Latest news with #legalrepresentation
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Wilkins Davis Opens; Fluor Field, Anderson Lake, Project Hope Shine – In The Know 7-20
Former Solicitor Starts Law Firm Weeks after announcing he was stepping down as the top prosecutor for Greenville and Pickens counties, Walt Wilkins has joined two Upstate attorneys to launch a new law firm. Wilkins Davis will concentrate on complex litigation and use strategic alliances to permit nationwide representation in civil, criminal and constitutional cases. The firm is led by William W. 'Billy' Wilkins, former Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, former United States District Judge, and former Chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission; Walt Wilkins, former Assistant United States Attorney, former United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina, and longtime 13th Circuit Solicitor; and Lane Davis, a litigator with decades of experience in high-stakes commercial and appellate cases. 'This team brings a very rare combination of judicial insight, prosecutorial leadership and trial excellence,' Walt Wilkins said. The firm will focus on high-stakes business disputes, class actions and catastrophic injury cases; defense against serious criminal state and federal charges, including drug offenses, cybercrime, tax evasion and white-collar crimes; corporate compliance and internal investigations; representation for victims harmed by violence, abuse, negligence, DUI injury, and trafficking; federal government investigations, including public corruption, whistleblower, regulatory enforcement, and title IX matters; and forfeiture defense to protect money and property seized during criminal investigations and government enforcement actions. 'We are grounded in integrity, driven by legacy, and defined by results,' Davis said. 'It's not just who we are. It's what we deliver.' Walt Wilkins and Davis both worked at the same firm (Leatherwood, Walker, Todd & Mann) for five years in the early 2000s. They had discussed practicing law together and joined forces when then-Solicitor Wilkins took on Platinum Plus – an adult club – using a complex nuisance action. The establishment ultimately closed. After his long career in the judiciary, Billy Wilkins worked for Maynard Nexsen before starting his own firm in 2024. Now, the three have come together as one firm. 'This is an exciting new venture for the three of us,' Billy Wilkins said. 'We are ready for everything.' Fluor Field Named A Top Ballpark Fluor Field, home of The Greenville Drive, has been ranked as one of the top Single-A ballparks in the country by Newsweek magazine. The Drive is the High-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Nominated by Newsweek's panelists and contributors, Fluor Field was chosen for its 'charm and perfect mix of vintage vibes with modern flair.' An online vote by the public ranked the nominees. Currently celebrating its 20th season in Downtown Greenville, Fluor Field ranked No. 3 among all Single-A ballparks in the country. 'This ranking proves that Fluor Field can stand the test of time as a treasured institution,' said Craig Brown, owner and Chairman of The Greenville Drive. With "constant" upgrades and improvements, Fluor Field has also become a year-round venue for meetings, parties and other activities, he said. The stadium is reminiscent of Boston's iconic Fenway Park, complete with the old-time scoreboard on a wall known as the 'Green Monster' in left field, 'Pesky's Pole' in right field, and an entertainment district known as District 356. The field in Greenville precisely replicates the dimensions and idiosyncrasies of the Red Sox home turf in Boston. Newsweek also commended the ballpark's 'massive video screen for instant replays, classic ballpark snacks, zany between-inning games and a dazzling post-game fireworks show.' Sometimes called the 'front porch' of the Upstate community, Fluor Field has been a catalyst for growth and economic development in Greenville's West End historic district. This year, VisitGreenvilleSC commissioned a study showing that Fluor Field and the Greenville Drive have had a $288 million economic impact on the community for the past 10 years. Privately built and owned by Brown, Fluor Field (originally called West End Field) opened in downtown Greenville in 2006. On July 8, Fluor Field celebrated its Honorary 6 Millionth Fan to enter the gates of the ballpark. Also this year, Brown was awarded the Order of the Palmetto – South Carolina's highest civilian honor. In May, The Drive and Fluor Field were featured on CBS Evening News in a story about how a baseball team can transform a community. In addition to a capacity for 5,700 fans, Fluor Field has a playground for children, a covered bar and lounge called the 500 Club, and spaces that cater to large and small events. In 2025, Fluor Field expects to welcome more than 500,000 people to ballgames, weddings, business meetings and festivals. Ten of