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NC DOT charges $468 to see public records
The News & Observer reports that the state Department of Transportation is demanding that the Southern Environmental Law Center pay a $468 fee to review state emails and other files. The paper quotes SMVT partner Amanda Martin: Amanda Martin, an attorney for the N.C. Press Association, said she could recall only one other case in…
Read MoreBrandon J. Huffman to be a panelist at 5th Annual Duke Sports & Entertainment Law Symposium
Brandon J. Huffman will be speaking at the 5th Annual Duke Sports & Entertainment Law Symposium on Friday, January 16. Brandon will join an esteemed panel of attorneys in discussion of the Supreme Court’s recent decision in ABC v. Aereo. Aereo was a business that allowed users to stream live local broadcast television to their computers. In…
Read MoreUNC identifies four employees facing dismissal after academic fraud scandal
In a provisional settlement with a coalition of media organizations, UNC-Chapel Hill released the names of four employees who were terminated or retired in the wake of the Wainstein Report on academic fraud at the school. SMVT represents the media organizations in the litigation. Media coverage: ABC 11 Associated Press (posted by ESPN) Daily Tar Heel…
Read MoreN.C. Court of Appeals dismisses public records action against Assistant Director of Administrative Office of the Courts
In the suit, plaintiff, a former Durham County district attorney, sought to obtain emails related to her service from the Administrative Office of the Courts. The suit named the Assistant Director of the AOC as a defendant in both his individual and official capacity. The trial court dismissed the case. The appeals court affirmed the…
Read MoreJudge orders UNC to mediation in records dispute
In a lawsuit filed by SMVT on behalf of a coalition of 10 media organizations against UNC-Chapel Hill, Judge Judge Donald Stephens of Wake County Superior Court has ordered the parties to mediation. The lawsuit seeks access to public records related to the discipline of several university employees following the release of the Wainstein Report on…
Read MoreAmanda Martin quoted on New Bern finance director resignation
New Bern aldermen accepted an agreement with the city’s former finance director who resigned suddenly after a closed session of the Board of Aldermen. SMVT attorney Amanda Martin was quoted by the Sun Journal in their coverage: Amanda Martin, general counsel for the N.C. Press Association, said if the finance director did resign, aldermen had…
Read MoreRefusal to disclose names of those disciplined after UNC-CH fraud probe prompts lawsuit
Ten media organizations filed suit to obtain the names of UNC-Chapel Hill faculty and staff disciplined following the release of a report on academic fraud at the school. SMVT represents the media coalition. “The failure to provide updated accurate information is a violation of the public records law and, in particular, the State Personnel Act,”…
Read MoreIndy Week covers Desmond v. The News and Observer Publishing Company, et al.
Indy Week has published an article on appellate arguments in Desmond v. The News and Observer Publishing Company, et al., a libel case against the N&O and its parent company. SMVT represents the media defendants in the ongoing case and presents this link to the coverage without further commentary.
Read MoreMike Tadych quoted on UNC Wainstein Records
WRAL reports that UNC-Chapel hill’s top attorney is leaving the job in the wake of an investigation into academic fraud at the university. UNC has refused to disclosed the names of faculty and staff who were disciplined following the release of the academic fraud report. WRAL interviewed SMVT attorney Mike Tadych: Raleigh attorney Mike Tadych,…
Read MoreSMVT attorneys quoted on HIPAA and social media
In Rockingham, a volunteer emergency responder claimed to have been suspended for sharing a story on his Facebook page. The story was related to a shooting in which the volunteer had been one of the first responders. An article in the Daily Journal quotes SMVT attorneys Amanda Martin and Brandon J. Huffman: Amanda Martin, general counsel…
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