Brandon J. Huffman

Brandon is the founder of Odin Law and Media. His law practice focuses on transactions and video games, digital media, entertainment and internet related issues. He serves as general counsel to the International Game Developers Association and is an active member of many bar associations and community organizations. He can be reached at brandon at odin law dot com.

N.C. Court of Appeals Opinions for August 16, 2016

By / August 16, 2016

The North Carolina Court of Appeals released a batch of opinions today: Burger v. Burger  (16-113). Alimony; equitable distribution Cape Hatteras Electric Membership Corp. v. Stevenson  (15-1102). Electric Cooperative; Interpretation of Bylaws; Intentional Interference with Contract Zetino-Cruz v. Benitez-Zetino  (15-1154). change of venue Dabbondanza v. Hansley  (16-117). Lien and Judgment Priority, Rule 70, Nunc Pro Tunc Orders, Chain of …

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Kim Dotcom loses at the Fourth Circuit – U.S. v. Finn Batato

By / August 16, 2016

This case has received significant press, so I won’t cover it here in the same format I usually do. Instead, I will excerpt some of the other coverage, the case and then add my own thoughts. From Politico: A divided federal appeals court has rejected a bid by accused video pirate Kim Dotcom to recover …

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No recourse for terminated N.C.S.U. employee who alleged boss’s misconduct – N.C. Court of Appeals

By / August 10, 2016

Hubbard v. N.C. State Univ. Hubbard worked for NCSU beginning in 2004. Near the end of 2013, she began reporting her supervisor for alleged misconduct. In April 2014, she was given a letter terminating her employment effective July 24, 2014. She sued claiming (1) violation of the North Carolina Whistleblower Act, (2) wrongful termination in …

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Clerk of Court’s denial of mass scanning of foreclosure records affirmed by Court of Appeals

By / August 9, 2016

Brooksby v. N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts. Plaintiffs contacted clerks’ offices in ninety North Carolina counties seeking  to copy and scan public foreclosure records using their own staff and equipment. They pulled foreclosure records, then scanned them using cell phones and portable cameras and scanners. In June 2013, the Randolph County Clerk’s Office denied …

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N.C. Court of Appeals Opinions for August 2, 2016

By / August 2, 2016

The North Carolina Court of Appeals released a batch of opinions today: Acts Ret.-Life Cmtys., Inc. v. Town of Columbus  (15-1333). Continuing wrong doctrine Adams v. State of NC  (15-1275). Pay schedule for North Carolina magistrates, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-171.1; contractual relationship between State employees and the State; employee benefits and vested benefits; constitutional claims Brooksby …

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Fourth Circuit strikes down NC Voter ID law!

By / July 30, 2016

NCNAACP v. McCrory. This is not something I need to really bring to anyone’s attention, so here is some other coverage: Washington Post News & Observer New York Times Slate For background on this, you can’t beat OSU’s election law info center (with my con law prof).  

First Amendment protects nonpartisan government employees who campaign against their eventual boss – Fourth Circuit

By / July 20, 2016

Lawson v. Union Cty. Clerk of Court. The Fourth Circuit has confirmed that government employees with apolitical positions can campaign without fear of retaliation. The Clerk of Court of Union County, South Carolina, is an elected official. The Clerk, William Gault fired his deputy clerk, Melanie Lawson. Lawson had been a deputy clerk for about 20 …

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N.C. Court of Appeals Opinions for July 19, 2016

By / July 19, 2016

The North Carolina Court of Appeals released a batch of opinions today: Dellinger v. Lincoln Cty.  (15-1370). Private property; zoning ordinance; prima facie showing of entitlement to permit; shifting-burden; due process. [Solar Energy] Diorio Forest Prods., Inc. v. Barth  (15-1210) Standing; statute of limitations; fraud; UDTP; civil conspiracy In re: Alex Shackelford  (15-1266) Involuntary Commitment; Deprivation …

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Fourth Circuit affirms local rule restricting out of state attorneys in Maryland

By / July 13, 2016

National Association for the Advancement of Multijurisdiction Practice (NAAMJP) v. Loretta Lynch This is a case about bar membership. Specifically, the NAAMJP challenged Local Rule 701 of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland under the First Amendment, the Equal Protection Clause, the Rules Enabling Act and the Supremacy Clause. Rule 701 allows …

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N.C. Court of Appeals Decisions for July 5, 2016

By / July 5, 2016

The North Carolina Court of Appeals released a batch of opinions today: Allen Indus., Inc. v. Kluttz  (15-521) preliminary injunction bond. [Non-compete.] Caron Assocs., Inc. v. Southside Mfg. Corp.  (15-1376) Assignment; Factoring; Accounts Receivable; Condition Precedent. Eisenberg v Hammond  (15-287) Arbitration [In family law context] Grasinger v. Williams  (15-518) Appellate jurisdiction; Mandatory Complex Business Case; …

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