News from March 2010
Tort reformer: N.J. SC's jurisdiction decision a dangerous one
Rivera-Soto TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - Even if foreign companies don't want to do business in New Jersey, they can still find themselves in state courtrooms as a result of a recent state Supreme Court decision, a legal reform advocate told Legal Newsline.
Suthers settles debt collection suit
Suthers DENVER (Legal Newsline) - Colorado Attorney General John Suthers has reached a settlement with four law firms, three attorneys and one associated business barring them from violating the state's debt collection and consumer protection laws.
Drug company will pay $3.8M in Massachusetts
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has reached a settlement with a New Jersey-based pharmaceutical manufacturer over alleged false and inflated price reports.
Cox helps thwart HMO purchase
Cox LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Blue Care Network has abandoned its plan to acquire Physicians Health Plan of Mid-Michigan, a Lansing-based HMO, much to the delight of state Attorney General Mike Cox.
Ski resort settles hazardous materials suit
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) - The owner and operator of a West Dover ski resort has agreed to pay civil penalties to the state to settle claims brought by Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell.
Settlement reached with Wis. tire disposal facility
Van Hollen NIAGARA, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - A tire-processing facility has agreed to take corrective actions and pay a $35,000 fine to settle claims brought by Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen under state solid waste management laws.
McKenna secures settlement with Australian e-book peddler
McKenna SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) - Sexy stories used to sell bogus health cures over the Internet have led to a settlement between two Australians and Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna.
Brief argues against liability expansion in asbestos suits
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A group of business organizations and insurance companies is urging the California Supreme Court to reject a legal theory that they say holds manufacturers liable for products made by others in asbestos cases.
Democrats pressed to advance pro-jobs bill
Tom Harman (R) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-A Republican California senator and candidate for state attorney general pressed Democrats Tuesday to advance a bill that would force lawmakers to consider the economic effects of bills.
Murnane: Illinois med-mal caps bill likely to die
Ed Murnane SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline)-Illinois lawmakers will not likely give voters the opportunity -- at least this year -- to allow the General Assembly to adopt caps on medical malpractice awards, a leading tort reform advocate said.
McMaster slightly ahead, much work left to do
McMaster COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - A large group of South Carolina Republicans are undecided about their choice for governor, but state Attorney General Henry McMaster is currently leading the field, a poll shows.
Nine AGs object to voting machine merger
Terry Goddard (D-Ariz.) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Two electronic voting machine manufacturers could be barred from merging their operations, under a settlement reached between the firms, state attorneys general and the U.S. Justice Department.
Analyst bashes AG Cuomo on CNBC
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Criticism of New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has hit the television airwaves, with a banking analyst calling him the "father of the subprime crisis."
LifeLock settles with AGs, federal regulator
Lisa Madigan (D-Ill.) CHICAGO (Legal Newsline)-The identity protection company LifeLock Inc. has entered into an $11 million settlement with 34 state attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission, resolving claims that the brand overstated the protections it provides consumers, officials said Tuesday.
Hold til 3/8: AGs consider controversial best practices document
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The nation's state attorneys general are considering recommendations for hiring outside lawyers on contingency -- a controversial practice that legal reformers have long decried.
Dean enters AG race in Connecticut
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - The woman who challenged one of Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's outside counsel policies is again running for state attorney general.
Tort reform measure passes test in S.C.
Harrell COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - The South Carolina House of Delegates overwhelmingly voted to place a limit on punitive damages awards and cap the amount private attorneys can make while representing the state Wednesday.
McKenna settles with auto dealer
McKenna OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - An agreement has been reached by Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna with an auto dealer that allegedly used misleading sales and advertising practices on its Latino customers.
Dollar Tree settles lead lawsuit with Sorrell
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) - A national retail chain will pay the state of Vermont $100,000 to settle claims of high amounts of lead and cadmium in products it offered for sale, Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell has announced.
Gansler sues Las Vegas company
Gansler BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler has filed a lawsuit against a Las Vegas company for its deceptive mail solicitations that claim recipients were eligible to receive cash prizes.