News from 2012
Del. SC affirms record $300M attorney fee award
Holland DOVER, Del. (Legal Newsline) - The Delaware Supreme Court last week upheld a fee, awarded to a group of plaintiffs lawyers, worth more than $300 million.
Strip club takes case over fees to N.Y. high court
Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - A strip club near Albany is asking New York's highest court to exempt it from a state sales tax on its admission fees and so-called "couch sales."
Texas SC orders judge to clarify why he disregarded verdict
Floyd AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - For the second time in the same case, Texas' highest court is directing Judge Donald Floyd of Jefferson County to definitively state his reasons for disregarding a jury verdict and granting a plaintiff a new trial.
Ill. court reverses $17.8M asbestos verdict
Steigmann SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - A split panel of the Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court has reversed a $17.8 million verdict in a McLean County asbestos conspiracy case.
W.Va. SC hears public financing arguments
Loughry CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - After nearly two hours of oral arguments, the question of additional public funding in the West Virginia Supreme Court race rests squarely in the hands of the state Supreme Court.
Poker buddies accused of insider trading swap
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - The Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday accused a California man with giving inside information about Nvidia Corporation's earnings to a poker buddy.
SEC accuses Chinese weight loss company of fraud
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - The Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday accused a Chinese weight loss company and its top executive of fraud.
Farmers Field bill challenged in Calif. court
Stormer LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A coalition of community activists and four individuals filed suit Thursday against the state of California challenging a recently enacted law that insulates the developer of a proposed Los Angeles stadium from environmental lawsuits.
Maine AG seeks First Circuit review of Medicaid plan amendment
Schneider AUGUSTA, Maine (Legal Newsline) - Maine Attorney General William Schneider says he had "no choice" but to file a petition for review with a federal appeals court after the federal government refused to rule on the state's request to make cuts to its Medicaid program on an "expedited basis."
La. court upholds $258M Risperdal verdict
Caldwell LAKE CHARLES, La. (Legal Newsline) - A Louisiana appeals court has upheld the $258 million verdict in state Attorney General Buddy Caldwell's lawsuit against Janssen Pharmaceutical over the prescription drug Risperdal.
Federal judge says Johnson entitled to become La. SC chief justice
Johnson NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge ruled Saturday that Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Bernette Johnson is entitled to become the high court's next chief justice based on her seniority.
Md. home builder must pay $837K
Gansler BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler announced a final order on Thursday against an Anne Arundel County-based home builder who allegedly violated multiple state laws.
Mass. AG settles with town over water emergency
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced a consent judgment on Friday with the town of Falmouth resolving allegations that the town inadequately responded to a public water emergency.
Locksmith settles with AG Koster
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced a settlement on Tuesday with a Kansas City locksmith and its general manager resolving allegations that the company advertised lower prices than it actually charged.
Report: N.Y. AG investigating Romney's Bain Capital
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has reportedly subpoenaed more than a dozen firms, asking for documents that would show details about their tax strategies.
Amicus brief in Kiobel argues that 'extraterritorial' application of the ATS turns intent on its head
Clement WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Allowing extraterritorial claims in U.S. courts could turn the Alien Tort Statute (ATS) "on its head."
Calif. lawmakers pass ADA lawsuit abuse measure
Steinberg SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - A bill aimed at helping California businesses comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, without facing the ever-growing threat of frivolous lawsuits, has cleared the state Legislature.
11th Circuit rejects class action against T-Mobile
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit has upheld a federal district court's rejection of a class action request in a case against T-Mobile.
Former UBS execs convicted of wire fraud
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A New York federal jury convicted three former UBS financial services executives on Friday for their alleged parts in frauds related to bidding for municipal finance contracts.
Offshore investment adviser accused of fraud
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - The Securities and Exchange Commission has accused an offshore investment adviser of fraud.