Marilyn Tennissen News
Changes to maritime laws motivated by politics, lawyer says
Freeman WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Since the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded in April, some groups, including trial lawyers, have seen the incident as a reason to make changes to the federal statutes that cover injuries and deaths in the maritime industry.
Cornyn questions McConnell about Texas schools lead paint litigation
McConnell WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, asked John McConnell Jr. if it was appropriate for a lawyer to solicit a school board as a client in a lead paint lawsuit even if the district is not sure its schools contain lead paint.
BP seeks MDL in Houston for Deepwater Horizon cases
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) - With more than 100 lawsuits already filed over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, BP is hoping to have the cases combined into one federal court in Houston.
Texas judge sets aside $100M verdict in BP case
HOUSTON, Texas (Legal Newsline)-Setting aside a $100 million verdict, a federal judge has ruled that 10 workers who sued BP over injuries from a chemical release at a Texas oil refinery did not prove the company was grossly negligent.
Very close race leads to GOP runoff for Texas Supreme Court seat
Green There will be a runoff in the GOP for a seat on the Texas Supreme Court, but exactly which Republicans will be on the ballot is still up in the air.
Texas AG praised for transparency
Greg Abbott (R) AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)--Attorneys general of several states have been getting negative press lately for hiring campaign donors as outside counsel in public pension fund shareholder litigation. Texas, however, has remained above the fray.
Jefferson County cases keep Texas on Judicial Hellhole 'Watch List'
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - When a Jefferson County, Texas, judge granted a losing plaintiff a new trial "do-over" without giving his reason, it was enough to keep the watchful eyes of tort reformers focused on Southeast Texas for another year.
Online travel industry claims win despite jury award to Texas cities
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Legal Newsline)--Nearly a dozen popular online hotel booking services were hit with a verdict from a Texas jury recently, but the industry is still calling it a victory.
Texas Senate passes asbestos causation bill
Robert Duncan (R) AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-A bill that critics fear will expose thousands of additional businesses to asbestos lawsuits has passed the Texas Senate.
Business, trial bar at odds over pending Texas asbestos bills
Robert Duncan (R) AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)--A battle between trial lawyers and business leaders is heating up in Austin over two pending bills in the Texas Legislature that could affect who could be named as a defendant in a malignant mesothelioma case.
Court: Texas had no right to take polygamists' kids
Judge Barbara Walther AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)--A Texas appeals court ruled Thursday that a San Angelo judge exceeded her discretion when she ordered the state to take custody of more than 460 children from a polygamous sect.
Texas gamer wins $21M award in patent suit against Nintendo
Cawley BEAUMONT, Texas(Legal Newsline)--A small East Texas gaming company has won a $21 million jury verdict in a patent infringement case against Nintendo.