Dawn Brotherton News
Judge rules creditors’ uncompleted phone calls to debtors still considered 'communication'
WOBURN, Mass. (Legal Newsline) — A Massachusetts Superior Court judge has ruled that missed phone calls directed to voicemail where no message is left are considered communication with a debtor.
Consumers win in D.C. Circuit's net neutrality decision
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — A Utah attorney calls the decision in United States Telecom Association, et al v. Federal Communications Commission and United States of America a “slam-dunk win for consumers.”
Ruling in exotic dancers independent contractor's case could affect other industries
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) —The Fourth Circuit Court upheld a ruling that two Maryland dance clubs had misclassified exotic dancers as independent contractors. One attorney believes the ruling is significant for all businesses who have agreements with independent contractors.
Group calls for TCPA reform
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) —The Association of Credit and Collection Professionals (ACA) recently published a white paper calling for reform to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
Domino's says N.Y. AG's lawsuit 'demeans' role of small business owners
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — Domino’s Pizza asserts it has been working with the New York Attorney General’s Office for more than three years to ensure franchisee compliance and is disappointed that AG Eric Schneiderman recently decided to file a lawsuit.
Lawyer doesn't expect Best Buy, LG class action to hold up in federal court
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — A Wisconsin couple have filed a class action lawsuit against Best Buy and LG Electronics, alleging misrepresentation in the refresh rates of their televisions - but it could be difficult to certify a class action in federal court under multiple states' consumer protection acts, an attorney says.
Courts rule against lawyers' block-billing practice
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) —In a ruling that could affect lawyers nationwide, a federal appeals court recently denied an appeal involving block-billing, a common billing practice in many law firms that includes lumping together many small tasks into a single block.
SEC whistleblower award recipient came forward for company's reputation
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — On Jan. 15, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a press release saying that the agency had awarded a whistleblower $750,000. Later, the recipient, Eric Hunsader - founder and CEO of Nanex, LLC - identified himself to the press.
Charleston asks judge to reconsider historic preservation ruling
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Legal Newsline) — On May 2, Charleston, S.C., city attorney Francis Cantwell submitted two motions in the Sergeant Jasper zoning case requesting Circuit Judge J.C. Nicholson Jr. delay the certificate of appropriateness and to reconsider, alter and amend his decision.
U.S. SC strikes down Md. program to develop new power plant
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – In a decision that outlines the boundaries between federal and state energy jurisdictions, the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that states may not attempt to get around certain federal regulations while providing energy to their residents.
Eighth Circuit rules obesity alone is not ADA-protected
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) – Although the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has considered morbid obesity a protected disability under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal appeals court disagrees.