New law impact lawyers who lobby; client disclosure required for executive as well as congressional contacts

Article Abstract:

On Jan 1 a law many consider the country's first meaningful lobbying- disclosure measure took effect, though few are yet sure what the results will be. The law, passed after 50 years of straining by Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton on Dec 19, replaces an unworkable thicket of laws that proved unenforceable, though critics say the new one has no effective enforcement mechanism either. Lobbyists, now more strictly defined, must report who pays them and how much, and on what issues they lobby.

United States, Laws, regulations and rules, Lobbyists

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Florida Bar dispute in court; section wants to lobby on gay-rights issue despite governing board's ban

Article Abstract:

An announcement by the Florida Bar's Public Interest Law Section that it would press for repeal of a law prohibiting gays from adopting has proved extremely controversial. Bar leaders maintain that prior court decisions limit the ability of an integrated bar, which all attorneys must belong to and support by their dues, to speak on controversial issues. There is also a concern that people might think a controversial position taken by one of its sections represented the feelings of the entire bar.

Analysis, Political activity, Freedom of speech, Bar associations, Freedom of association, The Florida Bar

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An unusual "custody" dispute; New York wants convict sent to its prison instead of Oklahoma's death chamber

Article Abstract:

Thomas Grasso is in an Oklahoma prison under a death sentence for murder and has received life in prison for another murder in New York. New York is seeking his return before Oklahoma puts him to death, but Grasso would prefer dying soon in Oklahoma to spending decades in a New York prison. The case may ultimately be decided in federal court. In 1990, a similar dispute between New York and Florida became moot when the defendant received a life sentence in Florida.

Cases, Capital punishment, Prison sentences

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