14 November

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What Happens in Court Does Not Stay in Court

in Constitutional law, Immigration Law, Legal Advice

Following my tradition of writing about events in my legal practice and sharing my professional experiences, I decided to write another article based on what happened in court today, November 13, 2026. You probably remember the famous Las Vegas slogan: "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas." Filmmakers have a similar saying: "What happens on set stays on set." As someone who has worked in both the legal profession and independent filmmaking, I appreciate the humor behind these expressions. But what happens in court? Does what happens in court stay in court? Not necessarily. Sometimes what happens during a fifteen-minute hearing follows a person through years of administrative appeals,...

07 November

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Why Long-Term Strategy Matters in Immigration Litigation

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Constitutional law, Immigration Law, Legal Advice

Survivorship Bias, Unrealistic Expectations, and the Danger of Rejecting Honest Legal Advice In immigration litigation, one of the most important principles is also one of the most difficult for clients to accept: a successful legal strategy must account for the possibility of losing....

04 November

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Grasping at Straws Is a Bad Strategy

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Civil Procedure, Constitutional law, Copyright Law, Entertainment Law, Immigration Law, Legal Advice, Uncategorized

Why chasing unlikely outcomes, ignoring probabilities, and falling victim to survivorship bias can cost you everything Whether you're dealing with immigration law, filmmaking, business, investing, or even your personal life, one principle remains the same: grasping at straws is a bad strategy....

28 October

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Why I Don’t Post My Family Members on Social Media

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in cybersecurity, Legal Advice

When I was teaching Information Security Management at UCLA Extension, one of the important subjects I covered was Operational Security (OPSEC). It is an essential component of information security that focuses on identifying and protecting sensitive information that could be exploited by individuals with malicious intentions....

19 December

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Tips for film distributors

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Copyright Law, Entertainment Law, Legal Advice

In the intriguing case of Randles Films v Quantum Releasing (2014), the complexities of copyright law, particularly the extraterritoriality limitation of the US Copyright Act, come to the forefront. This case serves as a pivotal example of how copyright laws are applied in cross-border disputes and the extent to which US copyright protections extend beyond its borders....

29 May

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Tips for IP Portfolio Management

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Copyright Law, Legal Advice, Patent Law, Trademark Law

An IP portfolio refers to the collection of intellectual property owned by an individual or a company, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. It serves as a strategic asset for the business, providing protection for the company's products, processes, and ideas. An IP portfolio can be used to deter potential competitors from infringing on the company's intellectual property rights and can also be leveraged to generate revenue through licensing agreements or other commercial transactions....

08 May

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All U.S. states except Louisiana have a primary heritage in English law

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Entertainment Law, Legal Advice

In nations with a civil law system, legislation, statutes, or codes are the primary sources of law, and courts are required to adhere to these statutes. In common law nations, while courts are also required to follow statutes, they also have the authority to establish new law, known as common law or case law, through their rulings in particular cases. Additionally, they possess the power to declare a statute unconstitutional....

07 May

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The Difference between Legal Information and Legal Advice

Posted by Ernest Goodman

in Legal Advice

In conclusion, attorneys are cautious about providing free legal advice because if the advice or forms filled out are incorrect and harm is caused, the attorney may face a malpractice suit. Without having received a fee, the attorney may not have the resources to settle the suit. It is recommended to utilize free legal information to learn about a particular area of law, but seek legal advice from a licensed attorney when ready to take action in a case....