Jessica M. Karmasek News
Fla. appeals court says $33M in damages to smoker's widow not excessive
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) -- A Florida appeals court this week denied a tobacco company's request for a new trial in a lawsuit brought against the company by the widow of a former smoker.
Senate panel sets hearing on Wilkins' nomination to D.C. Circuit for next week
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- Robert Leon Wilkins, one of three nominees for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, will testify on Capitol Hill next week.
Texas SC chief justice to retire next month
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) -- Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson announced this week he will leave the bench in October.
CFPB asks federal judge to dismiss suit over alleged 'data mining'
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau last week urged a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed against it by a Connecticut attorney and her outsourced support services provider, claiming that the federal agency tried to obtain sensitive bankruptcy information protected by attorney-client privilege.
S&P says DOJ filed suit 'in retaliation' for ratings drop
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) -- The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. and its subsidiary Standard & Poor's Rating Services argue, in a federal court filing this week, that the U.S. Department of Justice's lawsuit against the ratings agency was filed "in retaliation" for its downgrade of the nation's credit rating in 2011.
Amazon explains benefits of eBook price-fixing settlements
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) -- Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, began sending emails to its Kindle customers last week, explaining the benefits of electronic book price-fixing settlements.
AGs 'disappointed' by agency's lack of response to letter over health care exchange concerns
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) -- West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said Wednesday he is disappointed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' lack of response to a letter he and 12 other state attorneys general sent last month.
Koster sides with governor, says tax cut bill could trigger refunds
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) -- Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster says a tax cut bill would allow residents to retroactively benefit from a tax reduction.
D.C. AG sues ExxonMobil and its District distributors
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- District of Columbia Attorney General Irvin Nathan has filed a lawsuit against ExxonMobil Oil Corporation and its gasoline distributors in the District, in an effort to stop enforcement of exclusive-supply agreements.
Second Circuit to consider petition to reassign federal judge in Chevron RICO case
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will consider a petition to reassign a federal judge overseeing a case stemming from a $19 billion judgment against oil giant Chevron Corp.
Ala. SC to hear oral arguments in case over 'innovator liability' next week
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) -- The Alabama Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case questioning whether a brand-name drug maker can be held liable for injuries from a generic version next week.
Ky. SC upholds $42M judgment against plaintiffs' attorneys at center of fen-phen class action
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) -- The Kentucky Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a $42 million civil judgment against three plaintiffs' attorneys who allegedly stole from more than 400 clients in a class action over the diet drug fen-phen.
Ohio AG appoints new solicitor
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine on Wednesday announced that he has named Eric Murphy as State Solicitor for the Attorney General's Office.
Report: Amazon takes case over N.Y. tax law to U.S. SC
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- Online retailer Amazon is taking its fight over a New York tax law to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Defense bar files brief to U.S. SC in support of insurer
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- DRI: The Voice of the Defense Bar this week filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, saying the terms of an Employee Retirement Income Security Act-covered plan must be upheld.
Report: Christie says he never offered newest SC nominee the job before
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who earlier this month nominated Faustino Fernandez-Vina to the state Supreme Court, this week denied he offered the judge the job before.
Second Circuit sides with State Farm in class action over no-fault coverage
NEW YORK CITY (Legal Newsline) -- A federal appeals court on Monday agreed to dismiss a lawsuit filed against State Farm Insurance Company over its no-fault car insurance coverage.
Wyo. SC justice to retire in January
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Legal Newsline) -- Wyoming Supreme Court Justice Barton Voigt announced his retirement Monday.
Nonprofit sues SiriusXM to recover underpayment of digital royalties
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- SoundExchange Inc., a non-profit performance rights organization, is suing SiriusXM Radio Inc. to recover what it calls a "massive underpayment" of digital royalties.
NLRB members select chief counsels
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- Each of the newly confirmed members of the National Labor Relations Board has selected a chief counsel.