Several stories and updates that are worth a mention, but do not warrant a separate post:

• I was going to write a post explaining new Federal Rule of Evidence 502, but Beck & Herrmann at Drug & Device Law beat me to it and did an excellent job (actually, they did not, but their colleague David B. Alden of Jones Day  did) — click here to read the post.  Every litigator should read FRE 502 for themselves and then read the Drug & Device Law post or some other guide.  It is a significant rule, even though it codifies much of what was already the standard practice.
• Anne Reed at Deliberations provides a series of links to the most recent edition of The Jury Expert — click here for Reed’s post.  If you do not already subscribe to The Jury Expert, do it now.  This is a fabulous publication.  My favorite article is by Oklahoma State’s Edward Burkley and Darshon Anderson, discussing translating the science of persuasion into the courtroom.  Anyone who makes it their business to persuade judges, juries, colleagues or even their spouse should read this article.  Much of the article will not be new to anyone who studies the art of persuasion.  But at a minimum it is an excellent distilling of important persuasion techniques and everyone will learn or rethink a few things. 
• Patent Reform is back, or at least Minority Whip Senator Kyl (R-AR) has introduced a new patent reform bill.  It is hard to imagine there is much traction in the midst of a presidential election and all of the economic unrest swirling around Washington.  But you can read more about the bill at Patent Docs and the 271 Patent Blog.