Cleveland Law Library Weblog

Ohio Supreme Court Sanctions 407 A-L Attorneys on Eve of Filing Deadline for the Second Half of the Alphabet

The Ohio Supreme Court has sanctioned and fined 407 lawyers whose last names begin with A-L for failing to meet their CLE requirements by January 31, 2010. The list of the attorneys and their corresponding fines may have been timed to remind those in the last half of the alphabet what could await them if they fail to file by their January 31, 2011 deadline. Click here to read the Court's Press Release containing references to the Rules under which the Court requires CLE attendance and reporting, the absence of which is cause for sanctions.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Issues New Residential Foreclosure Affidavit Policy

The Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas has issued a new residential foreclosure Affidavit policy dated December 22, 2010. The new rules govern situations where lenders have asked for more time to get their paperwork in order. The rules contemplate dismissals in certain cases, provide specific elements that need to be included in affidavits, and indicate when a personal appearance is necessary.

The Seven Hills, Ohio City Council Has Voted to Create a Land Bank

The City Council of Seven Hills, Ohio has voted to create a land bank under O.R.C. Chapter 5722 (Land Reutilization Program). Click here to read the article announcing the City's vote, which indicates that the City's move is prompted by an interest in acquiring specific property without having to pay back taxes.  Cuyahoga County already has a Land Bank that was created about a year ago to return vacant and abandoned properties to productive use.

New Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Took Effect This Week

Changes to Rules 8, 26 and 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure became effective this week, on Decemer 1, 2010. The new rules make changes to pleading affirmative defenses, expert witness discovery, and the procedures for summary judgment. The amendments also include an Illustrative Civil Form 52 for the "Report of the Parties' Planning Meeting." A good summary of the new rules can be found at martindale.com.

Thomson Reuters Will Soon Become the ABA's Primary Book Publisher

Written by Kathy Sasala, December 3, 2010
Thomson Reuters, which offers Westlaw, legal research books, and other products, will soon become the ABA's primary book publisher, according to TR's online newsletter, Legal Current. Through this new arrangement, the ABA hopes to better manage the production and delivery of its books.

U.S. Courts Find that Baby Boomers File Almost 50% of Bankruptcies

A new study issued by the U.S. Courts indicates that baby boomers (i.e., 45 and older) file almost half of the bankruptcies the U.S. courts handle. Statistics apparently show that the median age has gone up from 37.7 in 1994 to 44.9 in 2007. Click here for for more information or to obtain a copy of the study.