Asbestos
'Slammed the door in my face': Key cog in South Carolina's asbestos court not at U.K. showdown
A London judge hearing a U.K. company’s challenge to receivership orders handed down by his judicial counterpart in South Carolina called the procedure “a bit sort of odd,” given the U.K. company has never done business in South Carolina and has no assets there.
Campaigns & Elections
Kansas City has ability to let non-citizens vote in municipal elections
Federal Court
Judge: No, Ricola doesn't trick people into buying its cough drops
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - The lawsuit over Ricola cough drops has failed, as a federal judge says the plaintiff who used them for 20 years before finding a lawyer on Facebook hasn't shown she was harmed by claims they are "Made With Swiss Alpine Herbs."
From Northern California Record
Investors seek final OK for $60M deal to end class action vs Okta; Lawyers seek $13M
Lawyers representing investors in cybersecurity firm Okta have asked a San Francisco federal judge to sign off on a $60M deal to end their class action vs Okta over a 2022 data security breach that allegedly dropped stock 11% at the time. The lawyers want 22% of the settlement for their fees.
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.
Lawsuits
Supreme Court reviews Tennessee's child protection law on gender transition
America First Legal (AFL) has filed a brief in the Supreme Court of the United States concerning the case United States v. Skrmetti et al. The brief supports Tennessee's stance against medical procedures related to gender transition for minors, which AFL describes as "inhumane medical experiments."
State AG
Alabama AG supports Tennessee law against child sex-change procedures
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of a Tennessee law aimed at protecting minors from undergoing irreversible sex-change procedures. The Biden-Harris administration is challenging this law, arguing that age restrictions on such procedures are unconstitutional.
Attorneys & Judges
Justice Department monitors voting rights compliance in Portage County
The Justice Department has announced its intention to monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Portage County, Ohio. This monitoring will occur during the early voting period and on Election Day. The department's role is to ensure that all citizens have access to the ballot without facing intimidation or threats.
State Supreme Court
Ohio Supreme Court resolves 13 cases on school district tax appeals
The Supreme Court of Ohio has resolved 13 cases based on its previous ruling concerning property tax challenges. The decision is rooted in a prior case involving the Marysville Exempted Village School District's ability to contest the property tax value of a residential complex.
State AG
California AG files amicus brief on Kern River environmental case
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife have filed an amicus brief with the California Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District. The brief supports environmental plaintiffs in the case Bring Back the Kern v. City of Bakersfield. This follows a preliminary injunction granted last year that required Bakersfield to stop drying up the Kern River, as it was found to violate California Fish and Game Code section 5937.
State AG
Florida AG issues guidance on crime penalties during emergencies
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Following the destruction caused by Hurricane Milton, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued guidance to local law enforcement regarding enhanced penalties for looting and other crimes during a declared state of emergency. This announcement aims to deter criminal activities in storm-affected areas.
State AG
Former Columbus Zoo CEO receives seven-year prison sentence for fraud
The former CEO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Tom Stalf, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for his involvement in a scheme that defrauded the zoo of over $2.3 million. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the sentencing, following Stalf's guilty plea on July 23 to 15 felonies including aggravated theft, conspiracy, telecommunications fraud, and tampering with records.
State AG
Ohio anti-human trafficking operation results in 132 arrests
A significant human trafficking operation in Ohio led to the arrest of 132 individuals last week, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. The operation, named Operation END-OHHT, targeted those seeking to buy sex, including cases involving minors.
State AG
Charles L. Neff passes away at age 67
Charles L. Neff, born in 1957, passed away in 2024. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Tulsa in 1983.
Supreme Court reviews Tennessee's child protection law on gender transition
America First Legal (AFL) has filed a brief in the Supreme Court of the United States concerning the case United States v. Skrmetti et al. The brief supports Tennessee's stance against medical procedures related to gender transition for minors, which AFL describes as "inhumane medical experiments."
Investors seek final OK for $60M deal to end class action vs Okta; Lawyers seek $13M
Lawyers representing investors in cybersecurity firm Okta have asked a San Francisco federal judge to sign off on a $60M deal to end their class action vs Okta over a 2022 data security breach that allegedly dropped stock 11% at the time. The lawyers want 22% of the settlement for their fees.
