News from March 2011
Despite concern, Judiciary Committee approves lawyer's nomination
McConnell WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The Senate Judiciary Committee moved the controversial nomination of Rhode Island plaintiffs attorney Jack McConnell ahead to the full Senate Thursday with an 11-7 vote.
Wis. judge says controversial bill not in effect
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi, in an amended order on Thursday, says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's controversial collective bargaining bill has not taken effect.
Iowa chief justice re-elected
Cady DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Justice Mark Cady of Fort Dodge, who has served as chief justice since January 1, has been reelected as chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court.
Democrat enters Pa. AG race
SCRANTON, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Career prosecutor Kathleen Granahan Kane announced her candidacy for Pennsylvania attorney general on Wednesday.
Mo. eBay seller can't be sued in Kentucky
Venters FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) - The Kentucky Supreme Court says a man cannot sue a Missouri truck seller in state court for a faulty vehicle he bought on eBay.
Ga. SC freezes $20M in assets of family housing company
Nahmias ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - The Georgia Supreme Court said a lower court did not abuse its discretion in temporarily freezing more than $20 million in assets owned by father-and-son residential housing developers and their companies.
McGraw online video drawing heat
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. - An online video produced by state Attorney General Darrell McGraw's office is drawing attention, but not necessarily from its target audience yet.
Suthers sues loan modification company
Suthers DENVER (Legal Newsline) - Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced on Thursday that his office has filed a lawsuit against a Castle Rock company that allegedly engaged in a multistate loan modification scam.
Coakley sues over asbestos removal
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Tuesday that a lawsuit has been filed against a Lawrence, Mass., company and its president for violations of the Massachusetts Clean Air Act.
Ariz. SC rules in wrongful death case of Grammy winner
Preston PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) - The Arizona Supreme Court says a plaintiff is not required to show that an initial failure to name the real party in interest resulted from an understandable mistake or difficulty in identifying the proper party.
Ill. SC shoots down class action over airline baggage fee
Freeman SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - The Illinois Supreme Court ruled last week that a Northbrook woman cannot continue with her lawsuit against American Airlines over a $40 baggage fee.
N.C. man asks W.Va. SC to reinstate his case
Trischler CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals heard arguments Wednesday on the reinstatement of a lawsuit filed by a North Carolina man against Mylan drug companies.
Md. court puts stipulations on reducing asbestos verdict
Greene ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Legal Newsline) - Maryland's highest court says an asbestos award should only be reduced to reflect prior settlements with bankrupt companies if those companies admitted liability.
California trial lawyers tout legislative gains
Montevideo SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) A group representing trial lawyers in California says they're gaining traction with consumer-minded legislation.
Mo. AG sues over air quality reports
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced on Tuesday that he has filed a lawsuit against two men who allegedly violated the state's Air Conservation Law.
Madigan, Van Hollen work milk issue
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced on Tuesday that she has proposed a consent decree to require Dean Foods to sell a milk processing plant in Waukesha, Wis.
Iowa, hog farm reach agreement
Miller DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced on Wednesday that he has obtained a consent degree with a hog production facility company.
Madigan concerned with allegedly dirty pool
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a complaint this week that will keep the swimming pool at a Metro-East hotel closed pending next month's hearing on alleged public health and sanitation violations.
Rule would limit attorneys fees in Mich. no-fault benefits cases
Chief Justice Robert Young LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - A proposed rule limiting attorneys fees is one subject scheduled for discussion at the Michigan Supreme Court's public administrative hearing being held Wednesday.
N.Y. AG to review AT&T's purchase of T-Mobile
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced on Tuesday that his office will conduct a thorough review of AT&T's acquisition of T-Mobile, a merger that would create the nation's largest wireless company.