Peter Vaira

NAFUSA member Peter Vaira (ED Pennsylvania 1978-1983) writes in the Philadelphia Inquirer on January 28, 2016, that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court must address several issues “that are crucial for the administration of the criminal justice system,” First, Vaira urges the court to appoint a special counsel to investigate the implications of ex parte communications sent by prosecutors to state judges arising from the “porngate” scandal.

Secondly, Vaira urges a review of the Pennsylvania grand jury statute, and suggests the need for amendments and changes.

See http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20160128_Long-delayed_issues_face_state_Supreme_Court.html#IHwDrdWdo2G6vEVI.03.

Jay Stephens

Kirkland & Ellis LLP announced on January 21, 2016, that NAFUSA member Jay B. Stephens has joined the Firm as Of Counsel in its Washington, D.C., office. Stephens will work in collaboration with attorneys across the Firm to support client engagements by counseling boards on corporate governance, transactional and enforcement matters, by providing advice to clients regarding complex internal investigations, compliance issues and regulatory enforcement strategies, and by contributing to the sound resolution of regulatory and litigation disputes. He will serve as a strategic asset to the Firm’s practice by supporting its global client engagements and the delivery of client services and solutions.

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In May, 2015, we reported on Hal Hardin’s lawsuit on behalf of John Jay Hooker, challenging Tennessee’s law that prohibits assisted suicide.

Hardin Files Suit on Right-to-Die on Behalf of Former RFK Special Assistant

Hooker lost his fight against cancer and has died. Click here to listen to Hardin interviewed on Nashville Public Radio about Hooker.

Rudy Giuliani

Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani has announced he will join global law firm Greenberg Traurig LLP, as Global Chair of the firm’s Cybersecurity and Crisis Management Practice and Senior Advisor to firm Executive Chairman Richard A. Rosenbaum. Giuliani, a lifetime member of NAFUSA, is the fourth former United States Attorney to join Greenberg, joining John Pappalardo, Sam Skinner and Troy Eid. Giuliani will be joining from Bracewell & Giuliani, a Texas firm whose New York City office was established by the Mayor in 2005. Continue reading →

As the Senate Judiciary Committee holds a major hearing today on criminal justice reform, the Law Enforcement Leaders To Reduce Crime & Incarceration delivered a letter to the leaders of Congress supporting the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015 (S.2123).

The letter, signed by over 70 prominent police chiefs and federal prosecutors, urges Congress to act on the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015, which would reduce prison populations by reforming federal mandatory minimum sentences. 26 NAFUSA members Zachary Carter, Tristram Coffin, Paul Coggins, Richard Deane, Donald DeGabrielle, Edward Dowd, Robert Fiske, Hal Hardin, Walter Holton, Brendan Johnson, Todd Jones, Douglas Jones, Ronald Machen, Salvatore Maxrtoche, Matthew Orwig, Brad Pigott, Richard Pocker, Timothy Pardon, Richard Rossman, Donald Stern, Richard Thornburgh, Brett Tolman, Gregory Vega, Edward Warin, Donald Washington and William Wilmoth were among the signers.

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Bill Killian

December 5, 2015 was the last day in office for William C. Killian, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee. On December 7, 2015, he joined Polsinelli as a shareholder in its Chattanooga office. Killian is also NAFUSA’s newest member.

“Polsinelli is a great fit for me, with a reputation in litigation and serving the evolving health care industry,” Killian said. “Joining the firm allows me to have a platform to focus on critical health care and fraud issues, and I look forward to working with Polsinelli’s highly recognized team of attorneys.”

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