Latest news with #Leon
Boston Globe
8 hours ago
- Business
- Boston Globe
A federal judge delivered a beatdown to the Trump administration, in support of WilmerHale. Here's how.
Welch would be pleased to see the beatdown that Judge Richard Leon delivered against the administration last week — and not just because Leon ruled in favor of Welch's old firm. Welch would also appreciate the emphatic tone of Leon's message, with more than 20 exclamation points across a 73-page order. Advertisement It's and its roughly 2,400 employees that hangs in the balance. The fundamentals of the country's entire legal system could be at risk. In recent months, President Trump issued several executive orders threatening prominent law firms because of their work on behalf of immigrants and elections reform, or for hiring a lawyer or two deemed an enemy by the president, among other supposed sins. In Trump's threats Advertisement Nine Big Law firms quickly caved, settling with Trump and agreeing to provide legal services to causes blessed by the president, worth around $1 billion in total. Dozens more have stayed quiet, on the sidelines. But four firms in Trump's crosshairs chose to fight. And it has not gone well for the president. With Leon's vigorous torpedoing of Trump's executive order against WilmerHale on the books, the administration's record is now 0-3 against Big Law in the courts — with the fate of Here are a few things to know about Judge Leon. He often wears a bow tie, a sartorial choice much less common now than in Welch's day. Leon is a Natick native, went to college appointed him to the bench. He has a bit of a reputation for He did not disappoint, on any of these counts, with his May 27 decision. Right at the outset, Leon explained why he was striking down the entirety of Trump's WilmerHale order as unconstitutional. 'The cornerstone of the American system of justice is an independent judiciary and an independent bar willing to tackle unpopular cases,' Leon wrote. 'Indeed, to rule otherwise would be unfaithful to the judgment and vision of the Founding Fathers!' Advertisement On the administration's assertion that WilmerHale's financial injuries are speculative in nature, Leon said: 'Please — that dog won't hunt!" On whether Trump's order improperly infringes on WilmerHale's freedom of speech: 'The Order goes on to impose a kitchen sink of severe sanctions on WilmerHale for this protected conduct!' And on whether the order violates the rights of WilmerHale clients to pick their counsel: 'The intended and actual effect of the Order's sanctions is to drive away clients from WilmerHale!' Then there was the tasty footnote on page 14, in which Leon describes Trump's March 27 executive order against WilmerHale as akin to a gumbo, in which all the ingredients should be considered together as one dish. 'As explained in this Memorandum Opinion,' Leon concludes, 'this gumbo gives the court heartburn.' Tell us how you really feel, Judge Leon! Both sides were far more subdued when asked for comment. After all, Leon's decision could still be appealed. WilmerHale offered a brief statement, sans exclamation points, saying the decision 'strongly affirms our foundational constitutional rights and those of our clients. We remain proud to defend our firm, our people, and our clients.' Meanwhile, Trump is a fan of explanation points, judging by his social media posts. But White House spokesman Harrison Fields opted against using one. Instead, he focused on one aspect of the case involving Trump's attempt to revoke WilmerHale's security clearances: 'The decision to grant any individual access to this nation's secrets is a sensitive judgment call entrusted to the President. Weighing these factors and implementing such decisions are core executive powers, and reviewing the President's clearance decisions falls well outside the judiciary's authority.' Advertisement As president of the Mass. Bar Association, Victoria Santoro has been rallying the state's law groups to protest Trump's executive-order barrage. She notes that judges of all political backgrounds and jurisdictions have blocked a wide range of Trump's executive orders, not just those involving the legal profession. To Santoro, the trend speaks to Trump's excessive and unconstitutional use of EOs. But will law firms feel safe from future Trump attacks, free to take on clients and causes unpopular with the president, or a lawyer with ties to his enemies? Maybe not. Boston College law professor Cheryl Bratt calls Leon's decision necessary, but she's not sure if it's sufficient. Translation: It will probably take more than one judge's opinion, or even three, to give law firms the comfort to know they won't end up on Trump's hit list. The reluctance is understandable. The harm is real: Some clients were already starting to reconsider WilmerHale, for example, and two of its lawyers had their security clearances suspended. Bratt incorporated the Trump vs. Big Law saga into her classes this spring; one way to talk about the fundamental rights provided by the Constitution is to show how they can get threatened in real time. As a WilmerHale alum, Bratt paid particular attention. The legacy of Joseph Welch looms large there; she was told about Welch's stand against McCarthyism during her employee orientation, and the firm's website recounts that history with pride. WilmerHale's current fight, led by Advertisement As granddaughter Nancy Welch watches the WilmerHale-Trump fight play out from her Maryland home, she is reminded of a lesson that Welch passed along to her family: He saw the rule of law, delivered fairly and without favor, as the single most powerful antidote to fear. It was a fearful time in the 1950s for the country, she said in an email, like it is right now. It's a safe bet Joseph Welch would be proud to read Leon's decision — and so, one imagines, would the Founding Fathers! Jon Chesto can be reached at
