An interesting opinion for lawyers today from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. In Commonwealth v. Bryant, the court held that a lawyer lacked standing to challenge the seizure of computer files from his law firm. Based in part on those files, the lawyer was convicted of conspiracy to commit larceny of insurance companies. The court based its ruling on two findings: 1. that the lawyer was an employee of the firm and did not own the premises, and 2. that the files were freely accessible to others in the firm, including the owners and the secretaries.

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.