News from March 2010
W.Va. chamber laughs off trial lawyers' comments
Roberts CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia's trial lawyers are calling on the state Chamber of Commerce to denounce a national study that criticizes state courts, a suggestion Chamber president Steve Roberts called laughable.
Ga. SC strikes down tort reform measure
Hunstein ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - A week after upholding two provisions of a 2005 tort reform package, the Georgia Supreme Court unanimously decided Monday that placing caps on damages is unconstitutional.
Swanson files pair of lawsuits under new law
Swanson ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) - Two lawsuits have been filed by Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson against out-of-state mortgage modification companies, alleging violations of a 2009 mortgage modification state law.
Hospitality company agrees to settlements over withheld gratuities
Martha Coakley (D) BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - A settlement has been reached between a Westport, Mass., hospitality company and its owner and Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley over alleged violations of the state's wage and hour laws.
Illinois home to two 'jackpot jurisdictions'
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline)--Illinois has two of the most unfair state court jurisdictions in the nation, a survey of top corporate lawyers and business executives indicates.
Texas legal environment improves
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-The legal climate in Texas has improved over the past seven years but Beaumont is still getting negative national attention, a survey released today of top corporate lawyers and business executives shows.
Louisiana courts, judges get failing marks
BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline)-Louisiana has the second most unfair courts in the nation, a survey released today of top corporate lawyers and business executives indicates.
Report: Los Angeles, San Francisco courts among the nation's worst
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California's treatment of civil litigation makes it one of the worst legal climates in the nation, a survey of top corporate lawyers indicates.
Abbott asked to opine on county's outside counsel
Greg Abbott (R) DALLAS, Texas (Legal Newsline)-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has been asked to opine as to whether Dallas County Commissioners have the authority to hire outside lawyers to represent the county in certain civil cases, his office said Friday.
Carp crisis discussed at justices' weekly meeting
U.S. Supreme Court building WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Supreme Court met today in closed session to discuss Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox's lawsuit to close Chicago-area shipping locks to prevent Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes.
Texas judge sets aside $100M verdict in BP case
HOUSTON, Texas (Legal Newsline)-Setting aside a $100 million verdict, a federal judge has ruled that 10 workers who sued BP over injuries from a chemical release at a Texas oil refinery did not prove the company was grossly negligent.
Idaho braces for lawsuit over insurance mandate
C.L. "Butch" Otter (R) BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline)-The Idaho attorney general must file a lawsuit if the federal government acts in its proposed health care overhaul to require individuals to buy medical insurance, under a new state law.
Settlement reached over nutritional supplement enrollment plan‏
John Suthers (R) DENVER (Legal Newsline) - Attorneys for the state of Colorado have reached a settlement with an Internet marketer and seller of nutritional supplements to bring them into compliance with consumer protection laws, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers has announced.
Eastman's proposed job title on ballot sparks criticism
John Eastman (R) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-If California Republican attorney general candidate John Eastman has his way, his job description on the June primary ballot will be "assistant attorney general," a designation that has sparked some controversy.
Kelly gives his AG campaign $2 million, again
Chris Kelly (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California attorney general hopeful Chris Kelly has put another $2 million into his race, bringing the total that the former Facebook executive has given to his campaign to $4 million.
Goddard settles real estate suit
Goddard PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) - Several defendants in an alleged real estate scheme have agreed to a $120,000 settlement, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard has announced.
Stenehjem to seek fourth term as N.D. attorney general
Wayne Stenehjem (R) BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline)-North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem plans this year to seek a fourth term in office, the state Republican Party said Wednesday.
Tobacco suit sets record in Fla. county
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A Florida jury has awarded more than $17 million to a widow whose husband died in 1995 after a lifetime of smoking cigarettes.
Ohio pool company agrees to change business practices
Dow NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - Following an investigation, an Ohio-based pool construction company will pay $180,000 and change its business practices, New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow has announced.
AG Wasden faces possible pay cut
Lawrence Wasden (R) BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline)-Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden could be in store for a pay cut to help the state make ends meet if he is reelected in November, and that is fair, said the House Republicans' point-man on the budget.