the winning teams in the last 12 World Series championships have had at least one former Drive player on their rosters. Lima One Chief Legal Officer Honored Abigail Williams, Chief Legal Officer for Lima One Capital, has been named one of HousingWire's Women of Influence for 2025. Since joining the Greenville-based private lender in 2021, Williams has played a role in guiding the company's legal and compliance strategy. A year ago, she was promoted to Chief Legal Officer and assumed responsibility for overseeing Legal, Compliance, and Human Resources. Williams oversaw the legal and regulatory work for Lima One's first sale of credit-rated transitional residential loans to investors, which required collaboration across legal, investor and regulatory channels, according to a press release. The transaction marked a milestone for the company in the institutional capital markets space. Internally, Williams has focused on streamlining document compliance for better risk evaluation and faster decision-making. Williams also led contract negotiations for Lima One's new headquarters at 300 E. McBee Ave. in Downtown Greenville. She is on the boards of the YMCA of Greenville and The Children's Museum of the Upstate. Each year, HousingWire recognizes 100 women whose achievements are driving the housing industry forward nationwide. Now in its 16th year, the award honors leaders across mortgage, real estate and fintech based on professional accomplishments, industry contributions, community involvement and overall influence. Since its inception in 2010, Lima One Capital has funded over $10 billion in business-purpose real estate loans. With a reach across 46 states, Lima One operates as a capital partner for real estate investors and brokers by financing residential investment strategies, including fix and flips, rental, and new construction. In 2021, Lima One was acquired by real estate investment trust MFA Financial Inc. Community Planned In Anderson County Anderson Lake, a 1,200-acre mixed-use community in Anderson County, has moved forward after approval by the County Planning Commission earlier this month. The project aims to bring energy and opportunity to the region while respecting the land where it will be built, according to a press release. 'This will be one of the most important projects in Anderson County in decades,' said Gaston Albergotti, CEO of Dunean Capital Management, developer of the community. 'This rare and incredibly special piece of land deserves more than just progress; it deserves purpose. Anderson Lake will reflect the soul of Anderson County while creating a vibrant new future.' Anderson Lake will be near I-85 and Hwy. 81, between Hampton and Welcome roads. The property surrounds the Anderson Reservoir. The project will have approximately 1,000 homes, two-thirds of which are intended for ages 55 and over, creating a focus on active adult living. 'This project is not just about homes or roads,' Albergotti said. 'It's about community, legacy and growth. Anderson Lake is being designed to enhance the county, not overwhelm it. This is about creating something that belongs to Anderson County and builds upon everything that makes it so special.' The project proposes 26 new roads to provide connectivity within the community and enhance accessibility and traffic flow in surrounding areas, according to the press release. The project will also include commercial, industrial and institutional properties, as well as walking trails and green spaces. Mark Massachi and Mark Ratchford at KDS Caine will represent the current owners/sellers of the property. The land is currently under contract and is expected to close in late fall. Dunean Capital Management is a real estate investment firm operating throughout the Southeast and based in Greenville. Project Hope: State's 1st Accredited ABA The Autism Commission on Quality has awarded a two-year accreditation to Project Hope Foundation for its applied behavior analysis programs. ABA therapy is used to help individuals with autism. The nonprofit organization, Project Host, is the first in South Carolina to attain the accreditation. 'This accreditation reinforces our position as a leader in our industry. It sets us apart through a commitment to best practices and continuous improvement, as well as a focus on customer satisfaction,' said Scott Braud, Chief Clinical Officer of Project Hope Foundation. Founded in 1997 by two mothers of autistic sons, Project Hope Foundation provides a lifespan of autism services, across ages and across the spectrum, at eight campuses and clinics. All of Project Hope's programs are grounded in ABA principles and include therapy, education and adult services. Organizations seeing accreditation 'must meet rigorous standards for patient care, administration and transparency,' said Erick Dubuque, director of the Autism Commission on Quality. The process includes a review of business, clinical, and quality improvement activities to promote best practices and evidence-based