Blawg Review

It's not just a blog carnival; it's the law! ~ a fool in the forest

Blawg Review #200

Could this be the end of the line?

When we started Blawg Review with the question, "Do you blawg?" in 2005, who would have thought this traveling carnival of law blogs would still be alive 200 weeks later?

This week, Darren Rowse at Problogger had an interesting post that got us thinking.


How will Blawg Review be remembered?
Blawg Review was the blog carnival for everyone interested in law. A peer-reviewed blog carnival, the host of each Blawg Review decided which of the submissions and recommended posts were suitable for inclusion in the presentation. And the host was encouraged to source another dozen or so interesting posts to fit with any special theme of that issue of Blawg Review. The host's personal selections usually included several that reflected the character and subject interests of the host blawg, recognizing that the regular readership of the blog should find some of the usual content, and new readers of the blog via Blawg Review ought to get some sense of the unique perspective and subject specialties of the host. Thanks to all the law bloggers who collaborated to make Blawg Review one of the very best blog carnivals of any genre.
Not to worry; we've come to praise Blawg Review, not to bury it. This moot funeral is not a morbid affair, but a celebration of everything good about Blawg Review. Not exactly the Irish wake that Eoin O'Dell and Daithí Mac Síthigh might have expected. More like a jazz funeral that Ernie Svenson, Ray Ward, and David Harlow would appreciate. But with an Anglo-American musical theme that Evan Schaeffer, Dan Hull, Mistress Ruthie, Charon QC, and Geeklawyer will really digg.

The Traveling Wilburys, an inspired group of American and British superstars, provide the accompaniment for this 200th Blawg Review.

The True History of the Traveling Wilburys is a documentary film about how this supergroup consisting of George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and Bob Dylan came together in California in 1988, a magical happenstance if ever there was one, and laid down tracks that, in the collaboration, was greater than the sum of its parts.



Could this be a metaphor for Blawg Review?

In bold italics below are the song titles written by the Wilburys that headline this week's selections of the best of the legal blogosphere that fit with our theme -- with bonus video and liner notes for Blawg Review #200, the collector's edition.

Handle With Care

As the anonymous editor of Blawg Review, with the help of our blawg sherpas, I've had the pleasure of working with many of the greatest lawyers around the world and across the blogosphere, as far away as Australia. Together, we've collaborated in the publication of 200 continuous issues of Blawg Review, a weekly roundup of the best law blog posts. It's a lot of work for the hosts each week, but they'll tell you it was worth the effort and they'd happily host again, given the opportunity. From an editor's perspective, in the words of Roy Orbison (referring to the Wilburys) it's been "wonderful to see all these professionals do their thing."

I've hosted ten issues of Blawg Review, myself, in four years.

Blawg Review #29 with a focus on business law.
Blawg Review #59, a Memorial Day special.
Blawg Review #60, a special appearance as Professor Kingsfield.
Blawg Review #80, again as Professor Kingsfield.
Blawg Review #89, The Mummer's Veil.
Blawg Review #100, a centennial review.
Blawg Review #107, a third presentation by Professor Kingsfield.
Blawg Review #120, a final appearance by Professor Kingsfield.
Blawg Review #192, candidates for Blawg Review of the Year 2008.
Blawg Review #200, in which we announce the winner of the award for Blawg Review of the Year 2008.

Hosting Blawg Review is its own reward and, as editor, I've had the added pleasure of working closely with over one hundred of the finest bloggers, some several times. Each collaboration was unique, and every one of those relationships is special to me.

Whenever the opportunity presents itself, I enjoy meeting face-to-face with lawyers and law students many of whom have become, after several years of collaboration online, trusted advisors and good friends in the real world.

In my travels, I've met with many hosts of Blawg Review, including Craig Williams, Denise Howell, Dan Hull, David Giacalone, Colin Samuels, Eric Turkewitz, Carolyn Elefant, Arnie Herz, Susan Cartier-Liebel, Steve Cranford, Kim Kralowec, Connie Crosby, John Bringardner, Monica Bay, Neil Squillante, Kevin O'Keefe, and Geeklawyer.

Last Night

Geeklawyer and the editor of Blawg Review, having arranged on Twitter to tweetup in Toronto, went on a classic British pub crawl in the colonies.

Charon QC added, "Binge drinking is part of our national Zeitgeist."

"Is it good for you?" asked WAC? ...Consider also this photo taken in 1978 of terminally fogged-up English person, now deceased, known to have had self-destructive lifestyle, being either a Mr. Keith Moon or one GeekLawyer, with regular weekend mistress.

