Jessica M. Karmasek News
Tort reform bills placed on U.S. House schedule; could be considered next week
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. House of Representatives could consider two tort reform bills next week.
Obama nominates former Mo. SC judge to federal court -- 14 years after failed nomination
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- On Thursday, President Barack Obama nominated Ronnie L. White to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri -- 14 years after he was deprived of the job.
Federal judge refuses to approve settlement in L'Oreal case, calling it 'not fair'
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A federal judge, in a decision Wednesday, refused to grant final approval to a settlement in a class action brought against L'Oreal for misleading labels on several hair product brands.
Attorney for Miss. AG to U.S. SC: CAFA case is 'straightforward'
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- It is unclear, based on oral arguments Wednesday, how the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in a Mississippi case in which some contend state Attorney General Jim Hood is trying to circumvent the federal Class Action Fairness Act.
W.Va. AG, eight others file amicus brief in U.S. SC opposing cross-state air pollution regulations
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) -- West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced Thursday that he and eight other state attorneys general have filed a brief in the U.S. Supreme Court opposing the federal Environmental Protection Agency's new rule on cross-state air pollution.
Lawsuit backer, former Ecuadorian judge testify in Chevron fraud trial
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) -- A Philadelphia lawyer who helped finance pollution litigation in Ecuador against Chevron Corp. testified earlier this week that he wanted the plaintiffs in the case to settle.
ABA: Too few judges, lack of funding hurting federal courts
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The American Bar Association, in a letter last week, says the combination of too few judges and insufficient funding is diminishing the ability of the federal courts to "serve the people and deliver timely justice."
Report: Court stays apology letter portion of former Pa. SC justice's sentence pending appeal
PITTSBURGH (Legal Newsline) -- Former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin, who was convicted of corruption earlier this year, doesn't have to write letters of apology, a state Superior Court ruled Wednesday.
Update: Winner of Va. AG race might not be determined until December
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) -- With just 681 votes dividing Republican Mark Obenshain and Democrat Mark Herring, the Virginia attorney general's race is even more likely headed for a recount.
Holder: Airlines must make concessions if they want to settle merger lawsuit
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said this week American Airlines and US Airways must make some significant concessions if they want to settle the government's lawsuit over the proposed airline merger.
Congressman endorses Ariz. AG candidate Brnovich
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) -- U.S. Rep. Trent Franks, the head of Arizona's House delegation, is backing Mark Brnovich for Arizona attorney general.
Report: Utah House investigator calls AG's missing data 'deeply worrisome'
SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) -- The lead attorney for a House of Representatives investigation into Utah Attorney General John Swallow told a panel Tuesday that a large number of Swallow's electronic records are missing.
W.Va. AG wants EPA to bring carbon emissions 'Listening Tour' to state
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) -- West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has asked the federal Environmental Protection Agency to include the state on the agency's "Listening Tour" related to proposed carbon emissions.
Update: Obenshain, Herring in dead heat for Va. AG
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) -- With nearly all of Virginia's voting precincts reporting, Republican Mark Obenshain is in a dead heat with Democrat Mark Herring for state attorney general.
Ind. AG: Outside counsel not authorized to represent state official in suit
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) -- Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller argues his office represents state officials and that outside counsel is not authorized to do so in a lawsuit filed by Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz.
Va. AG race still close; Republican Obenshain leading
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) -- Republicans look poised to remain in control of the Virginia Attorney General's Office.
McAuliffe beats out Cuccinelli for Va. governor's seat
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) -- Terry McAuliffe, the former chairman of the Democratic Party, won the Virginia governor's seat Tuesday.
Lawyer suing D.C. board, council over AG election delay declares candidacy
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A Washington, D.C., attorney who specializes in defending marijuana possession cases and who is suing over the decision to delay the District's attorney general election has thrown his hat in the ring.
Five apply for Tenn. SC vacancy
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) -- Two Memphis judges, two private attorneys and a law professor are among the five applicants for a vacancy on the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Airline CEO, Bondi meet to discuss proposed merger
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) -- Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi met Friday with the chairman and CEO of one of the airlines at the center of a federal lawsuit over the proposed American Airlines and US Airways merger.