News from December 2010
Madison County's chief judge responds to ATRA report
Callis EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Madison County Chief Judge Ann Callis responded to the American Tort Reform Association's report released Tuesday that puts the Illinois county's court on a judicial "Watch List" due in part to a growing asbestos docket.
Cuccinelli talks about win in health care challenge
Cuccinelli RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli called a federal judge's decision to side with the state in its lawsuit challenging President Barack Obama's federal health care reform a win for residents and for the U.S. Constitution.
Work of AGs, supreme courts explored in 'hellhole' report
McCollum WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - As usual, state attorneys general and state supreme courts received a share of the attention in the American Tort Reform Association's annual Judicial Hellholes report.
Huge verdict lands Nev. county on 'hellhole' list
LAS VEGAS (Legal Newsline) - A $500 million decision by a Nevada court has been criticized by the American Tort Reform Association in its annual Judicial Hellholes report.
Philly is No. 1 'judicial hellhole,' group says
ATRA president Sherman Joyce WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Six jurisdictions have been labeled by the American Tort Reform Association as "judicial hellholes" this year, with Philadelphia garnering the most criticism.
Corbett settles nurse-training allegations
Corbett HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett announced on Thursday that he has reached a $508,000 settlement with Summit Health over alleged overcharging of registered nurses for their training.
Ark. AG sues over alleged adoption scam
McDaniel LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel announced on Thursday that he has filed a consumer protection lawsuit against a defunct adoption agency that allegedly deceived prospective adoptive families.
Lawyers discuss 'tremendous revenue' potential in pursuing RICOs in MDLs
Chesley NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - Cincinnati attorney Stanley Chesley told lawyers gathered at a Louisiana State Bar Association mass tort symposium that taking RICO cases to MDLS can lead to "tremendous revenue."
Experts shed light on how judicial panels of MDLs select venue
McGovern NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - Speaking at an annual class action/mass tort symposium held in New Orleans on Friday, a panel featuring a sitting federal judge and Duke Law School professor shed light on how judicial panels on Multi-District Litigation (MDL) go about deciding venues.
Asbestos defendants want automatic access to info in bankruptcy trusts
Cohn While asbestos lawyers defend a claims system that distributes approximately $18 billion worth of assets within bankruptcy trusts, defendant manufacturers outside the trusts are calling for automatic access to information as a means of keeping the payment system fair and honest.
Poll: Cuomo should focus on financial matters
Cuomo ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New Yorkers say they want Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo to focus on revitalizing the state's economy and balancing its budget, according to a new survey released Monday.
Va. AG wins first round of health care challenge
Cuccinelli RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge on Monday sided with Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli in his lawsuit challenging federal health care reform.
Fair share payout may soon be all that's required in Pennsylvania
Corbett PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - Companies in Pennsylvania may be looking at a future where they are no longer responsible for paying damages their co-defendants can't afford.
Blumenthal demands info from Google
Blumenthal
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is demanding access to data collected in the state illegally by an Internet giant.
Fla. AG files suit against financial services firm
McCollum TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum's office has filed a lawsuit against a financial service company that allegedly deceived consumers through false advertising.
Fundraising group agrees with Iowa AG to change its practices
Miller DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller has announced he has reached an agreement with a Minnesota fundraising group that requires it to change its practices in the state.
Blumenthal questions airport X-ray machines
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is asking two federal agencies to provide his office with data "used to assess the safety" of the new X-ray machines being used in airports across the country.
Edmondson gives opinion on judicial nominating board
Edmondson OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) - Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, in a seven-page opinion issued Wednesday, said passage of State Question 725 is not retroactive and will not affect the current Judicial Nominating Commission.
Wall Street enforcer joining Goldman Sachs
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - An employee of the New York Attorney General's Office is leaving to work as an associate general counsel at Goldman Sachs, according to a Wall Street Journal blog.
N.J. AG accused of burying sheriff's case
Dow TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - A former Hunterdon County assistant prosecutor, in a tort claim notice filed Wednesday, alleges New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow took part in a plan to clear the name of a county sheriff.