pathways. The assessment considers clinical observations, satisfaction surveys from patients and staff, and leadership interviews when evaluating programs against ACQ's Applied Behavior Analysis Accreditation Program Standards and Guide. Project Hope Foundation provides a variety of programs that include therapy, classroom options, adult employment, social groups, life skills, community outreach and professional training. Project Hope provides resources to help the whole family. Mast Stores Support Land Trusts Mast General Store has donated $70,000 to land trusts in South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. All 11 of the company's family- and employee-owned stores donated 20% of their sales on Land Trust Day in June to conservancy partners. Customers also made contributions. Funds went to nine land trust organizations in the Upstate and Midlands, the Mountains and Piedmont of North Carolina, East Tennessee, and Southwest Virginia. The total was $70,426. Mast stores support land trusts, also known as conservancies, every year. The trusts help preserve natural landscapes, wildlife habitats, wetlands and sites with cultural significance. Some land also provides recreational opportunities to the public. Preserving natural landscapes was a priority for John and Faye Cooper when they purchased the Original Mast General Store in 1979. The land around that store remains relatively undisturbed because of the couple's work with the Blue Ridge Conservancy. Their daughter, Lisa Cooper, is now President of Mast Stores and continues their legacy. 'Supporting organizations that help preserve our open spaces and land traditions for future generations is a top priority in each of our Mast Store communities,' Cooper said. B93.7 Scores With Prime Demo B93.7 (WFBC-FM), part of the Audacy media group, has been ranked the No. 1 station among people ages 25 to 54 in the Greenville-Spartanburg metro survey area by Nielsen (May 2025). 'We're proud to see B93.7 perform so strongly across key demos,' said Steve Sinicropi, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Greenville-Spartanburg. 'These results reflect the strength of our brands, our local talent and the loyalty of our listeners.' The rating is 'proof that great radio still cuts through the noise,' said Dave Jackson, Brand Manager, Audacy South Carolina. B93.7 was specifically ranked No. 1 among listeners from 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. B93.7 is available on-air, streaming on the free Audacy app, and through X, Facebook and Instagram. Audacy also operates 98.9 WORD and Classic Rock 101.1 in the Upstate. Hampton Station Entertains With Pets, Axes, Art The Hampton Station food, retail and entertainment development has upcoming events that include everything from a pet market to axe throwing to art classes. Hampton Station is located at 1320 Hampton Ave. in Greenville. Noble Dog's Royal Pet Market will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 20. Noble Dog Hotel at Hampton Station will host the family- and pet-friendly event, which includes a birthday party for Queen Nessie, adoptable dogs from local rescues, food trucks, vendors and other activities. For information, email info@ or go to Craft Axe Throwing: Gilded Games Tournament will take place from 2 to 9 p.m. Aug. 2 at Craft Axe Throwing. The inaugural Gilded Games is a fantasy-themed axe-throwing tournament. Entry is $18. Vendors with fantasy and historical items will attend. Handcrafted prizes will be offered. For information, email greenville@ or go to Yellowbobbypins Art Camps will take place throughout the summer at various times. The hands-on summer camps are intended for all ages. Activities will include drawing and painting, mixed-media and workshops with themes. For information, email info@ For more information or registration, go to the Southeast. NHE represents more than 18,000 homes, apartments and condominiums in 15 states.1 p.m. Each loop around the concourse is a quarter-mile. Well Walkers is free; no registration is required. Free parking for Well Walkers participants is available in the VIP lot at the arena, off Church Street. This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Wilkins Davis Opens; Fluor Field, Anderson Lake, Project Hope Shine – In The Know 7-20 Solve the daily Crossword
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Telegraph
Half of all criminal convictions decided in secret
