News from December 2007
Scruggs' attorneys want all evidence
Scruggs OXFORD, Miss. - The defense team of prominent trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs says the federal government has not produced all evidence it has obtained in the judicial bribery case against Scruggs and three others.
Ohio S.C. makes another pro-business ruling
Moyer COLUMBUS, Ohio - Tort reformers recently earned their second major victory in the Ohio Supreme Court this year, as the justices upheld a law that puts caps on non-economic damages in personal injury lawsuits.
Miss. Auditor asks federal court to do nothing in $14 million fight, files state suit
NEW YORK - Mississippi State Auditor Phil Bryant has asked a federal bankruptcy court to abstain from making any decisions in a dispute over $14 million in fees given to a private law firm in the State's lawsuit against MCI, Inc.
Dann loses high-ranking assistant
Laliberte COLUMBUS, Ohio - One of Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann's top aides will head back to private practice after the New Year.
Trial lawyers offering input on Fla. insurance lawsuit
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Former Florida Attorney General and current Gov. Charlie Crist has hired three private attorneys to possibly pursue a lawsuit against property insurers.
Scruggs gets extra month before trial
Scruggs OXFORD, Miss. - Though the deadline for discovery will stay the same, U.S. District Judge Neal Biggers has pushed the bribery trial of prominent trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs, back more than a month.
Hood aide takes aim at prominent blogger
Hood JACKSON, Miss. - The director of Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood's Insurance Fraud Unit responded Friday to the thoughts of an insurance attorney who focuses his blog on Hurricane Katrina issues and has been quoted in several LegalNewsline.com stories.
Hood won't comment on State Farm motion
Hood JACKSON, Miss. - Even the most eye-opening, jaw-dropping allegations remain, merely, allegations until proven otherwise.
Rhode Island case will highlight another year of lead paint litigation
Campbell As far as the paint industry is concerned, 2008 will be dedicated to preventing any more hypothetical setbacks from producing a very real loss of money.
Starcher won't run for re-election in W. Va.
Starcher CHARLESTON, W. Va. - West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Larry Starcher on Thursday ended speculation by announcing that he will not be seeking re-election to a second term on the State's highest Court.
Car makers hail, Brown to sue EPA on state-based GHGs
Jerry Brown (L) & Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger SACRAMENTO -- The auto industry has hailed a federal EPA refusal to grant California and 16 other states a 'waiver' to regulate tailpipe greenhouse gases.
McGraw settlement again irks feds
McGraw CHARLESTON, W. Va. - The federal government is unhappy with another settlement engineered by West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw and is planning to make the State pay up.
State Farm wants all former Scruggs Katrina Group attorneys off lawsuits
Don Barrett GULFPORT, Miss. - State Farm Insurance Cos. feels it has brought its argument against the Katrina Litigation Group up to date and on Tuesday filed a motion to disqualify the group's firms from all Hurricane Katrina lawsuits.
After unsure beginning, public nuisance provided Motley Rice with staying power in Rhode Island
Fitzpatrick In 1999, plaintiffs firm Motley Rice threw handfuls of legal theories against a courtroom wall to see if any would stick.
All or nothing at all: Sides debating benefits of Lynch's lead abatement plan
Could it be that the best way to avoid the health risks associated with lead paint is to preserve its presence rather than eliminate it?
Madison County, Ill. ascends from ATRA's 'hellhole'
For the first time since the American Tort Reform Association started ranking the nation's most unfair civil court jurisdictions, Madison County, Ill. no longer makes the list.
Wisc. GOP opposes SC's 'Plan B' to re-district state
Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson MADISON -- Republican lawmakers have recently begun voicing strong opposition to a Wisconsin Supreme Court proposal on state re-districting released almost three months ago.
Trial approaching too fast for Scruggs
Keker OXFORD, Miss. - Indicted trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs' defense team said Monday that it needs more time to prepare an adequate defense against accusations that Scruggs attempted to bribe a state judge.
Katrina firm hit with sexual harassment suit
JACKSON, Miss. - A paralegal is alleging that her time at Nutt and McAlister was more like Spring Break and that she was fired for complaining that the firm's attorneys were violating a judge's injunction in a Hurricane Katrina-related case.
McGraw's campaign site dedicates page to critics
McGraw CHARLESTON, W. Va. - In preparation for the 2008 election, West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw has built a campaign site that blames the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for what he perceives as misinformation about him being spread.