News from 2011
Mo. SC has chance to strike limit on punitive damages
Hulting ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) - The Missouri Supreme Court may end up deciding the fate of the state's punitive damages cap, one St. Louis attorney says.
Newark paper slams gov's treatment of Supreme Court
Christie TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has gone "way too far" in his criticism of the state Supreme Court, according to a recent op-ed.
Report: Dow preparing to leave N.J. AG post
Dow TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow is reportedly expected to step down as the state's top lawyer by the end of the year.
U.S. SC accepts ObamaCare appeal
Obama WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court announced on Monday that it will hear the appeals in a 26-state lawsuit that challenges President Barack Obama's federal health care reform law.
Conn. AG wants charges during storm waived
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen asked all state providers of telecommunications, television and Internet services on Thursday to waive charges for the period its customers were without service following an Oct. 29 storm.
DOJ forces sale of commercial health insurance business
Pozen HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) - The Department of Justice announced Tuesday that it will force New West Health Services Inc. to sell the majority of its commercial health insurance business to a third-party buyer -- most likely Pacific Source Health Plans of Springfield, Ore.
Right to Work group will offer free legal aid for non-union workers
Mix CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - Reacting to reports in the blog Red State.com that nonunion workers may be prevented from working at the 2012 Democratic National Convention set next August, the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, is offering free legal aid to workers who may be ordered off their jobs or prevented to work because they refrain from union membership.
U.S. SC makes no decision on Obamacare appeal
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court has not said if it will hear a multistate challenge to President Barack Obama's federal health care law.
Man says Hood campaign ad went too far
Hood JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - A lawyer for a man accused of killing a priest says a campaign commercial for freshly re-elected Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood has tainted the jury pool.
Report: Upset N.J. gov calls court 'exalted elite'
Christie TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is fuming over the state Supreme Court's decision to take up a case over how much public employees should contribute to their insurance and pensions.
CSX can contact former Peirce clients for fraud case
Peirce WHEELING, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - CSX Transportation can contact former clients of Pittsburgh asbestos lawyer Robert Peirce, U.S. District Judge Frederick Stamp has decided.
AGs team against House bill
Zoeller CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller joined Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan in Chicago on Wednesday to warn consumers about House Resolution 3035, known as the "Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011."
Former restaurant owner arraigned over wages
Coakley WOBURN, Mass. (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Thursday that the former owner of a Woburn restaurant has been arraigned for allegedly violating the commonwealth's wage and hour laws.
NLRB jokes about Boeing situation inappropriate, group claims
Haley WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A Washington-based public interest group says new documents show National Labor Relations Board staff making cracks about the economy, members of Congress and the state of South Carolina.
Paper argues against group's take on punitive damages
Schwartz WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The authors of a legal paper argue that a September study by the Center for Justice & Democracy on punitive damage awards is filled with "significant flaws" and "half-truths."
La. AG complies with discovery order in oil spill MDL
Caldwell NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - The state of Louisiana has complied with a federal judge's order to turn over documents relating to the Gulf oil spill and will not face thousands of dollars in daily fines or dismissal of its claims.
Philly's Complex Litigation Center is profit center, says reformer
Copland PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - In New York, they call it the Bronx Jury Effect.
W.Va. SC sets arguments in redistricting cases
Chief Justice Margaret Workman CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Supreme Court, in an order filed Wednesday, said oral arguments over the new House of Delegates and Senate redistricting plans will be held next week.
Former Ga. AG still working on AG issues
Baker WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - As the power given to state attorneys general grows, more attorneys like Thurbert Baker might be needed.
Paper argues for Kagan's recusal in health care challenge
Kagan WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - An expert on judicial issues says U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan should recuse herself from the multistate challenge to President Barack Obama's health care reform.