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Chelsea finally discover Club World Cup opponents as former star, 38, assists dramatic winner to set up reunion
CHELSEA have finally discovered their final Club World Cup opponent — thanks to a dramatic late winner created by one of their former stars. The Conference League champions head to the US this summer to take part in the newly-expanded tournament. 4 Conference League champs Chelsea have discovered their final Club World Cup opponent Credit: Getty However, their third and final opponent remained unknown after Fellow Liga MX side CF Pachuca — also owned by Grupo Pachuca — had already qualified for the Club World Cup, forcing Leon to withdraw. And it meant that another Mexican side, Club America, were handed a dramatic playoff against MLS club LAFC. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL The Americans were trailing 1-0 with just minutes to go when they equalised in the 89th minute. LAFC then scored an amazing winner in the 115th minute through Denis Bouanga, with former Chelsea star and Champions League winner Olivier Giroud creating the goal for 2-1. Now, the Frenchman will face his former side with LAFC in the opening group stage game on June 16. Chelsea will then play Flamengo four days later on June 20. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS And five days after that, on June 25, Chelsea end their group stage experience against Esperance. The Club World Cup will be one of the most lucrative tournaments going, with the winner set to bank a mind-blowing £100million. From embarrassing Chelsea pal to interview with dad - Five times Cole Palmer stole show AFTER Conference League finals 4 Chelsea will take on LAFC and former striker Olivier Giroud Credit: AFP 4 He bagged a late assist as LAFC dramatically beat Club America in a playoff And Chelsea will be desperate to keep the good times rolling after ending a three-year trophy drought against Real Betis on Wednesday. The Blues came back from a goal down to win 4-1 in Warsaw. It came just days after they secured a fourth-place finish to qualify for next season's Champions League. And new signings are already inbound, with Chelsea reportedly beating Manchester United, Newcastle and Everton in the race for £30m Ipswich striker Liam Delap. 4 Giroud won the Champions League during his time at Stamford Bridge Credit: Getty
France 24
19 hours ago
- Sport
- France 24
LAFC qualify for Club World Cup with win over Club America
The team from Mexico City looked to have booked their place - and the guaranteed $9.5 million participation reward - after a penalty from former LAFC player Brian Rodriguez in the 64th minute. But Brazilian Igor Jesus's 89th minute header for LAFC took the game into extra-time and five minutes from the end of the second period Bouanga drilled home the dramatic winner. It was a game with high stakes played in front of a boisterous crowd divided between the two teams and the tension was palpable from the outset. But it was the Californian club, who only began life in MLS seven years ago, who triumphed and earned a spot in the first edition of the expanded 32-team FIFA tournament. LAFC will line up in Group D of the Club World Cup, where they will face Premier League side Chelsea, Brazil's Flamengo and Esperance Tunis of Tunisia in the tournament which gets under way on June 14. The one-off 'play-in' match came about following FIFA's decision to ban Mexican club Leon from the tournament. Leon were barred because the club is owned by Grupo Pachuca, which also controls Liga MX side Pachuca, who are also taking part in the tournament. LAFC were given the chance on the basis of finishing as runners-up to Leon in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League. America, founded 108 years ago, were handed the opportunity due to their status as the "top-ranked team" in confederation rankings. While LAFC had the nominal home field advantage, at their BMO Stadium, California is home to many Club America fans and the result was a de facto neutral venue. The atmosphere was electric but chances were rare in the opening half with the Mexican team enjoying the better possession but causing few problems for LA's former France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. But when Mark Delgado's challenge on Erick Sanchez in the box was ruled a foul, after a VAR review, substitute Rodriguez kept his cool and sent Lloris the wrong way to put America ahead. Rodriguez had a chance to secure the outcome 10 minutes later but he floated his shot wide. The introduction of former France and Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud