Senior reporter John Council talks with Dallas Justice of the Peace Juan Jasso about his work in a court that is close to the people and affects the lives of a large number of Texans.

“You’re so lucky you work for yourself; you don’t have to work with people like [fill in the blank].” Solo practitioner Paul Schorn hears this often from friends in midsize and large firms, and in his heart, he knows they’re right: Part of what makes solo practice worthwhile is getting to avoid some of the people who can drain all the fun out of practicing law. Here are four types of people Schorn is happy not to face on a daily basis, along with the lessons he believes people can learn from them.

In an unusually contentious ruling Monday, California appellate court Judges Paul Haerle and J. Anthony Kline got in each other’s faces about whether a judge can order a criminal defendant to stop using medicinal marijuana while on probation when the underlying crime has nothing to do with pot use. Kline said the “precedent shattering” majority opinion “flies in the face of the law,” “subordinates the will of the people” and is “legally untenable.”

Welcome to budget-conscious holiday fun at Big Law! As The Snark informs us, gone are the days of extravagant black-tie galas with sushi artists, fire dancers, designer desserts and open bars with a dizzying array of alcohol.

It’s the libel case that set free-speech advocates reeling: Noonan v. Staples Inc. In February a federal appeals court held that truth is not always an absolute defense to claims of libel — and kicked the case back to a jury.