Insights & News

Obtaining a default judgment in federal court is a procedural mechanism that can expedite the resolution of a case when the defendant fails to respond or defend against the plaintiff’s allegations. It is important to understand the circumstances under which it can be obtained, the procedural steps involved, and some considerations for both plaintiffs and defendants.  As a starting point, a default judgment is a binding judgment in favor of the plaintiff when the defendant fails to respond to a complaint within the time frame set out in the federal rules. A default judgment requires the court to accept the […]

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was passed in 1966, empowering the public to access government records. The purpose is to ensure transparency and accountability within the government. It has become a vital tool for journalists, researchers, activists, and ordinary citizens to scrutinize government actions and hold public officials accountable. This includes citizens utilizing FOIA to redress their own harms caused by the government.   Before FOIA, government operations were often done in secrecy. As expected, this led to a lack of public trust and potential misuse of power. By mandating that federal agencies disclose information upon request (with certain exemptions), […]

If someone commits a crime against you, in addition to any civil remedies you may have, one service many lawyers provide is to draft a criminal referral letter to a prosecutor on your behalf. Indeed, involving a lawyer in this process is a strategic move that could carry significant implications. A criminal referral letter is a formal request to a law enforcement body or a prosecutor urging them to investigate and potentially prosecute the alleged criminal conduct. Thus, if someone has taken criminal action against you that has gone unrecognized by law enforcement, hiring a lawyer may be a good […]

When you contract with another, you do so on the belief that they will uphold the terms of that deal. Sometimes, however, this does not happen, leading to a breach of contract. If this has happened to you, it is important to know your rights and how to bring a successful case. The purpose of a breach of contract claim is to place the non-breaching party in the same position they would have otherwise been in, but for the breach.  The first step is understanding the contractual obligations. Every contract has terms and conditions that must be followed. It is […]