in the 74th minute proved to be decisive, however, with the 38-year-old's presence causing plenty of problems for the America back line. Thundering header Giroud's improvised shot with the outside of his foot forced Luis Malagon into a save and moments later the Club America keeper kept out a header from the Frenchman. With just a minute of normal time remaining, LAFC grabbed a lifeline when a Bouanga corner was met with a thundering header from Jesus. LAFC almost won the game in regulation but Malagon did brilliantly to keep out a cross/shot from Timothy Tillman that was heading towards the top corner. Then it was extra-time and with penalties looming, Frankie Amaya fed a ball in to Giroud on the edge of the box who laid off to the on-rushing Bouanga whose fierce shot took a wicked deflection and flashed past the helpless Malagon. The France-born Gabon international has scored 80 goals for LA, in all competitions, since joining the club from Saint Etienne in 2022 but none more valuable than this one. The win ensures that the tournament host nation will have three competing teams from Major League Soccer with the Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami already in the competition. The tournament concludes with a final in MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13 with the winner taking home over $100 million.
The Sun
20 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
LAFC qualify for Club World Cup with win over Club America
DENIS Bouanga grabbed a dramatic extra-time winner to send Los Angeles FC into the Club World Cup with a 2-1 (aet) win over Mexico's Club America on Saturday. The team from Mexico City looked to have booked their place - and the guaranteed $9.5 million participation reward - after a penalty from former LAFC player Brian Rodriguez in the 64th minute. But Brazilian Igor Jesus's 89th minute header for LAFC took the game into extra-time and five minutes from the end of the second period Bouanga drilled home the dramatic winner. It was a game with high stakes played in front of a boisterous crowd divided between the two teams and the tension was palpable from the outset. But it was the Californian club, who only began life in MLS seven years ago, who triumphed and earned a spot in the first edition of the expanded 32-team FIFA tournament. LAFC will line up in Group D of the Club World Cup, where they will face Premier League side Chelsea, Brazil's Flamengo and Esperance Tunis of Tunisia in the tournament which gets under way on June 14. The one-off 'play-in' match came about following FIFA's decision to ban Mexican club Leon from the tournament. Leon were barred because the club is owned by Grupo Pachuca, which also controls Liga MX side Pachuca, who are also taking part in the tournament. LAFC were given the chance on the basis of finishing as runners-up to Leon in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League. America, founded 108 years ago, were handed the opportunity due to their status as the 'top-ranked team' in confederation rankings. While LAFC had the nominal home field advantage, at their BMO Stadium, California is home to many Club America fans and the result was a de facto neutral venue. The atmosphere was electric but chances were rare in the opening half with the Mexican team enjoying the better possession but causing few problems for LA's former France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. But when Mark Delgado's challenge on Erick Sanchez in the box was ruled a foul, after a VAR review, substitute Rodriguez kept his cool and sent Lloris the wrong way to put America ahead. Rodriguez had a chance to secure the outcome 10 minutes later but he floated his shot wide. The introduction of former France and Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud in the 74th minute proved to be decisive, however, with the 38-year-old's presence causing plenty of problems for the America back line. - Thundering header - Giroud's improvised shot with the outside of his foot forced Luis Malagon into a save and moments later the Club America keeper kept out a header from the Frenchman. With just a minute of normal time remaining, LAFC grabbed a lifeline when a Bouanga corner was met with a thundering header from Jesus. LAFC almost won the game in regulation but Malagon did brilliantly to keep out a cross/shot from Timothy Tillman that was heading towards the top corner. Then it was extra-time and with penalties looming, Frankie Amaya fed a ball in to Giroud on the edge of the box who laid off to the on-rushing Bouanga whose fierce shot took a wicked deflection and flashed past the helpless Malagon. The France-born Gabon international has scored 80 goals for LA, in all competitions, since joining the club from Saint Etienne in 2022 but none more valuable than this one. The win ensures that the tournament host nation will have three competing teams from Major League Soccer with the Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami already in the competition. The tournament concludes with a final in MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13 with the winner taking home over $100 million.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
I always think 'Did I hug him enough? Did I tell him I loved him enough?'
