News from 2009
Cuomo, McCollum primed to make runs at governor, polls show
McCollum HAMDEN, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Two recently released polls show good news for a pair of state attorneys general.
Nevada AG mentioned as possible federal judge pick
Catherine Cortez Masto (D) CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline)-Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto is among names being mentioned for a possible federal judgeship.
Famed trial lawyer turns sights to Facebook
W. Mark Lanier SANTA ANA, Calif. (Legal Newsline)--The famed trial lawyer W. Mark Lanier of Houston has filed a lawsuit in California on behalf of five Facebook users who allege that the social networking site misappropriated their personal information.
Calif. Supreme Court orders model's lawsuit back to trial
Kathryn Werdegar SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-A trial court will revisit the long-running case between Nestle USA and model Russell Christoff, after the California Supreme Court found that more information is needed in order to determine whether the "single publication rule" applies to the closely watched case.
Texas Supreme Court resignations mark 'sad departures,' observers say
Sherry Sylvester AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Supreme Court Justice Scott Brister's planned retirement from the state's high court will mark a "sad departure" for the Lone Star State's judiciary, a court observer said.
Cuomo sues debt collection operation
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against a Buffalo-based debt collection operation over allegations the organization violated federal and state laws.
McKenna looks to stop electric hikes
Rob McKenna (R) SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) - Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna on Tuesday challenged proposed electric and gas rate increases by Avista, claiming the request is not justified and that the company may be already charging its customers too much.
AGs back Obama's Consumer Financial Protection Agency
Obama WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The attorneys general of 22 states are urging Congress to pass a plan crafted by President Barack Obama's administration for a consumer protection agency that will team with them.
Fitch files action against tobacco shop
Fitch CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) - Acting New Hampshire Attorney General Orville Fitch on Tuesday filed an action against Brookline-based Tobacco Haven, asking the court to recognize the company as a tobacco manufacturer.
Stenehjem looks to dismiss NAWS suits
Stenehjem BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline) - North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem filed a motion in federal court on Tuesday looking to dismiss lawsuits filed by the Province of Manitoba and the State of Missouri to stop the Northwest Area Water Supply Project.
Cordray sues bars over smoking ban
Cordray COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray on Friday filed lawsuits against two bars over allegations both establishments violated the state's Smoke-free Workplace Act.
Illinois governor signs AG-backed opens records law
Lisa Madigan (D) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline)-Open records legislation championed by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has been signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn.
Disbarred Fen-Phen lawyers get long prison sentences
Hon. Danny Reeves FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline)-Disgraced plaintiffs' attorneys William Gallion to 25 years in prison and Shirley Cunningham Jr. to 20 years for defrauding clients out of millions of dollars in the state's $200 million Fen-Phen settlement.
Oregon's consumer chief a former corporate defense lawyer
Oregon Department of Justice building SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-The top consumer advocate in the Oregon attorney general's office spent years on the other side of legal aisle, defending companies against consumer claims, before becoming charged with pursuing nefarious businesses and flim-flam artists in the Beaver State.
Blumenthal wins challenge to former outside counsel policy
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court has dismissed a challenge to a Connecticut policy that forbid outside counsel who were performing work for the attorney general to make campaign contributions to any candidate for the office.
Texas SC justice announces return to private practice
Scott Brister AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Supreme Court Justice Scott Brister said Monday he is resigning from the high court to return to private law practice.
Cuomo files ARS suit against unhappy Schwab
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - As promised, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has filed a lawsuit against Charles Schwab & Co., and the company is not pleased about it.
MDL judge could change the game of asbestos litigation
Robreno PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - Since his appointment last year to the U.S. Multi District Litigation on asbestos, Judge Eduardo Robreno has developed a reputation for clearing the court's massive docket at warp speed -- half a million cases in four months.
Third Circuit in rush to rule on injunction in sports-betting case
Markell WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has agreed to speed up part of the appeal of five major sports organizations that are challenging Delaware's new sports-betting law.
Calif. lawmakers eye $1.50 cigarette tax hike
Grant Gillham SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Democrats in control of California's Legislature are pushing for an increase in the state tobacco tax to help raise revenue amid a historically severe cash crunch.