Hot Topics
Justice for Jussie? IL Supreme Court overturns Smollett conviction for lying to cops
The Illinois Supreme Court said Smollett's conviction for lying to police about his hoax attack claims was an unconstitutional violation of his rights to due process because he should have been able to rely on the charge-dropping deal from Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx
Lawsuits
Judge grants final OK to $115M Oracle data privacy class action deal; Lawyers get $28.75M
Attorneys & Judges
$97M brain damage verdict struck; Plaintiff lawyer's 'rhetoric paints attorneys in a poor light'
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa's highest court has struck a nearly $100 million verdict in favor of a family who blamed doctors for a baby's brain injuries, and its chief justice delivered a smackdown of the plaintiffs' lawyer for ridiculing the defendants' arguments to the jury.
Consumer Choice Center pushes for 'Auto Choice' insurance reform to cut premiums
The Consumer Choice Center has published a new policy primer, Fixing What’s Broken: Practical Consumer-Friendly Insurance Reforms to Save Money, advocating for reforms aimed at reducing costs and increasing options in auto insurance for American drivers. The proposed “auto choice” system would allow consumers to choose between tort and no-fault insurance models, aiming to reduce litigation expenses, foster competition, and lower premiums.
In the wake of escalating auto insurance rates in Georgia, a small but significant legal reform could signal the beginning of relief for drivers across the state - if the House would take action…
From WV Record
From WV Record
TOPDOG Legal Marketing Named Finalist of 2024 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics in Greater Arizona
Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest (BBB) has named TOPDOG Legal Marketing, LLC as a finalist for the 2024 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics, sponsored by Desert Financial Credit Union. The program raises awareness in marketplace ethics and honors businesses that operate with integrity.
Arizona Estate Law Firm Unveils New Brand, Website
Chandler, Arizona (AZ) attorney Bernard M. Strass is excited to announce fresh branding and a new website for his AZ estate law firm, Desert Rose Estate and Elder Law. The law firm’s new name reflects a full concentration on estate and life planning that enables Strass to provide focused and dedicated legal services for these matters. It also honors Strass’s father, Luke, who owned Desert Draperies and Interiors in Phoenix for many years and Strass’s mother’s family, the Roses.
State AG
Court reporter position open at South Central Judicial District Court
The North Dakota Court System has announced an opening for a full-time court reporter position within the South Central Judicial District Court Judge Chambers located in Bismarck.
State Supreme Court
Joseph M. Stanalonis named administrative judge for St. Mary's County Circuit Court
Supreme Court of Maryland Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader has appointed Judge Joseph M. Stanalonis as the county administrative judge for the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County, effective November 20, 2024.
State Supreme Court
South Dakota CASA Commission plans virtual meeting for December
The South Dakota Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Commission is scheduled to convene on December 2, 2024.
State AG
Veterans urged by AG James to claim refunds from Harris Jewelry settlement
New York Attorney General Letitia James has called on veterans and service members affected by Harris Jewelry's deceptive practices to file claims for refunds.
Attorneys & Judges
Georgia poll worker indicted for alleged bomb threat and false statements
A former poll worker from Georgia, Nicholas Wimbish, has been indicted for allegedly mailing a threatening letter to a polling place and providing false information to the FBI.
Opinion
Buckeye Institute raises concerns over Ohio House Bill 505's impact on pharmacy costs
On Wednesday, The Buckeye Institute provided written testimony to the Ohio House Insurance Committee regarding Ohio House Bill 505.
State AG
Arizona court orders $3.8 million restitution for Medicaid fraud
Attorney General Kris Mayes has announced the conclusion of a criminal case involving Ariell Olivia Dix, who has been ordered by the court to pay $3,863,036.15 in restitution.
State Supreme Court
Ohio Supreme Court allows Ohio Edison to use herbicides under power lines
The Supreme Court of Ohio has ruled that Ohio Edison is permitted to use herbicides to clear vegetation from under its power lines, despite objections from local landowners.
State AG
Vermont trooper cleared in fatal shooting of armed suspect
The Vermont Attorney General's Office has completed its review of the officer-involved shooting that took place on June 12, 2024, in Orange, Vermont.