I always think 'Did I hug him enough? Did I tell him I loved him enough?' Leon Montanari's wish as he laid in his hospital bed was to help others. But a tragic discovery from him mum led to something very special Leon Montanari died in October 2009 (Image: Julie Montanari ) While teenager Leon Montanari was in his hospital bed he made a list. His time in a ward allowed him time to brainstorm ideas on what he could do to help others in the form of the little old televisions in hospital, which he wanted to fix to allow other patients to be more entertained. He and his mum Julie Montanari, at his bedside, discussed raising money to fund remote controls, aerials and scart leads, and maybe even purchase a games console if there was enough money left over. But Leon, of Clydach, in Swansea, tragically did not live long enough to see the plan come to fruition. Only five days later after putting pen to paper, he sadly passed away on October 30, 2009 at the Children's Hospital of Wales's Heulwen ward in Cardiff. He was just 13. Leon was born with a rare heart condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome which affects normal blood flow through the left side of the heart. Despite weighing a healthy 8lb 12oz when he was born, he was given just three days to live but made it to ten months, when he was taken to Great Ormond Street Hospital for a life-saving heart transplant. The youngster also suffered with epilepsy, but was a spirited young boy who remained relatively healthy until he was ten years old and his body began to reject the new heart. Leon shares a first cuddle with his mum after his heart transplant, age 10 months (Image: Julie Montanari ) Testament to his courageous personality, Leon never let on to others how ill he felt despite his suffering and always wanted to stay active. On his last evening at the hospital in 2009, Leon texted his friends: 'Goodnight, I love you'. Grieving the loss of her son, Julie discovered the list he had written in his bag when collecting his belongings. The discovery was something that was to kick-start an amazing charity fund which has helped thousands of people across Wales, creating a lasting legacy all in Leon's name. Ms Montanari said: "The original thing was to get money for remote controls, aerials and scart leads, for those old little televisions in the hospital, and we wanted to raise enough to buy a PlayStation or an X-Box, that was Leon's wish. He didn't want to see any children without a TV, because he was in hospital for so long and there wasn't any televisions which worked. "The same week as Leon died, [and] we made a little list. I had to come home on the Monday because my father had passed away, and I went back to see Leon on the Thursday, after arranging the funeral and everything, because Leon was on a transplant list to have his second heart transplant. We'd made the list on the Monday and I forgot all about it. Leon died the on the Friday, and when I unpacked his bag there was the list." Ms Montanari launched the Leon Heart Fund on October 30, 2009, created as a means of supporting the children and families who attend the cardiac wards at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and the Special Care Baby Unit at Singleton Hospital in Swansea, providing small grants to help parents with hospital expenses for the paediatric cardiology department at University Hospital of Wales. Opening up on how things are for her and Leon's family 16 years on after losing him, she said: "I look at life now and I think you have to live each day. Material things are nice, but they are not everything. Your health is the most important over anything - money, anything. As long as you are happy and healthy, you have got your family, that's all that matters. People don't appreciate that. "I keep thinking to myself 'if only I could have him back for one more hug'. You always think 'Did I hug him enough? Did I tell him I loved him enough?' "I always wonder should I have nagged a bit more, and you wonder did I do enough. I know the doctors were good enough, but you always question yourself. He did suffer from birth, and we had the choice from when he was born on whether to let him go peacefully, but I thought no, I wanted to give him a chance. I wanted to see if any operations could help him or give him a longer life. He was with us for 13 years, and I'm glad. I think I always knew I was on borrowed time. I just wish things were different. "We lived a normal life and I had a normal pregnancy. I asked the nurse 'why are his lips a bit blue', and his nails. I just had an intuition something wasn't right. The nurse kept reassuring me, but then the next day when they came to check him out, within half an hour he was on a life support machine. Those blue lips and nails - I think it was a mother's instinct, you just know something wasn't right. "Leon had so many cardiac arrests through his life but always bounced back. But when he had the last one, I just knew, I thought, he had had enough." Since launching the Leon Heart Fund has achieved its mission whilst