Free Republic

Television star Judge Judy filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday, charging Hartford attorney John Haymond with using her image in advertisements for his firm without her permission. The lawsuit filed by Judith Sheindlin, whose show has been broadcast since 1996, is seeking more than $75,000 in damages from Haymond.

Television’s Judge Judy filed a lawsuit Wednesday against a Connecticut personal-injury lawyer, alleging that he used her image without authorization in advertisements that falsely suggested she had endorsed his firm. The lawsuit filed in federal court seeks more than $75,000 in damages from Hartford attorney John Haymond and his firm. Judith Sheindlin, a retired Family Court judge who has starred in “Judge Judy” for 18 years, said this is the first time she has filed a lawsuit against anyone. She said the unauthorized use of her name and image is “outrageous” and requires action. …

“Judge Judy, also known as Judge Judith Sheindlin, is celebrating her 10th year on television, and she has never been more popular. She has one of the top programs in syndication, earning her a reported $30 million a year. Her books, with titles like "Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining," and "Beauty Fades, Dumb Is Forever," have been best sellers. And she has some serious fans. Last summer, both the novelist Kurt Vonnegut and the Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen made semi-serious suggestions that she should be considered to fill Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's seat on...