Jessica M. Karmasek News
Okla. AG now seeking U.S. SC review of regional haze lawsuit
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt said Thursday he intends to seek U.S. Supreme Court review of the state's regional haze lawsuit against the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
Defense bar wants U.S. SC to review cases over front-loading washers sold by Sears, Whirlpool
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- DRI: The Voice of the Defense Bar has filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, asking it to review two cases involving front-loading washing machines.
Ecuadorian SC halves damages against Chevron
QUITO, Ecuador (Legal Newsline) -- Ecuador's Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a $9.5 billion damage claim against Chevron Corp., but dismissed the $9 billion punitive damage award against the oil giant.
Iowa judge upholds mortgage registry's right to notice
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (Legal Newsline) -- In a ruling last month, an Iowa district court judge said MERS, the national mortgage registry, is entitled to receive a notice of the right to redeem.
U.S. SC hears arguments in case over whistleblower protections
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday heard arguments in a case questioning who is protected from retaliation after reporting a company's wrongdoing.
Wis. looking to change the way it selects SC chief justice
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) -- The Wisconsin Senate has passed a bill that would change the way the state Supreme Court's chief justice is selected.
Iowa AG to seek ninth term
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) -- Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced Wednesday he plans to seek a ninth term as the state's top lawyer in 2014.
Pa. House members introduce merit selection bill for appointing state judges
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) -- Two members of Pennsylvania's House of Representatives introduced legislation Tuesday that would establish a merit-based system for appointing statewide judges.
Legal group calls on U.S. SC to protect copyright owners' right of public performance
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A Washington, D.C.-based legal foundation is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a lower court ruling that, it contends, threatens to legitimize a business model based entirely on the "unauthorized, for-profit exploitation of the copyrighted works of others."
Interest groups contend Republicans 'abusing' Senate rules in blocking judicial nominees
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- Special interest groups decried Senate Republicans for holding up the nomination of Cornelia "Nina" Pillard to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Tuesday.
Senate Republicans block second D.C. Circuit nominee
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- Senate Republicans again have blocked one of President Barack Obama's nominees to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
House members back legal foundation's lawsuit over individual mandate
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A Sacramento, Calif.-based public interest legal organization is being backed by several dozen members of the U.S. House of Representatives in its challenge to President Barack Obama's health care law.
Va. AG race continues to go back and forth; Herring now leads with 117 votes
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) -- Democrat Mark Herring currently is leading Republican Mark Obenshain in the ongoing race for Virginia attorney general, according to the state Board of Elections.
Ohio SC decides to end class-action status of windshield case
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) -- The Ohio Supreme Court ruled last week that a class-action lawsuit alleging that an insurance company did not disclose the option to replace damaged windshields to its policyholders does not meet the legal requirements for a class action.
Va. AG race even tighter; Obenshain leading by just 17 votes
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) -- The race for Virginia attorney general is even tighter, with only 17 votes dividing Republican Mark Obenshain and Democrat Mark Herring.
District attorney who brought suit over controversial budget bill running for Wis. AG
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) -- Last week, Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne announced he is running for Wisconsin attorney general.
Head of legal reform institute says asbestos claims bill will help, not hurt
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Legal Reform says the Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act will neither interfere with nor delay asbestos victims' ability to file legitimate lawsuits or trust claims.
N.C. federal court sides with MERS, bank in lawsuit alleging fraud
GREENVILLE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) -- A federal judge in North Carolina has sided with MERS, the national mortgage registry, and JPMorgan Chase Bank in a lawsuit filed by a North Carolina homeowner who claimed fraud.
Former Mich. assistant AG sues Cox, Schuette over termination
DETROIT (Legal Newsline) -- A former Michigan assistant attorney general, accused of harassing a gay University of Michigan student body president, is now suing former Attorney General Mike Cox and current Attorney General Bill Schuette for his "unlawful termination."
Senate expected to vote next week on second D.C. Circuit nominee
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A confirmation vote is expected next week on U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit nominee Cornelia "Nina" Pillard.