also branching off and achieving incredible things for the wider community. Today, what started off as a small hope to fix TVs has now led to £300,000 being raised. The grand opening of Leon's garden, pictured is Cwmtawe staff, Duncan Jones, Justin Tipuric and Dan Baker (Image: Julie Montanari ) Here is some of the latest successful projects funded by the charity. Edenstone Homes paid for the an additional needs outdoor area and safe space at Cwm Tawe Community School on behalf of the charity, complete with a football pitch, sensory path, seating area, decking and floor painting. A forest learning and wellbeing area has been created at the back of the school, complete with benches and planters for children to learn how to grow vegetables. Benches have been installed at Singleton Hospital for the benefit of families in neonatal wards. A sensory area with a climbing frame and bucket swing has been installed at Ysgol Bro Tawe. A bench has been installed at Queen Elizabeth High School in Carmarthen. There has been the installation of £30,000 worth of defibrillators every 500 metres in Swansea Valley communities, maintained by the charity. The charity has won the Heart Arrhythmia Alliance award for Wales, acknowledging its efforts buying watches for outpatient children to carry out ECGs at home, supplied to Cardiff hospital. The charity has sponsored the kits of community rugby, karate and judo teams and clubs. £1,000 a month is sent to families of children in hospital towards accommodation, food, travel and medical related expenses. Hari Keift is fundraising for a new kitchen with disabled access worktops in a school department. The charity sponsors the kits of many sporting groups and clubs (Image: Julie Montanari ) Ms Montanari, a teaching assistant Cwm Tawe Community School, said: "When Leon was in hospital, there were no charities to help at the time. I had to do it all by myself, and I was advised to give up work and claim income support, but I stayed self-employed. It wasn't just Leon - I was losing the house, everything. "That's what drives me now, knowing that other people are going through the same thing, and if I can help them I will. As long as the family needs financial support, we will help. We don't need to know the ins and outs. All I say is for people to make a genuine application, and I will find the money that week. "I think what keeps me going is making a difference to people in the name of Leon. There are a lot of charities around, and it is hard to keep the money coming in. Last year we raised £24,000 and spent £19,000. I am keen to get the money in and I am keen to spend it on things that people need. It is no good sitting in a fund." The charity has received the Arrhythmia Alliance Award Wales. Pictured here with professor Ozun Heart, a cardiologist at University Hospital of Wales (Image: Julie Montanari ) Recalling her son's bravery during his life, Ms Montanari told one story which stood out to her in particular. She said: "He had been in hospital and had a pacemaker put in after having four cardiac arrests in one night, and put a pacing wire through his neck onto a battery pack outside to get him in an ambulance. "Within a week, he was home and was on a trampoline. "He was going to visit a friend and I told him 'don't go far'. I decided to take the dog for a walk and see if he was ok and I saw a pair of trainers doing a flip. I thought 'oh my god', but that's the type he was, very resilient, strong, and a mind of his own. "Speaking to a lot of heart mums, it's the same. The children are funny, witty, and haven't got a care in the world. Those are the sort of kids which teach you. They are going through so much and never moan. They make light of everything, they don't whinge about going to hospital all of the time, they've got a different personality and humour." Leon Montanari dressed as a pirate together with his brother Ross (Image: Julie Montanari ) Ms Montanari explained how her son's legacy lives on, something she sees every day whilst working at the school. She said: "I could be sitting in the classroom and I'll have people say to me 'We've seen you on the internet'. The school does a lot with the charity, it does a fundraiser every year. And I'll have children ask me (about Leon) 'Is that your son?' 'Are you his mother?' It is so touching that his memory is kept alive by new generations, and it's now 16 years this year. You've still got little 11-year-olds coming up to the comp saying 'Are you Leon's mother? My mother knew Leon?' It is a sense of pride." Leon pictured taking part in the British Heart Foundation bike ride (Image: Julie Montanari ) "Every year on his birthday we go out for a meal, and on the anniversary of his death, we do a little gathering in the garden and we let off a big firework. My son Ross went to get a firework this year, and when he lit it there was a massive red heart. It was absolutely beautiful. It was special." Article continues below If you wish to learn more about the Leon Heart Fund and make a donation, you can do so by clicking here.
