News from 2009
Public nuisance makes a comeback in global warming suits
Gifford WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - University of Maryland law professor Donald Gifford said Wednesday that it is time to start paying attention to public nuisance global warming lawsuits again.
Mass. settles with 20 landlords and real estate agents over discriminatory practices‏
Martha Coakley (D) BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Twenty cases against landlords and real estate agents accused of violating state anti-discrimination laws across Massachusetts have been settled by Attorney General Martha Coakley's office.
Legal analyst: Civil Gideon law could overwhelm civil courts
Ted Frank SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)- A new California law that gives lower-income residents legal representation in certain civil proceedings is raising concerns with a leading national legal observer.
Lawsuit filed against Texas man's home ownership scheme‏
Greg Abbott (R) AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has filed suit against a realty company that defrauded Hispanic home buyers.
Former Ariz. chief justice lauds merit selection process
McGregor WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The State of Arizona's process for selecting its judges was hailed as the nation's finest by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform Wednesday at its summit, and former Chief Justice Ruth McGregor agreed.
Bush, Sessions talk tort reform at ILR Summit
Sessions WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions highlighted the speakers at the 10th U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform Summit, held Wednesday.
Hawaii SC ends ceded lands case
HONOLULU (Legal Newsline)-The Hawaii Supreme Court has ended the long-running litigation over ceded lands, dismissing claims by the remaining defendant in the case.
Plaintiffs, defendants could both use third-party financing, panel says
Beisner WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A panel of four debated just exactly who can benefit from third-party litigation financing Wednesday at the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform Summit.
Calif. AG candidates make 'easy target' of oil companies
Alberto Torrico (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Two Democratic candidates for California attorney general are seeking to ease the state's fiscal woes by unfairly collecting billions from oil producers, industry and anti-tax activists say.
Illinois files suit against security company for deceptive sales practices‏
Lisa Madigan (D) CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois' Attorney General Lisa Madigan has filed a lawsuit against a security company that allegedly used deceptive sales tactics that often left customers stuck in two separate sales contracts.
Texas judge to handle Scruggs case
Richard "Dickie" Scruggs HOUSTON, Texas (Legal Newsline)-A federal judge in Texas will hear a lawsuit claiming that disgraced former trial attorney Richard "Dickie" Scruggs and several others conspired to defraud a former colleague of millions of dollars in legal fees.
Blogging attorneys warn drug companies in W.Va.
Herrmann CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - A West Virginia Supreme Court decision to ignore 47 other jurisdictions is at the center of a new blog post by a pair of attorneys who say prescription drug companies should think twice about doing business in West Virginia.
AG demands Web site end sales of memorial shirts of slain UConn football player‏
Richard Blumenthal (D) HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has demanded that a Pennsylvania website immediately end sales of memorial T-shirts and towels or recently murdered University of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard or face legal action.
Multistate settlement: Student Loan Xpress to forgive $113 million in debt
Jerry Brown (D-Calif.) (Legal Newsline)- Students from the now-defunct Silver State Helicopters LLC will have millions in tuition debt erased under an agreement between the school's loan provider and a dozen state attorneys general.
Low-income Californians to get free representation in civil court
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Lower-income Californians will gain a new right next year -- free legal representation in certain civil cases -- at least temporarily.
Nava: Big Oil not paying its 'fair share'
Pedro Nava (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)- Assemblyman Pedro Nava, the Southern California lawmaker vying to become the state's next chief legal officer, said Monday that Big Oil companies are getting off easy.
S.C. the largest in last round of Zyprexa settlements so far
McMaster COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster announced Friday that his settlement with Eli Lilly & Co. over its prescription antipsychotic Zyprexa is worth $45 million.
Nevada AG gets injunction against phone companies
Catherine Cortez Masto (D) CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline) -Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said Monday that a dozen phone companies in the state were charging consumers for unauthorized services.
Possible federal judge opened checkbook for 13 senators
McConnell PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - Since 2000, trial lawyer Jack McConnell has contributed to the campaigns of 13 current U.S. senators who may eventually help make him a federal judge.
Toshiba 10 years later: A look back at a Texas city's big settlement
BEAUMONT, Texas (Legal Newsline)--It's been 10 years since Toshiba settled what is probably the largest recovery ever obtained in a class action lawsuit for economic damages.