America First Legal sues U.S. departments over withheld records on Ryan Routh
America First Legal (AFL) has initiated legal proceedings against several U.S. government departments, including the Department of State, Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The lawsuit claims these agencies are unlawfully withholding records related to Ryan Wesley Routh, who is charged with a second assassination attempt on former President Trump.
Pipe maker J-M says big asbestos firm Simmons Hanly shouldn't escape lawsuit fraud claims
J-M Manufacturing is pushing back against efforts by prominent asbestos law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy to end J-M's lawsuit accusing Simmons of a racket of "sham" asbestos lawsuits. The Simmons firm claims such racketeering claims aren't allowed against law firms over such litigation activities
Groups release report criticizing DOJ memo targeting protesting parents
After three years of investigations by America First Legal (AFL), Parents Defending Education (PDE), and the House Select Committee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, questions remain unanswered regarding a memorandum issued by Attorney General Merrick Garland. The memo, dated October 4, 2021, directed federal resources to address parents protesting at school board meetings over issues like Critical Race Theory and mask mandates.
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.
W.Va. attorneys secure key victory in Pa. contamination case
HARRISBURG, Pa. – Some West Virginia attorneys are declaring a key victory in a Pennsylvania case regarding properties contaminated with arsenic and lead decades after a U.S. Steel facility was shuttered.
Damien Patton: 'Escaping hate is always possible
Damien Patton, founder and former CEO of Banjo, said a lesson he learned from his own experiences is that "escaping hate is always possible," but it is made much easier when opportunities for rehabilitation are available.
Rosen law firm reminds investors of class action deadline against Starbucks
Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, has issued a reminder to purchasers of securities in Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) who acquired Starbucks shares between November 2, 2023, and April 30, 2024, to take note of the October 28, 2024, deadline for lead plaintiff applications.
Google privacy settlement a $62M windfall for trial lawyers, left-wing groups: Court filings
Twenty GOP state attorneys general have filed a brief in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in support of a group of objectors, seeking to undo approval of a settlement that would steer most of $62 million from Google to trial lawyers and the ACLU and other groups to advance left-wing social and political causes
Justice Department monitors voting rights compliance in Portage County
The Justice Department has announced its intention to monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Portage County, Ohio. This monitoring will occur during the early voting period and on Election Day. The department's role is to ensure that all citizens have access to the ballot without facing intimidation or threats.
Kansas City has ability to let non-citizens vote in municipal elections
Missouri law gives any city with a population of more than 400,000 the right to regulate its own elections. Amendment 7 would change that.
NYC's food delivery law deemed unconstitutional
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A New York City law that requires food delivery companies like DoorDash and Uber Eats to supply restaurants with customers' personal information is unconstitutional.
'Slammed the door in my face': Key cog in South Carolina's asbestos court not at U.K. showdown
A London judge hearing a U.K. company’s challenge to receivership orders handed down by his judicial counterpart in South Carolina called the procedure “a bit sort of odd,” given the U.K. company has never done business in South Carolina and has no assets there.
Let's talc about the personal-injury lawyers controlling South Carolina's legislature
South Carolina’s asbestos-litigation industry is aiming at Johnson & Johnson, adding supposedly deadly talcum powder to the long list of products plaintiffs claim made them sick. And if history is any guide, J&J is in for a rough time in the Palmetto State.
First Circuit hosts conference for newly appointed Oʻahu probation officers
Sixty-one new probation officers were sworn in by Chief Judge Jeannette Castagnetti at the First Circuit Probation Conference held in Honolulu. Chief Court Administrator Lori Okita and Deputy Chief Court Administrator Dwight Sakai presented the officers with lei and certificates of appointment.
Huge payday for lab behind Zantac cancer lawsuits
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - The laboratory that claimed the heartburn drug Zantac can cause cancer could earn more than $20 million under a $2.2 billion settlement with drugmaker GSK ending 80,000 lawsuits in state courts around the country.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce ILR report sheds light on third-party litigation funding
The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) has released a report on third-party litigation funding (TPLF). It asserts that TPLF operates with little transparency and often at the expense of those its mission is to help.