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Disruptive Technology Protection Network Summit Strengthens US, Japan, and ROK Collaboration
The Departments of Justice and Commerce, in collaboration with Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK), held the first high-level trilateral summit in Washington, D.C. to launch the Disruptive Technology Protection Network. The summit aimed to strengthen collaboration on technology protection measures and enhance connections between the enforcement agencies of the three countries.Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division emphasized the global importance of preventing sensitive technology from falling into the wrong...
Law firm must defend claim it botched case over non-compete agreement
DOVER, Del. (Legal Newsline) - A law firm that was fired midway through litigation over an insurance broker’s non-compete agreement must defend itself against claims the case could have been won absent the malpractice of the attorneys, the Delaware Supreme Court ruled.
Supreme Court wrong, California right: Worker with no claim can sue on behalf of others
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - Stating a U.S. Supreme Court decision “is not binding on California courts,” an appeals court restored a worker’s lawsuit under the state private attorneys general law on behalf of hundreds of fellow employees although she didn’t file an individual claim for herself.
Nuclear power company sues New York over discharge rules
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Holtec International says the State of New York has usurped the exclusive power of the federal government to regulate discharges at nuclear power plants.
Maryland Payroll Company Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax Crimes and Embezzlement
Maryland Payroll Company Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax Crimes and EmbezzlementA Maryland woman, Michelle Leach-Bard, pleaded guilty to failing to pay employment taxes to the IRS and embezzling from an employee benefit plan. Leach-Bard, the owner and sole corporate officer of iProcess Online Inc., was responsible for withholding taxes from employees' wages but failed to pay them to the IRS as required. This resulted in a tax loss of $2,663,264.12.Additionally, Leach-Bard did not pay approximately $207,180.41 in wages withheld from employees' paychecks to the 401(k) Plan,...
Panel: Democratizing info on judges for law clerkship database raises 'ethical concerns'
In spite of growing participation among state and federal judges in Legal Accountability Project's LAP Pledge, the Committee on Codes of Conduct of the Judicial Conference advised 10th Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge Jerome Holmes that distributing post clerkship surveys to current and former clerks, and other facets of the pledge, "gives rise to ethical concerns."
Boston Cipro lawsuit alleges lifelong injuries
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - A Massachusetts couple allege the prescription drug Cipro has given the wife lifelong injuries.
Williams-Sonoma to Pay Record Civil Penalty for Misleading 'Made in the USA' Claims
The Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have announced that Williams-Sonoma Inc. will be paying over $3 million in civil penalties for falsely marketing imported goods as "Made in the USA." The settlement also requires Williams-Sonoma to cease making misleading claims about the origins of its products.Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton stated, "The Justice Department will vigorously enforce laws to stop deceptive advertisers from making misleading and fraudulent claims to sell products." This comes in response to...
Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez Releases First Phase Objective, Science-based Facts Related to the Maui Fire Investigation
Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez announced Phase One of the three-part investigation into how state and county governments responded during the Maui wildfires.
Statement from Attorney General Raúl Labrador on Ada County Deputy Sheriff Tobin Bolter
Our hearts are broken for Deputy Bolter, his family, and his colleagues at the Ada County Sheriff’s Office and the Meridian Police Department.
Attorney General’s Office Investigating Death in Toms River, N.J., Involving Officers from the Island Heights and Toms River Police Departments and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office
The Attorney General’s Office is investigating a death that occurred following an arrest on April 19, 2024, in Toms River, Ocean County, New Jersey. The identity of one adult male civilian, who died after being arrested for outstanding warrants, is not being released at this time.
Holland & Knight Welcomes Kevin Angle to the Data Strategy, Security & Privacy Group in Boston
Holland & Knight has expanded its Data Strategy, Security & Privacy (DSSP) Team with the addition of Kevin Angle as senior counsel in its Boston office.
Nevada Trucking Association CEO: ‘lawyers end up winning while the rest of Nevadans foot the bill’
Paul Enos, CEO of the Nevada Trucking Association, criticized the legal system for being "rigged in favor of billboard attorneys and against everyone else," asserting that Nevada residents are left to "foot the bill" while "some of the richest attorneys in the country" reap significant profits. This statement was shared by Enos in a press release dated March 18.
Morrisey, Capito critical of new EPA rule targeting gas-, coal-fired power plants
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey says he will be challenging a new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule he says will force power plants fueled by coal or natural gas to capture smokestack emissions or shut down.
Attorney General Moody Leads Legal Action Against EEOC's Abortion Mandate
Attorney General Ashley Moody, leading a coalition of 17 state attorneys general, has taken legal action against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for its new rule mandating accommodations for abortion under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act of 2022. Moody expressed concerns stating, "Unelected commissioners under the Biden administration are seeking to hijack protections for pregnant workers by twisting language into an illegal interpretation of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act of 2022. We are fighting back against the unprecedented, attempted mutation of these...
Brief Filed Asking Wisconsin Supreme Court to Overrule Ban on Drop Boxes in Wisconsin Elections: Statement from Attorney General Kaul
MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul has filed a response brief with the Wisconsin Supreme Court, arguing against the ban on drop boxes in Wisconsin elections. In a statement, Attorney General Kaul emphasized the importance of safe, secure, and accessible voting, stating, "Voting should be safe, secure and accessible — and drop boxes are. Unfortunately, the use of drop boxes has been swept into the broader and baseless attacks on our elections and our democracy."The Attorney General further explained the rationale behind the filing, saying, "Through our filing,...
Attorney General Kaul Releases Update at Three-Year Anniversary of Clergy and Faith Leader Abuse Initiative
Attorney General Josh Kaul of Wisconsin has provided an update on the progress of the Clergy and Faith Leader Abuse Initiative, as the state marks the three-year anniversary of its launch. The initiative aims to address and investigate cases of abuse by clergy and faith leaders in Wisconsin.In a statement, Attorney General Kaul emphasized the department's commitment to supporting survivors and conducting independent reviews of abuse cases. He urged individuals with information about clergy and faith leader abuse to come forward, stating, “If you have information about...
America First Legal Sues Department of Education Over Alleged Protection of Pro-Hamas Extremists on U.S. Campuses
WASHINGTON, D.C. – America First Legal (AFL) has taken legal action against the Department of Education for allegedly obstructing the release of government records related to pro-Hamas activities on American college campuses. The organization claims that the Biden Administration has chosen to protect pro-Hamas foreign extremists, as reported on April 25, 2024.In a statement, AFL emphasized the importance of upholding existing laws that prohibit support for Hamas and terrorism among individuals on F-1 student visas and naturalized citizens. They also pointed out the...
Tax Attorneys and Insurance Agent Convicted in Tax Shelter Scheme
Three individuals, Michael Elliott Kohn, Catherine Elizabeth Chollet, and David Shane Simmons, have been convicted of conspiring to defraud the United States in a tax shelter scheme. The scheme involved the promotion and operation of a fraudulent tax shelter known as the Gain Elimination Plan.According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the defendants designed the plan to hide clients' income from the IRS by inflating business expenses through fictitious royalties and management fees. These fees were paid to a limited partnership owned by a charity, but...
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco Speaks at Disruptive Technology Protection Network Summit
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco recently delivered remarks at the Disruptive Technology Protection Network Summit, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in combating national security threats. Monaco expressed gratitude to the delegations from Japan and the Republic of Korea for their participation, highlighting the collaborative efforts between the United States and its allies.Monaco underscored the necessity of partnerships in addressing evolving security challenges, stating, "To combat today’s national security threats, we cannot go it alone. We...