Jessica M. Karmasek News
South Carolina SC revives home builders' suit against school district
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) -- The South Carolina Supreme Court, in a ruling last week, revived a lawsuit filed by home builders against a school district for so-called "impact fees" on new homes built in the district.
New legal initiative formed to help fight Citizens United ruling
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A new initiative, launched this week, will help fight a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allowed unrestricted campaign spending by corporations.
U.S. Judicial Conference appeals to Obama on funding
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. Judicial Conference, in a letter late last week, appealed to President Barack Obama for the funding it says is necessary in fiscal year 2014 to perform its essential constitutional functions.
Ill. SC names Garman chief justice
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) -- The Illinois Supreme Court announced last week that Justice Rita Garman will be its next chief justice.
Report: Wasden to seek fourth term as Idaho AG
BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) -- Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden is seeking a fourth term.
Coakley launches bid for Mass. governor
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) -- Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is running for governor.
Legal reform group, manufacturers urge U.S. SC to uphold ruling over federal jurisdiction
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A group of veteran legal reform advocates, in an amicus brief filed last week, want the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a November ruling by a federal appeals court in a case over federal jurisdiction.
Plaintiffs in Calif. lead paint case say companies' witnesses were 'not persuasive'
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) -- The plaintiffs in a six-week trial over lead paint -- 10 cities and counties in California -- argue that the one-time paint and pigment manufacturers they're suing have not presented a "persuasive" case.
Ariz. SC rejects new judicial merit selection law
TUCSON, Ariz. (Legal Newsline) -- The Arizona Supreme Court, in a ruling last week, overturned a new law that changes the selection process for judicial candidates in the state.
Former lead paint, pigment manufacturers say Calif. plaintiffs failed to prove their case
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) -- The defendants in a six-week trial over lead paint -- one-time paint and pigment manufacturers -- contend, in filings late Friday, that the plaintiffs have not proven their case.
Report: Feds clear Utah AG, Shurtleff
SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) -- A federal investigation into embattled Utah Attorney General John Swallow has wrapped up, with no charges being brought against the state's top lawyer.
Report: Mo. House Speaker confirms plans for AG run
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) -- Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones said he intends to run for state attorney general in 2016.
Md. AG to kick off campaign for governor later this month
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Legal Newsline) -- Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler will kick off his campaign for governor later this month.
Report: Bill proposed to lower retirement age for Kan. appeals court, SC judges
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) -- A Kansas lawmaker has proposed a bill that would lower the retirement age for state Court of Appeals judges and state Supreme Court justices from 75 to 65.
Kan. governor's chief counsel confirmed to state Court of Appeals
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) -- Last week, the Kansas Senate confirmed Gov. Sam Brownback's nomination of attorney Caleb Stegall to fill a vacancy on the state's Court of Appeals.
Del. SC: Former Countrywide shareholders can't pursue federal lawsuit
DOVER, Del. (Legal Newsline) -- The Delaware Supreme Court ruled this week that former Countrywide Financial Corp. shareholders can't pursue a federal lawsuit filed against the mortgage lender's directors and officers before it was acquired by Bank of America Corp.
Neb. AG sued in federal court for trying to stop patent troll
OMAHA, Neb. (Legal Newsline) -- Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, who in July initiated an investigation into whether patent infringement enforcement efforts by a Texas law firm violate Nebraska law, now is being sued by the company that hired the firm.
Groups urge U.S. SC to protect foreign defendants' right to federal forum
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A Washington D.C.-based legal foundation is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the right of out-of-state business defendants to a federal forum in a mass action that, it contends, was strategically filed by Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood.
House panel approves bill aimed at reducing frivolous lawsuits
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved a bill aimed at reducing the number of frivolous lawsuits plaguing the nation's legal system.
Report: D.C. Circuit nominee Wilkins sails through Senate committee hearing
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- Robert Leon Wilkins, one of three nominees for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, testified on Capitol Hill Wednesday.