Over 500 law firms have backed several of their biggest colleagues. In a “friend of the court” brief, they said that President Trump’s threats against firms that have crossed him personally are “a grave threat to our system of constitutional governance and to the rule of law itself.”
Among them: Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder.
The Bridgeport-based firm — which recently won a near-$1 billion suit against Alex Jones on behalf of Sandy Hook families — was founded in 1936 by Theodore Koskoff.
His son — Westporter Michael Koskoff — was a longtime partner. His grandson Josh now carries on their long civil rights and social justice legacy.
Describing the decision to join the amicus brief, Josh writes: “Today we joined firms across the country to say to the president and others that would seek to deny access to justice for individuals wronged by the government that your threats only fill us with resolve, that we will not bend the knee and pay tribute or do your dirty work, and that we 100 percent will not yield in our service to individuals wronged by your abuse.”
Josh Koskoff
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The Wallflowers — Jakob Dylan’s band — rocked the Westport Library yesterday, on the second day of VersoFest.
The 4th annual music/media-and-more event continues today.
From 10 to 11:30 a.m., artist 5iveFingaz hosts a rotating cast of DJs. Attendees will try to set a record for “world’s loudest library” withprimal scram. There’s also live art installations, and other family fun.
At noon and 1 p.m. there’s “Graffiti 101,” followed by a 1 p.m. panel on the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run”; Black Thought, lead emcee of The Roots, in a 4 p.m. conversation, and Henry Rollins at 7 p.m.
Paul Shaffer headlines tomorrow’s events (Sunday, 11 a.m.).
Click here for the full schedule. Click here for the live auction, with Keith Richards’ guitar and more.
The Wallflowers, in concert at VersoFest … (Photo copyright DinkinESH Fotographix)
… and meeting fans outside. (Photo/Matthew Mandell)
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The United Methodist Church’s Easter Egg hunt, scheduled for today at 2 p.m., has been postponed to tomorrow (2 p.m., indoors).
It’s free — but donations of non-perishable food for local pantries are welcome.
Easter Egg Hunt, at the United Methodist Church.
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April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
And local, state and federal officials are celebrating it.
Westport Police are teaming up with the Connecticut and US Departments of Transportation for a “U Drive/U Text/U Pay” campaign.
At any moment, 660,000 drivers are using electronic devices while driving. More than 3,000 people have been killed annually in crashes involving distracted drivers — about 8% of all fatal accidents.
Connecticut law prohibits the use of any hand-held mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers who are 16 or 17 years of age are prohibited from using a cell phone or mobile device at any time, even with a hands-free accessory.
Tickets are $200 for the first offense, $375 for the second offense, and $625 for the third and subsequent offenses. For more information, click here.
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Speaking of the Connecticut Department of Transportation: Last month they announced plans to build a new maintenance facility on their property, behind Walgreens and Saatva.
They have not wasted any time getting started. Clear-cutting has already begun.
View from the Sherwood Island Connector. (Photo/Matt Murray)
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Longtime Westport resident Michael Hoherchak died Tuesday. He was 94.
Michael J. Hoherchak, a beloved resident of Westport, CT for the past 68 years, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 94.
He was a member of St Luke’s parish, the Masons and the Ancient Order of the Scottish Rite.
Growing up in Brooklyn he worked a wide variety of jobs from an early age: (selling newspapers, being a messenger, helping in a meat market, and as an engineering aide, TV installer, clerk and surveyor.
The first member of his family to attend college, he received engineering degrees from the University of Virginia and New York University.
He began his professional career as a mechanical engineer at AMF. He worked as a project manager in the pollution control industry, most recently for ABB.
Mike is survived by his wife of 68 years, Gay; son Michael (Monica), daughter Karin (David) and grandchildren Sasha, Natasha, Michael, Klara and Justin. He was predeceased by his sister Mary-Ellen.
A wake will be held tomorrow (Sunday, April 6, 2 to 4:30 p.m., Harding Funeral Home). A funeral Mass will be at St Luke on Monday (noon).
His family is grateful to the caring doctors, nurses and staff at Norwalk Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
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Westporter Alan Nudelman died Wednesday. He was 87.
The Chicago native graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in engineering. He served as an Army lieutenant. After 25 years at IBM, he became president of Composition Materials for 30 years.
Alan is survived by his wife Kay; daughters Julie Naye and Joey Sadavrati; stepsons David Elster and Jeff Elster; grandchildren Wes, Jack, George and Jett
Naye; step-grandchildren Sydney Elster and Alex Elster, and sister Iris Anosov.
A funeral service will be held Monday (April 7, 2 p.m., Temple Israel).
Memorial contributions can be made to the Anti-Defamation League.
Alan Nudelman
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It’s a gray day morning, with rain predicted for the afternoon.
But today’s “Westport … Naturally” Harvest Commons magnolia tree — photographed at dawn — should brighten your day.
(Photo/Judith Katz)
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And finally … in honor of the Wallflowers’ show last night, at VersoFest (story above):
(Don’t be a wallflower! Take part in all the action! Be an active “06880” community member! Please click here to help support your hyper-local blog. Thank you! PS: Now you can go back to hiding …)
Thanks once again to Josh Koskoff and all the law firms standing up for the rule of law. It’s shocking that any law firms capitulate to felon47 and his team of unqualified bullies.
It is a sad commentary that such prominent firms as Paul Weiss, Skadden Arps, and Wilkie Farr have rolled over to these threats. It’s not as if they didn’t have the internal resources to fight such seemingly illegal threats. It’ll be interesting to see whether capitulation will serve their long-term interests in retaining clients and preserving their incomes. My guess is that they find themselves paying the price in a loss of clients and revenue.
what is not for sale in America ?
Very proud of these law firms for standing up to trumps evil retaliation and blackmail. How can anybody not know that his actions is deception and his evil intentions are wrong. The two law firms that bent a knee to h
Is blackmail Should be disbarred
Keep up the good fight! We need more Jews fighting afainst Trumpism for sure!
thank you Steph.
Hopefully local CT law firms such as Cohen & Wolfe and several others will also submit Amicus briefs and do battle with the Trump Administration. The law and lawyers will have a huge impact upon the illegal acts of the Trump Administration.
Hopefully local CT law firms such as Cohen & Wolfe and several others will also submit Amicus briefs and do battle with the Trump Administration. The law and lawyers will have a huge impact upon the illegal acts of the Trump Administration.