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.
State Court
$1.7B Georgia verdict reversed; Ford can now present proper defense
Federal Court
Randi Ellis appointed as future claims representative in J&J $8.2 billion talc settlement
A Texas bankruptcy judge appointed Randi Ellis as the future claims representative for Red River Talc, Johnson & Johnson’s talc unit, in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case.
From Cook County Record
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
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 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.
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.
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.
Attorneys & Judges
Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation focuses on unity and data-driven solutions
On the second day of the 19th Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation, Director Rosie Hidalgo addressed participants with a message of gratitude and commitment.
Attorneys & Judges
Texas lab owner charged with $79M healthcare fraud
The owner of a Texas laboratory has been charged in connection with a $79 million fraud scheme involving respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) testing.
State AG
Tennessee warns against fake car and equipment dealership websites
The Tennessee Attorney General's Office has issued a warning to consumers about fraudulent websites masquerading as classic car and heavy equipment dealerships.
Attorneys & Judges
32-state coalition urges Congress to pass Kids Online Safety Act
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, along with attorneys general from 31 other states, is urging Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) before the end of the year.
State AG
Ken Paxton promotes adoption month with special license plate initiative
Attorney General Ken Paxton is recognizing November as National Adoption Month and urging Texans to support the cause by purchasing a "Support Adoption" license plate.
Attorneys & Judges
Justice Department sues Pennsylvania over discriminatory housing codes for disabled
The Justice Department has initiated legal action against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, along with its Department of Labor and Industry and Department of Human Services.
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.
United Airlines ends discriminatory hiring after legal challenge
America First Legal (AFL) has announced that United Airlines will cease its discriminatory hiring practices following a federal civil rights complaint.
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.
DOJ naming Rocket Mortgage in appraisal lawsuit ‘a flagrant example of government overreach,’ says company spokesman
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has named Rocket Mortgage in a new lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in home appraisals, a claim that the company has called "a flagrant example of government overreach."
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.
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.
$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.