Court if he wants one. Or he can use one of the retired Justice chambers in the Thurgood Marshall Building a few blocks from the Supreme Court if he chooses.

He will draw a salary of about $200,000 a year for the rest of his life since he remains a federal judge and his salary cannot be changed under the Constitution. He will have an administrative assistant and a couple of law clerks and the right to sit as a federal judge in any court that invites him. All of the courts of appeals will immediately issue invitations.

But he is likely to spend most of his judicial time with the First Circuit in Boston, the court he briefly belonged to before being nominated to the Supreme Court. He has made very clear that New England is his love and the trip from Concord to Boston is a short one.

Some retired justices have also done commission work. Justice Powell chaired a commission on habeas corpus and Justice O’Connor is an evangelist for civics education.

But these roles do not seem to be an easy fit for the shy man from New Hampshire, he seems more likely to sit with the First Circuit a couple of times a year and one or two of the other circuits once a year.

Whatever route he chooses, the White Mountains will be close and the endless pressures of the Supreme Court will be a long distance away.

Denis Hauptly
Vice President, Strategy Development
Thomson Reuters, Legal

(Photo courtesy: Minnesota Historical Society)

Dillinger’s Moll: The Trial of Evelyn ‘Billie’ Frechette will be a live event in St. Paul, Minn. – and online – on July 14, beginning at 7 p.m. Central. The re-enactment will take place in the F. K. Weyerhaeuser Auditorium inside St. Paul’s Landmark Center, the actual location of Frechette’s trial. After the live event, the CLE will then be available on-demand, online.

Billie Frechette was charged with unlawfully harboring and concealing Dillinger.

The trial re-creation will be followed by a panel discussion highlighting four legal issues in the case:

*Forensic evidence: From fingerprints to CSI

*Jury instructions: A judge’s authority to make comments to the jury

*In-custody interrogation: Right to counsel and recording requirements

*Courtroom decorum: Rules and strategies

The performance is directed by Steve Peterson. It is based on the actual court record as adapted by Charles N. Adams Jr. Frechette’s original trial took place on May 15, 1934, in courtroom 317 of the then Federal Courts Building.

While 75 years have passed since the trial, there are still many relevant legal lessons to be learned, according to James Patrick (J.P.) Barone, an assistant attorney general for Minnesota who helped organize the CLE and also acts in the performance.

“A trial is still a trial. Testimony is still under oath. Human characteristics show through to juries. In some ways it never changes on the most basic level of who do you trust?” Barone said. “As to the procedures and the safeguards of accuracy of the information, that has changed and it’s interesting to see those changes. But on a very basic level it’s still people coming forth, looking a jury in the eye, saying their peace and the jurors sorting through what is inconsistent to determine what they believe is the truth. It still works.”

Barone talks about the appeal of the John Dillinger/Billie Frechette story in this audio clip. (Runs 1:57).

“The idea of doing the slight adaptations of the script to emphasize some of the more legal issues and to actually have there be a presentation and open discussion on the legal issues immediately after the play is a new interpretation or re-imagining of what to do with the source material,” said Barone. “This will be great.”

The panel discussion for CLE credit will be led by Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Paul H. Anderson. As well as Jennifer Hasbargen, assistant attorney general, Minnesota; Tony Palumbo, assistant Anoka County (Minn.) attorney; and Richard Stebbins, attorney, Stebbins and Hegranes. All panelists also appear in the re-creation.

Registration information is available here on West LegalEdcenter.

The course, which costs $50, provides 2.0 credits toward the general CLE requirement. As an added benefit, attendees of the live event will receive a complimentary criminal law program from Quinlan Publishing.

Members of the public who want to attend the re-creation of Billie Frechette’s trial (without earning CLE credit) may purchase tickets to either of two public performances on July 15 and July 16 at 7 p.m. Central. Space is limited, so for those performances, people should respond to Kate Thompson at 651-292-3063 or kthompson@landmarkcenter.org.