Going to Court Alone – The Plight of the Average American
I was in Court today, waiting for my turn and listening to all of the cases that were scheduled ahead of us to go forward. The first one was one in which the plaintiff was pro se (without an attorney), or in California, pro per.
Every time I see it, it is remarkably upsetting. Opposing counsel seem to relish pouncing on individuals who are confused by the legal process or are not familiar enough with the dialogue to understand what is happening. They almost always flail and flounder, which only results in further impatience and annoyance from the Court. Continue reading
Who Should be Responsible for Bar Fights that Hurt Others? Lessons from Chris Brown v. Drake
Multiple lawsuits have been filed against hip-hop artists Chris Brown and Drake for starting the massive bar fight that resulted in injuries to numerous bar patrons, who needed emergency treatment, stitches, and other treatment from glass-related injuries. Because the members of each entourage got involved, an ordinary bar fight turned into a massive brawl in which 300+ lb. 6’5″ men were “throwing highball glasses laden with alcohol, shattering the handles of bottles of spirits to use as makeshift knives and even throwing full bottles at each other.” Within seconds, the club was “full of flying glass shrapnel.”
The Brown/Drake fight raises questions that come up often in nightlife-rich cities like New York or LA. When patrons are injured at a bar fight, who is (or should be) responsible?


