News from January 2012
Conn. AG reaches agreement with MetLife
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen has announced an agreement with Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. to provide added protections to former and current customers whose information was made public.
Third Circuit rules in favor of Pa. union
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has ruled that the National Labor Relations Board was correct in certifying a union vote.
Ark. AG says interest rates too high
McDaniel LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel filed a consumer protection lawsuit on Monday against two companies and a Missouri man for allegedly offering loans at interest rates higher than 600 percent.
Mont. AG opposes business group in campaign finance case
Bullock HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) - Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock is asking the state Supreme Court to shoot down a motion by a group of business organizations to stay a decision by the Court last month upholding a state election law.
Neb. AG files to run for U.S. Senate
Bruning LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline) - Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning is officially running for U.S. Senate.
Supreme Court affirms federal preemption in Calif. case
Kagan WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The United States Supreme Court again has affirmed that federal law preempts state law in the case of the National Meat Association v. Harris, Attorney General California et al.
'Peter and the Wolf' must be paid
Ginsburg WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The United States Supreme Court has ruled that a treaty did not exceed Congressional authority in the copyright clause of the Constitution.
Wis. AG settles pollution charges
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced a settlement on Friday with a Jackson County man who allegedly violated state laws that prohibit the improper disposal of pollutants and discharging wastes without a permit.
Jepsen, other AGs concerned with hacking attempt
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen wrote a letter to Zappos.com Inc. about its attempt to protect private customer information in response to a recent hacking attempt that may have affected more than 24 million customers.
Maine AG settles lawsuit against auto dealer
Schneider AUGUSTA, Maine (Legal Newsline) - Maine Attorney General William Schneider announced a settlement on Friday with Berlin City Auto Group of Portland to resolve allegations of unfair and deceptive warranty and remedy disclaimers.
State Department files amicus favoring corporate liability
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court soon will hear a key case on corporate liability.
Chevron appealing Ecuadorian appellate court's judgment
QUITO, Ecuador (Legal Newsline) - Chevron Corp. has filed an appeal, seeking review by Ecuador's National Court of Justice, of the adverse judgment issued by an appellate court earlier this month.
Christie picks two for N.J. Supreme Court
Christie TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has made his choices to fill the state's two open spots on the state supreme court, though neither pick has ever worked as a judge before.
U.S. SC issues stay in W.Va. redistricting case
Roberts WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - U.S. Supreme Court justices have plunged West Virginia elections more deeply into uncertainty.
Law professor: Cordray appointment could affect judicial nominees
Cordray RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - A University of Richmond law school professor says a controversial decision by President Barack Obama earlier this month could affect how quickly some judicial nominees will be voted on by the full Senate.
Secrecy of asbestos trusts the topic of policy debate
Stengel WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Two attorneys on opposite sides of a debate over payments to asbestos victims took part Friday in a policy debate presented by the Congressional Civil Justice Caucus Academy.
Civil justice reform bills introduced in N.J. Legislature
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - Half a dozen civil justice reform bills were prefiled for introduction at the start of New Jersey's legislative session.
U.S. SC says federal court erred in drawing Texas redistricting plans
Abbott WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a federal district court in San Antonio went too far in drawing interim redistricting plans for Texas.
Coakley calls home insurance rate request illegally excessive
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley's office told the Commissioner of Insurance that a proposed home insurance rate request for more than 150,000 consumers is illegally excessive.
Mass. AG settles with Calif. contractor over airport renovation
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has reached a $2.3 million settlement with a California-based construction company that allegedly submitted inflated and false invoices during the renovation of Logan International Airport.