legal Archives - Rolling Out

Deborah Cox, Roger Guenveur Smith and Kellita Smith will have you on the edge of your seat during the wild roller-coaster ride that is Carl Weber’s new legal drama, Influence. Based on the author’s bestselling book, the film follows Savannah Kirby (Cox), a Grammy award-winning singer who is charged with the murder of her husband…

Beyoncé has dubbed her daughter a “cultural icon” during a trademark battle over the use of the name Blue Ivy. The Lion King star is fighting wedding planner Wendy Morales over the trademark for “Blue Ivy,” her eldest daughter’s name, with the latter owning a wedding planning business called “Blue Ivy.” In court documents obtained by…

In a room full of African American prosecutors, Bruce Terry Brown, while average in stature, is an immensely respected leader whose mental aptitude is hard to miss. A two-time president of the National Black Prosecutor’s Association (2003-2008 and 2011-2014), he made the most of a recent visit to Atlanta and shared insights with some of…

Liz Broadway Brown is a mother and wife who is also a powerful litigation attorney practicing law on the defense of high-stakes class action cases and privacy litigation matters in the health care, technology and financial services industries. Brown is a partner at Alston & Bird LLP and a member of the firm’s Litigation and…

For more than 24 years, Julie Kert has been a courtroom warrior for her clients in criminal trouble. Kert has represented litigants both as a prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney. As a prosecutor, she became well known as an expert in the field and was called upon to train police officers, fellow prosecutors, and…

Bernie Lawrence-Watkins, of B. Lawrence Watkins & Associates, PC, is a seasoned entertainment attorney who has represented Grammy® Award-winning music producers, artists, songwriters, and major label record executives. With over twenty years of experience, Bernie has negotiated complex agreements, ranging from licensing, employment, corporate transactions, to product endorsement and influencer deals, on behalf of entertainment…

Preston James IV is the executive director and founder of the Other Side of Sports organization. Jame graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law and received his MBA from the University of Kansas School of Business. He is also the sports management program director at LaGrange College. We spoke with James recently about…

Gerald A. Griggs is an Atlanta attorney dedicated to equal justice for all. He is a tenacious trial attorney, a zealous advocate, and compassionate social justice activist. He received his bachelor’s from Emory University in 2000 and his Juris Doctorate in 2004 from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He is also committed to…

Lerae Funderburg is the founder and managing partner of Funderburg Law, a boutique law firm focusing on business and entertainment transactions and intellectual property protection. She works almost exclusively with Black business owners, especially mothers, in helping them to create their businesses, protect their brands, and build their legacy. What attracted you to the legal…

Christopher T. Portis serves as Chief Judge of the Municipal Court of Atlanta where he presides over the Housing & Code Enforcement Division. He is a graduate of Morehouse College and Regent University School of Law. Prior to working in the municipal court, Judge Portis served both as a magistrate in Fulton County and as an…

The sister of slain rap legend Nipsey Hussle has informed the court that she is ready to take care of her deceased brother’s surviving daughter, Emani Asghedom, because she said the biological mother was not in a position to do so. The problem is that the mother, Tanisha Foster, already has an order in place guaranteeing…

Lil Wayne has demanded the return of his personal property. The “Lollipop” hitmaker has sent a legal letter to Moments in Time — who are selling his 1999 lyrics notebook for $250,000 — insisting he is the rightful owner and the broker doesn’t have permission to sell or transfer the book to anyone. In the letter,…

Kim Kardashian West thinks Kourtney Kardashian is the sister most likely to sue her. The 38-year-old reality star is often seen arguing with her siblings Kourtney and Khloé Kardashian and their mother Kris Jenner on the family’s reality TV show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” Although their disputes have never resulted in legal action, Kardashian West…

Marijuana

The United States has seen a sharp increase in many states for the legalization of marijuana for both medicinal and recreational use. The laws differ from state to state and this month the state of Georgia expanded its list of conditions that can be treated with what is known as low-THC oil. This product is…

With the advent of Georgia’s new laws regarding the use of medical marijuana many health care providers are looking at this option for their patients, one such provider is Dr. Rasean T. Hodge. Dr. Hodge is a graduate of Morehouse College, completed his residency at the Morehouse School of Medicine and received his medical degree…

With the advent of Georgia’s new laws regarding the use of medical marijuana many healthcare providers are looking at this option for their patients, one such provider is Dr. Rasean T. Hodge. Dr. Hodge is a graduate of Morehouse College, did his residency at the Morehouse School of Medicine and received his medical degree from…

Gov. Nathan Deal signed legislation Thursday that effectively legalizes medical marijuana in Georgia, though tremendous hurdles remain for patients who want to get the drug. House Bill 1, which took effect yesterday, makes it legal for people who suffer from cancer, sickle cell disease and other illnesses to possess up to 20 ounces of cannabis…

Having a cellphone that can record video is commonplace but the police in Baltimore apparently do not like this fact. When Christopher Sharp pulled out his cellphone to record officers making an arrest, it upset the officers. One officer ordered sharp to “Do me a favor and turn that off. It’s illegal to record anybody’s…

Trinidad James was arrested in Batesville, Mississippi this past weekend after he was allegedly caught smoking marijuana in a hotel room. Despite the incident at the Batesville Holiday Inn, it appears that the Atlanta rapper won’t have to worry about the repercussions.

It was widely reported in January that incarcerated rapper Lil Boosie would be released from Louisiana State Penentientary in mid-February. But music journalist Jeff Weiss posted on Twitter this weekend that Boosie, born Torrence Hatch, won’t be leaving prison as soon as was expected. According to Weiss, Boosie will not be released in February after all.