News from January 2009
Colorado justices overturn ban on chemical mining
DENVER (Legal Newsline)- A county-wide ban on heap leach cyanide mining has been overturned by the Colorado Supreme Court.
Brown towers over others in headlines
Jerry Brown (D) SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - If elections were won by counting headlines, the race for California governor in 2010 would already be over.
Madigan hails Illinois clean energy law
Lisa Madigan (D) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline)-Clean energy legislation signed into Illinois law Monday was hailed by state Attorney General Lisa Madigan who said the new law will protect the environment and bring more green jobs to the Land of Lincoln.
Indiana justices OK city's lawsuit against gun makers
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline)-The Indiana Supreme Court has given the go-ahead for the city of Gary's decade-old lawsuit against gun manufacturers to move forward.
Prostitution allegation dogs new judge
Michael Hecht TACOMA, Wash. (Legal Newsline)-The newest judge on Pierce County Superior Court in Washington won't be hearing criminal cases any time soon, an official said.
AG: Foreclosures to blame for nation's recession
Terry Goddard (D) PHOENIX, Ariz. (Legal Newsline)-The legions of homeowners who have lost their homes in recent months is a major cause of the nation's current economic woes, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard said.
AG Hood never had authority to bring Katrina suit, judge rules
Hood BRANDON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood's controversial lawsuit against five insurance companies he claimed mistreated Hurricane Katrina victims has been dismissed by a state judge.
Virginia homeowners to receive mortgage loan modifications
Bob McDonnell RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) -- Virginia has joined a nationwide settlement agreement with Countrywide Financial Corp. that will provide about $212.8 million in home loan and foreclosure relief to more than 8,9000 Virginia homeowners.
Trial lawyers ask Obama to expand product liability
Barack Obama (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-A leading national group of trial lawyers Monday called on President-elect Barack Obama to repeal a bevy of regulations that limit corporate liability.
Dell settles fraud claims with 34 states
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline)- Dell Inc., one of the world's largest computer companies, has agreed to pay $3.35 million to settle claims by 34 state attorneys general that it used deceptive financing and warranty practices.
Chris Koster to become Missouri's new attorney general
Chris Koster (D) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline)-Democrat Chris Koster will be sworn in today as Missouri's new attorney general.
Cordray mentioned as possible U.S. Senate contender
Richard Cordray (D) COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline)-Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray, sworn into office just last week, is being widely mentioned as a potential candidate to run for the U.S. Senate expected to be vacated by Republican George Voinovich.
Zoeller takes over for boss as Indiana's attorney general
Greg Zoeller (R) INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline)- Greg Zoeller, Indiana's chief deputy attorney general since 2001, will be sworn in as the state's new chief legal officer Monday, succeeding his boss, Republican Steve Carter.
Brown in national spotlight as he readies for gubernatorial run
Jerry Brown (D) OAKLAND, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - As California Attorney General Jerry Brown prepares to launch a bid for a third term as governor of California he need not worry about getting his name in front of voters.
Wage legislation called a potential 'bonanza' for trial lawyers
U.S. Capitol building WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Legislation called a potential "trial lawyer bonanza" by the Wall Street Journal is winding its way through Congress.
Fraud claims against Biden's son, brother settled
Joe Biden (D) NEW YORK (Legal Newsline)-Claims have been settled that U.S. Vice President-elect Joe Biden's youngest son and brother defrauded a former business partner in a hedge fund deal that went sour.
Study: Jury awards slide 30 percent in 2008
Grant Woods WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Billion dollar U.S. jury verdicts appear to be a thing of the past, a study indicates.
Supreme Court agrees to hear reverse discrimination case
U.S. Supreme Court building WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a potential landmark case examining the use of race as a factor in public sector hiring.
Michigan named lead plaintiff in national securities class action
Mike Cox (R) LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) -- The state of Michigan has been appointed the lead plaintiff in a national securities class action lawsuit against the Bear Stearns Companies as well as five current and former executives and directors.
Boxer urges Calif. AG to investigate Shell Oil over alleged market manipulation
Barbara Boxer (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer is urging California Attorney General Jerry Brown to investigate whether Shell Oil is trying to manipulate California's gasoline market.