LJN Newsletters

Recent developments of importance to you and your practice.

Recent developments you need to know.

Recent rulings you need to know.

As blanket occupational exemptions for jury duty become a relic, litigators are split on whether there is a need for specific jury instructions to keep jurors from relying on their expertise in evidentiary matters. This issue tends to be particularly troubling for medical malpractice attorneys, as the pool of potential jurors with knowledge of medical issues -- doctors, nurses, physical therapists, etc. -- is so large. One court system -- New York's - instructs professionals to keep their expertise outside of the jury room. No other court currently singles out professional jury-deliberation conduct in jury instructions.

For medical device manufacturers, federal preemption can be a powerful defense to state tort claims. Although there is some split of authority, most federal courts of appeals that have addressed the issue have held that when a medical device reaches the market via the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) rigorous "premarket approval" (PMA) process, many state common law claims are expressly preempted by the Medical Device Amendments (MDA) of 1976.

Here are the Rules of Effective Web Writing: Be Factual. Be Brief. Be Clear.

Mentors are people who can guide you, advise you, and share their experiences and their mistakes so you won't make the same ones. By visibly endorsing you, they can give you credibility; by bringing you to events with them, you'll gain visibility; and by introducing you to their contacts, they'll give you access. Visibility, credibility, and access ' mentors are important indeed.

Television interviews are a great media opportunity for attorneys to take part in. Before heading to the studio though, there are many points to remember to ensure successful exposure for you and your firm. Preparation is the key factor and includes ex-pressions, clothing, attitude, and presentation, all of which has a large impact on the interview. If these items are not properly thought out in advance, the interview could quickly become a small disaster. There are certain steps to take prior to an on-air appearance to prepare for an in-terview that enhances your firm's awareness and your expertise.