Tweeter and the Monkey Man

Kiele Pace wasn't shy about exposing an Austin policeman's transparent lies in her new legal blog.

Dustin at QuizLaw wrote, "Despite the fact that it was the NY Post, which is about as classy as Coors Light nipple pasties, I was willing — in my mind — to give them the benefit of the doubt with regard to the controversial political cartoon. But I kept staring at it and wondering where the hell the political satire was. There is absolutely nothing — nothing — that you can take away from it except that they are calling Obama an ape. That’s it."

John Phillips followed the story with a discussion about "race cowards and the risk of race talk."

Last week's host, Mark Bennett, suggested that lawyers who enter the legal blogosphere looking to profit by it are headed for public ridicule; instead, he recommends that "the practical blawgosphere wants you to succeed. Write worth a damn, join in the conversation, link to posts on the blawgs you like reading, and we'll find your blog and spread the word." Scott Greenfield applauded Bennett taking a similar position in his Blawg Review last week. Whereas Bennett said that profiteers were welcome in but not well-suited to the blawgosphere, Greenfield put it more bluntly: "This Blawgosphere Ain't Big Enough for the Two of Us": "So why can't we all get along? Because the marketers don't care about the blawgosphere. They care about the quick buck and scheme." Austin Criminal Defense Attorney Jamie Spencer blogged about an attorney in Dallas, whose blog is so transparently marketing-oriented that it concludes a post about a bizarre case where a drunk driver ended up with her truck in someone's pool with "If you too have driven a car into a pool and are in need of an experienced DWI lawyer...."

Rattled

Eric Turkewitz, who hosted a Marathon Blawg Review and a Thanksgiving Day Blawg Review at the New York Personal Injury Law Blog, discussed law firms and personal injury lawyers who appear to be chasing victims of Continental Flight 3407 that crashed in Buffalo, New York. New York's 30-day anti-solicitation rules, and ethics, didn't deter law firms in Chicago and DC.

Dirty World

Michael Estrin at Bitter Lawyer decided to investigate why lawyers and hookers make such terrific bedfellows.

Dustin wrote on Quizlaw, "I think a lot of dudes probably get off on the idea of seeing two hot twins make out with each other. But when you really think about it … well, that’s "twincest."

Marc Randazza at The Legal Satyricon blogged, "Hey Douchebag! Your Chicks’ Case is Outta Here!" and concludes, "After reading this complaint, it seems that Judge Toskos doesn’t mess around when First Amendment values are at stake. Additionally, Judge Toskos also seems to have brought a bit of pity to work that day. Had I been on the bench, I would have slapped the chicks and their lawyers with sanctions under the non-existent rule against douchebaggery."

Criminal defense attorney Scott Greenfield and Schenectady taxpayer David Giacalone took a close look at Officer Johnson's undercover operation.

Not Alone Anymore

And David Giacalone, a curmudgeonly valentine who's been wearing his heart on his sleeve for Wendy Savage all year, noted the flamingos return to the Stockade.

Anne Reed at Deliberations told some stories about "jury love" and said it shouldn’t be surprising that jurors fall in love.

Congratulations

Colin Samuels, at Infamy or Praise, will remember Blawg Review for the annual award that recognizes the best Blawg Review of the Year. This annual competition is open to all law blogs that have hosted Blawg Review, and the same blogger wins every year. Congratulations, Colin, for getting the most nominations for Blawg Review #189, based on Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner", which has earned the award for Blawg Review of the Year 2008. Ron Coleman's Blawg Review #191, a Chanukah special at Likelihood of Confusion, is this year's runner-up. In third place in the voting, there was a tie between Rush Nigut's Blawg Review #147 based on the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, and David Gulbransen's Blawg Review #182, a special bar exam edition. Twenty-four issues of Blawg Review received nominations this year, which shows the quality and variety of presentations is appreciated.

Heading for the Light

Jordan Furlong at Law21 raised some interesting points about lawyers as a public good.

Bob Ambrogi at Legal Blog Watch discussed why some notable legal bloggers have thrown in the towel. And the very next day, Dan Slater bid the Wall Street Journal Law Blog farewell.

My shoes are wearing out from walking down this same highway
I don't see nothing new but I feel a lot of change
And I get the strangest feeling, as I'm
Heading for the light

I see the sun ahead, I ain't never looking back
All the dreams are coming true as I think of you
Now there's nothing in the way to stop me
Heading for the light

Now there's nothing in the way to stop me
Heading for the light


And on that note, my friends, I'll take a bow and leave the stage. Encore? This is...

The End of the Line



Blawg Review has information about next week's host, and instructions how to get your blawg posts reviewed in upcoming issues.

