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.

Fourth Circuit affirms wiretap evidence (unpublished)

By / October 6, 2015

US v. Amir Faraz. Amir Ali Faraz was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin and 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, two counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin, four counts of use of a communication facility to facilitate narcotics trafficking, and interstate travel with intent to promote drug trafficking. He …

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Cases to Watch: October Term

By / October 1, 2015

Spokeo v. Robins, No. 13-1339 [Argument: November 2, 2015] Issue: Whether Congress may confer Article III standing upon a plaintiff who suffers no concrete harm, and who therefore could not otherwise invoke the jurisdiction of a federal court, by authorizing a private right of action based on a bare violation of a federal statute. The issue …

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North Carolina Supreme Court Opinions for September 25, 2015

By / September 25, 2015

The North Carolina Supreme Court has issued this month’s opinions: State v. Taylor, (1A15). Whether the trial court committed plain error by admitting testimony from a detective that vouched for the credibility of the alleged victim. State v. Pendergraft, (49A15). Whether an indictment charging defendant with obtaining property by false pretenses was fatally defective because it …

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No Warrant Required for Two Days of Cell Site Data – NC Court of Appeals

By / September 15, 2015

State v Perry. In a decision reminiscent of the Fourth Circuit’s recent holding in US v. Graham (that access to extended cell site data requires a warrant), the North Carolina Court of Appeals has come to some… interesting conclusions. First, the Court of Appeals rejected an argument that cell site information sent to an officer by …

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N.C. Court of Appeals Opinions for September, 2015

By / September 15, 2015

The North Carolina Court of Appeals has released this month’s opinions: A & D Envtl. Servs., Inc. v Miller, (14-1397). Interlocutory appeal, substantial right, venue, NCGS § 1-294 Brittian v Brittian,  (15-139). Wills, declaratory judgment action, caveat Credit Union Auto Buying Serv., Inc. v Burkshire Props. Grp. Corp., (15-187). Personal jurisdiction; quasi in rem Ehrenhaus v Baker, (14-1201). Attorneys’ …

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Fourth Circuit in Raleigh this Week

By / September 15, 2015

The Fourth Circuit will hear oral arguments this week at Campbell Law School here in Raleigh. They’ll hear three cases at the school. Among them, Melanie Lawson v. Union County Clerk, which asks the question: Does a government official’s termination of a deputy court clerk for campaigning for office of clerk violate the First Amendment? Argument will …

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Employers’ Incidental Observance of Organizing Activity During Leafleting is Not Unlawful Surveillance – Fourth Circuit

By / September 12, 2015

NLRB v. Intertape Polymer Corp. This is a labor case, an appeal from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). But, this is also a First Amendment case, and hence its inclusion here. The NLRB concluded Intertape had violated the Naitonal Labor Relations Act (NLRA). There were three supposed violations: unlawful interrogation of an employee, unlawful …

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Friendly Reminder: Make Objections – Fourth Circuit

By / September 12, 2015

Riley v. Bartlett. In this unpublished opinion, the Fourth Circuit gives us all a nice reminder that you have to object to a magistrate’s recommendation to later have it reviewed on appeal. This is not a remarkable order, really. But, it’s a good reminder: The timely filing of specific objections to a magistrate judge’s recommendation is …

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Database of Court Records is not a Public Record – N.C. Supreme Court

By / August 22, 2015

LexisNexis Risk Data Management Inc., and LexisNexis Risk Solutions Inc. v. North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts A database of North Carolina court records is not a public record, according to the state Supreme Court. In 2011, Lexis requested a copy of the AOC’s Automated Criminal/Infraction System (ACIS) under the Public Records Act. When …

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