LEGAL NEWSLINE

Chief Justice Laura Denvir Stith JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Laura Denvir Stith wants to change parts of the selection process for Supreme Court Justices that critics claim are too secretive.

Don Barrett GULFPORT, Miss. - Things have recently become even uglier among the attorneys in the most well-known Hurricane Katrina case of them all.

Barrett ABERDEEN, Miss. - A federal judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit that was filed by the State of Mississippi and was being handled by a campaign contributor to state Attorney General Jim Hood.

Scruggs JACKSON, Miss. - For William Roberts Wilson, disagreeing with fellow trial attorney Richard "Dickie" Scruggs has caused a nuisance that has lasted 14 years -- and counting.

Justice W. Michael Gillette SALEM -- The Oregon Supreme Court has again allowed a huge punitive-damages award against Big Tobacco's Philip Morris to stand after it was twice rebuffed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Scruggs BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The defense team of twice-indicted trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs wants a hearing to investigate the relationship between a federal judge and the prosecutors who brought charges against Scruggs.

Rob McKenna OLYMPIA -- Two attorneys general from opposite sides of the country have joined forces to encourage their brethren to sign an amicus brief in a lawsuit over the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989.

Judge John C. Few COLUMBIA -- What was a three-way race to fill the seat of a retiring justice on the South Carolina Supreme Court is suddenly down to two with under a week until the vote.