Judge grants final OK to $115M Oracle data privacy class action deal; Lawyers get $28.75M
About 3.2 million class members are set to receive $25 each from the deal. The judge overruled objectors who argued the plaintiffs settled too quickly for too little
America First Legal challenges Biden-Harris Administration on alleged Taylor Force Act violations
America First Legal (AFL) has filed a reply in support of its motion for partial summary judgment in a lawsuit against President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
America First Legal criticizes Biden-Harris immigration policies' impact on U.S. cities
America First Legal (AFL) has released new documents and data highlighting the impact of the Biden-Harris Administration's immigration policies on American cities, with a focus on Chicago.
Court halts Biden administration's proposed amnesty program
America First Legal (AFL), in representation of Attorney General Ken Paxton, has won a legal battle against the Biden-Harris Administration's Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
America First Legal files lawsuits against Biden administration over campus unrest
Last week, America First Legal (AFL) initiated a series of lawsuits following revelations from the House Education and Workforce Committee's investigation into pro-Hamas activities on U.S. college campuses.
Justice for Jussie? IL Supreme Court overturns Smollett conviction for lying to cops
The Illinois Supreme Court said Smollett's conviction for lying to police about his hoax attack claims was an unconstitutional violation of his rights to due process because he should have been able to rely on the charge-dropping deal from Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx
Constitution doesn't block Indiana's ban on gender transition procedures for kids: Appeals court
A divided federal appeals panel said the Indiana ban on surgeries, puberty blockers and other care do not violate parent's rights to direct their children's medical care nor the speech rights of doctors, dissolving a lower court's injunction blocking enforcement of the law
Ex-BART workers fired over Covid vax mandate should get $7.8M, jury says
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District should pay at least $1.1 million to six workers who were fired in 2022 after BART repeatedly refused to grant religious exemptions and accommodations to workers who said their faith prevented them from complying with BART's Covid shot mandate
Paxton sues Biden administration for refusing to verify citizenship status of potentially ineligible voters
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary and other parties in the Biden administration for refusing to comply with federal law requiring them to assist States in verifying the citizenship status of potentially ineligible people registered to vote.
New Jersey Appellate Court upholds arbitration agreement in McGinty v. Uber technologies
On September 20, the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division, reversed a lower court's decision by upholding the enforceability of Uber Technologies, Inc.'s arbitration agreement.
$97M brain damage verdict struck; Plaintiff lawyer's 'rhetoric paints attorneys in a poor light'
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa's highest court has struck a nearly $100 million verdict in favor of a family who blamed doctors for a baby's brain injuries, and its chief justice delivered a smackdown of the plaintiffs' lawyer for ridiculing the defendants' arguments to the jury.
Citizen-only voting amendments victorious in all eight states they were on ballot
Constitutional amendments to ensure only American citizens can vote in elections passed in all eight states they appeared on the ballot.
Indiana law providing buffer zone for cops blocked by federal judge
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge has blocked an Indiana law that requires onlookers, including members of the press, to stand at least 25 feet away from cops when they are told to do so.
Hedge-fund money complicates J&J's massive settlement for talc claims
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) - Johnson & Johnson’s lawyers think they’ve identified the reason the company is having such a hard time settling thousands of lawsuits claiming its talcum powder causes cancer, even though it’s won the vast majority of the cases that have gone to trial.
Veil lifted, slightly, on asbestos money flowing through South Carolina court
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - The court-appointed receiver for a long-defunct insulation company in South Carolina has paid more than $27 million to settle asbestos cases, according to a new filing that provides limited financial information about one of the secretive funds the receiver uses to hold proceeds of settlements with insurance companies.
Chief Justice receives Spirit of Justice Award from Hawaii foundation
Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald was honored with the Spirit of Justice Award by the Hawaii Justice Foundation (HJF) during its annual meeting on October 29.
North Dakota says shutdown of Dakota Access Pipeline would cause ‘immediate’ fiscal harm
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - North Dakota has filed a motion to intervene as a defendant in a federal lawsuit brought by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to shut down a major oil pipeline, arguing that the State has significant environmental and economic interests in the litigation.
University of Missouri law professor: Third-party litigation funding presents 'significant ethical concerns'
On October 11th, Dennis Crouch, a law professor at the University of Missouri School ofLaw, published a detailed breakdown of third-party litigation funding (TPLF) in patent cases, emphasizing the ethical and transparency issues surrounding this growing practice.