Howard J Bashman

October 13, 2008 | The Legal Intelligencer

In September 2008, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania approved three sets of changes to the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure. One change took effect immediately, another will take effect later this month, while the third and most sweeping set of changes will take effect Dec. 1.

By Howard J. Bashman

6 minute read

July 23, 2007 | National Law Journal

Even with almost 18 years in practice, appellate litigator Howard J. Bashman writes that he still deals with previously unencountered -- and fascinating -- procedural issues. One of the latest to hit his plate: a trial court's power to require parties to waive their right to seek appellate review as a condition of issuing a ruling on the merits of a dispute.

By Howard J. Bashman

5 minute read

September 12, 2005 | The Legal Intelligencer

In addition to dealing with the unsettling scenes of death and devastation from Louisiana and Mississippi and the unexpected news of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist's death over the past days, I have done my best to adjust to the realization that my chance of serving as chief justice is nearer to non-existent than ever.

By Howard J. Bashman

7 minute read

September 06, 2002 | The Legal Intelligencer

The controversy over privately sponsored educational junkets for federal judges is back in the news. Opponents of the nomination of D. Brooks Smith to serve on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals tried to seize on his attendance at such events as a basis for criticizing his ethics. And, in June 2002, the director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts criticized the American Bar Association for considering the issuance of an ethics opinion that would address judges` attendance at such seminars.

By Howard J. Bashman Special to the Legal

6 minute read

June 05, 2006 | National Law Journal

Which federal appellate court has the most informative Web site -- and which tries the soul of exasperated, time-crunched lawyers searching for vital details on opinions, judges and other matters? After much sleuthing and comparative viewing in the course of daily site use, litigator and blogger Howard J. Bashman unveils his new rankings, complete with words of praise, recommendations for change, and perhaps a smidgen of exasperation and bemusement.

By Howard J. Bashman

7 minute read

December 10, 2007 | The Legal Intelligencer

Timely coverage of appellate decisions is one of the main emphases of the "How Appealing" Weblog that I author — but on those occasions when I have to be away from my computer due to my day job as an appellate lawyer, one or more readers of my blo

By Howard J. Bashman

8 minute read

April 02, 2007 | National Law Journal

Assume a client has lost a case that has a good likelihood of obtaining U.S. Supreme Court review, but that client is unable to afford counsel or even the cost of printing the briefs necessary to request review. Fortunately, all hope is not lost in such a situation, as appellate litigator Howard J. Bashman can attest, based on recent personal experience.

By Howard J. Bashman

6 minute read

April 23, 2007 | Law.com

In this commentary, litigator Howard J. Bashman reflects on his experiences with judges and, in particular, a recent case of first impression before Pennsylvania's highest court. When do trial judges cross the line in writing their opinions? Bashman shares his thoughts on the matter.

By Howard J. Bashman

6 minute read

May 01, 2006 | Law.com

After a Virginia federal jury announces its verdict, or the court decides that the jury is unable to reach a verdict, Zacarias Moussaoui will be sentenced either to death or to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Attorney Howard J. Bashman outlines the issues that Moussaoui is likely to raise on appeal to the 4th Circuit -- and explains why any appeal that follows sentencing could prove to be almost as fascinating as the events that preceded it in the trial court.

By Howard J. Bashman

6 minute read

February 20, 2007 | National Law Journal

Although sharply divided Supreme Court rulings may provide countless hours of enjoyment for Court watchers, commentator Howard J. Bashman notes that they don't offer the same promise of legal stability provided by nearly unanimous decisions. In the wake of some noteworthy close cases, appellate litigator Bashman takes a look at Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.'s search for less fractured rulings.

By Howard J. Bashman

7 minute read