News from 2007
McKenna's big step could be first of many
Rob McKenna OLYMPIA -- Washington Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna made his first big splash in the other "Washington" yesterday. State observers say it is unlikely to be his last.
Judicial campaigns missing the point, attorney says
Hardin NEW ORLEANS - Judicial candidates need to be more worried about showing an aptitude for the law and less concerned with weighing in on hot-button issues, according to the head of Louisiana's Judicial Campaign Oversight Committee.
AG will be spectator in Pa. controversy
Corbett HARRISBURG, Pa. - Having put his seal of approval on a law attempting to cut mercury pollution by 90 percent, Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett will now sit back and watch the fallout.
Ind. state senator asks AG to reject contract
Carter INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - A Democratic legislator has asked Indianapolis Attorney General Steve Carter to refuse a $1.16 billion contract that will partly privatize state welfare programs.
Ohio AG backs veto of lawsuit-limiting bill
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann on Monday commended new Gov. Ted Strickland's veto of a bill that would have limited lawsuits against lead-pigment manufacturers.
Hood, State Farm close to Katrina settlement
Hood GULFPORT, Miss. - Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood and State Farm Insurance Company are reportedly close to agreeing on a settlement that will end hundreds of lawsuits.
Missouri chief justice wants change to state judge ratings
Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Wolff. JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri must review its judicial evaluation system and the way it assesses judges' workloads, the chief justice of Missouri's Supreme Court told state lawmakers today.
Court slams attorney for attacking frivolous suits
Nevada Supreme Court CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has hauled over the coals an attorney who criticized frivolous litigation during several lawsuit trials involving insurers in 2004.
Pharmaceutical company settles over Vermont disclosure law
MONTPELIER, Vt. - A pharmaceutical company will have to abide by a Vermont disclosure law after settling with Attorney General William Sorrell Monday.
Woman goes 0-for-2 with her lawsuits
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rhode Island's Supreme Court recently upheld a Superior Court decision that a Providence law firm wasn't to blame for a woman losing her medical malpractice case.
Two AGs among small group of unsettling parties sue FERC
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The attorneys general of Connecticut and Massachusetts have jointly filed suit against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, hoping to end a surcharge that was imposed to encourage the construction of new power plants.
Conn. AG wants appeal answered
Sullivan HARTFORD, Conn. - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is asking the state's Supreme Court to rule on his appeal of a lower court ruling that prevented former Chief Justice William Sullivan from having to obey a subpoena from the Legislature.
Cox intervening in Proposal 2 case
Cox LANSING, Mich. - Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox announced Thursday he will intervene on behalf of the plaintiffs who filed a lawsuit against the University of Michigan in an attempt to force the school to comply with a recently passed law.
Conn. AG seeks to dismiss claim for tax shield
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says that property taxes must be paid on slot machines leased by a non-Indian entity that are located on sovereign Indian property.
Southwest 'despicably focused' on punctuality, Flight 1248 suits claim
After the crash A Southwest Airlines flight that skidded off the runway at Chicago's Midway Airport on a snowy evening last winter continues to spawn litigation, with two more suits filed against the airline in November 2006.
Sibelius chooses "non-partisan" GOP judge for SC vacancy
Johnson TOPEKA -- Lee A. Johnson looks like the perfect candidate to heal the political and judicial rifts that have famously turned Kansas into one of the country's most polarized states.
Incoming AG Swanson faces calls to ditch Hatch
Hatch (left) and Swanson (center) ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota's incoming Democrat attorney general Lori Swanson has laid out her forthcoming legal agenda amidst growing calls for her to sideline unpopular former Attorney General Mike Hatch.
Mass. Supreme Court overturns dismissal in doctor's malicious prosecution case
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - In an order issued the day after Christmas, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court overturned the dismissal of a malicious prosecution claim brought by a neurologist against an insurance company.
Insurance company permanently changes practices after settlement
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal announced Tuesday that St. Paul Travelers Companies voluntarily has agreed to permanently stop paying contingent commissions to brokers and agents for certain types of insurance.
Employers can reduce coverage for Medicare-eligible retirees: Iowa SC
Iowa Supreme Court DES MOINES -- An Iowa employer is not obliged to continue as primary health care provider for a retired employee if that employee can be covered by Medicare, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled today.