Asbestos
Destruction of asbestos evidence postponed; New companies join effort to preserve it
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) - The planned deletion of asbestos cases is on hold, as companies that say they need that evidence to defend themselves have struck an agreement.
Climate Change
Watchdog groups call for congressional probe into D.C. Attorney General Schwalb’s contracting practices
Reform
GS Strategy Group President on lawsuit abuse: '82% support implementing reforms to limit lawsuit abuse'
Asbestos
'Pillsbury Doughboy' loses talc case; No one ever tested his house for asbestos
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A California jury recently rejected claims Johnson’s Baby Powder caused a man’s cancer, despite hair-raising testimony that talc is contaminated with deadly asbestos fibers and the plaintiff’s mother covered him with so much of it that “he would look like the Pillsbury Doughboy.”
Legislation
Georgia passes wide-ranging tort-reform package to address controversial court system
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - Georgia has successfully passed legislation designed to help improve the reputation of its courts system, where giant verdicts and rules preventing companies from introducing key pieces of evidence have created controversy.
From Southwest Texas Record
One of the most complicated tort trials in history continues to unfold in a Texas bankruptcy court.
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.
Attorneys & Judges
Guam woman sentenced to 10 years for methamphetamine conspiracy
Lorina Ann Fejeran, also known as Lori Leon Guerrero, has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for her involvement in drug trafficking activities in Guam.
Attorneys & Judges
Drug supplier sentenced to prison for methamphetamine trafficking in Guam
Shawn N. Anderson, United States Attorney for the District of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced the sentencing of Alejandro Manuel B. Gagarin.
State AG
Coalition of attorneys general sues over contested federal education funding conditions
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has taken a leading role in a lawsuit involving 19 attorneys general, challenging the U.S. Department of Education's decision to withhold federal funding from educational entities not complying with new...
State AG
Attorney General warns student loan borrowers against scams as collections resume
As the U.S. Department of Education plans to resume collections on defaulted federal student loans on May 5, Attorney General Kwame Raoul advises students to take steps to avoid or rectify default situations.
Attorneys & Judges
Maryland man indicted for supporting Cameroonian separatist activities
A Maryland man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly conspiring to support armed separatist groups in Cameroon.
Guatemalan national faces unlawful reentry charge in U.S. court
A Guatemalan national, Mario Lopez, 35, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly reentering the United States illegally following his deportation.
State AG
Labrador joins coalition supporting Second Amendment task force initiative
Attorney General Raúl Labrador has joined a group of attorneys general from 26 states in supporting the creation of a Second Amendment Task Force.
Opinion
Institutes argue against mandatory state bar dues in Supreme Court
On April 24, 2025, The Buckeye Institute, in collaboration with the Pelican Institute, submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the case Crowe v. Oregon State Bar.
Attorneys & Judges
DEA gears up for 28th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day nationwide
Memphis, TN – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will host the 28th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event, in collaboration with over 4,400 law enforcement partners, offers...
AFL files lawsuit against federal agencies over FOIA request refusal
America First Legal (AFL) has initiated legal proceedings against the Judicial Conference of the United States and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
Liberty Justice Center challenges "Liberation Day" tariffs in court
On April 18, 2025, the Liberty Justice Center filed for a temporary restraining order and motion for a preliminary injunction to halt the "Liberation Day" tariffs.
Lawsuit filed against Illinois officials over prolonged vehicle seizure
On April 14, 2025, the Liberty Justice Center initiated legal action against the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and the Winnebago County State’s Attorney.
Liberty Justice Center challenges "Liberation Day" tariffs in court
The Liberty Justice Center has initiated legal actions against the Trump Administration over the imposition of "Liberation Day" tariffs, challenging the authority to implement these tariffs without congressional consent.
New filing: 'Whistleblowers' can back fraud, racketeering claims vs Simmons, other asbestos lawsuit firms
L.A.-based pipemaker J-M Manufacturing wants to revive its lawsuit against Simmons Hanly Conroy and now other prominent asbestos plaintiff firms. J-M claims to have a raft of whistleblowers who can back their allegations that much of the multi-billion dollar asbestos litigation industry is allegedly a fraudulent racket
'A glaring loophole': PREP Act doesn't stop lawsuit from N.C. teen vaxxed against his will
RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - The North Carolina Supreme Court won't stop the parents of a then-14-year-old vaccinated against COVID-19 against his will, despite a federal law that shields defendants from liability during health emergencies.
Missouri AG asks DOGE to investigate $5B Grain Belt Express project
JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has called for an immediate investigation into a nearly $5 billion federal loan guarantee supporting the Grain Belt Express project, which he describes as "one of the most egregious abuses of taxpayer dollars in recent memory."
'This ends today:' DOJ asks court to block IL, Chicago from using 'Sanctuary' laws to hinder deportation of criminals
Federal lawsuit from the Trump administration asserts the state of Illinois, city of Chicago and Cook County are unconstitutionally using state laws and local ordinances to shield illegal immigrants - and particularly, illegal immigrants who have been convicted of other, violent crimes - from being removed from the U.S.
Bonus for railroad workers to get COVID vax could be 'coercive'
HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) - Federal law preempts a Montana statute barring discrimination against unvaccinated workers but BNSF employees can still pursue claims a $300 bonus for getting vaccinated was “coercive.”
Former LAP board member: Clerkship accountability project has messaging problem
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A former board member at the Legal Accountability Project (LAP) is not surprised that Yale Law School has barred the use of student organization funds to subscribe to LAP's "Centralized Clerkships Database.”
Guam woman sentenced to 10 years for methamphetamine conspiracy
Lorina Ann Fejeran, also known as Lori Leon Guerrero, has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for her involvement in drug trafficking activities in Guam.
Push for citizen-only voting amendments continues to grow
At least two more states will have amendments that would ensure citizen-only voting on ballots next year, and more are likely.
Georgia passes wide-ranging tort-reform package to address controversial court system
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - Georgia has successfully passed legislation designed to help improve the reputation of its courts system, where giant verdicts and rules preventing companies from introducing key pieces of evidence have created controversy.
Destruction of asbestos evidence postponed; New companies join effort to preserve it
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) - The planned deletion of asbestos cases is on hold, as companies that say they need that evidence to defend themselves have struck an agreement.
Judge refuses 'do-over' in J&J's failed $9B talc settlement
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) - The Houston bankruptcy judge who denied Johnson & Johnson's $9 billion plan to settle tens of thousands of ovarian cancer claims has now rejected calls from those affected to reconsider.
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court to bring educational program to Hilo community
The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a significant case in Hilo, on April 17, as part of its Courts in the Community program.
Bayer petitions USSC for review of Roundup case
Bayer has filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court to review a $1.25 million ruling in a Roundup weed killer after the Missouri Supreme Court already refused to overturn the verdict.
State Sen. Miguez: Extending lawsuit filing deadline 'won't curb excessive lawsuits'
Blake Miguez, a state senator for Louisiana's 22nd District, expressed concerns over a proposal to extend the deadline for filing lawsuits from one to two years.