Houston, We Have A Problem


Houston criminal defense attorney Mark Bennett's Defending People blog is no longer experiencing technical difficulties. Problem solved. You can now tweet and blog about Blawg Review #199.

Best Crime Blawg Review

Criminal defense attorney Mark Bennett hosts Blawg Review #199 at Defending People, the winner of the ABA Journal Blawg 100 award for best crime law blog in 2008.

I said it on Twitter, and I'll say it again here, "The next time somebody asks me how to write a great Blawg Review, I swear I'm just going to tell 'em where to go." Go see Mark Bennett's Blawg Review #199.

It's a crime he didn't host last year; he'd be a strong contender for Blawg Review of the Year 2008, too.

Grate, It's Valentine's Day

It's not easy getting a girl when you're anonymous.

Still, ed@blawgreview was hopeful, finding this email today, that someone wants to be my Valentine.
from Khadi James davidlobato@infonegocio.com
reply-to khadilove580@hotmail.com
to khadilove580@hotmail.com
date Sat, Feb 14, 2009 at 8:37 AM
subject Hello !!

Hello

Grate day to you, how goes the life with you? with hope that you are doing very well,Please excuse me to introduce my self, my name is miss Khadi James,from Liberian, i am 25 years never been into marriage or any relationship close to that,

I would wish to get into close relationship with, not minding the ethnicity or age but all i need is someone that need to love and be loved, please if you are a game player you better stay off, i will like to know what you like most in a woman and what you dislike, i will like you to write me as soon as you got this mail and it pleases you to get close to me. i will be very happy to read from you. here is my contact address,khadilove580@hotmail.com.

I'm waiting to read from you with grate inpatient.
A kiss from,
Khadi.
Sorry Khadi, a.k.a. David Lobato, I play for the other team.

Love,

Ed.

Sinfully Good

Blawg Review #198 is sinfully good!

Rush YYZ Blawger Meetup



It is always a happy day when...
YYZ appears on our luggage tags!

~ Neil Peart

And it's a doubly happy day when the anonymous Geeklawyer and the anonymous Editor of Blawg Review find each other, by chance, flying into Toronto at the same time.

But we'll have to rush to meet somewhere soon because, in a few days, I'm outa here.

LegalTech New York 2009


Blawg Review #197 is hosted on Legal Blog Watch this week by John Bringardner from LegalTech New York, where thousands have gathered at the Hilton New York Hotel for some of the the most important legal technology events of the year.

Things got underway, Monday, with a well-attended session on Twitter for the legal community, with @kevinokeefe, @matthomamm, and @chriswinfield on a panel moderated by Incisive Media's @monicabay, the editor of Law Technology News.

By the way, you can follow everyone who's tweeting about LegalTech on LexTweet and by searching Twitter for the hashtag #LTNY.

At the Bloggers Breakfast, Tuesday, I'm looking forward to meeting many attending this conference whom we've come to know so well by their blogging and through the community of law bloggers involved in Blawg Review over the past four years.

I'll update this post later today with a report on who met there and what we found interesting.

In the meantime, perhaps I'll just tweet about it @blawgreview.

Updates:

I was sitting in on a session this morning, "Five Things You Should Know About Web 2.0 Technology". Throughout that session, coincidentally, I was positioned at the back of the room between @kevinokeefe and @turkewitz, who have recently expressed their strong opposing views about Twitter on their blogs...awwwkwaaaaard!!!

Anyway, this afternoon we're going back for "Best Practices in Social Networking" and later in the day, "Adopting Web 2.0 Capabilities Into Your Web Presence". Meetup with us there, if you're attending LegalTech. Maybe a fight will break out. ;-)

Interestingly, John Bringardner, the host of Blawg Review #197 used his position of influence and the power of the digital press at Incisive Media to republish this week's Blawg Review as part of his article headlined "LegalTech New York 2009 Blogs On" that is featured on the front page of Law.com. That's got to be good for Blawg Review and the many great law bloggers including in this week's presentation. Good idea, John, nicely done!

Ground Hog Day

Happy Ground Hog Day!

This year, in Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil will awake to news of the Steelers victory in Super Bowl XLIII last night and, at daybreak, will make his prognostication about the next six weeks of weather based on whether he sees his shadow.

It's that time of year again when the anonymous editor of Blawg Review makes his annual pilgrimage to LegalTech, New York, boarding the train at Schenectady, having spent a great weekend with a kindred spirit of the legal blogosphere, David Giacalone.


If I see my shadow this morning, I'm going back to California for the next six weeks.