Nearly half of all convictions in England and Wales are being decided in secret by a single magistrate without the defendant appearing in court or having any legal representation, a new report has revealed. Out of a total of 1.5 million convictions handed down last year, some 772,580 were issued by magistrates behind closed doors under a system designed to speed up justice and clear the backlog of cases left by the pandemic. The number of such prosecutions has doubled since their introduction in 2015 under the Single Justice Procedure (SJP) where a volunteer magistrate sits alone with an on-call legal adviser to pass judgment on as many as a 100 cases a day. They now account for two thirds of all magistrates' cases. At least 110 different crimes can be prosecuted under the SJP system, from speeding and out-of-date MOTs to failing to get your child to attend school and littering. However, the majority (73 per cent) of those accused do not plea guilty or not guilty, double the rate of 38 per cent in open magistrates' hearings, according to an investigation by Transform Justice, a charity that campaigns for fair justice. Most defendants do not enter any plea partly because prosecution forms are sent by post with no proof of receipt required. This means they can end up at the wrong address, get lost or be dismissed as junk mail, according to the report. 'People are given three weeks to fill in the prosecution form and are not sent a reminder. Those who do not respond to the prosecution notice are nearly always judged as guilty and sentenced in their absence,' said Transform Justice. 'This means most people convicted under the SJP have not pleaded, and may not even know or understand they have been prosecuted. Many SJP cases are reopened by defendants who say they never received the prosecution notice, and only knew about it when they got a letter saying they had been convicted.' Most SJP offences are 'strict liability', which means prosecutors do not have to prove the defendant intended to commit the offence, nor whether the prosecution is in the public interest. ''I made a mistake' is not a valid legal defence,' said the report. As a result, people have been fined for minor errors. One person was prosecuted for selecting a 16-25 age railcard discount when they had a 26-30 railcard, even though the price for the tickets was the same. Transform Justice said that the way many of the prosecution forms were structured meant any mitigating factors a defendant might want to put forward, such as any disabilities, could be missed or ignored. 'The greatest injustice of the SJP is that it facilitates convicting people for mistakes, and for errors made due to illness or disability. We are prosecuting people at an industrial scale, often without any evidence they intended to commit a crime, with few safeguards,' said Penelope Gibbs, director of Transform Justice. 'There is nothing wrong with some crimes being strict liability (where no intention needs to be proved), but to do so using an inaccessible, untransparent system is surely unfair.' Organisations that can prosecute using SJP include police, DVLA, local councils, the BBC and train companies but unlike the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), there is no requirement to conduct a test of whether a prosecution is in the public interest. An investigation by the Office for Road and Rail (ORR) found four train operating companies (TOCs) had no formal test for deciding whether to prosecute in the public interest and it was 'unclear' if there was a test in other TOCs. It found some SJP prosecutors had no legal qualifications. The majority of TOCs 'appear not to require any formal qualifications or accreditation for their prosecution staff, relying instead on various combinations of on-the-job training and in-house or externally delivered training,' said the ORR. Some prosecutors had as little as five days' training. 'Where TOCs provided information on the length of internal training, this varied considerably – from five days to three months,' said the ORR. In one case, Sarah Hodgson, a rail passenger, challenged her fare evasion charge. Magistrates found the case so weak they asked why the rail company went ahead with the prosecution. Its legal representative said: 'I'm just representative of them and my instruction is to proceed. I'm not an expert in railways laws.' An SJP conviction is a criminal conviction but defendants can only avoid a criminal record if they pay the fine. The average SJP fine is £284 but can be as low as £40 or as high as £10,000 for the worst Covid offences. They can also be ramped up by prosecuting authorities adding on legal costs. The SJP procedure has been successfully challenged after a campaign led by Christian Waters, who won a landmark ruling that the SJP had been wrongly used for 74,000 prosecutions for alleged fare evasion, leading to the convictions being quashed. As a result of that case and campaigns by Transform Justice, the Government is considering how to improve scrutiny of prosecutors. Ms Gibbs said there needed to be 'more reform and fast' to end the 'systemic injustice'. A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'The Government recently consulted on the Single Justice Procedure and regulation of private prosecutors to review what more can be done to support vulnerable defendants, and we will respond in due course. 'The decision to prosecute cases under the Single Justice Procedure is made by the prosecuting authority, and only uncontested and non-imprisonable offences are eligible.'
