NewsWire

Skilling Decision Will Aid Defense, Prosecution in Future Trials
Today's Supreme Court ruling on honest services fraud is a qualified win for former Enron executive Jeffrey Skilling, and will likely provide much needed guidance for attorneys on both sides of the aisle in other pending, high-profile prosecutions, according to Thompson & Knight's Richard Roper. "While the court disagreed with Skilling's contentions that he didn't receive a fair trial, the opinion narrows the application of the honest services law to bribery and kickback schemes," says Roper, a former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas. "While this can be viewed as setback in the government's efforts to battle public corruption, it will tighten the efforts of prosecutors to establish a clear trail of personal gain in bring these cases to trial." To interview Mr. Roper, contact Barry Pound at 800-559-4534 or barry@androvett.com.

New iPhone Debate: Safety vs. Better Call Reception
Buyers of the new iPhone 4 may want to consider safety issues along with functionality and style, says Papool Chaudhari of Reyes Bartolomei Browne. He notes the prior complaints about dropped calls on iPhones, and says that Apple's decision to move the new phone's antenna outside the casing means the iPhone 4 emits more radiation near users' heads than does the previous 3GS. "I think Apple chose to sacrifice safety for better call reception," Chaudhari says. "By placing the antenna outside the housing, Apple hopes to solve the dropped-calls problem, but at what cost?" Chaudhari represents the inventor of a technology designed to reduce cell-phone radiation in two patent infringement actions against 10 manufacturers, including Sony, Samsung and Nokia. To interview Mr. Chaudhari, contact Mark Annick at 800-559-4534 or mark@androvett.com.

Oil Collection Demonstrates BP's Inability to Cope With Disaster
BP's latest statements indicate the company is collecting or burning off about 27,000 barrels of spilled oil a day in the Gulf of Mexico, an amount that estimates indicate is only about half of the oil pouring from the damaged well. Attorney Robert Schachter of Zwerling, Schachter & Zwerling, who represents investors who bought BP stock, says it's once again proof that the company's statements about its ability to prevent or manage spills were false and misleading. "Here we are -- in Day 66 of this crisis -- and the company still isn't collecting even half of the oil," says Schachter. "If you need any additional proof that the company misled investors about known risks associated with deepwater drilling, I think it's right there." To interview Mr. Schachter, contact Mark Annick at 800-559-4534 or mark@androvett.com.

In Splitsville, Texting Has Become Weapon of Choice
Rude, taunting and threatening text messages have become the weapon of choice among parties going through divorce. Estranged spouses increasingly harass each other with direct messages sent at all hours, and their current flames often jump in by sending salacious photos meant to enrage the ex. "Needless to say, text messages provide useful evidence," says Dallas family law attorney Brad LaMorgese of McCurley Orsinger McCurley Nelson & Downing. "Texting can show a track record of harassment, rude behavior or activities that is not reflective of good parenting. The contents of these messages can be pivotal in property division and child custody cases." Such messages are on the rise and expected to become even more pervasive simply because wireless technology makes this form of communication so easy. To interview Mr. LaMorgese, contact Robert Tharp at 800-559-4534 or robert@androvett.com.

Renowned Dallas Family Lawyer Co-Authors Book for Women Over 35
Longtime Dallas family lawyer and certified life coach Mary Jo McCurley has joined with four other experts in women's health to write "A Happy, Healthy You: A Woman's Guide to Happiness, Health & Harmony." The book's authors, who also include two medical doctors, a psychologist and an exercise physiologist, share their knowledge on how women over 35 can make the second half of their lives better than the first. "This book is about making life choices that make us younger than our years," says McCurley, a name partner in the Dallas law firm McCurley Orsinger McCurley Nelson & Downing, and a recent honoree in D Magazine's listing of the "Best Women Lawyers in Dallas." To interview Ms. McCurley, contact Mike Androvett at 800-559-4534 or mike@androvett.com.