News from 2007
Classes in class-action suits must meet guidelines, SC rules
Justice Dale Wainwright AUSTIN -- The Texas Supreme Court decertified a class action lawsuit in a unanimous but lengthy opinion released today.
Gov. doesn't want AG on team in Federal subpoena fight
Lisa Madigan SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The public rift between Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Governor Rod Blagojevich is growing deeper.
Attorney: AG Hood misrepresenting State Farm's position
Hood Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood sounded as confused as most observers when he tried to explain to a House subcommittee how State Farm Insurance Co. is applying its policies to homeowners claims after Hurricane Katrina, an insurance attorney said Thursday.
W.Va. AG hands out more settlement money
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. - In a span of two weeks after promising otherwise, Attorney General Darrell McGraw handed out $500,000 in lawsuit settlement money.
Oregon AG nabs tobacco black-marketers dodging high tax rates
Hardy Myers SALEM -- Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers today announced a swathe of arrests in a crime as old as taxation itself.
SC won't hear hospital's appeal in self-insured doctor's case
CAMC General Hospital CHARLESTON, W. Va. - Dr. R.E. Hamrick often wondered why, if he'd never paid out a medical malpractice claim, his medical malpractice insurance premium was so high.
Supreme Court rules narrowly for trucker in overtime case
Justice Barbara Madsen SPOKANE -- Washington's interstate truck drivers are entitled to overtime pay no matter where they work during the extra hours, the Washington Supreme Court ruled today.
AG Hood testifies in D.C.
Hood WASHINGTON, D.C. - The State of Mississippi continued its battle against the insurance industry Wednesday, with Attorney General Jim Hood and Rep. Gene Taylor testifying before a House Committee on Financial Services subcommittee.
Tenn. Supreme Court seat up for grabs again
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee's Judicial Selection Commission announced Wednesday that it will be accepting applications from middle and west Tennessee for the state's vacant Supreme Court seat.
State's caseload outgrowing resources, Chief Justice warns
Chief Justice Ronald M. George SACRAMENTO -- The state of California will need an additional 100 judges over the next two years, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald M. George has told state lawmakers.
Liability or Nuisance? Decision was easy for AG Lynch
Lynch PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch has always wanted the companies that used to manufacture lead-based paint to take liability for their product, just not in a products liability case.
Ind. SC won't make new exception to doctrine
Dickson INDIANAPOLIS - A retaliatory discharge claim will not be included in the list of Indiana's exemptions to the employment at will doctrine, the state's Supreme Court recently decided.
Madigan's raiders may find sleepy voting booths today
Lisa Madigan Illinois attorney general Lisa Madigan seems to determined to ensure that Illinois polling places no longer resemble - well - Illinois polling places.
Attorney: W. Va. SC looking ahead in insurance opinion
Maynard CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A recent opinion by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals will help avoid future attempts at collusion by plaintiffs and insured parties, an attorney involved in the case said Monday.
Bribery trial of Miss. tobacco lawyer, two state judges starts
JACKSON, Miss. - An attorney who represented the State of Mississippi during the landmark 1998 tobacco settlement went on trial Monday, accused of bribing two judges.
Post-trial motions denied in AG Lynch's lead paint case
Lynch PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch scored another victory Monday in his case against lead-based paint manufacturers when a Superior Court judge denied the companies' motions for a new trial and judgment as a matter of law.
State Farm asks judge to recuse himself; AG Hood files to intervene in Katrina settlement hearing
Hood GULFPORT, Miss. - A day after State Farm Insurance Co. asked a federal judge to recuse himself from presiding over a portion of a proposed settlement with policyholders affected by Hurricane Katrina, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood filed a motion to participate in Wednesday's settlement hearing.
McGraw still handing out settlement money
McGraw CHARLESTON - Just one week after his chief deputy told a legislative committee otherwise, Attorney General Darrell McGraw again was handing out lawsuit settlement money.
Termite-treatment dispute gets hearing, rules Arkansas SC
Chief Justice Jim Hannah LITTLE ROCK -- Federal arbitration is the correct remedy for a contractual dispute with a pest exterminator, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled late yesterday.
Receivable deposit keys quick-take eminent domain, SC rules
Justice Ming W. Chin SACRAMENTO -- Two important conditions governing California's so-called "quick-take" eminent domain action are both constitutional, the state Supreme Court ruled late yesterday.