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Trump's alleged would-be assassin Ryan Routh moves to FIRE his defense team
Trump's alleged near-assassin Ryan Routh is trying to dump his federal defense team according to a new court filing. 'Ryan Routh respectfully requests the Court set a hearing to terminate the representation of his appointed counsel and their office,' the document filed in Florida federal court states. This is a breaking story and will be updated.
Washington Post
08-07-2025
- Washington Post
Defendants released in Massachusetts as pay dispute with public defenders remains unresolved
BOSTON — Defendants are being released in Massachusetts in the wake of a prolonged dispute over pay for the state's public defenders, and one of those set free was charged with a serious crime. The first four defendants without legal representation were freed Monday by a Boston judge following a ruling last week by the state's highest court to implement a process that requires releasing defendants without attorneys after a week. Among them was a man accused of strangling his pregnant girlfriend.
Globe and Mail
02-07-2025
- Globe and Mail
Khalid Akram Offers Strategic Defence for Calgary DUI and Impaired Driving Charges
Calgary DUI lawyer Khalid Akram defends clients facing impaired driving charges under Alberta's strict IRS laws. Free consultation. Act within 7 days. Khalid Akram, the founding criminal defence lawyer at Akram Law, is helping Calgary residents charged with impaired driving defend their rights and avoid lasting consequences. With Alberta's Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) regime leading to automatic penalties before a court conviction, Akram urges individuals to act quickly and seek experienced legal representation within the critical seven-day appeal window. Impaired driving laws in Alberta have become stricter in recent years, with roadside suspensions, fines exceeding $1,000, and the mandatory installation of ignition interlock devices now commonplace. Many drivers are unaware that these sanctions can be applied even without a criminal conviction. Akram Law is addressing this legal complexity head-on with customized defence strategies designed to challenge police procedures, test results, and Charter rights violations. " Impaired driving cases are not as straightforward as they seem," said Khalid Akram, lead counsel at Akram Law. "We often find issues with breathalyzer calibration, procedural mistakes during traffic stops, or a failure to advise clients of their legal rights. These errors can make all the difference between a conviction and a dismissal." With experience representing both first-time and repeat offenders, Akram tailors each defence based on the client's background and the facts of the case. Defences may include challenging the reliability of blood alcohol or drug tests, citing medical conditions such as asthma or acid reflux, or demonstrating improper police conduct that infringes on a client's rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The stakes are especially high for commercial drivers and novice drivers under Alberta's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. For these individuals, even a small trace of alcohol can lead to immediate suspensions, career damage, and increased insurance premiums. Akram Law helps these clients navigate both the criminal process and the administrative appeal through SafeRoads Alberta. In addition to representation in court, Akram Law provides guidance for filing timely appeals to the IRS program—a process many drivers are unaware they must initiate within seven days. Missing this deadline often results in a full 90-day license suspension and other penalties, even if the criminal case is later dropped. 'Our firm doesn't just show up to court,' added Akram. 'We advise clients from the moment they're charged, help prepare for the SafeRoads hearing, and fight for the best possible outcome at every stage.' Akram Law offers free initial consultations and encourages individuals charged with DUI, over 80, refusal to provide a sample, or drug-impaired driving to contact the firm as soon as possible. Based in downtown Calgary at 800 5 Ave SW, Akram Law represents clients throughout Alberta. About Akram Law Akram Law is a Calgary-based criminal defence law firm led by Khalid Akram, J.D., a seasoned lawyer licensed in both Alberta and Ontario. The firm focuses on impaired driving, drug offences, assault charges, bail hearings, and other criminal matters. Known for its strategic advocacy and client-first approach, Akram Law provides full-service defence and legal support from initial arrest to final resolution. Media Contact Company Name: Akram Law Contact Person: Khalid Akram Email: Send Email Phone: 403-774–9529 Address: 918A 5th Ave SW City: Calgary State: Alberta Country: Canada Website:
