Jessica M. Karmasek News
Manufacturers file lawsuit over posting requirement for federal contractors
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The National Association of Manufacturers and the Virginia Manufacturers Association have filed a lawsuit in federal court to stop the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs from requiring federal contractors to post union notices.
EPA: Oil company settles underground storage tank violations
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) -- Par Mar Oil Company has agreed to settle alleged violations of underground storage tank regulations at two of its facilities in Huntington, W.Va.
Manufacturers, business groups join AGs in challenge to EPA ruling
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- Manufacturers and business groups are joining more than 20 state attorneys general in challenging the federal Environmental Protection Agency over its decision to rescind parts of a Clean Water Act permit issued to a West Virginia coal mining company.
Law school dean weighs in on Calif. lead paint ruling
BRISTOL, R.I. (Legal Newsline) -- A law school dean and expert in class-action lawsuits and mass torts said Tuesday he wouldn't be surprised if a $1.1 billion ruling against one-time paint and pigment manufacturers isn't upheld at the next level.
New York's high court rejects independent cause of action for medical monitoring
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) -- New York's highest court ruled Tuesday that New York law does not allow for an independent cause of action for medical monitoring.
AGs support federal information-gathering project on patent trolls
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A group of state attorneys general say they support a proposed project by the Federal Trade Commission aimed at collecting data and information about patent trolls.
U.S. SC says terms of ERISA-covered plan must be upheld
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that the limitations provision of an Employee Retirement Income Security Act-covered plan is enforceable.
W.Va. AG warns about phone scammers posing as IRS agents
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) -- West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey cautioned residents Monday about phone scammers who are pretending to work for the Internal Revenue Service and threatening individuals with arrest or punishment if they don't pay up.
Update: NL, ConAgra, Sherwin-Williams to file objections to Calif. judge's lead paint ruling
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) -- A spokeswoman for NL Industries, ConAgra Grocery Products and The Sherwin-Williams Company says the companies will file objections with the California judge who, on Monday, ordered them to pay $1.1 billion to replace or maintain lead paint in millions of homes.
Calif. named worst 'judicial hellhole' by tort reform group
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- California again is the nation's No. 1 "judicial hellhole," according to a report issued by the American Tort Reform Association Tuesday.
Recount in Va. AG's race underway
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) -- The recount of the Virginia attorney general's race is officially underway.
Report: Toyota enters into settlement talks over sudden-acceleration lawsuits
SANTA ANA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) -- Toyota Motor Corp. reportedly is entering into settlement talks over hundreds of lawsuits, both federal and state, alleging the company's vehicles suddenly accelerated, causing injuries and deaths.
Federal judge OKs $7 billion settlement over credit card swipe fees
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) -- A New York federal judge has approved a class-action settlement worth $7.25 billion between merchants and credit card issuers Visa and MasterCard over credit card transaction, or interchange, fees.
Fla. SC refuses to adopt medical malpractice rule
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) -- The Florida Supreme Court last week refused to adopt a procedural rule that would go along with a law that places restrictions on out-of-state expert witnesses testifying in medical malpractice cases.
Confirmation vote for third D.C. Circuit nominee expected later this week
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the confirmation of Robert Leon Wilkins to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit before the end of the week.
Wis. governor signs AG 'sunshine' legislation into law
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) -- Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has signed into law a piece of legislation aimed at bringing transparency to the state's hiring of private sector attorneys on a contingency fee basis.
Report: Md. election officials to seek outside counsel on fundraising issue
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Legal Newsline) -- Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler has agreed to let the state Board of Elections seek outside counsel on a fundraising issue that could impact one of his primary opponents.
Update: Neb. AG doing well after surgery for colon cancer
LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline) -- Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning is recovering after what his staff described as a "successful surgery" for colon cancer.
Report: Pa. AG considering U.S. Senate run
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) -- Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane reportedly is considering a run for the U.S. Senate.
Poll: Judicial system's financial straits not registering with public
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) -- A new poll by the nation's defense bar found that the public is split on the judicial system's current financial health.